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Sketch of Foreign Literatúre.

SKETCH OF FOREIGN LITERATURE.

France. The New Year in France is seldom marked by the publication of any important work, the booksellers being eager to recommend themselves by elegant trifles of all descriptions, intended as presents for ladies, or suitable for New Years' gifts. On account of the literary reputation, and the great age of the author, we may mention that Madame de Genlis, who has been so long accustomed to dedicate her pen to the instruction of youth, has not been willing to forget them on this occasion; and has presented them with L'Ile des Monstres, preceded by Les Jeux Champêtres.

The same lady's Diners du Baron
d'Holbach, which we mentioned last
*month, has given rise to a warm dis-
pute between the friends and enemies
of the philosophers; the former of
whom extol the work to the skies,
while the latter heartily abuse it, and
accuse the author of disingenuousness
for the manner in which she has con-
trived to attack Voltaire; for, as she
could not introduce him at these
Dinners without an anachronism, she
represents little notes, extracted or
imitated from his correspondence
with D'Alembert, as being read after
dinner.

The theatrical novelties this month
have not been of much importance.
Several new pieces have, indeed,
been well received, but their merit,
as literary productions, is not such as
to entitle them to permanent repu-
tation. Among them is Valeria,
which has been already transplanted
to the English stage, under the
title of Augusta, or the Blind Girl:
the authors (for it seems to be.
quite a fashion for two to join in
composing one piece) have entitled it
a Comedy, but it is in truth a Me-
lodrama. It is, on the whole, an
imitation of a German piece, called
The Oculist for Love.

Mr. X. V. Drapernaud has pub-
lished a Tragedy, called Louis I. (Le
Debonnaire) or Fanaticism in the
ninth Century. It had been accepted
and rehearsed at the second French
theatre, when it was suspended by
Notwithstanding
the Censorship.
some extremely harsh verses and in-
excusable want of correctness in the

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style, it has, in some scenes, numerous
on the stage.
beauties, which would probably have
insured its success
It is
Another tragedy, by the same author,
called Eudoxie, has been accepted at
the second French theatre.
The Princess, who gives
the
taken from the History of the Lower :
Empire.
her name to the piece, was
daughter of Theodosius II. - she
married Valentinian III., and
avenge the death of that Prince who
was assassinated by order of Pe-:
tronius Maximus, she secretly invited
the ferocious Genseric to Rome.
Great expectations are entertained
of this tragedy. The only novel that
has attracted much attention is the
Adventures of Jacques Fauvel, in
four volumes, by M. Droz, and Mr.
Picard. Here, too, party spirit has
shown itself in the different opinions
given of the merits of this novel.
While one party cries it up as equal
Scotch Novels, the other is much
to Gil Blas, or to the best of the
more sparing of its praise, and re-、
proaches the authors with the want
that attention to the manners of the
of probability in the incidents, and of
age which they pretend to paint,
The work is,
Scotch Novelist.
which is the grand charm of the
however, on the whole, interesting,
The scene is laid in the
and has been well received by the
public.
reign of Louis XIV.

Mr. Charles Dupin, so well known
by his works relative to the maritime
and military establishment of Great
Britain, has just published Applica
tions de Géométrie et de Mécanique à
la Marine, aux Ponts et Chaussées,
&c. one volume, 4to.

The twenty-third, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth volumes of the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles, are just delivered to the subscribers, and No. 21, 22, and 23, of the plates. Among the many important and long articles in these volumes, we have remarked Independance des Formations, a complete and entirely new Essay, by the celebrated Alexander Von Humboldt, on the position (gisement) of the rocks of the two hemispheres. This important Essay is. likewise printed in a separate volume, in 8vo. under the title of Essai géo

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gnostique sur le Gisement des Roches dans les deux Hémispheres. These volumes and numbers complete the work to about half of the text, and two thirds of the plates.

Among the new editions, which are remarkably well received, is that of the Funeral Orations of Bossuet, Flechier, and other orators, with a preliminary discourse, and observations, by M. Dussault, of which the third volume has lately appeared. M. Dussault shows himself an enlightened and impartial critic, and a very elegant writer. M. Alexander Duval, well known as a fertile writer for the stage, is now publishing a complete edition of his works, including several inedited pieces. In the fifth volume is William the Conqueror, which was composed at the time that Buonaparte intended (or pretended to intend) an invasion of England. The allusions introduced to suit the occasion not answering the expectations of the first Consul,—and the long lank chevalaresque figure of the performer who acted William having given the wits a fair opportunity to compare the Conqueror with Don Quixote, Buonaparte was mortified, and the further performance forbidden.

