DEC. 1, 1863. The Headship of Christ and the Rights of the Christian People; a Collection of Essays, Historical and Descriptive Sketches, and Personal Portraitures; with the author's celebrated Letter to Lord Brougham. By Hugh Miller. Edited, with, a Preface, by Peter Bayne, A. M. 1863. pp. xvi., 502. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Styling this book "The Headship of Christ" may serve to convey the erroneous impression that it is a treatise upon one of the subjects included in dogmatic theology. It is, in reality, a series of papers of a controversial or polemical character, growing out of the famous dispute which, in 1843, terminated in the disruption of the Scotch Church, and in the establishment of the Free Church of Scotland. The contents of the volume consist of two celebrated pamphlets by the author: "A Letter to Lord Brougham," and "The Whiggism of the Old School," together with numerous selections from articles published originally in the "Witness" newspaper. In some respects, the keenness and power of Hugh Miller's style of thought and expression are better displayed here than in any of his other works, for the subject upon which he was engaged aroused his faith and patriotism, and the momentousness of the fierce controversy into the midst of which he dauntlessly threw himself, imparted additional force to the natural vigor of his mind. Hospital Life: being Incidents from the Prayer The contents of this volume are: The Hospital; Self-sacrificing Women; Small Attentions; The Chaplain's Story; After the Battle; Cost of Patriotism; Chaplain's Testimony; Rich in Blessing; From the Hospital to the Grave; On the Jasper Sea. The little volume is intended to be alike instructive to all, to our noble men on land and sea, and to the children and youth whom they have left behind. Army Life; or, Incidents from the Prayer Meeting and the Field. 16mo. pp. 179. With Illustrations. The incidents which are related in this little volume have been gathered from personal observation and extended correspondence with chaplains and others connected with the army. Christ ever with You. By Rev. Octavius Winslow, The writings of the Rev. Dr. Winslow are known and appreciated over the whole Christian world. As a proof of the appreciation of this little work is the fact that it was published at the beginning of this year, and at the expiration of the first three months thirty-five thousand copies had been printed and circulated. The American Sunday School Union, Phila., have forwarded the following works:May Chumleigh, and her friend Conscience. A Tale for Little Girls. 16mo. pp. 98. Leonard the Lion Heart. 16mo. pp. 74. The above juveniles are got up with the same judgment and good taste always exhibited by the "Union." The Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia, have sent us the following books: A Treatise on Regeneration. By E. C. Wines, D.D. 12mo. pp. 119. This work treats of Regeneration, its nature and its necessity; the Author and Instrument of Regeneration, with its fruits and evidences. An alphabetical Index of subjects is appended to the volume. The Prodigal Son. By the Rev. George S. Mott, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Newton, N. J. 12mo. pp. 143. The purport of this work is to "magnify the lifesketch of man's career, which our Saviour drew. It is an enlargement of the picture of sin and redemption as portrayed in the Parable of the Prodigal Son." The Book of Psalms, in a Series of Questions, His- A Key to the Questions on the Book of Psalms, His- The Questions in the first named work and the The Carmel; or, The Conversion of Hermann, the Pianist. 16mo. pp. 180. Boston: Patrick Donahoe. The foundation of this work is a little French book bearing this title, and written by J. B. Gergères, a fervent Roman Catholic. The author has quoted, but made no translation from the original. The subject of this memoir was converted from the Jewish to the Romish faith. The Heavenly Home; or, The Employment and Enjoy- The Heavenly Recognition; or, An Earnest and An Earnest and Scriptural Inquiry into the Abode of These works occupy a niche in our religious literature. The elegant style in which they now appear will insure for these excellent volumes an increased popularity. The tinted paper and tasteful binding render them especially suitable for gift books. Maud Summers, the Sightless. 16mo. pp. 235. DEC. 1, 1863. New upon the platform of the Constitution, and its sound construction, in opposition to what he denounces as destructive novelties and heresies. A touching narrative of a blind child, well calculated to enlist the sympathies of the young. This volume is one of Carter's "Fireside Library" series. Helion de Villeneuve, a French Zouave; A Model for Christian Soldiers. 