many a youth of promise who, fresh from his rural home, has yielded to
the temptations of the city life, whose dangers he knew not of, and
perished. Individual benevolence has done much to avert the evil; but no
adequate remedy was found till _Christian young men_ were banded together
to receive their young brethren from the country and guard them with
Christlike sympathy until they could securely walk amid the dangers of the
city. Such a band is our association."
* * * * *
WOMAN'S RIGHTS--as we have always maintained--entitle her to equal
advantages of education with her brother man. Slowly, but surely, this
idea is gaining favor in the public mind, and men, noble-hearted and wise,
are carrying forward the work of founding institutions for the daughters
of our land. As yet, few of these schools are endowed, none made equal
in efficiency to the schools for the other sex; but still we rejoice to
record every attempt to extend the benefits of instruction to those who
are the heaven-appointed educators of infancy and childhood. Women must be
fitted to educate men; we shall then have goodness and wisdom united. In
the "Female College to be established at Petersburg, Virginia," we hope
these advantages will be provided for liberally. Every college should be
endowed.
* * * * *
BLEAK WORLD.--These two stanzas are worth preserving from a poem which we
have not room for; the author may _hope_:--
There's not so bleak a place on earth
Where blossom not the wildwood flowers;
There's not so desolate a hearth
But hath its smiling, sunny hours.
Though dark and drear life's voyage may seem,
And man without a sun may grope,
Yet in its darkest hours we dream
There's smiling in the distance hope.
* * * * *
SLANDER.--We seldom meet with a fearless, out-spoken rebuke of the sins
of the tongue. Those who deal with evil-speaking seem usually afraid of
committing themselves to the charge of an offence similar to that which
they are rebuking. Not so Rev. Henry Steel Clarke, whose "Discourse," of
which the following is a sample, goes straight to its mark as an arrow
from the bow of a strong hand. Our readers will find pleasure as well as
profit in these sentiments; they are accustomed to the language of truth
in our pages, and will not feel the arrow pointed at any who are innocent.
And the guilty, if such there be around our "Table," will read to profit
by the pictures presented, and thank the good clergyman who, from the
seclusion of his study, has breathed words that will reach and interest
the inmates of thousands of homes in every section of our country:--
"Who slanders his neighbor is a--what is he? The signification of the term
SLANDER, according to the best authority, is _to belie_; to _speak falsely
of_. Who, then, slanders another, belies him--lies concerning him. Do not
men forget this when they go about to blacken and vilify the character of
their neighbors? And can they be justified in resorting to it for revenge?
Is not the command, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness,' as binding as
any of the ten? The fact that they can have satisfaction in no other way,
offers no apology. To resort to it only increases their guilt. They thus,
to falsehood, add the indulgence of a wicked spirit of retaliation. This,
when God has said, 'Vengeance is mine.' They are bound, by all that is
sacred and good, to submit in silence, rather than make such attempts to
punish the injurious.
"It is to be remarked here that slanderous reports generally have an air
of truth about them, which make them more prejudicial and hurtful than
if they went in their own native garb. They seem ashamed of themselves.
If they can steal the livery of truth, they hold up their heads and are
sure of passing. Were every slanderous report branded with its own name,
and called, as it should be, a lie, the evil done would be less. But,
going forth with the semblance of probability, under a more specious garb
than that of the direct and downright falsehood, the injury done is often
greater even than that intended by the slanderer. Hence, only aggravated
guilt. Men cannot be too cautious how little they say, which is _true_
against others. Much less can they be too cautious how little they say
which is positively false. Who love to hear themselves speak in this way
will some time have abundant cause to regret their loquacity. Who love to
speak lies may expect to gather fruit accordingly.
* * * * *
"There is another abuse of speech. It is not slander, but very like
it. It has much of its meanness, and partakes of its guilt. They who
indulge in it are the retailers of scandal. Their business argues a very
morbid and sickly state of moral feeling. They are the snatchers up of
inconsiderable trifles, who deal them out with infinite relish. They
are traders in the small ware of slander, who magnify the value of their
wares until they come to believe them real. The practice now referred to
is that of reporting whatever one hears, adding, perhaps, a gloss of one's
own; reporting it not perhaps upon the house-top--he might as well--but
in the ears of others, until it becomes a common topic of conversation.
What is peculiar to this is, that it is generally something prejudicial
to the reputation or interests of his neighbor. To pry into that which
is no concern of mine is mean. To report what I thus see and hear is
contemptible. If this become general, no one is safe. All men would turn
spies and scandal-mongers. No one will be safe, because no one's character
will bear all kinds of exposure.
