themselves than honourable to the country. While on the continent the stimulus of public reward is required, English gentlemen extend their researches from the hope of fame, and a society they have instituted for the cultivation of astronomy, though but in its infancy, which may be compared with that of Hercules, has engaged in labours which Europe beholds with astonishment, and acknowledges with gratitude. That with a government indifferent to the cause of science, with artists most determined foes to its advancement, the British astronomers, dependent solely on their own resources, should have left to the rest of the world little except to repeat and verify their observations, is a subject of which this nation may be justly proud. Newton developing the laws of gravity;-Bradley, Maclaurin, Maskelyne, Brinkley, and Ivory, demonstrating their effect, or facilitating their application;-Sir William Herschel laying a foundation, on which his son has been enabled to extend these laws from our own system to the sidereal heavens ;-to reflect on these, so far from being a cause of despondency, is a source of gratulation. While others have been perfecting theory alone, these have been cultivating practice, and at the present time, when it is most beneficial that they should coalesce, we find among the English philosophers the highest attainments of the mathematician, united with the skill and application of the practical astronomer.

ART. XV.-Taschenbücher, für das Jahr, 1828.
German Pocket-Books, for 1828.

IT has always appeared to us that long reviews of the new literary Almanacks, with extracts from their contents, are objectionable, and this for reasons that may very easily be assigned. If these works are considered as Christmas gifts, to be prized, not only for their embellishments, but for the intrinsic worth of the stories, poems, &c., which they contain, then surely the less that is anticipated by reviews the better. A condensed analysis of a long history, with a chapter or so by way of specimen, is a very different affair, but to reprint from beginning to end the best tale of mystery which a " Souvenir" affords, is a proceeding which the publisher or editor of an Almanack must certainly deprecate. On the other hand, regarding the beautiful volumes now before us as books which without the aid of an interpreter must remain sealed to the British public, we must recollect, that not having yet received more than twenty-one German Annuals for the year 1828, out of thirty (the usual complement) and those latest in appearing being generally the best, we ought to wait for the others before we make our selection; and then, under the embar

ras des richesses, two or three volumes will prove as many as we can adequately treat within the limits of a single article.

For this last reason therefore, we shall now notice these publications only briefly and generally, and we must confess that we are willing to avail ourselves of this apology for not subjecting to the rough ordeal of criticism these delightful novelties, of which the richly gilded leaves have not yet all been dissevered. We still remember, with what gladness and avidity, when resident in Germany, we seized on the first Taschenbuch of the season, bringing home with us two copies, one to lie on the drawing-room table, (for we would not be too selfish,) and the other to be indeed our pocket-book and companion, in our walks through the dark autumnal forests, till every page had been carefully read, and we had formed our own unbiassed opinion of its merits. In two or three days we had a second volume to be welcomed in like manner, then another-and another, till towards the end of November, when they were all out, and even the" Aglaia," latest and coyest of beauties, had made her appearance, we rejoiced to find ourselves in arrear as to our duties of reader and critic, and would perhaps for a month or two afterwards, purposely reserve half a dozen volumes, in order to have the comfortable reflection that our amusement was not exhausted, that the Christmas roses were not all blown and withered, and that the virgin lustre of the Minerva's, Cornelia's, Aurora's, Orphea's, &c. &c. &c. had not yet on too familiar acquaintance "faded into the light of common day."-Nor need this feeling seem overstrained and capricious, when it is taken into consideration that these annuals, though now very inferior to our own in point of graphic embellishment, are yet in literary merit, especially in their prose essays, greatly superior,--the best writers in Germany having frequently exerted themselves in good earnest, to render these publications important and interesting, while in our country, a short hasty fragment from a highly distinguished author has been in most instances as much as any Souvenir-editor could hope to obtain.

