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Leader (1850-1860), 27th November 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1286, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      we Will admit— -the words and thought of the forffotten but beautiful ballad " Mary ' s Dream ?" Poems , by Henry Cecil , do not rise in some respects so high in the poetic scale as the preceding two ; and yet it would not be very difficult to pick out stanzas to prove that the author has a touch of the true poet in him , and that he could do better things were he to trust to his own speciality and to forget his models . Pleasure is a poem of more pretension , than the preceding , being not only larger in bulk , but wider in scope . A work on Pleasure , in seven books , ought

      not to be dismissed in as many lines ; but we are compelled to have regard to our space , and to the claims of the numerous works soliciting notice now strewing our library-table . The aim of the author is to " trace the various sources whence , in the present life , we derive pleasure . " This is a tolerable task , and the author in . preface , from which we quote , begins by asking , " What is pleasure ? " and then answers the query by admitting thai , as tlift snlntion is so difficult he declines to

      attempt it , and confines himself " to show rather why certain objects cause sensations of delight" than to consider at once " the pleasures themselves . " Hence in the seven books we have such subjects brought under poetic review as The Lakes of Killarnev , The Rainbow , The Falls of Niagara , America , Egypt , "Venice , The Stoic , England , Painting , Ambition , Napoleon ' Retreat , Literature , Conquerors , Love , Temperance , Learning , The Gambler , &c . Here is diversity enough to satisfy the wildest craving for variety . Some of the subjects at first sight do not appear in harmony with the title : or

      with the professed purpose of the author , but from , the point of view whence Mr . Michell has considered them , and the genuine ability with which he has linked them with his main object , we do not think any one will quarrel with him for the versatility of his genius in . dealing so well with apparently incongruous topics . The versification is particularly flowing Jand rhythmical ; it seems to us a judicious combination of the didactic stateliness of Pope with the level smoothness and simplicity of Goldsmith . We have no space for quotation , and we regret it .

      Untitled Article

      A Memoir of James Stirling . ( Scottish Temperance League , Glasgow . )—A -work admirably adapted for Scotch , tipplers . . James Stirling was on the highroad to become a confirmed drunkard . His good angel stepped ia at the fortunate moment , he takes the pledge , reforms , becomes a model man , and leaves behind materials which have been skilfully worked up to serve as a guide and a warning to the intemperate . The School for Fathers . By Talbot Gwynne . New Edition . ( Smith , Elder , and Co . )—We noticed this work when it first appeared with strong approbation ; and our opinion has been fully confirmed by the public having rapidly exhausted the first , and now called for a second edition . Carpenter's Vegetable Physiology . Edited by Dr . Edwin Lankester , F . R . S . ( Bonn . )—The reputation of Dr . Lankester is confined to no narrow circle . The

      re-Stories about Birds . By Mrs . Fairfield . ( Hamilton , Adams , and Co . )—A nice little book for children . But why refer to ! a picture in an illustrated publication , representing the scene on the reception of the pigeon express bearing the news of the capture of Sebastopol at the capital of Ceylon , without giving a copy of it ?

      vision of Carpenter's able and exhaustive work could not have fallen into more accomplished hands , and perhaps the best evidence we can produce of this fact is in , the very handsome and cheap edition put forward by the spirited publishers . Anecdotes of Dogs , By Edward Jesse . With Numerous Engravings . ( Bohn . )—The dog has always been a favourite subject with anecdotical writers . Mr . Jesse bas collected all the floating stories , and added a fund of new tales , bo as to form a budget that will

      interest every claasjof readers . Several of the old anecdotes , we fear , are somewhat apocryphal . For instance , that in which the priest ' s dog , after losing his master , and becoming Protestant property , adheres , in spite of beef And mutton temptations , to the " old faith , " by resolutely " refusing to touoh meat on a Friday . " If this etory , however , can be substantiated , we commend it to Cardinal Wiseman as a worthy addition to his budget of Roman Catholic miracles , and as a striking exemplification of the orthodoxy of Popery in contradistinction to Protestantism . Christmas Plays for Children . By Theresa Pulzky , With Music by Professor X . Jansa , and Illustrations by Charles Axmytage , —Three pleasant little plays suitable for the Christinas festivities , and likely to be warmly welcomed by Christmas actors and Christmas audiences . The Headlong Career and Woful Ending of ** Precociow figgy " By the late Thomas Hood , Illustrated by his Son . ( Griffith and Farrar . )—Wo havo laughed loud and long at tho whimsicalities of admirable Tom Hood , and the no less pictorial -whimsicalities of his son . If any one is inclined to think wo romance , let him end for the book , and if his sides do not ache before hq lays it down , then wo say of such a Cnsslus-lilce einner , " He ' s fit tot treason , stratagem , and spoils : Let no such man bo trusted . "

