Se —<— 
1825.] 
omissions (meaning his not being able to 
spin out a 3d vol.), I shall be thought 
pleading my defects or proclaiming my de- 
serts. In the German author it was cer- 
tainly a manifest act of pocket picking, to 
stuff his novel with such insufferable rub- 
dish !” sy : 
The Hermit in Italy, in 3 Vols. 8v0.— 
This work is ayowedly a translation from 
the French of M. de Jouy, an author in 
very great repute in France, for his power 
of correct delineation of Men and Manners, 
in that easy conversational style which 
brings the reader as much acquainted with 
the places, and characteristics of the people 
described, as if he had himself been fa- 
miliar- with them; those who have the 
least knowledge of the manners and habits of 
the continental nations, as well as those 
who are perfect strangers to both, cannot 
fail of being interested and amused with 
this work. It is translated with an ease 
and flow of diction, that shews the transla- 
tor to be perfectly acquainted with both lan- 
guages. y 
Breve Extracto de la Vida del General 
Mina, Publicado por el mismo. A short Ex- 
tract from the Life of Generel Mina. Pub- 
lished by himself [In Spanish and English, 
on opposite pages. | 8v0. Taylor & Hessey— 
under two heads or divisions, ““ My Origin 
and Campaign of Independence,” and “‘ My 
first Emigration and Campaign of Liberty,” 
contains only a brief outline of those me- 
moirs, which (at the repeated request of 
those constitutionalists whom, perhaps, he 
still continues to regard as legitimately 
“©The Spanish Government,’’) this re- 
nowned general promises, with all the de- 
tail which curiosity can require, to pub- 
lish. As such it will be read with all that 
interest which, in the generous bosom, at- 
taches. to every thing that is authenti- 
eally connected with the history and the 
destinies of heroie patriotism: though, at 
the same time, its operation will, in all pro- 
bability, be rather to whet, than to satisfy 
the curiosity of the public. In the Supple- 
ment to our 58th Vol. will be found such 
extracts as, consistently with the brief adver- 
tisement to the work, we thought ourselves 
at liberty to transcribe ; and which, we trust, 
will invite, rather than preclude, the atten- 
tion of our readers to the original pages. 
A Practical System of Algebra, for Schools 
and private Students. By P. NIcHOLSoN 
and Joun RowzoTtHamM.—The advantage of 
combined talent in the ‘conduct of any work 
(more especially one on science) is incon- 
testable. The respective character of the 
talent combined in the work before us, is 
culiarly calculated to give it value. It 
is sufficient to mention the name of Mr. 
Nicholson—united as it is with much that is 
profound in mathematical science, to lead 
us to expect new views and clearer lights 
on the higher parts of algebra; and the 
professional experience of Mr. Rowbotham, 
must fit him in an eminent degree, for exem- 
Montuty Mag. No. 406. 
‘Literary and Critical Proémium. 
65 
plifying the task of the student. Accord- 
ingly, we have never seen any work of this 
description in which the definitions andrules 
are laid down with greater clearness, or in 
which the illustrations are more copious 
and useful, than in the one beforeus. Our 
limits will not permit us the pleasure of an 
extract ; but we’particularly refer the reader 
to Carden’s method of solving equations, 
which is admirably simplified. One gene- 
ral method is given, in addition to the vari- 
ous other modes of solving equations of all 
degrees : our authors have also considerably 
simplified the summation of series, and the 
binomial theorem. On the whole we 
recommend this work to the attention of 
the student of the elegant science, of 
which it treats. From the perspicuity with 
which it is written, and the copious and 
well-selected examples it contains, it may 
be regarded as a valuable acquisition to 
scholastic literature. 
A Statement of the Claim of the Subscribers 
tothe Birmingham and Liverpool Rail-road, to 
an Act of Parliament ; in reply to the Opposi- 
tion of the Canal Companies; by JOSEPH 
Parkes, 2d Edition.—This able and well- 
written pamphlet will prove of more than 
temporary interest; for the many and 
authentic particulars, which it contains, 
regarding the system of Canals around Bir- 
mingham (of which an engraved sketch is 
annexed, but of a rude anddistcrted charac- 
ter, unworthy the place it occupies), and 
regarding the monopoly, possessed by three 
bodies of individuals, viz. the Birmingham 
Canal Navigation Company, the Trent and 
Mersey, or Grand Trunk Canal Company, 
and the late Duke of Bridgewater’s repre- 
sentation, of all the water-carriage of goods 
between Birmingham and Liverpool; the 
amount and value of which the author shews 
to be enormous, and ill-accommodated : the 
rates of tonnage exacted by these bodies, 
being, at the same time, so high and exorbi- 
tant, that the first of them, upon an original 
payment of £140 per share for making this 
canal, now divide £140 annually, or yearly 
receive back the whole principal! the second, 
now divides £160 annually, on the original 
payment of £200 for completing their 
works; or yearly receive back four-fifths of 
the whole principal. As to the last of these 
concerns, exclusively in private hands, con+ 
jectures only are to be formed; but, in 1805, 
when the history of the British canals was 
compiled for Dr. Rees’ Encyclopedia, the 
able and indefatigable writer thereof stated 
£220,000 to be the probable original outlay 
by the Duke of Bridgewater (exclusively 
of coal-working Tunnels, under his 
Worsley estate), and Mr. Parkes now men- 
tions the general belief to be, that his 
Grace’s noble successor, realizes, therefrom, 
upwards of £100,000 perannum ; and there- 
fore, now yearly receives back five-elevenths 
of the whole principal-expended. With 
great force of argument Mr. P. contends, 
that such enormous gains were certainly not 
K versed 
