(16.) "Historical View of the Languages and Literature of the Slavic Nations; with a Sketch of their Popular Poetry, by TALVJ, with a Preface by Edward Robinson, D. D., LL. D., &c." (New-York: G. P. Putnam, 1850, 12mo., pp. 412.) A work like this should not be despatched in a mere notice. Nor, indeed, are we prepared to characterize it with any critical judgment. We receive it as we would receive first tidings from a newly-discovered land; so few and so unsatisfactory have been our sources of information with regard to the intellectual culture, the languages and the literature " of a population amounting to nearly or quite seventy millions-or more than three times as great as that of the United States." There is good reason to believe that the whole race spoke in ancient times only one language-but where, and when, cannot be decided. But different dialects of this tongue are the modes of human speech in that vast region of the earth's surface reaching from Kamschatka to the Elbe, and from the Frozen Ocean to the Adriatic. To most of our readers, doubtless, as to ourselves, the literature of these central regions of the old world has been heretofore a terra incognita. It can be so no longer. The work before us, modestly offered as a mere "sketch or outline," is more valuable to us just now than a repertory would be,—indeed, it is a repertory, most conveniently arranged too, of rare and strange things. The author has had opportunities for the preparation of such a work not before enjoyed, to our knowledge, by any writer in the English language,several years' residence in Russia, with subsequent advantages for an "extensive study of the Servian dialect and its budding literature." That these advantages were well used, the book before us affords ample proof. We now commend it earnestly to our readers, as opening a new and rich mineand shall ourselves seek to return to it at an early day.

(17.) ONE of the most attractive works for children and youth that we have seen for a long time is "The Three Royal Magi, or The Journey to Bethlehem, translated, altered, &c., by C. E. BLUMENTHAL, A. M., Professor of Hebrew and Modern Languages in Dickinson College." (Philadelphia: Henry Perkins: 18mo., pp. 192.) It is a beautiful apologue, founded upon the visit of the wise men to Bethlehem, under the guidance of the star, and their worship of the infant Saviour. Much license is used in the framing of the story, but the spirit is that of a pure, child-like trust in the "oracles of God." We read it some time ago with great pleasure; and are now glad to see it in a translation which, in many respects, is an improvement of the original.

(18.) MR. ABBOTT's series of Histories has established itself so fully in the esteem of the public, that little more is required of us than to chronicle its successive issues. The last, and in some respects the best, is the "History of Cyrus the Great," (18mo., pp. 289: Harper & Brothers.) The subject is full of interest for young readers, and Mr. Abbott has thrown even more than his usual life and spirit into the narrative. This series of books is admirably adapted for school readings.

(19.) A NEW edition of "Facts and Evidences on the Subject and Mode of Christian Baptism, by C. TAYLOR, Editor of Calmet's Dictionary," has lately been published. (New-York: M. W. Dodd, 12mo., pp. 236.) The book is fragmentary rather than scientific, but contains a great deal of information on the general subject.

(20.) IN a former number we furnished our readers with an extended review of Lynch's "Expedition to the Dead Sea." The work has met with unexampled success: and the publishers have now issued it in cheap form, under the title of "Narrative of the United States' Expedition to the River Jordan and the Dead Sea, condensed edition." (Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 12mo., pp. 332.) The reading matter of this edition is nearly the same as that of the larger one; and it contains a carefully reduced map.

(21.) MESSRS. APPLETONS have sent us a neat duodecimo volume of Selections of French Poetry for the use of Schools, under the title of " Choix de Poésies pour les Jeunes Personnes, par Mme. A. CoUTON." (12mo., pp. 329.) As far as we are able to judge, the selection is made with taste and judgment.

(22.) "Elements of Chemistry, for the Use of Schools, by JOHN JOHNSTON, M. A., Professor of Natural Science in the Wesleyan University." (Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait, & Co., 12mo., pp. 383.) This book is intended for elementary instruction in schools, and is, in part, an abridgment of the author's larger work, which has been so generally introduced into the American colleges. It is characterized by clearness of statement, and by judicious discrimination in the choice of topics and in the extent of their discussion. It is brought up to the latest improvements of the science, and will take its place at once, we should think, as the text-book for use in the better class of schools and academies.

