_The Men of the Time in 1852, or Sketches of Living Notables_, is
intended, as we are told in the Preface, "to bring together in one
muster-roll the people who take the lead in doing the Work of the World,
in literature, in politics, in art, and in science,--who are influential
in their generation, either in thought or in action." The idea is a good
one, and the book will eventually supply a want which all have felt. We
say "eventually," because both Editor and Publisher must be aware that
no first attempt of a work of this nature can at all approach
perfection. We do not complain that, within the small compass of the
present volume, we find many names we should scarcely have looked for in
such a selection; but we would, for the purpose of improving the next
edition, point out the omission of many very important ones. In the
field of learning, antiquarian and historical, we miss all mention of
Ellis, Hallam, Mahon, Maitland, Madden, Palgrave, Kemble, Thorpe and
Wright. In other classes again we meet with similar omissions. We find
Robert Owen, but not Professor Owen; Southwood Smith, but not Sir Harry
Smith; Faraday we have, but not Wheatstone; the Bishops of Exeter,
Oxford, and St. David's, but not the Bishops of London or Ely. We have
Pusey, but neither Hook, Bennett, Close, nor Newman. We have George
Dawson the lecturer, but not Cowden Clarke the lecturer. Such are some
of the instances of omission which have occurred to us, and which will
no doubt be supplied in a new edition. May we add our hope that in such
new edition as ample justice will be rendered to all "men of learning"
as is in the present one rendered to all "men of the press."
When we find that the new issue of Bohn's _Illustrated Library_ consists
of the first volume of a revised and enlarged edition of _The Battles of
the British Navy_, by Joseph Allen, Esq., R.N., we are almost disposed
to imagine that this indefatigable publisher had seen with prophetic eye
that in the opening of 1852 Mr. Cobden's theory of universal peace would
lose favour, and that John Bull would resume his old love for the "blue
jackets." Be that as it may, such a work as the present, popularly
written, handsomely illustrated, and published at a moderate price,
which would at all times be a boon, is not likely to be less welcome at
a moment when there is a general feeling abroad, that England's best
securities for that peace which all would preserve, "like her best
bulwarks," are "her wooden walls."
Sir Joshua Reynolds was a painter among painters, and a man of letters
among men of letters; and as long as the literature of this country
endures, his name will be held in remembrance and in honour. In giving,
therefore, to the world a new edition of _The Literary Works of Sir
Joshua Reynolds, the first President of the Royal Academy; to which is
prefixed a Memoir of the Author, with Remarks on his Professional
Character illustrative of his Principles and Practice_, by Henry
Williams Beechey, Mr. Bohn has conferred a boon, not only upon the
professional student, but upon all who would acquire a knowledge of the
presiding principle which regulates every part of art, and who can
appreciate the eloquent and admirable manner in which the great
president conveyed that knowledge.
When a glimpse of sunshine warns us of the approach of spring, and that
our young friends are bethinking them of the country and its varied
pleasures, when they will again--
"---- hear the lark begin its flight,
And singing, startle the dull night,"
we are reminded of a long-delayed wish to call their attention to
Gosse's _Popular British Ornithology, containing a Familiar and
Technical Description of the Birds of the British Isles_, as a means of
turning their pleasant rambles to a source of profitable instruction.
With this scientific, though concise and popularly written volume,
profusely illustrated as it is with coloured figures of the most
remarkable British birds, as their guide--and a little patient
observation--an amount of knowledge of birds and their habits will soon
be acquired by them, which will prove a source of never-ending
enjoyment, and give new zest to every fresh visit to the woods and
fields.