1832.] Monthly Review of Literature. 477 



only with regard to the laws of motion in the planetary system, but the agency 

 of his primary forces in all atmospherical phenomena, tides, dews, fogs, and 

 meteors, and the effect produced by those forces causing the variations in the 

 barometer. His observations on pestilential exhalations, particularly the mal 

 aria of the " Campagna di Roma,'* seem to us the result of considerable ability ; 

 the whole volume bears the stamp of a powerful mind, and we only regret that 

 our limits will not allow us to give our readers a more lengthened analysis of 

 its able contents. 



FAMILY CLASSICAL LIBRARY. No XXVII. PLUTARCH. VOL. V. 



THIS volume contains the lives of Pompey, Alexander, Julius Caesar, and 

 Phocion, men who are so distinguished in the annals of the world, that we 

 have only to mention their names in order to excite all the enthusiasm which 

 they justly inspire. And it is superfluous to say how their lives are written by 

 Plutarch, the king of biographers. 



We have often reverted to the series of translations published under the title of 

 the " Family Classical Library," and we have more than once expressed our 

 opinion of the cheapness and beauty of the publication. We cannot, however, 

 but mention our regret that some new translation has not been afforded to the 

 public instead of the old version, most of which are universally admitted to be far 

 from excellent. The translation of Plutarch in the present volume is by the two 

 Langhornes ; and every classical scholar knows how very inaccurate it is. The 

 best translation of Plutarch, in the English language, is that by North, which 

 is itself only a translation of the French of Amyot. Although it could not well 

 be inserted in the " Family Classical Library," on account of the antiquated 

 language in which it is written, yet we would advise our classical readers to 

 procure it, for it far surpasses Langhornes', both in energy and correctness. 

 Mr. Valpy would have rendered an acceptable service to English literature by 

 procuring a new translation of Plutarch. But he would be still more useful to 

 the public, by publishing translations of those Grecian and Roman classics, 

 which have never " been done into English." There are many works of Cicero 

 with which few are acquainted ; and as we expect to see them soon in the 

 " Family Classical Library," we do sincerely hope that they will not be mere 

 re-publications of translated works ; but that those splendid productions will be 

 brought forward, which the English have never yet had an opportunity of read- 

 ing in their own language. 



REAL LIFE PAGES FROM THE PORTFOLIO OF A CHRONICLER. 



THIS work, we are afraid, will not please the greater number of novel 

 readers, for it is written in so plain and neat, yet withal, elegant a style, that the 

 vitiated taste of those accustomed to more highly seasoned delicacies will find 

 difficulty in relishing it. But we are always glad to see such works as these, and 

 to turn from the affected and extravagant sentiment of the generality of modern 

 writers, to the narration of some simple and unaffected tale. The volume at 

 present under our notice is a series of sketches, many of them animated, and 

 all interesting. There is, perhaps, a little of what is termed by some, prosing ; 

 but we can forgive it, on account of the general merit of the work. It is sup- 

 posed to be written by a person in an inferior station of life, who accompanies 

 his master, Simon, in his annual round of summer fairs ; and he writes down 

 the events of every day, in order that his wife may live with him during his 

 absence. We said that many of the reflections were expressed in beautiful 

 language ; and that our readers may have some opportunity of judging of the 

 truth of our assertion, we will extract the account of the two travellers arriving 

 at Bannockburn, immortalized in history by the glorious victory which Bruce 

 obtained over Edward, and which secured the independence of Scotland : 



" After walking in silence about a mile, we came to a burn, running rapidly 

 through the low grounds, and overhung by brushwood and alder. Simon suddenly 

 stopped, and turning to me, with sparkling eyes, and his whole countenance illu- 

 minated, cried, c Do you know what burn tliat is ?' I answered 4 No.' c Off with 

 your shoes and stockings, lad, and wade across it. It is holy water it will do 



