536 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



common sense. This work, we have no doubt, will have the good effect 

 of ridding us in future to some extent from this evil. 



" Jn the present collection of songs," says the editor, "it has been my 

 desire, not so much to please antiquarian readers with extracts from rare 

 volumes, or the lovers of mirth and jollity with over-rapturous and inde- 

 licate songs ; but by admitting whatever seemed to bear the stamp of 

 talent and decency, to give delight to beauty, and to place within the 

 reach of the lovers of poetry a well-selected and correct edition of our 

 best lyrics.'' In this intention he has fully succeeded : the volume is full 

 of exquisite beauties little gems which seem to be the essence of our 

 finest and richest poetry, and which cannot fail to place it in the hands of 

 multitudes of readers. We copy the following delightful morsel from 

 Carew: 



" He that loves a rosy cheek, 



Or a coral lip admires, 

 Or from star-like eyes doth seek 



Fuel to maintain his fires : 

 As old Time makes these decay, 

 So his flames must waste away. 

 But a smooth and stedfast mind, 



Gentle thoughts and calm desires, 

 Hearts with equal love combined, 



Kindle never-dying fires. 

 Where these are not, I despise 

 Lovely lips, or cheeks, or eyes." 



The work is elegantly got up. The illustrations are of a very superior 

 order. The frontispiece, a portrait of the handsome Richard Lovelace, 

 the writer of " To Althea from Prison," one of the finest songs in our 

 language, is very well executed; and the vignette of the "Lovers," en- 

 graved from a painting of Stothard's by Rolls, is full of passion. 



The Manuscripts of Erdely. A Romance in 3 vols. Smith, 

 Elder and Co., London. 



Mr. Stephens comes before us in the character^of an historical romance- 

 writer, and he has brought an abundance of learning to his task. If 

 " pains, study, and reading/' can make a work popular, the " Manu- 

 scripts of Erdely" must become so. We wish, however, that a little 

 more fancy had been amalgamated with his labours, so as to have given 

 relief to his readers. One scarcely recognises the romance-writer in the 

 dusty antiquarian. The work, however, has great historical merits, and 

 treats of stirring spirits and bustling times. 



Trip to Gravesend; or a Guide to Strangers visiting there. 

 Picturesque Pocket Companion to Brighton. 



Trip to Epsom and Ascot Races. 



Reminiscences, Whimsical and Ridiculous. By a Travelling Artist. 

 William Kidd, London. 



Useful and amusing little books, well calculated for the end proposed. 

 Nice things for the inside of a coach, or the deck of a steamer. 



The Captive. A Romance. 3 Vols. Churton, London. 



One of the most striking differences betwen our older and modern 

 romance writers is the flimsiness of the latter. There is seldom either 