16mo. pp. 81. Boston: Patrick Donahoe. According to the words of the preface, "this little book shows how a brave young soldier can be a first rate Christian." The translator has dedicated the work to Major-General Rosecrans. The author of this work is Count Anatole de Segur. LAW. A Treatise on the Construction of the Statute of MILITARY. History of West Point, and its Military Importance during the American Revolution; and the Origin and Progress of the United States Military Acndemy. By Captain Edward C. Boynton, A. M., Adjutant of the Military Academy. pp. xviii., 408. New York: D. Van Nostrand. The As an This book supplies a want which has long been felt by the graduates of the institution in question, as well as by a portion of the public at large. thoroughness with which it has been prepared leaves nothing to be desired. The topographical, local, and pictorial illustrations, thirty-six in number, are at the same time admirable specimens of art and illustrations of the text. The work is divided about equally into two parts, the first setting forth the early history and military importance of West Point during the American Revolution, the second detailing minutely the origin and progress of the United States Military Academy. addendum to the first part we have a fac-simile reproduction of the "Proceedings of a Board of General Officers held by order of His Excellency General Washington respecting Major John André, adjutant general of the British Army; Philadelphia, printed by Francis Bailey in Market Street, MDCCLXXX.” The revolutionary history is told with great detail, and the circumstances that led to the early selec tion of the post, and contributed to its importance, are narrated from contemporaneous records, orders, and correspondence. The second part, which relates to the military school, traces its growth from the resolutions contemplating its establishment, first offered in the Continental Congress down to the most recent legislation. An appendix of about eighty pages collects together all the important statistics of the institution, such as complete lists of superintendents, professors, teachers, &c., number of graduates, list of cadets attached annually to the Army Register, together with an abstract of the Acts of Congress relating to the appointment of cadets and organization of the Academy. We are also furnished with sketches of the systems of military education pursued in Europe, at St. Cyr, in the Polytechnic School, and at Metz, Woolwich, Berlin, and elsewhere. The volume is got up in Mr. Van Nostrand's best style, with sharp, clear, large type, and heavy toned paper. Few volumes of the same size have appeared during the year which surpass it in the excellence of artistic and mechanical execution. MEDICAL. whereas, in the years 1855 and 1856, portions of the Mental Hygiene. By I. Ray, M. D. pp. 338. Bos fourth and seventh sections were enacted into laws. He will find the present legislation of the State in Purdon's Digest (ninth edition, 1862), under the title "Frauds and Perjuries." QUESTIONS OF THE DAY. The War Power of Congress and of the President: an Constitutional Law and Unconstitutional Divinity: These pamphlets are neatly printed at Cambridge, by Mr. Houghton. Their author is one of the ablest and most vigorous thinkers of New England, and his views upon the great questions of the day should command the respectful attention of every student of passing events. He states his position to be ton: Ticknor & Fields. This work is not offered as a systematic treatise on Mental Hygiene. Its purpose is mainly to expose the mischievous effects of many practices and customs prevalent in modern society, and to present some practical suggestions relative to the attainment of mental soundness and vigor. Dr. Ray is well known to be an authority upon the subjects here treated. All that he says is characterized by accuracy, caution, and clear judgment. He has done a great public service by preparing the work, for there is much in our present social habits which calls for a serious warning, such as this. The general contents are: Mental Hygiene as affected by Cerebral Conditions; by Physical Influences; by Mental Conditions and Influences; by the Practices of the Times; by Tendency to Disease. We regard the book as of very great value. DEC. 1, 1863. It condenses the results of large observation and 12mo. Volume I. York: Baillière Brothers. The work is worthy the attention of all who are interested in the diseases of the eye and its appendages. The Family Pocket Homeopathist; A concise Manual of Homeopathic Practice for Families and Travellers. By D. A. Baldwin, M. D. 32mo. pp. 142. Rochester, N. Y.: E. Darrow & Brothers. As its title imports, this work is designed as a guide to those who practice Homœopathic treatment. HISTORY. History of the Sioux War and Massacres of 1862 and 1863. By Isaac V. D. Heard. With Portraits and Illustrations. pp. x., 354. New York: Harper & Bros. our ill-furnished soldiers during the long and dreary The writer of