      Untitled Article

      Cookery as onk of the Fine Arts . —Among other rumours of works on the cJianticr , comes one of a volume which will not improbably make its appearance in the course of next year : a bibliographical , biographical , historical , serio-comical , practical , and anecdotical Memoir of the Art Culinary . The design is to review the entire history and progress of the art from the earliest ages to the present time—from Adam ' s banquet in the garden to tho last Lord Mayor ' s dinner at Guildhall . It will mention and give an account of every known work on the art extantj and when it is remembered that there are more than three hundred cookery books in the English language , the magnitude of the task may be partly appreciated . Besides this ,

      the great masters of the art will all bo mentioned , in their turn , and some account of their lives and achievements will be given . The second part of the work will consist of a comprehensive review of the different schools of cookery , English , French , German , Spanish , Italian , Russian , and Oriental—not excluding even the Chinese ; in fact , tlie cuisine of every civilised nation on tho earth will be represented . From what haa been said , it will be seen that the work will have « value greatly exceeding that of a mere manual of cookery . Its interest will be literary rather than practical , and it will have more charms for the bibliographer and tho ethnologist than for either the gastronomer or tlio cook . In order to render it more attractive , it will bo illustrated in the best etyle , and will be printed upon fino paper 5 thus rendering it a livre de luxe for tho library or the

      drawing-room table , and not a text-book for tho greasy thumbs of turnspits . —From the Critic . A Cud fok Italian SvnirATiusiciw . —We were crossing a street of Pompeii , when wo witnessed a disgraceful scene , -which I omitted mentioning In its place . A welldressed man , an Italian , wns upbraiding his coachman for having promised to make him dine in Pompeii , which is royal property , and will not permit such liberties ; but not satisfied with reprimand , ho raised his cane , and struck him severely . The unfortunate vetltirino screamed and jumped with pain . Our guide frowned , and , looking at us , said , significantly , " Gentlemen wonder when they get a stab of tho knifo now and then . " There was the whole social system In tho words . The insolent cane on tho side of strength—the perfidious , revengoful knife on tho side of the weak . —Julia Karnaugh ' s u Sumnner and Winter in the Two iSiailica , "

      Untitled Article

      ; :- ¦ - •¦ > - r- ; r : ; -. .. ; : \ :- - r : . .- . r r yy- • ¦ : - ¦ - - . ; : ¦ - . ;• , :. -, ; . — . .-. . ¦ : ¦ - . ¦ : . , . , ; : ; .., ^ ¦ ¦ , . - . y . -. . - . . , ; . .. ; - . <;• . , ; y ^ pp ^ 286 T HE Ii E A D E R . [ No . 453 , November 27 , 18 & 8 ,

      Untitled Article

      BOOKS RECEIVED . The Merrie Days of England and Sketches of the Olden Time . By Edward M'Dermott . 4 to . Kent and Co . Knowledge is Power . By Charles Knight . A new edition . Post 8 vo . John Murray . Once upon a Time . By Charles Knight . A new edition . Post 8 vo . John Murray . A Financial History of England . By Thomas Doubleday . 8 vo . Second Edition . Effingham Wilson . Lectures and Addresses on Literary and Social Topics . Smith

      By tbe late Rev . F . W . Robertson . Post Svo . , Elder , and Co . The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray . 8 vo . Illustrated . Sampson Low and Co . VAllegro . By John Milton . Svo . Illustrated . Sampson Low and Co . Varium . A Novel . Post 8 vo . L . Booth . A Lady ' s Captivity with the Chinese . Svo . Routledge and Co . The Headlong Career and Woeful Ending of Precocious Piggy . By the late Thomas Hood . Illustrated by ' and

      Thomas Hood the younger . Griffith Farran . The Triumphs of Steam ; or , " Stories from the Lives of Watt , Arkicright , tfc . 12 mo . Griffith and Farran . Paul Blake . A Tale for Boys . Small 8 vo . Griffith and Farran . The Logic of Atheism . Three Lectures . By the Rev . H . Batchelor . 8 vo . Judd and Glass . Tales of Twilight , By Joseph . Verey . Svo . Janae 3 Blaekwood . The Christmas Plays for Children . By Theresa Pulsky . 12 mo . Griffith and Farran . Jlemoires de Vlmperatrice Catherine II . Par M . Alexandre Herzen . Post 8 vo- Triibner and Co . Sel f Made JMen . By Charles B . Seymour . Post Svo .

      Sampson Low and G ° - ¦ S tanford ? * Maps of the Paths of the Comets . By James Breen . Edward Stanford . Bigg ' s Public Statutes of England , Victoria 21 and 22 , 1858 . Edited by James Bigg . 8 vo . Simpkin and Marshall . The Primeval World : a Treatise on the Relation of Geology and Theology . By the Rev . Paton J . Bloug . 12-mo . Favourite Pleasure Book for Young People . 16 mo . Sampson Low and Co . Christian Days and Thoughts . By the Rev . E . Peabody . Small 8 , vo . Sampson Low and Co . Martin Rattler . A Tale . By R . M . Ballantyne . 12 mo . Thomas TSTelson and Sons .

