the Student-Life of Germany which has appeared in any quarter of the
world. The institutions and customs which his book describes, form, to
use his own language, “the most singular state of social existence to be
found in the bosom of civilized Europe,” and are doubly curious and
worthy of investigation—first, on account of the jealousy with which
the students have hitherto withheld all information on the subject, and
secondly, on account of the deep root which the customs themselves have
taken in the heart of the German life. The Burschendom, of which we have
all heard so much, yet so vaguely, is no modern or evanescent
eccentricity; but a matter of firm and reverent faith coeval with the
universities; and this faith is now depicted, _con amore_, and with
knowledge, by a German who has himself felt and confessed it. To the
philosopher, to the man of the world, and especially, to the man of
imagination, this beautiful volume will prove a rare treat. Its
_novelty_ will startle all.
* * * * *
_Lectures on Modern History, from the Irruption of the Northern
Nations to the Close of the American Revolution. By William
Smyth, Professor of Modern History in the University of
Cambridge. Two volumes. From the Second London Edition, with a
Preface, List of Books on American History, etc. By Jared
Sparks, L. L. D., Professor of Ancient and Modern History in
Harvard University. John Owen: Cambridge._
Professor Smyth’s system of history is remarkable, if not peculiar. He
selects certain periods, and groups around them individually those
events to which they have closest affinity not only in time, but
character. The effect is surprising through its force and perspicuity.
The name of Professor Sparks would be alone sufficient to recommend
these volumes—but in themselves they are a treasure.
* * * * *
_First Book of Natural History, Prepared for the Use of Schools
and Colleges. By W. S. W. Ruschenberger, M. D., Surgeon in the
U. S. Navy, &c. &c. From the Text of Milne Edwards & Achille
Comte, Professors of Natural History in the Colleges of Henri
IV. and Charlemagne. With Plates. Turner & Fisher:
Philadelphia._
This little book forms, in the original, the first of a series of First
or Elementary works on Natural History, arranged by Messieurs Edwards
and Comte, two gentlemen distinguished for labors of the kind, and who
enjoy the patronage of the “Royal Council of Public Instruction of
France.” The translator is well known to the reading world, and there
can be no doubt of the value of the publication in its present form.
* * * * *
_A System of Elocution, with Special Reference to Gesture, to
the Treatment of Stammering, and Defective Articulation,
Comprising Numerous Diagrams and Engraved Figures, Illustrative
of the Subject. By Andrew Comstock, M. D. Published by the
Author: Philadelphia._
This is, in many respects, an excellent book, although the principal
claim of Dr. Comstock is that of having cleverly compiled. His method of
representing, or notating, the modulations of the speaking voice, is
original, as he himself states, but there is little else which can be
called so. Originality, however, is not what we seek in a school-book,
and this has the merit of tasteful selection and precision of style.
* * * * *
_Sturmer; A Tale of Mesmerism. To which are added other Sketches
from Life. By Isabella F. Romer. Two Volumes. Lea & Blanchard:
Philadelphia._
This work is republished, we presume, not so much on account of its
intrinsic merit, as on account of the present _émeute_ in our immediate
vicinity and elsewhere, on the subject of Animal Magnetism. “Sturmer,”
the principal story, is, nevertheless, well narrated and will do much in
the way of helping unbelief. The minor tales are even beautiful. “The
Mother and Daughter” is exceedingly pathetic.
* * * * *
_Famous Old People. Being the Second Epoch of Grandfather’s
Chair. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. Author of “Twice-Told Tales.”
Boston: Tappan & Dennet._
Mr. Hawthorne has received high praise from men whose opinions we have
been accustomed to respect. Hereafter we shall endeavor to speak of his
tales with that deliberation which is their due. The one now before us
is a simple and pretty story.
* * * * *
_History of the Life of Richard Cœur de Lion, King of England.
By G. P. R. James, Esq., author of “Richelieu,” &c. Two volumes.
New York: I. & H. G. Langley._
We like Mr. James far better as the historian or biographer than as the
novelist. The truth is, it is sheer waste of time to read second-rate
fictions by men of merely imitative talent, when at the same expense of
money and labor we can indulge in the never-failing stream of invention
now poured forth by true genius.
