came settled in the family of a dowager, as a companion to one of her daughters, who, being afterwards married to a military officer, General Clarendon, retained Helen as her associate.

Some years rolled over, and an affair occurred which gave rise to some uneasiness in the family. A manuscript sent from the continent, was put into print and circulated as the memoir of Col. D'Aubigny. This memoir contained several letters, which purported to have been written by an English lady to whom the Colonel paid his addresses, and from some facts which were known in the fashionable circles, the lady Cecilia Clarendon, the wife of the General, and Helen's friend, was pointed out as the actual writer of these letters, and consequently the lover of the deceased D'Aubigny. There is no doubt that she corresponded with the French suitor in early life; but having found her new lover of a jealous and fastidious character, she did not hesitate to declare, that she had preserved untainted, the purest virginity of the heart. What was to be done if these reports reached the ear of the General? The wife took steps to meet the exigency, and she succeeded in obtaining a pledge from Helen, that she would personate the author of the letters, and that Sir George Clarendon should be taught to believe, that the letters were her (Helen's) productions. The principal portion of the two first volumes are dedicated to a display of the various complicated results, and the numerous perplexities and hair-breadth escapes,

which resulted from this stratagem.

In the meantime, a lover named Beauclerc, paid his court to Helen, and from the experience of a short courtship they were mutually disposed to marriage. The letter-writing which Helen was under the necessity of acknowledging, wrought its effect on the mind of Beauclerc, and from his knowledge of Helen, he even doubted the truth of the general impression. He fought a duel even in her justification against a former rival in her affections, whose suit had been rejected, and whose resentment she had of course incurred. Most fortunately it happened that the Lady Cecilia became sensible of the injustice which she was doing to the character of her friend, and she resolved on a full and unreserved exposure of the true nature of the case. The result is, that after hearing her declaration, General Clarendon insisted on a separation: but as the facts of the case were really perfectly consistent with her moral innocence. he received her back as a penitent prodigal. Helen was married to her faithful and confiding lover, and if they do not live happy-but the phrase is unfit for the present enlightened age, so we must be content with merely directing the reader's attention to the point of the tale, which is singly this, that it shows the advantages even in a worldly sense, to say nothing as to its relation with religion and morality, of sticking to the truth. Candour in the beginning would have cost but a very

gentle effort indeed: besides it would have been enough to dissipate any possible adverse influences which might have been produced by the news itself on the mind of the husband, and therefore Lady Cecilia would have lived in uninterrupted harmony and happiness with her husband. But the misfortunes she endured, the temporary disgrace consequent on her banishment and forfeiture of all natural protection, could only be attributed to the slightest possible lapse, the least intrusion of the boundary between right and wrong, the merely putting her foot half inside the threshold of the house of guilt. Such are the didactic purposes which Miss Edgeworth uniformly has in view, and even to this hour has she retained the principle of confirming her illustrations to a moral force, whilst religion seems in her estimation, to be quite a subordinate agent in the world.

ART. XVII.-The Architectural Ma

gazine and Journal of Improvement in Architecture, Building, &c. Conducted by J. LOUDON, F.L.S. &c. No. I. London: Longman and Co. 1834.

THIS is the commencement of a series of numbers destined to complete a highly important work on architecture and building in general. The object immediately intended to be reached by the conductor, is the diffusion of a just taste for architectural beauties and comforts, so as to lead to an ultimate amelioration of the present very imperfect state of the dwellings of the great

mass of society. We augur the best results from the circulation of this magazine.

Perhaps few literary projects in our time can be said to be called for in a more pressing manner than in the present work. The state of the professions of architect and surveyor, and of the building trade in general, is most deplorable, being oppressed at this moment with a mass of abuses which are calculated in their ultimate result, utterly to destroy its character. The first of the articles refers to this important point, and therefore, we are unwilling to dwell upon it. The second article enters at once into practical matters, and it embraces a beautiful dissertation on the extent to which the elementary forms of classic architecture, are from their nature and origin, fixed or arbitrary. The third article is, a highly instructive and practical series of advice as to the choice of a dwelling house. Some other miscellaneous articles fill up the pages, the whole forming a highly interesting source of occupation for every class of the community.

ART. XVIII.-Letters to the Right Hon. E. G. Stanley, on the Existing Treaties with France and America, as regards their Rights of Fishery on the Coasts of Nova Scotia, Labrador, and Newfoundland, &c. By GEORGE R. YOUNG, Esq. of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ridgway. 1834. THIS is a pamphlet written by a gentleman residing in Nova Scotia, for the purpose of bring

London:

ing the attention of the British public to the present state of the Fisheries on which, to a great extent, the subsistence of our North American Colonies depends. It is well known that the Fishery which is carried on the coast of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, &c. is shared by treaty between Great Britain, France, and America. The treaties by which the right of fishing on our colonial shores, has been exercised by the two last countries mentioned, exactly define the extent of the space to which the fishermen of both countries have

access.

But it would appear that, by gradual steps, both one and the other have exceeded their proper limits, and now maintain their usurpation, to the great detriment of English fishermen. The object of the author is to give a fair estimate of the nature and effect of this great abuse, and to have it redressed accordingly. He proposes that the government should make in the first place, a clear and specific declaration to the French government that its subjects are entitled only to a concurrent right of fishing and curing on the coasts and shores of Newfoundland, from Cape St. John to Cape RayIt appears, that at present the Americans can claim, by existing treaties, a right to land on uninhabited places, for the purpose of curing the fish which they take. But they do not confine themselves to the condition, and therefore, the author expects that the government will step forward, and prevent the Americans from making the loose language of the treaty

a cat's paw, whereby they may carry on a system of injustice. The author suggests, that an efficient coast service should be established on the banks of Newfoundland, which would take care that the fishermen of each nation did not exceed their limits. If nothing is done in this way, the author is of opinion that the North American colonies will inevitably fall to decay.

