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OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

NE of the most original, curious, and beautiful books produced since the days of Caxton. . . Its very title-page is an invitation and promise, for it contains, in its flowers and fruits, its stars, crowns, and rubricated lines, a beauty all its own. To it succeeds a pictorial frontispiece, embodying Shakespeare's Seven Ages, the centre exhibiting the world a stage, with the actors coming and going like shadows, and the surrounding medallions portraying the seven ages of the poet; the shields-the transformation of life, as in the egg, the worm, the chrysalis, and the butterfly; the corners of the plate showing Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Following in regular order throughout the book, are the months of the year as shown in the life and occupations of mankind, the growth of plants, the phenomena of the seasons, &c. Thus in January the birth of the year is symbolized by childhood rescued from the snow, the scion parted from the parent tree. April shows the youth and lover. September exhibits the philosopher and statesman, turning to bodily ease as the reward of mental toil; while in December we see the lamp of life growing dim, and the patriarch preparing for the end that must surely come; and so on through the other months, each portion being illustrated with a large engraving, an ornamental design, appropriate to the time, and several smaller pictures inserted in the text. The larger illustrations are enclosed in borders of conventional design, headed by a winged hour-glass through which the red sand is falling, while the name of the month and its proper motto are printed in crimson, which joins a delicate mosaic T pink at top and bottom, the whole forming a very chaste picture. Each page of type is embellished with engravings and typographical ornaments, and between the lines that surround the text are various proverbs and instructions, and quaint sayings; but so full of apt suggestions is every page of the volume, that it would take the whole of our present number, large as it is, fully to describe the whole. With regard to the text itself, immense industry and no small knowledge must have been exerted to collect all the passages, referring to the topics alluded to in the designs, from the works of various authors. In order to give credit to every one engaged in the production of this beautiful book-confessedly the book of the season-we have to add that the main design is by Mr. John Leighton, the selections by Mr. Richard Pigott, the engravings by Mr. H. Leighton, the Brothers Dalziel, H. Harrall, and W. T. Greene.—The Bookseller.

"D. APPLETON & COMPANY have now ready several of their splendid Christmas and NewYear Gift-Books. Conspicuous amongst them we may mention Mr. John Leighton's superb work, The Life of Man Symbolised,' which, adopting the motto 'All the world's a stage," points out the gradual development, ripening, and decay of man, accompanied by references to the months of the year, and the life of trees and plants."-American Literary Gazette.

66

A superb and elegant gift-book, illustrated in the highest style of art."-Christian Inquirer.

Subjects of the Thirteen Cardinal Illustrations

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The Household Book of Poetry. Collected and Edited by Charles A. Dana. New Edition, enlarged, with additions from recent Authors. Illustrated with Steel Engravings by celebrated Artists. 1 vol., royal 8vo., morocco antique,

Christian Ballads. By the Right Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D., Bishop of Western New York. New Edition, revised by the Author. Beautifully Illustrated with 14 full-page Engravings, and nearly 60 head and tail pieces, by John A. Hows. 1 vol., 8vo, cloth, $6; morocco antique, or extra, $9; crushed levant morocco, $10.

Half Hours with the Best French Authors. Short Passages from some of the most celebrated Prose Writers. Translated into English. With thirty Engravings on Wood, from Designs by Emile Bayard. 1 vol., royal 8vo, cloth, extra, $5.

The Galleries of Vienna. A Selection of Engravings after the most Celebrated Pictures in the Imperial Gallery of the Belvedere, and from other Renowned Collections in Vienna. With Descriptive Text, by Adolphus Goerling, Esq. Tra. slated from the German by W. C. Wrankmore, Esq.. 1 vol., 4to, morocco antique, $30.

The Celebrated Galleries of Munich. Being a Selection from the Royal Collections of the Pinakothek and at Schleissheim, and from the Leuchtenberg Gallery. With an Historical Account of the Schools of Art, by E. Holloway, Esq. 1 vol., 4to, morocco antique, $30. Royal Dresden Gallery. Being a Selection of Subjects engraved after Pictures by the Great Masters, Berchem, Bol, Canaletto, Caravaggio, Carlo Dolce, Claude Lorraine, Correggio, Guercini, Guido Reni, Metzu, Mieris, Netcher, Cstade, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Teniers, Vandyke, Wouverman, etc. With accompanying Notices, consisting of Tales, Biographies, etc. 1 vol., 4to, morocco antique, $30.

