'I NEVER liked the looks of letters from young people,' said
the old man, drawing a long whiff at his pipe. 'I don't suppose that
Mr. Tremlett would write anything out of the way to my grand-darter,
but I never liked the looks of letters. They have a suspicious look. I
am now rising my seventy-sixth year, and I never wrote a letter to a
young woman in my life; never; and I don't think I ever shall.'
We have but one remark to make, in concluding our notice of 'The
Haunted Merchant.' It is printed with large types upon clear white
paper; but the punctuation is 'most tolerable and not to be endured;'
and there are other evidences of carelessness in the proof-reading,
which we hope to find removed in the next edition.
HISTORY OF EUROPE FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
IN 1789, TO THE RESTORATION OF THE BOURBONS IN 1815. By
ARCHIBALD ALISON, F. R. S. E., Advocate. In four volumes,
8vo. pp. 2426. New-York: HARPER AND BROTHERS.
THIS transcendant work is at length completed, and in four
well-bound and well-printed volumes, may be obtained of the publishers
at one tenth of the price charged for the English copy. It certainly
is unnecessary for us to enlarge upon the many and various merits of
this great work. They are every where, and by all classes of readers
and critics, cordially conceded. Certain mistakes there were, indeed,
in the chapters upon Great Britain and this country, to the commission
of which the monarchical and aristocratical predilections of the
author naturally led him; but when pointed out to him by Chancellor
KENT, he had the candor to acknowledge them, and the justice
to correct them, in the edition before us. Another great defect in the
European edition has here been supplied. The original work was issued
without any Index, so that any particular document or fact could with
difficulty be discovered by the reader. The very copious Index which is
now supplied, adds largely to the value of the work, and so facilitates
the references which may be necessary, that every prominent occurrence
and record amid all its multitudinous subjects can be traced throughout
the history. A series of explanatory notes, tending materially to
rectify the author's principal errors, and to enhance the value of the
narrative, leave little to be desired in this monument of historical
research, which will be as lasting as it is unrivalled.
THE ROSE OF SHARON: A RELIGIOUS SOUVENIR, for 1844. Edited by
Miss SARAH C. EDGARTON. pp. 304. Boston: A. TOMPKINS AND
B. B. MUSSEY.
HERE is a modest but very pleasant annual, which contains,
aside from its embellishments, matter which would far more than repay
the small cost of its purchase. Of its engravings, however, we may say
in passing, that the first is a charming view, exquisitely drawn and
engraved, of 'Sabbath-Day Point' on Lake George; the third, a capital
engraving of LIVERSEEGE'S 'Good Resolution;' the fourth,
'JEPHTHAH'S Daughter;' and the fifth a pleasant 'Scene on
the Hudson.' The volume opens with an essay on 'Human Life,' from the
pen of HORACE GREELEY; a paper which we should be glad to
copy entire, but for the 'tyranny of space.' It is written in an easy,
graceful style, and is replete with thought and feeling. 'Emma,' by
Miss L. M. BARKER, deserves all the praise of the Editor,
and will that of the public. The overflowings of a bereaved heart
are visible in the almost _sobbing_ 'Lines on the Death of an only
Daughter;' and to the writer, as well as to others who have suffered
the loss of near and dear friends, we commend 'The Happy Thought' which
succeeds it, the conclusion of which will forcibly remind the reader
of the close of Rev. Mr. DEWEY'S unrivalled and inimitable
discourse upon the 'Natural Dread of Death.' The Editor's portion of
the volume is by no means the least of the attractions of 'The Rose;'
and her fair collaborateurs have lightened her task by the excellence
of their own contributions. With variety and excellence in its prose
and verse; unexceptionable in all its inculcations; well printed and
tastefully bound; we cannot choose but commend the volume to the favor
of the public, in the holiday season which is approaching.