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passions, and dramatic force.-but it is marked also by considerable defects. The tone of the whole is exaggerated. The characters and scenes are all conceived in too high a key, and the very intensity of the emotions which are portrayed produces weariness. The sobbing and sighing is endless. Every body, with the single exception of Mrs. Gray, the good-natured and excellent huckster woman, goes about with an enormous sorrow at his heart. A runaway wife, who is in perpetual grief over a black scamp of a husband, that she ought rather to have wished in Sing-Sing; her parents, who are heart-broken and poverty-stricken ; her daughter, a most lovely creature, forced to sell strawberries through the streets; a strange compound of a Yankee, who is her half-servant and half-protector or lover; the mother of her husband, an old lady in black, very dismal; a stolen Miss from the South, who goes crazy through a disappointment in marriage, and a young merchant's clerk, who gets in debt by gambling, but is saved by his uncle, the aforesaid half-servant, are the persons of the story, and between them they manage to pile up the agony' rather too much. The young girl, as we said. goes mad, the husband kills himself, the father-in-law is tried and sentenced for murder which he did not commit, and the wife breaks her heart, the only sun-light in the picture being Mrs. Gray, with an occasional beam from her model-nephew the cerk. The characters, however, are well conceived, with the exception of the wife, who is melo-dramatic, and the husband, who is too great a scoundrel to have escaped the gallows till he was of age. Jacob Strong is capital, and a little more sharply defined would make an effective character in a play. The Christian love and resignation of the old couple, are also touchingly described, particularly during the eventful scenes of the trial, when the old man's honest reliance on the truth, contrasted with the vulgar chicanery of the Tombs' lawyer, who suggests the preservation of his life by means of a slight falsehood, easy to be told, gives us a better feeling towards our kind. The low-life is better done than the high-life, because it is more natural and simple. The local descriptions, too, are for the most part accurate, though, we believe, they have no mulatto waiters at the Astor-House, nor is buckwheat in bloom in New Hampshire while the grass is yet too green to be cut. Mrs. Stephens wants art: she has plenty of feeling, a good discernment of character, and a no

ble Christian sentiment; but she fails in simplicity. Her colors are laid on too thickly, in too positive contrasts—and with a sort of nervous anxiety both to crowd the canvas and to make every touch tell. Had she diversified her narrative, by a few more sketches, such as the thanksgiving dinner, at the homestead on Long Island, it would have been far more interesting. In her desire to be affective she has injured the probability of her events. We quit her book with a certain sense of its unreality in spite of all the familiar places and names introduced, and feeling it to be a relief rather to escape the sultry heat.

A question of importance is considered in the Reverend AUGUSTUS C. L. ARNOLD'S "Philosophical History of Free Masonry," which, as the title imports, is not so much a history of secret societies as a consideration of their causes and effects. He gives a brief account of the mysterious organizations of all ages, such as the Egyptian rites of Isis and Osiris, the institution of Orpheus, the initiations at Eleusis, the Cabiria of Samothrace, the order of Pythagoras, the Hermandad of Spain, the Vehm-gerichte of Germany, the Carbonari of Italy, the association of the Knight-Templars, Freemasonry, Odd Fellowship, &c. &c., but he dwells specially upon the objects of these assemblages, which, he contends, were on all occasions the advancement of thought, brotherhood, philosophy and religion. It is certainly curious to note what vast influences these secret organizations have exerted over the affairs of the world, how permanent and pervading they are, and yet, what little attention they have attracted from the general historian. But the very fact of their secrecy, we suppose, is the reason why they are so lightly passed by historians, who are too much engaged in other topics, to enter into the special studies requisite to elucidate the origin and purpose of mysteries.