"Every man has his faults. Add to this that every man more quickly
discovers his neighbor's than his own; then, that he is in a measure
blind to his own, when discovered a beam is in his eye! and that this
blindness is a magnifier to his neighbor's, and you have a sum total of
probabilities, which renders it extremely likely that he who desires
subjects for scandal will have realized his most sanguine expectations.
Says the Latin fabulist, as I have some time read, speaking of the faults
of men, 'Jupiter gives to every man two sacks: one with his own faults,
to be carried on his back; another, with his neighbor's, to hang upon his
breast'--
'On this account, man never can behold
His own, but can his neighbor's faults unfold.'
Phædrus knew men. His fable is not all a fable. If not a fact, it casts
the shadow of one. It is easier to unfold the faults of others than our
own. And, if all should delight to do it, none would be safe.
"Then, what a disposition does such practice indicate! How dark a spirit!
What moral obliquity and depravity! No good is intended, none secured.
Should good result, it would be a disappointment to the tale-bearer. No
doubt there is often the appearance of pity for the victim. Many a story
is told with rueful countenance, and protestations of sorrow for the
occurrence, when the teller is secretly exulting in the injury it will do.
'How often does the reputation of a helpless creature bleed by a report,
which the party, who is at pains to propagate it, beholds with much pity
and fellow-feeling, is heartily sorry for it, hopes in God it is not true;
however, as Archbishop Tillotson wittily remarks upon it, is resolved,
in the mean time, to give the report her pass, that, at least, it may
have fair play to take its fortune in the world, to be believed or not,
according to the charity of those into whose hands it may fall.'[11] What
can be more contemptible or base!
"Then the injury that is done. How many reputations are thus ruined--ruin
for which no one is responsible--by men and women, who deal their blows
in the dark, who let fly their Parthian arrows and retreat! How much
mischief is caused to families and neighborhoods by cowardly people, who
skulk behind 'I reckon,' or 'they say,' while they protrude their venomed
tongues covered with the poison of asps! Nay, how are whole communities
often kept in a state of constant and feverish excitement by those whose
tongues should blister with their utterances! And how soon would the fever
be allayed, and the excitement die, and the strife cease, if those 'who
whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows,
even bitter words,' would learn to use aright the power of speech! And
would this accomplish it? The Bible says it would. 'Where there is no
tale-bearer the strife ceaseth.'"
* * * * *
TO CORRESPONDENTS.--The following articles are accepted: "The Match-Making
Mother," "Leaves from the Journal" (we shall use as we have room), "Going
in Search of Impressions," "Imagination and Fancy among the Arabs," and
"The Loss of the Hector."
"The Orphan Boy," a poem, that appeared in the February number, was from
the pen of Robert G. Allison, now residing at Warrenton, N. C. His name
was omitted by mistake.
We have not room for these articles, yet some are well worth publication:
"The Prophecy," "Dreams," "Phædra," "To A----," "A Venetian Elopement,"
"Child's Evening Prayer," "The Poet's Lament," "Sibylline," "All Earth
is Beautiful," "The Coquette," "Godey," "Lines," "Two Scenes in City
Life," "Remien" (will be returned, if the author requests), "Home," "Lost
at Sea," "Sonnet," "The Dying Girl," "Scene in the Garden," "Fancies,"
"Maria," "Musings," "Adieu to my Bower," "Old Forest Tree," "Ida Lofton,"
"Blossoms," "The dirge I hear," "The Bereaved," and "On the Death of two
Children."
The above is a long list. We regret we cannot oblige all our friends, but
the "Book" has its limits. We have heretofore alluded to the number of
elegies and laments of the bereaved sent us for publication, and given
our reasons for declining, generally, such poems. We think the newspaper
circulating most largely in the vicinity of the "loved and lost," is the
most suitable organ for these obituaries of the heart; the merits of the
poetry are of less consequence to the reader who loves the memory of the
dead. Elegiac poetry, when written to express individual grief, should
be addressed to those who can sympathize with the bereaved, not to the
general public, who read to criticize. A number of articles on hand are
not yet examined.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 11: Sterne's Sermons.]
Literary Notices.
BOOKS BY MAIL.--Now that the postage on printed matter is so low, we offer
our services to procure for our subscribers or others any of the books
that we notice. Information touching books will be cheerfully given by
inclosing a stamp to pay return postage.
* * * * *
From J. S. REDFIELD, 110 and 112 Nassau Street, New York, through W. B.
