_The Critical Review for May 1808_--versus "_Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London_." The writer of this article says: "The following sketch of the contents of this performance will convince the reader that he may expect much information and amusement in the perusal." This is extremely well for a preliminary assertion; and yet we shall find him contradicting it almost from page 1 to 15, where the Review terminates. The contents are then given, and the Reviewer continues: "Such is the bill of fare which Mr. M. has prepared: in which, perhaps, the generality will find many _agreeable dishes_ and _savoury ingredients_. It is, however, rather a _confused medley_, than a well assorted or _nicely selected_ entertainment." Here we have a simile warm from the Crown and Anchor or London Tavern. "Mr. M. has very industriously perused the public papers, periodical works, &c. of the last century; and from these he has _culled as much matter_ as, with his _own head and tail_ pieces of remark, explanation, and _connection_, compose an ample quarto of 490 pages."--"In _traversing_ the pages of this _bulky volume_, we have sometimes been instructed, and often amused; but on the whole we have experienced sensations of tediousness and languor, which the author will perhaps impute to our _squeamishness of appetite_ or apathy of temperament; but which _we_ are more willing to ascribe to the prolixity of the work. When the reader has taken the trouble _to go through the book_, _we_ shall leave him to determine whether _the critic_ be insensible, or the author occasionally dull." This sneering _critic_ (for he at length appears in the singular case, speaking grammatically) affects to be unwilling to accuse me of practising the art of book-making, and of inserting every piece of information which came in my way relative to the manners of London; but really "_we_ would willingly have dispensed with many of his details, in which there is nothing either to edify or amuse." The single critic, or congregated critics, which the reader pleases, next introduces the following quotation: "Then, says Mr. Malcolm, (meaning before the invasion of Cæsar) the hardy native stood erect in the full dignity and grace of nature, perfect from the hands of the Creator, and tinted with those pure colours which vary with the internal feelings. Cæsar, doubtless, found the males muscular and full of energy, the females graceful in their forms, and both wild and unrestrained in his estimation of manners; though probably they were such as we now admire in the Savage, sincerity unpolished and kindness roughly demonstrated."