Слике страница
PDF
ePub

11.-St. Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians: an Attempt to Convey their Spirit and Significance. By JOHN HAMILTON THOM. 12mo., pp. 400. Boston: Crosby & Nichols.

All scholars and deep students are warned off from these pages. They are designed for the unlearned; for those who desire religious truth with simplicity, sincerity, and love. The author belongs to that class known as liberal Christians, and while he displays in his annotations of Paul's Epistle all that depth of thought and elegance of diction, peculiar to his brethren, yet he has farther advanced than is usual, into a field which is often comparatively overlooked. He not only believes, but feels that it is through the heart alone man can sympathize with whatever exists behind the veil ; that the feelings of the heart are the ultimate source of all thought and all action; that love and its kindred affections only, constitute all that is immortal of the acquisitions of man on earth.

12.-The Two Families: an Episode in the History of Chapelton. By the author of Rose Douglas. 12mo., pp. 261. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Some very agreeable and pleasing scenes will be found in these pages, and the whole work is written with much strength and force. But there are several of the characters strongly depicted which are destitute of any attraction whatever. Indeed they are such that scarcely a reader can desire their acquaintance. These are blemishes which seriously mar what might have been made, with a little modification, a very attractive tale.

13.-The Howadji in Syria. By GEO. WM. CURTIS. 12mo., pp. 304. New York: Harper & Brothers.

There may be some readers who will be pleased with this work. The author is happy in the selection of his language, which is generally the most mellow and soft words. The order of their arrangement is less harmonious, and often made at the expense of the thought, which should never be done. There are many pleasing and agreeable passages, but nothing which the reader will call "downright good." The effort to polish and finish is glaring all over, and often there is a far-fetchedness in the thoughts, an absence of that truthful and natural adaptation to the subject which is requisite to agreeable reading of every kind. It is, in other respects, a work of much better taste than most writers possess, though art has done more than nature here. We do not desire to deter any reader from a book which he ought to possess, and which is worth far more than the mere cost. It belongs to a peculiar and difficult department of composition, and we have examined it as such.

14.—The British Colonies; their History, Extent, Condition, and Resources. By R. M. MARTIN. Part 38. New York: John Tallis & Co.

A finely executed portrait of Sir Ralph Abercromby embellishes this number. In its pages the history of the colony of Cape Town during the year 1814 is continued. 15.-Tallis's Scripture Natural History for Youth. Part 13. 18mo. New York: John Tallis & Co.

It contains sixteen colored and finely executed plates of birds which are mentioned in scripture, accompanied with a very interesting and instructive outline of their natural history.

16.-The Illustrated Atlas and Modern History of the World. By R. M. Martin. Part 47. New York: John Tallis & Co.

This part contains a beautiful engraving of the city of Edinburg, and some additional pages of the Index Gazetteer. We have often expressed our gratification at the elegant execution of these maps.

17-Lillian and other Poems. By W. MACKWORTH PRAED. Now first collected. 12mo., pp. 290. New York: J. S. Redfield.

It is a very unusual circumstance in these days that the author of poems of so much merit as these, should never attempt the task of their collection from the ephemeral publications in which they have first appeared. On the contrary, the labor has been done in this country for an English poet who was far too careless of his reputation. The contents of the volume consist of numerous pieces, some of which are of considerable length, and others are quite brief. They possess a delicate sensibility and a richness of fancy intermingled often with a tone of sadness which imparts to them an intense charm,

[ocr errors]

The Book Trade.

18.-The Life and Letters of Barthold George Niebuhr, with Essays on his Character and Influence. By CHEVALIER BUNSEN and PROFESSORS BRANDIS and LORBELL. 12mo., pp. 563. New York: Harper & Brothers.

