Mr. Wright's varied antiquarian acquirements, and his untiring zeal, are
too well known to require recognition from us. We may therefore content
ourselves with directing attention to his _Wanderings of an Antiquary,
chiefly upon the Traces of the Romans in Britain_, which has just been
published, and of which the greater part has appeared in a series of
papers under the same title in the _Gentleman's Magazine_. It is
intended to furnish, in a popular form, a few archæological truths which
may foster a love of our national antiquities among those who are less
likely to be attracted by dry dissertations: and its gossiping character
and pretty woodcuts are well calculated to promote this object.
This endeavour to make the study of antiquities popular, naturally calls
our attention to a small and very agreeable volume on the subject of
what Brand designated _Popular Antiquities_. We refer to the last volume
of Bohn's _Illustrated Library_. It is from the pen of Mary Howitt, and
is entitled the _Pictorial Calendar of the Seasons, exhibiting the
Pleasures, Pursuits, and Characteristics of Country Life for every Month
of the Year, and embodying the whole of Aikin's Calendar of Nature_. It
is embellished with upwards of one hundred engravings on wood; and what
the authoress says of its compilation, viz. that it was "like a walk
through a rich summer garden," describes pretty accurately the feelings
of the reader. But, as we must find some fault, where is the Index?
We have received from Birmingham a work most creditable to all concerned
in its production, and which will be found of interest to such of our
readers as devote their attention to county or family history. It is
entitled _A History of the Holtes of Aston, Baronets, with a Description
of the Family Mansion, Aston Hall, Warwickshire_, by Alfred Davidson,
with _Illustrations from Drawings_ by Allan E. Everitt; and whether we
regard the care with which Mr. Davidson has executed the literary
portion of the work, the artistic skill of the draughtsman, or the
manner in which the publisher has brought it out, we may safely
pronounce it a volume well deserving the attention of topographers
generally, and of Warwickshire topographers in especial.
BOOKS RECEIVED.--_Folious Appearances; A Consideration on our Ways of
lettering Books_. Few lovers of old books and good binding will begrudge
half a florin for this quaint opuscule.--_Indications of Instinct_, by
T. Lindley Kemp, the new number of the _Traveller's Library_, is an
interesting supplement to Dr. Kemp's former contribution to the same
series, _The Natural History of Creation_.--We record, for the
information of our meteorological friends, the receipt of a _Daily
Weather Journal for the Year 1853_, kept at Islington by Mr. Simpson.
* * * * *{115}