The very unsatisfactory condition of the present laws on the subject of
international copyright has induced the eloquent author the _The History
of the Girondists_, when giving to the world _The History of the
Restoration of Monarchy in France_, to consent to write in English some
of the most important passages of that history with the view of
assisting his publishers in their endeavour to protect themselves
against piracy. To this circumstance we are indebted for the appearance
at the same moment of the English and French editions; and both at a
much lower price than that at which we have hitherto been accustomed to
receive original works. M. de Lamartine's present contribution to the
modern history of France cannot fail to excite great interest--despite
of the manifest prejudices of the writer; for it is written with marked
earnestness--not to say bitterness, and depicts in striking colours at
once the military genius and the heartless selfishness of Napoleon. The
history of the murder of Duc D'Enghien is told with consummate dramatic
effect; and as the reader finishes the narrative he feels, the force of
the author's closing words, "The murderer has but his hour--the victim
has all eternity." The book will be read and re-read for its brilliancy
and interest; it can however never by quoted as an authority, for its
writer has disdained to quote those on which his own statements are
based. M. de Lamartine in making this omission has done injustice both
to himself and to his readers.
_Letters Historical and Botanical, relating chiefly to places in the
Vale of Teign, &c._, by Dr. Fraser Halle, is a small volume which we can
conscientiously recommend as a desirable travelling companion to such of
our friends as may be about to visit this beautiful district of
"Lovely Devonia, land of flowers and songs."
It is clearly the production of a thoughtful scholar; and besides its
botanical notices and historical illustrations, contains many pleasant
snatches of old song, and hints of by-gone legends.
_Lives of the most eminent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects,
translated from the Italian of Giorgio Vasari, &c._, by Mrs. Foster,
vol. iii., is another volume of Mr. Bohn's Standard Library. Vasari's
work was one of the favourite books of the unfortunate Haydon; and now,
when so much attention is being devoted by all classes to the fine arts,
when our nobles are throwing open their galleries to the public, and
admitting all to a free study of the exquisite works in their
possession, an English version of such a series of biographies as Vasari
has given us, and enriched as it is by notes and illustrations drawn
from his best commentators, cannot but find an extensive and ready sale.
Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson (3. Wellington Street) will sell on
Wednesday next a valuable collection of Engravings, the property of a
distinguished collector, by whom it was formed thirty years since,
chiefly from the Durand Collection; and on Thursday next a most
interesting collection of Manuscripts and Books of the poet Gray, the
whole in beautiful condition, together with a collection of various
editions of his works, a posthumous bust, and other items connected with
the poet. On Friday the same auctioneers will be engaged in the sale of
the interesting collection of Engraved British Portraits formed by the
late Thomas Harrison, Esq.
CATALOGUES RECEIVED.--J. Lilly's (19. King Street, Covent Garden) Very
Cheap Clearance Catalogue of Five Thousand Volumes; B. Quaritch's (16.
Castle Street, Leicester Square) Cheap Book Circular, No. 32., Catalogue
of Books in all Languages.