A large portion of this work consists of letters, and extracts of letters, by Niebuhr. It is not a selection from his learned and general correspondence, but simply biographical. It aims to communicate whatever can throw light upon the natural capacities and dispositions of this distinguished man; his mental development, his studies, his art and literature, his profound sympathies, and, not less, his faults and weaknesses. Much is also presented respecting his public career; perhaps to as great an extent as was possible, while such a mass of his memorials, dispatches, and valuble collections of letters remain inaccessible to the public.

19.--The Legislative Guide; containing all the Rules for conducting Business in Congress; Jefferson's Manual and the Citizen's Manual, including a concise System of Rules of Order, founded on Congressional Proceedings, with copious Notes and Marginal References, explaining the Rules and the Authority therefor; designed to economize Time and secure Uniformity in the Proceedings of all Deliberative Assemblies, and also to meet the Wants of every private Citizen who desires to understand the right way to transact public business. By J. B. BURLEIGH, LL. D. 8vo., pp. 287. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co.

The title of this work amply explains the fullness of its contents. Something of this kind seems to be required, which shall serve as a standard authority upon the order of proceedings in all public assemblies. This is the only work with which we are acquainted that is worthy to fill such a position.

20.-The Solar System: A Descriptive Treatise upon the Sun, Moon, and Planets. including an Account of all recent Discoveries. By J. R. HIND, Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society. 12mo., pp. 198. New York: G. P. Putnam.

A series of works on popular and practical science is one of the features of PutDam's Popular Library; and this volume is the first of that series. It is admirably adapted to present the reader, within a small compass, with a view of the present state of astronomical science, embracing the recent discoveries in astronomy, and its last results.

21.-The Temperance Tales.

By LUCIUS M. SARGENT. New Illustrated Edition.

2 vols. in one, 12mo., pp. 632. Boston: John P. Jewett.

The temperance tales of Mr. Sargent were among the earliest productions devoted to the progress of that movement, and bave become familiar as "household words." They were prepared for the purpose of doing good, and, we believe, it is universally acknowledged that they have been eminently successful in that respect. Hundreds of thousands have already been scattered over the earth. Editions have been published in England, Scotland, and Botany Bay, at Madras, and in South India; and several of the tales have been translated into the German and other European languages. The present edition comprises the whole series, and is, perhaps, the best edition that has yet been published of these standard tales.

22. On the Study of Words. By R. D. FRENCH, B. D. From the second London
Edition. 12mo., pp. 286. New York: J. S. Redfield.

These lectures on the study of words were prepared under the conviction on the part of the author, that there were many words in our language, which in their origin, changes, and present use, presented historical facts extremely interesting and instructive. A considerable number of such words treated in a suitable manner to illustrate this conviction form the contents of the volume. The reader will soon be convinced of the correctness of these views, and find in those pages much that is useful and interesting relative to many words and synonyms.

23.-Revolutionary Memorials, Embracing Poems by the Rev. W. Wheeler Case, Published in 1778, with an Appendix Containing Burgoyne's Proclamation in Burlesque, &c., &e. Edited by STEPHEN DODD. 12mo., pp. 69. New York: M.

W. Dodd.

This is a new edition of poetic pieces published in Revolutionary times. Of course they breath the spirit of the day. Their poetic merit is inconsiderable, but as illustrative of seventy-six, they are curious and striking.

24.-Nights in a Block-House; or Sketches of Border Life: Embracing Adventures Among the Indians, Tents of the Wild Hunters, and Exploits of Border Heroes of the West. By HENRY O. WATSON. With numerous Illustrations. 8vo., pp. 448. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co.

The plan of this work is such as to unite the interest of the novel with the usefulness of history. Under this freedom the author describes, in most glowing terms, individual adventures among the Indians of the West. True in their general outlines and their more important features, they are sketched with a liveliness of fancy and a fullness of spirit, which is wanting in the mere historical description. The reader can here obtain a better idea of Western life in those early days, than if they were written with more tameness. He can scarcely fail to be interested in all parts of this volume.

25.-Heroines of History. Illustrated. Edited by MARY E. HEWETT. 12mo., pp. 325. New York: Cornish & Lamport.