Mr. Arnold traces the wide extension of the "secret principle to certain wants, universally felt, to which the public organization of society does not respond. "There are some elements of our common nature," he says, "not represented by our political institutions, and which are the cause and groundwork of all these secret associations. When society and government are oppressive and imperfect, when they are not in harmony with the moral, physical, and spiritual needs and conditions of men.-the earnest, the loving, the hoping, the wise, who invoke the future, being dissatisfied with the pres

ent, and the weak, who are crushed to the earth by the oppressive laws which govern all modern industrial arrangements, become disgusted with the outward life of society, and seek consolation and support in secret association." After describing the sorrows of the working classes, he adds, "The suffering thousands find no resource, no relief, no protection, from the desolating arrangements of the outward organisms, but in these secret societies. There, they meet with sympathizing hearts, and warm hands, and honest and upright spirits. There they worship and invoke that ideal of a society which shall represent more truly the Christian doctrine of fraternity, and which shall recognize no distinctions but such as are absolute and everlasting, that is to say, the distinctions of vice and virtue, and confer no honors but on those who merit them."

This is true; secret societies do disclose existence of pressing wants in humanity, which the existing social order does not fulfil, and they shadow forth an epoch when Justice and Love shall become objects of supreme and universal reverence: and thus far, too they are a good: but there is another side to the argument, which induces one to inquire whether any organization, which is secret or separated from the common life of humanity, is not, in the end, injurious to society; whether the labor, time, and money which is expended in keeping up these select circles, would not be better applied in an attempt at the actual reform of political and social abuses. Suppose the millions, who are organized in these exclusive associations, and who are represented to long for a better social condition, should bring their influences to bear directly upon the injustices and iniquities of the old order, would they not be vastly more effective? Besides, is it true, that all the members of them, cherish these ideals of a juster arrangement? If they do, why not go to work at once and bring it about? So far as our own observations extend, however, a majority of the members of these associations do not regard them as traditional to something higher, but as final. Besides, if society is so corrupt, selfish and overbearing, as we are told, why skulk away from it, to lavish our affections upon a narrow class, when our duty is to fight these corruptions and wrongs in their very source?

We have no particular objections to these institutions any more than we have to trade beneficiary societies or to political parties or ecclesiastical sects, but we

entertain this general view: that, in this country, the two great and fundamental institutions are the State and the Church, which are universal and open, and that a man's first duty is to purify and elevate these, by taking an active part in all their movements. Let him do this faithfully, and he will have enough to do, in addition to his ordinary business. In darker ages, and in countries where a rigid despotism envelopes the whole of human existence, it is perhaps inevitable that the more enlightened spirits should join in secret leagues, to animate each other's hopes, and to concert the means of improvement, but in this nation, where the right of assembling for all good purposes is sacred, we can discover small need for secret organizations. They create no interest apart from the common interests of society, and are apt to degenerate into abuses.

Mr Arnold's book contains a great deal of valuable information, and is worthy of an attentive perusal.

-"The Poets and Poetry of Ancient Greece," is a compilation by Mr. ABRAHAM MILLS, giving the history, and an account of the principal works, of the Grecian poets, from the days of Homer and Hesiod to those of Aristophanes and Menander. It is preceded by an historical introduction, which narrates the leading political events of the peninsula, and followed by a brief view of the Grecian philosophers, orators and historians. It makes no pretensions to originality, but it presents in as narrow a compass as the extensive range of the subject admits, the results of the best modern research and scholarship. The authorities relied upon chiefly, are the original Greek authors themselves, and Müller, Schlegel, Mure, Browne, &c., while the translations are taken from Pope, Elton, Merivale, Potter, H. N. Coleridge, Moore, Cumberland and Hodgson. It is executed with judgment and taste, the criticisms generally being of the orthodox stamp, and the analyses of the poems, correct and quite complete. We do not think that the author has always selected the best translations, confining himself as he does, for instance, in respect to Homer, to the artificial couplets of Pope, and the halting blank verse of Elton (not half so good as Cowper or Chapman), and the tragedians from Potter, who was an excellent scholar, but hardly a poet-yet there is not much to object to on this score. Those who are not able to study the Greeks in the original, will find Mr. Mills' account of them as full and accurate as they may desire.

