the rights of man. Let those noble lessons be again restored, and our youth be indoctrinated with those same old generous impulses. This is bravely, yet not obtrusively done in this choice volume by its judicious compiler, furnishing a book that is a book, by a man that is a man.

There are in this volume, from the lips and pens of American orators, prose writers, and poets, some of the finest specimens of talent in the English language. Of the earlier writers Edwards, Ledyard, Franklin, Hamilton, Ames, and Dwight appear, not in the hackneyed selections which have become trite by repetition, but in draughts freshly drawn from the original fountains. Of late authors Brainard, Sands, Hillhouse, Cooper, Poe, and Percival. Of living writers, Irving, Everett, Bryant, Wayland, Prescott, Bethune, Willis, Longfellow, Whittier, Mrs. Stowe, and Lowell, are alone sufficient to show that we have a brilliant living literature. And the topics are worthy of the minds that treat them. Patriotism, peace, temperance, education, religion, are among the subjects that, inculcated by such minds, are leading on the age in the path of a glorious future.

(18.) “The Age; a Colloquial Satire. By JAMES PHILIP BAILEY, author of · Festus.'” (12mo., pp. 208. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1858.) Ebenezer Elliot said of Mr. Bailey's “ Festus,” that "it contains poetry enough to set up fifty poets.” It was, indeed, set to a high, bold strain, such as a true poet in the exuberance of a powerful young imagination could maintain. The present is the sport of his easier hours, very much in the tone of irony attributed to the Lucifer of bis “ Festus."

It is in the form of a dialogue between the author, a critic, and a friend, in which the leading topics of the day are discussed.

The author reads Britain a lecture upon her crimes and her consequent unfitness to rebuke the sins of other nations, and in the following couplet ingeniously presents the opposite poles of our American social system :

“Can we who once a good example gave
Taunt Uncle Sam with Uncle Tom his slave ?"

The following passage expounds the compendious mode of criticising a book :

CRITIC.

But now I think of it,

AUTHOR.

Why yes; I've brought
A trifling MS. which I hoped—I thought

CRITIO.

Thank ye. I've seen so many in my day;
In fact, I read but little any way,
And manuscript, I must say, least of all,
Young authors mostly write such wretched scrawl,
They might have been (so deems a mere outsider)
Taught penmanship by some demented spider,
Whose education had been so neglected,
That what his pupils proved might be expected.

AUTHOR.

I thought you read what you reviewed ?

CRITIC.

Sometimes,
When our opinion with the author's chimes.-Pp. 48, 49.

(19.) “Electron ; or, the Pranks of the Modern Puck. A Telegraphic Epic for the Times. By William C. RICHARDS." (12m0., pp. 84. New-York: Appleton & Co. 1858.) A work of considerable frolic, fancy, and graceful versification, founded upon a scientific subject. It is a gem of typographic beauty, and very suitably adorned upon its cover with a beautiful electrotypic design.

V.-Miscellaneous.

(20.) “Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.” (New York: James M. Edney. 1858.) This is a lithograph of all the bishops of the Church, South, since the separation. The venerable Soule occupies the center, with Early and Andrew on either side. Pierce, Kavanagh, and Paine occupy the summit, and the deceased Bascom and Capers, the base. This will be an acceptable piece to all interested in the annals and magnates of universal Methodism, or specially of the Church, South.

(21.) Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church.” Lithographed by Grozelier. (Boston: Franklin Rand. 1858.) Mr. Rand's handsome sheet presents the best collective “counterfeit presentment” of our venerated bishops yet extant. It is done in the finest style of lithograph, the likenesses are mostly excellent, and the whole is a very acceptable presentation to the friends of our honored Pastors General.

(22.) A full notice of Buckle's "History of Civilization” is postponed to the next number. Also of Minturn's “From New York to Delhi,” Dunlap's “Spirit-History of Man," and Professor Gesner Harrison's work on the “Greek Particles."

The following works have also been received, for notices of which we have not room:

(23.) “Memoir of Joseph Curtis, a Model Man. By Miss C. M. SEDGWICK." (18mo., pp. 200. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1858.)

(24.) “Christian Hope. By JOHN ANGELL JAMES." (18mo., pp. 333. New-York : Carter & Brother. 1858.)

VI.-Periodicals.