The design of this volume is to present within moderate limits, sketches of the lives of women rendered illustrious by their heroism and virtues. Its list contains the names of Semiramis, Nictoris, Zenobia, Boadicea, Berengeria, Laura, Joan of Arc, Isabella of Castile, Ann Bolyn, Lady Jane Grey, &c., comprising sixteen in all. The sketches, which are spirited, are chiefly personal, brief, and interesting. They are each accompanied with a portrait executed with more than ordinary skill and taste. 26.-Researches Respecting Americus Vespucius and his Voyages, By VISCOUNT SANTUREM, Ex-Prime Minister of Portugal. Translated by E. V. CHILDE. 12.mo., pp. 221. Boston: Little & Brown.

This work is from an intelligent and accomplished source, whatever the author may be politically at home; and the reader will quickly become enlisted in its investigations. They relate to many important particulars in the life of an ancient navigator, which have lost none of their interest through the lapse of time.

27.-Ixion and other Poems. By HARVEY HUBBARD. 12mo., pp. 165. Boston Ticknor, Reed & Fields.

The poems flow from a highly cultivated, artistic pen. The reader will find in them much that is polished and skillfully said, with many nice conceptions and pleasing fancies. But they possess few traces of that fine poetic faney which stamps the great poet; or that exuberance of soul which mellows all that fancy paints or imagination conceives.

28.-The Approaching Crisis: Being a Review of Dr. Bushnell's recent Lectures on Supernaturalism. By ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS. 8vo., pp. 221. New York: Published by the Author.

In these pages the author has endeavored to meet the question of Rationalism or Supernaturalism, which he regards as the great one of the day. He plants himself upon that sense of repugnance, which a large portion of mankind entertain toward the extreme views of an antiquated theology. Regarding this repugnance as the true voice of mankind, he proceeds to examine the views and doctrines of Supernaturalism. There is great vigor, energy, and clearness in this thought, with a directness and force that carry their peculiar weight with them.

29.-A Biographical and Critical Dictionary of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors, and Architects. From Ancient to Modern Times; with the Monograms, Ciphers, and Molds used by Distinguished Artists to Certify their Works. By Rev. S. SPOONER, A. B. M. D. 8vo., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. New York: G. P. Putnam.

In ten numbers this work will be completed. The extent and variety of its contents is apparent from the title. One wonders how it is pos-ible for an individual so fully and completely to investigate so extensive a field. This is, however, explained by the author in his statement, that he has devoted to it his leisure for twenty years. His aim has been to give the cream of the whole history of the fine arts in such a form that all can afford to buy and read. The biographical notices are no less instructive than interesting; particularly in the department filled by the ancients. American art is also carefully and extensively noticed; on the whole the lover of the arts will be greatly pleased with this work.

30.—The Art Journal for May and June. New York: George Virtue.

These two numbers contain some very fine engravings. "The Mother," in the June number is executed with great skill and is a fine display of art. "Juliet and the Nurse," is poorly done: "Crossing the Ford," in the May number is well designed: "The Sea-shore in Holland," is quite picturesque and striking. The smaller cuts and engravings are chiefly well executed specimens of art in former days. The text is unusually full in its descriptions of works of art, and is quite instructive as well as entertaining.

31.-Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare. Parts 42 & 43. New York: S. Spooner,

No. 42 contains an engraving of a scene in the third Act of Henry VIII. and another from the fifth Act in Coriolonus. They are better done than usual; the persons are numerous and their persons and postures are natural, and their countenances expressive of much fine sentiment. In the next part the engravings represent a scene in the fourth Act of Timon of Athens, and in the fourth Act of Titus Andronicus. These are good, but, perhaps inferior in expression to those of the previous number. 32.-Memoir of Rev. Stephen B. Smith. By T. J. SAWYER. 12mo., pp. 423. Boston: Abel Tompkins.

This is a biography of an active, laborious, and resolute man, who rose to high influence and distinction among the Universalist denomination of Christians.

