f MONTHLY NOTICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. "O LIBERTY! what crimes are committed in thy name." The recollection of these memorable words, uttered by Madame Roland on her way to the guillotine, is forcibly recalled by the recent accounts from Vienna. The murder, by a ferocious mob, of the Minister of War, Count Latour, who was barbarously killed by stabs in the body, and blows on the head by an axe or sledge-hammer, and then dragged from his residence, and hanged on a lamp-post in the court-yard of the public-office belonging to his department; the flight of the Emperor to Innspruck; the devastation of Schönbrunn; the streets blocked up by barricades; the mails stopped, and egress from the city forbidden; terrorism triumphant such are some points of the intelligence respecting the late furious and sanguinary popular outbreak at Vienna. : The shock of this insurrection will doubtless be felt by other continental governments, and may cause other thrones to totter. From Berlin, there are accounts of events which would seem to "cast their shadows before ;" the final issue, however, is known only to Him in whose hand are "the hearts of princes ;" and who alone can stay "the madness of the people." At home one subject of interest has arrested the attention of persons in almost all ranks of life :-the actual presence in various parts of England of that mysterious epidemic, known by the name of Asiatic Cholera. This is not the proper place for any details respecting the modes of treatment which have been found most efficacious in staying the ravages of this fearful scourge of God. The great points to be observed by way of prevention are sufficiently simple, and are, happily, within the power of the great mass of society. To the ordinary and most pertinent observations to be met with on all hands, respecting the importance of free ventilation, clothing and apartments dry and sufficiently warm, &c., we would suggest in addition, the duty and advantage of maintaining, while duly using all known precautions, a cheerful trust in the protect ing mercy of the Almighty. It is sin and folly to neglect at such a season, the careful use of protective means; but there is an opposite danger of too great anxiety, against which, in all time of "plague or sickness," we ought to guard; and that more especially, as it respects a disease to which, as there seems good reason to believe, fear is a predisposing cause. The state and prospects of Ireland, and the legal proceedings which have there recently taken place, afford matter of grave interest. It is supposed to be the intention of Government to propose, during the next session of parliament, the payment by the State of the Romish priests in that Island; and such a measure, as tending to encourage and perpetuate Popery, in a country of which Popery has long been the acknowledged bane, would, to multitudes of Protestant Christians, loyal subjects of Queen Victoria, be matter of deep regret. Since, however, present duty, rather than future contingencies, ought mainly to occupy our minds, it surely becomes us to avail ourselves of the opportunities now afforded us, of endeavouring to turn the popish peasantry of Ireland -we adopt the words of a periodical paper, issued by the IRISH SOCIETY-" from the ways of superstition and sin, to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus." One main object of that Society, is to supply the poor Irish with the Holy Scriptures in their native tongue; and entirely do we believe, that if that and other of its objects were more effectually supported and carried out," the Irish Society would prove one of the most efficacious instruments for the remedy of poor Ireland's ills. These pages will meet the eyes of many of our readers on the First of November next; the day appointed for the commemoration of the JUBILEE of the Church Missionary Society. The objects of the JUBILEE FUND have been fully made known by the Society's recent publications; and the records of other societies show, that large funds may be raised by means like those now adopted by the Church Missionary Society. When, in 1844, the London Missionary Society observed its Jubilee, £32,000 was contributed by its members; and the zealous body of Christians denominated Wesleyans, by their complete organization, and unwearied exertions, raised for their Centenary Fund, no less a sum than £222,000; besides £70,000, which they applied to missionary purposes, and £1,000 which they gave to the British and Foreign Bible Society. "Would that the Church of England "-we adopt the words of the Rev. E. Bickersteth- might, on this occasion, rise to something of the largeness of heart displayed by their Wesleyan brethren." REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. FISHER'S DRAWING-ROOM SCRAP-BOOK. 1849. By The Hon. MRS. NORTON. London: Peter Jackson, late Fisher, Son, and Co. THIS "Queen of Annuals," which comes forth this year in a garb of lilac and gold, possesses, by the extreme beauty of its engravings, and the excellence of many of its literary compositions, even more than its ordinary claims on the admiration of the givers and receivers of those Christmas gifts, which . . . are the beads of Memory's rosary, From a book of which every SCRAP is beautiful, selection is difficult. As we turn over its pages and contemplate its exquisite plates we feel "l'embarras des richesses." "The President of the Beauty-cultural Society," whose lovely portrait forms the frontispiece to the volume, certainly deserves and adorns her position; and the illustrative verses—the production, we presume, of the gifted Editor-are clever and original. Of the exquisite beauty of Mr. Allom's architectural drawings, engravings from many of