WRITTEN BY HERSELF, And Edited by Her Grandson, the COUNT DE MONTBRISON.
3 Vols. Post 8vo., 31s. 6d. bound.
The Baroness d"Oberkirch, being the intimate friend of the Empress of Russia, wife of Paul I., and the confidential companion of the d.u.c.h.ess of Bourbon, her facilities for obtaining information respecting the most private affairs of the princ.i.p.al Courts of Europe, render her Memoirs unrivalled as a book of interesting anecdotes of the royal, n.o.ble, and other celebrated individuals who flourished on the continent during the latter part of the last century. Among the royal personages introduced to the reader in this work, are Louis XVI., Marie Antoinette, Philip Egalite, and all the Princes of France then living--Peter the Great, the Empress Catherine, the Emperor Paul, and his sons Constantine and Alexander, of Russia--Frederick the Great and Prince Henry of Prussia--The Emperor Joseph II. of Austria--Gustavus III. of Sweden--Princess Christina of Saxony--Sobieski, and Czartoriski of Poland--and the Princes of Brunswick and Wurtemberg. Among the remarkable persons are the Princes and Princesses de Lamballe, de Ligne and Galitzin--the Dukes and d.u.c.h.esses de Choiseul, de Mazarin, de Boufflers, de la Valliere, de Guiche, de Penthievre, and de Polignac--Cardinal de Rohan, Marshals Biron and d"Harcourt, Count de Staremberg, Baroness de Krudener, Madame Geoffrin, Talleyrand, Mirabeau, and Necker--with Count Cagliostro, Mesmer, Vestris, and Madame Mara; and the work also includes such literary celebrities as Voltaire, Condorcet, de la Harpe, de Beaumarchais, Rousseau, Lavater, Bernouilli, Raynal, de l"Epee, Huber, Gothe, Wieland, Malesherbes, Marmontel, de Stael and de Genlis; with some singular disclosures respecting those celebrated Englishwomen, Elizabeth Chudleigh, d.u.c.h.ess of Kingston, and Lady Craven, Margravine of Ans.p.a.ch.
"The Baroness d"Oberkirch, whose remarkable Memoirs are here given to the public, saw much of courts and courtiers, and her Memoirs are filled with a variety of anecdotes, not alone of lords and ladies, but of emperors and empresses, kings and queens, and reigning princes and princesses. As a picture of society anterior to the French Revolution, the book is the latest and most perfect production of its sort extant; and as such, besides its minor value as a book of amus.e.m.e.nt, it possesses a major value as a work of information, which in the interest of historical truth, is, without exaggeration, almost incalculable."--_Observer._
"Thoroughly genuine and unaffected, these Memoirs display the whole mind of a woman who was well worth knowing, and relate a large part of her experience among people with whose names and characters the world will be at all times busy. A keen observer, and by position thrown in the high places of the world, the Baroness d"Oberkirch was the very woman to write Memoirs that would interest future generations. We commend these volumes most heartily to every reader. They are a perfect magazine of pleasant anecdotes and interesting characteristic things. We lay down these charming volumes with regret. They will entertain the most fastidious readers, and instruct the most informed."--_Examiner._
"An intensely interesting autobiography."--_Morning Chronicle._
"A valuable addition to the personal history of an important period. The volumes deserve general popularity."--_Daily News._
"One of the most interesting pieces of contemporary history, and one of the richest collections of remarkable anecdotes and valuable reminiscences ever produced."--_John Bull._
THE MARVELS OF SCIENCE, AND THEIR TESTIMONY TO HOLY WRIT; A POPULAR MANUAL OF THE SCIENCES.
BY S. W. FULLOM, ESQ.
DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO THE KING OF HANOVER.
Second Edition, Revised. 1 vol. Post 8vo.
