life are gross caricatures of the population. The liar and subtle affinities of nature, having receivinstances which he brings forward are exceptions ed many of his most characteristic intellectual to the prevailing tone of character, and when impulses in early life from his friendship, and found in real life, are as odious to the people, as cherishing the most reverent admiration of his he could make them to his readers. On my genius to his latest hour. mind, the impression produced by the story is far more that of a soured, uncomfortable, captious sensitiveness on the part of the author, than any strong conviction of the incompatibility of the jury with Republican institutions.

After all, perhaps, this volume will derive its highest interest from the glimpses which it coustantly gives us of the pure, exquisite, unworldly nature of its singularly gifted author. To those who enjoyed the privilege of his familiar ac

A volume of Washington Allston's Miscella- quaintance, who were in the habit of listening neous Writings has been issued by Baker & to the rich flow of humor, anecdote, beautiful Scribner in anticipation of the Biography now description, and profound, meditative wisdom, preparing by Mr. Richard H. Dana, to which it which made him incomparably the best converser was originally intended they should form an ac- in the social circle of which he was the grace and companiment. They consist of his Lectures on the pride, his own character was more poetical Art, one or two small prose compositions, the than his most charming poem, more lovely and poems contained in the volume previously pub- sublime than his grandest artistic composition. lished, and a number now appearing for the first His personal appearance was at once, in the hightime, many of which were suggested by the sub-est degree, winuing and impressive. Tall, elejects of the exquisite cabinet paintings to which gant, and commanding in his figure, every movehe devoted the time not given to his great histori- ment was distinguished by a soft, exquisite and cal picture during the last few years of his life. almost feminine grace. With a self-possession, It is proposed to publish the Biography in a vol- that never forgot the most delicate proprieties, ume, precisely like the present, so that they shall he expressed his opinions with a singular union of be considered, in fact, as parts of the same work. modesty and masculine decision. His clear, silThe lovers of Art, as well as of the higher or- very voice was in admirable harmony with the der of Literature, will receive great delight from purity of his thoughts and the beauty of his lanthe perusal of this volume. In his Lectures, guage. His manners were the perfection of rewhich he did not live to complete, he intended to fined and manly courtesy. He was often said to embody the great æsthetic principles, which be a gentleman of the old school; but in truth, formed his artistic creed, and the realizations of his manners were but the natural expression of which in one immortal work so haunted his im- the gentleness, dignity, and transparent truthfulagination, as at times, to interfere with his power ness of his heart; and these qualities do not belong of execution. Had he attempted less he would to any school or any age. His devotion to Art have accomplished more. The loftiness of his was but the flowing forth of the deepest life of ideal, and the delicate fastidiousness of his taste, his Being, which was made up of an almost ceprevented him from reposing with satisfaction, lestial ideality, of a generous disinterestedness, of on his noblest conceptions; and the attempt to a thirst for perfection that left no room for worldexpress them by any colors visible to the mate-ly ambition, and of a deep religious sense through rial eye, although producing some of the most which he was hourly conversant with visions of faultless and delightful creations of modern Art. the Infinite. It was the same traits that showed always impressed him with a fresh sense of the through his personal intercourses and gave such vast discrepancy between the Ideal and the Ac-a peculiar charm and beauty to his daily life. tual.

Let me close my letter with one of the aphorisms which were written by Mr. Allston on the walls of his studio, and which beautifully sum up the aspirations of his genius.

His theories are revealed only in a fragmentary form in the present Lectures, which it can never enough be regretted he did not reduce to a complete system, according to his original inten- "I cannot believe that any man who derived tion, and hence, it might be presumption to enter fame ever labored for it; that is, directly. For, into any discussion of their merits. I will only as fame is but the contingent of excellence, it say that they are a reproduction of the highest would be like an attempt to project a shadow, Platonic ideality, softened and humanized by the before its substance was obtained. Many, bowinfluence of Christianity and clothed with a fresh ever, have so fancied, I write, I paint for and life-like radiance from the deep vitality of fame,' have often been repeated; it should have the author's own mind. In style and expression, been I write, I paint for reputation.' All anxiyou detect frequent resemblances to Coleridge, ety, therefore, about Fame should be placed to with whom Mr. Allston was connected by pecu- the account of Reputation."

NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.

| Mr, Balch has deluded himself into the supposition that his opinions are original, except upon the hypothesis that he has a defective memory, and confounds the ideas he has derived from other people with those which he conceives to be innate. As to believing for a moment, that he could

IRELAND AS I SAW IT: by Wm. S. Balch. New York, design to impose on the admiring Havemeyer, and the

Geo. P. Putnam. 1850.

"rising generation" around him, for whose especial benefit the book is solicited, we are incapable of such a wrong. We have no doubt that Mr. Balch is as much in the dark about the real merits of his book as any person whatever. We are sorry to see that Mr. Putnam follows the new fangled spelling, causing us to meet "travel-ers” in every

THE WOMEN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Vol. III. By Elizabeth F. Ellet. New York: Baker & Scribner. 1850.

The eminent and deserved success which has attended

This volume reminds us of an anecdote touching a certain Governor of one of the Western States, more remarkable for his wit than his scholarship. The valedictory of his predecessor, and his own inaugural address, were delivered on the same day to the legislature. The retiring governor was a man of distinguished ability, with a suffi-page, with now and then a dreadful "specter" or two. ciency of self-esteem, which sometimes betrayed him into Excepting this blemish, the book is a very handsome spec. egotism, as upon this occasion. The governor elect wrote imen of type, paper and binding. It is for sale by Mr.J. his address, using small 's throughout instead of capi- W. Randolph. tals, even when speaking in the first person singular. And, upon a friend's pointing out the error, he excused himself by saying, that Governor E- had used up all the capital I's in his valedictory, and left no letters for him but the little ones. We are disposed to think that Mr. Balch has done the same thing; and that Mr. Putnam will be obliged to print his next book like the second gov- the two preceding volumes of this interesting work has ernor's speech in little letters, or employ a new font of led the industrious authoress to prepare a third volume. type for the work. Mr. Balch treats us to a description We commend it especially to the attention of our readers of the place where he was born, the scenes surrounding it, in this part of the country and throughout the South. It some tender reminiscences of his grandfather, and other is well known to the explorer of our Revolutionary anearly associations, all tending to prepare us for the devel-nals, that the details of the war, in the Southern section opment in his young heart of the desire of travel. That of the country, are far less minutely chronicled. In fact, desire, however, he could not easily gratify. The "res this part of the history of that eventful struggle has never augusta," it is half hinted, curbed his ambition, until he was enabled by strict economy, to lay up a sufficient sum for the accomplishment of his grand design-a visitation to Ireland, which he characterizes, in language now be come classical, as "beautiful and unfortunate." True to his economical principles, he dodges Liverpool, and effects a descent from the packet ship Siddons upon the coast of Ireland in a fishing smack, having beat down the avaricious demands of the boatmen 75 per cent. Here commences a scuffle, which is kept up with unflinching spirit throughout the book, between the importunities of servants and menials for gratuities, and the tenacity of our traveller, refusing (upon principle of course-these things are always done upon principle) to yield to their extortions. He pays them in arguments more frequently than in "shillins" and "sixpunces;" and does all in his power to disabuse them of the troublesome persuasion that the Americans are always rich and generous. Doubtless his successors on the sod will be grateful for his endeavors, but his readers have no particular reason to thank him for the paltry detail of such experiences.

"Ireland as I saw it," is the thing he promises; for which he gives two very good reasons-first, that he cannot describe it as seen by anybody else-and secondly. because his friend, Mr. Havemeyer (who called him out

and to whom he returns thanks in the dedication) has a very high opinion of his optical powers (in particular). Well, he certainly has seen something, and something worth talking of too; if it had not been all seen and talked of by other people, over and over again, before him. The book is full of common-places about England's severity, absenteeism, Irish ignorance, Saxon tyranny and Celtic cruelty, tithes, taxes, vice, famine, destitution, &c. Now it is not to be denied that much of this is true, and that it furnishes a sad theme for the contemplation of the statesman and the philanthropist; but is it not strange that a traveller at this time of day should present, as his own particular views, such aspects of Ireland, as may be seen, not only in scores of authors from Miss Edgeworth down, but in periodicals, magazines, and newspaper correspondence, columns without end. We cannot understand how

been adequately recorded. Mrs. Ellet, in the course of her indefatigable researches and extensive correspondence incidental to the preparation of her meinoirs of the distinguished women of the revolutionary era, has brought to light many new facts, illustrated many important events, especially the particulars of Sumpter's campaign; and, indeed, almost, for the first time, rescued from obscurity some of the most remarkable circumstances of the war at the South-including several battles scarcely mentioned the maidens and matrons of the South who honor female in her annals. This volume should be in the hands of all intrepidity, self-sacrifice and patriotism.

