Among the works in preparation by Messrs. Black is a Memoir of the late Lord Jeffrey, by his friend Lord Cockburn. This biography will possess peculiar interest, from Lord Jeffrey's literary position as one of the originators, and for so many years editor of the Edinburgh Review. His connection with Byron, originating in fierce hostility, and terminating in warm friendship, as well as his connection with many other distinguished men, and the grace of his epistolary style, will also impart an interesting character to its contents.
Mr. Jerdan is proceeding rapidly with his Autobiography and Reminiscences, the commencement of which will relate to the youth of some of the highest dignitaries of the law now living, and the sequel will illustrate, from forty years of intimacy, the character and acts of George Canning, and nearly all the leading statesmen, politicians, literati, and artists, who have flourished within that period.
It is reported that Lord Brougham is beguiling his sick leisure at Cannes, with the composition of a work to be entitled, France and England before Europe in 1851, a social and political parallel of the two foremost nations of the world.
An English Memoir of the Last Emperor of China is announced from the pen of Dr. Gutzlaff, the lately-deceased and well-known missionary to that strange [pg 426] empire, from which intelligent tidings are always welcome.
A second edition is printing of Carlyle's Life of Sterling. His first book the fine Life of Schiller, took some five-and-twenty years to attain the second-editionship, which is bestowed upon his latest book after as many days.