MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 191 



Land and Sea Tales. By the Old Sailor, Author of " Tough Yarns," 

 &c. 2 vols. pp. 408. Effingham Wilson, Royal Exchange. 



Our old friend and popular literal urist has produced another, and we iiad almo.st 

 said, a more entertaining work, than either his " Greenwicli Hospital " or "Toneh 

 Yarns;" but that were almost impossible. Nevertlieless, we liave the "rare O.d 

 Sailor " again on the quarter-deck of his own good ship — the " Smollett of 

 England." Tliere stands the '' Old Fellow," in all his genuine, comical, racy, 

 and vigorous glory. The gusto, the admirable humour of our author, iiave been 

 commented upon by his Sovereign and superior officers with delight and gratifi- 

 cation, at the Royal table, while his warm-hearted scenes and sketches have be- 

 come familiar in every " mess-room" throughout the British navy. But let us 

 turn to the work itself, and firstly to the preface. What has the brave Old Sailor 

 to say for himself? Here we have the preface, short but witty, as it is : 



" During my naval services, it fell to my lot more than once or twice lo com- 

 mand a party of seamen on shore, for the puipose of co-operating with the army, 

 and that, too, in situations which rendered it absolutely necessary to drill them 

 into something like military evolutions. This, however, was a sad puzzler to 

 ]ioor Jack , and I remember heanng one of the forecastle men exclaim to a ship- 

 male — ' Well, I'm blow'd if this here long-shore work don't throw my edecation 

 slap back .' not but what I'm thinking I can handle the consarn of a musket and 

 bay'net handsome enough; but them there shove-along (lie meant ec/ietonj move- 

 ments beat me out and out !' 



"Something of a similar feelirg pervaded my mind when I commenced my 

 'Tales of the Ljnd,' — the 'shove-along' movements on feira firma,— and thai, 

 too, out of Sight of my natural element, rather bewildered me; but still I perse- 

 vered, and now lay the results before my indulgent friends. 



"Of the navy department I shall say nothing, as the patronage given to my 

 ' Tough Yarns ' emboldens me to hope for the same kind support in my present 

 undertaking. I have written with an earnest desire to amuse, and ardently trust 

 that my exertions to please will not prove a failure. The Olo Sailor." 



And now we think we have said enough to direct public attention to this 

 charming work, entitled "Land and Sea Tales," by the naval humourist of the 

 nineteenth century. 



Antonio Foscanini. An Historical Drama. Edward Bull, 19, Holies 

 Street. 



This is a stirring piece of composition, well worthy the attention of our highest 

 and best-informed theatrical people. The " scenrs" of its story are faiily pour- 

 trayed, — the cell where perished Antonio Foscarani — the palace, whence through 

 a barred casement he cast liimse Ifinio the Mension, of a Spanish ambassador to save 

 —"a lady's honour :"— all these, with many more, are strikingly developed. We 

 have no room left for extracts. We could wish it were otherwise. We will give a 

 hne or two — page 75 : — 



FOSCARANI. 



" My brighter star predominates. As yet 

 They know not I have passed the Lido's bounds. 

 It was no part of their dark plot to leave 

 These golden iiisiants to behold thee." 



THEIILSE. 



Hence! 

 What power can save thee if in Venice found ?" 



FOSCARANI. 



Well are these moments worth the life they seek ! 

 I am upon the threshold of my tomb. 

 And my last look would fasten npoii thee, — 

 Then welcome death ! — 



