Critical and Historical Essays II. [antikvár]

CRITICAL AND HISTORICAL ESSAYScontributed toTHE EDINBUKGH REVIEW.JOHN BUNYAN. (December, 1830.)The Pilgrim's Progress, with n Life of John Bvnyan, By Robkp.t SouTHEV, Esq. LL. D. Poet-Laureate. Illustrated wilh Engravings. Svo. London: 1830.This is an eminently beautiful and splendid edition of a book -which well deserves all that the printer and the engraver can do for it. The Life of Bunyan is, of course, not a performance which can add much to the literary reputation of such a writer as Mr. Southey. But it is written In excellent English, and, for the most part, in an excellent spirit. Mr. Southey propounds, we need not say, many opinions from which we altogether dissent; and his attempts to excuse the odious persecution to which Bunyan was subjected have sometimes moved our indignation. But we will avoid this topic. We are at present i much more Inclined to join in paying homage to the genius of a great man than to engage in a controversy concerning church government and toleration.We must not pass without notice the engravings with which this volume is decorated. Some of Mr. Heath's wood-cuts are admirably designed and executed. Mr. Martin's illustrations do not please us quite so well. His Valley of the Shadow Macaulay, Essays. IL1