VENETIA. A novel, in two volumes, by the author of Vivian Grey, &c. CAREY & HART.

It is nearly fifteen years since D'Israeli, the younger, burst upon the world of literature in a corruscation of brilliancy that threatened to eclipse the whole brood of novel writers and romance mongers. "Vivian Grey" was pronounced to be the most wonderful work of the age, and we are not in the minority when we assert that it has never been excelled by any work of its class. The author published a second part, but which, like all other continuations, proved a failure. His next work, "The Young Duke," although a novel of considerable power, was reckoned infinitely beneath the standard of his first production, and consequently fell still-born from the press. The genius of the author of Vivian Grey was supposed to have expired in a flash in the pan. A few years elapsed, when he again appeared in the scribbling lists-various works kept his name before the public with different de rees of success "The Wondrous Tale of Alroy" sold well, and many critics praised it, "and that highly," but the great mass of the reading public received it with indiffer"Henrietta Temple" experienced wonderful success, particularly in London; but its love scenes, most tediously spun out, proved too mawkish for the plainness of American appetite. The present work, "Venetia," deservedly enjoys a high reputation, and exhibits the beautiful peculiarities of D'Israeli's style in greater perfection than any work since his first and best. Several distinguished literary characters, connected with the first quarter of this century, figure in the pages of Venetia ; among them, Lord Byron in the days of this youth, as Lord Cadurcis, and Shelley as Mr. Herbert. The following quotation introduces the young lord to the reader, and gives a tolerably fair specimen of the vigor of the conversational scenes, and characteristic sketches.

ence.

"A few days after the visit to Cadurcis, when Lady Annabel was sitting alone, a post-chaise drove up to the hall, whence issued a short and very stout woman with a rubicund countenance, and dressed in a style which remarkably blended the shabby with the tawdry. She was accompanied by a boy between eleven and twelve years of age, whose appearance, however, very much contrasted with that of his mother, for he was very pale and slender, with long, curling, black hair, and large, black eyes, which occasionally, by their transient flashes, agreeably relieved a face, the general expression of which might be esteemed somewhat shy and sullen. The lady, of course, was Mrs. Cadureis, who was received by Lady Annabel with the greatest courtesy.

"A terrible journey,' exclaimed Mrs. Cadurcis, fanning herself as she took her seat, and so very hot! Plantagenet, my love, make your bow; have not I always told you to make a bow when you enter a room, especially where there are strangers? This is Lady Annabel Herbert, who was so kind as to call upon us. Make your bow to Lady Annabel.'

"The boy gave a sort of sulky nod, but Lady Annabel received it so graciously, and expressed herself so kindly to him, that his features relaxed a line, though he was quite silent, and sat on the edge of his chair, the picture of dogged indifference.

Charming country, Lady Annabel,' said Mrs. Cadurcis, but worse roads, if possible, than we had in Northumberland, where, indeed, there were no roads at all. Cherbury is a delightful place, very unlike the abbey; dreadfully lonesome I assure you find it, Lady Annabel. Great change for us from a little town and all our kind neighbors. Very different from Morpeth; is it not, Plantagenet?'

"I hate Morpeth,' said the boy.

"Hate Morpeth exclaimed Mrs. Cadurcis, Well, I am sure, that is very ungrateful, with so many kind friends as we always found. Besides, Plantagenet, have I not always told you that you are to hate nothing? It is very wicked. The trouble it costs me, Lady Annabel, to educate this dear child!' continued Mrs. Cadurcis, turning to Lady Annabel, and speaking in a semi-tone. I have done it all myself, I assure you; and when he likes, he can be as good as any one. Can't you, Plantagenet?'

Lord Cadurcis gave a grim smile; scated himself at the very back of the deep chair, and swung his feet, which no longer reached the ground, to and fro.

"I am sure that Lord Cadurcis always behaves well,' said Lady Annabel.

