438

REVIEW. Three Nights in Perthshire.-Paramythia.

[May,

Some amusing instances of names 79. Paramythia; or, Mental Pastimes:

in common use among the English, are adduced, as being expressive of the very reverse of the character or qualities of those whom they are intended to designate:

"We have a Mr. Light, whose weight is only one stone less than that of the memorable Lambert; a Miss Ewe, who is the tenderest and most innocent lamb in the universe; a Mr. Plot, who never thought in his life; and a Madame L'Estrange, who is the commonest woman upon town; one of the fairest ladies in the world is Mrs. Blackmore; and one of the fattest men Mr. Lean. Mr. Wiseman is, without exception, the greatest fool in the neighbourhood in which he resides; and Price is notoriously the name of a man of no price or value what

We shall conclude by giving his bill of fare, and recommend the work to general perusal :

1. On the origin and use of Names; with general remarks upon those of the Normans, English, Scotch, Irish, &c.

2. On the Names of the Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans.

3. On the derivation of common English Surnames, the occasions of giving them, with observations on the gross impropriety of many of the modern world.

4. Names in common use among the English, expressive of the very reverse of the character or qualities of those whom they are intended to designate; with a few, characteristic of the real qualities of others. 5. Names from several parts of the body; and the mischievous consequences of compounding them exemplified.

6. A few observations on the absurd appropriation of many Christian Names among the English.

78. Three Nights in Perthshire; with a Description of the Festival of a "Scotch Hairst Kirn:" comprising Legendary Ballads, &c. In a Letter from Percy Yorke, jun. to J. Twiss, Esq. 12mo. pp. 66. Printed at Glasgow.

WE have been much entertained by this evidently-correct description of scenes of the manners and usages of the inhabitants of a beautiful district of Scotland; and have enjoyed in imagination the prospect of the rising and declining Sun, and the sublime luxyries of a Highland farmer's supper and breakfast. Several pleasing poems are introduced; a specimen of which (as only 100 copies of this book are printed) we shall transplant into our Poetical Parterre.

being Original Anecdotes, Historical, Descriptive, Humorous, and Witty: collected chiefly during a long Residence at the Court of Russia, by the Author. 12mo. pp. 175.

THIS little Volume contains many amusing anecdotes of the higher orders in Russia, which the author modestly calls "Scraps," each of which has an appropriate "Introduction ;" and it is stated that

"Few professional men have travelled more, and consequently few have had greater opportunities of observation: and it has been, besides, my peculiar good fortune to have passed many years of my life in the very bosom of a splendid court, almost daily honoured by the confidence and conversation of a truly great and amiable Sovereign."

The author's name does not actually appear; but we find by some of the Scraps," that he is a " Mr. James Watson], a member of the Imperial Academy, and domesticated in the Court of the Empress Catharine as Engraver to her Imperial Majesty." He is also the Publisher of Views in Russia.

The "Scraps" are in general good, and the "Introduction" better, though now and then an expression somewhat too homely occurs. But we must not be severe, as the author requests his reviewers" not to put their rods in pickle to flog him for taking up so much of their precious time in the perusal of this trifle, but treat him in the very handsome way they did some years past, when the Russian Costumes were published. They then complimented Mr. A. on the truth, freedom, and spirit, of the etched prints; and were kind enough to select a few of the author of these Scraps' best descriptions, which they recommended particularly to the public attention."

We shall extract a specimen:

"Introduction.-It falls to the lot of but few to have the opportunity of knowing the secret springs of men's actions: it is, indeed, wise, benevolent, and politic, to look rather at effects than causes. How much employment is given to the artist and labourer by the vanity, caprice, and wealth of

individuals."

"Scrap.-Count Besborodke, who, by his mental powers and acquirements, raised himself to the situation of prime Minister prime Ministers have) a splendid establishto the Empress Catherine, had (as most ment, services of plate, jewels in profusion, an extensive library, a gallery of pictures,

&c.

1822.]

REVIEW.- Paramythia; or Mental Pastimes.