-The "Atherton and other Tales"

of Miss Mitford, of which we have already spoken in a former number, has been republished in this country. They hardly keep the promise of her earlier volumes, but considering the difficulties under which they were written, and the advanced age of this agreeable authoress, they are as good as could be expected. Her racy, homely simplicity never deserts her, and even the vivacity of her earlier works is still present. A beautiful portrait of Miss Mitford, showing a kindly, sagacious, noble old face, accompanies the American reprint.

-The author of a new novel of domestic life, called " Life and its Aime,” does not give his name, but he need not be ashamed to do so. It is a volume of rare good sense and genial wisdom. The first part, called Ideal Life, is a sketch of the youthful days of a party of young and attached neighbors, with their plans and hopes, while the second part, called Actual Life, raises the curtain of their future. There is not much local coloring in the picture, though the scenes are laid alternately at Boston, New York and Baton Rouge; nor is there a very marked individuality in the characters, and yet there is enough of both to awaken a deep interest and impart a tone of reality to the story. An air of quiet truthfulness pervades the whole. We have no "thrilling" incidents, no terse and extravagant personages, no intricate wire-drawn plot, but what seems to us infinitely better, an easy narrative of every day people, none execrably bad and none impossibly good, but all sufficiently mixed of both good and bad to resemble the people around us and about us, and sufficiently discriminated to thwart and perplex each other, and get on a better footing at last through the requisite number of chapters.

This novel is in strong contrast with that of Mrs. Stephens, which we have noticed above. It has less passion and brilliancy, but is far more healthful. The atmosphere of that is slightly suffocating in its closeness, but the atmosphere of this is open, breezy, and cool. No one who reads it will be haunted with bad dreams, or go about with an impression of nightmare upon him. On the contrary Le will find himself invigorated and cheered by the perusal. We cannot speak of it as a work of high art, and yet there is a simplicity and pleasantness in its pages, which will induce the reader to recur to it more than once. It is just the thing for a group of young folks, summering it in the country, or who feel the hours of a winter's evening hang

heavy on their hands, to read aloud. They will find Henry Seldens, and Frank Cliffords, and Ellens, in their very midst; and we trust, some Fredericks and Marys, too, as well as a kind-hearted old Mr. Gray, to leave one or the other his wealth when he dies. By the way, is Gray a favorite name for good people? We ask, because Mrs. Gray, in "Fashion and Famine," and Mr. Gray, in "Life and its Aims," are the guardian spirits of all the characters.

-"Protestantism in Paris," is the somewhat deceptive name of a translation of six sermons by the eloquent preacher, COQUEREL. They have no special relation to Protestantism, except that they were written by a Protestant. They are earnest and impressive discourses, marked by the liberal sentiments of the author, but here and there traces of the French idiom in the English version, rather mars the effect of his sonorous periods.

-If there should happen to be one among our readers who has a taste for theological discussion, let us say to him, that he may gratify it in looking over a small Boston collection of Mr. Newman's "Reply to the Eclipse of Faith," with the rejoinder of the author. It is a good specimen of controversial writing; the student of it getting no clearer notions of the matters in dispute, but quite a solid conviction of the disingenuousness of both the controvertists; for, as in most other disputes, the points at issue are soon lost in personal criminations and recriminations. Take this kind of chaff out of books of disputation, and the wheat left will be small indeed. Mr. Newman having ventured upon a most superficial and untenable position, in criticising the moral perfection of Christ and Christianity, is sharply taken to task for it by the author of the Eclipse of Faith, who has the double advantage of writing on the side of orthodoxy, and with more logical power. We cannot agree, however, with the American editor of this book as to the terms in which he characterizes Mr. Newman's speculations on the "Moral Perfection of Jesus." They are eminently erroneous, as we believe, but they are legitimate; i. e., they are invited by the positions of both orthodox and Unitarian writers. If Jesus is only a man, as some of the latter hold, his conduct may be fairly canvassed, like that of any other man; and if he is a moral example, as the former maintain, it is perfectly proper for us to investigate the nature and bearing of that example. The offence of Mr. Newman, therefore, is not in the task he has undertaken, but in

his mode of executing that task. He fails to discern the real character of the Christ (a failure which not a few of his opponents share), and consequently his judgments seem inadequate and blasphemous. The rejoinder of the author of the "Eclipse of Faith," considered from his own standpoint, is effective, and even overwhelming, but we can imagine the same skepticism assailed from a higher point of view. This is, however, not the place for a statement of what that is.