"This work treats of the whole origin of nature in an intelligent style; it puts into the hands of every man the means of information on facts the most sublime, and converts into interesting and eloquent description problems which once perplexed the whole genius of mankind. We congratulate the author on his research, his information, and his graceful and happy language."--_Britannia._
"The skill displayed in the treatment of the sciences is not the least marvel in the volume. The reasonings of the author are forcible, fluently expressed, and calculated to make a deep impression. Genuine service has been done to the cause of Revelation by the issue of such a book, which is more than a mere literary triumph. It is a good action."--_Globe._
"Its tone is grave, grand, and argumentative, and rises to the majesty of poetry. As a commentary upon the stupendous facts which exist in the universe, it is truly a work which merits our admiration, and we unhesitatingly refer our readers to its fascinating pages."--_Dispatch._
"Without parading the elaborate nature of his personal investigations, the author has laid hold of the discoveries in every department of natural science in a manner to be apprehended by the meanest understanding, but which will at the same time command the attention of the scholar."--_Messenger._
"A grand tour of the sciences. Mr. Fullom starts from the Sun, runs round by the Planets, noticing Comets as he goes, and puts up for a rest at the Central Sun. He gets into the Milky Way, which brings him to the Fixed Stars and Nebulae. He munches the crust of the Earth, and looks over Fossil Animals and Plants. This is followed by a disquisition on the science of the Scriptures. He then comes back to the origin of the Earth, visits the Magnetic Poles, gets among Thunder and Lightning, makes the acquaintance of Magnetism and Electricity, dips into Rivers, draws science from Springs, goes into Volcanoes, through which he is drawn into a knot of Earthquakes, comes to the surface with Gaseous Emanations, and sliding down a Landslip, renews his journey on a ray of Light, goes through a Prism, sees a Mirage, meets with the Flying Dutchman, observes an Optical Illusion, steps over the Rainbow, enjoys a dance with the Northern Aurora, takes a little Polarized Light, boils some Water, sets a Steam-Engine in motion, witnesses the expansion of Metals, looks at the Thermometer, and refreshes himself with Ice. Soon he is at Sea, examining the Tides, tumbling on the Waves, swimming, diving, and ascertaining the pressure of Fluids. We meet him next in the Air, running through all its properties. Having remarked on the propagation of Sounds, he pauses for a bit of Music, and goes off into the Vegetable Kingdom, then travels through the Animal Kingdom, and having visited the various races of the human family, winds up with a demonstration of the Anatomy of Man."--_Examiner._
THE LITERATURE AND ROMANCE OF NORTHERN EUROPE.
CONSt.i.tUTING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE LITERATURE OF SWEDEN, DENMARK, NORWAY, AND ICELAND, WITH COPIOUS SPECIMENS OF THE MOST CELEBRATED HISTORIES, ROMANCES, POPULAR LEGENDS AND TALES, OLD CHIVALROUS BALLADS, TRAGIC AND COMIC DRAMAS, NATIONAL SONGS, NOVELS, AND SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF THE PRESENT DAY.
BY WILLIAM AND MARY HOWITT.
2 v. post 8vo. 21s. bound.
"English readers have long been indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Howitt. They have now increased our obligations by presenting us with this most charming and valuable work, by means of which the great majority of the reading public will be, for the first time, made acquainted with the rich stores of intellectual wealth long garnered in the literature and beautiful romance of Northern Europe. From the famous Edda, whose origin is lost in antiquity, down to the novels of Miss Bremer and Baroness Knorring, the prose and poetic writings of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland are here introduced to us in a manner at once singularly comprehensive and concise. It is no dry enumeration of names, but the very marrow and spirit of the various works displayed before us. We have old ballads and fairy tales, always fascinating; we have scenes from plays, and selections from the poets, with most attractive biographies of these and other great men. The songs and ballads are translated with exquisite poetic beauty."--_Sun._
"We have most cordially to thank Mary and William Howitt for their valuable contribution to our knowledge of the literature of Northern Europe. They have effected a public good. They have offered to all cla.s.ses of readers a work abounding in original and entrancing interest, overflowing with varied matter--of criticism, biography, anecdotes, sketches, and quotations, all tending to exhibit new treasures for the gratification and enlightenment of a vast circle of minds. Our authors have described to us in copious and entertaining detail the romance and the poetry, the writings and the imaginations, of the Scandinavian races, interspersed with abundant and well-selected specimens of the historical, romantic, legendary, chivalric, ballad, dramatic, song, and critical literature of Northern Europe. They have brought to light the treasures of the ill.u.s.trious poets, historians and bards of Scandinavia, in a work of astonishing interest."--_Sunday Times._
"This work teems with information of the rarest and most curious character, and is replete with interest to the scholar, the philosopher, the antiquarian, and the general reader. The subject has the charming freshness of novelty. There is not any other book in the English language, which presents so vivid, so interesting, and so accurate a picture of the manners, customs, opinions, and superst.i.tions of our Scandinavian forefathers."--_Morning Post._
"A standard work on the whole subject."--_Globe._
"A valuable addition to our literature."--_Daily News._
"A book full of information--and as such, a welcome addition to our literature. The translations--especially of some of the ballads and other poems--are executed with spirit and taste."--_Athenaeum._
JUDGE HALIBURTON"S NEW HISTORICAL WORK.
In 2 vols. post 8vo. 21s. bound.
RULE AND MISRULE OF THE ENGLISH IN AMERICA.
By the Author of "SAM SLICK," "THE OLD JUDGE," &c.
