MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 529 



tendants were likewise indiscriminately slaughtered ; one woman only 

 with her child escaping: this was horrible ! But I think, in the slaughter 

 of the soldiers, Lesly has been more held up to obloquy than there was 

 good reason for. Be it remembered, that Montrose and his followers, in 

 all their battles, never gave any quarter, but slaughtered on, as long as 

 they could find a man." It is indeed horrible, and presents a feature of 

 savage warfare, that says but little either for Montrose or his enemies. 



The tales of which these volumes are composed are of various com- 

 plexions and qualities ; but we are of opinion that if they do not raise 

 Hogg's reputation, they will certainly not detract from it. Many of the 

 scenes are full of life and animation, and abound in incident. We like 

 the first tale, the " Edinburgh Baillie," the least of any. 



Sketch Book of the South. One vol. 8vo. Churton, London. 



This is a very charming volume, and will range well with Irving and 

 Miss Mitford. The sketches are what they should be light, descriptive, 

 and perfectly easy. After a pleasant account of a visit to the monastery 

 of Monte Virgine, near Avellino, our author indulges in some remarks on 

 the "bird of Juno/' as an accessory to scenery: as it is a common ad- 

 junct to our own respectable residences we cannot do better than lay part 

 of them before our readers : 



" No bird is so picturesque as this, when standing on the fine balustrade 

 of a marble staircase or gallery, or when it makes a home for itself among 

 the plants of a ruined loggia. In architectural paintings, and in the 

 heroic tales of knights and ladies, the peacock has always played a great 

 part. In modern times it is only considered as a fitting accompaniment to 

 the magnificence and show of eastern manners; but it is the favourite 

 bird of the antiquary, as well as of the painter." 



After some observations on the estimation in which it was in ancient 

 times, and during the age of chivalry, both as an emblem of honour, and 

 as one of the greatest dainties for the table, he sums up by saying, 

 ** that neither fire nor water can render its flesh palateable ; that it is good 

 neither for boiling nor roasting ; and that it is so completely out of 

 fashion at Paris, as never to be heard of in good company, wanting both 

 tact and taste, salt and politeness ; and a gastronome speaks in a tone of 

 contemptuous superciliousness of the understanding of Pliny, who 

 brought up these birds for his amusement, and fed them with intent 

 to devour them in due season." 



Provincial Sketches. One vol. 8vo. By the Author of the 

 " Puritan's Grave," &c. Churton, London. 



A book we cannot commend : with the materials before him, and with 

 the example of Miss Mitford, we are, we confess, surprised that these 

 sketches are made so little readable by their author. 



The Descent into Hell. By JOHN A. HERAUD, Esq. Second 

 Edition. James Fraser, London. 



This poem of Mr. Heraud's is less known than it merits. The subject 

 he has chosen is a favourite one for the sneerers ; but it has afforded him 

 an opportunity for the display of considerable poetic power, deep 

 reading, and reflection. The attempt to introduce the terza rima into our 

 poetry, we think ill judged, as the genius and play of our language are 

 not well adapted for it. 