"There, Plantagenet,' exclaimed Mrs. Cadurcis, only listen to that. Hear what Lady Annabel Herbert says; she is sure you always behave well. Now mind, never give her lady ship cause to change her opinion.' Plantagenet curled his lip, and half-turned his back on his companions.

“I regretted so much that I was not at home when you did me the honor to call,' resumed Mrs. Cadurcis; but I had gone over for the day to Southport, buying furniture. What a business it is to buy furniture, Lady Annabel!' added Mrs. Cadurcis, with a piteous expression.

"It is indeed very troublesome,' said Lady Annabel.

"Ah! you have none of these cares,' continued Mrs. Cadurcis, surveying the pretty apartment.

a difference between Cherbury and the abbey! I suppose you have never been there?'

"What

Indeed it is one of my favorite walks, answered Lady Annabel, and some two years ago, I even took

the liberty of walking through the house.'

"Was there ever such a place! exclaimed Mrs. Cadurcis. I assure you my poor head turns, whenever I try to find my way about it. But the trustees offered it us, and I thought it my duty to my son to reside there. Besides it was a great offer to a widow; if poor Mr. Cadurcis had been alive, it would have been different. I hardly know what I shall do there, particularly in winter. My spirits are always dreadfully low. I only hope Plantagenet will behave well. If he goes into his tantarums at the abbey, and particularly in winter, I hardly know what will become of me!'

"I am sure Lord Cadurcis will do every thing to make the abbey comfortable to you. Besides, it is but a very short walk from Cherbury, and you must come very often and see us.'

"Oh! Plantagenet can be good if he likes, I can assure you, Lady Annabel; and behave as properly as any little boy I know. Plantagenet, my dear, speak. Have not I always told you, when you pay a visit, that you should open your mouth now and then. I don't like chatting children,' added Mrs. Cadurcis, but I like them to answer when they are spoken to.'

"Nobody has spoken to me,' said Lord Cadurcis, in a sullen tone.

Plantagenet, my love!' said his mother, in a solemn tone.

"Well, mother, what do

you want?'

་

"Lord Cadurcis,' said Lady Annabel, interfering, do you like to look at pictures?'

"Thank you,' replied the little lord, in a more courteous one. I like to be left alone.'

"Did you ever know such an odd child!' said Mrs. Cadureis; and yet, Lady Annabel, you must not judge him by what you see. I do assure you, he can behave, when he likes, as pretty as possible.'

"Pretty muttered the little lord between his teeth.

"If you had only seen him at Morpeth sometimes at a little tea-party,' said Mrs. Cadurcis; he really was quite the ornament of the company.'

"No, I wasn't,' said Lord Cadurcis.

"Plantagenet!' said his mother again in a solemn tone, have I not always told you that you are never to contradict any one?'

"The little lord indulged in a suppressed growl.

"There was a little play last Christmas,' continued Mrs. Cadurdis, and he acted quite delightfully. Now you would not think that from the way he sits upon that chair-Plantagenet, my dear, I do insist upon your behaving yourself. Sit like a man.'

"I am not a man,' said Lord Cadurcis very quietly; 'I wish I were.'

Plantagenet!' said the mother, have not I always told you that you are never to answer me? It is not proper for children to answer. Oh! Lady Annabel, if you knew what it cost me to educate my son. He never does any thing I wish, and it is so provoking, because I know that he can behave as properly as possible, if he likes. He does it to provoke me,—you know you do it to provoke me, you little brat; now, sit properly, sir; I do desire you to sit properly. How vexatious that you should call at Cherbury for the first time, and behave in this manner! Plantagenet, do you hear me?' exclaimed Mrs. Cadurdis, with a face reddening to scarlet, and almost menacing a move from her seat.

"Yes, every body hears you, Mrs. Cadurcis,' said the little lord. "Don't call me Mrs. Cadurcis,' exclaimed the mother, in a dreadful rage. to your mother. I will not be called Mrs. Cadurcis by you. swer me. I have half a mind to get up and give you a good Mrs. Cadurcis, while a tear trickled down her cheek, if you costs me to educate that child!'