Mr. Letronne has just finished a work, of which great expectations are entertained: it is Researches into the History of Egypt, during the domination of the Greeks and Romans, derived from Greek and Latin Inscriptions, relative to the Chronology, the State of the Arts, the civil and religious Usages of that Country, one volume, 8vo. It is a remarkable and interesting circumstance, that M. Champollion, Jun., whose success in investigating the Egyptian hieroglyphics has excited such great expectations, and M. Letronne, have arrived by very different ways at the same conclusion. From the discoveries of both, it appears that not one of the four famous zodiacs discovered in Egypt is anterior to the dominion of the Romans in that country. M. Champollion discovers, by the designs of the bas reliefs of the great portico of Esné, that the zodiac of that temple was carved under the reign of the Emperor Claudius; M. Letroune proves, from Greek inscriptions in the tem ple of Esné, that the zodiac sculp

ture on the ceiling of the pronaos of that edifice was made in the reign of Antoninus, though the date of it had been fixed at 3000 years before the Christian era; the temple itself, which was presumed to be of the same antiquity, is not anterior to the reign of Hadrian. The planisphere of Denderah, in which M. Champollion has read in hieroglyphics the word Autokrator, is assigned by him to the reign of Nero; and M. Letronne proves, from Greek inscriptions, that the rectangular zodiac of the pronaos must be of the reign of Tiberius.

The Memoirs of Madame Campan contain many very curious anecdotes of the Court of France, and justify the unfortunate and much injured Queen Marie Antoinette, from the odious inculpations which were so generally brought against her.

We must not conclude this sketch of French literature without mentioning, as belonging to it, Napoleon's Memoirs dictated to Count Montholon and General Gourgaud, and the Journal of Las Cases, though, as they are printed in London, both in French and English, and are so generally read, it is unnecessary to dwell upon them.

Germany.-Munich.-A work is just announced, which will be highly interesting to antiquarians, architects, painters, and artists in general. Greece, the native land of art, besides the strict and regular forms of architecture, had carried to great perfection the branch which we call ornament, and left to posterity the finest and most beautiful models. These, however, superseded by the superfluity of ornament among the Romans, and unknown on the revival of the arts in the fifteenth century, remained without influence in latter times, and, till the middle of the last century, lay buried in the ruins of the dilapidated monuments of Greece. Even the earlier travellers and connoisseurs took but little notice of them; and it is only within the last twenty years that the extent, beauty, and importance of this branch of the art among the Greeks have been clearly understood, and considered to be deserving of more accurate attention and examination. Mr. Von Klenze, in Munich, chief architect of the court, well known as a great friend and connoisseur of Gre

cian art, possessing a rich collection of genuine Greek ornaments, has yielded to the wishes of numerous friends of art, and consented to publish it. The work will comprise the most beautiful oraments of Greek an tiquity, as well those executed in marble and stone, as those in terra cotta, and painted. As the drawings will all be made by Mr. Klenze himself, and the greatest care be bestowed on the engraving, it is hoped that the work will be equal to any thing of the kind hitherto published. It will probably consist of about eight numbers, each containing six plates in large folio.

Vienna.-A most important work, published some months ago, but which appears not to be known in England, is, Constantinople and the Bosphorus locally and historically described, by Mr. Joseph Von Hammer. The author, who, besides his other qualifications for the task, possesses the double advantage of an intimate acquaintance with the Turkish language, and a long residence in Constantinople, describes the history of Constantinople, from the establishment of ancient Byzantium to our times; the revolutions which those two cities have experienced; the religion, the manners, and the customs of a people, so different from us; their peculiar institutions; the form of government, the administration, the political situation, and the monuments of magnificence and public utility, which still exist in the capital of the Ottoman empire. The immense multitude of the details contained in these two large volumes, renders it impossible to give an analysis of them within the limits to which we are confined. They are evidently the result of vast reading and indefatigable patience in the most minute researches. The author never adopts without examination the opinions of preceding writers, but always refers to the fountain head. The Greek authors of the Byzantine History are as familiar to him as the Turkish writers of modern Constantinople, and it is evident that he has been long preparing the materials which he has here employed. If any reproach can be made against him, it is not that he has neglected any part of the picture which he had to draw; but rather,

that he has sometimes indulged in digressions, not immediately connected with the subject. Mr. Von Ham mer has added to his work 120 Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian, and Turkish inscriptions, with a plan of the city of Constantinople, and a chart of the Bosphorus.

Dr. Sieber's Travels in Crete, 2 vols. 8vo. contain much vuluable information, both on the ancient and present state of that great island, and particularly on the manners of the Turks and Greeks; presenting a most striking, and evidently faithful picture, in which the pacha, consuls, physicians, clergy, Greek and Turkish officers, the slavery of the women, &c. &c. are represented.