-In the Money Maker, and other Tales, by JANE C. CAMPBELL, we are presented with a collection of agreeable stories, all quite interesting, and most of them above the average of such compositions. We should advise the accomplished writer to try her hand at a more elaborate and sustained effort.

-The Discourses of ABIEL ABBOTT LIVERMORE are a series of sermons, teaching Unitarian views of Christianity, and written with taste, judgment, and occasional eloquence. There is not much doctrinal instruction in them, but a great deal of valuable practical thought. We are quite sure that no sincere Christian of any denomination can object to their tone, while every man will be able to find in them much that is profitable, encouraging and impressive.

-A new edition of that most thoughtful and instructive book, Essays on the Formation and Publication of Opinions, by SAMUEL BAYLEY, is a proof that severe and honest inquiry finds readers. We remember to have been pleased and benefited by these essays years ago, and are now glad to possess them, with additions and notes, in a fine portable volume. The Essay on the Pursuit of Truth "ought to be read at least once a year, by all

students.

-PYCROFT'S Course of Reading, of which a new edition is just issued, edited by the Rev. Dr. Spencer, suggests many important things, in a lively way, to those who wish to adopt a plan of self-improvement. It shows not only what books are to be read, but the order in which they should be undertaken. Its recommendations, if pursued, would save a young scholar much time that he might otherwise waste. Dr. Spencer's additions supply the deficiencies of the English author in respect to American history and litera

ture.

ENGLISH.-We referred briefly in our June number to an essay on the plurality of worlds, in which the writer (said to be Dr. Whewell, who wrote a poor book on

the "Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences") takes the ground that there is little reason to believe the planets and other stars inhabited. It has received a reply from SIR DAVID BREWSTER, who, in a work entitled, " More Worlds than One, the Creed of the Philosopher, and the Hope of the Christian," has controverted the point with much plausibility and earnestness. A rejoinder has also appeared, under the name of "A Dialogue on the Plurality of Worlds," by the writer of the original essay. We are thas presented with the spectacle of a most elaborate and spirited controversy between two of the most eminent men of science in Great Britain, in respect to a subject on which there are no facts toargue. The most that can be said on either side is analogical, and not a word inductive. As science is generally understood, the question does not fall within the range of scientific discussion, yet oneof the highest scientific authorities of the day pronounces the belief in a plurality of inhabited worlds to be as valid as any philosophical deduction, while his title suggests a comparison of it with the validity of revealed truth. This is singular, and prompts one to inquire whether the scientific men have not exaggerated the importance of the inductive method of research. If the evidences of analogy are so potent as Sir David Brewster represents, why are they so cautionsly excluded from the doctrines of scientific writers, as we know they are? Why is not analogy made at once one of the grounds of scientific truth? Mr. Whewell is consistent in rejecting it, because Mr. Whewell holds that induction" is the only true organ of philosophy; but Sir David Brewster, who is of the same school, is not consistent. We certainly agree with the latter in his conclusions, we are convinced that the splendid masses of Jupiter and Saturn, furnished with the conditions of light, heat, &c., which are necessary to the existence of intelligent creatures, do not roll away through space, in their far but regular circuits, in perfect solitude; but we have no positive proofs for this belief,no seientific grounds, as science is commonly understood. It is a faith which rests upon other grounds than those of science, but which is still as fixed and valid, as if it were founded on science. The idea given out by Whewell, and some of his English adherents, that we should be cautious in ascribing higher forins of organized life to the planets, lest we should diminish the importance of man in the creation, and consequently depre

ciate some of the peculiar doctrines of the Christian faith, strikes us as signally absurd. Had they perceived that the humanity of man does not consist in that external organism by which he is adapted to his conditions of material existence, but that on the other hand, it is entirely inward or spiritual, they could never have fallen into such gross apprehensions. If the planets are inhabited, we may be sure that they are inhabited by men.-by which we do not mean, beings of precisely the same physical structure with ourselves. for we know that our physical bodies could not live in many of the planets, but beings of intellect and affections, which are the essence of manhood.