64 6

That is not the way to speak Don't answer me, sir,-I desire you not to anshake, that I have. O Lady Annabel,' sighed only knew the life I lead, and what trouble it

My dear madam,' said Lady Annabel, 'I am sure that Lord Cadurcis has no other wish but to please you. Indeed you have misunderstood him,'

"Yes! she always misunderstands me,' said Lord Cadurcis in a softer tone, but with pouting lips and suffused eyes.

"Now he is going on,' said his mother, beginning herself to cry dreadfully. He knows my weak heart; he knows nobody in the world loves him like his mother; and this is the way he treats me.'

་

"My dear Mrs. Cadurcis,' said Lady Annabel, pray take luncheon, after your long drive; and Lord Cadurcis, I am sure, you must be fatigued.'

"Thank you, I never eat, my dear lady,' said Mrs. Cadurcis, except at my meals. But one glass of Mountain, if you please, I would just take the liberty of tasting, for the weather is so dreadfully hot; and Plantagenet has so aggravated me, I really do not feel myself.'

"Lady Annabel sounded her silver hand-bell, and the butler brought some cakes and the Mountain. Mrs. Cadurcis revived by virtue of her single glass, and the providential co-operation of a few subsequent ones. Even the cakes and the Mountain, however, would not tempt her son to open his mouth; and this, in spite of her returning composure, drove her to desperation. A conviction that the Mountain and the cakes were delicious, an amiable desire that the palate of her spoiled child should be gratified, some reasonable maternal anxiety that after so long and fatiguing a drive he, in fact, needed some refreshment, and the agonising consciousness that all her own physical pleasure at the moment was destroyed by the mental sufferings she endured at having quarrelled with her son, and that he was depriving himself of what was so agreeable only to pique her, quite overwhelmed the ill-regulated mind of this fond mother. Between each sip and each mouthful, she appealed to him to follow her example, now with cajolery, now with menace, till at length, worked up by the united stimulus of her copious draughts of Mountain and her own ungovernable rage, she dashed down the glass and unfinished slice of cake, and before the astonished Lady Annabel, rushed forward to give him what she had long threatened, and what she, in general, ultimately had recourse to-a good shake. "Her agile son, experienced in these storms, escaped in time, and pushed his chair before his infuriated mother; Mrs. Cadurcis, however, rallied, and chased him round the room; once more she flattered herself she had captured him, once more he evaded her; in her despair she took up Venetia's Seven Champions,' and threw the volume at his head; he laughed a fiendish laugh, as, ducking his head, the book flew on, and dashed through a pane of glass; Mrs. Cadurcis made a desperate charge, and her son, a little frightened at her almost maniacal passion, saved himself by suddenly seizing Lady Annabel's work-table, and whirling it before her; Mrs. Cadurcis fell over the leg of the table, and went into violent hysterics; while the blood

hound, who had long started from his repose, looked at his mistress for instructions, and in the meantime continued barking. The astonished and agitated Lady Annabel assisted Mrs. Cadurcis to rise, and led her to a couch. Lord Cadurcis, pale and dogged, stood in a corner, and after all this uproar, there was a comparative calm, only broken by the sobs of the mother, each instant growing fainter and fainter."

Messrs. Carey & Hart have published the whole of D'Israeli's novels in one large volume. This work will be a desirable addition to every library, as it contains a fund of literary amusement rarely to be attained.

THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF COMMODORE WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE, U. S. N. By Thomas Harris, M. D., Surgeon U. S. N., and Member of the American Philosophical Society. Philadelphia. Carey, Lea & Blanchard. 1837.

