This is a _provincial_, but not a first appearance in London; the
present being the fourth "_Wreath_" that has been entwined for the
lovers of song and sentiment. It is culled from Liverpool, (next to
our own metropolis) the most literary city in the empire; but many of
its flowers have been gathered from our metropolitan parterre. Thus,
in addition to the respected names of Roscoe, Currie, and Shepherd,
(of Liverpool), we have among the contributors those of Hemans,
Bowring, Howitt, Opie, with Mitford, Montgomery, and Wiffen. The
editorship has passed into different hands, and "the introduction of
religious topics has been carefully avoided" as unsuited to a work of
elegant amusement.
The plates are twelve in number, among which are _Lady Blanche and
her Merlin_, after Northcote (rather too hard in the features); an
exquisite _View of the Thames near Windsor_, after Havell; _Medora
and the Corsair_, after Howard; the _Sailor Boy_, by Lizars; and a
beautiful _Wreath_ Title-page, after Vandyke. All these will bear
comparison with any engravings in similar works.
The Wreath contains 132 pieces or flowers, some of them
_perennials_--others of great, but less lasting beauty--and but few
that will fade in a day. Among those entitled to special distinction,
in the _prose_ department, are an Italian Story, of considerable
interest; the Corsair, a pleasing sketch; and Lough Neagh, a tale
of the north of Ireland. One of the _perennials_ is a Journey up the
Mississippi, by Audubon, the American naturalist. Kester Hobson,
a legendary tale of the Yorkshire Wolds, which turns upon a lucky
dream, will probably set thousands dreaming--and we hope with the same
good effect--viz. half-a-bushel of gold. "A Vision," by the late Dr.
Currie, is a successful piece of writing; Le Contretems is a pleasant
tale enough, with a sprinkling of French dialogue. Next is a well-told
historiette of the eventful times of the Civil Wars.--The Memoir of a
young Sculptor can scarcely fail to awaken the sympathy of the reader.
The introduction of the paper on Popular Education, in what the editor
himself calls "a work of elegant amusement like the present," is
somewhat objectionable, and the writer's sentiments will be very
unpalatable to a certain party. The Ridley Coach is a sketch in the
style of Miss Mitford, who has contributed only one article, and
that in verse. Mrs. Opie has a slight piece--The Old Trees and New
Houses--but our prose selection is, (somewhat abridged)--