( ISO" ) 



MONTHLY REVIEW OF [JTERATURE. 



Reminiscences of a Literary Life. By the Rev. T. Frognall Dibdin, 

 D.D. Ill two handsome volumes, royal 8vo., with a finely done portrait 

 of the author, together with numerous engravings on wood and copper 

 — all of them of a superior order. John Major, 71, Great Russell 

 Street, Bloomsbury, pp. 982. 



At length — but not until the patience of the literati had been, in a sHght degree, 

 discomposed, in consequence of tlie delay — this astute and scholarly performance 

 has made its appearance in the arena of modern classicality ; and although we are 

 not prepared to aver that it is, 



" Above all Greek, above all Roman fame," 



yet we incline to the belief that it will be acknowledged — by all " honourable 

 minds" and impartial critics — to constitute a work of no ordinary character, emi- 

 nently calculated to adorn the " library table" of Lady Blessington, our benevolent, 

 accomplished and exalted literary patroness ; as it is worthy of a place riear the 

 portfolio of Lord Holland, and our first-class schoolmen. 



These, and such as these, are the masters, as we also opine, that teach without 

 scolding, and chastise without stripes ; and, despite the " clamorous prattle" of 

 desio-ning reviewers, we most cheerfully rank ourselves amongst those who think 

 highly of Dr. Dibdin's " Reminiscences of a Literary Life;" and as we really 

 think, so we express, in respectful, but by no means eloquent language, our 

 unbiassed opinion. We shall, in all probability, return to this refreshing work in 

 our next Number. We have to express our qualified regret, that Dr. Dibdin's, 

 like many other respectable publishers, did not forward our copy before the 16th 

 of the month. We hope this may be attended to in future — by all our friends — 

 and by publishers especially. 



We had nearly forgotten to remark upon Dr. Dibdin's dedication. *• To Sir 

 Francis Freeling, Bart., &c., this work is respectfully incribed by his affectionate 

 friend and faithful servant, the author." These handsome and illustrated volumes 

 are admirably printed. 



The Tourist's Guide through the Swiss and Italian Cantons. By Wm. 

 Beattie, M.D., &c., illustrated in a series of views taken expressly 

 for this work, by W. H. Bartlett, Esq. Parts 18 and 19. G. 

 Virtue, Ivy Lane. 



Much as we approved of some of the former parts of this highly interesting work, 

 we cannot help expressing our still more favourable opinion of the two parts now 

 before us. The one (part 18) contains, independently of the excellent letter-press, 

 lour beautifully ergraved views — namely, Mount Caroin, Bern, Breig, with the 

 ascent of the Simplon ; together with a view of a street in Sion Valais. The other 

 (part 19), contains a scene in the Valley of St. Nicholas ; Magadino, Lago, Maz- 

 zione ; the Pays de Vaud ; and the defile of Gotlenon. We are right glad to see a 

 work so replete with highly finished landscape engravings — the best in this way 

 we have yet seen — proceed with such increasing excellence. It speaks volumes 

 for the taste of the present age. 