MONEYPENNY OR THE HEART OF THE WORLD, AROmance of the Present Day. By Cornelius Matthews. New York: Dewitt & Davenport. 1820.

Mr. Matthews has devoted his pen almost exclusively to a branch of literature in which success is rare and diffiYork localities, as much as Dickens does those of London, cult-the metropolitan novel. He seems to love New the work before us, he has drawn a vivid and graphic picand to expatiate among them with equal familiarity. In The characters are well sustained. Some of the descripture evidently the result of long and careful observation. tive passages have a vitality of significance that betoken the tale, with some fine touches of pathos and quaint coma sympathetic limner; and there is a spirited interest in parisons, scattered here and there, that altogether render The scene is laid in New York, and our readers will find it the most effective of any previous work of the author. their impressions of that city enlivened and extended by the perusal of Moneypenny.

ANNE BOLEYN: A Tragedy. By George H. Boker. Philad. A. Hart, 1850. We have not read this play carefully; but we fell upon one very pretty thought, which

is new to us

"For memories are the shadows of our hopes,
That ever lengthen as the day declines,
Till death's oblivion wraps them both in night."

| draws us back to listen to his mysterious incantations

NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.-Continued. and to be again bewildered.

His new book, in "Seven Lectures," has the marks of lis, the style in something like "Carlyle and water," with his paternity upon it. To borrow a phrase of Mr. Wil

ELEMENTS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY: by Alonzo Gray, A. M., &c. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1850. a decided tincture of mud in addition. The thoughts are We have been often puzzled to understand how young his own, and we perceive no resemblance to any thing in ladies were carried through the whole circle of sciences, our library, except to Carlyle's "Heroes and Hero Woralong with a multitude of other studies, in the two or ship." But, as we do comprehend something of the latthree years of an academic course. But this little volume ter, and do not understand Mr. Emerson, we are unable to gives us some insight into the process. It is a duodecimo pronounce how far they are cognate to one another. of some 400 pages, illustrated by 360 wood cuts, and em- Mr. Emerson, talking of man's attainments in physical bracing items upon all subjects of physical science, Me- science has this extraordinary passage-"The reason chanical Powers, Hydrodynamics, Acoustics, Optics, why he knows about them is, that he is of them; he has Electricity, Pneumatics, Caloric, &c., &c., Of course, it 'just come out of nature, or from being a part of that thing. is very brief upon each topic, furnishing indeed little more Animated chlorine knows of chlorine, and incarnate zinc, shan the names and general maxims, without any thing like of zinc. Their quality makes his career; and he can vacatelligible explanation. At the foot of each page are ques-riously publish their virtues, because they compose him. tions to be answered. Here is a specimen from page 323, about the Magnetic Telegraph.

"House's Telegraph. This instrument is much more complicated than the preceding, (Morse's). Instead of signs, types are used, and each word is printed, so as to be read like any other print.

"Bain's Telegraph. This instrument does not depend upon magnetism, but the electricity is made to mark paper, which is chemically prepared so as to be affected by it.

46

Question. Describe House's and Bain's telegraphs.", Of course, the young lady philosopher can answer in the words of the text, and will have a clear comprehension of the subject. Our readers cannot fail also to be enlightened, and must thank us for so much valuable information, contained in so small a space, and acquired with so little trouble.

This work is probably as good as any of its kind, and can be had at Messrs. MORRIS & BROTHER'S. It is got up in handsome style.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN. By Ralph W. Emerson. Boston: Phillips, Samson & Co. 1850.

Man, made of the dust of the world, does not forget his origin; and all that is yet inanimate will one day speak and reason. Unpublished nature will have its whole secret told. Shall we say that quartz mountains will pulverize into innumerable Werners, Von Bucks, and Beaumonts, and the laboratory of the atmosphere holds in solution I know not what Berzeliuses and Davys?"