Poland. Mr. Nathan Rounfeld, a Jew of Warsaw, has just published a history of Poland in the Hebrew language. This work, which some persons may think it singular the author should have undertaken, will, doubtless, interest his Jewish brethren, who form a considerable proportion of the population of the Polish provinces, and cannot, therefore, be indifferent to the history of that kingdom. It is said, that the author has consulted the best authorities, and that his work is written with much judgment. Count Edward Raczynski has now published the long-expected account of his travels to Constantinople, the plain of Troy, and the coasts of Asia Minor, in 1814. It is a pretty considerable work, consisting of above fifty sheets, and 82 plates. It is in the Polish language, printed at Warsaw, and a splendid specimen of topography.

Italy. The following work has been lately published, Componimenti Teatrali di Speciosa Zanardi Bottioni, Parmigiana. Parma, 8vo. 1822. Several journals, especially the Giornale de' Letterati of Pisa, No. 5, have given an account of the dramatic productions of this young lady, who, as far as is known, is the first of her sex in Italy who has ventured to put on the sock of Thalia. These dramas are, La Marchesa di Maintenon - I Contrapposti - Il Matrimonio per Generosità. In regularity of plan, natural developement, management of the passions, and strict morality, they are equal, say the critics, to any that have appeared for a long time in Italy.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

An Encyclopædia, or, General Dictionary of the Science of Music is about to be published under the direction of Mr. Bacon, assisted by Messrs. Clementi, Bishop, Horsley, Wesley, Shield, and Hewitt. The work will be printed in 2 Volumes, 4to. and illustrated by numerous engravings.

An edition of Shakspeare is about to be published, containing the whole of his Plays, in one pocket volume, with a glos

sary.

Sharon Turner, Esq. FSA. is about to publish, in 4to. the third volume of his History of England, embracing the Middle Ages.

Mr. Frederick Clissold, who made the next ascent of Mont Blane, after the fatal accident, that befel the Guides of Dr. Hamel, in 1820, by the fall of an Avalanche, is about to publish an account of his journey, for the benefit of the Guides of Chamouni.

The late Dr. Whittaker's General History of the County of York is within a part of its completion, and will form two handsome folio volumes.

The Rev. Edward Irving has in the press, in an 8vo. volume, Pulpit Orations, Lectures, and Sermons, delivered in the Caledonian Church, Hatton Garden.

Mr. Bakewell is preparing for publication, "Observations made during a Residence in the Tarentane and various parts of the Grecian and Pennine Alps, in Savoy, and in Switzerland and Auvergne, in the Years 1820, 1821, and 1822, with Comparative Views of the Geology of these Countries with that of Great Britain," illustrated with Plates, &c.

The Memoirs and Correspondence of Charles A. Stothard, SA, by his Widow, will be published very shortly, in one volume, 8vo. with a portrait and facsimiles on wood of some of his original Sketches, in Letters to his Friends.

The Rev. G. S. Faber is printing, in 2 8vo. volumes, a Treatise on the Genius and Object of the Patriarchal, the Levitical, and the Christian Dispensations.

Mr. Hornor is about to publish in four engravings, a View of London and the surrounding Country, taken with mathematical accuracy from an observatory purposely erected over the cross of St. Paul's Cathedral, A Prospectus is published, containing some beautiful engrav ings, illustrative of the plan and execution of the work.

Mr. Scott's History of England during the reign of George III. designed as a continuation to Hume and Smollett, will appear in the course of the month, in 4 vols. 8vo., and also in 5 vols. 18mo. JAN. 1823.

The Flood of Thessaly; The Girl of Provence; the Letter of Boccacio; the Fall of Saturn; the Genealogist, a Chinese Tale, and other Poems, by Barry Cornwall, will be published on the first of March.

Mr. Scoresby has in the press an Ac count of his Voyage to Greenland in the summer of 1822, and of his re-discovery of the Eastern Coast of West Greenland. The following works are in the press :Bouterwek's History of Spanish and Portuguese Literature, translated from the original German. By Miss Thomasina Ross, in 2 Volumes, 8vo.

The Antiquities of Free-Masonry, from the Creation of the World to the dedication of Solomon's Temple. By the Rev. G. Oliver.

A Latin Grammar, by C. G, Zumpt, Professor in the Fredericks Gymnasium, Berlin. Translated from the German, with additions. By the Rev. J. Kenrick, AM.

Martha, a memorial of a beloved and only Sister. By Andrew Reed, Author of No Fiction."

An Elegy on the late Henry Martyn, and other Pieces. By John Lawson, Missionary at Calcutta, with a Portrait of Mr. Martyn.

Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations, in three Volumes, post 8vo.

Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous. By Henry Neele.

Practical Christianity, illustrated by Biblical Examples, also by Reflections on some of the principal parts of the Holy Scriptures. By Mrs. Sheriffe,

The Diary of a Journey through Southern India, Egypt, and Palestine, in 1821 and 1822. By a Field Officer of Cavalry, in an 8vo. Volume, with Maps, &c.