(23.) THE Hungarian revolution is yet in many respects unintelligible. Perhaps the time has not yet come for a clear and just account of it. A contribution to its outside history is afforded in "Outlines of the Prominent Circumstances attending the Hungarian Struggle, by JOHANN PRAGAY.” (New-York: G. P. Putnam, 1850. 12mo., pp. 176.) The writer was a colonel and adjutant-general in the Hungarian army, under Kossuth, and therefore had good opportunities, not only of knowing the facts, but also of understanding the principles involved in the struggle. Much interest is added to the work by an appendix, containing a series of brief biographical sketches of the leading statesmen and generals who took part in the revolution.

(24.) WE are glad to see that John Angell James' " Earnest Ministry,” which we noticed at some length in a former number, has reached a fourth American edition. (New-York: M. W. Dodd, 12mo., pp. 298.)

(25.) MESSRS. HARPERS have republished "Cosmos: a Sketch of a Physical Description of the Universe, by ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT :" (2 vols. 12mo., 1850.) The translation adopted is that of Otté, which has some advantages over Mr. Sabine's, especially in presenting the original work complete, in offering some additional notes, and in giving English equivalents of weights and measures. To attempt to characterize the work itself in a mere notice would be folly. Bunsen styles it the "great work of the age," and as a condensation of the wisdom of a man who has been for more than half a century observing nature, with powers of observation rarely granted to a mortal, it is well deserving of the title.

(26.) "The Letters of Junius" are about the only political pamphlets which may be said to be necessary to every library. Mr. Bohn, of London, has lately issued, as part of his "Standard Library," the first volume of an edition, which will probably be the best, as it is certainly the cheapest, that has yet appeared. It contains the Letters by the same writer under other signatures, his confidential correspondence with Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Woodfall. It is, in fact, a reprint of Woodfall's complete edition, with careful revision, and some additions by the present editor, Mr. John Wade. The second volume will attempt to set at rest the question of the authorship of Junius, and will also contain some additional matter from the manuscripts of the late Sir Harris Nicholas.

(27.) MR. BOHN has also published, in his "Scientific Library," a translation of HUMBOLDT'S Ansichten der Natur, under the title of " Views of Nature: or, Contemplations on the Sublime Phenomena of Creation; with scientific illustrations, translated by E. C. Otté and Henry G. Bohn." (12mo., pp. 452.) In the preface to the third German edition, (from which the present is translated,) the venerable and world-renowned author says: "In my eightieth year I have the gratification of completing a third edition of my work, and entirely remoulding it to suit the wants of the age. I have indulged a hope of stimulating the study of nature, by compressing into the smallest possible compass the numerous results of careful inquiry into many interesting subjects, with a view to check the dogmatic smattering and fashionable skepticism which have too long prevailed in the so-called higher circles of society." For this task no living man is so well prepared, both by personal observation and by immense knowledge. The work (with all the excellent books in Mr. Bohn's libraries) can always be had of Messrs. Bangs, Platt, & Co., New-York.

(28.) "Mahomet and his Successors, by WASHINGTON IRVING." (Vol. II. New-York, G. P. Putnam: 12mo., pp. 500.) This second volume traces the progress of the Moslem dominion from the death of Mahomet, A. D. 622, to the invasion of Spain, A. D. 710,-a period of less than ninety years,—within which "the Moslems extended their empire and their faith over the wide regions of Asia and Africa, subverting the empire of the Khosius; subjugating

great territories in India; establishing a splendid seat of power in Syria; dietating to the conquered kingdom of the Pharaohs; overrunning the whole northern coast of Africa; scouring the Mediterranean with their ships; carrying their conquests in one direction to the very walls of Constantinople, and in another to the extreme limits of Mauritania; in a word, trampling down all the old dynasties which once held haughty and magnificent sway in the East.” The subject is one admirably adapted to Irving's genius; and he has wrought it into a most pleasing and instructive narrative for all readers. The work would be the better for an Index.

