As long as poetry of the highest order is appreciated in England, Gray's
_Elegy written in a Country Churchyard_ will never want readers to pore
over its beauties, or artists ready to dedicate their talents to its
illustration. Of the latter fact we have evidence in a new edition just
issued by Mr. Cundall, which is illustrated on every page with engravings
on wood from drawings by Birkett Foster, George Thomas, and a Lady. The
artists have caught the spirit of the poet, and their fanciful creations
have been transferred to the wood with the greatest delicacy by the
engravers,--the result being a most tasteful little volume, which must take
a foremost rank among the gift-books of the coming Christmas.
BOOKS RECEIVED.--_Smiths's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, by
various Writers_, Part VIII., which extends from the conclusion of the
admirable article on _Etruria_ to _Germania_, and includes _Gallia
Cisalpina_ and _Transalpina_, which scarcely required the initials (G. L.)
to point out the accomplished scholar by whom they are written.--Darlings
_Cyclopaedia Bibliographica_: Parts XIV. and XV. extend from _O. M.
Mitchell_ to _Platina or De Sacchi_. The value of this analytical,
bibliographical, and biographical Library Manual will not be fully
appreciable until the work is completed.--_The National Miscellany_, Vol.
I. The first Volume of this magazine of General Literature is just issued
in a handsome form, suitable to the typographical excellence for which this
well-directed and well-conducted miscellany is remarkable.--_Remains of
Pagan Saxondom, principally from Tumuli in England_, Part VIII.: containing
Bronze Bucket, found at Cuddesden, Oxfordshire; and Fibula, found near
Billesdon, Leicestershire. We would suggest to Mr. Akerman that the Bronze
Bucket is scarcely an example of an object of archaeological interest,
which requires to be drawn of the size of the original, and coloured from
it: and that the value of his useful work would be increased by his
adhering to his original arrangement, by which the illustrative
letter-press appeared in the same part with the engraving to which it
referred.
* * * * *
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