In the present instance, we expect that novel-reading ladies will give us abundance of thanks, for saving them from the disappointment which they would, perhaps, have experienced, had we not undertaken the serious task of reviewing Mrs. Hanway's' "Christabelle." To Miss Caroline, or Miss Fanny, confined at home without company on a rainy afternoon, and who has consoled herself with the hope of a rich treat from the last new novel, which John has been dispatched to procure, it must assuredly be a shocking thing to find, that the anxiously-expected novel is so " abominably stupid" that she cannot get through it; and that she has no other resource than to strum over again her favourite airs, draw half a rose, or a bit of a tree, or add a score of meshes to a piece of netting, which is now taken up for the hundred and fiftieth time. It is to avert from the fair such a serious evil as this, that we encounter Christabelle. Forewarned, forearmed, says the old adage.

In the first place, we must inform all those whom it may concern, that Mrs. Hanway has a high-souled contempt of the rules which have been established by such musty fellows as Lindley Murray, and others of his dogmatical and overbearing class. She disdains to be trammelled by the tyrannical laws of grammar. Accordingly she indulges in a most revolutionary licence, with respect to persons, moods, and tenses, and to the construction of her sentences. In fact, some of her sentences look as if they had been composed from fragments shaken in a bag, and written down, as they were drawn out by chance. The following passage, which occurs in her dedication to the Duke of Sussex, will afford but a feeble idea of her peculiar style. It is far outdone by numberless passages in the novel itself.

"Your Royal Highness, humane, equitable, and just, whose ear is ever open to a tale of woe, and your hand always ready to relieve distress, from your exalted sphere you descend with benignity to commiserate the sufferings of the poor. You are always to ba found in the Senate, pleading with energetic, powerful oratory, the cause of humanity, desirous to behold restored to freedom Afric's sable sons, to see them enfranchised from their galling chains, their unjust thraldom, their enforced slavery! You have also zealously endeavoured to emancipate from restrictions no longer deemed necessary, in this enlightened era of Britain, which were imposed in turbulent and factious times, upon our Catholic brethren; men who, with ourselves, acknowledge the same God, whom they wor ship in spirit, faith, and truth!"

With language she takes the same liberties as she does with grammar. She tells us of "the omniscient voice of truth," of "thoughts which soared into the great emporium," of "a bosom

always

always talking against persons," of a natural child, the produce of "disgraceful contumacy," of "that attenuating thread which unites the parent and offspring throughout the spacious universe," and of "an encumbrance that had long hung like a loadstone round a man's neck." But her choicest effort in this way is perhaps that which follows: "Jeannette and Marianne obeyed the summons; but Catherine and myself sat watching the lurid atmosphere, and admiring the brilliant light it shed on the surrounding scenery."

In the figurative and rhetorical style she is singularly excellent. What can be finer than such sentences as these?" The finest face grows familiar by being constantly contemplated, and is too frequently turned from, if not with disgust, with apathetic indifference, to behold some newer constellation, whose beams have not palled on the sense by repetition, whose features are not grown callous by worldly usages, who retains that timid modesty, that retiring bashfulness that blushes at the rude stare, the insolent remark, and bold manners of men of fashion."-" From those combustible spirits springs the germ of revolution, a tree that flourishes in troubled waters, branching out into those ramifications that generate ingratitude, revenge, robbery, cruelty, lust, and murder."-" Sir Everard might be typified as an elertric machine that emits brilliant sparks, whose corruscations vivify and enlighten the world, but, overcharged with fluid, it bursts; and the inflammable materials, by repercussion, destroy his best intentions, and wound himself!"-We have occasioned that mystery which arose from imperious circumstances, to vanish by a touch from the all powerful talisman of truth; thus enabling them to unravel the puzzled skein wove by the fatal sisters!

For some words Mrs. Hanway seems to feel a peculiar affection, and she crowds them into her pages as frequently as she can. All hard hearts are "petrescent," and all cold ones" apathetic;" every thing foreseen or foreboded, is "vaticinated," every thing increased, is "exacerbated," every thing that is called forth is "elicited," and every thing that is urged forward is "propelled."" Poverty," says she, "intenerates the heart, while riches render it petrescent." Entendered, or intendered, is, however, her usual expression for "softened." Sometimes she finds the English language too poor to supply her wants, and she then coins a few such words as "to obdurate," " to oblivionise," "unaliened," "stroamers," and "adulated," the last of which, it is necessary to say, stands for beloved, admired, adored. We trust that Mr. Todd will not forget to insert these valuable words in his new edition of Johnson's Dictionary.

We also recommend to the future editors of Shakespeare and Milton, the following judicious readings of Mrs, Hanway: for

Shakespeare's

Shakespeare's full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,' read "full of fire and fury," &c.; and for Milton's "the mind is its own place," read "the mind is its own palace." It cannot fail to be observed, what an advantage is obtained, on the side of grandeur, by substituting "palace" in the stead of " place."

