1827.] [ 585 ] 



THE FOCKtiT HOOKS. 



THE success of these annual volumes is almost without precedent in the records 

 of Stationers' Hall. It is scarcely five years since the first, Mr. Ackermanns 

 " Forget-Me-Not," made its appearance ; and now we have six, published in Lon- 

 don only, contending for precedency ; and, in spite of the increase of numbers in the 

 market, the demand for each work rather increasing than diminishing. The truth is, 

 that the speculation originally was a well imagined one ; and its very popularity has 

 given it means of bidding for popularity which no other position could have afforded. 

 Nothing short of the immense extent of the editions sold, could enable the pub- 

 lishers to bring out the books at their present price. A volume, for instance, which 

 costs 700/. (to use the phraseology of trade) to " get up/' is sold for twelve shil- 

 lings ! For this sum we have four hundred close pages of letter-press; exquisitely 

 printed, upon the finest paper, and in the finest possible type; independent of 

 twelve engravings, of which impressions, purchased separately, would cost consi- 

 derably more money than the price paid for the entire work. Our business, how- 

 ever, is with the merits of the particular books upon our table, rather than the 

 general advantage of the class of productions to which they belong ; and, amidst 

 so much competition for preference, with claims very nearly equal, the task of the 

 critic, although commendation be his cue, is not an enviable one. 



The " Forget- Me-Not," which claims precedence as the original publication, is 

 not quite so happy in its embellishments this year as we recollect to have seen it. 

 The plates are all from good pictures, and engraved by excellent artists; but with 

 the exception of three" The Bridal Morning," (the frontispiece), " The Bridge 

 of the Rialto," and " The Triumph of Poetry," they have not exactly the live- 

 liest interest, as to subject, that might be desired for a volume of this character. 

 Mr. Ackermamrs book, however, must not be dismissed lightly. " The Bridal 

 Morning" is a delightful picture and quite sure to be a popular subject. And it is 

 illustrated by L. E L, who is the very Queen of the Annuals ; and only not the 

 star of any, because, like the moon as poetical and as inconstant she shines on 

 all alike. The poetry of this illustration is very sweet and flowing ; but we like 

 another, and a shorter piece, by the same hand, " The Sword/' still better. It is 

 spirited and feeling in the highest degree, and almost as good as that exquisite bit, 

 " The Forsaken/' published, if we recollect right, in one of the Pocket Books 

 two years ago. " The Sword" itself has so much merit that we make no apology 

 for extracting it : 



THE SWORD. 



TWAS the battle-field, and the cold pale moon 



Look VI down on the dead and dying, 

 And the wind pass'd o'er with a dirge and a wail> 



Where the young and the brave were lying. 



With his father's sword in his red right hand, 



And the hostile dead around him, 

 Lay a youthful chief ; but his bed was the srountf, 



And the grave's icy sleep had bound him. 



A reckless rover, 'mid death and doom, 



Pass'd a soldier, his. plunder seeking ; 

 Careless he stept where friend and foe 



Lay alike in their life-blood reeking. 



Drawn by the shine of the warrior's sword, 



The soldier paused beside it ; 

 He wrench'd the hand with a giant's strength, 



But the grasp of the dead defied it. 



He loosed his hold, and his English heart 



Took part with the dead before him, 

 And he honour'd the brave who died sword in hand, 



As Avith soften'd brow he leant o'er him. 



" A soldier's death thou hast boldly died, 



A soldier's grave won by it ; 

 Before I would tuke that sword from thine hand 



My own life's blood should dye it. 



M.M. New Series. VOL. IV, No, 24. 4 F 



