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No. 102.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1819.

ON the commencement of a new Volume, when from past success we may presume to anticipate a large addition of subscribers, it may be expedient to take a brief view of the origin and objects of this Publication, and of the means employed to render it worthy of the gratifying reception which it has experienced. Novel in its plan, and consequently experimental in its nature, it is delightful for us to be able to state that the kindness of its infant reception seems to have grown into rooted favour as it has developed its character, and that, as it becomes better known, it spreads itself over the distant parts of its native land, the colonies and foreign countries, with a rapidity equal to the most-sanguine expectations of its conductors.

a hope, in the language of a very
agreeable writer,* that "to the lovers
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important, but rather constitute a great
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REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.

Memoir on the Ruins of Babylon. By Claudius James Rich, Esq. Resident for the Hon. East India Company at the Court of the Pasha of Bagdat. Third Edition. London, 1818. 8vo. pp. 67.

SECOND MEMOIR, &c. By the Same.

PP. 58.

When the first edition of the former of these works was published three or four The Literary Gazette, during the peTHE LITERARY GAZETTE is regu-its contents. The study of antiquities years ago, we were highly pleased with riod of two years, has given copious relarly published every SATURDAY MORNING, views of about four hundred new works, on stamped paper, price ls. and sent FREE OF and antiquarian researches has been with extracts, so as to enable the public POSTAGE throughout the kingdom, so that too often with justice called dry; and to form a fair judgment upon each. it may be received in the country on SUNDAY yet when the object is worthy of a painAbove fifty original biographical memoirs at the distance of nearly 200 miles from ful examination, when not only curiosity of distinguished persons, who have died town. It may also be forwarded like a news-is gratified, but results important to the in that time, have also appeared in its paper, to friends and relations abroad, on history of mankind, and even to the columns; and no notice of consequence application to the GENERAL POST-OFFICE, illustration of divine truths, are to be to the fine arts or to science has been LONDON, or to any Local POSTMASTER. omitted. In Foreign literature and in- GAZETTE, the same work is also published on Under the title of THE LONDON LITERARY gathered, as the reward of such labours, it is not in the nature of things that such teresting communications from Corre-unstamped paper, price only 8d. for the par- a subject, rightly investigated, can be spondents abroad, it has, we may con- ticular advantage of those who reside in either tedious or unentertaining. For fidently assert, surpassed any contempo- London and its vicinity; but we beg to re- these volumes we can truly vouch that rary or preceding miscellany: it has also mind our country friends, that these eight- they are altogether the reverse. Babyreceived and printed a multitude of con- penny unstamped Numbers may also be relon attracts us by the very sound of its tributions from some of the first native gularly had (if ordered) of the principal name, and all that is stupendous in the scholars, poets, philosophers, and other booksellers throughout all the towns in the productions of human power, all that is celebrated men now living. kingdom; and it is only in the more remote situations, and where it is an object to receive venerable from age, all that is wonderit more instantaneously than through the ful for art and ingenuity, all that is intemedium of the booksellers' weekly parcels, resting from the association of ideas, that we recommend the stamped Is. Numbers. seem to be concentrated in an inquiry embracing that mighty city, its ancient prodigies and modern ruins.

Determined to pursue the same career of diligence and impartiality which has already been so unprecedently rewarded, we may venture to promise that our future Numbers will deserve the character of affording a various and comprehensive view of the manners, amuse-portation, and of those who have only occa-lished in an excellent Journal, conducted

ments, learning, science, and improvements of the times. To this effect the

THE LITERARY GAZETTE is also collected
and stitched up in QUARTERLY PARTS,
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sional opportunities of receiving it.
Lastly-THE VOLUMES for EACH

The first Memoir was originally pub

by Mr. Hammer, at Vienna, and entitled The Mines of the East, (Mines numerous interesting and instructive pro- / YEAR, from the commencement in 1817, may de l' Orient); and it will be necessary be had complete, with titles, indexes, &c. price ductions, issuing so incessantly from the 21. 28. each, forming together an authentic for us to take a concise view of its most press, must mainly contribute, and we and valuable REGISTER for constant re- memorable facts, and of the theory it claim no merit but that of bringing themference. maintains, before we proceed to the immediately and prominently under THE VOLUME for 1818 is now ready for analysis of its successor. Mr. Rich's republic cognizance. In fine, following delivery.-All the QUARTERLY PARTS, ex-sidence at Bagdat, afforded him the best 1s far as our abilities permit, the foot-cept the First, may also be had separately at of opportunities to explore the site of steps of Bayle, who declared himself present, as well as most of the Numbers, the Capital of the Assyrian Empire, now o be a reporter, and not a judge, stamped or unstamped, and we earnestly so lost amid the wreck of years, that trust we may modestly express even the place of its existence is a ques

we

VOL. III.

* D'Israeli.