and the stone wall appears which Charity is sturdily refusing, whilst Powell on Railroad is making most of his advantage, being on the right side to run away-Lottery in the moment of taking it. Again the scene changes, and the ditch appears, with poor Dictator going fast to the dogs; and the other horses, having come up with True Blue, who is here leading, are going it merrily after the pilot a-head. Anon appears the Winning Post, Mason on Lottery going clean away, and glancing over his right shoulder at Seventyfour, who is making a futile effort; Paulina and True Blue contesting the honor of the third place.-The Prints are of a handsome size, spiritedly painted, and in good color, and bid fair from their appearance to become a pleasing record of the Liverpool Grand National Steeple-Chase, when the quadrupeds will live only in the book, or run again in the narration of an eye-witness. LITERARY NOTICES. One of the most pleasant volumes that has come under our notice for some time is that just published by Mr. Colburn, intitled " Popular Songs of Ireland, collected and edited, with introductions and notes, by T. Crofton Croker, Esq." The intention of the Editor was to submit to the English reader a series of songs which would have told the history of Ireland from the Battle of the Boyne to the present time, "being satisfied, that, from the genuine contemporary evidences of popular feeling, many curious and some important deductions might have been derived." The chronological series he contemplated (notwithstanding the utmost compression) would have extended to three or perhaps four volumes; but as this alarmed his publisher, he gave up his original intention, and, dropping the historical, he has confined his selection to the popular songs of Ireland-taking in the first instance, as a fit subject for the inspiration of the National Muse, "St. Patrick, the guardian Saint of Ireland," then the National Emblem, the "Shamrock;" then an Irishman's Food, the "Potato ;" and, lastly, his favorite Plaything, a Sprig of Shillelah." These are followed by local, convivial, pastoral, burlesque, and jocular songs, and also a specimen of the least objectionable of Irish slang. To no one could the collection of the characteristic samples of Irish song be better confided than to one who has made it the amusement of many years to collect them, and whose name ranks so high in the literature of his country. Mr. Croker, with that modesty always inherent in superior minds, fears his observations may be deemed trifling, if not tedious: so far from it, we can assure him that we have received ungratified pleasure from the perusal of his interesting volume; that every Irishman will consider himself honored by the decorations with which the Editor has embellished the National Songs of his country; and that his book will be as popular as the exquisite compositions of Moore and Loder. 66 History of British Fishes, by W. Yarrell.-The Editor of this work having received many contributions and communications from brother Naturalists, is enabled, by their aid, to extend in a Supplement the valuable information we have frequently had occasion to notice. The Salmonida have received additions, and some distinct species are introduced, which, but for friends, would have still remained without the pale of British Icthyology, forming a considerable and valuable addition to the Parts already published. It will be comprised in two portions, the first of which is now out.-The British Birds, from the same Author, are continued in the May Number in the same erudite and easy style which has added value to the work; and by the elaborate explanation in figure, we have a tortuous and tedious literal explanation of physical structure so much reduced as to be instantly understood. The above works are published by Van Voorst, A General Outline of the Animal Kingdom.-This work, as it progresses higher in the scale of creation, gathers more interest for the reader who is more disposed for general and pleasant information than the devoted naturalist. The facts disclosed from observation are positively startling, and at times somewhat ludicrous for instance, of the Aphides, or plant-lice, Reaumur says, that the original insect still continues to lay when the ninth generation of her descendants is capable of reproduction; and estimates that even at the fifth generation a single aphis might be the great-great-grandmother of 5,904,000,000 young ones! We cannot refrain speaking again in the highest terms of the illustrations. Although but wood-cuts, they are wonderful, and we are weak enough to feel uneasy at the sight of three bees, which, through the engraver's art, appear to want but life to animate their palpable bodies. Desultory Thoughts and Reflections, by the Countess of Blessington. -This gaily-decorated volume, a fit companion for a lady's boudoir, is a charming addition to the former works of Lady Blessington, who here appears in the somewhat novel character of a moralist. We congratulate Her Ladyship upon her attractive, and, what is more, useful little manual, creditable alike to her head, heart, and taste. It contains a series of observations or apophthegms upon humanity, and its various phases; its feelings, sentiments, and passions, distinguished by considerable acumen and depth of thought, although not attesting, perhaps, in some particulars, experience in the harshest sense of the term. There is, however, abundance of sensible matter, written with much of the elegant suavity of Montaigne, indicating a shrewd and ready discernment in detecting, and skill in touching with a "needle's point" the vicious features of conventional usages, with many corrective hints deducible therefrom. The tone throughout is liberal and generous, carefully eschewing that sour and distempered philosophy of Rochefoucault, so repulsive from its wounding frigidity of sentiment and its stoical indifference to the native, and therefore venial, weakness of the human heart.