Over matter of fact, and even over time and space, Mrs. Hanway exercises a despotic controul. She confounds persons and things, and perverts circumstances and dates, with all ima. ginable facility. One rather ludicrous example of her talent in this way may not be unamusing. That National Convention which trampled on Christianity, and decreed that death as an eternal sleep, she represents as trying her heroine, for having insulted religion! But her master-stroke of conjuration must be placed under the head of geography. By one flourish of her inagical pen, she has contrived to open a communication between the Bristol Channel and the Lake of Geneva; and, of course, to introduce British vessels on that Lake. To this feat she was doubtless excited by a laudable desire of emulating the old romancers and playwrights, who never suffered any natural obstacles to stand in the way of the movements of their cha

racters.

We must now take our leave of Mrs. Hanway; and we shall do it without casting a single "longing, lingering look behind," even though our acquaintance may never be renewed. "Many years," she says, "were bestowed in composing and arranging The Maid of Rouen :" and, therefore, if she always write thus slowly, we shall at least have a long respite. She will probably consider our strictures on her volumes as "the unjust castigation of hypercriticism"; but our readers will, we flatter ourselves, acknowledge that she stands fully convicted on her own evidence. As a proof that, for what she has inflicted on us, we harbour no malice against her, we will give her at parting a word or two of friendly counsel. We earnestly recommend to her, to procure, without delay, a grammar and a dictionary of her native lan guage; and not, on any account or pretence, to write another line, before she has made herself mistress of the contents of those valuable books.

MONTHLY LIST OF PUBLICATIONS.

DIVINITY.

The Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration contrasted with the Tenets of Calvin, in a Sermon preached before the University of Oxford, at Christ Church, Sunday, Jan. 29, 1815.. By Richard Lawrence, LL.D. Regius Professor of Hebrew, and Canon of Christ Church. 23.

A combined View of the Prophecies of Daniel, Esdras, and St. John, shewing that all the Prophetic Writings are formed upon one Plan. Accompanied by an explanatory Chart. Also a minute Explanation of the Prophecies of Daniel; to

gether

gether with critical Remarks upon the Interpretations of preceding Commentators, and more particularly upon the Systems of Mr. Faber and Mr. Cunningham, By James Hatley Frere, Esq. 12s.

Roman Catholic Principles, in Reference to God and the King, first published in the Year 1680. To which is prefixed, an Inquiry respecting the Editions, and the Author of that valuable Tract. By the Rev. John Kirk. 28.

The Book of Psalms, translated from the Hebrew, with Notes explanatory and critical. By Samuel Horsley, LL.D. late Lord Bishop of St. Asaph. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 12s.

Tracts in Controversy with Bishop Horsley. By Joseph Priestley, LLD. F.R.S. with Notes by the Rev. T. Belsham. To which is annexed, an Appendix, containing a Review of the Controversy, in four Letters to the Bishop, by the same Author, never before published. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A Set of Discourses on the Malevolent Sentiments. By John Hey, D.D. First Norrisian Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge. 8vo. 75.

Sermons chiefly on Devotional Subjects. By the Rev. Archibald Bonar, Minister of Cramond. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A Letter to the Bishop of Norwich, on some Passages in the Reports of two Speeches said to have been addressed by his Lordship, in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, to the Church Missionary Association, and to the Bible Society. By Robert Forby, M.A. Rector of Fincham, in Norfolk. 3s.

A Sermon, preached at Holbeck, in the Parish of Leeds, on Sunday, Feb. 12, 1815, in Aid of the Funds of the Bible Association established at that Place, By the Rev. J. Dunderdale. 1s. 6d.

LAW.

The Theory of Presumptive Proof; or, an Inquiry into the Nature of Circum stantial Evidence; including an Examination of the Evidence on the Trial of Captain Donnellan. 8vo. 5s.

A Practical Guide to the Duty and Authority of Overseers of the Poor, with full and plain Directions to them in the Execution of their Office. Interspersed with numerous Precedents of Summonses, Warrants, Orders, &c. relating to the Poor's Law, and Parish Matters in general. By William Toone, Attorney at Law. 8vo. 5s. 6d.

The General Orders of the High Court of Chancery, from the Year 1600 to the present Period, collated with the Register's Book, &c. To which are added, Practical Notes. By John Beames, Esq. of Lincoln's-Inn, Barrister at Law.

8vo. 168.

An Inquiry into the Effects of the Irish Grand Jury Laws, as affecting the Industry, the Improvement, and the moral Character of the People of Ireland. By Thomas Rice, Esq. F.A.S. of Trinity College, Cambridge.

MEDICAL.

A Treatise on the Puerperal Fever, illustrated by Cases, which occurred i Leeds and its Vicinity, in the Years 1809-1812. By William Hey, jun. Mera◄ ber of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, and Surgeon of the General In firmary, and of the House of Recovery, at Leeds. 8vo. 88.

