the Whigs by the Tories! We neither see how the position of affairs abroad should prevent any minister with a majority of a hundred from taking office, nor how it supplies an argument in favor of a coalition. With regard to the second difficulty, Fraser's Magazine observes :

Another circumstance, necessarily leading to some disagreeable reflections, is that of the personal intimacy which Lord Melbourne has contrived to establish between himself and the young queen. Entirely to terminate this intimacy might again bring on Sir Robert Peel the charge of being arbitrary and unfeeling in his demands. And yet if this were not done, would not the new premier be in the most extraordinary position that ever man held: in possessing nominally the powers of the government, and yet beholding his rival enjoying an intercourse with the sovereign necessarily more intimate than any to which he could hope to be admitted.'

Now in reply to the trumpery plea advanced in this paragraph, we beg to ask, has not the Duke of Wellington been a guest at Windsor Castle since the close of the session? Has he not maintained a constant personal intimacy with her majesty? and is it not known that the sovereign regards the gallant veteran with feelings of the warmest esteem and friendship? This is so; and yet Lord Melbourne does not feel himself compromised. In a constitutional monarchy the ministry supported by majorities in both houses of parliament must of necessity be accepted by the crown; and the introduction of Queen Victoria's private feelings is merely designed to cover the naked truth that Sir Robert Peel feels himself, under present circumstances, incompetent to conduct the government of the country.

But will the Whigs consent to the coalition proposed? They know and understand Sir Robert's precise position;-are they willing to enter into alliance with him? They may expect, in the event of their doing so, a cessation of hostilities on the part of the Tories. They are now exposed to a perpetual fire; and are annoyed with never-ceasing, bitter hostility. All this a coalition would, it must be admitted, at least for a time, protect them from. But, then, this ease would be purchased with the loss of honor and character. A union with the party they have ever steadily opposed would deprive them of public confidence; and attach opprobrium to the Whigs that would disorganise if not dissolve them as a party. The Tories would wait their own time, and then expel their liberal colleagues; who would find, too late, that they had been betrayed. If the Liberals once make common cause with the ancient enemies of civil and religious liberty, no locus penitentiæ can be afforded them. No one can have failed to observe, that the ministerial strength has diminished in proportion as they have conceded and approximated to the Tories.

We do not mean to affirm that the government is as weak as we are bound to admit it is, solely because they have approximated to the Tories in policy: on the contrary, the violent and revolutionary schemes of Chartists-misrepresentations as to the origin and object of the Poor Law Amendment Act, lavish expenditure of money and energetic exertion of influence by the Tory party at elections; together with the fatal and anti-popular working of the Registra tion act, have all conduced to impair the strength of the government. But still it is evident that they have lost ground with the people as they have faltered, stood still, or advanced to meet the Tories. The Whigs were all powerful when they held the enemies of the people at a respectful distance. It must from this, we think, be plain to the dullest comprehension, that if the Whigs were to coalesce with the Tories, the people would finally give them up; and as a consequence, that they would fall a prey to the Tories! All parties concerned in coalition are distrusted and disliked; but the Whigs are supported by public opinion, whereas the Tories affect contempt for it. We caution the Whigs to listen to no invitations from their opponents; for union with them involves the desertion of principles, the loss of character, the destruction of their party, and the enthronement of the Tories in power. There may be some whose anxiety to escape the perplexities of their position, whose constant fear of adverse majorities, and the hope of enjoying a comfortable continuance in power may incline them to entertain the proposal; but we know there are others in the cabinet who never would condescend to hold office on such conditions as a coalition implies.

We shall be asked what are the Whigs to do? Are they to allow the Tories to take office? Better by far allow the Tories to do so than consent to an infamous compromise. We are satisfied that we echo the feelings of the liberal party all through the kingdom when we say, that we should infinitely prefer an unmixed Tory administration to the mongrel thing called a coalition-ministry. We have already stated that we do not think that the Tories have at present the power to dispossess the government; but if Lord Melbourne should find it impossible to go on, let him ask the sovereign to dissolve parliament: let his government boldly and distinctly avow their determination to stand or fall by liberal principles: let them collectively and individually announce their adhesion to definite great constitutional measures. The Whigs have too often halted between right and wrong. They have vacillated and compromised, when they ought to have presented a bold and decided front to their opponents; and they now discover that concession stimulates rather than satisfies the Tories. They have rendered their enemies confident and their friends lukewarm; and nothing can set them right with the country but firmness, energy, and decision. If the

people can have their confidence restored, all will be well. But on the other hand, if the Liberals are not supported by a decided majority, let them retire to the OPPOSITION BENCHES. There they will become re-organised and re-united; and from thence they can keep a vigilant watch on the treasury benches. Reform will have to stand still for a time; but the Whigs, in opposition, will be able to bridle and control a Tory government, while they will have excited in their favor the sympathies of the nation. Let the Whigs, then, be true to their origin: let them, each and all, adopt the language of one of the greatest ornaments of the present cabinet, We may be defeated, but our principles will, I am convinced, only gain fresh strength from defending 'them. But be that as it may, my part is taken, and while one 'shred of the old banner is flying, by that banner I will at least 'be found. The good old cause, as Sydney called it on the 'scaffold, may be vanquished or victorious-insulted or boldly 'triumphant-the good old cause is still the good old cause with 'me. Whether in or out of parliament-whether speaking with 'that authority which always belongs to the representative of this 'great and enlightened community, or expressing the humbler 'sentiments of a private citizen, I will to the last maintain 'inviolate my fidelity to principles, which, though they may be 'borne down by senseless clamor, are yet strong with the strength, ' and immortal with the immortality of truth, and which, however 'they may be misunderstood or misinterpreted by contemporaries, 'will assuredly find sympathy, justice, and admiration from a better 'age.'

