form our readers where they may be obtained in town, which we now do: viz. at Mr. Newman's, Soho-square; Messrs. Smith and Warner's, Piccadilly; or at Mr. Ackermann's, in the Strand. But Mr. Steart has sent us a letter, which our observations on his invention by no means warrant: we have neither imputed to him " falsehood" nor" deceit;" we use the word " suspect" only.

Mr. Steart lays considerable stress on the opinion of the Society of Arts; but he should be told, or reminded, that the Society, as a body, are not responsible for any opinion or representation of facts contained in their Transactions; and that, when artists become authors, which they in fact do by having the descriptions of their inventions printed in the Society's Transactions, they necessarily subject themselves to the ordeal of public opinion the same as other writers. Thus we always consider them; and the circumstance of their papers being published in the Transactions of the Society of Arts, influence us no further than to examine them with more care and scrutiny; because, it sometimes happens, that the name of the Society of Arts is a passport which prevents the enquiry into pretensions, which would be otherwise instantly instituted. In this course we conceive the public are materially interested and benefited; and although we have suffered, and may, perhaps, occasionally suffer, some contemptible abuse for our determined and straightforward conduct, we shall nevertheless persevere.

We see no reason whatever to alter our statement relative to the Lino-Stereo-Tablet. If we had not considered it an improvement, an account of it would not have appeared in our Journal. It is rather too much for artists to expect, that we shall coincide in opinion with them on every point connected with their inventions. However, as it is but fair that Mr. Steart should be heard

for himself, we insert that part of his letter which appears to as relevant: "I can only, in conclusion, aver, that the account of my manufacture, furnished to the Society of Arts, is perfectly and strictly correct."

Review of New Publications.

A New and Comprehensive System of Modern Geography, Mathematical, Physical, Political and Commercial, comprising a Perspicuous Delineation of the Present State of the Globe, with its Inhabitants and Production, preceded by the History of the Science; interspersed with Statistical and Synoptical Tables; and accompanied with a series of coloured Maps, a great variety of appropriate Views, and numerous other Engravings illustrative of the Manners, Customs, and Costumes of Nations. By THOMAS MYERS, A.M. In two volumes, 4to. pp. 1986.

THIS work, to which we alluded in our first volume, is now completed. One of the first intellectual desires of man, when he has advanced to a certain point in civilization, is to learn the condition of his species, and of the regions which they inhabit beyond the contracted range of his own immediate observation. In a few instances this desire is satisfied by an adventurous spirit of travel, which roams through distant climes to read the living book of nature, whether in its primitive simplicity and grandeur, or modified and improved, though often disfigured by human contrivance. It cannot, however, be the lot of many to gaze upon the Ganges or the Nile, to

tread the wilds of Siberia, to behold the variegated scenery of the western world, or even the groves of Italy. The great bulk of mankind must be contented with the detail of others, for the knowledge which they possess of foreign and remote regions, and to the patient toils of the geographer, for laying before them an arrangement of the facts which are obtained from actual observation.

The province of the geographer is, therefore, an important one. We augured well of the Geography of Mr. Myers at its outset; but were we to content ourselves with the opinion which we then expressed, we should by no means do justice to the value and importance of the work. It is completed in a manner far superior even to the expectations which we then formed of the undertaking. In fact, it is such a valuable and correct delineation of the present state of geographical knowledge as is no where else to be found. For whilst the Author has neglected no source of information, worthy of being consulted, he has also spared no pains in compressing his voluminous materials into such a form, as will not only fully answer the purposes of the general reader, but repay, with interest, the perusal of the man whose liberal range of knowledge would turn with indifference from superficial detail.

The Introductory matter, containing the history of geography and a general view of the science considered mathematically, physically, and politically, is not one of the least interesting portions of the work; nor are the Observations on the influence of Missionary Establishment, on the advancement of Geography, prefixed to the second volume, less deserving attention. The maps which accompany these volumes are forty-nine in number; the other plates explanatory of the work, containing views of the principal cities, mountains, natural curiosities, &c.

&c. amount to sixty. The printing and paper are of the first quality. In a word it has not often happened that a work has fallen under our notice which we can recommend to our readers with such cordial and complete satisfaction. Our limits only prevent us from giving a specimen the style is perspicuous and unaffected, the arrangement clear, the information copious. The whole does great credit to the talent and assiduity of Mr. Myers, and is a valuable accession to our national literature.

An Encyclopædia of Gardening, comprising the Theory, and Practice of Horticulture, Floriculture, Arboriculture, and Landscape Gardening, including all the latest Improvements; a General History of Gardening in all Countries; and a Statistical View of its present state, with suggestions for its future progress, in the British Isles. By J. C. LOUDON. Illustrated with nearly six hundred engravings on wood. 8vo. pp. 1488.

THIS is a very useful, valuable, and necessary work; although, perhaps, much originality can hardly be expected on subjects so beaten, as many of them of course are, concerning which Mr. Loudon treats; yet, he has arranged his materials with considerable skill, and brought together a mass of information to be found in no other volume with which we are acquainted. Whilst it is a work of considerable information, as well as of utility, it is, at the same time, one of much amusement; and, we doubt not, will find a place in the library of every intelligent person in

the

empire. It is pleasing also to be able to state, that Mr. Loudon has availed himself of the best and latest sources of information on the various subjects concerning which he treats, and that modern science and discriminating judgment, are here properly and ingeniously combined.

Although a cyclopædia, it is not alphabetically arranged; and, indeed, the alphabetical arrangement would by no means suit the nature of the subject, nor the materials here brought together. We, therefore, cannot but highly approve the arrangement which the author has adopted.

The first part treats of gardening considered in respect to its origin, progress, and present state among different nations, governments, and climates; this is subdivided into the history of gardening among ancient and modern nations; and gardening considered as to its progress and present state under different political and geographical circumstances.-The second part treats of gardening considered as a science: this is subdivided into the study of the vegetable kingdom; of the natural agents of vegetable growth and culture; mechanical agents employed in gardening.-The third part treats of gardening as practised in Britain: this is subdivided into Horticulture, Floriculture, Arboriculture or planting; and Landscape gardening.--The fourth part consists of the statistics of British gardening these are subdivided into the present state of gardening in the British Isles; and on the future progress of gardening in Britain. To these are added a kalendarial and a general index.

The woodcuts by Branston are useful and explanatory; many of them are ornamental: they much enhance the value of the volume. The practical articles