the currency; much sound reasoning, and much practical knowledge. The author is a strenuous advocate for paper currency; and we think the main defect in his work arises from his undervaluing, or the not taking into account the disadvantages to our foreign commerce, which would arise from the rise of prices consequent on the enlarged currency; and the extreme inequality of them as compared with those of all the other nations of Europe. To look to the superior ingenuity of our workman, or the excellence of our machinery (v. p. 49), to compensate this, we are afraid would not be warranted by experience. That the author has pointed out the difficulties of our financial situation correctly we grant, but the remedy is not so easy to find. The principal cause of our distrust arises from the violence of faction, and the dispute of parties, and the ambition of demagogues, swallowing up and absorbing that interest which should be conjointly bestowed in dispassionately reviewing the difficulties which press on us, tracing them to their sources, and averting the evils which they threaten, or rather have already engendered.

Synopsis of the Extinct Baronetage of England; containing the Date of the Creation, with the Succession of Baronets, and their respective Marriages, and Time of Death. By William Courthope, Esq. Editor of the improved Editions of Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage. 8vo. pp. 256.

Debrett's Baronetage of the United Kingdom. Edited by W. Courthope, Esq.

The acknowledged utility of Sir Harris Nicolas's Synopsis of the Peerage, has led to the compilation of the former of these works, which supplies a great desideratum among our books of reference, since no account of all the families raised to the dignity of Baronet has ever before been published, beyond a bare list of the first of each name.

A century had elapsed from the institution of the dignity, before any attempt was made to give a history of the families. This was first done by Collins, who printed two volumes in 1720, but which do not extend lower than the 152d creation, and the year 1621. In that work, so far as it went, the extinct titles were included, as well as those existing; but whether from the difficulty of the task, its probable extent, or some other unknown reason, the author did not proceed further. The next book on the subject is Wotton's in three pocket

volumes, produced in 1727, which contains only the baronets whose titles were then existing, those which had become extinct during the lapse of the previous century being omitted; and the same plan has been pursued both in the larger works of Wotton, in 4 vols. 8vo. 1741, (on the whole, the best and most copious hitherto published on the subject); of Kimber, 3 vols. 8vo. 1771; of Betham, 5 vols. 4to. 1801; of Playfair, 2 vols. 4to. 1811; and in the various small volumes on the subject, which have appeared under the names of Almon, Debrett, Stockdale, &c. &c.

Thus Mr. Courthope, after the lapse of 224 years from the institution of the Order, is the first to give a synoptical view of all the families who have received this hereditary title; and when we add that, of upwards of 1550 creations that have taken place, nearly nine hundred have become extinct, the great value of the work will be evident.

The author gives, as in Sir H. Nicolas's Synopsis of the Peerage, the dates of creation, extinction, and death of each individual, with the relationship of the successor; and he has added the names and parentage of the wives of each. To say the work is complete would be untrue, since few books of names and dates can be so, and the information comprised in this plan is often very difficult of access; but when we say that it contains much more than has ever before been published, we shall have sufficiently characterised its value to those interested in genealogy and family history. We recommend such as have the means of making additions, to interleave their copies, which will improve its appearance as a book, and perhaps benefit the public at some future period.

To the task of correcting a very imperfect and erroneous work, the old Baronetage of Debrett, Mr. Courthope has brought great diligence, and the advantage of access to all the records at the College of Arms. And as it is eight years since an edition was published, we doubt not that purchasers will see the necessity of replacing their old copies by the new edition.

The Pilgrims of Walsingham, or Tales of the Middle Ages, an Historical Romance, in 3 vols. by Miss Agnes Strick. land. Miss Agnes Strickland, with her talented sisters, are well known to the public, by various works of merit, both in prose and verse; and the present production, by the former of those ladies, will add much to her justly acquired

literary reputation. She states in her preface, that "she trusts she has entered upon untrodden ground; at least no writer of later date than that illustrious father of English poetry and romance, Geoffrey Chaucer, (the Sir Walter Scott of the 13th century,) has founded a work of fiction on the plan of the ancient devotional pilgrimage. It will, however, be observed that the Pilgrims of Walsingham are all historical characters, whose progress to the farfamed Lady shrine of Norfolk, is performed incognito, an undertaking which may be supposed would naturally give rise to a succession of comic adventures and droll accidents during the journey.

"Pleasant excursions these same pilgrimages were, no doubt, where individuals of all ranks and ages, were free to mingle together, pro tempore, on terms of Christian equality and good fellowship, and were accustomed to beguile the tedium of the journey with merry tale and quaint romaunt or fairy lore.

"Each of the votaries to the shrine of our Lady of Walsingham, in this work, like Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims, is pledged to relate a tale."

