consider to be the agitation of the demagogue; of the man who uses the name and welfare of his country, as a mark to cover his own sordid and selfish designs. The Repeal of the Union, of that Union the advantage and necessity of which were allowed by all parties and all religions, would be the destruction of one country, and the unhappiness and misery of the other. Criminal Trials in England, their Defects and Remedies. By G. COOKE, B.A. -It would be presumptuous in any one who did not belong to the legal profession, to decide upon the important questions that are connected with the alterations proposed, or the abuses manifested by the author; but they plainly prove, to our unprofessional mind, the great defects inherent in our criminal system, and the necessity of a revision of the code in many important particulars. A Letter to Lord Althorp on the Poor Laws, &c., by EQUITAS-The incubus of the Poor Laws on the resources of the country is terrific; the growing evil alarming; the inequality of the pressure unjust. This is recognized by the author of the tract before us, who proposes a National or Consolidated Rate, in lieu of the local taxation. The author, as almost all others who have directed their attention to the subject, has animadverted with severity on the allowance system-paying the labourer partly by wages, and partly by allowance from rate; but, while they justly lament and deprecate the evil, they never observe the cause from which it proceeds. There are, we will say, twenty able single labourers in a parish; twenty equally able, married, with large families. One class wants 128. a-week, one 208. The farmer, who has his choice, of course takes the single. Then the next comer is obliged to take the married; but his labour costs him nearly twice as much as his neighbour's. That is unjust; therefore equalize it by a parish allowance, or rate. Now, as far as regards the employer, this seems just enough; but it is most cruelly disadvantageous, we grant, to the labourer to be paid by charity, what he ought to earn by industry-to be paid by the overseer, instead of his employer. It was not so formerly; why? Because it was of no importance to the farmer whether he employed the single or married labourer, inasmuch as the labourer's wife and family could provide for themselves. They are now dependent on the man's labour, or nearly so; except in particular cases, as when women go out to wash, to nurse, or take in needle-work, and so on. The machinery and manufactures have destroyed cottage labour-spinning, the only resource formerly of the female poor, who thus were earning their bread at home, while their fathers and husbands were earning theirs abroad. Therefore, the circumstances of the case have obliged the farmers and occupiers to do as they have done. Abolish the allowance system, without carrying other measures into effect, and you throw the married men out of work directly: find an employment for the families, and the system will die instantly away. The allowance system is a compromise of ill, but the blame does not rest with the farmer: the evil arises from the circumstances of the case, over which he has no control. In agricultural parishes the men, the labourers, are not too numerous, or more than are wanted; but the families hang as a dead-weight upon the rates, for want of employment. The girls are now not brought up to spin-none of them know the art. They all handle, when required, the hoe, and their business is weeding. Our partial remedy for this great and growing evil is allotments of land, which are to afford the occupation that the distaff formerly did; and so the wife and daughters can be cultivating small portions of ground, and raising potatoes and esculents, &c. while the labourer is at his work. We confess that we know no other remedy for the evil. The misfortune is, that the farmers are generally very averse to the labourer having land, and seldom will promote it. There is a pamphlet published by Mr. Allen on this subject, worthy of attention. Influence of the Public Debt over the Prosperity of the Country. By M. B.— The question of the influence of the Public Debt on the situation and prosperity of the country, is here argued with ingenuity and with knowledge, and in a financial point of view it would be difficult to oppose or overthrow its statements; but we shall take leave to say, that its moral or economical effect ought to be considered, as well as the political. What effect it has on the wealth, on the increase and employment of capital, is well developed; but these riches may be dearly purchased. To have a large National Debt, you must have a large National Taxation. That taxation presses heavily on all classes. It may take from the rich some superfluities; but what it does take from the poor is out of his necessities. We will take one instance. It is advantageous to have a National Debt, but it is not advantageous to have a heavy Malt Tax to pay its interest, which shall prevent the labourer having beer, or make the farmer buy his barley again at double or treble the price. 