439

tain had tapped his last case-bottle, containing at least six quarts, advised me to beg a drop of it, and, taking advantage of the motion of the ship, to let it fall and break it. I did so; and I must to his credit say, that, when he got sober, he thanked me for what I had done, and begged on our arrival, four days afterwards, that I would say nothing of his weakness at the post-office. We then had to travel by land, in an open post-waggon, without springs, and over bad roads, in a rainy November, to Hambro'. Here we again had to wait a week for the packet sailing; had a tedious passage to Harwich; and arrived in London, after all our expense and unnecessary fatigue, time enough to see the ship we had left at Elsinore ready to sail on a new voyage. She had, on our leaving her, sailed with a fair wind, had reached the Thames in four days, delivered her cargo, and taken in another. We saw the Captain on 'Change, who laughed heartily at our expense, and who, having, as most sailors have done, dipped occasionally into Shakspeare's volumes, treated us with its being 'better to endure the ills we have, than fly to others that we know not of;' and added, after his poetic flight, 'It is a long lane that has no turning."

&c. When seeing in his library several books of prints entitled, as usual, "Gallerie d'Orleans, Stafford," and so on, he determined to have his pictures engraved. I was pitched upon to conduct the work; the prints were to be engraved by Russian, English, French, and Italian artists, which he proposed, because he was truly a good-natured considerate man, and wished well to every body. I was several times closeted with him on this important subject, and at last, talking on the mode of publication, and the languages in which the descriptions should be given, he, looking at me significantly, and observing that he believed the very walls of prime ministers had ears, said he thought I might be trusted. And that, therefore, after paying all the expenses of engraving, printing, paper, management, &c. if I would give him a hundred copies to distribute to the different courts in Europe, the work should be mine; not doubting but that my interest would urge me to make it generally known and inquired for; freely owning, at the same time, that it was the title, Gallerie de Beslorodke, that had induced him to have it done. His death put an end to the project and the little fortune it would have rendered me, and licensed the insertion of this anecdote in my collection." Two other "Scraps" shall be given and, as usual, furnished myself with a letter without their prefaces:

"On one of my journeys from Russia with a friend of mine, many years past, when we were young and impetuous, we took our passage in a ship at Cronstadt, which, though a good one, and commanded by a most excellent and obliging sailor, did not prevent us from having what they technically call a beating passage; in fact, we had nothing but contrary winds and heavy gales to contend with, so that we were a month in reaching Elsinore. Our patience was exhausted, and, thinking we should never see England, we left the ship, and went back to Copenhagen, intending to go by the packet to Keil, a short distance, and from thence to Hamburgh; take our passage to Harwich, and so insure our certain arrival in England. We had to wait a week at Copenhagen for a fair wind to Keil; and here I must take occasion to thank and praise the hospitality of the Danes; for though we were without letters of introduction, we were admitted to their excellent club, and were entertained very handsomely at several of the respectable merchants' houses. At last the packet sailed full of passengers; the weather so desperate that we lost one washed overboard; split our main-sail, and the vessel became so unmanageable, that the master became confused, took to the bottle, and got drunk; in short we expected to be lost every minute. A very intelligent gentleman, a Dane, who spoke English, finding that our worthy Cap

"I went to Holland immediately after its emancipation from the yoke of Buonaparte,

of introduction to each of the principal towns. To Rotterdam I had a very strong one, to one of the richest and first-rate merchants, and as naturally expected it would have had the usual effect; but I was a spoiled child, and deserved to be punished: I presented it boldly, as I had obtained it from a good source, and was received with every mark of external politeness: I expected at least to have tasted a Dutch dish, and a glass of good Hollands; but point de tout. The worthy gentleman, finding out I was not a merchant, and had no consignments to make him, on the re-opening of the trade with this country, when he next saw me, contented himself with telling me he was every day to be found on the Exchange, at his stand, close to the pillar No. 5; and that if I wanted to remit, he would procure me unexceptionable bills; or if to draw (upon good credits), I should find his commission very moderate. I heard elsewhere that this hero, though rich, was very miserly, which I readily believed, as his ears were much powdered, and his hair dressed with great care, which, I have more than once observed, is the custom with misers, taxgatherers, excisemen, and schoolmasters. I presume they find it the most economic way of appearing imposing, well dressed, and above their neighbours."

80. A Letter from the Right Hon. Denis Browne, M. P. for Kilkenny, to the most noble the Marquis Wellesley, on the pre

sent

440 REVIEW.-Browne on Ireland.-Jacques' Visit to Goodwood. [May,

1822.]