33.-Cosmos: A Sketch of a Physical Description of the Universe. By ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLT. Translated from the German by E. L. Otte & B. H. Paul. Vol 4, 12mo., pp. 234. New York: Harper & Bros.

The work of this eminent man, has been, in parts, so long before the public that it has become well known and justly esteemed. This is the fourth and latest volume now re-printed for the first time in this country by the Messrs. Harper.

34.-Graces and Powers of the Christian Life. By A. D. MAYO. 12mo., pp. 250. Boston: Abel Tompkins.

It is good to turn away from the dry and barren skeleton of theology which is on all sides forced upon the gaze of the public, to a work like this which has flesh and blood and sinews and life. It contains, to a large degree, the spirit of Christianity with its peculiar geniality and richness, and buoyancy, and happiness, and is worth hundreds of massive tomes of the usual character. It is written in good taste and in a cultivated style.

35.-Biographical Literaria: or Biographical Sketches of my Literary Life and Opinions. By SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE. Fom the second London edition, prepared for publication, in part, by the late Henry Nelson Coleridge; completed and and published by his widow. Large 12mo., pp. 802. New York: Wm. Gowans, Of all the works of Coleridge, this is the one that has proved most acceptable to the public, and which presented the fullest and most correct idea of the man himself. His conversation, his opinions on literary men and subjects, brief essays, &c., will be here presented in a very agreeable and instructive manner. Much credit is due to the publisher for bringing out this valuable work and for the tasteful manner in which it has been done.

36.-The Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art, Exhibiting the most Important Discoveries and Improvements of the Past Year, in Mechanics and the Useful Arts; Natural Philosophy, Electricity, Chemistry, Zoology and Botany, Geology and Geography, Meteorology and Astronomy. By JOHN TIMBS. 12mo., pp. 327. Philadelphia: A. Hart.

Every one who is interested in science or its progress, will place a peculiar value upon this volume. It is a history of science during the past year. It embraces every invention and discovery of importance, and these are described in brief and comprehensive terms.

37.-Falkland; a Novel. By Sir E. L. BULWER. 8vo., pp. 99. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson.

38.-Remorse, and other Tales. By G. P. R. JAMES. 8vo., pp. 134. New York: Bunce & Brothers.

[blocks in formation]

CONTENTS OF NO. II., VOL. XXVII.

[blocks in formation]

II. COMMERCIAL CITIES AND TOWNS OF THE UNITED STATES.-No. XXXIII.-NEW YORK. By E. HALE, Jr., of New York........

158

III. THE LAW FOR THE COMPUTATION OF INTEREST...

169

IV. OUR METALLIC CURRENCY. BY GEORGE TUCKER, of Pennsylvania....................... 174
V. THE LAW OF PROGRESS IN THE RELATIONS OF CAPITAL AND LABOR. By
E. P. SMITH, Esq., of New York...

178

VI. THE NAVAL DRY DOCKS OF THE UNITED STATES..

187

VII. QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE THEORY OF STORMS. BY ROBERT HARE, Esq., of Pennsylvania.........

191

[blocks in formation]

203

205

Action of covenant when on an award of referees..

Credit obtained for goods by alleged fraud..

COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW:

EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC., ILLUSTRA

TED WITH TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS:

General activity in commercial affairs-Rapid increase in the amount of stocks and bonds thrown upon the market-New Orleans consolidated loan-Continued ease in the money-market-Quarterly returns of the New York banks-General Banking Law of Connecticut-Deposits and coinage at United States Mints for June-Commerce of the United States for the fiscal year-Laws of trade better than human legislation, illustrated by the regular supply of the necessaries of life-Imports at New York for the fiscal year-Comparative imports of dry goods for the same period, showing the description of fabrics received-Comparative receipts of cash duties for three years-Exports from New York for the fiscal year-Comparative exports of leasing articles of produce-Fraudulent associations... 206-215 10

VOL. XXVII-NO. II.

« ПретходнаНастави »