I. We shall now take the first that comes to hand. It happens to be the "Orphea," which, though not long established, has been eminently successful. As usual, it contains a series of prints adapted to a popular opera, which in the present instance exhibit the scenery and incidents of Weber's "Preciosa." The literary contents include only seven different articles, but among these there is a historical romance by Blumenhagen, a tale of mystery by Kruse, a novel by Ludwig Tieck, and a "Romaneske" by Friederick Kind-to all which our German readers will attach the highest interest. The "Orphea" is published by Mr. Ernest Fleischer, distinguished for his handsome reprints of English books, his "Journal of British Literature," &c.

II. For the twentieth time," Minerva," an old favourite, now comes before us. The prints form the eighth series of a Gallery illustrative of Goethe's poems; and we have here some excellent and humourously satirical scenes from the " Faust," to which even the admirers of Retsch will allow considerable merit. Leaving the prints, we come to a long story of 126 pages, by Mad. Schoppenhauer, authoress of a very lively "Tour in Great Britain;" "Gabrielle," a novel in three volumes, &c. &c. This is followed by "The Pilgrim," an eventful narrative of the fourteenth century, by F. Lohmann; "Extracts from the Diary of an English Officer," by Blumenhagen; " An Excursion from Rome to Nettuno in 1803," described by the venerable Bonstetten; a "Tour in Switzerland," by Matthisson; "Sketches of Female Character," by Haug; five original and most characteristic letters of Schubart the poet; a sharp critique on German periodicals, and a due admixture of verses, charades, &c. &c.

III. "Penelope," her seventeenth appearance, under the auspices of Hofrath Winkler of Dresden, better known by his nom de guerre, Theodore Hell; Anglice, Theodore Bright. This nymph presents us with a seventh series of prints illustrative of Schiller and others, among which we may justly commend one by Stöber, representing the Proud Beauty, who, to put her lover's ardour to the test, dropped her glove into the arena among the lions, and desired him to bring it back to her. There are only seven literary contributions, of which five are prose stories, and of these the "Night in the Mountains," by F. Lohmann; "Conscience,”. by Blumenhagen; and "The Spirit of Knighthood," by Tromlitz, are the most remarkable. "The Guardian," a lively imitation of the old romances, by Agnes Franz, and a fantastic production, entitled" An Idyllium," by Weisflog, with some historical verses by the editor, conclude the volume, which Tromlitz's chivalrous tale of the Thirty year's war would alone render interesting.

IV. The "Frauentaschenbuch." This has now existed for fourteen years, and formerly, when under the management of the Baron de la Motte Fouqué, obtained high and deserved reputation; while subsequent proprietors, imitating tolerably well the antique style of its embellishments, have suffered its literary pretensions rapidly to decline. With regard to the present editor, Dr. G. Doering, we cannot say that his numerous novels, plays, &c. have hitherto afforded us much satisfaction; but we must admit that the present volume of the "Frauentaschenbuch" is rather better in most respects than those of the two or three preceding years. Its embellishments are respectable; the poetry is of little consequence: but, on the other hand, we have five very long prose romances-the "Adepts," by Weisflog; the "Wife

of the Rebel," by G. Doering; the "Last Knights of Marienburg," by W. Hauff; " Fidelity and Fickleness," by K. L. M. Muller; and “ Filial Affection,” by W. von Studnitz.

V. The "Rheinische Taschenbuch," Vol. XIX. Inferior as this almanack has become in point of paper, printing and embellishments, we are glad to find another long narrative on an historical foundation by Tromlitz (one of the most talented, as well as most industrious, novelists of the present era); a story of 166 pages, entitled "Josebeth," by our old acquaintance Johanna Schoppenhauer, and some quaint and lively sketches by the editor, entitled "A Flight to Norfolk," " Mr. North," "Poet's Hall," "Thomas Marshall, Esq." The prints are illustrations of "Quentin Durward," "Waverley," and "Nigel," spirited in conception, but, as works of art, unworthy of notice.