(25.) “The Knickerbocker; or, New York Magazine.” (New York: John A. Gray. 1858.) The accession to the editorial chair of Dr. J. O. Noyes, a name familiar and attractive to the readers of our National Magazine, furnishes us occasion to introduce this magazine to the notice of our readers. The Knickerbocker has now arrived at its fifty-second volume; and amid the rises, falls, and various mutations of countless ephemeral and changeable monthlies, it has held its onward way, preserving a certain willful individuality, as well as a characteristic physiognomy, giving token of a vitality and pertinacity quite its own. Its literature is pure, elevated, indigenous. It is not only a permanent, but nigh unto being a venerable institution-almost a Knickerbocker antiquity in our Knickerbocker city. We trust that the freshness, ambition, scholarship, and talent which will be brought to its pages by our young friend will in time make it not only almost but quite.

following notice of "The Harmony of the compendious mode of making magnificent Divine Dispensations," etc., by George acquaintances. Smith, LL.D., F.A.S., etc. London : Of the desiderata yet remaining in this Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans. beautiful art, the North British Review This is one of the most valuable works on thus subjectively speaks : theology we have met with for a long “Upon looking into the past history of tine. The views of the author are, many photography, it would be hazardous to of them, strikingly original. The work predict its future. But though we dare abounds with new ideas on the most im- not venture to shorten the arm of science, portant and vital parts of Divine truth, or limit its grasp, there are certain steps and is adapted to shed light on some of in advance which we may reasonably antithe most difficult passages of Scripture. cipate. Optical instruments are yet reThe author works out all his points with quired to represent on a plane the human great sobriety of judgment, and a con- face, without deforming its lines and stant appeal to the most learned and magnifying its imperfections. We still competent authorities. His object is to require & more sensitive tablet to perpetshow that one uniform system of revela- uate the tender expressions of domestic tion has prevailed from the beginning to life, and to fix the bolder lines of intellect the end, from the narrative of Genesis to and of passion which are displayed in the visions of the Apocalypse.”

the forum and in the senate. But above The Atlantic Telegraph, the topic of all all, we long to preserve the life-tints pens, tongues, and minds, creates an epoch of those we love ; to give to the ringlet 80 marked, that its inauguration must not its auburn, and to the eye its azure; to pass unnoticed in our Quarterly. So perpetuate the maiden blush, and to respowerful yet so silent a revolution ! Like cue from oblivion even the hectic flush the printing-press, the telegraph is one of from which we are so soon to part." those achievements in material mechan- Continue your course down Broadway, ism that mount into the sphere of moral and a few steps (there is but a step from interests, and work rare results in the the æsthetical to the economical) will realms of thought and the sphere of bring you to WHEELER & Wilson's exhisociety. We delight little in external bition of the wonders of the magic neeshows and excitements; we have an over- dle. Nor let it be for one moment sup powering tendency to sheer the huzzaing posed that an exploit so apparently humcrowd; but for once we profess a sterling ble as the solution of the problem of the sympathy with banners, illuminations, lock-stitch, or the rotary loop-hook, is and cheers, to celebrate a victory, not of unworthy to be mentioned on the same one foraying army over another, but a page with the Atlantic telegraph. These victory of our common humanity over the simpler inventions may present no oceanobstacles of crude nature. There is

wide sublimity; they may occasion no something so simple and unpretending in international celebrations; but the personal presence of Oersted, of Morse, gently and tenderly, they spread a unique and of Field, that it is hard for the popu- delight through a million of happy homes. lar mind to hail them as heroes; yet So beautiful, so cunning, so working its heroes they are of purer triumphs than rapid exploits with a delicate witchcraft, the sword can ever win.

the SEWING MACHINE does not indeed The genius of Brady has brought to leave a step between the æsthetical and an unrivalled practical perfection the economical; for in form it may be a kindred art of Photography. Stop, vis- parlor ornament, and, in fact, it makes itor of our metropolis, at his magnificent needlework one of the fine arts. Our fair gallery on Broadway, which you will find ones say that there is a fascination about courteously open to your inspection, the thing that transforms task to amuseenriched with the most perfect specimens

Men might as well peal huzzas of his amazing art. Likenesses the most and light up illuminations over this inaccurate, taken from the living original, vention too, which makes happy the you will there find, of our statesmen, hearts that are to men most dear. merchants, literati, and clergy. It is a

more

ment.

INDEX