We took it up, therefore, expecting to find it a mere compilation, or perhaps, an abridgment from the U. S. Exploring Expeditions of Wilkes and Lynch, with some added references to D'Urville and Ross. Had it been no more than this, it would have been a valuable thing for ordinary readers, since there are few who will buy the weighty volumes of Wilkes, and fewer still who will read them through. Most people, in this age, have too much to do to read quartos. They are obliged to wait till some one shall kindly condense them, and give us the multum in puro.

For

The author of this volume is just the person for such a work. lle un ferstands the publie taste, and adapts his labors to the million. In this case, however, he has in the first part travelled far beyond the record of Capt. Wilkes, whose narrative has been merely the thread on which he has strung the facts procured from many o:lier sources. instante, he has gleaned up everything of interest with regard to the South Sea Islands, from the days of Capt. Cook downward, and interwoven it with the visit of the Exploring Expedition to those Seas. We have, therefore, collected before us, at a view, all that ordinary reades wish. So it is with respect to the South American cities at which the Expe lition stopped.

We

In the second part, Lynch's Expedition to the Dead Sea has been used in the same way, while everything el-e of interest with regard to that for ion of the world, has been gathere I from other sources, have, therefore, in a narrow compass all the really valuable information to be obtained on this subject-Albany State Register.

To the thou an Is of people in this land who are unable to purchase the several works herein con-ulted an abbreviated, the bors of Mr Jenkins will be very acceptable. He has done his work well-has made one good book out of a dozen others. – Western Literary Mes

This volume is an octavo of over 500 pages, printed in beautiful style, an i cabellished with the finest engravings on wood. It is verily a world in a nut-hell-fifty dollars' worth of books in one volume. All that i of real interest and value in the large and expcasive works of the United States Exploring Expe li ion, and Lynch's Expedition to the Day: Sea, together with the results of twenty other books of voyngs, travels and history, pertaining to the Pacife, South America, Californ, and New Holland, are here compressed into one volume. We have read some passages with mich gratification; and promise ourselves great enj wynient in a more careful perusal. Although every page every paragraph, teems with information, yet the author has font spice for many entertaining anecdotes and pictures of scenery and eastoms. It is a book which may be read with great interest nu prot at every fire-ide-Auburn Daily Advertiser.

A book like this would posses more worth in the estimation of a reflecting mind, than five hundred of the ordinary light publications of the lay-Havana Republican.

THE Publisher of "Jenkins' Exploring Expeditions" has received the following flattering notice from S. S. RANDALL, Esq., editor of the District School Journal.

SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

Albany. December 16, 1850. DEAR SIR-I am highly pleased with your edition of the EXPLOR ING EXPEDITIONS." In my judgment, the work is well worthy of a conspicuous place in every School Library; and the mode of its execution reflects the utmost credit upon the publishers. It comprises a mass of attractive and valuable information in reference to every section the world, and particularly in reference to our new States and Ter ritories. Yours respectfully, S. S. RANDALL, Ed. D. S. Journal.

JAMES M. ALDEN, Esq., Auburn.

VALUABLE RECOMMENDATIONS.

[From the District School Journal.]

OYAGE OF THE UNITED STATES EXPLORING SQUADRON, Commanded by Captain Charles Wilkes, of the U. S. Navy, in 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1842; together with Explorations and Discoveries made by Admiral D'Urville, Captain Ross, and other Navigators and travellers, and an account of the Expedition to the Dead Sea, under Lieut. Lynch. By John S. Jenkins. Auburn: James M. Alden. 1850.

This is one of the most interesting and instructive volumes we have lately met with; comprising, as it does, within a reasonable compass, the pith and marrow of all the works which have been separately issued on the subject to which it refers, for the last twelve years, and which are too voluminous and expensive for ordinary use. The mechanical execution of the work is admirable; far superior to that of a large proportion of similar works issued from the press of our Metropolitan publishers. It is really a luxury to peruse a modern volume, executed on good paper, and with some regard to taste and conveniIf this is to be regarded as a specimen of the workmanship of the enterprising publisher, he deserves a liberal encouragement from the public.

ence.

The price of the work is such as to warrant its introduction into every one of our District Libraries; and we are sure the Trustees could not make a better selection.

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

LIFE OF JAMES K. POLK, Late President of the United States. By John S. Junkins. Auburn: James M. Alden. 1850.

LIFE OF SILAS WRIGHT, Late Governor of the State of New York. By John S. Jenkins. Auburn: James M. Alden. 1850.

States, from South Caro1850.

LIFE OF JOHN C. CALHOUN, Late Senator of the United lina. By John S. Jenkins. Auburn: James M. Alden. Here are three excellent volumes, which should find their way into every School District and Private Library. The leading events in the lives of her distinguished Statesmen, should be fresh in the memory of every citizen of our great Republic; and those which have characterized the time in which the eminent individuals above named acted a prominent and conspicuous part, are of more than ordinary impor tance. A perusal of these interesting volumes will satisfy every intelligent mind that a flood of valuable information has been compressed into a small compass; and the manner in which the works have been executed is such as to commend them to the patronage of the literary public S. S. RANDALL, Editor of "The Dist. School Journal." ALBANY, January 1, 1851,

LIFE OF JAMES K. POLK. BY JOHN S. JENKINS,

AUTHOR OF THE "HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH MEXICO, ETC., ETC.

