in not finding it re-published in this country. It is in Hood's best style, full of life and humor, of descriptions of character, and of dialogue taken fresh from the original, and irresistibly mirthful. This semi-monthly library of Mr. Putnam is admirably suited to American uses, and we hope it will find a sufficiently large sale to make it remunerative.

The Household of Sir Thomas More. Libellus a Margareta More, quindecim annos nata, Chelseiae inceptus. New-York: Charles Scribner, 145 Nassau-street. 1852. 12mo. Pp. 174.

Another book in the style of the "Diary of Lady Willoughby" and the "Life of Mary Powell," and nowise inferior to its predecessors. In the form of a journal, professedly written by his daughter in the old English diction, it unfolds the daily, domestic, literary and official life of the great English chancellor, and illustrates those eminent private and public virtues, and especially that inflexible adherence to truth, which finally cost him his life. The book is in the best, and we may say, the truest style of fiction; we get from it the most life-like conceptions of the character and the life of Sir Thomas More; we love him for his simplicity and warm sympathies in the family and in social life, and we honor and revere his stern integrity and heroic devotion to truth and duty. Prefixed to this American edition is a sketch of Sir Thomas' life, taken from Lodge's "Portraits of Illustrious Personages of Great Britain.”

The Solar System; a Descriptive Treatise upon the Sun, Moon and Planets, including an Account of all the Recent Discoveries. By J. RUSSELL HIND, Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society of London, &c. New-York: G. P. Putnam. 1852.

This is the first volume of a series projected by Mr. Putnam, intended to embody attractive treatises by competent writers, and entitled "Popular and Practical Science." It is not a scientific treatise on astronomy, but aims to furnish the latest information on all points connected with the solar system, for the use of the numerous readers who are unable to pursue a regular study of the principles of the science. In this volume are described the sun, moon and planets; but it is the author's intention to apply the same method in subsequent volumes to comets and meteors, and to the stars and nebulæ.

History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent. By GEORGE BANCROFT. Vol. IV. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1852.

It requires careful study fully to appreciate the merits and defects of Mr. Bancroft as a historian. We frankly confess, that our first impressions were not favorable. There seemed to be a certain vagueness of thought and corresponding faults of style; but a more familiar acquaintance with the earlier volumes has convinced us that he is entitled to the credit of patient research and general impartiality. Upon the whole, his history of the colonization of this country is the best which has been written, and we have awaited with anxiety the first volume of the "History of the Revolution." This volume is in all respects a decided improvement upon its predecessors; the style is better; it has been chastened without losing any of its vigor and eloquence. The narrative is better; it is more con

densed and clearer. The whole spirit of the work is wiser. Time and study have touched with healing power a strong tendency to theorize, and are bringing a man of fine genius and great learning to the safe anchorage of experience. We shall, in a future number, examine this volume more carefully.

The Antigone of Sophocles, with Notes, for the use of Colleges in the United States. By THEODORE D. WOOLSEY, President of Yale College. New Edition. Revised. 1851.

In preparing a new edition of this play, President Woolsey has carefully consulted all the recent works which throw any light on the subject, and has presented in the smallest space, and the most lucid manner, everything which can be expected in a work of this kind. In the estima tion of some persons, it might have seemed desirable, at the present stage of classical learning in our country, to render more assistance to the learner by way of translation; but the editor has evidently considered not so much what is demanded as what is needed; not so much what would be popular as what would be useful; and he has consequently produced a work which must necessarily have the effect to raise the standard of scholarship wherever it is used. We can safely say, that no commentary on this play, which has ever been published in England or Germany, presents in so convenient a form all the literary topics which the subject naturally suggests, combined with so much critical and sound learning.

The Manual of Scientific Discovery: or, Year-book of Facts in Science and Art, for 1852, etc., etc. Edited by DAVID A. WELLS, A. M. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1852. 12mo. Pp. 408.

We had prepared a full notice of this valuable book for our April number, but it was crowded out by other matter, and has since been mislaid and lost. But it is not too late to commend it as a most instructive volume, and worthy the attention, not merely of the scientific, but of all who are interested in those many useful inventions and discoveries which give a peculiar character to the present age. This is the third of a series which is to be continued from year to year. The editor has executed his task with intelligence and skill, and has put on record, in permanent form, the most important results which have been reached in the various departments of scientific research during the past year. Such an enterprise deserves the amplest success.

The Glory of Christ, illustrated in his Character and History, including the Last Things of his Mediatorial Government. By GARDINER SPRING, author of the "Attractions of the Cross," etc., etc. 2 vols. 8vo. New-York : Published by M. W. Dodd, Brick Church Chapel, opposite City Hall. 1852.

