Art. X. Malay Annals: translated from the Malay Language. By the late Dr. John Leyden. With an Introduction, by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, F.R.S. &c. &c. 8vo. pp. xvi, 361. Price 10s. 6d. London. 1821. UNTIL the researches of Sir Thomas Raffles and Mr. Craw furd had placed the character of the Malays in a more favourable light, it was even proverbially considered as an odious compound of all that was faithless and ferocious. The hasty inferences of passing travellers, and the interested representations of the Dutch, aided by the excesses of the Malay pirates, and by certain peculiarities in their native cus toms, had given to this representation a strong hold on public opinion; and it is with difficulty we can bring ourselves to believe that they are in reality a brave and high-minded people, distinguished by many of the sentiments and habits connected with feudal institutions, commercial and enterprizing, and exhibiting proofs of civilization and refinement. When Dr. Leyden, in 1805, visited the islands of the Indian Archipelago, he entered with his usual activity on the extensive field of inquiry presented by the language, manners, government, history, and literature, of this interesting race. The popular traditions connected with the Malayan annals, particularly attracted his attention; and he had formed an opinion, probably correct with the limitations with which he held it, that they might supply some information respecting the early history, or, at least, the customs and institutions of these widely scattered tribes. Their authentic memorials commence only with the introduction of Mohammedanism. Antecedently to that event, little that is satisfactory can be traced amid the wild exaggerations of the fantastic legends, which take the place of credible narration. We have Rajahs descending to the bottom of the ocean; others who change rice into gold, leaves into silver, and stalks into brass; ants as big as cats, and other rare inventions equally ingenious, and equally interesting. The most absurd of these tales of wonder occur at the beginning of the volume; as the work proceeds, it becomes more interesting and important. The details, which are, we should imagine, for the most part, sufficiently correct, are not only amusing as examples of Malay narrative, but valuable as illustrating the modes of social and political life among that people. It would be a waste of labour to attempt to extract a regular series of events from this strange jumble of preposterous fictions, but we have on the whole derived much amusement, and some information from the volume. It is more pleasant, assuredly, to read Herodotus or Livy; still, there is some gratification in making ourselves acquainted with the way in which they write history at Malacca. ART. XI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. ** Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the Press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the public, if consistent with its plan. Mr. Charles Mills, Author of the His. tory of the Crusade, &c. &c. is preparing for publication, the History of Rome from the earliest period to the termination of the Empire. In 10 vols. 8vo. In the press, and shortly will be published, "Travels through the Holy Land and Egypt." By William Rae Wilson, Esq. of Kelvinbank, North Britain. In 1 vol. 8vo. Illustrated with engravings. Mr. Daniel Macintosh has made considerable progress in the 2nd edition, revised and enlarged, of the History of Scotland from the Invasion of the Romans till the Union with England; with a supplementary Sketch of the Rebellion in 1715 and 1745; together with Remarks illustrative of the national institutions of the Scots, the progress of education and literature, agriculture, manufactures, and commerce. In one large volume, 12mo. A new volume of the Bombay Transactions, illustrated by numerous plates, is in the press. Speedily will be published, in 2 vols. Svo. Views of Ireland, Moral, Political, and Religious. By John O'Driscol, Esq. In the press, Moral Hours, a Poem, by the Rev. J. Jones, M.A. alr. Brodie has made considerable progress in a second edition (with the addition of some new cases) of 'Pathological Observations on Diseases of the Joints. In 8vo. illustrated with plates. Next week will be published in 1 vol. 8vo. illustrated by coloured plates, A Treatise on Diamonds and Coloured Stones; including their history, natural and commercial; with an explanation exposing the appearance of false gems. To which is added, the method of cutting and polishing Diamonds, and directions for proportioning coloured stones so as to appear to the best advantage. By J. Mawe, Mineralogist. A new edition with additions. In the press, A Treatise on Concho logy; in which the Linnæan System is adhered to, and the Species that differ in form, &c. are put into Divisions. The Rev. T. Durant of Poole has in the