MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 433 



The Cruise; or, a Prospect of the West Indian Archipelago. By 

 ROBERT NUGENT DUNBAR. Cochrane and Co., London. 



Mr. Dunbar has sought inspiration in the magnificent glories and 

 scenery of the Antilles. Had his heart and his head been made of " triple 

 brass," they would nevertheless have been touched by the most beautiful 

 and most striking spots on the face of the earth. The poetry of Nature 

 comes home, even the rude mariner, as he glides from island to island ; 

 and we cannot wonder that it has inspired Mr. Dunbar, who gives us 

 abundant evidence that he possesses a mind attuned to the sights and 

 sounds with which he has made himself familiar. 



There is much of true poetry in this little volume poetry freed from 

 the milk-and-water of the sentimentalists great and small, and from the 

 " Satanic glories " of another class of poetasters. 



" To the deep-listening ear, the midday calm 

 Is not a dead inanimate repose. 

 Though no rude sounds the musing mood alarm, 

 Each bush and brake instinct with being glows, 

 And a low hum through all the woodland goes. 

 Unnumber'd creatures their mix'd vigils keep 

 With faint dull buzzings, that their haunts disclose; 

 A thousand still small notes pervade the steep 

 The murmuring sound of Nature breathing in her sleep." 



The two last lines, in the above verse, are full of poetic feeling. The 

 song of which we give the following verse, is beautiful: 



" My fairy bark, bound, bound along! 



Venus shines sweetly on the sea ; 

 Gift of the land of Ariel's song, 



O might he lend his speed to thee ! 

 For beauteous eyes are strain'd to hail 

 Thy graceful prow and swelling sail." 



The book is a very acceptable addition to our stock of descriptive poetry. 



Man as known to us Theologically and Geologically. By the Rev. 

 EDWARD NARES, D.D. Rivingtons, London. 



It is delightful to see a veteran like Dr. Nares again enter the field of 

 literature; and we rejoice to say that he comes with a freshness and a 

 vigour likely to prove awkward to the geologists of the day much as his 

 friend De Luc did to the German geological heretics many years ago. 



It has become fashionable of late to study geology, and popular works 

 are got up in abundance on the subject. We are always glad to see 

 science come down from the clouds, and mingle itself with the common 

 mass of society ; but we regret that truth compels us to declare that 

 geology, pushed as it is by its supporters, seems likely to sap the founda- 

 tions of religious belief. The Jews and Christians of Prussia were in- 

 duced expressly by what geology taught them, to give up the book of 

 Genesis as a mere mythological invention ; and thus they overthrew the 

 groundwork of Revelation. Let us be wise in time : conjectures and ex- 

 travagant fancies may amuse ; but as it is amusement without instruction, 

 and as it is, besides, an amusement threatening the best interests of man- 

 kind, the more it is sifted, the better. 



Dr. Nares' book comes in season : we wish the subject had been either 

 more lightly treated, or more closely analysed. The work will do good 

 in quarters where it is much wanted. We shall have occasion to return 

 to it at an early period. 



M.M. No. 4. 3 K 