'Look,' says the author, at the advantage of a Public Debt, in the prosperity and wealth of England. Look at the disadvantage of not having one, in the poverty and inertness of Sweden.' Very well! but look at the Swedish cottage and the Swedish peasant and the English pauper; see one independent, happy, and contented; and the other dependent, discontented, and destitute. Look at the internal peace, tranquillity, and order that pervades all ranks in Sweden; look at the stability of the government, and the attachment of the people. Look at the turbulence, the tempest, the earthquake, the volcano at home. Look at rebellion in its diversified shapes refusal to pay taxes-shameless denial of tithes : envy and abuse of the higher ranks profligacy and depravity in the lower: rapacity and over-dealing in the middling. Verily, the political advantages of a National Debt may be dearly purchased, by the moral evils it brings in its train. : : Reflections on a Graduated Property and Income Tax, to raise the sum of 17,822,000l. By EDWARD JONES, Esq. -Mr. Jones's pamphlet is founded on the principles which we advocated in our review in the preceding tract by M. B., namely, the moral mischief, and the distress and penury, occasioned by the pressure on the poor of the heavily taxed articles of life. Mr. Jones presses most forcibly on the richer and higher classes of the community, the necessity, the justice, of their contributing largely to the support of the state and the payment of the taxes; and he instances the immense sacrifice made by their ancestors, in the gift to Government of the land-tax of four shillings in the pound. The pamphlet is a little too violent in its language, and too inflexible in its principles, but is worthy of consideration. Mr. Jones proposes an abolition of all assessed taxes, and excise and customs; and an income or property tax, or a land tax, of five shillings in the pound. Plan of a Poor Law for Ireland. By G. POULETT SCROPE, F.R.S.-One of the most persuasive, best-reasoned tracts we have lately met with. We consider its arguments to be very urgent; and that both England and Ireland are deeply interested in carrying into speedy execution a system of well-devised and judicious laws for the employment of the poor in the latter country. Our present great agricultural depression we consider to be mainly owing to the circumstances in which Ireland now is, where its own produce is not con sumed by its inhabitants, and where the people seek employment in the sister country, itself already overstocked. The Hobart Town Magazine. Nos. I. II. and III.-We rejoice to find a magazine inscribed Van Dieman's Land, and the publisher H. Melville, Elizabeth Street, Hobart Town, for as Literature "emollit mores, nec sinit esse feros," and as the demand for books proves that some hours of life are to spare, and some thoughts are not of necessity enslaved by the dominion of the body, we hope that this periodical is only the herald of others which will appear by its side. It is quite as well executed as could have been expected. To be sure, the taste and spirit of the narratives scent a little of the desert; the tales are terrific and savage; and the poetry is not of the highest finish; but a little time will soften down the one, and im. prove the other. We are afraid the following lines are too good to be of home manufacture, and that they must have been imported from the firm of Hood and Company. Upbraid me not!—I never swore eternal love to thee; [three: For thou art only five feet high, and I am six feet I wonder, dear, how you supposed that I could look so low,[a beau. There's many a one can tie a knot, who cannot fix Besides, you must confess, my love, the bargain scarcely fair, [made a pair; For never could we make a match, although we Marriage, I know, inakes one of two, but here's the horrid bore, [am four. My friends declare, if you are one, that I, at least, 'Tis true the moralists have said, that love has got no eyes, [has no size; But why should all my sighs be heard for one who And on your wedding day, I'm sure, I'd leave you in the lurch, [a church. For you never saw a steeple, dear, in the inside of 'Tis usual for a wife to take her husband by her [alarm,Just pray excuse me should I hint a sort of fond That when I offered you my arm, that happiness to beg, [the leg. Your highest effort, dear, must be to take me by I do admit I wear a glass, because my sight's not good; [rude; arm, But were I always quizzing you, it might be counted And tho' I use a concave lens-by all the gods! I hope, [schel My wife will ne'er look up to me-thro' a HerThen fare thee well, my gentle one! I ask no parting kiss, [bliss; I must not break my back to gain so exquisite a Nor will I weep, lest I should hurt so delicate a flower, [thunder-shower. The tears that fall from such a height would be a Farewell! and pray don't drown yourself in a [feet club; For that would be a sore disgrace to all the six And if you ever love again, love on a smaller plan, For why extend to six feet three, a life that's but a span. basin or a tub, The Insecurity of Sir H. Davy's Safety Lamp demonstrated, and the perfect Se curity of Upton and Roberts's New Safety Lamp proved.