CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 349 



Pompeiiy with other Poems. By the Rev. S. Middleton, B. D. London : 

 Smith, Elder, and Co. 1835. 



In that part of "The Analyst" for April, dedicated to the Lecture 

 delivered by the Author of this publication to the inhabitants of Chel- 

 tenham, we quoted so largely from the MS., it not having then ap- 

 peared in print, that it will only be necessary for us now to speak of 

 the work in its present shape as a published volume. Indeed, it 

 appears that the dissemination of these poems, in their present form, is 

 entirely owing to the enthusiastic approbation with which their recita- 

 tion was received at the Literary and Philosophical Institution of Chel- 

 tenham, and the unanimous and strongly urged desire of the Members 

 that they should be published, the Duchess of Gloucester granting her 

 gracious permission to have them dedicated to her Royal Highness. 

 'The proceeds, be it observed to the Author's honour, are devoted to the 

 use of the Cheltenham Female Orphan Asylum. Neither the approbation 

 of the members of the Literary and Philosophical Institution, the august 

 patronage of the Duchess of Gloucester, nor the charitable assignment 

 of the produce of their funds to the Orphan Asylum, honourable as 

 are such indications of the talent and charitable feeling of the Author, 

 however, have not, nor ought to have, any power over the judgment of 

 impartial criticism. This volume is the production of a scholar well versed 

 in th3 writings of antiquity, and in that metrical harmony which is incul- 

 cated by a classical education, but the true inspiration of poetry is quite a 

 different matter — we acknowledge, in most parts, it has many of the 

 graces, but in few instances has it the soul of poetry — that essential 

 qualification without which rhythm is a powerless adjunct. Yet is this 

 work a performance of no despicable stamp, and if it cannot be com- 

 pared with the mighty genius of Byron, it is evidently the production 

 of a man of letters, possessing a fertile and lucid imagination. We 

 have little doubt of the popularity of this volume ; and we wish it every 

 deserved success. 



Gems of Literature ; consisting of Original Tales, Dramatic Sketches, 

 Poems, &c., by popular living authors. Inscribed to the Duchess 

 of Kent. London : Longman and Co., 1835. 



The contributors to this small volume are in general well known in the 

 field of literature at the present day — amongst them are Miss Agnes 

 Strickland, C. Marshall, the Countess of Blessington, Miss Emma 

 Roberts, Miss Mitford, Miss Sarah Stickney, Miss M. A. Browne, Miss 

 Jane Anne Porter, Dr. Ainslie, Capt. Marryatt, the Ettrick Shepherd, 

 &c., &c. Each of these have contributed one, and in some instances, two 

 papers, either in prose or poetry, from which it may be deduced that it 

 contains many amusing and interesting articles. Altogether the 

 miscellany is extremely creditable to the Editor, Mr. Revis, we learn, of 

 Ludlow, in Salop, who to his editorial functions, has also distinguished 

 himself as a contributor. 



In this collection, which is evidently assorted with much care, there is 

 scarcely an article which is not marked by some emanation of genius and 

 talent. The tale, by the Editor, intitled " The Emigrants" is very in- 

 teresting, and is written with considerable ability, but as literary and 

 moral censors, we find much to condemn in the catastrophe. All ima- 

 ginative writing should be devoted to the high purpose of morality — there 

 should be no incentives held out to meanness and profligacy. A sensible, 

 modest and discreet heroine, therefore, such as Catherine Morton is de- 