Letters upon the Art of Miniature Painting, containing the most clear, and, at the same time, progressive Instructions in the Art, and the processes for attaining perfection in it.

The Elements of Anglo Saxon Grammar, with Copious Notes, illustrating the structure of the Saxon, and the formation of the English Language; with Engravings, fac-similes of Manuscripts, &c. By the Rev. J. Bosworth, MA.

Travels through part of the United States and Canada, in 1818 and 1819, to illustrate the Moral, Literary, and Religious, Condition of the Country. By J. M. Duncan, AB.

R

Law.

WORKS LATELY PUBLISHED.

Roscoe's Additional Observations on Penal Jurisprudence. 8vo. 6s. boards.

A Supplement to the 23d Edition of Dr. Burn's Justice of the Peace and Parish Officer. By George Chetwynd, Esq. MP. 1 Vol. 8vo. 16s.

Miscellaneous.

History of Roman Literature from its earliest period to the Augustan Age. In 2 Vols. By John Dunlop, 11. 11s. 6d. Rivington's Annual Register, 1798. 20s. boards.

Relics of Literature. By Stephen Collet,

AM. 8vo. 158.

Universal Stenography; or, a Practical System of Short-Hand, combining Legibility and Brevity upon the general Prin ciples of the late ingenious Mr. Samuel Taylor, with Improvements from the best Writers. By W. Harding. Elegantly printed in 12mo. price 3s.

The Inn-Keeper's Album. Arranged for Publication, by W. F. Deacon. 8vo. 12s. Memoirs of the late Mrs. Paterson wife of the Rev. Dr. Paterson, St. Petersburgh. By the Rev. William Swan. 3s. 6d.

The Hermit of Dumpton Cave; or, Devotedness to God, and Usefulness to Man, exemplified in the Old Age of Joseph Croome Petit, of Dumpton, near Ramsgate. With a Portrait. 12mo. 58.

Anecdotes, Biographical Sketches, and Memoirs, collected by Letitia Matilda Hawkins. Volume the First, with a Por trait and another Engraving. 8vo. 9s.

The Cabinet of Portraits, with Biographical Sketches. By Robert Scott, Esq. Five Prints. In 12mo. Part I. 2s. 6d. Demy 8vo. 48. Quarto 7s. India Paper 93.

Novels and Tales.

Peveril of the Peak, by the Author of Waverley. 4 Vols. 21. 28.

The Work Table; or, Evening Conversation. By Miss E. A. Souter. 2 Vols. Foolscap, 78.

The Happy Family, a Tale. By Miss

Sandham. 3s. 6d.

Poetry.

Ancient Ballads, translated from the Spanish. By J. G. Lockhart. 4to. 18s. Quotations from the British Poets, being a Pocket Dictionary of their most Admired Passages. 24mo. 4s.

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A Vindication of the Authenticity of
the Narratives contained in the first two
Chapters of the Gospel of St. Matthew and
St. Luke; being an Investigation of
Objections urged by the Unitarian Editors
of the improved Version of the New
Testament; with an Appendix. By a
Layman. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

short plain Sermons, partly original, partly
The Village Preacher; a Collection of
Volume the third. 12mo. 5s.
selected, and adapted to Village instruction.

Sermons. By the Rev. John Hayden,
8s.
Curate of Londonderry Cathedral. 8vo.

A New Self-Interpreting Testament, By the Rev. John Platts. Part I. Royal with the parallel passages at length, &c. 4to. 78. Demy 8vo. 4s. 6d.

Voyages, &c.

Narrative of a Voyage round the World, in the Uranie and Physicienne Corvettes, commanded by Captain Freycinet, during the Years 1817, 18, 19, and 20; on a Scientific Expedition undertaken by order of the French Government, in a series of Letters to a Friend. By J. Arago, Draftsman to the Expedition. With 26 Engravings, 4to. 37. 13s. 6d.

Views of Ireland, Moral, Political, and Religious. By John O'Driscol, Esq. 2 Vols. 8vo. 11. 4s.

Journal of a Tour from Astrachan to
Karass, containing Remarks on the general
Appearances of the Country, Manners of
the Inhabitants, &c.; with the substance
of many Conversations with Effendis,
Mollas, and other Mahommedans, on the
Questions at Issue between them and
Christians. By the Rev. William Glen,
Missionary, Astrachan. 12mo. price 4s.

Notes on Egypt, Nubia, the Oasis,
Mount Sinai, and Jerusalem. By Sir
Fred. Henniker, Bart. 8vo. 12mo.
With a

Shakspear's Tempest, being No. I. of
Pickering's Miniature Edition.
Plate. 1s. 6d.

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