-It certainly does appear, from this pamphlet, that some important defects exist in the construction of the lamp by that great and illustrious chemist, Sir H. Davy, as may be seen by the experiments of Mr. J. Pereira. The principle on which the new safety lamp of Messrs. Upton and Roberts is rendered safe, is in restraining the air admitted through the feeders to the support of the flame of the wick alone; thus, as little or no pure air can pass to any other part of the lamp, all combustion is destroyed in it, except at or near the wick. With this tract may be perused another called "Practical Observations on the Phenomena of Flame and Safety Lamps," by GEORGE MURRAY, F.S.A. F.L.S. An Encyclopædia of Geography. By HUGH MURRAY. Part. I.-This promises to be a very interesting and scientific work, and ably conducted. Mr. Murray is assisted by Professor Wallace in astronomy, Jamieson in geology, Hooke in botany, and Swainson in zoology,-all great and venerable names in science. We have read it with attention and pleasure, and can recommend it as one of the most learned, and accurate, and entertaining works on geography. It is to be completed in twelve monthly parts, and will cost only 31. Lord Brougham's Law Reforms, and Courts of Local Jurisdictions. By W. GLOVER, Esq. M. A., Barrister at Law. -The author of this production is a practising barrister of some experience and intelligence, who stands forth as the vindicator of Lord Brougham's legal reforms. He observes, that in every unprejudiced rank and circle of society, where the state of public opinion can best be discerned, Lord Chancellor Brougham is appreciated as the greatest legal reformer. He specifies the various reforms in the Courts of Common Law, the Court of Chancery, the Privy Council, the Bankruptcy Jurisdiction, and the Laws of Real Property, which have been effected since the memorable motion in 1828, respecting the state of the laws. The author remarks, that if Lord Brougham had neither undertaken the subject, nor persuaded Parliament to concur in the necessity of ameliorating this branch of our national polity, very few, if any, of these improvements would have been sanctioned by the superior Courts, or enacted by the legislature. Mr. Glover states, that the Lord Chancellor's Bill for Courts of Local Jurisdiction in England exactly coincides in principle with the practice prevalent for centuries in the Sheriffdepute Courts of Scotland, and with the Irish Courts of Assistant Barristers. Lord Brougham proposes to invest judges in ordinary with functions similar to the territorial judges in these kingdoms, where beneficial consequences have uniformly attended their exposition of the laws and dispensation of justice. Besides, the measure has been rendered suitable to the present circumstances of society, though modelled upon ancient principles, since the former administration of justice in this country rested upon local jurisdictions. By As Lays and Legends of France, and Lays and Legends of Ireland. (No. 2 and No. 3, of National Lays and Legends.) W. J. THOMS.-We hail with pleasure the 2d and 3d numbers of Mr. Thom's National Lays and Legends, viz. France and Ireland, each containing abundance of interesting and amusing matter. may be well imagined, much of each nation's character is infused into its popular traditions. Nothing, for example, can be more obvious than the difference between those of France and Germany; the latter abound in the terrible, the wild, and the broadly humorous, those traits which characterise "Leonora," "Ulrick and Annie," and "Brother Merry; the former, far less sombre, for the most part treat of chivalry and ladye-love, and are but slightly tinged with strong humour, though filled to exuberance in many instances with an arch drollery, dashed by tenderness. There is in No. 2 an interesting legend of St. Omer, entitled "The Game of Chess with the Devil," (spiritedly illustrated moreover in outline), which, were "little Mat the M.P." yet in the land of the living, would not long lack a poetical dress. And speaking of poetry, we are reminded of a translation given by Mr. Thoms from a curious old ballad, founded on the superstition of "Lycarthropy," which superstition is dwelt cn somewhat fully in more than one legend. 