_Visit to the American Churches, by Doctors Reed and Matheson; 2 vols.
New York: Harpers._--This work is excellent in its way--being a fine
addition to the already numerous commentaries of the English upon our
country. The writers, in the present instance, were delegated, about
two years since, by the dissenting churches in Great Britain, to visit
the United States, for inquiry into our religious condition and
character, and were favorably received by our countrymen. They have
shown themselves peculiarly free from unworthy prejudice, and have
gleaned, with indefatigable zeal, and surprising accuracy, a mass of
secular as well as religious information in relation to the United
States. The book consists of six hundred closely printed pages,
abounding with acute comment, and replete with valuable statistical
details. It has a value, too, particularly its own, as exhibiting the
real views of two well-educated English clergymen upon the
_religious_, more especially than upon the political and social aspect
of our land. The volumes are well written, and likely to do much good
in England as well as in the United States. Our readers will remember
Doctor Reed as the author of _No Fiction_, and _Martha_, both of which
publications were favorably noticed in a former number of the
Messenger.
_The Black Watch, by the author of the Dominie's Legacy; 2 vols. E. L.
Carey and A. Hart._--This is perhaps the best of all the writings of
this author. The _soubriquet_ of "The Black Watch" is familiar in the
anecdotary annals of our country. We all remember its celebrity at
Crown Point, and among the wild doings at Lake George. We should be
pleased, did it not interfere too much with our arrangements, to give
an extract from this novel in our present number. We must, however,
confine ourselves to a general recommendation.
_Magpie Castle; 1 vol.: by Theodore Hook. E. L. Carey and A.
Hart._--This is one of the finest trifles we have had the pleasure of
looking into for many years. Hook is a writer more entirely original
in his manner of thinking and speaking than many of his literary
brethren who possess a greater reputation.
_The American Journal of Science and the Arts, by Benjamin Silliman,
M.D., L.L.D. &c. Vol. XXVII--No. 11. New Haven: Hezekiah Howe &
Co._--We are glad to see that this admirable Journal is no longer in
immediate danger of decline. It is the only work of the kind in the
United States, and it would be positively disgraceful to let it perish
from a want of that patronage which, in the opinion of all proper
judges, it so pre-eminently deserves. We perceive a suggestion in the
New York American on this subject--an appeal to the lovers of sound
knowledge, calling upon them for their aid in behalf of the Journal,
and urging them not to let slip any opportunity of speaking a word in
its favor. To this appeal we take pleasure in cordially responding. We
positively can call to mind, at this moment, _no work whatever_, more
richly deserving of support; and it _must_ be supported, if only for
the justice of the thing--it _will_ be supported, we believe, for the
credit of the country. The present number, among many well written
articles of pure science, contains not a few of universal and
practical interest to the people. We beg leave also to call the
attention of our readers to the very interesting paper entitled "An
Ascent to the summit of the Popocatepetl, the highest point of the
Mexican Andes, eighteen thousand feet above the level of the sea." We
have been nearly tempted to extract the entire article.
_The Manual of Phrenology; 1 vol. 350 pp. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea &
Blanchard._ This is a summary of Dr. Gall's system, and a translation
from the fourth Paris edition. We might as well make up our minds to
listen patiently.
_Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaca and
Batalha, by Beckford, the author of Vathek,_ have been recently
published in London. We have had occasion before to speak of the
author of Vathek, and, without having seen this his last production,
we have taken up an idea that it must bear a family resemblance to
that heterogeneous, tumid, and blasphemous piece of _Easternism_, by
which Mr. Beckford has acquired so much notoriety. We hope not,
however, for the writer's sake, who is undoubtedly a man of genius and
fine imagination. However this matter may eventuate--whether we prove
to be true prophets, or false--one thing is certain: the work of which
we are now speaking, as indeed any book whatever from the same pen,
will be read with eagerness; and this for no better reason which we
can discover, than that the world have habituated themselves to mix up
in their fancy the mind and writings with the former fine house and
furniture of Mr. Beckford--the gorgeous nonsense of Vathek, with the
vast and absolute magnificence of the Abbey of Fonthill. We predict
for the book a rapid sale in this country. The notices which we have
seen merely speak of it as a charming specimen of a book made up from
nothing at all. It is said, however, to give a faithful picture of
monastic life, and a sprightly view of Portugal in 1794.
P. S. It appears that we have not been altogether mistaken in our
pre-supposition touching this book. The _Recollections_ consist of
little more than a glowing description of monastic epicurism and
_gourmandise_.
