184 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



controversy, liis object having been to write neither as the partizan of one party 

 nor as the vitunerater of another; and he is not without hope that tliis volume 

 may induce some writer, competent to the ta'sk — and one it will be of no ordinary 

 difficulty and labour — to undertake a similar work on the subversion of the 

 Roman Catholic hierarchy in England. 



This exciting work itself, to which we must refer our readers, is one of consi- 

 derable interest, and is well written and printed. 



The Cabinet of Modern Art, and Literary Souvenir, for 1836. Edited 

 by Alaric Alexander Watts, Esq. Whittaker and Co., Ave 

 Maria Lane. 



We had just time enough to briefly notice this splendid production — both of ar^ 

 and literature — in our January number. Nor do we now feel disposed to dwel' 

 for any length of time, and with a view to draw further attention, upon its supe- 

 rior merits As a lileraturist, Mr. Watts stands higher than many of his unge- 

 nerous cotemporaries and author-editors. But let that pass. (VVe have good 

 reason to know what it is to compete with tliose "reptiles," who call them- 

 selves literary men; and who are in fact the very monomaniacs of the press 

 itself, despite its heaven-directed blessings.) The Literary Souvenir, for 1836, 

 is confessedly superior to any of its predecessors, however good, as it is above 

 capricious praise — whether we turn to the highly-finished embellishments, 

 which render it not only valuable but beautiful; or whether we recur, as we have 

 done, again and again, to the bright and elegant imaginings of the cultivated 

 mind, which are so sensibly blended and illustrated, so as to constitute "The 

 Cabinet of Modern Art and Literary Souvenir." The binding of this brilliant 

 bijou of Belle Leltres is of the most finished and classic description. In 

 short, this " parent volume" of all the annuals is splendidly appointed, and cannot 

 fail of meriting the unqualified approbation of every patron of genius, and of every 

 lover of literature and art. We might have said more: we could not write less. 



The Christian Keepsake and Missionary Annual, for 1836. Edited by 

 the Rev. William Ellis. Fisher, Son, and Co., London and Paris. 

 — {Second Notice.) 



It is delightful to follow the Reverend Editor of this interesting work through the 

 pleasant paths which he has so discerningly laid out on the pleasure-grounds of his 

 own mental estate, entitled " mind :'' the which, too, he has had the good taste to 

 embellish and illumine with some of the choicest, indeed, brightest, of intellectual 

 loveliness. That the Reverend Editor is a man of genius and true piety, we think, 

 will not be doubted. That he is sufficiently unpretending we take upon ourselves 

 lo demonstrate. In his sensible and unambitious " preface" we are told, that in 

 consequence of the encouragement publicly bestowed on the volume for 1835, 

 greater exertions have been made to render the prpsent publication increasingly 

 welcome to the Christian reader of intelligence and taste. We are glad to see the 

 pages of the " Christian Keepsake" devoted to the interests of piety and benevo- 

 lence at home, and the records of the progress of Christianity abroad : the latter 

 furnished by Missionaries who have dwelt among the people to whom these 

 notices refer, or individuals whom professional or scientific pursuits have led to 

 the countries they describe. With a trifling addition to the price, the number of 

 the plates has been extended to seventeen, and the size so enlarged as to exceed, 

 in this respect, the most costly and attractive of its contemporaries. The engrav- 

 ings, in point of execution, will be found equal to those of the preceding volumes, 

 while the additional number of admirable portraits of individuals, eminent in the 

 walks of Christian philanthrophy, will greatly enhance their worth. It would be 

 doing a manifest injustice to give "extracts" from the " Christian Keepsake ;" 

 and, therefore, we most respectfully refer our readers to the work itself, which is 

 handsomely appointed. 