VI. "Taschenbuch der Liebe und Freundschaft." This very neat and always creditable production has been long a favourite with the German public, though we cannot add, that it improves with time, either as to its adornments or literary contributions. In the present volume, however, we have read, greatly to our own amusement, a tale, entitled " Das stille Wasser," by Weisflog; yet from this quaint title onwards, and to the close, we believe that even the best translator would find himself baffled in his attempts to render it acceptable to an English reader. There is but one copy of verses, the rest of the volume being made up of the story now mentioned, and others, by Blumenhagen, Agnes Franz, Lohmann, and the Baron von Miltitz.

VII. "Taschenbuch zum geselligen Vergnügen." For no less than thirty-eight years has this pocket-book been in circulation, and it is still one of the best to which we can direct our reader's attention. The designs, particularly the views in Rome, are praiseworthy. It is the first of this year's almanacks in which we discover any interesting verses; Wilhelm Müller being one of the contributors. The most notable of the prose essays are "Dorothea Capell," by F. Lohmann; the "Monastery of St. Bernard," by Alexander Bronikowski; and "Cecilia Stuart," by C. von Wachsmann.

VIII. "Rosen,”—ang. "Roses," now blooming for the second year. We have here striking embellishments, though unequally finished. The frontispiece is excellent, after which the next best engraving is the portrait of Mademoiselle Müller of the Vienna Theatre. We find a romance by Tromlitz, (who has on this occasion chosen for his subject the "Fall of Missolonghi ;") the "Muses' Son," a novel, by Blumenhagen; and two shorter narratives, one entitled “ Alexandrina,” by Satori; the other, “ An Artist's Marriage," founded on the life of Albert Durer, by Leo

pold Schefer. Altogether, we can safely predict that this new Annual will become a favourite.

IX. Fortuna," her fifth appearance. This handsome and closely printed volume vies with our English pocket-books in point of variety. There are no less than thirty-seven different articles, of which thirty-two are in verse. We have had no time to judge critically of their merits, and the Editor, M. Francis Xav. Told, together with divers titled personages whom he brings into the field, being to us unknown, we can only say that they parade well, and that we are willing to consider them valuable auxiliaries. His first story, quaintly entitled, "No. 199," seems eventful and piquant.

X. "Huldigung der Frauen,"-edited by J. F. Castelli. For six years this Almanack has been gradually improving, till it is now one of the most respectable on our list. There are in the present volume forty-five specimens of poetical composition; a long romance" from the Life of Montecucoli;" a story by Professor Kruse, one of the best contrivers now existing of an intricate plot; and other narratives, by the Baron von Nell and Ernst Weisflog. The embellishments, however, are still below

par.

XI. "Schlesisches Taschenbüch," edited by Dr. W. L. Schmid. Nothing serves more strikingly to indicate the prevalence of literary taste and spirit in Germany, than the sudden emanations of smart elegant Souvenirs from towns comparatively obscure, where no traveller would think of spending a single day unless fatigued or storm-staid. The volume now before us is printed at Hirschberg, a trading town (with only 6000 or 7000 inhabitants) in Silesia, a district, however, which abounds in living authors and authoresses, of whose abilities we have, on the present occasion, some favourable specimens.

XII. "Vergissmeinnicht," ang." Forget me not," edited, indeed hitherto exclusively written by H. Clauren, an author who has never been a special favourite with us, though his works are highly popular in Germany, and some translated specimens have been well received in England. His Annual seldom exhibits poetry, and now consists of two novels, entitled "The Three Orphans," and "Love in the Mail Coach." Prefaced by a laudatory sonnet of Hofrath Winkler, this volume seems to be as lively and well adapted, ad captandum, as its precursors.

XIII. "Becker's Taschenbuch zum geselligen Vergnügen." An old favourite, and at present under the management of a well known and voluminous writer, Friedrich Kind, who has not, however, afforded us on the present occasion so much variety as we have been accustomed to find in the same publication. The