-The "Memorials of the Life of Amelia Opie," selected from her letters, diaries and manuscripts, by CECILIA LUCY BRIGHTWELL. are more valuable on account of the society into which they introduce us, than of the distinguished subject of them. She was at one time one of the foremost women of the world, but she outlived her fame, and has left nothing to carry her name to posterity. It would seem as if the life of literature resembled that of fashion-conspicuous personages occupy the scene for a season, become the shining centres of brilliant groups, and then pass away into obscurity and almost utter oblivion. Mrs. Opie, first as the charming and coquettish Amelia Anderson; then, as the learned and attractive wife of the "great portrait painter Opie;"-then as the bewitching and accomplished widow,— was the ornament and delight of a gay, fashionable, and distinguished circle,—she was the friend of Sir James Macintosh, of Sir Walter Scott, of Humboldt, of Sidney Smith, of Mrs. Inchbald, of Sheridan. Rogers, and the Kembles; the entré of the noblest houses was enjoyed by her; and her books attained a wide and profitable popularity. But in a little while, joining the society of Friends, she was lost to the public gaze, and when her death was announced a year ago, every body was surprised to learn that she had not been dead a long while. Her diaries give one many a glimpse into English life, but the letters and sketches of distinguished men, are the more interesting parts of the volume. Among the latter, we notice, letters from Mary Wolstoncraft Godwin, from Sir James Macintosh and Sidney Smith, and sketches of Sheridan, Northcote, Godwin, and a great many other well-known characters. There is not much of incident in the story of her life, and such incidents as are given, do

not cast much light upon the progress and development of her mind.

-The third volume of Sir ARCHIBALD ALISON'S "History of Europe," is better than either of the volumes that have preceded it; in the first place, because it is taken up almost exclusively with military topics, of which he writes always with more knowledge and spirit than he does of literature and politics; and, in the second place, because a part of it relates to the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-29, the Greek revolution, and other events of those regions of Europe which are just now the focus of attention. It has an immediate statistical as well as remoter historical interest. The official reports of the former war have a bearing upon the causes of the present difficulties; and Alison, in digesting them, often turns aside to illustrate the topography, the manners, and the political affairs of the belligerents. It is curious what coincidences strike the reader of this narrative between the events of that day and those of the present. In the siege of Silistria, for instance, as it is now advancing before our eyes, and as it is described by Alison, we seem to see identical events. It took a whole month to carry the outworks, two weeks more to silence the batteries, and another month to plant the enemy's colors on the central flag-staff. success came at last, as it will come again, unless the allied armies show themselves more effective than they have yet done. We are not admirers of Alison, as the readers of our review of his first volume may remember, but we are willing to give him the credit of unwearied industry in the collection of his materials, and considerable skill in putting them together. The following sketch of Constantinople, for instance, tells the story of its historic and natural importance in few words, and is the best passage in the volume:

But

"Constantinople, one of the most celebrated and finely situated capitals in the world, has exercised almost a more important influence on the fortunes of the species than any other city in existence in modern times. It broke in pieces the vast fabric of the Roman empire, and was the principal cause of the fall of its western division; for after the charms of the Bosphorus had rendered its shores the head of empire, the forces of the West were no longer able to make head against the increasing strength of the barbarians. Singly, by its native strength and incomparable situation, it supported the Empire of the East for a thousand years after Rome had yielded to the assault of Alaric, and preserved the precious seeds of ancient genius till the mind of Europe was prepared for their reception. It diverted the Latin Crusaders from the shores of Palestiae, and occasioned the downfall of the Empire of the East by the ruthless arms of the Franks; it attracted afterwards the

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