      Untitled Article

      princess ' s theatre . Shakspeare ' s elegant comedy , Much Ado About Nn thing , was produced at this theatre on Saturday lasT with Mr . arid Mrs . Charles Kean as Benedick and Beatrice , Mr . Rydetas LeonatOj Messrs . F . Matthew * and Meadows as Dogberry and Verges , Mr . Cathcart as Claudio , and Miss Heath as Hero . It is almost needless to say that tlie intelligence of the manager effected as complete a success as on the occasion of his former production of the play three years a » o All that rich and elaborately-studied costume ' artistic scenery , and good music can add to the framework fashioned by the dramatist are brought to bear on this as on all others of Mr . Kewi ' s

      " revivals . " We were charmed with this gentleman's own reading of Benedick , -the . self-deceiving 1 would-be misogynist , who falls so simply j nt 0 ' the flimsy trap set for him by the . match-makim * elders . No hyper-sentimental lecturer is he , who wearies us with his anti-matrimonial pjijl losophy , but a free-spoken , plain-mannered ,. bachelorly-inclined gentleman , blest with some wit , and a keen sense of the comical . His delivery of the soliloquies approaches , as near as niay be , to perfection ; and in the last scene of the second act , he ventures upon the hazardous step of communicating with the audience by mere facial play , but so admirably and successfully , as to produce nmurimous satisfaction and a round of applause . Nor can we omit to notice the highly comic power an . l effect with which the artist depicted the bewilderment of

      Benedick on his receipt of the invitation through Beatrice . We are disposed , on the whole , to consider this as the most entirely satisfactory of Mr . Keari ' s impersonations . In it , he disappointsneither in physique , conception , nor elocution—the cravingfor super-excellence created by highly finished ensemble . We are more disposed on the strength of it to allot to him a first place among great actors , than on that of some of his more intense efforts in tragedy . Mrs . Kean is seen to no less advantage as the

      sarcastic , strong-minded , but truly womanly Beatrice , who , with all her taste and talent for tormenting men , is no less ready than Benedick to stand and deliver at the first summons of Cupid . Mr . Frank Matthews makes a racy Dogberry . This capital actor ' s version of the " Wise fellow , rich fellow , fellow that has had losses , —that hath two gowns and everything handsome about him , " is fullflavoured , but clear of all vulgarity The Verges of Mr . Meadows is a mere trifle too senile . Mr . Ryder

      makes an admirable Leonato . Miss Heath made the most of Hero , an insignificant part . upon the whole . Messrs . Cathcart and Graham are no less valuable auxiliaries in their several characters of Llaudio and Antonio . Stevens ' s sweet glee , " Sigh no more , ladies , " was so delicately sung in the garden scene , without accompaniment , as to be very heartily encored . The play wjis extremely well received by a full house , Mr . Kean being called-m vain though with much vigour—after the second act , ana at tne

      conclusion . . ' ,, , Mr . Madison Morton ' s new farce , Tlurty-thvcctezt Birthday , produced on Monday , wns a success , its plot turns on that of a certain . ' /'" uacoc ( w » Murray ) , who having passed her . thirty-secondi birthday witlwut receipt of a business-like offer of marriage , resolves on obtaining at least a dcclara on ot passion from some man , animal , or other , oy «» - Sng the part of a married lady . She procures an accomplice in the person of her uncle , Maor laoo ( Mr . Cooper ) who passes for the husband , and m

      , > * ' ¦ * i „ nrn 111 : MOSSro » less than no time a brace of admirers , m . now * Bcnsou ( Mr . Everett ) and Cackkberry ( AIr . 1 ran * Matthew . ) - A great deal of amusement" ^ by the development of these gentlemen a opposio characteristics : tho one being shy and caut . o v the other ardent and impetuous ; one "" tending 1 onour able matrimony , and the other mere y fl' ^' JJ JJ a pastime , in the intervals of a genuine « tt Jij to another lady . In time , however the 1 tor a Ttn ^ ,, i \ ,. A on / 1 Virnnrtlit : Ulldor complete COUiroi u »

      his proper faTr one , « nd the Scrupulous twrfJJjJJ is carried off in triumph by the heroine . Jl o ac j nt , of all concerned is M good as tho farce- « utn ( morale npart ) is uncxccptionablc—Mi . a . . >«»»• .. ospocially kcoping the audience in a roar bj J dollnoation of Mr . Cachkbern / s many httlo pciu liarities , STnANP THRATRK . , . a A new farce by Mr . Madisun Mortpn , nn oH jn whoso name-if it is not-wuB wont to bo nine . of Buocess , was produced hero pn Hondtty . J J- * - ' Saw , / , is written to bring prqmwontly iorm , ^ tnlonts of some such naivo and s ^ ucy aoUoss uj . Mario Wilton , and the part being allptted U >< i young ludy , she dooa tlio author ami tho V 1 ™ 0 ?\ % JuslicV -The little wvngo / J / Ji rt ^ ff ^ tWrniece and heiress of Major Choker , f ^ f } ^\\ xo Jftincfl Bland ) . To sock her hund-oatH

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      titrate M <(^ ttrfatmnnite . . ¦»—^

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1858, page 1286, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2270/page/14/