What stony hearted geologists and windy chemists we shall have in the fulness of time, according to this Sympathy-system! By the same rule, our naturalists will be all beasts, and our botanists merely cabbage heads. We suspect, indeed, that Mr. Emerson has some affinity with this last-named school-he must be of the artichoke. You may take him into your mouth, and chew him forever; it is nothing but a tough, pithy, insipid, ever-swelling mass of fibres, from which no degree of mastication can extract flavor or nourishment.

COMPANION TO OLLENDORF'S NEW Method of LEARN-
ING FRENCH, By Geo. W. Greene. New York and
Philadelphia. D. Appleton & Co. 1850.

The book is for sale by Mr. J. W. RANDOLPH.

FATHER ABBOT, OR THE HOME TOURIST, by W. Gilmore Simms. 1849.

This appears to be a very unpretending and useful little book, containing dialogues, vocabulary, &c., and intended The sense of sight is in many persons defective in some for the use of the student as soon as he has learnt enough particular. One man is a poor judge of distances, another about the verbs to enable him to translate. The preface of forms, a third cannot distinguish colors, a fourth is in- repeats an old lesson, which is too often forgotten in these sensible to a certain color. We think there is something days of progress-"It is of no use to attempt to make a like this in the intellect. Some people are capable of play of study. Any thing that is worth learning is worth comprehending language and ideas, that convey no mean- working for; and any body that offers to carry you up a ing to others. And we are precisely in the latter predica-hill without your perceiving it, offers what he knows he ment, as regards this author. We do not mean that we cannot perform." never understand him. Now and then we catch a glimpse of his intention, sometimes even a clear view of some notion; but for the most part, his writings are to us as unintelligible, as if they were composed in an unknown tongue. We suppose it is our misfortune; but we share it with so many of the intelligent men of our acquaintance, that we are not inconsolable. It is not merely that his language is quaint-so is that of old Burton, of Chaucer, of the great Lord Bacon; it is not because of its inversion and intricacy-few or no writers have more of these traits of style than Shakspeare and Milton; yet we can read, and do read, the authors in question, with (we trust) a tolerable appreciation of them. And we have, in more industrious days, spent time not unprofitably with the crabbed and pedantic Sir Edward Coke himself. But Mr. Emerson is our Sphinx. He propoundeth riddles, which we cannot guess, and swalloweth us up, in punishment of our audacious ignorance. We are grateful, that the penalty is but temporary; and that we escape after a time from the gult of darkness into the genial and accustomed light of common earth. More than once, we have resolved to tempt the cabalistic conjuror no more; but curiosity too often

This it a republication of certain papers, which appeared in the Charleston Mercury in the summer of 1849. Its plan seems to have been borrowed from the confab of Christopher North and his subordinates in Blackwood i and its design the recommendation of the vicinity of Charleston as a place of resort for Southern families in summer. It has many passages of spirit; but is calcula ted too exclusively for the meridian of South Carolina, to be highly relished elsewhere. The admirers of its popular author will find it not unworthy of his other productions.

We are most reluctantly compelled to defer till our next number, notices of many excellent works recently published by Putnam, the Harpers, the Appletons, &c. The press has been unusually active during the present month, and our table is loaded with volumes of more than ordinary interest.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

The Messenger is published by Jno. R. Thompson, Richmond, Va., at the low price of $5 per annum.-N. W. Dollar Weekly.

66

Southern Literary Messenger.-The March number of this interesting and ably conducted From the Knoxville Register. journal has been received, and contains an unuSouthern Literary Messenger.-As a just tribsually rich treasure of valuable articles. It is ute to the merits of this sterling periodical, pubreally strange that every Southern man who has lished at Richmond, Va., we republish and fully the ability does not subscribe to this periodical-endorse the following notice of it from the Knicka work which contains more valuable knowledge erbocker for February.— in one number than cau be found in a whole volume of the trashy and lack-a-daisacal stuff generally seen on parlor tables. This journal, for sixteen years, has been devoted to the interests of the South-to its institutions and its literature -and we say to every Southern man, come up to it support, aid your own productions, and give to this work the generous encouragement which its merits so justly claim at your hands.-Memphis Daily Enquirer.