(29.) A NUMBER of new Sunday-school books, of high merit, have appeared during the quarter, under the editorship of Rev. D. P. Kidder, (published by Lane & Scott, 200 Mulberry-street.) Among them are "The Atmosphere and Atmospherical Phenomena, by T. DICK, LL. D." Compilations of this class have made Dr. Dick's name famous; and the present is a very judicious one. It sets forth (in Part I.) the nature, properties, and beneficial effects of the Atmosphere in the system of nature; and (in Part II.) of the various atmospheric phenomena,-clouds, winds, meteors, &c.-Another very timely work is "The Life of Ulric Zwingle, the Swiss Reformer, by Rev. D. Wise,” (18mo., pp. 227.) A compact life of this great reformer has long been wanted, and Mr. Wise has done the work very judiciously. The "Sunday-Scholar's Mirror" is beautifully bound, with gilt edges, (18mo., pp. 288.). Our readers who are acquainted with this work, know that it abounds in attractive and useful reading for children.-"Be Diligent" is a pretty piece of biography, illustrating the maxim which forms its title, (18mo., pp. 107.)—“ Work to Do," (18mo., pp. 73,) is an account of a lazy and wicked boy who became diligent and pious. It lays down the lesson that we must not only be willing to work, but "to do the right kind of work, the work that God appoints."-Another small and very neat 18mo. of the same class, is "Written Pictures; or, Short Talks to Young People, by a Teacher."-—Of a larger class is a very excellent sketch of the history of " The Crusades," (18mo., pp. 224,) a reprint of one of the valuable publications of the London Religious Tract Society.

(30.) WE have just received a copy of a new record of Missionary labours and successes, entitled, "Friendly and Feejee Islands: a Missionary Visit to various Stations in the South Seas, in the Year 1847, by Rev. WALTER LAWRY." (London, 12mo., pp. 303.) The work is edited by Rev. ELIJAH HOOLE, one of the secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. Mr. Lawry is the General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Society's Missions in New-Zealand, and Visitor of the Missions in the Friendly Islands and Feejee Islands.

This Missionary, now truly venerable by age and services, proceeded to New South Wales in the year 1817, with the hope of communicating religious instruction to the settlers and convicts, and to the native inhabitants of that country. In 1820 he was appointed to commence a Mission in the Friendly

Islands; he found an opportunity of proceeding to Tonga, or, as it is often called, Tonga-tabu, in June, 1822; and he remained on the island exposed to many privations, and to dangers and anxieties innumerable, until November, 1823, when he returned to New South Wales.

After an absence of nearly twenty-five years, he has again had an opportunity of visiting the Friendly Islands, now no longer idolatrous and uncivilized, but converted to the faith of Christ; and the interest of the Journal, now first published separate and entire, is greatly heightened by the remarkable contrast he witnessed in the character and state of the people when compared with their savage and Pagan condition. The account he gives of the remarkable power of Gospel truth among the miserable savages inhabiting the Feejee Islands is full of interest. The work is illustrated by a number of wood-cuts, and by a map of the Feejee and Friendly Islands in the South Pacific, which is pronounced by Mr. Hoole to be the most perfect one yet published, having been corrected by Captain Buck, who has added the results of his own observations to the valuable information furnished by Commodore Wilkes, who surveyed the islands for the government of the United States of America.” An Appendix gives notices of the political constitution, population, productions, manners, customs, and mythology of the people, and of the state of religion among them.

(31.) MESSRS. LANE & SCOTT have issued a third edition of DR. DIXON'S "Personal Narrative of a Tour through a part of the United States and Canada: with Notices of the History and Institutions of Methodism in America,” containing the FIFTH PART, which was omitted in the former American editions. This omission was thought to be amply justified by the fact, that, out of the 106 pages which that Part contained, between 80 and 90 consisted of extracts from American documents. But additional reasons were not wanting. From Dr. Dixon's own statements, as well as from the whole tenor of his quotations, it is apparent that he was not in a position to write intelligently upon the subject. His reading has been confined, almost entirely, to one side of the question, and the result is as might have been expected. It appears that he had never seen even the Journal of the General Conference of 1844 when he wrote, and knew nothing of any documents bearing on the question, except such as the compilers of the "History of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South," chose to incorporate in that work!

"Memorials

(32.) WE had intended to give a somewhat extended article on of Prison Life, by Rev. James B. Finley," (Cincinnati, Swormstedt & Power, 12mo., pp. 350,) but find ourselves reluctantly compelled to omit it. It must suffice now to say, that although the work professes to be little more than a simple narrative of facts, we have gathered from it as much light upon the true principles of prison discipline as from any single volume we have ever read. We commend it to our readers, moreover, as a book the interest of which never flags from the beginning to the end. (For sale by Lane & Scott.)