LITERARY NOTICES. 627 



Picturesque Views in the Island of Ascension. By Lieutenant 

 WILLIAM ALLEN, R. N. Smith, Elder and Co., London. 



Mr. Allen remarks somewhat naively that these are picturesque views 

 of a cinder it is true it is a cinder upon a large scale, but it nevertheless 

 is a cinder. The Island of Ascension is in fact a volcanic rock, appa- 

 rently to be not of very remote elevation from the bottom of the ocean ; 

 and the power which threw it up, has broken it into the most extra- 

 ordinary and precipitous forms. Its surface is as yet scarcely relieved 

 by vegetation, and thus in its dark and wild sublimity it offers a fine field 

 for pictorial illustration. The views are lithographed with considerable 

 effect, especially the "Black Rock" and the "Bay of Pillars," by 

 J. Picken, who gives a finish and distinctness to his productions, which 

 augurs for the art and for himself. The accompanying text contains 

 much curious information concerning the island. We shall be glad to see 

 Mr. Allen's labours followed up by his brother-officers in their different 

 locations. 



History of British Fishes. By WILLIAM YARRELL, F.L.S. 

 No. II. John Van Voorst, London. 



The First Part of this work, we said, was worthy to rank beside Bewick ; 

 we say the same of the Second Part. Our old friends the Sticklebacks or, 

 as we used to call them in the most glorious time of fishing we ever en- 

 joyed, " Jack Sharps/' figure in this number. The illustrations are ex- 

 cellent. We must again press upon Mr. Yarrell the necessity for keeping 

 down, as much as possible, his technicalities, as we should rejoice to see 

 his work more widely circulated than amongst men of science merely. 

 This part is somewhat lighter than its precursor, and is improved to that 

 extent. 



LITERARY NOTICES. 



LADY RAFFLES is preparing for publication an 8vo Edition of the 

 Memoirs of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. 



Preparing, uniform with "Old Maids/' Old Bachelors; their ^Va- 

 rieties, Characters, and Conditions. By the Author of " Old Maids/' 



Memoirs of John Selden, and of the Political Struggle during the 

 reigns of the first Two Monarchs of the' House of Stuart. By GEORGE 

 W. JOHNSON, F. L. S. In one volume, demy 8vo., with a Portrait. 



Latin Grammar ; with Notes for those who have made some progress 

 in the language. By R. VALPY, D.D. F.A.S. Twenty-First Edition. 



MRS. JOANNA BAILLIE has in the press three new volumes of Dramas 

 on the Passions, and Miscellaneous Dramas. 



The Nineteenth Part of Views in England and Wales, from drawings 

 by J. M. W. TURNER, Esq., R. A., with descriptive and historic Illus- 

 trations, by H. E, LLOYD, Esq., in 4to., will be published shortly. 