Southern Literary Messenger.-The April uumber of this sterling periodical has already come to hand, and we are pleased to see that, so far from deteriorating, the Messenger still fully sustains the high position which it attained some yers ago among the ablest and most interesting periodicals of our country.

There is but one rival in the long list of popular and ably conducted American periodicals that now adorn our literature, that can safely and successfully challenge a critical comparison with the Southern Literary Messenger.

We have for some time intended, on receiving each successive issue of the "Southern Literary Messenger" monthly magazine, to express our gratification that a purely literary periodical, of its high character, should be so well sustained in the southern section of our glorious republic. We find invariably in its well filled pages both instruction and entertainment. Its contributors are many of them in the front rank of our intellectual men and women, and it is edited by the proprietor, Jao. R. Thompson, Esq., with equal talent and good taste. A contempt for literary humbugeousness, a discriminating critical judgment, and a pure aud flowing style, are apparent in the editorial department, which is evidently well sustained only by unwearied industry. We have sincere pleasure in commending the Messenger' to that publie favor which it has well deserved, and which we are confident it will continue to command. It is well printed which is to the eye' it leaves nothing to be deupon firm white paper; in that first appeal

sired."

Southern Literary Messenger.-Parmi les publications périodiques qui brillent au premier rang de ce côté de ' Atlantique, il en est une dont la Virginie doit s'enor gueillir à juste titre; c'est le Southern Literary Mess

The present number contains some articles of great intrinsic merit, embracing in their range subjects of deep and general interest.-Zanes-enger, édité par M. John R. Thompson. Dans le dernier ville Gazette.

William

numéro de cette intéressante revue, nous remarquons, comme dans les précédentes livraisons, un goût soutenu et un choix irréprochable d'articles brillants. Southern Literary Messenger.-The agent in Godwin, par exemple, est une étude philosophique et this city, Mr. Northington, has placed upon our littéraire d'une portée sérieuse, et dans laquelle l'on trouve table the April number of the Messenger, con- nombre d'aperçus vrais, ingénieux, élevés. Ce travail est taining a rich treasury of information and literary du à la plume élégante de M. H. T. Tuckerman, et c'est enjoyment. Those who are disposed to advance là une recommendation suffisante. Nous citerons aussi the cause and elevate the standard of Southern une traduction en vers du 1er Chant de l'Enéïde, dont literature, should sustain this excellent periodical, whose accomplished and enterprising editor leaves no stone unturned by which he may enhance its interest and extend its usefulness. Virginians, especially, should feel it incumbent on them to give it a large circulation, as it is issued here amongst us by one of Virginia's gifted sons.

Southern Argus. Norfolk, Va.

The month of March has brought us again our welcome visitant, the "Southern Literary Messenger," and with it our friend Ik Marvel. We like him and his pleasant faucies, bringing us fire-lit visions of the beautiful and true. Our peep into the family circle at Sherwood was, as usual, delightful, as is everything else in this work.

l'auteur, trop modeste, reste dans l'ombre, et c'est un tort à notre avis, car pour classique que soit son œuvre, elle n'en est pas moins fort estimable. Il faut en effet une grande persévérance jointe à un amour dévoué de l'art, pour entreprendre de semblables études. Ne fut ce qu'à ce titre là, et abstraction faite du mérite même de la traduction, il y aurait injustice à ne pas accorder à l'auteur les encouragements et les éloges auxquels ont droit tous ceux qui, comme lui, travaillent avec conscience aux progrès de la littérature américaine.

Revue du Nouveau-Monde.

SOUTHERN LITerary MessengER.-Our favorite monthly, the Messenger, for April, has also come to hand, offer ing a long list of highly interesting papers, which, however, we have not yet had time thoroughly to examine. If ripe scholarship, independent criticism, sound doctrine in art, literature and political science, correct morals, and It always comes to us like a cup of cold wa-a graceful diversion in polite learning deserve encourage. ter, after trying in vain to quench our thirst with ment, the Literary Messenger should be largely patronthe dew-drops of other magazine literature. 'ised.-Southern Atlas, Montgomery, Ala.

AGENTS.

THIS WORK IS PUBLISHED IN MONTHLY NUMBERS AVERAGING Sixty-four pages each, at fIVE DOLLARS, PER ANNUM, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.

RICHMOND, VA.

MACFARLANE & FERGUSSON.