MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



The publication, we are told of the important results of this journey was not 

 completed, when he undertook another to Asiatic Russia and the^ confines of 

 China, from which he has but lately returned. After having performed under- 

 takings so arduous, it may perhaps not be uninteresting to our readers to learn 

 that M. de Humboldt is at present engaged in preparing an account of his 

 Asiatic Tour, the full details of which will appear under the title of a journey to 

 the Arabian Range, the mountains of Kolgoan, the frontiers of 'Chinese Zanja- 

 ria and the Caspian Sea ; the whole consist of three distinct works by himself 

 and his coajutors, G. Rose and G. Ehrenberg. 



It is only proper to add that the pleasant narrative now before us, is orna- 

 mented with a portrait of the great traveller by Horsburg, a map of the Oronoco, 

 and five engravings by Jackson. 



THE LIVES AND EXPLOITS OF BANDITTI AND ROBBERS, IN ALL PARTS OF THE 

 WORLD. BY C. MAC FARLANE, ESQ. EDWARD BULL. 1832. 



UNDER this somewhat astounding and formidable title ; the Robbers in all 

 parts of the world being now before us; the ingenious author of " Constanti- 

 nople in 1829," and the " Romance of Italian History," has here contrived to 

 give us what is far more romantic and terrible ; if we except perhaps the ex- 

 ploits, on a larger scale, of their more illustrious contemporaries the robber- 

 kings and conquerors in all parts of the world. Viewing them with an impartial 

 eye, we see between them too little distance, whether in act or spirit ; to shew 

 any cause why these brave though less legitimate claimants to renown, should 

 not aspire to the honors of historical commemoration and a place upon the same 

 shelves with pontiffs, kings, and tyrants of every age or nation. They have, 

 indeed, the advantage over the latter in more respects than one ; they are 

 drawn in their natural colours, with more truth and justice ; their historian 

 bestowing no undue flattery, nor holding them up, as is done too often in the 

 case of their royal contemporaries as objects of regard and admiration, with 

 half their crimes and enormities lost in the blaze of national rivalry or applause. 

 On this ground, therefore, no argument obtains against the exploits of Banditti 

 of any rank being duly celebrated; so much the less, in fact, that taken as a 

 whole, they are far more stirring, varied, and full of hair bredth perils, than 

 those of commanders acting on a wider sphere. Considering, indeed, its supe- 

 rior advantages, we cannot think Mr. M. has done the best he could with his 

 subject; he has hardly treated it with the importance it deserves ; not vindi- 

 cated their right to sit with knights commanders ; in other words, fought shy 

 with the Robbers, as if he scarcely liked to look them in the face, during 

 execution. 



He has withal made his narrative one of the most entertaining, if we except the 

 first, and half of the second volumes, relating chiefly to Italy and Sicily, and 

 more enlivened by personal anecdote and adventure. There are many touching 

 incidents, and on part of these minor Italian tyrants some redeeming traits of 

 character as among the former the young Contadina rescuing his bride, in the 

 latter the meeting between Marco Sciarra and the great Tasso. The Italian 

 portion is in every point of view better treated and illustrated ; the descriptions 

 and characters are more vivid and in bolder relief. Take it for all in all, Mr. M. 

 has made a pleasant enough work out of different, and not unauthefiticated 

 materials ; and if he have coloured a little too highly on such a ground, the 

 amiable error may well be forgiven him in the words of the Italian proverb 

 itself: "se non e vero, e ben trovalo." The captivity of the Italian surgeon, 

 and the death of his companion the factor, are extremely well told ; and spite of 

 the general seriousness and revolting nature of the events, there are traits of 

 humour, of honor, and even of playfulness of disposition like that of the tiger, 

 according to Humboldt, that was seen playing with some children on a Savan- 

 nah, which forms part and parcel of the mind of a Bandit. 



The work is pleasingly relieved with small plates, both landscape and histori- 

 cal, in good keeping with the character and incidents they serve to embody. 