These volumes, intended by their venerable author as a counterpart to his last work, entitled "First Things," discuss, in a series of chapters, along with the Last Things of Christ's Mediatorial Government, the chief topics pertaining to the personal history and ministry of our Lord. There is something most delightful and impressive in the spectacle of a Christian minister, who has long and faithfully labored in the service of the church, devoting all the gathered results of his studies and matured experience, and

giving (as is touchingly said in the preface of this work) perhaps his "last service" to the illustration of the great theme of the glory of his Divine Master. From such lips, discoursing on such a theme, we feel a grateful certainty that we may receive enduring lessons of heavenly wisdom, and fresh incentives to Christian diligence. The greatest practical truths of Christianity, and the obligations and inducements to a godly life, we find here set forth, and urged with a clearness and force, and with the earnestness and warmth which belong to a tried faith and a genuine and active piety. We have read especially, with great interest, the chapter on "Christ as a Preacher," and should be glad, if we had room, to enrich our pages with some of its admirable passages, which illustrate this office of Him who was a great teacher as well as the High Priest of our profession. The whole chapter may be made a most useful practical lecture in Homiletics for all who would learn to be wise in winning souls. These volumes seem to us eminently worthy the profound attention of all Christian readers. We have only to add that the appointments of type, paper and printing, are in excellent taste, and make the book very attractive.

Hungary in 1851; with an Experience of the Austrian Police. By CHARLES LORING BRACE. New-York: Charles Scribner, 145 Nassau-street. 1852. 12mo. Pp. 419.

The experience and fortunes of Mr. Brace are so familiar to the public that this book will find many readers; and the high expectation s entertained of it will not, we think, be disappointed by its perusal. Mr. Brace writes like a straightforward, earnest man, who has observed and reflected for himself, and is honestly disposed, as he tells us in his very manly preface, to furnish an unvarnished narrative of facts. We have been struck with the air of candor and sincerity which pervades the book; most men would have felt and betrayed much more bitterness in speaking of the Austrian police, after having gone through with such a sharp and annoying experience of its detestable surveillance. The book is full of direct, and, we doubt not, most reliable information concerning Hungary and the Hungarians. The author traversed the country, visited not merely the cities and large towns, but the retired hamlets and villages, and everywhere made it his object to observe narrowly the condition and character of the masses of the people. He has recorded the most favorable impressions of the national character of the Hungarians, and considers them not only a manly and gallant nation, but also eminently fond of freedom, and practically educated for it. The book is fitted to give most definite conceptions both of the country and the people, abounding in lively description of scenery, and of national manners and customs, and in detailed accounts of the cause and character of the recent struggle of the Hungarians with Austria, and of their prospects and resources.

Course of the History of Modern Philosophy. By M. VICTOR COUSIN. Translated by O. W. WIGHT. In two volumes. 8vo. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. 1852.

Some parts of the above work of Cousin have been already for many years accessible to English readers; they appeared when the brilliant French philosopher was in the first freshness of his fame, and when the enthusiasm awakened in Paris by his lectures and writings began to prevail in certain literary circles in this country. The "Introduction to the History of Philosophy" was translated by Dr. Linberg, and published in Boston in 1832

Not long after, the third volume of the original work, which embraces a large part of the second of the above volumes, was translated by Dr. Henry, of New-York, and published under the title of " Elements of Psychology. But the present work of Mr. Wight is the first translation of the whole of Cousin's "Course of the History of Modern Philosophy;" and its appearance will, doubtless, be welcome not only to the admirers of the author of that celebrated course of lectures, but to all readers who are interested in philosophical studies. Open as is the system of Cousin to the gravest objections, yet, as an expositor and historian of philosophy, its founder well deserves the high reputation he has won. As we now read these lectures, though in another language than that in which they were delivered, and mark the wide range of well-digested learning they embody, the acute and eloquent expositions they contain of the various philosophical systems of ancient and modern times, and remember, too, that Cousin is unsurpassed by any modern French writer in eloquence and finish style, we are at no loss to understand the admiration with which they were listened to by thousands of auditors, and the impatient curiosity with which they were read in the weekly journals in all parts of France. The present translator has well surmounted the difficulties attending the translation of such a work; and in his endeavors to secure the utmost accuracy, he has had the co-operation of a French scholar, who, along with a critical knowledge of his native tongue, has a thorough understanding of the English," and "who has assisted in comparing the translation, sentence by sentence, with the original."