66 The admirers of Quevedo may trace something of his spirit in Saint Peter and the Minstrel," which is full of a light and joyous wit; and those who delight in detecting a common origin to the tales of different nations, will find a confirmation of their opinions in the "Sacristan of Cluni," and the kindred superstition of the French" Melusine," and the Irish "Banshee." We cannot quit this number without noting the admirable translation, by Mr. Peacock, of the fabliau of "The Priest and the Mulberry Tree," which will be found in the 64th page. Before touching on the contents of No. " 3, Lays and Legends of Ireland," we must be allowed to express our satisfaction at a sentence which caught our eye in the introduction :-"We are happy to acknowledge, that the collections and individuals connected with Ireland to whom we have access, as will be obvious from the contents of the present number of our work, prevents any fear on our part of a speedy want of material for the continuation, and the names of some of these individuals will prove, at a glance, how completely the fierce spirit of Irish political agitation is soothed and stilled while roaming along the flowery paths of olden romance, and dwelling on the legendary tale." When we mention that the name of Mr. Thomas Steele, the friend of the great Agitator," is attached to some of the most interesting legends in the number, we have said enough in the way of comment on these words. All that our space allows beyond what we have already said, is to point out one or two of the most striking legends in No. 3. We would recommend their attention to the "Palatine stories," which relate to the German colony settled in the neighbourhood of Rathkeale about the beginning of the 18th century. The German character of their superstitions may be readily traced; for instance, the "Cat-wife," is clearly akin to the "Wehr Wolf." The "Story-teller's Tale," from a manuscript of the late member for Clare, Lucius O'Brien, Esq., is worthy of especial attention, illustrated as it is by an exceedingly curious introductory note by Crofton Croker. Let no admirer of true pathos fail to read "The Changeling," a ballad full of the deepest feeling, expressed in the simplest, and therefore most touching language. FINE ARTS. EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTISTS. The Gallery of this Society in Suffolkstreet, Pall-mall east, was opened to the public on Monday, the 24th of March, with a collection of the works in paint. ing, sculpture, and engraving, of living British Artists; not a collection of the old and the new combined, as is usually the case at the British Institution, but of exclusively new, and till then, unexhibited productions, a difference we think it but fair to notice, as the effect of the exhibitions of the latter establishment has always appeared to us to be considerably injured by their partial, nay, their general want of novelty. We are aware that one of the primary objects of the directors of the British Institution is, that of affording the exhibitors at Somerset House another chance of finding purchasers for their unsold stock; but much as we are disposed to applaud the intention, we cannot but feel that the expedient is one eminently calculated to defeat its own aim. As a general principle, we may take it for granted, that of the contributions annually exhibited at the Royal Academy, those that do not go off during the season, are the least attractive, if not the least meritorious; but whether they be so or not, the public are naturally unwilling to have imposed upon them, as new, a commodity so notoriously old or second-hand; and when the evil prevails, as in the season just concluded, to a very great extent, many quit the gallery, it is to be apprehended, with feelings somewhat akin to disappointment, if not to actual displea sure. With this society the intrusion of a work that can be recognised as an old acquaintance is uniformly resisted, and we trust a regulation so salutary will not be speedily abandoned. Having indulged in these few introductory observations, we now proceed to our analysis of this, the Society's eleventh annual exhibition, premising, however, that as in a budget of so miscellaneous a character, there will always be less to praise than to condemn, our silence in any case need not be attributed to an uncharitable motive. No. 8. Caius Marius sitting among the Ruins of Carthage.