-Did our space allow we could select many sterling passages, singularly remarkable for acuteness of perception and brilliancy of expression, from this interesting and instructive volume. We can, however, do no more than refer our readers to the work itself: from it they will not only derive much benefit by the occasional perusal of its piquant and vigorous aphorisms, but be gratified by the kindly feeling evinced throughout, and by the picturesque beauty displayed in the writing. We could hardly suggest a more fitting present for a young lady. She would find many hints calculated to be of supreme service to her in her intercourse with society, touched with that vivid and sprightly pencil belonging so peculiarly to the female hand. There is scarcely one of the Thoughts or Reflections from which a world of solid and useful sense, capable of being turned to the best account, may not be drawn. This little volume, in short, is not only an appropriate and delicate gift-book, but is for either sex most valuable as a collection of practical observations upon all matters relating to the tastes, the sentiments, and the affections, upon the due knowledge and correct regulation of which so much depends. Who before has conveyed instruction upon these momentous topics so gracefully, so effectually, and so attractively as Lady Blessington! Rural Sketches. The writings of Thomas Miller are already known to our readers by the favorable notice we have given of two works-in our July Number 1836, of "A Day in the Woods," and in our March Number 1837, of "Beauties of the Country." The present volume is not of a more Sporting character than those which preceded it, but our agricultural friends will find an equal source of amusement in its perusal. Like the "Beauties," it contains many extracts from ancient writers whose "rural poems" were neglected in their day from the want of that patronage which has been accorded to our "Basket-maker," but which are here by him deservedly rescued from oblivion. Eighteen "Sketches" form the contents of the volume before us, all treated in the same unpretending style as his former productions, but bearing marks of a more cultivated taste, the result, no doubt, of increased opportunities for study provided by a liberal public. Had not Crabbe found a Burke, or Bloomfield a Capel Loft to foster their genius, the literary world would have lost some of the sublimest and sweetest poetry in the English language. If Miller cannot aspire to the lofty imaginings of the "Christian Pastor," he possesses all the elegant simplicity of the "Farmer's Boy ;" and, like both, can depict with equal truth the beauties of nature; whilst the productions of all may serve as models for guiding the taste and perfecting the judgment of the youthful aspirant to literary honors. BETTINGS AT TATTERSALL'S. TATTERSALL'S Subscription Room has, during the month, been well attended, and although the " Bloomsbury Question" has kept the market in a feverish state, still many engagements have been entered into for the Goodwood Stakes and Cup, as well as for the Doncaster St. Leger. To prevent any "mistakes," the bets on the latter race are to be "as the horses come in," without taking pedigree into consideration. The Goodwood Stakes has forty-five acceptances, and is altogether one of the most Sporting-like Handicaps ever made. The Cup betting is flat, Harkaway being the favorite. The July Stakes has been scarcely touched upon, Hellespont and the Margaret colt being the only horses fancied the former is a very fine colt, and goes well. For the St. Leger, Bloomsbury stands firm in the market, anything above 7 to 2 being freely taken. Charles XII., now in Scott's Stable, was backed on the 20th at 18 to 1, and on the 24th at 15 to 1, to some amount, and unquestionably will become a leading favorite. The Commodore and The Provost have declined several points, and are nearly friendless; while The Apothecary has retired to the extreme outside.-Very little done on the Derby 1840, the odds annexed to each horse below being the highest obtainable. There was some talk on the 24th of disqualifying Deception for Goodwood, &c., owing to an omission in the Stud Book respecting her dam, Lady Stumps.-The underneath betting will be found to be the average odds : JULY STAKES.-JULY 9. 3 to 1 agst Loid Exeter's Hellespont (taken). 6 to 1 agst Mr. Thornhill's St. Preux. 8 to 1 agst Duke of Grafton's Currency. 9 to 1 agst any other. 7 to 1 agst Mr. Rogers's colt by Buzzard out of Margaret (taken). ST. LEGER, 7 to 2 agst Mr. W. Ridsdale's Bloomsbury (t.) 10 to 1 agst Duke of Cleveland's The Commodore. 15 to 1 agst Colonel Cradock's The Provost. 15 to 1 agst Mr. Thornhill's Euclid. 15 to 1 agst Major Yarborough's Charles XII. (taken freely). 22 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Hetman Platoff. 22 to 1 agst Mr. Ramsey's Easingwold. 25 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's The Lord Mayor 30 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Sleight-of-hand. DERBY 1840. (For the Nominations for this Race, see Number for August 1838, p. 319.) 13 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Glenorchy (taken freely). 18 to 1 agst Lord Lichfield's Defendant (taken freely). 25 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's colt by Jerry out of Lucetta (taken). 30 to 1 agst Duke of Cleveland's Brother to Euclid. 30 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Perseus, by Emilius out of Victoire. 30 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Molineux, by Mulatto (taken). 30 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Hellespont, by Reveller out of Marmora. 33 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Muley Ishmael. 33 to 1 agst Lord George Bentinck's Dreadnought (offered). 33 to 1 agst Mr. Thornhill's Emetic, Emilius out of Mustard. 40 to 1 agst Duke of Rutland's Crazy Boy, by Tomboy out of Bessy Bedlam. 50 to 1 agst Mr. Sadler's Petulant. In the Portraits of the Epsom Winners, BLOOMSBURY has, by a misunderstanding, been engraved smaller than customary; and by the side of the mare appears diminutive, which it would not do if given by itself. The character of the horse is, however, well preserved, and, being in perfect proportion, will we hope find favor. We are not surprised that the Editor of The Veterinarian should have rejected the letter of " One of the Old School," as no respectable publication would give insertion to reflections on its Correspondents on anonymous authority. For our parts we are unwilling to publish a letter which has much of acrimony in it; particularly as, however we may sympathise with the feelings of the writer, our readers are not in possession of the points which have called for the animadversions of "One of the Old School." The celebrated horse Eclipse, allowed to be the fleetest and best horse that ever run, not excepting Flying Childers—he was never beaten nor ever paid forfeit was foaled April 1, 1764, the day on which a remarkable eclipse of the sun occurred, from which circumstance the colt received his name. He died Feb. 26, 1789, aged 25, at Cannons, Middlesex. Full particulars of the "life, character, and behaviour" of this "Illustrious Steed," with a list of his progeny, will be found in our New Series, vol. xxii. pp. 294 and 360. |