press, a second edition with corrections, of Memoirs and Remains of an Only Son. In the press, Walks in the Country, or Christian Sketches of scenery, life, and character; intended principally to evince the effects of religion on the minds of the middle class of society and humble poor. 1 vol. small 8vo. In the press, and speedily will be published, A Vindication of the Authenticity of the Narratives contained in the first two Chapters of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke, being an investigation of Objections urged by the Unitarian Editors of the Improved Version of the New Testament: with Appendices, containing strictures on the latter editions of that work, and animadversions on Dr. Lant Carpenter's recent publication, entitled "An Examination of Bishop Magee's Charges against Unitarians and Unitarianism." By a Layman. In 1 vol. 8vo, Dr. Meyrick has been many years engaged in collecting the scattered Notices to be found in our old Poets, Chroniclers, Wills, Deeds, and Inventories of Ancient Armour; to which he has now given an historic form. The results will appear in the most splendid style, containing above 100 specimens of ancient Armour. In 3 volumes, imperial 4to. Mr. Artis is preparing for publication, a series of plates illustrative of recent Discoveries and excavated Remains of a Roman Town, at Castor, near Peterbough. An Encyclopædia of Agriculture, in one large volume, octavo, is in the press, on the plan of Mr. Loudon's Encyclopædia of Gardening. Peveril of the Peak, by the Author of Waverley, is in a state of forwardness. Military Memoirs of the Great Civil War, being the Military Memoirs of John Gwynne; and an account of the Earl of Glencairn's Expedition, in the years 1653-4; are printing in a quarto volume. The Rev. G. N. Wright has in the press, a Guide to the County of Wicklow, and to the Giant's Causeway. Mr. Wood is preparing a complete Illustration of his Index Testacologicus, by giving an accurate figure of every shell. Mr. T. Coar is printing the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, with a Translation into Latin and English. The Rev. J. Ingram is printing a new edition of the Saxon Chronicles, with an Euglish translation and notes, and a copious index, in a quarto volume. A new edition is in the press, of the Poetical and Miscellaneous Works of Alexander Pope; including the notes of various commentators, with a new life of the Author, and annotations by William Roscoe. In the course of this month will be published, with a genuine portrait never before engraved, Memoirs of Mary, Queen of Scots, with anecdotes of the Court of Henry the Second, during her residence in France. By Miss Benger. In 2 vols. 8vo. Art. XII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. AGRICULTURE. On the depressed State of Agriculture. By James Cleghorn. Being the Essay for which the Highland Society of Scotland, at their General Meeting, on July 1, 1822, voted a Piece of Plate, of fifty guineas value; and published by order of the Society. 8vo. 3s. sewed. BIOGRAPHY. Memoirs of the Rev. Thomas Brand, with a Sermon preached on the occasion of his death. By the Rev. Samuel Annesley, LL.D. A new edition, revised by William Chaplin. 12mo. 2s. BOTANY. The Scottish Cryptogamic Flora; or Coloured Figures and Descriptions of Cryptogamic Plants growing in Scotland, and belonging chiefly to the Order Fungi. By R. K. Greville, F.R.S.E. M.W.S. &c. Royal 8vo. No. 7. 4s. EDUCATION. An Easy Course of Domestic Education; comprising a series of Elementary Treatises on the various Branches of Juvenile Instruction; together with advice to Parents and Tutors for conducting the education of Children. Designed for the use of families and of schools. By William Jillard Hort, Author of the New Pantheon, &c. In 22 vols. 18mo, sold together, in a case, or separately. Select Passages from the Bible, arranged under distinct heads for the use of schools and families. By Alexander Adam, Teacher, Edinburgh. 12mo. 4s. 6d. bound. Collectanea Latina; or Select Extracts from Latin Authors; with notes explanatory and grammatical, and a Vocabulary. By Thomas Quinn, Master of the Classical Academy, Maldon. 12mo. 5s. bound. A new System of Arithmetic, on a plan entirely original, calculated to abridge the labour of the Tutor very considerably, and facilitate the progress of the Pupil. By J. Walker. 2s. 6d. bound. The French Primer; containing a copious Vocabulary of Familiar Words and Phrases, arranged in the most pleasing form, with interesting Dialogues; the whole illustrated by upwards of 250 wood engravings. By Mad. Doüin, 1s. sewed. 1s. 6d. bound. The Mother's French Catechism for her Children; containing those things most necessary to be known at an early age; illustrated by 100 engravings; being a French edition of Dr. Clarke's English Mother's Catechism. By Mad. Doüin. 