* * * * *
_The Effinghams; or, Home as I Found it. Two volumes. By the
author of the “Victim of Chancery,” &c. New York: Samuel
Colman._
These volumes are satirical and have some fair hits at Mr. Cooper,
against whom they are especially levelled; but we like neither this
design of personal ridicule nor the manner in which it is effected.
* * * * *
_Organic Chemistry in its Applications to Agriculture and
Physiology. By Justus Leiby, M. D, &c. Edited from the MS. of
the Author, by Lyon Playfair, Ph. D. Second American Edition,
with an Introduction, Notes and Appendix, by John W. Webster, M.
D., Professor of Chemistry in Harvard University. John Owen:
Cambridge._
This book excited and still excites great attention in England. It is
needless to speak of its merits, which are well understood by all
students of Physics.
* * * * *
_Arbitrary Power, Popery, Protestantism; as contained in Nos.
XV. XVIII. XIX. of the Dublin Review. Philadelphia: M. Fithian._
A republication from the Dublin Review of three able articles in defence
of Catholicism.
* * * * *
_Second Book of Natural History, Prepared for the Use of Schools
and Colleges. By W. S. W. Ruschenberger, M. D., &c. From the
text of Milne Edwards and Achille Comte. With Plates.
Philadelphia: Turner & Fisher._
We need only say of this volume that it is a combination of the “First
Book” just noticed, although sufficiently distinct in itself.
* * * * *
_The Amazonian Republic Recently Discovered in the Interior of
Peru. By Ex-Midshipman Timothy Savage, B. C. New York: Samuel
Colman._
This is a very passable satirical fiction, in the manner of Gulliver. We
should not be surprised if it were the composition of Dr. Beasely of
this city.
* * * * *
_St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople: His Life,
Eloquence and Piety. By W. Joseph Walter, late of St. Edmund’s
College. Philadelphia: Godey & M^{c}Michael._
An eloquent tribute to the memory of an eloquent and in every respect a
remarkable man.
* * * * *
_Life in China. The Porcelain Tower; or Nine Stories of China.
Compiled from Original Sources. By T. T. T. Embellished by J.
Leech. Lea & Blanchard: Philadelphia._
This is a very clever and amusing _jeu-d’esprit_, in which the oddities,
or what we regard as the oddities of “Life in China,” are divertingly
caricatured. The work is handsomely printed, and the designs by Leech
are well conceived and executed.
* * * * *
_Select Poems. By Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. Fourth Edition, with
Illustrations. Edward C. Biddle: Philadelphia._
The publisher, in his preface, states that three editions of this work,
comprising eight thousand copies, have been sold; and of this we are
pleased to hear; but we are not equally pleased with the information
(conveyed also in the preface) that a _new_ set of illustrations is
given. If these “illustrations” are _new_, then “new” has come to be
employed in the sense of “old.” The plates are not only antique but
trashy in other respects. Of the poems themselves we have no space to
speak fully this month. Some of them are excellent; and there are many
which merit no commendation. Mrs. Sigourney deserves much, but by no
means all of the applause which her compositions have elicited.
It would be easy to cite, from the volume now before us, numerous brief
passages of the truest beauty; but we fear that it would be more
difficult to point out an entire poem which would bear examination, _as
a whole_. In the piece entitled “Indian Names,” there are thoughts and
_expression_ which would do honor to any one. We note, also, an
unusually noble idea in the “Death of an Infant.”
——forth from those blue eyes
There spake a wishful tenderness—a doubt
Whether to grieve or sleep, which innocence
Alone may wear.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Spring Fashions 1842 Latest Style_]
* * * * *
Transcriber’s Notes:
Table of Contents has been added for reader convenience. Archaic
spellings and hyphenation have been retained. Obvious punctuation and
typesetting errors have been corrected without note. Greek phrases in
this ebook contain characters which may not display in some devices
based on the fonts and character sets available.
A cover has been created for this ebook and is placed in the public
domain.
The Duello, mentioned in the story The Doom of the Traitress, can be
found in the February 1842 issue of Graham’s Magazine.
[End of _Graham’s Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 3, March 1842_, George R.
Graham, Editor]