MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND ART. 583 



THE COLLECTED POEMS OF THE LATE R. J. CARRINGTON. 

 EDITED BY HIS SON. 2 VOLS. LONDON, 1834. 



THE admirers of Carrington and they are many will hail with satis- 

 faction the appearance of these two neat volumes, in which the works of 

 the deceased poet are now, for the first time, collected. They are preceded 

 by an interesting and well-written biographical preface, from the pen of 

 his son, which does equal honour to both. 



It were entirely a work of supererogation to discuss the merits pf Carring- 

 ton's poetry. Within the few years that have elapsed since the appearance 

 of " Dartmoor," ample justice has been done to his claims by contempo- 

 rary journals. Indeed, were we asked to point out an exception to the ex- 

 ercise of gross partiality, vehement injustice, or deplorable ignorance, 

 which our modern critics severally exhibit, we should point to these 

 poems as a slight palliation of the enormities in other cases so frequently 

 perpetrated. 



Without possessing any very striking originality of thought, or much fe- 

 licity of language, the poetry of Carrington is altogether free from those 

 meritricious aids, and that false splendour of diction, which disfigure the 

 works of some others of more genius than himself. Entirely without pre- 

 tension or effort at display, it appeals to the worthier feelings and pas- 

 sions of our nature. If we do not discover a philosophical, we, at least, 

 meet with the results of a benevolent and a cultivated mind. 



We are sincerely rejoiced that the editor has at length felt himself com- 

 pelled by the numerous inquiries for this publication, to lay it before the 

 public. 



At this time of the year, when so many book-presents are made, we are 

 certain that no better choice could be formed in the selection of an appro- 

 priate and a valuable present to the youth of both sexes, than these 

 volumes; which are, at once, calculated to improve and to elevate the 

 mind. 



BELGIUM AND HOLLAND. BY P. L. GORDON, ESQ. 2 VOLS. 

 LONDON, 1834. 



WE see "Belgium and Holland," on the title, and "Sketches of Belgium 

 and Holland," on the first page of these volumes. The latter is the more 

 appropriate name. In truth, these volumes, though in the main amusing, 

 are better adapted as a guide to the traveller, or the family preparing to 

 settle in the Netherlands, than valuable for their information to the resident 

 at home. The style of Mr. Gordon is pleasing, and there is a minuteness 

 of detail in minor matters, shewing that he has observed closely what he 

 professes to describe. 



But there is also a great portion of the book which merely contains 

 what has been told many times before ; and the sketch of the Revolution 

 in 1830, would be subject to the imputation of being out of place, were it 

 not too brief and meagre to justify us in picking a quarrel with it. 



W. HOWITT'S ABRIDGMENT OF HIS Popular History OF PRIEST- 

 CRAFT. LONDON : E. WILSON, 1834. 



THE author of the volume, of which a professedly self-executed abridg- 

 ment lies before us, begins very appropriately and consistently with a pre- 

 face, abusing two persons who have together reduced the size and price of 

 his original history. We take no part in the dispute; but of one thing Mr. 

 Howitt has convinced us, that his cupidity is as decided as his malice. He 

 would have full liberty indiscriminately to revile and insult a large and 

 meritorious body of men, and to pander to the malevolence of others ; but 