these pages resided in the State of Minnesota twelve years, commencing at a time anterior to the removal of the Sioux from their ancient possessions to their reservations on the Minnesota River. He was a member of General Sibley's expedition against the savages in 1862, and acted as Recorder of the military commission which tried about four hundred of the participants in the outbreak. He speaks, therefore, from personal knowledge, and is thus enabled to present us a detailed and reliable narrative. The events are of recent occurrence, which gives an air of freshness to the recital. Some of the scenes are intensely thrilling. The simple, unadorned narrative furnishes us with incidents more absorbing than can be found in the most sensational work of fiction. The book abounds in adventures, contests, flights, pursuits, and escapes which, when thus told, without any of the trappings of rhetoric, produce on the mind of the reader that deep impression and agitation due only to the truth. There are more than thirty illustrations contained in the work, presenting to the eye sketches of the localities and portraits of the actors. The Camp Fires of the Revolution: or, The War of Independence illustrated by thrilling Events and Stories by the old Continental Soldiers. By Henry C. Watson. With original Illustrations by Croome. 8vo. pp. 447. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. This favorite volume is republished in a greatly improved style, and is particularly opportune at the present moment, when battles and battle scenes are engrossing the attention of all. The sufferings of BIOGRAPHY. The History of Girolamo Savonarola and of his Times. By Pasquale Villari, Professor of History in the University of Pisa. Translated from the Italian by Leonard Horner, F.R.S., with the co-operation of the author. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. xi.-359-401. London: Longman & Co. This interesting work is one of the most valuable of the contributions made by recently-regenerated Italy to literature, and is an earnest of what that country may do under the quickening and inspiring influences of liberty. The author is a professor of History in the well-known University of Pisa, and the character of the work before us is sufficient to vindicate his title to a chair of history in any uniIt is a very versity in any part of the world. thorough piece of historical research, and the author seems to have neither omitted nor overlooked any source of information, whether in print or in manuscript, which could throw light upon the subject of his investigations. And his ample materials are used with excellent judgment and good taste. We see that Prof. Villari is not merely a man of learning, but also of good sense, of a conscientious love of truth, of moderation of temper, and with a mind not darkened by prejudice or warped by bigotry. Perhaps he somewhat overstates the claims of his hero, but this is almost inevitable in a biography. And to the substantial merits we have enumerated the author adds the not less important quality of skill in literary construction. His book is not only valuable, but extremely interesting. None of its merits are lost in the excellent translation of Mr. Horner. It is a work which, especially, should be read by all who have formed their views from Roscoe's over-valued "Life of Lorenzo de Medici." But we are sorry to say that it has one substantial, or rather formal, defect: it wants an index-a want which seriously impairs its value. Great Having thus briefly and imperfectly done justice to the great excellence of this history, both for its thorough research and the literary skill of its structure, it remains for us to state a little more fully the grounds on which we commend the work as being at once interesting and valuable. And, first, we find a strong and pervading element of interest in the character of Savonarola himself, in many respects the most remarkable man of his time in the region where he lived, and a memorable and conspicuous figure in the great line of the past. He was of that class of men of whom Calvin and Knox stand as prototypes and representatives. intellectual resources were in him combined with an iron will, and an indomitable strength of character, and all fused in the glow of a fervid Southern temperament. His eloquence was at once masculine and impassioned, and thus its power was felt alike by all, men and women, young and old, the hard and the impressible, worldlings and devotees. A vein of poetry ran through his stern nature like a seam of gold in the rifts of a rock. He was doubtless a fanatic, but much of his power was derived from the earnestness of his convictions and his He never doubted his own strong self-confidence. An ecclesiastic, obedient in spiritual mission. matters to the Pope, he was in secular things a zealous reformer and an uncompromising democrat. DEC. 1, 1863. His