and as we read the coarsely-worded scenes of mental suffering, excruciating disease, and human nerves quivering under the tortures of hell, our determination to be stoical gives way, and fairly cudgelled into submission, we burst into hysterical sobs.

Mr. Warren was born in Denbighshire, in 1807, and is now fifty years of age. His father was for many years a Dissenting minister, but was subsequently ordained a clergyman of the Church of England. At first Mr. Warren was designed for the medical profession, but after pursuing his studies for that vocation for a short time, he resolved, in September, 1827, to turn his energies to the bar.

His literary aspirations commenced at an early period of youth. In 1823, when still in his seventeenth year, he wrote to Sir Walter Scott, and addressing him as the "great unknown" author of the Waverly Novels, asked his advice about the publication of some boyish attempt at authorship. Sir Walter, who clearly regarded the letter as an impertinent attempt to entrap him into avowing himself as "the great unknown," responded with dubious morality, "I am not the author of those novels which the world chooses to ascribe to me, and am therefore unworthy of the praises due to that individual, whoever he may prove to be.” Sir Walter after penning this painful falsehood, proceeded somewhat caustically to refer his correspondent for information concerning publishing to the publishers.

Besides his novels, which are the "Diary of a late Physician," "Ten Thousand a Year," and "Now and Then," Mr. Warren has written several law-books and numerous essays for Blackwood's Magazine, and in 1851 he treated the public with that heavy and inexplicable piece of balderdash, "The Lily and the Bee," which we are quite ready to regard as a perfect expression of what he thinks a poem ought to be.

Mr. Samuel Warren is Recorder for Hull, and M.P. for

VOL. II.

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Midhurst. He has not yet been long enough in the House to show whether he has the requisite capabilities for effect ing a parliamentary triumph, but he has already spoken on a few occasions without producing any very favourable impression. He is a Conservative and a follower of Lord Derby.

EDWARD M. WHITTY.

LIKE many, we might almost say most, of our best living writers, Mr. Whitty is not indebted to the training of any of our great public schools or universities. It was in Germany that he prepared himself for the task of journalism, to which he has chiefly, and until of late solely, devoted his powers. "The Times," and the "Leader," are the two metropolitan papers that have especially profited by his genius. As a keen-sighted politician, gifted with an unusual share of satiric strength, and with a rare knowledge of the history and structure of parties, and the nature of partywarfare, he is known to the general public, who are not permitted to penetrate the veil of anonymous literature, by his "History of the Session of 1852," and his "Governing Classes." It was not till 1857 that he published his first avowed work of prose fiction, "Friends of Bohemia, or Phases of London Life." The sensation which this remarkable novel created on its first appearance, in the clubs and coteries of London, is fresh in the minds of all who take active part in the literature, politics, or pleasure of the capital. The originality and freshness of its satire would have gained it admirers, whatever had been the principal topics it dwelt upon; but when it was noised abroad that it contained masterly and most unkind sketches of the foremost personages in our political arena, love of mischief, and

perhaps of scandal also, gave an impulse to love of art; and the excitement of amusement or anger became general. The "Athenæum," in a vigorous article, generously recognised the excellence of the story, and with manly frankness, not often displayed in criticism to authors making a first essay in an untried field, bestowed cordial praise on the author. The Americans, always on the look-out for good English novels, and always giving a preference to those which are spiced with personality, speedily reprinted the work, and that they highly relished the dish set before them, is evidenced by the enormous sale it has met with throughout the States and Canada.

It is understood that Mr. Whitty is now engaged on another novel. What its subject is does not transpire; but if it equal its precursor in merit, it will be good indeed.

FOLKESTONE WILLIAMS, F.R.G.S.

Of the numerous writers to whom the present generation is indebted for instruction and amusement few have more claims on our respect and gratitude than Mr. Folkestone Williams, Professor of Ancient and Modern History, &c., of the Cavalry College, Richmond. The son of a London surgeon, he was educated for his father's profession, and had the advantages of commencing his medical studies as a pupil of Guthrie. But a strong bias for literature carried him from the curriculum of the hospitals, and he boldly determined to throw away the lancet, and rely on the pen as a means of pushing his fortunes. Whatever may have been the result of this decision to Mr. Williams, there can be little doubt that the world has gained by it. For nearly thirty years he has been actively engaged as an author, and has contributed in no slight degree to the edification of the reading public. The entire list of his works we have not

space to give; but in enumerating the best of them we should mention of his novels, "Mephistophiles in England," "Eureka," "Youth of Shakspeare," "Shakspeare and his Friends," "Maids of Honour," "Strawberry Hill," and "The Luttrells ;" and of his historical works we should point to "Memoirs of Sophia Dorothea," "Court and Times of James I." "Court and Times of Charles I.," and "Memoirs of Horace Walpole."

The Shakspeare novels, as they are usually called, are perhaps the works by which Mr. Williams is best known. Their design is of course open to the same critical objections that are properly advanced against Mr. Disraeli's ambitious attempt to delineate and illustrate the genius of Byron and Shelley. But though the reader may feel that it is beyond the power of fiction to add beauty or power to that image of Shakspeare which is the constant companion of every polished mind, he is not the less delighted with the true poetic earnestness, the graceful familarity with the manners of Elizabethan England, the scholarly style, and refined humour, which render the writings of Mr. Williams deserving of high rank in recent literature.

For a considerable period Mr. Folkestone Williams was sub-editor and subsequently editor of the "New Monthly Magazine," and he has also contributed in some measure to the reputation of Captain Marryat and Theodore Hook; for he wrote more than one third of "The Little Savage," which was left unfinished by the former author, and he composed the concluding chapters of "Fathers and Sons "the novel which Hook was employed upon when death closed his career.

CAPTAIN CHARLES LASCELLES WRAXALL.

THE name and family of Wraxall, of Somersetshire, are inseparably connected with literature. Sir Nathaniel

William Wraxall (descended from Sir John de Wraxall, who represented Somerset and Dorset in parliament under Edward I.) besides occupying a distinguished position in the civil service of the East India Company as judge-advocate and paymaster of the troops of the Bombay presidency, on the two expeditions to Guzerat and Baroche in 1771 achieved a high reputation as an author. Besides his "Tour round the Baltic," he left behind him several works, of which the best known are the notorious "Historical Memoirs of his own Times," and the not less celebrated "Memoirs," which were not published till death had secured him from the terrors of King's Bench law, which had severely punished him for the boldness of the former work. This accomplished courtier sat in parliament for many years, the first borough he represented being Hindon, which place as we have stated in the prior pages of this work, likewise returned at different times to the lower house, Beckford and Monk Lewis; but it was not till 1813 that he was raised to the dignity of a baronet.

The subject of this memoir is the only grandson of Sir Nathaniel, and is, consequently, next heir to the title. Captain Wraxall was educated at Oxford, and after his departure from that university resided several years on the Continent, where he acquired a knowledge of the languages, and a familiar acquaintance with the manners of the principal European countries, that have been of incalculable use to him as a writer. Though he has chiefly devoted his talents to the service of newspapers and leading monthly magazines, he has found time to produce several translations from the German, and two original works. His "Hand-Book to the Naval and Military Resources of the Principal European Nations," is of great merit and value; and quite recently he has published a novel, under the title of "Wild Oats," which is in every respect a book worthy of perusal. The story is interesting, and well