With a fine Portrait, on Steel. One volume, 12mo. 400pp. Price $1 25, bound in sheep, or embossed muslin.

A succinct biography of the late President, tracing his personal career, from the early struggle that characterized its commencement, through a series of well-earned triumphs, which ended only with the highest reward of patriotic ambition that elevated him to the Presidency of the Republic. The interest inspired by a name intimately associated with a vast enlargement of the national limits, and with a policy whose results promise to transcend in magnitude and impor tance all previous events in our history, renders a faithful account of Mr. Polk's administration highly desirable. The work before us is written with a spirit and enthusiasm that evince a warm admiration for its subject, and will especially commend it to the partisans of Mr. Polk and the policy of his administration.—Journal of Commerce.

The author of this work is well known by his pains-taking, and accurate biographies of several of our prominent statesmen, and for a welldigested volume on the "War with Mexico." The present work seems to be prepared with the same care and attention, and presents the prominent events of Mr. Polk's life, and the great events of his administration, with clearness and force.-Buffalo Courier.

We have perused this volume with more than ordinary interest. The biographer, in the work before us, has done full justice to his illustrious subject. The prominent acts of his administration are discussed and warmly approved. The work also embraces his annual and veto messages. Altogether, it is a book we should like to see in the hands of every democrat; for not one can rise from its perusal without an increased admiration of the man, whom he assisted to elevate to the highest position in our government.-Geneva Gazette.

A most valuable and opportune addition to the political history of the country has just been published, under the title of "The Life of James Knox Polk." The author, J. S. Jenkins, Esq., has brought to the task a discriminating industry which has enabled him to compile, in an intelligible manner, all that is valuable and instructive in the stirring political history of the times through which Mr. Polk passed in his ca reer to the Presidency. To the mere politician this work is an indispensable adjunct, while at the same time it is such a history as the American citizen of whatever party can peruse with interest and advantage. The book is dedicated to the Hon. W. L. Marcy, and cannot fail to have an extensive circulation.-Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

*

This is a handsome octavo volume of 395 pages. The work will undoubtedly excite a lively interest in the mind of every American reader. * * The author of the work has ably discharged his duties as a biographer of Mr. Polk, and the smooth and easy style of the composition will so effectually secure the attention of the reader, that not a sentence will be lost in the perusal of the entire book.Auburn Daily Advertiser

H. W. PARKER'S POEMS.

Some of the best fugitive literature of the day*** has come from a writer who has just now published a volume of prose and poetry, Mr. H. W. Parker. We have looked it through, and find a degree of excellence in its workmanship, with evidences of pure and strong natural genius which warrant us in commending a sight of it to all watchers of new stars.--Home Journal.

There is true poetry in the author's soul, as evinced alike in his metred and prose poems.-New York Commercial Advertiser.

The volume before us is an agreeable addition to our light literature. *** The principal poems in it are fluently written, and are evidently the product of a warm heart, and a lively, playful fancy. -Literary World.

Seldom have we read a book whose contents exhibit more freshness, life, and sparkling originality, than the poems now before us. The author shows himself, in his acute taste, glow of feeling, and fervid. imagination, the true poet.—Protestant Churchman.

Mr. Parker is the most promising young writer we have had for some time. He has the true stuff in him, and has not only the gift of poetry, but the gift of thought and common sense.-Boston Post.

A volume of first fruits by a new poet, indicating a pure and elegant mind, a vein of sweet meditative pathos, a lively turn for the humorous, and an eye observant of the picturesque and beautiful in the manifold phases of nature. *** With a brilliant promise of future excellence, he has not yet attained the full possession of his powers.-New York Tribune.

We encounter in its pages many gems of thought and felicities of expression, which prove the writer to possess a poetical capacity of no ordinary character. *** We shall watch Mr. Parker's literary career with interest. We think we discern in him the evidence of true genius -Knickerbocker Magazine.

There are many good and pleasant things between these covers-a great variety of subjects boldly and ingeniously trea-New York Christian Enquirer.

LIFE

OF

JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN,

12mo. 457 pp.

WITH A FINE PORTRAIT.

PRICE $1 25, IN SHEEP OR EMBOSSED MUSLIN.

It is dedicated to the people of South Carolina; is written with marked ability, and with a high appreciation of the political principles and character of Mr. Calhoun.-Charleston Mercury.

A most valuable accession to the biographical literature of the country-New York Daily Globe.

Mr. Jenkins has performed an acceptable service in preparing such a work as is well calculated to satisfy the present interest in the life and character of the great Carolinian.-New York Journal of Commerce.

The book is written in a style that will be admired by the reader and is another evidence that the author's mind has been highly culti vated, and is producing fruits that will speak well, in all future time, for his qualifications as an author.-Auburn Daily Advertiser.

It is a volume that can be read with pleasure and profit by all who wish to be well-informed concerning events that have recently occurred. It is neatly printed, and is embellished with a portrait of the man whose life it records. We commend it as a candid and reliable biography, well worthy of being read by all who seek information on which to base their judgment of the man and the administration to which it relates.-Niagara Democrat.

The author is a deservedly popular one, having given to the country several excellent and unprejudiced biographies of different distinguished statesmen, including Gen. Jackson, Silas Wright, and John C. Calhounall of which have had an extensive sale; and we are certain that the work before us will meet with the same favor.-Cold Water (Mich.) Sentinel.