ART. XIX.-The Hunterian Oration, delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons, on the 14th Feb. 1834. By W. LAWRENCE, Esq. F. R. S. Surgeon to St. Bartholomew's Hospital. London : Churchill, 1834.

THE Annual Oration, required by the College of Surgeons, from one of their members, in praise of the celebrated John Hunter, was this year pronounced by Mr. Lawrence a highly respectable individual. The oration does the highest honour to the author, who has shown extraordinary skill in finding out something new and original, worthy of being applied to a subject, which must be regarded as now perfectly hackneyed.

The life and character of John Hunter have been too long before the public, to allow us to dwell upon such subjects at present. sent. Mr. Lawrence, however, is allowed by custom to select for eulogy others who may have distinguished themselves by imitating the example of Hunter. He has made use of this facility to introduce the names of seve

QQ

"He was sometimes betrayed into impatience, and resorted too quickly to the use of wit, of which he possessed a large share. He always retained the complete command of this weapon, even in his most angry moods. I once saw him in warm altercation with a gentleman: high words passed between them. The gentleman, irritated by something that fell from Mr. Abernethy, said, How, Sir-do you say so?-you will be made to swallow your words.' Ah!' said Mr. Abernethy, with one of his knowing looks, there would be no use in that; they would be sure to come up again.' A great many anecdotes are still current in the profession, founded on curious dialogues, sharp sallies, and lively repartees, which occurred in his consultation room, or in other intercourse with his patients. The authority of some may be dubious; but I can assert that he is justly entitled to the credit of all the best."

Of Cuvier and the Regne Animal, (now publishing in an admirable translation, by Henderson, of the Old Bailey,) Mr. Lawrence, thus speaks:

"He has produced an arrangement of the animal kingdom nearly approaching to perfection; grounded on principles so accurate, that the place which any

animal occupies in this scheme, already indicates the leading circumstances in its structure, economy, and habits. The Regne Animal of Cuvier is, in short, an abridged expression of the entire science.

"He carried the lights derived from his zoological researches into kindred but obscure parts of nature. He undertook the examination of those fossil bony remains found in various regions of the globe, which had heretofore been merely objects of ignorant wonder, of vague surmise, or fabulous exaggeration: he demonstrated their real origin and nature. He succeeded, by a wonderful combination of minute and patient research, with the enlarged views deduced from an accurate knowledge of all living beings, in reconstructing, from these mutilated fragments, the antediluvian and extinct creatures, of which they are only the vestiges; and thus he deduced the most important conclusions respecting the structure of the earth, and the revolutions which its surface has undergone. The work on fossil bones is a master-piece of patient research, of profound reflection, and extensive erudition. It would have sufficed to immortalize its author."

This oration will be read with the greatest interest by all who can be pleased with a terse style and the evidences of a well cultivated mind.

The Ingenuity of Suicides.-The varieties of ways in which human beings attempt to terminate their existence, exhibit a very singular degree of ingenuity. For example, a woman who was tired of life, applied two hundred leeches to her body, in order that they might bleed her to death: another female with the same intent exposed herself to a swarm of bees; there is also a case of an apothecary, who beat out his brains with a pestle. But, there is another example of recent occurrence which is much more inexplicable than any of the former. A builder who had been found fault with by his employers, became very melancholy, and finally meditated his own destruc• tion. He hurried to a steep part of the high road, where vehicles of all sorts were obliged to put on a drag in the descent. Here he waited till a heavy-loaded waggon reached the spot, when he seized hold of one the wheels that was not locked, and applying his body to the circumference was instantly crushed.

Biscuits.-The process of making biscuits by machinery, hitherto confined to the Royal Yard, Gosport, is likely to come into more general use. It is also attracting the attention of foreign powers-among the rest the Pacha of Egypt, for whom an order for such machines is at present in course of execution, and one has been sent as a specimen to Constantinople. A house at Wapping, engaged in biscuit-baking, has one of these machines now in operation. It is worked by an engine of six-horse power, and is capable of producing 5 cwt. of biscuit in an

hour, requiring, however, in addition, the labour of seven men, about half the number required by the ordinary process to manufacture the same quantity within the same time.

Rustic Chronicles.-In every village throughout Germany, there exists a huge volume, which is deposited either in the church, or with the officer of the village, and which contains the account fully made out, of every locality, edifice, or remarkable object, in or about the place. The young peasants read this work with the greatest delight; the old inhabitants glow with enthusiasm when they hear it read, and travellers during their stay, are allowed to read as much as they like, the greatest attention and politeness being paid to them.

Dudley

Sovereign Cures.-Sir North tells us, that at Constantinople, the respect for printed books is so great, that when people are sick, they fancy that they can be read again into health, and if the koran is not at hand, they will make a shift with a few verses of the bible, or a chapter or two of the Talmud, or of any otherbook that comes in their way. Sir Dudley himself cured an old Turk of a tooth-ache once, by administering a few pages of Ovid's Metamorphoses. In an old receipt book, we have seen the following prescription for a tertian ague, "drink plentifully of cock-broth, and sleep with the second book of the Iliad of Homer under your pillow."

Sennefelder the celebrated inventor of the art of Lithography died at Munich on the 26th of February last, in his 63d. year.