1s. sewed, 1s. 6d. bound. The English Primer; or, Child's First Book: arranged on such a plan as cannot fail to delight young children, and facilitate their instruction in the Elements of Spelling and Reading. By the Rev. T. Clark. Illustrated by upwards of 200 wood engravings: 6d. sewed, or 10d. bound. The English Mother's Catechism for her Children, containing those things most necessary to be known at an early age. Illustrated by 100 engravings; being a Sequel to the above. By the Rev. T. Clark. 9d. or on large paper, 1s. 6d. and coloured 2s. 6d. bound. POLITICAL. The Situation of England in regard to agriculture, trade, and finance, with a comparison of the prospects of England and France. By Joseph Lowe, Esq. 8vo. 12s. THEOLOGY. On Protestant Nonconformity. By Josiah Conder. Second edition, revised and somewhat abridged. 12mo. 5s. 6d. A Treatise on Love to God. By the Rev. James Joyce, A. M. Curate of Hitcham, Bucks. 8vo. 7s. 6d, The Necessity of Divine Influence for the further Extension, of the Gospel at Home and Abroad: a Sermon preached before the Hampshire Association. By John Bristow. 1s. 6d. A Concise View of the Doctrine of Scripture concerning the ordinance of Baptism. 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With notices of other English metrical Versions of the Psalms. By the Rev. Henry John Todd, M.A. F.S.A. Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty, and Rector of Settrington, County of York. 8vo. 4s. The Collects prefixed to the Epistles and Gospels, in the Liturgy of the United Church of England and Ireland, catechetically explained; with a view to promote in the minds of young persons an early veneration and attachment for the book in which they are contained, the Church by which they are provided, the holy source from which they are derived. By the Rev. John Radcliffe, M. A. Rector of St. Anne, Limehouse, Middlesex; Vicar of Teynham and Doddington, Kent; Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, and formerly Fellow of Brazenose College, Oxford. 12mo. 5s. The Seaman's Prayer Book: being a form of prayer, selected chiefly from the Book of Common Prayer, and adapted to the worship of Almighty God at sea, and also, a collection of psalms and hymns for the use of seamen, 18mo.2s. 6d. An Abridgement of the Prophecies, as connected with profane history, both ancient and modern. In question and answer, selected from the best authors. By Mrs. Smith, 12mo. 7s. 6d. TOPOGRAPHY. An Historical Account and Delineation of Aberdeen. By Robert Wilson. A. M. 18 engravings, 12mo. 7s. 6d. An Account of the principal pleasure tours in England and Wales. Illustrated by coloured Maps, and embellished with Views of the most striking Scenery. With an Itinerary. 12mo. 10s. 6d. halfbound. ZOOLOGY. Zoological Researches in the Island of Java, &c. &c. with Figures of Native Quadrupeds, and Birds. By Thomas Horsfield, M.D. F.L.S. No. IV. royal 4to. ll. ls. THE ECLECTIC REVIEW, FOR OCTOBER, 1822. Art. I. 1. Travels along the Mediterranean and Parts adjacent; in Company with the Earl of Belmore, during the Years 1816-17-18: extending as far as the Second Cataract of the Nile, Jerusalem, Damascus, Balbec, &c. &c. Illustrated by Plans and other Engravings. By Robert Richardson, M.D. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. xiv, 1064. Price 11. 4s. London. 1822. IN In 2. Christian Researches in the Mediterranean, from 1815 to 1820. Furtherance of the Objects of the Church Missionary Society. By the Rev. William Jowett, M.A. One of the Representatives of the Society, and late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. With an Appendix, containing the Journal of the Rev. James Connor, chiefly in Syria and Palestine. 8vo. pp. 454. Price 10s. London. 1822. N our article on Missions in a recent Number, we cited a remark of Mr. Douglas, that the physician is the best missionary in Mahommedan countries. In that sacred character, for such it is esteemed, he may traverse all parts in safety, may gain admission to the harem and the mosque, and, in spite of his despised creed, carry away the homage and even the affection of his Moslem patients. The very interesting volumes of Dr. Richardson supply a remarkable illustration of the correctness and importance of the remark. In no other character could he have penetrated with impunity the thrice sacred mysteries of the Stoa Sakhara, the Mahommedan holy of holies;ground which, since the days of the Crusades, no Christian feet have been suffered to profane, and which not all the influence of the noble Traveller in whose company our Author visited Jerusalem, was sufficient to procure him admission to tread. So far does an English lord rank below an English physician in those countries, that Dr. Richardson was four times permitted to enter, in company with some of the principal Turks in Jerusalem, and at their invitation, the sacred enclosure, which to rank, and wealth, and title, was altogether inaccessible. The VOL. XVIII. N.S. Z |