Medical Records and Researches, selected from the private Papers of Astley Cooper, Esq. Drs. Babington and Haighton. 8vo. 78. 6d.

A Treatise on the Diseases of Arteries and Veins; containing the Pathology and Treatment of Aneurisms and wounded Arteries. By Joseph Hodgson, Menber of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. 8vo. 15s.

A Practical Explanation of Cancer in the Female Breast, with the Method of Cure, and Cases of Illustration. By John Rodman, M.D. one of the Surgeons and Medical Superintendents of the Dispensary and House of Recovery of Paisley. 8vo. 8s.

Part of the Introductory Lecture for the Year 1815, exhibiting some of Mr. Hunter's Opinions respecting Diseases. Delivered before the Royal College of Surgeons in London. By John Abernethy, F.R.S. Professor of Anatomy and Su gery to the College. 8vo. 2s.

TRAVELS.-HISTORY.

The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805. By Munge Park.

Park. Together with other Documents, official and private, relating to the same Mission. To which is prefixed, an Account of the Life of Mr. Park.

11. 11s. 6d.

4to.

The European in India, from a Collection of Drawings by Charles Doyley, Esq. engraved by J. H. Clark and C. Dubourg. With a Preface, and copious Descrip tions, by Capt. Thomas Williamson. Accompanied with a brief History of ancient and modern India, from the earliest Periods of Antiquity to the Termination of the late Mahratta War. By F. W. Blagdon, Esq. 410. 51. 59.

Historical Memoirs of my own Time. Part the First, from 1772 to 1780. Part the Second, from 1781 to 1784. By Sir N. William Wraxall, Bart. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 6s.

An Account of a Voyage to Spitzbergen; containing a full Description of that Country, the Zoology of the North, the Shetland Isles, and the Whale Fishery. By John Laing, Surgeon. 5s.

Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores Veteres. Auctore Carolo O'Conor, S. T. D. Tomus I. 4to. 21. 2s.

Paris Chit-Chat, or a View of the Society, Manners, Customs, Literature, and Amusements of the Parisians. 2 vols. 12mo. 10s.

Journal of a Tour and Residence in Great Britain, during the Years 1810 and 1811. By a French Traveller. 2 vols. 8vo. 21. 25.

BIOGRAPHY.

The Biographical Dictionary, Vol. XXI. Edited by Alexander Chalmers, F.S.A 8vo. 12s.

Lives of Alchemistical Philosophers, with a critical Catalogue of Books on Occult Chemistry, and a Selection of the most celebrated Treatises on the Theory and Practice of the Hermetic Art. By Francis Barrett, F.R.C. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

An impartial historical Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ex-Emperor of the French, By J. M. G. Translated from the sixth Paris Edition, by Thomas Garrett, Esq. New College, Oxford. 6s.

A Sketch of the Life of the late Lieutenant-General Villettes, formerly of this City, with a striking Likeness, from an original Picture at Geneva. To which are added, Letters written during a Journey from Calais to Geneva in 1814. By T. Bowdler, F.R.S. and S.A. 68.

Parliamentary Portraits, or Sketches of the Public Characters of some of the most distinguished Leaders of the House of Commons. Originally printed in the Examiner. 8vo. 8s.

POLITICS.

Letter to a Noble Lord on the present Situation of France and Europe; accom panied by official and original Documents.

The Crisis; addressed to the People of England on the Emperor Napoleon's Return to Power. By a Barrister of the Middle Temple. 2s.

The Statement of Bonaparte's Plot made to Earl Bathurst and the French Ambassador in October and November last. By William Playfair, Esq. 15. 6d.

De l'Impossibilité d'etablir un Gouvernment Constitutionel sous un Chef Militaire, et particulierement sous Napoleon. Par M. Comte. 1s. 6d.

The Eagle and the Lily, or Bonaparte and the Bourbons; being a Bird's Eye View of the late Revolution; its Causes and Consequences; with Hints on the true Policy of Great Britain at the present Crisis. By an old Statesman. 1s. 6d. Ways and Means, submitted to, and approved by, the late Mr. Perceval. With a Proposal for the Redemption of the Newspaper Tax; as also in Remission of the Additional Duties upon Wine. By Captain Fairman, late Aid-de-Camp and, Military Secretary to his Excellency the Governor of Curacoa., 8vo. 3. 6d.

POETRY.

The Bride of Sestos; a Classic Tale. 4to. 56.

Gesta Navali, Britanniche, dal Grande, Alfredo, sino a questi ultimi tempi, Poema di Stefano Egidio Petroni, cam Note di Joseppi Lavallee, Tomo Primo. 4to. 31. 3s.

The Maze.

12mo. 9s.

An Ode. 1s. 6d.

The Veils, or the Triumph of Constancy; in six Books. By Miss Porden, Bro. 10s. Gd.

DRAMATIO.