tion even in the author's view. Such springs, though rare, are not so uncommon as has been represented; similar ones are to be found at Ballingdon and Bright helmstone, in Devonshire and Derby shire, &c. and as the aspect and contiguous lands are nearly alike as to elevation, accounting for one will give a satisfactory solution of the other. The land above Brighton rises into high chalk downs (those of Newton are limestone) with a gradual declivity towards the sea. The surface-water sinks down, and passing through permeable strata is buoy ed up by clay, and appears in natural springs on the sea-shore, between the separation of rounded stones and sand; at a little more than quarter-tide mark. Every tide the sea covers this line, so that the fresh water is prevented from escaping, and consequently the water is accumulating, and the springs or wells at a distance fill while the tide is partially retiring to this line; after that they will gradually decrease, while the sea is both partially retiring and advancing to the line. So that the highest state will be on a considerable ebb, and the lowest on a considerable flood. It would be desirable if Mr. Evans, in a future edition, would give an exact description of the strata, the elevation, aspect, &c. of the adjoining country, and also an accurate statement of the height of the water at the different states of tide; with the position of the natural springs apparent on the shore.

After describing the beautiful seat of lord Vernon, at Briton Ferry, the author visits the small neat church-yard of Llansawel, which he thus pleasingly describes:

stones, with neat inscriptions, mark the in terment of departed worth; and bespeak the affection of surviving friends. Every grave is circumscribed with the most careful exwithin the neat inclosures. Fond Fancy in actness, and Flora's gifts are taught to thrive her decorations has assumed a variety of forms; but all are appropriate, all are strictly chaste. I feel myself among the dead: my mind is become in unison with the place: I reflect on the past; I ruminate on the present; and the future seems as though it were present with me. 1 appear rivetted to the spot, and my heart seems more than ever these funeral emblems around me are calcu disposed to profit by the impressive lessons lated to inspire."

As an instance of the author's powers of description take the following:

"If any thing could add to the inexpressi ble delight afforded by early rising, it is the experience of it in a richly varied country. The celebrated charms of the upper vale of the Towy had excited desires to behold them, and the eve of fruition stimulated our little party to extraordinary alacrity. At a very early hour the company was on the alert, and the refreshing breeze furnished us with a flow of spirits adapted for exertion and enjoyment. The morning was grey, and the blue mists sat close embracing the distant his before us, while the mountains in the back ground were deeply involved in shade. The river, rolling its placid waters, gave a vivid appearance to the scene; and the umbrage ous woods on the margin, contrasting their various greens sphere, displayed their foliage to advantage. with the greys of the atmoAll was serene and placid, a solemn silence prevailed, undisturbed by a single noise, save the twittering of the poor little chaffinch, that bespoke we might soon expect the different choristers of the grove. Gradually, yet r pidly, the morning burst forth from the bosom of the mountains, in the brilliant robes of beauty; and the harbinger of day. in the most majestic splendour and unparal leled grandeur, saluted our eyes as we passed Llangynor. The sight made us blash at the recollection, how often we had neglected to avail ourselves of this noble view, and far two or three hours of debilitating indolence refused to enjoy the salubrious morn: a bles sing as commonly neglected, as it is beneficially great."

AS good and correct maps are among the most important documents of geography and topography, it is a point of

no small consideration that those of our own island should, at least, be very nearly accurate. To be completely so we know is almost impossible, from the continual alterations and improvements that are made in roads, canals, &c. Besides, it must be the work of time, and cannot be accomplished by an individual. No man has ever effected so much in this art, as Mr. Faden of Charing Cross, who appears to have had several of the English counties surveyed and engraved at his own expence. Some of these are executed with great skill and taste, but others are altogether as indifferent. Several of the English counties have not yet been surveyed at all, consequently we cannot expect to have them laid down even tolerably accurate in any general collection of maps. The board of ordnance having undertaken to survey, and publish a series of maps of the whole, we may be justified in expecting them not merely accurate, but executed with all the advantages which can be derived from the improved science of the age. Kent is already before the public. Essex we understand is printing; but the slow progress of this, like most other works carried on by large societies of men is a serious evil to individuals, and great ly lamented by those who wish to witness the completion of a plan begun in their younger days. As Kent was pub. lished Jan. 1801, and the second county is not yet ready, we may expect that two or three generations will pass away before the fifty-second county be published, if the subsequent maps are not executed with much greater rapidity.

In speaking of the present volume or collection, which occasioned these remarks, we must observe, that the county surveys are its only authorities, and as most of these are the private property of other tradesmen, we must conclude that they are usually disguisedly copied to

ART. XXIX. England delineated.