Berlin and its Treasures.

Being a Series of Views of the Principal Buildings, Churches, Monuments, etc. With a Selection of Subjects from the Royal Picture Gallery and other Collections of Paintings; together with Interior Views of the New Museum, and Copies of the Modern Pictures which adorn its Walls. Accompanied by an Historical Descriptive Account of the Prussian Capital. Engraved in the first style on Steel. 1 vol., 4to, morocco antique, $30.

The Cooper Vignettes, from Drawings by F. O. C. Darley; consisting of

"Artist's Proof" before letter, on India paper, of each of the Steel Vignettes. Engraved for the Illustrated Edition of James Fenimore Cooper's Works. The proofs are sixty in number, and each is faced with a page of letter-press descriptive of the subject. 1 superb folio volume. tra, or antique, $50.

Morocco ex

The Queens of England. A Series of Portraits of Distinguished Female Sovereigns, Drawn and Engraved by the most Eminent Artists. With Biographical and Historical Descriptions. By Agnes Strickland. A new Edition. Imperial 8vo, 1 vol., morocco antique, $18. World-Noted Women; or, Types of Womanly Attributes of all Lands and Ages. By Mary Cowden Clarke, Author of "The Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines," "The Complete Concordance to Shakespeare," "The Iron Cousin," &c., &c. Illustrated with 17 Engravings on Steel, from Original Designs by Charles Staal. 1 elegant volume, beautifully printed, in imperial 8vo. Morocco antique, extra, $20.

With

The Republican Court; or, American Society in the Days of Washington. By R. W. Griswold. A new Edition, with the Author's last Additions and Corrections. 25 fine Steel Portraits of Distinguished Women. 1 handsome vol., royal 8vo, morocco antique, $20. Two Centuries of Song; or, Lyrics, Madrigals, Sonnets, and other Occasional Verses of the English Poets of the last Two Hundred Years. With Critical and Biographical Notes, by Walter Thornbury. Illustrated by Original Pictures of Eminent Artists, Drawn and Engraved especially for this Work. Each Page surrounded by Beautiful Colored Borders, designed by Henry Shaw. One volume, small 4to, in unique cloth, with clasp, $12; morocco, elegant, $18.

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DEC. 1, 1866.

Handsome Gift Books for the Holidays,

From the Press of

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.,

PHILADELPHIA.

THE BOOK OF GEMS.

BULWER'S NOVELS.

Bulwer. 12mo., large type. Complete in 42 vols.
Various bindings.

Library edition.

SHAKSPEARE.

Containing over one hundred and fifty illustrations from A new edition of the Novels of Sir Edward Lytton drawings by the greatest modern,painters, and engraved on steel in the highest style of the art by the most distinguished engravers. Re-edited and enlarged by S. C. HALL. 3 vols. 4to., bound in cloth extra, gilt, $20 50; or, in walnut enamelled, gilt, $36 00. First Series, CHAUCER to DRYDEN. Second 66 SWIFT to BURNS.

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The Works of William Shakspeare. Edited by WILLIAM
GEORGE CLARK, and WILLIAM ALDIS WRIGHT. The
Globe Edition. Sq. 12mo.

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J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.,

Henry Esmond.
Miscellanies. 4 vols.

Cloth
Half calf

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$2.50. 3 75. 4.00.

715 and 717 Market St., Philadelphia.

DEC. 1, 1866.

A most Important Contribution to Archæological Science.

A DISCOURSE ON THE WORSHIP OF PRIAPUS,
AND ITS CONNECTION WITH THE MYSTIC THEOLOGY OF THE ANCIENTS.
BY RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT, Esq. A NEW EDITION. TO WHICH IS
ADDED AN ESSAY ON THE WORSHIP OF THE GENE-
RATIVE POWERS DURING THE MIDDLE AGES OF
WESTERN EUROPE. Illuftrated with 138 Engravings (many
of which are full page) from Ancient Gems, Coins, Medals, Bronzes,
Sculpture, Egyptian Figures, Ornaments, Monuments, Etc.
4to., privately printed on heavy toned paper at the Chiswick Press.

