Monthly Review of Literature. 91 



topics equally useful, are successfully treated. The articles which refer more 

 immediately to modern discovery are, The recent progress of optical science 

 by the Rev. Baden Powell, M. A., which includes mathematical optics, phy- 

 sical optics, with an excellent account of the undulatory theory ; M. Cauchy's 

 theory ; dispersion of light ; the new views of Kelland, Sir D. Brewster's 

 spectra, Wheatstone's spectra of electric light, and a variety of opinions and 

 experiments by other able men. The next paper is one on visible vibration 

 illustrated with wood-cuts. Recent progress of astronomy, by W. S. B. 

 Woolhouse, Esq. History of magnetical discovery, by Thomas Stephens Da- 

 vies, Esq., is an excellent article introducing the reader to the history of the 

 Mariner's compass ; the names and tradition of the magnet throughout the 

 world ; knowledge of the compass and magnet among the Chinese, &c. The 

 work concludes with a comprehensive and able history of the recent progress 

 of vegetable chemistry by the Editor. 



Our readers will perceive by the above abstract, that we have not said too 

 much, when we adjudge the palm of distinguished excellence to the British 

 Annual. And in these days it may not be considered a secondary feature in 

 its favour that its price, three-and-sixpence, is extremely small ; and as it is 

 within the reach, should be in the possession of every one. 



TRAVELS. 



Pedestres' Tour of 1347 Miles through Wales and England. 

 2 vols. 8vo. Saunders and Otley, 



THE author of this book (which is a reprint from the " Metropolitan") has 

 chosen to appear under a strange guise, denominating himself Pedestres and 

 his stick Clavileno Woodenpeg ; and as may be readily imagined, the strange 

 conceit of his title leaf is carried out by an equally strange style in the sub- 

 sequent pages. Pedestres evidently has taken Sterne as his model ; and, if 

 his aim were to infuse wit, humour, and eccentricity in his writings, he could 

 not have selected a better original. But unfortunately he has endeavoured to 

 imitate closely an inimitable author, and the consequence is that every para- 

 graph provokes comparisons unfavourable to himself. 



Sterne was a man sui generis. His wit was natural, his eccentricity fitted 

 well and sat easy upon him ; and his genius was of the highest order. His 

 mode of writing is peculiarly his own, and it necessarily follows, that if any 

 man endeavours to imitate him, even though he possess equal ability, his pro- 

 duction is not only a copj^, but a copy that any one can at first sight perceive 

 to be such. Now Pedestres, though evidently the master of considerable 

 powers of drollery, is neither equal to, nor nearly equal to, the author of 

 " Tristram Shandy ;" and as he has chosen to stretch his notes on a Shandean 

 frame, their intrinsic merit is detracted from by what we suspect, the writer 

 considered to be a most attractive form. He should have recollected that 

 none of the suitors of Penelope could draw the bow of Ulysses, and not have 

 exposed himself to a comparison which he ought to have felt would be very 

 much to his disadvantage. Not only is the rambling disjointed mode of 

 telling a story which was adopted by Sterne, made use of, but he actually 

 gives a direct and acknowledged imitation of the celebrated "Death of Lefevre 

 from Tristram Shandy" heu quantum mutatus ab illo and he sacrifices de- 

 cency in several passages most grossly. It was said of Sterne that his inde- 

 cency was that of a baby in petticoats sprawling on the floor, which could be 

 offensive to no one, not cursed with an extra stock of prudery. Without 

 entering into the merits of this question, we will venture to affirm, that what- 

 ever other points of Sterne's writings are worthy of imitation, these at least 

 should be carefully eschewed. Yet Pedestres' tour contains some passages 

 most grossly violating every canon of delicacy and propriety. We will only 

 call the attention of the reader to the 327th page of the first volume for con- 

 firmation of our accusation, and then pass on to other matters. 



