NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
When Mr. Wilkin, in the year 1836, gave to the world an edition of the works of his illustrious townsman, Sir Thomas Browne, the critics were unanimous in their praise both of the undertaking and of the manner in which the editor had executed his task. It was felt that the writings of so great a man—of one on whose style Johnson is supposed to have formed his own—and whose Religio Medici he eulogized for "the novelty of the paradoxes, the dignity of sentiment, the quick succession of images, the multitude of abstruse allusions, the subtlety of disquisition, and the strength of language" to be found in it, ought to be made better known; and Mr. Wilkin's endeavour to make them so was lauded as it deserved. That attempt, however, was but feeble compared with the one now making by Mr. Bohn, who has undertaken to reproduce Mr. Wilkin's excellent edition of The Works of Sir Thomas Browne in his Antiquarian Library. The first volume, containing Four Books of his Enquiries into Common and Vulgar Errors, has been issued; and, we need scarcely add, forms one which is not surpassed for learning, interest, or instructions, by any other in the very cheap and useful series to which it belongs.
One of the most popular branches of botanical study at the present day is that of our British Ferns, from the very obvious causes—that they are objects of exquisite elegance—not very numerous, nor difficult to be procured—and, lastly, which may well account for their popularity with the dwellers in towns, who yet love to "babble of green fields" and be reminded of them—they are for the most part easily cultivated, and of all others are perhaps best adapted to parlour or window culture. Who then can doubt that, in preparing A Popular History of the British Ferns and the allied Plants, comprising the Club-Mosses, Pepperworts, and Horse Tails (with its fifty admirable coloured representations of the most interesting species), Mr. Moore has done good service to the numerous fern growers already existing, and much to promote the further study of this highly interesting division of the vegetable world. Messrs. Reeve and Benham deserve great credit for the way in which they have seconded Mr. Moore's efforts, by the admirable manner in which the book has been got up.
BOOKS RECEIVED.—The Traveller's Library, Part 13., containing two more of Mr. Macaulay's brilliant Essays, namely, those On the Life and Writings of Addison, and on Horace Walpole.—Travels in Tartary, Thibet, and China during the Years 1844, '45, and '46, by M. Huc: translated from the French, by W. Hazlitt. Vol. 1.—Pictures of Travels in the South of France, by Alexandre Dumas. These are two new volumes of the National Illustrated Library, and very interesting ones. The value of M. Huc's Travels in China may be judged of from the fact, that Sir John Davis having received some notes of them, considered them so interesting that he thought it right to embody them in a despatch to Lord Palmerston.—The Mother's Legacie to her Unborne Childe. By Elizabeth Joceline. Reprinted from the Edition of 1625, with Biographical and Historical Introduction. We may content ourselves with acknowledging the receipt of this handsome reprint, by the Messrs. Blackwood, as it forms the subject of a communication from the correspondent who first drew attention to this interesting volume in N. & Q., which we hope to print next week.—Archæologia Cambrensis for January, 1852. This is an excellent number; and if this record of the antiquities of Wales and its Marches does not meet with the support not only of the antiquaries, but also of the gentry of the principality, it will be a national reproach to them.
BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES
WANTED TO PURCHASE.
A SERMON preached at Fulham in 1810 by the REV. JOHN OWEN of Paglesham, on the death of Mrs. Prowse, Wicken Park, Northamptonshire (Hatchard).
FÜSSLEIN, JOH. CONRAD, BEYTRÄGE ZUR ERLÄUTERUNG DER KIRCHEN-REFORMATIONS-GESCHICHTE DES SCHWEITZERLANDES. 5 Vols. Zurich, 1741.
CONCORDIA DISCORS. BY GRASCOME.
*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.