love of political and personal liberty was such as would have met the most exacting requisitions of our own times. It is a mistake to represent him as a Protestant, but he earnestly desired to reform the Church of which he remained an obedient son. His political course was not always wise, but he always aimed at desirable ends, and his motives were always pure and high. He was an original and vigorous writer, and a powerful and persuasive preacher, and in his literary character alone is entitled to no small admiration. Whatever errors he may have committed, whatever imperfections may be discovered in his character, will be forgotten and overlooked in the tragic interest of his heroic death, which is told by Prof. Villari with true dramatic power. And hardly less interesting than the life of Savonarola himself, are the side glimpses we get into the political and social life of that beautiful and turbulent city of Florence, during the fifteenth century. We see its people as they were, restless, changeable, excitable, loving liberty and loving pleasure, easily breaking out into violence, readily yielding to the corrupting influences of the rule of the Medici family, and not less readily amending their lives under the powerful warnings and entreaties of Savonarola. We see how wretched was the condition 66 strongly-marked peculiarities, and abounds in in- The Fatal Marriage. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. favor. Peterson & Brothers. Mrs. Southworth, notwithstanding the large number of her works, retains her hold upon popular Each new volume is welcomed with no less satisfaction than that which greeted its predecessors. The present story possesses a strong and romantic interest, with much diversity and vigor of movement in the unfolding of the plot. Twice Lost: A Novel. pp. 182. Boston: Loring. of that fair land of Italy when Borgia was pope, and Piero de Medici was ruler of Florence, and the armies of Charles VIII. were laying the country waste. In the vehement and furious contests of party which ensued in Florence after the expulsion of Piero de Medici, there is something that will remind the American reader of the excitements and struggles of his own land, for the citizens of Florence were democratic in spirit, always gnawing at the chain of political bondage, and always endeavoring to snap its degrading links. All these things may be seen in the eloquent and picturesque pages of This is an English story which has received high Prof. Villari. And here we may also find-what commendation abroad. The London "Reader," a has never before been accessible to the reader of capital authority, although it will sometimes sacriEnglish-a full analysis, with copious extracts, office a good deal to give point to an epigrammatic the sermons and other writings of Savonarola. It is a book well worthy of being reprinted by some American publisher. AGRICULTURE. The Practical Shepherd: A Complete Treatise on the sentence, or edge to a piece of satire, declares that All the most valuable varieties and families of sheep, the principles of breeding on which their improvement rests; a description of their proper treatment in health and sickness under the differ-Human Follies. (La Bêtise Humaine.) By Jules ent climatic, and other circumstances to which they are necessarily subjected in a country so extensive as our own; the diseases to which these animals are subject; the medicines requisite for their cure; all these, and whatever else appertains to sheep and sheep culture, may be found fully laid down in this excellent book. In a former number of our journal, we inadvertently stated the price to be $1.25, instead of $1.50. No less than five editions of this valuable work have been sold in less than a month. FICTION. Rumor. By the author of "Charles Auchester," "Counterpart," &c. pp. 212. Boston: T. O. H. P. Burnham. Noriac. Translated from Sixteenth Paris Edition, by George Marlowe. pp. 224. Philadelphia: Frederick Leypoldt. This is the fifth number of Mr. Leypoldt's Foreign Library. It is a French novel-very French. It is full of satire, shrewdness, and worldliness, alSome of the sketches are exceedingly graphic. though the unfortunate provincial gets right at last. The account, for instance, of the manner in which the unsophisticated Eusebe runs around among his companions and to the dictionary inquiring what is duty, is exceedingly amusing. The Foreign Library is nicely printed, and novel readers who get sated with English and American productions, or who seek for variety, will find in this collection incidents, plots, and a style which will be to them This is a novel well worth studying. It has truly novel. DEC. 1, 1863. Peculiar a Tale of the Great Transition. By Epes Sargent. pp. 500. New York: Carleton. There is internal evidence that this copious and effective story "of the great transition" was not written to take advantage