After an interesting introduction, describing the state of the English Court in 1522, at the time of the visit of the young and accomplished Emperor Charles the Fifth, the first volume comprizes three tales-1st. "The Saxon Widow's Vow," presumed to be related by Cardinal Wolsey.-2nd. "William Rufus and the Salmon Pasty," related by King Henry the Eighth. And 3d. "The Christian Gladiators," by the Abbot of Glastonbury. Of these tales we consider the last to be by far the best. It is founded on the sufferings and sublime heroism of the early Christians, condemned to the gladiatorial fight and certain martyrdom.

The 2nd volume contains-1st. The Tale of "The Gothic Count," related by Queen Catherine-and 2d. "Don Froila and his ten Daughters," being in effect a continuation of the former. Both are descriptive of Spanish manners during the sojourn of the Moors in that country. The picture drawn of the de

cayed Spanish noble, Don Froila, and his daughters, introduces the reader to scenes equally ludicrous and grave; and is a well-drawn portraiture of the Spanish character during that interesting period.

The 3d volume, containing the Tale of "The Royal Sisters," daughters of Edward the Fourth, commands more than ordinary notice. The policy and character of Henry the Seventh are ably delineated-the severe treatment and high bearing of the imprisoned daughters of Edward-the checquered fortunes of the nobility-and the ultimate firm establishment of the union of the Houses of York and Lancaster, are abundant in interest.

The style of the authoress is flowing and animated, and she has displayed great discrimination in the delineation of character. The facts recorded in history, are generally the mere statement of events; but it is for contemplative minds to view, though at a distance, the inward feelings and motives of action. This has been done by Miss Strickland with much judgment and good sense. She has followed up and developed the secret inclinations of the imperial visitor and his royal host, and amidst splendour and chivalric openness and generosity, the hidden principle eclipses these noble manifestations of seeming regard and apparent affection.

When ladies devote their time and talents to the spread of knowledge, and to the inculcation of moral sentiment, they give a tone to public virtue. The last and the present century can boast of a Carter, a Trimmer, a More; we might mention many females in the walks of science. History seems to occupy the thoughts of Miss Strickland; and if historical novels, founded on plots drawn from past records, be directed to the confirmation of truth, and the illustration of history and manners, both to amuse and to instruct, we invite her mental powers to further objects of intellectual exertions. We are glad to find she intends to follow these Tales with a second series.

Dissertations on the Eumenides of Eschylus, with the Greek Text, and Critical Remarks. Translated from the German of C. O. MULLER. 4 N

The Miracles of Jesus Christ considered as illustrative of the Doctrines of the Gospel; in Four Sermons, by the Rev. C. LAWSON.

Lord Teignmouth's Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Sir William Jones, by the Rev S. C. WILKS.

Three Volumes of Dramas, by Mrs. JOANNA BAILLIE.

Autobiography of an Irish Traveller. Memoirs of the Life, Works and Correspondence of Sir W. Temple, by the Right Hon. T. P. COURTENAY.

The Life of Edward Earl of Claren don, with a Portrait, by T. H. LISTER' esq. Author of Granby, &c.

Life of Edward the Black Prince, by G. P. R. JAMES, esq. author of "Darnley," "Richelieu," &c.

Boyhood, a Poem, by CHAS. A. ELTON, author of a Translation of Hesiod. Baron VON HUMBOLDT'S Posthumous

Works, containing a Treatise on the Languages of the Indian Archipelago, as derived from the Sanscrit, and another on the Origin and Philosophy of Languages in general.

Philanthrophic Economy; or, the Philosophy of Happiness, practically applied to the social, political, and commercial relations of Great Britain. By Mrs. LOUDON.

The Prime Minister, a political and heroical Poem, dedicated to Sir Robert Peel, by a Peer.

A new edition of JACQUEMONT'S Letters from India, entirely re-translated, and embellished with engravings on steel.

Perils in the Woods; or, the Emigrant Family's Return, by the author of the Children's Fireside.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

April 30. Rev. Dr. Jennings, V.P. A communication was read, entitled Continuation of the Paper on the Relations between the Nerves of Motion and of Sensation, and the Brain, and more particularly on the Structure of the Medulla Oblongata and the Spinal Marrow, by Sir Charles Bell, F. R.S.

May 7. Sir John Rennie, V. P.

Read, On the elements of the orbit of the Comet of Halley, by J. W. Lubbock, esq. V.P. and Treasurer; a letter from Mr. Dunlop, containing new formulas for computing longitude at sea and land; and

the titles of three communications from Capt. Beaufort, containing meteorological and hydrometrical observations, made on board his Majesty's ships Jackdaw, Etna, and another.

