Mr. Wright's varied antiquarian acquirements, and his untiring zeal, are too well known to require recognition from us. We may therefore content ourselves with directing attention to his Wanderings of an Antiquary, chiefly upon the Traces of the Romans in Britain, which has just been published, and of which the greater part has appeared in a series of papers under the same title in the Gentleman's Magazine. It is intended to furnish, in a popular form, a few archæological truths which may foster a love of our national antiquities among those who are less likely to be attracted by dry dissertations: and its gossiping character and pretty woodcuts are well calculated to promote this object.
This endeavour to make the study of antiquities popular, naturally calls our attention to a small and very agreeable volume on the subject of what Brand designated Popular Antiquities. We refer to the last volume of Bohn's Illustrated Library. It is from the pen of Mary Howitt, and is entitled the Pictorial Calendar of the Seasons, exhibiting the Pleasures, Pursuits, and Characteristics of Country Life for every Month of the Year, and embodying the whole of Aikin's Calendar of Nature. It is embellished with upwards of one hundred engravings on wood; and what the authoress says of its compilation, viz. that it was "like a walk through a rich summer garden," describes pretty accurately the feelings of the reader. But, as we must find some fault, where is the Index?
We have received from Birmingham a work most creditable to all concerned in its production, and which will be found of interest to such of our readers as devote their attention to county or family history. It is entitled A History of the Holtes of Aston, Baronets, with a Description of the Family Mansion, Aston Hall, Warwickshire, by Alfred Davidson, with Illustrations from Drawings by Allan E. Everitt; and whether we regard the care with which Mr. Davidson has executed the literary portion of the work, the artistic skill of the draughtsman, or the manner in which the publisher has brought it out, we may safely pronounce it a volume well deserving the attention of topographers generally, and of Warwickshire topographers in especial.
Books Received.—Folious Appearances; A Consideration on our Ways of lettering Books. Few lovers of old books and good binding will begrudge half a florin for this quaint opuscule.—Indications of Instinct, by T. Lindley Kemp, the new number of the Traveller's Library, is an interesting supplement to Dr. Kemp's former contribution to the same series, The Natural History of Creation.—We record, for the information of our meteorological friends, the receipt of a Daily Weather Journal for the Year 1853, kept at Islington by Mr. Simpson.
BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES
WANTED TO PURCHASE.
The Establishment of the Turks in Europe. By Lord John Russell.
Of Sir Walter Scott's Novels, without the Notes, Constable's Miniature Edition: Anne of Geierstein, Betrothed, Castle Dangerous, Count Robert of Paris, Fair Maid of Perth, Highland Widow, Red Gauntlet, St. Ronan's Well, Woodstock, Surgeon's Daughter, and Talisman.
*** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to Mr. Bell. Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES." 186. Fleet Street.