208 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



The Springs of Pli/nlimmon, and other works, by the Rev. Luke Booker, 

 LL. D. F. R. S. L. 



As it is probable that comparatively fevv of our readers are aware of the 

 multifarious complexion of the works of the Rev. Divine, for whom we 

 entertain the highest respect, we shall, perhaps, be doing them a service 

 by giving the subjoined enumeration. In this article, we do not intend 

 to canvass the merits of Dr. Booker as a controversialist and divine, our 

 object being only to consider him in the light of a bard, and discuss the 

 manner in which he has handled the '* living lyre." We will, however, 

 first glance over the list of works published by our author, the " prin- 

 cipal of which are," as announced at the end of the *' Springs of Plyn- 

 limmon," as follows : — 



Sermons, in 3 vols, large 8vo. — Illustrations of the Litany and Lord's 

 Prayer, 1 vol. 8vo. — Admonitory Prayers, for Families and Individuals, 

 8vo. — The Church of England. *' The Ground and Pillar of Truth." 

 Two Sermons — Suggestions for a Candid Revisal of the Liturgy — 

 Plentiful Harvests Motives for National Gratitude — ^The Cause and 

 Cure of National Distress. [We are afraid this work has been over- 

 looked by the political economists of the day.] — Euthanasia : the 

 State of Man after Death — A Descriptive and Historical Account of 

 Dudley Castle — Letters on Malvern — Malvern, a descriptive Poem — ^The 

 Hop Garden, a didactic Poem — Calista, a jnoral Poem — Poems descriptive 

 of Himley — Tributes to the Dead : Epitaphs — ^The Champion of Cyrus, 

 a Moral Drama — Poems applicable to Persons of various Professions — 

 Last, but not least, the Springs of Plynlimmon, a Poem, with copioiis 

 Notes, descriptive of scenery and circumstances connected with the 

 Severn, the Wye, and three Minor Rivers, which emanate from that 

 noble mountain. 



We must pass over the early poetic productions of the worthy Doctor, 

 and speed to the Springs of Plynlimmon — having first torn ourselves 



from 



■ " Women beautiful and men 



"Worthy each fertile plain and glen." (Page 3.) 



Whether our author really mounted the summit of Plynlimmon, 

 or whether he wisely preferred the safer position at its foot, we hardly 

 presume to say; we cannot help half suspecting he was contented 

 with the latter station, for he does not expatiate on the glories of the 

 prospect, as we might have expected, attempts no exalted flight, but 

 looks only to security and terra jirma, — however, judge, reader, and mark 

 the following sketch of this wild but noble mountain — 



" Nor wish I, Snowdon ! on thy peak, 

 Or Idris summit fame to seek ; 

 But, with her, o'er Plynlimmon stray : — 

 He and his springs, then, be my lay. 

 Yonder, the Monarch sole he seems 

 Mid lesser hills. With solar beams 

 His head is crown'd ; which now he rears 

 To the dense clouds and disappears, — 

 Save, at the footstool of his throne, 

 Where his stupendous base is shown." 



Having arrived at the ** stupendous base" of Plynlimmon, the Doctor 

 conducts us no farther, and we are permitted to flounder through 

 moss and bog, morass, ravine, mud, and water, till we reach the 

 " Springs of Plynlimmon." Well, and what then ? Why in good sooth 

 we must — " Go back again." Our worthy author, having sought for a 