of the excitements of the hour, but inspired by a conscientious desire to contribute to the triumph of justice, and the preservation of the Union. In narrating the personal history of a slave, Mr. Sargent has ingeniously woven into the conversations, incidents, and illustrations thereof, all that can be and has been said and done in regard to Slavery; tracing the origin of the Rebellion, demonstrating its moral necessity, and foreshadowing its providential course and issue. Every statesman's remark, every important historical fact, every sophistical argument, all possible abuses and professed mitigations; in fact, the tendencies, traits, temper, and destiny of "the peculiar institution" are here brought out with dramatic truth. What Beecher did orally in Great Britain, and Laboulaye in the form of a lively brochure, and Gasparin, of religious appeal, and Edward Everett in historical oratory, Epes Sargent here does in the popular and pervading shape of an attractive story. He writes earnestly, is careful as to facts and authorities, graphic in his scenes, vivacious in his dialogue, individual in his characters, and flowing in narration. "Peculiar" is just the story for the day; it will do infinite good at home and abroad; it will bring home vital truths to countless minds and hearts, and help the cause of the nation. Mary Lyndsay: A Novel. By the Lady Emily Ponsonby, author of "The Discipline of Life," "Katherine and her Sisters," &c. pp. 155. New York: Harper & Brothers. This is No. 235 of Harpers' "Library of Select Novels." It is a series long established and well known to the public, and the works which are admitted into it are generally such as are popular with readers of fiction. The present number is printed on large, clear type. Edith's Ministry. By Harriet B. McKeever, author of "Sunshine," "Flounced Robe," &c. 12mo. pp. 432. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. This is a new edition of a deservedly popular work. The heroine-a single woman, purified and ennobled by many trials-dignified the state of single life by assisting the needy, educating the orphan, and instructing the poor and ignorant. It will have a place among the most beautiful gift books of the season. The Nose of a Notary. From the French of Edmund About. 12mo. pp. 171. Boston: Loring. This novel, from the pen of a witty French writer, relates the humorous and ridiculous adventures of the hero, who was forced at last to remain a bachelor with a silver nose. SCHOOL BOOKS. Rudimentary Drawing. For the use of Schools. By In this work an attempt has been made to give the principles of mechanical drawing, sufficiently for ordinary purposes, in such a simple manner that it may form a part of common school education. The learner is advanced by such easy gradations that the study would be an agreeable pastime to any intelligent youth. A New Method for Learning the Portuguese Language. aid those speaking the English tongue in the acqui- In the present revision of this excellent and de- JUVENILE. Edith Prescot: or, Lessons of Love, being Aunt Bertha's pp. 251. We have here another excellent juvenile book. We have read it with great satisfaction. The style is quite level to the capacities to which it is addressed, without being trivial or silly. The lessons it inculcates are not merely those of worldly virtue or morality, but of positive religion. The incidents of the narrative run on quite rapidly, and the instruction is not conveyed in formal and sermonizing episodes which at intervals interrupt the story, and which we believe the youthful reader generally skips, but is blended with the incidents and conversations so as scarcely to fail of leaving an impresof the story itself. sion on the memory as durable as the recollection The Santa Claus Book of Games and Puzzles: a Collection of Riddles, Charades, Enigmas, Rebuses, Anagrams, Labyrinths, Acrostics, &e. With a Hieroglyphic Preface. Over one hundred Illustrations. 12mo. pp. 118. New York: John H. Tingley. volume are well selected and admirably adapted The Puzzles, Charades, Enigmas, &c., in this little for the amusement, entertainment, and instruction of the young. Keep a Good Heart: A Story for the Merry Christmas Time. pp. 207. New York and London: D. Appleton & Co. This is one of the increasing class of juveniles now entering so largely into every bookseller's stock. It is appropriate to the season, and the merit of the narrative and the illustration will render it attractive to those for whom it is intended. The last sentence of the book consists of twenty- Perhaps the best commendation we can bestow upon this little book is to say that we handed it to a youngster of twelve years, who proceeded at once to read it with great gusto himself, and then inD. Appleton & Co. sisted upon sharing his joy with his mother, by The object of the writer of this work has been to reading it again aloud to her. |