"A most attractive work."--_Standard._
"The cleverest volumes Judge Haliburton has ever produced."--_Messenger._
"We conceive this work to be by far the most valuable and important Judge Haliburton has ever written. The exhaustless fund of humour--quiet, yet rich and racy, and at the same time overflowing with the milk of human kindness--which his writings display on one hand, and the wonderful knowledge of man"s character, in all its countless varieties, which they exhibit on the other, have insured for them a high, and honourable, and enduring station in English literature. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to arise from the perusal of any of Mr. Haliburton"s performances without having become both wiser and better. His "English in America" is, however, a production of a yet more exalted order. While teeming with interest, moral and historical, to the general reader, it may be regarded as equally const.i.tuting a philosophical study for the politician and the statesman. It will be found to dissipate many popular errors, and to let in a flood of light upon the actual origin, formation, and progress of the republic of the United States."--_Naval and Military Gazette._
"Those who wish for an accurate history of the rise of republicanism in America to its grand development in the United States revolution, will here find a narrative that is invaluable for its accuracy, its impartiality, its admirable order in arrangement, and that true philosophy of statesmanship which can attach to each incident a fitting moral, from which every honest politician can derive instruction. The work is one equally useful in the double aspect in which it may be regarded--first, an insight into the causes of past transactions; second, as a warning to guide mankind amid the many perplexing political questions of the day. The spirit of impartiality animates every page of this work. It is deserving of a place in every historical library."--_Morning Herald._
"We believed the author of this work to possess a power of humour and sarcasm second only to that of Rabelais and Sidney Smith, and a genuine pathos worthy of Henry Fielding or Charles d.i.c.kens. In his particular line of literature we believed him to be unrivalled. In the volumes before us he breaks upon a new, and--according to his method of breaking the subject--untrodden ground. We hail this book with pleasure; we consider it an honour to Judge Haliburton, as by it he has proved himself to be a Christian, a scholar, a gentleman, and, in the true sense of a mis-used word, a patriot. Mr. Haliburton places before us, fairly and impartially, the history of English rule in America. The book is not only a boon to the historic student, it is also filled with reflections such as may well engage the attention of the legislating statesman. Mr. Haliburton also shows us the true position of the Canadas, explains the evils of our colonial system, points out the remedies by which these evils may be counteracted, that thus the rule of the "English in America" may be something better than a history of the blunders, the follies, and the ignorant temerity of colonial secretaries."--_Irish Quarterly Review._
SAM SLICK"S NEW COMIC WORK.
In 3 vols. post 8vo. 31s. 6d. bound.
TRAITS OF AMERICAN HUMOUR.
Edited BY THE AUTHOR OF "SAM SLICK," &C.
"We have seldom met with a work more rich in fun or more generally delightful."--_Standard._
"Those who have relished the racy humour of the "Clockmaker," will find a dish of equally ludicrous and amusing Transatlantic wit in the volumes before us."--_Herald._
"A new book, by the author of "Sam Slick" causes some stir among the laughter-loving portion of the community; and its appearance at the present festive season is appropriate. We hold that it would be quite contrary to the fitness of things for any other hand than that of our old acquaintance, the facetious Judge Haliburton, to present to us a Christmas dish, and call it "Traits of American Humour." But even without the recollection of "Sam Slick" to evoke the spirit of fun within us, we should have been forced to yield to the racy humour of these American "Traits." Dip where you will into this lottery of fun, you are sure to draw out a prize."--_Morning Post._
"The untravelled European who has not made the acquaintance of Sam Slick, can have but little knowledge of the manners, customs, humours, eccentricities and lingos of the countless varieties of inhabitants of North America who we are accustomed to conglomerate under the general name of Yankees. a.s.sisted, however, by Sam Slick"s graphic descriptions, literal reports, and racy pen-and-ink sketches, gentlemen who sit at home at ease, are able to realize with tolerable accuracy the more remarkable species of this lively family, to comprehend their amusing jargon, to take an interest in their peculiarities of person and speech, and to enter into the spirit of their very characteristic humours. No man has done more than the facetious Judge Haliburton through the mouth of the inimitable "Sam," to make the old parent country recognise and appreciate her queer transatlantic progeny; and in the volumes before us he seeks to render the acquaintance more minute and complete. His present collection of comic stories and laughable traits is a budget of fun full of rich specimens of American humour."--_Globe._
"The reader will find this work deeply interesting. Yankeeism pourtrayed, in its raciest aspect, const.i.tutes the contents of these superlatively entertaining volumes, for which we are indebted to our facetious old friend, "Sam Slick." The work embraces the most varied topics,--political parties, religious eccentricities, the flights of literature, and the absurdities of pretenders to learning, all come in for their share of satire; while in other papers we have specimens of genuine American exaggerations, or graphic pictures of social and domestic life as it is more especially in the ruder districts and in the back settlements, or again sallies of broad humour, exhibiting those characteristics which form in the country itself the subject of mutual persiflage between the citizens of different States. The work will have a wide circulation."--_John Bull._
CAPTAIN SPENCER"S NEW WORK.
In 2 vols, 8vo. with Ill.u.s.trations, and a valuable Map of European Turkey, from the most recent Charts in the possession of the Austrian and Turkish Governments, revised by the Author, 28s. bound.