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Brief Notices.

The Illustrated Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, chiefly explanatory of the Manners and Customs mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures; and also of the History, Geography, Natural History, and Antiquities; being a republication of the Notes of the Pictorial Bible, of a size which will range with the Authorised Editions of the Sacred Text, with many hundred Wood Cuts, from the best and most authentic sources. Vol. I. London: Charles Knight and Co.

The nature of this work is sufficiently expressed in the title-page which we have transcribed at length for the information of our readers. It is in fact a reprint of the Notes of the Pictorial Bible, accompanied by a large selection from the wood cuts which so liberally illustrated that invaluable work. We are glad to perceive that the selection has

been conducted on the principle of utility rather than of ornament, and that the historical illustrations from our great artists have in consequence been omitted. They always appeared to us to be a useless encumbrance of the former work, adding to its cost without increasing in the least degree its value. As mere fancy scenes they are out of keeping with the other illustrations, and contribute nothing towards the elucidation of sacred history. The omission of the text has enabled the publisher to issue this work in a smaller form and at less expense than the Pictorial Bible. We rejoice in this circumstance as adapted to meet the wants of a numerous class whose limited means prevented their purchasing the larger work. We cannot express too strongly our opinion of the value of this reprint, which in its portable and cheap form we consider one of the greatest services which the English press has rendered in modern times to the elucidation of the inspired volume.

The Maternal Management of Children in Health and Disease.
Thomas Bull, M.D.

By

The present volume is an appropriate sequel to Dr. Bull's Hints to Mothers' (a valuable little work now going through a second edition of twice its original size), which at its first appearance received our warmest recommendation.

A great proportion of the physical ills which beset human life, lessening its happiness and usefulness when they do not shorten its duration, spring from hereditary tendencies that can only be combated during infancy and the earliest years with much prospect of success. If the conditions on which health depends, and the deviations from it be not well understood and promptly attended to, not only do we lose the opportunity of cutting off that woful entail, but we may sow the seeds of future maladies: and it must be remembered that misdirected efforts often do the work of mere neglect. Dr. Bull's object is to secure the mother from both of these, by supplying her with a concise and very intelligible directory of nursery management-full without being embarrassing. It must not be supposed that the study of its chapters will supersede the necessity of medical aid in any case where it would otherwise be required. The whole book is written on the wise principle that the prevention of disease, and not its cure, is the especial province of the mother;' and the parent who attempts more is pursuing what will prove to be a most expensive course of economy. To be instructed how to keep her offspring in health and to detect the first signs of disease which renders competent advice indispensable, and thus to be saved from the vain and most painful regrets often produced by delay, is sufficient, and will be felt to be so by the best mothers. But this is not all the advantage to be derived from Dr. Bull's volume. The success of medical treatment mainly depends upon careful, pains-taking, and judicious maternal superintendence.' If medical directions are neglected or only partially carried out, or counteracted by erroneous prejudices, they will assuredly fail: and the diseases of childhood are too sudden in their assaults and too rapid in

their progress for such faults to be committed with impunity. Moreover, as the judgment of the physician must, in the case of the infant, be greatly influenced by the report he receives of all that has passed during the intervals of his visits, it is of the last importance that the mother or nurse should be qualified to render one that is unbiassed, faithful, and full. Dr. Bull has the credit of being the first to address the public on the proper discharge of these duties of the sick room, in his chapter on what constitutes the maternal management of the diseases of children.' Such a manual for mothers was much wanted, and Dr. Bull cannot fail of his reward-an ample circulation, the gratitude of many mothers, and the thanks of his professional brethren. Supplement to the History of British Fishes. By William Yarrell, F.L.S., F.P.Z.S.

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We have to apologize to our readers for not sooner announcing the appearance of the Supplement to Mr. Yarrell's volumes on British Fishes-an omission for which the editor is not responsible. It is divided into two parts, so that each can be bound up with the volume it completes. All the additions, to our knowledge, of British species which the industry of observers has supplied since the publication of Mr. Yarrell's volumes, are of course recorded in this supplement. Some very valuable illustrations of the growth of salmon in fresh water enrich the second part, and greater facilities are afforded to the study of this branch of natural history by the introduction of vignette plates of the cranial bones of several known fishes, derived from the works of Cuvier, Rosenthall, and others—an improvement which Mr. Yarrell promises to extend over the whole of a second edition, as far as giving the figure of one cranium in almost all the principal genera.

New Excitement for 1841. Edinburgh: W. Innes.

A little volume whose appearance is always welcome to the junior members of the family circle where once it has gained admittance. We are glad to meet with it in a somewhat improved form, and with contents as varied, entertaining, and instructive as on any former occasion. The estimable character of the editor, respected and beloved wherever it is known, is an ample guarantee for the moral healthfulness of the work, which we heartily recommend to our juvenile friends as a cheerful companion of their winter evenings.

The Recreation for 1841. Edinburgh John Menzies.

A work of a somewhat similar character, and designed for the use of the same class of readers as the volume just noticed. There will be found,' says the editor, in his preface a few biographical sketches of eminent and enterprising men; with narratives of personal adventure. To these have been added scenes and incidents of foreign travel, which, while they awaken and interest youthful attention, will enrich the mind with useful information. There will likewise be found in VOL. VIII.

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