The Life and Letters of Barthold George Niebuhr. With Essays on his Character and Influence. By the CHEVALIER BUNSEN, and Professors Brandis and Lorbell. New-York: Harper & Brothers, publishers, 329 and 331 Pearl-street, Franklin-square. 1852. 12mo. Pp. 563.

A most welcome and deeply interesting volume to all who are at all acquainted with the great worth as well as the extraordinary gifts and attainments of the historian of Rome. It is founded upon a German work, edited chiefly by Madame Hensler, Niebuhr's sister-in-law, and composed of the letters of Niebuhr, connected together by biographical notices, which are intended at once to explain the letters themselves, and to present a sketch of the life and character of their illustrious author. The plan of the English work is, however, somewhat different from that of the German. To the letters and narrative of the latter, which exhibit almost exclusively the more private relations of Niebuhr, the former adds other letters and new illustrative matter, which serve to bring to view his public life, and to show the relation in which he stood to his times. There is a singular fascination in the intellectual and the personal character of Niebuhr; and there is something so inspiring and so truly ennobling in all the memorials of his daily life and labors, that we read them and dwell upon them with admiration and delight. These letters and the narrative that binds them together, carry us on through all the stages of his remarkable career; they give us a clear insight into his mind and heart, into what he was and what he did; how he lived, and thought, and felt, and acted; and they disclose all the various processes of daily study, and effort, and discipline, by which he attained to such excellence in private, in literary and in public life. We see in them the portraiture of a man of eminent virtues, fresh and generous sympathies with all that is really beautiful and noble, and a zealous love for truth and justice; of a scholar of rare gifts and accomplishment, and a statesman of remarkable sagacity and uncorrupt integrity. There is also a strange interest of another kind belonging to this book, which grows out of the disclosure which it makes of a relation of friendship that long existed between Niebuhr and

Madame Hensler. It was a friendship of most singular conditions and incidents, and no less honorable to both parties than it is rare in the annals of biography, and one that is scarcely possible except between persons of the noblest qualities of mind and heart; and it was marked on the side of Niebuhr by a deference and confidence, not only in respect to ordinary matters, but also concerning the gravest themes of his studies and researches, which he could have felt only for a person of eminent talents and attainments. We commend this volume as one that will richly repay a thoughtful pe

rusal.

The Elements of Geology. Adapted to the Use of Schools and Colleges. By JUSTIN R. LOOMIS, Professor of Chemistry and Geology in Waterville College. With numerous Illustrations. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1852. 12mo. Pp. 198.

This seems to be exactly the book, in general plan and details of execution, which has been long needed as a text-book of geology in our schools and colleges. It furnishes a systematic statement of the general principles of the science, sufficiently complete for its intended object, and embodied in clear and forcible language, and moreover explained and adorned by numerous well-executed illustrations. The reputation and experience of Professor Loomis are a sufficient guarantee for the scientific merits of the work, a point which we are not prepared fully to discuss; but there is a visible air of intelligence about it, a clearness of analysis, and exactness of method, and an orderliness and finish of execution, that proceed only from one who knows just what his task is, and just how it must be performed. It is also manifestly the direct result of professional study and experience, the result of Professor Loomis's lectures and instructions to his classes from year to year, and such books are always the best for the purposes of practical education. The volume is furnished with a copious and well-digested index, and with a series of questions for the use of such teachers as are accustomed to this method of instruction. We observe that there is throughout a duplicate of the illustrations, one series in the text, and another among the questions, a feature of the work which we do not quite understand, and which seems to augment unnecessarily the size of the volume. The volume is beautifully printed, and appears to be uniform with Agassiz and Gould's excellent work on the " Principles of Zoology," which, by the way, we are glad to observe has recently passed to a new and revised edition.

A Critical History of the Language and Literature of Ancient Greece. By WILLIAM MURE, of Caldwell. London: Longman, Brown, Greene & Longmans.

Three volumes of this work have been for some time before the English public, but are not yet so extensively known in this country as they deserve to be. They carry the subject through the period of epic poetry into that of lyric poetry down to the time of Solon. The last chapter is devoted to the early history of the art of writing in Greece; and the author here takes up and discusses very thoroughly some of the main points in the so-called Homeric question. He combats the opinions of Grote on this subject, and of all who have in part or in whole adopted the Wolfian theory. Although the discussion seems to us, in some parts, a little prolix and dry, yet it must be confessed that some new and important considerations are brought to bear upon this hackneyed theme.

Judging from the volumes which have already appeared, this work promises to be the most complete, and in every way the best history of Grecian literature which has ever been written in any language. The works of Bernhardy and of Herrmann, which rank highest in the German language, are