_The Wife and Woman's Reward_, by the Hon. Mrs. Norton, editress of
the London Court Journal, has been republished by the Harpers. We have
merely glanced at the book, and can therefore say very little about
it. Mrs. Norton's name however is high authority. She has written some
of the most touching verses in the language, imbued with poetry and
passion; and since we saw her lately at breakfast in Frazer's
Magazine, we have fallen positively in love with her, and intend to
look with a favorable eye upon each and all of her future productions.
_The Brothers, a Tale of the Fronde; 2 vols. New York: Harper and
Brothers._--This novel is from the pen of Mr. Herbert of New York, one
of the editors of the American Monthly Magazine. Detached chapters of
it have appeared from time to time in that journal, and gave
indication of the glowing talent which is now so apparent in the
entire work. As an historical novel, in excellent keeping, written
with great fluency and richness of diction, we know of (nothing?) from
the American press possessing higher claims than _The Brothers_ of Mr.
Herbert.
_Letters to Young Ladies; by Mrs. L. H. Sigourney._ W. Watson of
Hartford, has just published a second edition of this little volume.
It contains 200 pages, and consists of twelve letters on subjects
appertaining to the female character. Mrs. Sigourney blends a strong
and commanding good sense, with the loftier qualities of the poet. She
has written nothing which is not, in its particular way, excellent.
Hilliard, Gray & Co. have just published _The Comprehensive
Pronouncing and Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language, with
Pronouncing Vocabularies of Classical, Scriptural and Modern
Geographical Names, by J. E. Worcester; 1 vol. 12 mo._ Also--_An
Elementary Dictionary for Common Schools, &c. &c.; by the same._ The
latter of these two works is merely a condensation of the former; and
is in so much to be preferred, as it omits references and
authority--giving, in cases of doubt, what is deemed upon the whole
the proper pronunciation. The Comprehensive Dictionary was first
published in 1830. Several editions have been since printed. It
contains 6000 words more than Walker.
Matsells, of Chatham, New York, has published _A Few Days in Athens,
being a translation of a Greek M.S. discovered in Herculaneum; by
Frances Wright._--We have been sadly puzzled what idea to attach to
this very odd annunciation--the book itself we have not yet been able
to obtain. What it is, and what it is not, must deeply concern every
lover of Fanny Wright, pure Greek, and perfect independence.
We perceive that J. N. Reynolds' Voyage of the United States' Frigate
Potomac--Dr. Bird's Infidel--Tocqueville's Democracy in
America--Professor Longfellow's Outre-Mer--and John P. Kennedy's
Horse-Shoe Robinson--all of which we noticed favorably in the
Messenger--are highly praised in the London Literary Gazette.
Outre-Mer sells in that city for nearly $5--Horse-Shoe Robinson, and
the Infidel, for $6 50 each.
A superb work has appeared in Paris--_Descriptions of the French
Possessions in India_, viz: Views of the Coromandel and Madras
Coasts--Sketches of the Temples, Gods, Costumes, &c. of the
inhabitants of French India. The book is richly ornamented with
lithographic plates of exquisite finish, and altogether the
publication is worthy of the government under whose direction it has
been gotten up.
The July number of the London New Monthly Magazine contains a portrait
of Mrs. Hemans (from the bust by Angus Kecher,) engraved on steel by
Thompson. This is the only likeness of Mrs. Hemans ever published.
There is also an article by Willis entitled _The Gipsey of Sardis_.
Since the secession of Campbell in 1831, Samuel Carter Hall has edited
the New Monthly--the editorship of Bulwer only enduring for a short
interval.
_Robert Gilfillan_, of Edinburg, the Scottish lyrical writer, has
published a second edition of his songs. Some of them are said to be
of surpassing beauty.
Mr. Hoskins' _Travels in Ethiopia above the Second Cataract of the
Nile_, are very highly spoken of. The work is a large quarto; and the
expense of getting it up has been so great, as to leave its author no
chance of remuneration. It contains ninety illustrations, by a
Neapolitan artist of great eminence. The risk attending the
publication of so valuable a book, will operate to deter any American
bookseller from attempting it.
The new number of Lardner's Cyclopædia is _A History of Greece, vol.
1, by the Rev. C. Thirwall, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College,
Cambridge_. There will be three volumes of it. Alas, for our old and
valued friend, Oliver Goldsmith! The book is said to be faithful--but
very stupid.
