Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. * * * * * BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. NO. CCCC. FEBRUARY, 1849. VOL. LXV. CONTENTS. CAUCASUS AND THE COSSACKS, 129 THE CAXTONS. PART X., 147 STATISTICAL ACCOUNTS OF SCOTLAND, 162 THE POETRY OF SACRED AND LEGENDARY ART, 175 AMERICAN THOUGHTS ON EUROPEAN REVOLUTIONS, 190 DALMATIA AND MONTENEGRO, 202 MODERN BIOGRAPHY.--BEATTIE'S LIFE OF CAMPBELL, 219 THE ENGLISH UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR REFORMS, 235 THE COVENANTERS' NIGHT-HYMN. BY DELTA, 244 THE CARLISTS IN CATALONIA, 248 EDINBURGH: WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET: AND 37, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. _To whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed._ SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH. BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. NO. CCCC. FEBRUARY, 1849. VOL. LXV. CAUCASUS AND THE COSSACKS. _Der Kaukasus und das Land der Kosaken in den Jahren 1843 bis 1846._ Von MORITZ WAGNER. 2 vols. Dresden und Leipzig, 1848. A handful of men, frugal, hardy, and valiant, successfully defending their barren mountains and dearly-won independence against the reiterated assaults of a mighty neighbour, offer, apart from political considerations, a deeply interesting spectacle. When, upon a map of the world's eastern hemisphere, we behold, not far from its centre, on the confines of barbarism and civilisation, a spot, black with mountains, and marked "Circassia;" when we contrast this petty nook with the vast territory stretching from the Black Sea to the Northern Ocean, from the Baltic to Behring's Straits, we admire and wonder at the inflexible resolution and determined gallantry that have so long borne up against the aggressive ambition, iron will, and immense resources of a czar. Sixty millions against six hundred thousand--a hundred to one, a whole squadron against a single cavalier, a colossus opposed to a pigmy--these are the odds at issue. It seems impossible that such a contest can long endure. Yet it has lasted twenty years, and still the dwarf resists subjugation, and contrives, at intervals, to inflict severe punishment upon his gigantic adversary. There is something strangely exciting in the contemplation of so brave a struggle. Its interest is far superior to that of any of the "little wars" in which Europe, since 1815, has evaporated her superabundant pugnacity. African raids and Spanish skirmishes are pale affairs contrasted with the dashing onslaughts of the intrepid Circassians. And, in other respects than its heroism, this contest merits attention. As an important section