-W. LINTON. Deprived of his popularity and power, the ex-Consul flew to the shores of Africa, and having in his "high and palmy state" been instrumental in the reduction of Carthage-the most dangerous enemy of his country-be sought consolation, as his historian informs us, in the contemplation of the wreck. Mr. Linton has accordingly represented the fallen despot in the midst of it, so engaged. Floods of light and sunshine, with a certain haziness of effect in the way of Turner's noontide subjects, pervade the composition, and the fragments of columns are scattered over certain parts of it, so as to convey an idea of the former extent and magnificence of the city, which is at once poetical and just; and if there be any one point about it more liable to objection than another, it will be found in the figure of Marius, which, considering the importance of the part he has to sustain in the piece, should have been in a more prominent situation, much larger in stature, more positively defined, and above all, more dignified than he is, for a hero who had a voice so stern, and a countenance so austere, as to stay the uplifted hand of his executioner, is not likely at such a moment, though banished from the presence of mankind, and with the curse of poverty upon him, to have adjusted himself to the most convenient seat in the manner of a little drawing-master catering for his pupils. A. MORTON. Sir No. 9. Children. · Joshua Reynolds, in his studies of children, as of every thing else, always referred to nature, and it were needless to Mr. Morton, say with what success. content with the view he took of her, refers to Sir Joshua; but we would beg to remind him that one who can read an author in the original, will seldom have recourse to a translation, and had Reynolds satisfied himself with the examples-great as they were-of Correggio and Titian, he never could have taken his station on that proud pedestal "monumentum ære perennius," which has elevated him so far above every other of his name. No. 17. Coast Scene.-J. TENNANT. A small picture of prominent merit, though a little injured by the opacity of the black cloud gathering in the distance. The pencilling in the foreground constitutes its chief attraction. No. 18. Coast of Calais.-J. B. PYNE. Also good. The artist has another and a larger painting in the gallery, but not a better. He exhibits a couple of drawings which are among the best in the room. No. 28. Landscape-Evening.-T. C. HOFLAND. A very pleasing composition. We have looked attentively at No. 216, Nightingale-lane-a scene which we think more agreeable still, but why we hardly tell, unless that the locale be more inviting. can .-R. B. No. 41. Don Pedro content.FAULKNER. Of the three or four specimens exhibited by Mr. Faulkner, this, a simple portrait under a fantastic title, is the best; but they are all clever. No. 59. The Lace-maker, and No. 248, The last of his name.-J. ÍNSKIPP. The critics are in ecstacies with the first of these pictures, conceiving it the best-the most finished the artist ever painted, but they are noodles. Let them look again at the second, and if they will lay aside their prejudices, and allow themselves to be regulated by the standard of nature, rather than the false medium of academic smoothness, they will perceive their error. In the latter there is more poetry, and in finitely more art, yet, unable to appreciate a certain smartness of pencilling by which so close an approximation to nature has been effected, those who know no better, would limit its pretensions to the modesty of a sketch. No. 86. Diligence. No. 436. Come away to the Masquerade.-H. WYATT. In these two small pictures, we have ample evidence of a practised hand, but none whatever of an inventive mind. There is good pencilling, but a total absence of originality. No. 142. Stags alarmed at the distant sight of Hunters.-R. B. DAVIS. Mr. Davis appears to have been unusually inHe has no dustrious during the recess. He has a less than thirteen subjects of various in- No. 162. The Moorish Tower at Seville, called the Giralda, painted in that city.D. ROBERTS. As the portrait of an edifice, to which attention is frequently directed by the pen of the tourist, we deem this authentic view of the Giralda of Seville, with a portion of the Cathedral to which it is attached in the distance, one of more than ordinary interest. It has been painted upon a liberal scale of canvas, so that the ornamental details of the work, which are curious, may be nearly as well understood by the spectator, as if he were examining them upon the spot. To say nothing of its extraordinary height, the colour of the tower,-which is of red brick,-contrasted with that of the adjacent houses, which are also lofty, but perfectly white, is not favourable to the composition; yet the general tone of it being, with the exception perhaps of the sky, mellow and agreeable, we greatly prefer it to the interior of the Cathedral lately exhibited at the British Gallery, a work noticed by us in a former number. In subjects of this class, we are aware that little importance is commonly attached to the quality of the figures, yet with the examples of Canaletti, Guardi, and others strong in our recollection, we cannot but wish to see Mr. Roberts a |