208 Monthlj/ Review of Literature, [August, 



him into the commission of the same fault. It is obvious that our limits forbid 

 even a glance at particulars to justifj' our opinions ; but we can safely recom- 

 mend the v\'ork as an able one — the result of great industry, and of deep con- 

 viction. 



Cabinet Cyclopaedia, Vol. XX. — History of Poland. 



Dr. Lardner, as purveyor-general of the day, has timed his volume on the 

 History of Poland well. The book is written with more care and research than 

 Mr. Fletcher's, but in a spirit less likely to harmonize with the prevailing sen- 

 timents. Though deprecating the charge of being the apologist of Russia, the 

 ■writer thinks justice has not been done to her ; and as an advocate of justice, 

 lie resolves she shall, like the devil, have her due. The said writer — whose 

 name is not given — assures us, on his own authority, that Nicholas enjoined 

 his troops not merely to refrain from the slightest wanton ravage, but to shew 

 themselves the protectors and friends of the peasantry. Tliese orders, according 

 to him, have not been in the main infringed, and the few instances of infraction 

 which have been heard of, are probably all attributable to the public press. 

 No sovereign in Europe is more averse to oppression or cruelty than Nicholas, 

 nor more disposed to better the condition of his people. Throughout his con- 

 nection with Poland (and the case is equally true of Alexander) he has omitted 

 no opportunity of confirming the prosperity of the country, &c. Of the just 

 complaints brought against his government by the Poles, he has since said, and 

 the author sees no reason to doubt his sincerity, that he was ignorant. The author, 

 then, still farther to excuse the autocrat, tells us of the extreme difficulty com- 

 plaints have of reaching the imperial ear — it is little less than miraculous that 

 they reach it at all ! To be sure, this is curious advocacy — call you this back- 

 ing" vour friends ? The government cannot surely be good, when the governor 

 knows not what is going on ; nor can there be ground of applause for good inten- 

 tions, where no pains are taken to carry them into execution. The fault was 

 in Constantine — but that only shews that Poland cannot be governed at Peters- 

 burgh, and therefore Poland, if for no other reason, justly demands her inde- 

 23endence. 



The writer has no notion — and he claims the weight due to personal know- 

 ledge of the country — that Poland will be able to accomplish her independence. 

 He scarcely thinks' it desirable, for he believes it may be bought at too high a 

 pi-ice — and even doubts if the Poles wish for it. He Icnows the result is 

 regarded with apprehension by the Poles themselves. 



"The philanthropist must grieve," he adds, "at the contrast exhibited by 

 Poland during the last and the present year. Her plains are covered with ruins, 

 or washed with blood [is the writer really ignorant over how small a space the 

 devastations of war have spread?] her resources are exhausted, her industry 

 destroyed — her abundance has given way to wretchedness — the countenances of 

 her children, once so happy, are now wan, squalid, and despairing — her pea- 

 sants, her landowners, and not a few of the chief nobles, now curse the 

 thoughtless precipitation which hurried the nation into so awful a contest before 

 her means of defence were well organized. The majority of the Poles are 

 heartily sick of the war. however anxious the army, the youths of the military 

 schools, and the students of the university, may be to continue it." 



All this is probably much too lacrymose — it may be very good painting, but 

 the pencil is obviously dipt in bilious colours. 



A chapter on the society, constitution, manners, &c. of the Ancient Poles, 

 is well written, and will supply what is wanting in Mr. Fletcher's book. 



The Sunday Library, by Dr. Dibdin. 



The fourth volume of Dr. Dibdin's collection contains a few more of what he 

 regards as the chef-d'ceuvres of modern theologians. Among them arc two ser- 

 mons of Bishop Huntingford's, three of Bishop J. B. Summers, Uwo of Arch- 

 bishop Lawrence's (Amiagh), two of Bishop Hobart's (of New York), who 

 died a few months ago, and one of N. P. Sbuttleworth's, whom, of course. Dr. 



