KNIGHTS AND THEIR DAYS. By Dr. DORAN. This is a loose, rambling compilation of amusing anecdote and flippant gossip concerning the heroes of chivalry, done by a man whose business is book-making and who writes in so disjointed aud immethodical a style that grave criticism of his works is almost out of the question. Dr. Doran has stripped knighthood of all the illusions of romance in those pages, and made some of our feudal favorites almost ridiculous, but it is impossible to quarrel with an author who pleases without wearying you, and so we predict that "Knights and their Days" will prove quite as popular as any of the Dr.'s previous publications. Mr. Redfield has issued them all in a neat and uniform style. SEED GRAIN FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION: A Compilation. By Mrs. ANNA C. LOWELL. Boston: Ticknor and Fields. [From James Woodhouse, 137 Main Street. We could wish for these attractive duodecimos a much wider circulation than we fear they are likely to attain in our material age, when cui bono chills all sentiment and checks all self-examination. Mrs. Lowell is evidently a lady of extended reading among the best authors, and she has collated, upon a number of philosophical questions, gems of thought and fancy from the preachers and wits and sages of literature. The work is admirably adapted to the use of Belles Lettres Students, but may be read with profit by all who have any desire for mental improvement. TOLLA: A Tale of Modern Rome. By EDMOND ABOUT. Boston: Whittemore, Niles & Hall. 1856. [From James Woodhouse, 137 Main street. This remarkable story, which produced a sensation almost without a parallel in Paris during the late Russian War, bas 66 been several times rendered into English, but the translation before us is perhaps the best that has appeared. The London Athenæum gives it the highest praise, speaking of it in connection with the Vicar of Wakefie d," and while we cannot think it equal to that inimitable work, we can say that we have rarely read a story of more power and passion, kept within the strictest limits of propriety. Its mise en scene is Rome in the present century, and its portraitures of Roman life and manners are very spirited and faithful. A MEMORIAL VOLUME. Thirty-Four Sermons. By Rt. Rev. JONATHAN MAYHEW WAINWRIGHT., D. D., D. C. L., Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Edited by his Widow. New York: D. Appleton & Co. [From James Woodhouse, 137 Main street. An enduring memorial of a man of great learning and piety, in which these traits are conspicuously brought out. A biography from the pen of Bishop Doane prefaces the sermons and the fune ral discourse by the Rev. Mr. Higbee is also appropriately introduced. The work is printed, as it should be, in the handsomest possible manner, and will be welcomed by the Episcopal church of the United States as a worthy record of one of its greatest ornaments. THE GAME OF BILLIARDS. By MICHAEL PHELAN. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1856. [From A. Morris, 97 Main Street. This is a grave attempt to elevate the game of billiards to the dignity of a science, and as much care has been taken to elucidate the problems which accompany the text as would be bestowed upon the diagrams in a philosophical treatise. Mr. Phelan is an enthusiastic amateur of the amusement, but whether it was worth his while to devote so much labor on a mere frivolity is a question about which opinions may differ. For our part, we think le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle. PROSPECTUS OF THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER For the Year 1856. July to December. TWENTY-THIRD VOLUME. In issuing the Prospectus of the Twenty-Third Volume of the SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER, commencing with the July No., the Proprietors rely solely on the encouraging letters and promises of the friends of the Messenger to aid them in extending its circulation, and they beg to assure the public that no exertions will be remitted on their part to maintain the high character of the work, and to challenge the patronage of all who value sterling literary merit. For Twen ty-One Years, the Messenger has endeavored to reflect faithfully the Southern mind, while disdaining all narrow and sectional views, and has been alone among the monthly periodicals of America, in defence of the PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. To this office it will still be devoted, and will be prompt to repel assaults upon the South, whether they come under the specious garb of fiction, or in the direct form of anti-slavery pamphlets. At this critical juncture, while our enemies are employing literature as their most potent weapons of attack, the Southern people will surely not withhold their encouragement from a work whose aim it shall be to strike blows in their defence. The MESSENGER will, as heretofore, present its readers with Reviews, Historical and Biographical Sketches, Novels, Tales, Travels, Essays, Poems, Critiques, and Papers on the Army, Navy, and other National Subjects. With a view to ensure a larger circulation of the MESSENGER, the Proprietors, though they intend greatly increasing the size of the work, have reduced the Price of Subscription, which is now only THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE, OR FOUR DOLLARS IF NOT PAID BEFORE THE FIRST OF JULY IN ANY YEAR CLUBS Remitting us Fifteen Dollars in one letter, will be entitled to Six Copies. The Editorial and Critical department of the Messenger will continue under the charge of JOHN R. THOMPSON, ESQ., And will embrace copious notes on current literature and reviews of all new American or Foreign works of general interest and value. The Editor's opinions will be always fearlessly and honestly avowed. The Business Department is conducted by the undersigned, to whom all communications of a business nature must be addressed. MACFARLANE, FERGUSSON & CO. Law Building, Franklin Street, Richmond, Va. JUNE 1, 1856. Booksellers, by ordering copies of the Messenger at once, shall receive it at greatly reduced prices. AGENTS.-Wm. F. Cook and Wm. F. Tebbs, are authorised to collect and receive the names of new subscribers for the Messenger in Virginia. Postmasters throughout the Union, are requested to act as Agents in getting subscribers for us, for which they will be allowed 12 per cent. for all monies remit ted to us. **Editors friendly to the Messenger, will please publish this Prospectus. |