OF this paltry work the only remark which it is necessary for us to make is, that the anonymous author has unjustifiably stolen a title which had been ap

make up those sets called County Atlasses. It is a common trick of map-makers to state that all their plans are framed from actual surveys. This species of deception however can only deceive the unwary, asa very little sagacity must detect such superficial fallacy. If we compare the first set of English county maps with the present, the great difference will excite our surprise. It appears that the former was collected and published by Christopher Saxton, (in 1574, &c.) who spent nine years in travelling over England for that purpose. These are extremely incorrect, and executed without taste or science; but what was wanting of such essentials, the projector endeavoured to make up for by care and labour. Amongst the numerous sets of county maps that have been published since the time of Saxton, the one before us is unquestionably the best, and displays more fidelity in its drawings and engravings than any of its rivals. Though we acknowledge it to be the best, we must at the same time observe, that it is very far from being accurate, or complete. Many errors appear in different counties, and we some times discover that particular places are omitted, and others of a very trifling import inserted. The great ridge of granite hills in Cornwall and Devon is left out, or, what is equally bad, impro perly marked; and the hills of Durham are drawn in exceedingly inaccurate. The same defects we observe in some other counties. Cambridgeshire is extremely meagre in places, roads, &c. and has not the least indication of hills, though is well known that a range of chalk hills from Bedfordshire passes across the southern side of the county. This map is singularly contrasted by those of E sex, Lancashire, and Surrey, which are completely covered and confused with dots, &c. Though we point out these defects, we recommend Mr. Smith's Atlas, as an useful appendage to the topo graphical and geographical library.

Il' affords us no small degree of pleare to examine, and give an account of chbooks as are justly entitled to praise. e are delighted in the progress of our k, feel our minds animated with cheerthess as we proceed, and write each proving sentence with peculiar sensas of delight. Convinced that all n are pleased with praise, we would tow it on each literary candidate, if found him really deserving it. But the perious duty of our situation demands fullest exertion of our judgment; we are more frequently compeiled to sure than applaud. Thus the parauthor deems us cynically unjust, ngh the impartial reader perhaps fully roves our conduct. In all human culations man is actuated either by "love of fame," or the "love of "When the former predominates, find all his public actions tending to e laudable end; but when influenced by the latter, we observe mercenary k, imposition, and artifice supply the e of honest emulation. This is daily ifested in all the varied ranks of cired society, and every trade and proon is annoyed by its peculiar pettifogThe polite arts, unfortunately, are exempt from some of those men who constantly endeavouring to impose berality, and who thereby ultimately il a stigma on the profession. The est artist should therefore not only extremely guarded in his public ks, but should decidedly discountece every symptom of imposture.

has been a common practice with avers, not only of this country, but those of Italy, France, Flanders, &c. ublish specimens of their own works. ce we have the collected prints of a nisi, a Sylvestre, a Weirotter, a Wa, a Della Bella, &c. on the continent, those of Vertue, Strange, Hollar, e, Milton, Middiman, and Watts, me. The works of these artists NN. REV. VOL. III.

have been honourable monuments to their own, and their country's fame. other engravers have followed one part As success generally excites rivalry, of the example of those respectable artists: i. e. publishing their own plates: but unconscious of their noble zeal for fame, these have sacrificed laudable principle, for temp rary interest. The names and works of such men must be too familiar with all persons acquainted with the history of the graphic art. Before the arrival of Hollar into England, engraving was scarcely known here, and indeed we find no prints previous to his time entitled to the notice of an artist. His plates are not only numerous, but most of them are touched with the hand of a master. We do not value them merely for their age, or their fidelity, but we admire them as works of art. The same may be said of the prints by Vertue, and Strange. To the late alderman Boydell the engraving of this country is principally indebted for its present importance at home, and its consequence abroad; for before the alderman had introduced the great talents of Woollet into deserved reputation, our connoisseurs (and those were very few) furnished their folios and frames with prints from the foreign market. This was at once detrimental to the commerce of England, and a reproach to its own artists. Mr. Boydell felt it, and by successful and laudable exertion has not merely given the English school of engraving a superiority over its continental rivals, but has made English prints an important article of commerce. We have been induced to make these preliminary observations as applica ble to the work before us, and as naturally resulting from an examination of this, and other series of prints from professional engravers. "Select Views" are announced to be "executed in the VERY BEST style, by Messrs. Storer and Greig," who we should presume are engravers of some eminence, though we have never before had an opportunity of examining their works. As they as sume great pomposity in their advertisements, and are unqualified in their professions to the public, we are induced to Gg