688 Monthly Revieni of Literalure. QDec. 



The Cabal, a Tale in the Reign of William the Fourth, 2 Vols. 



A political novel of the day — concocted with the especial purpose of shewing 

 up the " conservative" portion of the English oligarchy. It is rather a hasty 

 sketch, and confined chiefly to the manoeuvres of a ducal family, for securing a 

 county to one of its own members — mixed up with a few domestic scenes and 

 schemes to please the ladies. The prominent personage is a younger son of a 

 Tory duke, whose borough influence has long commanded all sorts of good 

 things for his family and dependants. Lord William had had an Indian govern- 

 ment, from which he had been recalled in obedience to popular clamour, and 

 was waiting in sure and certain hope of a speedy indemnification. Some pro- 

 vision was imperatively demanded : he had exhausted his resources in gaming 

 and fashionable follies, and was actually living on the receipts of a popular 

 actress, whom he had privately married in Scotland. The Whigs come into 

 office with professions of retrenchment and reform. Lord William solicits in 

 vain. Though famous for forgetting their friends, and wasting their resources 

 to conciliate opponents, he can get nothing from them. He throws himself in 

 despair into the arms of the " conservative" party, and, under their auspices and 

 those of his father's, takes the field as candidate for his native county. The 

 manoeuvres of the canvassing parties occupy a large space — in which the ladies 

 are exceedingly busy ; and one Machiavelian sister plays a conspicuous part. 

 By her promptings. Lord William at the outset neutralizes an influential lawyer, 

 by flirting with his daughter (a lady of immense expectations), and finally secures 

 him, and with him the election, by an ofi"er of marriage. He is at the head of 

 the dissenters, who blindly suft'er themselves to be befooled by an old rogue, who 

 looks to nothing but his present interests. The lawyer is, of course, finally 

 baflled, as well as Lord William, who, in spite of the basest scheming with 

 respect to his wife, is unable to shake her ofi^ : the knot had been too firmly tied, 

 though by a clumsy Scotch operator. 



At a moment of excitement like the present, the tale will take ; and more will 

 be made of it than the writer ever imagined ; though, doubtless, he has all along 

 had particular individuals in view — thereby disguising his thoughts, by throwing 

 upon one the facts which, in realit)', are connected with another. There is some 

 cleverness, both in the characters and details, though few scenes are worked up 

 with much eftect. The writer encumbers himself with too many characters — 

 thus producing confusion, while he was in chase of variety. 



FINE ARTS' PUBLICATIONS. 



Tlie Geographical Animal. — The ornamental has borne sway long enough 

 among the tribe of annuals ; the useful now puts in its claim to be considered. 

 The Geographical may, in point of appearance, take its place beside the hand- 

 somest of its fellows ; as the preface remarks, " on account of its enduring 

 interest, it may justly lay claim to the title of a perennial rather than an 

 annual ;" and for this reason the binding has been made appropriately durable. 

 The work consists of the complete series of plates which we have so repeatedly 

 praised under the designation of The Family Cabinet Atlas. We need not, 

 therefore, say another word in commendation. 



The English School.— (.intWnes, executed with the usual delicacy and precision 

 from Fuseli's Ugolino, Barry's Elysium, Northcote's Bolingbroke, &c. &c. com- 

 plete the second volume of this unique and interestiiig series. 



Landscape Illustrations of the Wuverley Novels. Parts 18 and 19- — ^The 

 artists have here been fortunate in their selection of subjects. Craigevar Castle, 

 Cattermole ; Goldingham, Prout; Frith of Forth, Stanfield ; Liverpool, 1664, 

 Austin ; and St. Cuthbert's, Roberts ; may be classed with the happiest sub- 

 jects of the series. This work alone would establish Mr. E. Finden's reputation 

 — it will be completed in another number. 



Views in the East. Part 12. — More specimens of Indian splendour. The 



