Those who share the well-grounded opinion of Mr. Petit, that we cannot fully enter into the character of English architecture unless we give some attention also to French, German, and Italian, will gladly turn to the very profusely and handsomely-illustrated volume which he has just issued, under the modest title of _Architectural Studies in France_, by the Rev. J. L. Petit, M.A., F.S.A., _with Illustrations from Drawings_ by the Author and P. H. Delamotte. It is of course impossible, within the limits of our brief notice, to enter into any examination of Mr. Petit's views upon the subject of Gothic architecture, the principles of which he believes to have been more completely developed at an early period in England than anywhere else; and we must therefore content ourselves with directing attention to the book itself, which will in no small degree supply to the architectural student desirous of studying French buildings, the opportunity of doing so; and that too under the guidance of one well qualified to direct his steps. Mr. Petit has long been known to the antiquarian world as one of our greatest authorities on the subject of Gothic architecture; and his various papers, illustrated by his own bold yet effective sketches in the _Archaeological Journal_, may have prepared some of our readers for a volume of great importance; yet we think even they will be surprised at the interest and beauty of the present book. Mr. Petit, who has had on this occasion the assistance of Mr. Delamotte as a draughtsman, expresses his hope that at some future time he may avail himself of that gentleman's skill as a photographer. There is, perhaps, no man of letters, no man of science, of whom the world possesses so unsatisfactory an account as Jerome Cardan. The author of _Palissy the Potter_ has therefore done good service, and executed a task worthy of himself, by _The life of Girolamo Cardano, of Milan, Physician_. In two small readable volumes, rich in all the characteristics of his own peculiar mode of treatment, Mr. Morley has given us not only a clear view of the life and character of Cardan, based on a diligent and careful examination of his voluminous writings--for Cardan reckoned that he had published one hundred and thirty-one books, and left in MS. nearly as many--but also a striking picture of the age in which he lived; and the work, which is one of great interest to the general reader, is made still more valuable to the literary antiquary by the accuracy with which Mr. Morley quotes his authorities.