Dr. HARRIS has achieved the most interesting book of the season; and the gentlemen of the Navy are under a heavy debt of gratitude to the Doctor for the consummate skill with which he has detailed the principal nautical events of the late war-a necessary portion of the biography of Commodore Bainbridge, who was intimately connected with the glorious success of the American Marine from the commencement of its existence as a means of warfare, to the period of his lamented death. Although devotedly attached to his family, Bainbridge appeared but to exist in the service of his country; his calm and gentlemanly bearing in the moment of victory was as remarkable as his bravery in the dangers of the fight. His conquered foes cheerfully acknowledged the potency of American valor, while the noble conduct of the victor softened the degradation of defeat.

It is difficult to select a page for extraction when a general interest pervades the whole work. The following account of his interference in behalf of a foe, exhibits the true nobility of valor

"The mortified and afflicted Dey was obliged, besides, to liberate about four hundred Venetians, Maltese, and Sicilians, who had been taken when under the protection of British passports. Although Captain Bainbridge had no other agency in procuring their release, except that of being the bearer of the order from the Sultan, yet such was the extent of the gratitude of the unhappy victims, that they kissed his garments whenever he was met by them, and hailed him as their generous deliverer.

"Unwilling to be without some one on whom he might exercise his cruelty, which seemed to be his predominant passion, the Dey issued orders to have the French consul, and all the citizens of that republic, amounting to fifty-six in number, consisting of men, women and children, put in irons and treated as slaves. Captain Bainbridge, recollecting the influence of the Capudan Pacha's protection, and the liberal offers of service made by the Dey at their last interview, determined to make an effort to ameliorate the condition of the unfortunate French. Accordingly, the consul general of the United States and himself waited upon the Dey, and endeavoured to convince him of the impolicy of the measure which he was about to pursue, and to impress upon him their conviction, that an act so inhuman and faithless, would draw upon himself the further displeasure of the Grand Seignior. After a protracted interview, they succeeded in persuading him to change his order to that of expulsion from his dominions; but only upon condition that they would leave Algiers within forty-eight hours; which, if they failed to do, he should hold them as slaves, until he received fifty-six thousand dollars as a ransom.

:

M. Dubois de Trainville, the French consul, full of gratitude, cast himself further upon the humanity of Captain Bainbridge and begged him to take himself and the other French citizens on board his ship, and convey them to Alicant, assuring him that there was not a vessel in harbor which he could charter on any conditions. Though the United States were, at this time, engaged in war with the French republic, yet, those principles of humanity, which should always animate the generous and brave, and which national hostilities ought not, nor cannot silence, influenced him to accede to the consul's wishes. The officers of the ship, participating in these noble feelings, made extraordinary efforts to get her in readiness to sail within the stipulated time, believing that the Dey was anxious for a pretext again to seize his victims, for the dishonest purpose of obtaining a ransom. Their exertions were crowned with success-the passengers taken on board, and, in order to render them as comfortable as possible, Captain Bainbridge gave them the exclusive use of his cabin, and slept himself on the main deck. Such was the hurry and confusion of the departure of the French from Algiers, that they either neglected, or were unable to procure provision for their subsistence; but they had placed themselves under the protection of an officer who, though not abounding in means, had the disposition to supply them, at his own expense, with every thing necessary to their comfort. After a pleasant and short passage they were safely landed at Alicant.

"To the generous American officer who had delivered them from the horrors of Algerine slavery, their expressions of gratitude were unbounded, and most affecting.

"The French consul represented these noble transactions to the French government, and received orders from Napoleon, at that time First Consul, to Tender his acknowledgments and thanks to Captain Bainbridge, for the important services he had rendered the republic, with assurances that such kind offices would always be remembered, and reciprocated with pleasure whenever an occasion offered.'"

The work is well printed, in one handsome octavo volume. A capital portrait faces the title-page.

"THE LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA" is the title of a small, well printed book, just issued by Messrs. Ash & Co. Its pages contain a succinct account of the principal buildings and places in our city of Philadelphia, and numerous elegant wood engravings illustrate the various descriptions, which are written in a pleasant and attractive style. As a Guide Book to visiters and strangers, this little work will be found of essential utility,