I vol.

** This is a very extraordinary volume upon a subject that is now attracting the almost universal attention of the learned and curious in Europe.

Ever since the revival of learning, strange objects have from time to time been discovered-objects which, although they may amaze or amuse the weak-minded, have induced earnest students to inquire into their origin and true meaning. Various matters and discoveries assisted in clearing up the mystery; the emblems and symbols gradually explained their full meaning, and the outlines of an extraordinary creed unfolded itself. It was the DIVINITE GENERATRICE-the worship or adoration of the God PRIAPUS-the ancient symbol of generation and fertility. The Round Towers in Ireland; similar buildings in India; the Maypole in England, and even the spires of our churches, are now shown to be nothing more nor less than existing symbols of this pagan and strange worship. Almost all the great relics of antiquity bear traces of this impious adoration-the rock caves of Elephanta, near Bombay, the earth and stone mounds of Europe, Asia, and America (North and South), the Druidical piles and the remains of the so-called Fire-worshippers in every part of the world. Even existing popular customs and beliefs are full of remnants of this extravagant devotion; the horse-shoe placed over a stable or other door, or nailed to the orchard-gate (occasionally hung upon the branches of the fruit-bearing trees), is nothing more nor less than a bent priapus-the twisted and perverted emblem of an ancient creed, that numbered, probably, more devout followers than any other humanly-devised system of worship. Priapus, as the symbol of lively fructification, was esteemed the God of Gardens.

Some years ago, Mr. George Catlin discovered that the Mandan North American Indians still indulged in an extraordinary dance-a relic of the pre-Hispanic period-which was in reality only a violent and coarse display of the old Phallic dance of classic times, so exquisitely treated in the engravings of Salviati, and in the sculptures of the Italian masters. Mr. Catlin's account was very recently privately printed (fifty copies only) in London for the Philobiblion Society, and the colored drawings which he made of these Phallic exercises are now deposited in the new "secret" chamber of the British Museum. Throughout all our Indian tribes traces of the worship may be discovered; in the Mounds of Ohio, Illinois, and in those on the banks of the Mississippi, curious pottery and carvings bearing these-what we should now regard as obscene-devices and figures may be found. In Central and throughout South America numerous objects of this character have been discovered, and in all parts of Europe relics of this strangely extravagant creed are being continually dug up in the form of charms for ladies' necks or rings for the finger. Generally they appear to have been worn as protectives against the "EVIL EYE”—¿. e., the eye, or evil influence, of the Devil.

R. P. Knight, the writer of the first "Essay," was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a Member of the British Parliament, and one of the most learned antiquaries of his time. His Museum of Phallic objects is now most carefully preserved in the British Museum. The second" Essay, bringing our knowledge of the worship of Priapus dowa to the present time, so as to include the most recent discoveries throwing any light upon the matter, is said to be by one of the most distinguished English antiquaries-the author of numerous works which are held in high esteem in this country. He was assisted, it is understood, by two prominent Fellows of the Royal Society, one of whom has recently presented a wonderful collection of Phallic objects to the British Museum authorities, who are fitting up an especial chamber for their reception and private display.

*** During a recent visit to Europe, a few copies were intrusted to the undersigned, with the request that they be sold to students likely to take an interest in the inquiry (and who might collect information upon the subject from an American point of view), at the cost of production, no profit being sought by those concerned in its pub lication. As only one hundred and twenty-five copies have been privately printed, and the great libraries of Europe have already absorbed most of these, the volume will soon become one of the VERY RAREST OF MODERN BOOKS. One hundred and thirty-eight illustrations (many full page) explain the text. Direct application must be made to

J. W. BOUTON,

416 Broome St., New York.

PRICE:

1 Vol. 4to., beautifully printed at the Chiswick Press, and bound in half morocco,

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J. W. B.'s Price Catalogue of Illustrated, Standard, and Miscellaneous Books sent to on receipt of a stamp to pay postage.

$35 00 75.00

any address

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