_Anecdotes of Washington, illustrative of his patriotism and courage,
piety and benevolence_, is the title of one of the last of the "_Books
for the Young_." It is a Scottish publication.
Sir James Mackintosh has just issued _A View of the Reign of James II,
from his accession to the enterprize of the Prince of Orange. The
History of the Revolution in England in 1688_, a late work by the same
author, sold for three guineas: it was reprinted by the Harpers. The
present book is said to be nothing more than a part of the former work
in a new dress.
The Honorable Arthur Trevor has issued a volume of _The Life and Times
of William III, King of England, and Stadtholder of Holland_.
_Irving's Crayon Sketches, Parts I and II_, have been reprinted in
Paris by Galignani. _Fanny Kemble_ has been also reprinted there.
Captain Ross, the hero of the North Pole, is losing ground in public
favor. Singular discrepancies are said to have been discovered in his
last volume, between his map and his text.
_Sketches of American Literature_, by Flint, are in course of
publication in the London Athenæum. They are not very highly spoken
of--being called abstruse and dull.
The finest edition ever yet published of Milton's Paradise Lost, is
that of Sir Egerton Brydges, of which the first volume is already
issued. It contains the first six books--an engraving from Romney's
picture "Milton Dictating to his Daughter," and a fine vignette, "The
Expulsion," by J. M. W. Turner, R.A. The edition will be completed in
six vols.
The Right Hon. J. P. Courtney has in press _Memoirs of the Life,
Works, and Correspondence of Sir William Temple_.
James, the author of Darnley, has completed the _Life of Edward the
Black Prince_.
Lady Dacre, who wrote the _Tales of a Chaperon_, has published _Tales
of the Peerage and Peasantry_. The work is ostensibly _edited_ by Lady
Dacre, but there can be no doubt of her having written it. Every lover
of fine writing must remember the story of _Ellen Wareham_ in the
Tales of a Chaperon. Positively we have never seen any thing of the
kind more painfully interesting, with the single exception of the
Bride of Lammermuir. The Tales in the present volumes are _The
Countess of Nithsdale_, _The Hampshire Cottage_, and _Blanche_.
Willis' _Pencillings by the Way_ are regularly republished in the
Liverpool Journal.
The _Canzoniere of Dante_ has been translated by C. Lyell with
absolute fidelity, and of course with correspondent awkwardness.
Barry Cornwall's _Life of Edmund Kean_ is severely handled in
Blackwood's Magazine for July.
The seventh Bridgewater Treatise has appeared in two volumes. It is by
the Rev. W. Kirby, the naturalist, and treats of _The History, Habits,
and Instincts of Animals_. The article on the Bridgewater Treatises in
the London Quarterly (we believe,) is one of the most admirable essays
ever penned--we allude to the paper entitled _The Universe and its
Author_.
A second edition of _Social Evils_, by Mrs. Sherwood, has appeared.
Mrs. S. is now well advanced in years.
A political novel is also in press--_Mephistopheles in England, or the
Confessions of a Prime Minister_.
_The Life of Edward, Earl of Clarendon_, is in preparation by Lister,
author of Granby.
Joanna Baillie is about to issue three new volumes of _Dramas on the
Passions_. She is, in our opinion, the first literary lady in England.
The London Quarterly Review is especially severe on Fanny Kemble's
Journal--while an article on the same subject in the last New England
Review is as particularly lenient. The paper in the Quarterly is from
the pen of Lockhart.
Dr. Bird is preparing for the press a new novel under the name of _The
Hawks of Hawk's Hollow_. The adventures of a band of refugees, who
during the revolutionary war infested the banks of the Delaware, will
form the groundwork of the story.
_Halleck's Poems_ are in press, and will speedily be published. This
announcement has been received with universal pleasure. As a writer of
light, airy and graceful things, Halleck is inimitable.
Mr. Simms, author of the _Yemassee_, has in preparation a novel
founded upon incidents in the war of the revolution in South Carolina.
He will thus find himself at issue with Mr. Kennedy in Horse-Shoe
Robinson. De Kalb, Marion, Gates, and a host of other worthies will
figure in the pages of Mr. Simms.
We are looking for _The Gift_ with great anxiety. This annual will
have few, perhaps no rivals any where. Its embellishments are of the
very highest order of excellence; and a galaxy of talent has been
enlisted in its behalf. It is edited by Miss Leslie, and will be
issued from the press of Carey and Lea early in September.
In conclusion. Charles Kemble is reported to have said that Fanny's
is, beyond doubt, the best and truest book ever published, with the
exception of Byron and the Bible.