May 14. J. W. Lubbock, esq. V. P. Read, 1. An account of the water of the well Zem-zem, with a quantitative analysis of the same, by Professor Faraday; 2. Observations on the theory of Respiration, by William Stevens, M.D.

May 21. W. T. Brande, esq. V.P. The last mentioned paper was concluded.

LITERARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE WEST

OF ENGLAND.

MR. URBAN,-I now inclose you a list of the Philosophical Institutions established in Devon and Cornwall: I wish it may lead others of your correspondents to institute similar inquiries in the different the whole Kingdom, which will convey to Counties, so that we may have a return of the minds of those who reflect at all a surprising view of the present state of society. It should be our object to direct so much useful talent and ability to legitimate ends. I am, Sir, your very humble servant, HENRY WOOLCOMBE.

Plymouth, 20th April, 1835.

DEVON.-Exeter, 1817. Public Library, denominated "Devon and Exeter Institution," containing nearly 10,000 volumes. 1825. Mechanics' Institute.

1835. Literary Institution now establishing a building to be called "The Athenæum," now erecting.

Plymouth, 1811. Public Library, containing 5000 volumes.

1812. Institution to promote the Cultivation of Useful Knowledge in all departments of Arts and Science.

A building erected, called "The Athenæum," where Lectures are delivered during the Sessions in the winter of every year, and Discussions follow. A Museum of Natural History and Works of Art, forming occasional exhibitions of paintings, drawings, &c. A volume of Transactions published.

1825. Mechanics' Institute. Tavistock, 1827. Institution. for the acquirement and diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Lectures delivered during the winter season, followed by discussion. A Museum forming.

1820. Public Library, containing 1000 volumes. An edifice presented by the Duke of Bedford-part of the Abbey. Devonport, 1825. Mechanics' Institute, entitled "The Devonport Stonehouse Mechanics' Institute."

and

1819. Public Library, containing 1000 volumes. A building erected by proprie

tors.

Barnstaple, 1826. Mechanics' Institute. Bideford, 1832. Institution for the acquirement and diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Library, 250 volumes.

Okehampton, 1834. Literary and Philosophical Society.

Totnes, 1820. Public Library. Apartments hired.

Torquay, 1833. A Philosophical Institution. Apartments hired.

CORNWALL.-Penzance, 1814. Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, instituted for cultivating and diffusing a Knowledge of Mineralogy and Geology, supported by subscription. A building erected. A valuable Museum of Mineralogical and Geological Specimens formed. Communications read at quarterly and annual meetings, and 4 volumes of Transactions published.

1817. Public Library, containing about about 4000 volumes, in apartments erected for that purpose. Supported by subscription.

1831. Literary and Scientific Institution (this, however, is considered a merely temporary name) containing about 50 members. Lectures given weekly. Supported by subscription and the sale of Tickets to the Lectures. About to erect a house.

Lec

1834. Mechanics' Institute. tures given weekly. About to erect a house. Supported by subscription.

St. Ives, 1834. St. Ives Institution. Supported by subscription. A Library and Museum commenced, and Leccures sometimes given.

Falmouth, 1833. A Subscription Library-containing Parliamentary Reports and many valuable Works.

1833. Polytechnic Society for the encouragement of Scientific Improvement in the Arts and Manufactures and Fisheries of the County.

Truro, 1792. Public Library, containing about 6000 volumes, and a Copy of the Records of the United Kingdom deposited there by the County Magistrates.

1818. Royal Institution for the promotion of Science and Literature, with a Museum newly erected. Buildings cost 21001. Supported by proprietary subscription and annual subscriptions. About 110 members. Income about 501, a year.

Helston, 1834. Library formed. Supported by annual subscriptions and donations. Rooms purchased and fitted up for the purpose.

Halley's Comet.-Dr. Lardner delivered a discourse on the approaching comet, which has been calculated by Halley to make its appearance during the ensuing autumn. He observed, that the only circumstance which can prevent its appearance at the period stated are, that there may be existing beyond the orbit of Herschel some other planet with which it may have come in contact, so as to cause it to alter its direction, or that it may have come into juxtaposition with another comet in the realms of space, and that their combined attraction may have caused them mutually to vary their course. Mr. Lubbock has calculated that it will make its appearance on the 31st of October; M. Damoiseau's calculation makes it the 5th of November; and Pontecaulet the 8th or 14th of November. On the 10th of November it will probably be at its nearest distance to the earth, and will then most likely be visible amongst the three last stars of the Great Bear, both after sunset and before sunrise. Whether it will be visible or not will depend upon circumstances which astronomers cannot foresee, because they cannot predict the exact case in which its situation may be. It is now probably about the orbit of Saturn. The only difficulty presented in the calculation arises from our not knowing exactly the mass of the planet Herschell, and in proportion as that is above what is computed, so will there necessarily be an error in the period of computation. The number of comets known within the solar system is between 500 and 600, whilst of these the paths of 137 have been closely examined and described. Of the above, 30 are known within the orbit of Mercury, although this is probably not one half of what actually exists within that space. Taking the number, however, as 30, and computing the quantity existing in a relative ratio between the estimated differences of a sphere, the diameter of the orbit of Mercury, and that of Herschell, it will give the total number of 3,529,407 within the limits of the solar system; and as the numbers above assigned within the limits of the orbit of Mercury, is probably not half of what circulates there, the total number in the planetary system may possibly be upwards of 7,000,000.

ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.

May 9. The annual report of the Society was read by the Secretary, Captain Harkness-the Right Hon. Chas. Wm. Wynn in the chair. The report stated, that the success that had attended the exertions made by the Society was beyond what had been anticipated-that the number of deaths and retirements was less than usual, while the number of new members had considerably increased. But among those whom death had snatched from the Society, they had to lament the loss of many distinguished individuals, of Earls Bathurst and Spencer, and of that great master of the Chinese language, Dr. Morrison. The report proceeded to state, that several valuable additions had been made to the library and museum. The Society had been presented by Capt. James Low with an account, beautifully illustrated with plates, of Tenasserim, during his residence in that country; by Mr. Shakespeare, with a Dictionary of Hindoostanee and English, enriched by many valuable observations on the Dekham dialect. The Society had also to thank the learned Professor Garcin de Tassi for a critical edition of the works of Walé in the Dekham dialect, and Professor Flugal for his edition of the Arabic version of the Koran. Ram Cosmul, sen. had sent to the Society his valuable Dictionary in Bengalee and English. The Council also felt pleasure to announce that there was established, at Teheran, a printing press by Abbas Mirza, from which great results might be expected. After entering into a very minute detail of the situation and prospects of the Society, the report concluded by stating that they were then in correspondence with some of the most illustrious literary societies in the world, and were looked up to by many millions as the chief link binding them to this country. -Col. Blackburne, Sir Henry Willock, Sir George Staunton, Sir Ralph Rice, Col. Boardman, and other gentlemen then addressed the meeting.Thanks were voted to the council, to the president, vice-presidents, the director, the treasurer, and secretary. course of the proceedings it was moved, and carried unanimously, that Muhammed Shah Shaken, King of Persia, and his Highness Runjeet Singh Maharaja, be elected honorary members of the Society.

KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON.

In the

April 29. At the annual meeting of the general Court of Proprietors, it was reported that the house for the Principal

was finished; that rooms for the reception of fourteen resident students are to be erected forthwith; that the establishment was unincumbered with debt, and had 1500/. in the Treasurer's hands; that the number of pupils amounted to about 900, being fifty more than the preceding year; and that the College was flourishing in every respect.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE.

April 30. The anniversary meeting was held, when the Earl of Ripon, who was rechosen President, delivered an address, which will be printed for circulation to the members. The extensive library bequeathed to the Society by the late Mr. Prince Hoare, was seen arranged on the shelves.

BELGRAVE INSTITUTION.

April 13. At the second half-yearly meeting, the Earl of Denbigh in the chair, it was reported that the number of members entered to the close of the year just expired, was 238; 15 of whom had retired; that the library consisted of 1850 volumes, amongst which are the publications of the Record Commissioners, presented by them, and amounting to 52 vols. folio; the works published by the committee of the Oriental Translation Fund, consisting of 37 vols., and the transactions and journals of the Asiatic Society, obtained through the influence of the Earl of Munster. The lectures and conversazioni were alluded to with much satisfaction, and it appeared that there was a surplus of the funds to be carried over to the next year's account. A plan for raising shares for the purpose of erecting a new building was approved of. Edmund Halswell, esq. F. R.S. was elected Vice-President.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

April 22. The anniversary meeting was held at the Royal Institution, the Earl of Derby, President, in the chair. It was a stormy meeting, in consequence of the Council having recommended the retirement of Dr. Grant and Sir R. Gordon, M.P. (who had advocated certain reforms or innovations) from the Council; which was resisted by a powerful party among the proprietors, of which Benja min Hawes, esq. M.P. was a principal leader and speaker. The latter were the most powerful in numbers; but the ballot was declared to have been irregular, in consequence of a member having voted without having previously paid his subscription, and it was finally adjourned to the 27th of May.

The increase in the number of Members since April 1834 has been greater