which, enrich this volume, we need not speak; and equally admirable are the landscapes by the same celebrated artist, with which we are here presented. The " Presentation at St. James's" is one of those ornate and highly-finished works, which, even though no artist's name were appended to it, would at once be attributed to the pencil of A. E. Chalon; and Mrs. Norton's accompanying poem gives a spirited sketch of the gorgeous scene which the plate represents. One other plate, from a painting by E. J. Parris, we must particularize; for such is its fearful truth, that at the first glance it absolutely startled us. We mean "The Storm." The effect of the fear and horror displayed in the countenance of the mother, is strikingly enhanced by the quiet and infantine expression on the face of the unconscious babe whom she strains to her bosom. The whole composition is admirable; and the verses by the late T. Sheridan, Esq., on the Loss of the Saldanha, form an admirable accompaniment to such a plate. Among the Contributors to this splendid Annual, we observe The Hon. Edmund Phipps, Lord Viscount Melbourne, R. Monckton Milnes, Esq., M. P., Brinsley Norton, Esq.. Baillie Cochrane, Esq., M. P., A. Hayward, Esq., Sara Coleridge, and Cecilia Gore; by the lastmentioned lady there are some very beautiful verses entitled "The Better Life;" which, had we space at command, we would gladly quote. THE DRAWING ROOM SCRAP-BOOK stands decidedly at the head of the list of Annuals; and the volume for 1849 will be found to equal, if not to surpass, that of any former year. THE JUVENILE SCRAP-BOOK. A Gage d'Amour for the Young. Edited by Miss Jane Strickland. 1849. London: Peter Jackson, late Fisher, Son, and Co. ARRAYED, like the Drawing Room Scrap-Book, in lilac and gold, this beautifal work comes forth, this year, under the auspices of Miss Jane Strickland, who has interwoven into "the many-coloured garland, flowers from various lands," and, by the skilful arrangement of her materials, has happily succeeded in blending them into a chaplet of great beauty. We have often expressed our conviction, that an early and familiar acquaintance with the beautiful, whether in nature or art, exercises a very beneficial influence over the youthful mind; and entirely do we acquiesce in the remark of the accomplished Editor of this volume, that the plates by which it is embellished, are calculated to give a lasting and lively perception of pictorial beauty. The Frontispiece, entitled "THE FIRST LESSON," is a very lovely composition, and the verses written in illustration of it by the Biographer of the Queens of England, have much simple beauty. The same popular writer has contributed a chapter of "ANECDOTES OF DOGS." Some of these anecdotes have considerable historical interest, and all are cleverly wrought into an entertaining article. A view of the beautiful church of Newark, from the pencil of Mr. Allom, and exhibiting the rare skill of that artist in perspective drawing, illustrates this chapter. An interesting Tale, founded upon some circumstances connected with the landing of James, Duke of Monmouth, in 1685, and accompanied by a beautiful engraving of Agnes Beaufort, is contributed by the Editor, as is also, a lively and amusing story, entitled "MY UNCLE'S FAMILY." The volume is agreeably interspersed with poetical compositions, and comprises no less than sixteen plates, many of which may be regarded as specimens of the perfection to which the Engraver's art has, of late years, been brought. To please the eye, however, as the Editor observes, is but one of the minor objects of this beautiful volume. "To give lessons of piety and virtue, and to warn young readers to avoid the paths of sin and selfishness, even though they appear fair and pleasant," is its chief aim. This Gage d'Amour will be found, however, to supply food for mirth at well as for reflection; and by the variety of its matter, can scarcely fail to please readers of different tastes and ages. When we contrast the "Children's books," which were in use half a century ago, with those of the present day, it must be regarded as a mark of the vast increase, and wide diffusion among us of refinement and good taste, and should surely be matter of grateful reflection to young readers, that an Annual provided for their exclusive instruction and amusement, should exhibit the large amount of talent, both literary and pictorial, which distinguishes THE JUVENILE SCRAP-BOOK FOR 1849. THE COTTAGE-GARDENER, or Amateur and Cottager's Guide to Outdoor Gardening, and Spade Cultivation. Conducted by George W. Johnson, Esq. Editor of the "Gardener's Almanack ;"" Modern Gardener's Dictionary," &c. Nos. I. II. III. and IV. THE COTTAGE GARDENER is a newly-established weekly periodical, the first number of which appeared on Thursday, October 5, 1848; and since “All England has, and loves its OUT-Door Gardening," it is a work which by its thoroughly practical character, cannot, we think, fail to command general approbation, and an extensive circulation. "Utility" being its "prime object," it is chiefly devoted to those branches of the horticultural art, in which "not only all delight, but which all have the means of pursuing." Far from addressing itself exclusively or chiefly to those who can command the apparatus necessary for the growing of "Florists' Flowers," or the ripening of rare and choice fruits, it concentrates in its pages the plain and practical information which is needful, and cannot but be acceptable to all who have " space sufficient for a bed of cabbages, a row of currant-trees, or a flower-border." While, however, its columns are principally occupied by matter instructive and interesting to the cottager, or to the amateur gardener of moderate |