MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND ART. 33? 



ADAMS' ROMAN ANTIQUITIES. NEW EDITION, WITH 100 ILLUS- 

 TRATIONS. TEGG. 



We welcome the appearance of such a work as Adams' Roman 

 Antiquities, in a cheap and elegant form, cordially. Before the pub- 

 lication of this edition, the book came not within the power of self- 

 possession of every school-boy, it is now so cheaply produced, that 

 every student should add it to his stock of books, however small. 

 The editor has availed himself of Neighburgh's Roman History, Hen- 

 derson on Ancient Views, Blair on the Roman Slavery, and many 

 others, and inwoven much of their information into the notes, making 

 it more complete, and by an extensive index more valuable. There 

 are 100 engravings to the volume. 



THE FROLICS OF PUCK. 3 vols. BULL AND CHURTON. 



THIS is a work on which some of the wise ones may feel inclined 

 to look suspiciously, who dole out praise by some glimmering con- 

 ception they may have of utility, or measure genius by a mystified 

 standard of moral fitness peculiarly their own. Of a more mercurial 

 vein, we are delighted to see an author step out of the hacknied ways 

 of modern imaginative literature, avoiding alike its puerile philosophy 

 and its false, sickening, exaggerated sentiment. We are glad to meet 

 with one who can quit for a time the scenes of this work-a-day world 

 to dwell in the realms of his own fancy, or revel in the magical crea- 

 tions of a mighty master. The works of such a mind must go hand in 

 hand with poetry and painting, and if not appreciated by the multi- 

 tude, will always find admirers among persons of taste and refinement. 



The volumes in question are founded upon the adventures of a 

 frolicksome sprite, whose existence was formerly believed by most of 

 the nations of Europe known by different appellations, but recog- 

 nized as the same by its peculiar characteristics. In England it has 

 been domesticated for ages as Robin Goodfellow, and was conspi- 

 cuous in all sorts of mishievous conspiracies against old and young 

 the aged crone in her chimney corner, or the maiden at her churn. 

 In fact, Master Robin was one of those useful individuals in every 

 establishment whose shoulders were broad enough to bear the blame 

 of every casualty ; but who, according to the best authorities, would 

 not unfrequently revenge him in his own peculiar way if unjustly 

 taxed with souring beer or spoiling the churning. 



This facetious little gentleman, having been re-christened by 

 Shakespeare, Puck, is the hero of the work, and is introduced to us 

 by the author, contriving and executing a manreuvre against the 

 the Queen of Fairyland, by pelting her somewhat severely with a 

 hail-storm ; for which unseasonable offence, notwithstanding the 

 good offices of King Oberon his master, he is banished from the 

 court until he can solve her majesty the following riddle : " What is 

 it that most pleases woman ? To find a fitting reply to this enigma, 

 Puck sojourns for some time upon the earth, and makes use of his 

 elfin power to play a few pranks, which are divided into four dis- 

 tinct tales, and called by our author " Frolics." During this time, 



M. M. No. 99. 2 X 



