Literary Notices. 461 



Rydale, Dungeon- Ghy 11, Langdale, Honisfcer Crag, and Aira Force are 

 among the most striking of the exquisite views ; but the calm repose 

 of Grasmere, the variety of Eydale Water, and the stern, feudal 

 physiognomy of Brougham Castle, the old home of the Cliffords, 

 all help to connect the rhyme of the poet with the objects that 

 inspired his undying verse. "We ought also to put in a word of 

 special commendation for the initial letters and tail-pieces, which 

 exhibit an unusual elegance of fancy, combined with artistic skill in 

 dealing with floral forms. As " intellectual observers," we are 

 glad to find the revival of a taste for beautiful books. Cheapness 

 is all very well in its way, but every one, who can afford it, should 

 endeavour to possess some specimens of favourite authors worthily 

 treated in all that concerns paper, binding, typography, and illus- 

 tration ; and for those who share this feeling the volume before us 

 has been judiciously produced. 



Ruined Abbeys and Castles of Great Britain and Ireland, by 

 William Howitt. Second Series. The photographic illustrations 

 by Thompson, Sedgfield, Ogle, and Hemphill, fcap. 4to. Alfred W. 

 Bennett. — In dealing with architectural relics of the olden time there 

 is nothing like photography for ensuring that accuracy which is so 

 essential to the value of archasological illustrations, and the speci- 

 mens of sun pictures with which this work is adorned possess a 

 high degree of excellence. In the frontispiece we look through the 

 trees of the village at Kenilworth Castle, and the introduction of 

 the landscape brings out in a striking way the magnitude and 

 power of the grand baronial pile, associated with so many proud 

 reminiscences of British history, associated also with much folly and 

 crime. " Mervyn's Tower," in the same building, is admirably 

 given, and we almost expect to see the mantling ivy wave its 

 branches as the wind passes the window arch. Another striking 

 picture is Whitby Abbey, one of the finest of our ecclesiastical ruins. 

 We recognize also the elegance of Netley, and regret that tradition 

 has done less than vegetation to add a charm to its beautiful re- 

 mains. Far different is it with Croyland, whose west front makes 

 an admirable picture, or with Lindisfarne, both of which are well 

 known in story, and whose likeness many will rejoice to possess. 

 Among less known ruins, we notice a highly pictorial photograph 

 of Castlemere Priory, in Norfolk, the west front of which is a model 

 of Norman skill. Dryburgh Abbey, so well known to the readers of 

 Scott, affords another romantic view, quite in keeping with the sad 

 end of the " Lady of Smailholme," as told in the " Eve of St. John." 

 Ireland is not forgotten in the series, as we have a fine round tower 

 in the " Rock of Cashel," and a solemn ruin in Holy-cross Abbey. 

 The other illustrations — each worthy of separate praise — relate to 

 Caernarvon Castle, Tynemouth Priory, Hurstmonceux Castle, Rich- 

 mond Castle, Byland Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, and Cahir Castle. 

 There are in all twenty-six photographs, and every chapter begins 

 with an ornamented letter, and ends with a tail-piece harmonizing 

 with the subject of the work. Mr. Howitt has supplied a series of 

 interesting notes on the several places, and although we should not 



