4^6 



CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



which the liberal author promises to replace by more perfect ones, we 

 consider them, taken together, as remarkably good specimens of this 

 mode of engraving. It is tolerably well known, we believe, that wood 

 engravings are far more expensive than impressions taken from zinc 

 or stone ; notwithstanding which, Mr. Loudon, with his characteristic 

 liberality, has, we perceive, engaged to adopt wood, in future, for all 

 the smaller trees, because that mode of engraving enables the artist 

 to give their cliaracter and tlieir botanical details with greater accu- 

 racy than the zinc. — The letter-press, we perceive, consists of the con- 

 cluding part of '* The History of the Introduction of Foreign Trees 

 and Shrubs into Ireland," and " Of the Foreign Trees and Shrubs 

 introduced into Britain in the 19th century," — subjects which are as 

 interesting as useful. 



The Architectural Magazine is distinguished by some original com- 

 munications of no ordinary talent. The continuation of the article 

 " On the origin, excellences, and defects of the Grecian and Gothic 

 Styles of Architecture," by the late Dr. James Anderson, will be found 

 particularly interesting; and the papers by Brigden, Lamb, and Kent, 

 are indications of the high talent engaged in this undertaking. 



Mr. Forbes's continuation of " A Natural History Tour in Norway," 

 and various other communications, replete with instruction and amuse- 

 ment," occupy the jDages of "The Magazine of Natural History;" 

 and " The Gardener s Magazine" is fully equal to the useful purposes 

 of its preceding numbers. The " Observations on the gardening of 

 Belgium," by John Maddison, Esq. in the latter publication, are, we 

 perceive, brought to a close, and are as intelligent as the first portions 

 of them led us to expect. Most of the other papers, too, lay claim to 

 considerable merit, for many of them throw new light on the pleasing 

 and healthful occupation of horticulture. 



Harold de JJurun. A Semi-dramatic Poem ; in six Scenes. By Henry 

 Austen Driver, author of " The Arabs," a Poem. Longman and 

 Co. 1835. 



Amongst the multiplicity of publications, in verse and prose, o 

 every calibre and every form, to do honour to the memory and genius 

 of the bard of Newstead, there are few which exceed in interest 

 " Harold de Burun." Viewed as a mere romance, or as a vehicle for 

 poetic imagery, this work would impart no slight gratification ; but 

 when associated in its connexion with the distinguished poet, whom 

 its title obliquely designates, it becomes additionally attractive. 



The author avows that the especial object of the undertaking has 

 been to develope what he conceived to be the true character of Lord 

 Byron, and to endeavour to dispel that fantastical one which has been 

 reared and nursed amidst the magnifying haze of popular credulity. 

 He is here introduced as an interlocutor, as a contemplatist, or as an 

 auto-vindicator : the author has anticipated sentiments to which he 

 conceived he was silently but gradually veering; and amidst the pen- 

 dulous vibrations of his mind between the wide extremes of supersti- 

 tion and scepticism, has attempted to shew that its natural tendency 

 was to settle down into the steadfast principles of virtue. This 

 assumption he draws from his peculiar mood and general tone of 

 thought. In what manner the author has achieved his intentions, 

 will be best evinced by a quotation from the work. 



Scene II Harold, and Maledicus, Harold's Evil Genius, 



HAllOLD. 



Is't not enough that you liave dragged me forth 

 To shew me in the gladiatorial ring 