REVIEW.-Clerical Guide.-Rennell on Scepticism.

not less pleasing account of the various exterior beauties, amongst which the "Dog-kennel" is not the least famous. The pictures, which form the subject of the Appendix, (the cenotaph of Lord Darnley, and the Battle of Carberry Hill), are familiar to the Antiquary in the masterly engravings of Vertue.

The casual Tourist will not be displeased with the following extract:

"Adjoining the Gardens, at Waterbeach, is a very respectable inn, where visitors may be accommodated, and parties entertained at moderate charges. In the stable-yard of this inn, on a pedestal, stands the lion, carved in wood, that once adorned the head of the Centurion, the ship in which Anson circumnavigated the globe, beneath which is inscribed the following lines:

Stay, traveller, awhile, and view,
One who has travell'd more than you;
Quite round the globe thro' each degree
Anson and I have plough'd the sea,
Torrid and Frigid Zones have past,
And safe ashore arriv'd at last;
In ease with dignity appear,
He in the House of Lords, I here."

82. The Clerical Guide; or, Ecclesiastical Directory: containing a complete Register of the present Prelates and other Dignitaries of the Church of England; of the Heads of Houses, Professors, &c. of the

Universities, and other Colleges and public Schools; a List of all the Benefices and Chapelries in England and Wales, arranged alphabetically in their several Counties, Dioceses, Archdeaconries, &c. The Names of their respectice Incumbents, with the Date of their Institution; the Names of the Patrons, &c. &c. And an Appendix, containing Alphabetical Lists of those Benefices which are in the Patronage of the Crown, the Bishops, Deans and Chapters, and other public Bodies. Large 8vo. pp. 300. 1822. Rivingtons.

THE first Edition of this Work was noticed in our vol. LXXXVIII. i. p. 330; and we are glad to see so useful an undertaking brought forward in a new and much improved edition; in which it is evident that no pains have been spared to render the immense mass of minute information as correct as possible. It seems, indeed, to supersede all former books of reference on the value and patronage of benefices. The copious title opens the

contents of the volume.

In the List of Benefices and Chapelries, in addition to the information in GENT. MAG. May, 1822.

441

the former Edition, the date of the institution of each incumbent is now given; which is a great improvement, and will prove highly useful to the future Biographer and Topographer. After the List of Benefices, follows an Alphabetical List of Rectors, Vicars, &c.

We conceive this Work will be generally useful, but more especially so to the Clergy.

The Appendix, containing Lists of Benefices in the Crown, the Bishops, and public Bodies, cannot fail to be highly serviceable to all who are anxiously looking out for preferment.

83. Remarks on Scepticism, especially as it is connected with the subjects of Organization and Life. By the Rev. Thos. Rennell, M. A. Vicar of Kensington, and Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge. 5th edit. Rivingtons, 1821.

THE physiological Lectures delivered by Mr. Lawrence to the pupils of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and lately published for the benefit of the rising generation, have excited so much notice, partly from the late decision in the Court of Chancery, that we owe it equally to the cause of Religion and Virtue, as well as to the intrinsic merits of the work before us, to give it as much publicity as possible, in the hope it may prove, at least in some instances, an antidote to the poison of this modern scepticism. Our anxiety and reprehension are the more strongly excited, as the Lectures of Mr. Lawrence are addressed to, and we understand are eagerly perused by, the young students of our different hospitals, who, at an age but too readily attracted by any doctrine that is novel perhaps to them, adopt, without due examination, the delusive theory, and become entangled in the mazes of infidelity and scepticism before they are aware of their danger. We would intreat those who have perused them, candidly and attentively to consider the present Work, and we are bold to say, that if they came to it with a mind open to conviction, the cause Mr. Rennell advocates would prevail, and the steady beam of truth disperse the mist of error and infidelity.

Shall little haughty Ignorance pronounce
His works unwise, of which the smallest part
Exceeds the narrow vision of her mind?"
As if upon a full proportion'd dome,

On

Mr. Rennell, with a truly commendable zeal, considered it "his duty, from the office that he holds in the University of Cambridge, to call the attention of the public to the mischie-Christianity as a medicine of which we know