trials,[4]—volumes familiarised to the English reader by a recent translation. His well-stored mind and skilful handling imparted new depth and value to the subject, and doubtless the book would not so long have awaited a transfer into our language, but for the warlike circumstances and interrupted Continental communication of the period at which its first edition appeared. The interest of such narratives is no way diminished from their scene being in a foreign land; indeed, it is most engrossing when exotic, since the illustrations of the peculiar laws and characteristics of other nations is then superadded to that of the eccentricities of crime. And, perhaps, the most fertile field at the disposal of the curious in such matters, is afforded by that wide country, claiming to include in its bond of brotherhood every land wherein the German tongue resounds. The variety of the laws by which the kingdoms and provinces of Germany have at different times been governed, tends greatly to diversify its criminal calendar. And, doubtless, in many old libraries, private and public, in the dusty and rarely-opened book-cases of provincial barons and _Freiherrn_, on the shelves of museums, and in municipal collections (scarce less neglected and unread) of ancient books and manuscripts, much curious reading of this description, well worthy of publicity, lies buried and forgotten. Footnote 1: _Causes Célébres et Intéressantes_, by FRANÇOIS GAYOT DE PITAVAL. Paris: 1734. Footnote 2: _Neuer Pitaval._ Leipzig: 1842-6. Footnote 3: He beguiled his leisure by a metrical translation of, and commentary on, the Indian poem, _Gita Gowinda_. Footnote 4: _Merkwürdige Criminalrechtsfälle._ ERFURT, 1808-11. A third edition appeared in 1839, under the title of _Merkwürdige Verbrechen_.