ZIEBER, Philadelphia:--
MELLICHAMPE. _A Legend of the Santee._ By W. Gilmore Simms, Esq., author
of the "Partisan," "Yemassee," "Katharine Walton," "The Scout," etc.
etc. This is another handsomely printed volume, uniform with the new and
complete edition of the author's works, now in the course of publication.
Judgment has already been passed upon the merits of this romance by
many of the best literary and historical critics of our country. Their
decisions have long since secured to the author, in connection with the
"Partisan," and other and similar productions, the highest reputation
among contemporary writers. It may be justly said of Mr. Simms that no
American author of the same class has ever been truer to the leading facts
of history, or more faithful in the delineation of the original characters
of the actors he has introduced. None has been more successful in blending
the witchery of romance with the patriotic, but often stern and cruel
realities of revolutionary warfare. We have had many romances founded
upon the events of the struggle which terminated in the independence of
the United States, too many of which, we are sorry to say, have been
characterized by inflation of style and exaggerated portraitures--by
improbable and often impossible incidents, and a total departure from the
historic record. Under such extravagances and perversions, we have not
unfrequently seen persons elevated to a heroic and virtuous distinction
in the romance of history, whom the truth of history had consigned to
execration and infamy. We have the comfortable assurance, however, in
perusing the pages of "Mellichampe," and similar works by the same author,
that we have before us the true characters of the persons intended to be
represented, and that the incidents have been faithfully delineated, yet
all admirably woven together in the web of a fascinating romance.
THE DIVINE CHARACTER VINDICATED. A Review of some of the principal
features of Rev. Dr. E. Beecher's recent work, entitled, "The Conflict
of Ages; or, the Great Debate on the Moral Relations of God and Man." By
the Rev. Moses Ballou. Persons fond of religious controversy, and more
particularly those who have read Dr. Beecher's work, will no doubt take an
interest in the "Vindication." This work appears to have been written with
great candor, and equal explicitness, in regard to the religious views of
the author, which differ very materially from those of Dr. B. What will be
the amount of its influence in arresting the "conflict of ages," can only
be conjectured by the effects produced by the controversies of the past.
Theologians, though with the best intentions towards the establishment
and preservation of peace, have been the great combatants in the conflict
which, for ages, has distracted the human mind on speculative questions
of religion, to determine which there has been no appeal but to man's
fallible reason, to his prejudices, to his rashness, and to his spirit of
hatred and persecution--power and might, not charity and good-will, being
in most cases the arbiters. "A better day is coming," no doubt, when the
sad conflict will cease forever. But that better day will have its dawn in
"another and a better world," the beauties of which will be reserved for
those who have kept aloof from the uncharitable warfares of this; and, in
saying this much, we need not be brought into "conflict" with any one.
THE RUSSIAN SHORES OF THE BLACK SEA, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1852: _with a Voyage
down the Volga, and a Tour through the Country of the Don Cossacks_. By
Laurence Oliphant, author of "A Journey to Nepaul." From the third London
edition. This is a very pleasant narrative, containing a great deal that
is interesting in regard to the habits, customs, &c., of a portion of
the inhabitants of Russia, bordering on the Black Sea. The book will
elicit attention at this time, because it relates to a portion of the
empire which must become the theatre of great events, should the war be
prosecuted between it and the western powers of Europe. It is not exactly
the work, however, for the statesman and politician, presenting but few
statistics or practical observations from which reliable conclusions may
be drawn.
THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM H. C. HOSMER. The poems of Mr. Hosmer
are presented to us in two handsome volumes, respectively of 374 and
376 pages. The greater portion of the first volume is devoted to poems
relating to Indians, the principal among which is "Yonnondio; or, the
Warriors of the Genesee: a Tale of the Seventeenth Century." This poem
was first published in 1844. Most of the shorter poems have, from time to
time, appeared in the magazines and newspapers of the day, and evince not
only the poetic taste and talent of the author, but the soundness of his
moral sentiments, and his natural love of liberty and justice from his
youth up.
MERRIMACK; OR, LIFE AT THE LOOM. _A Tale._ By Day Kellogg Lee, author of
"Summerfield; or, Life on a Farm," and "Master Builder; or, Life at a
Trade." Like all the other works of this author, the volume now before
us, as a literary production, is quiet and unpretending; but it is not
the less true to nature, in its delineations of the hopes, joys, labors,
sufferings, and misfortunes of the class he represents. Their habits,
conversations, and reflections, their moral and religious feelings, their
friendships and their loves, are all drawn in characters true to the life,
and with an easy, fluent power of description that is not often excelled.
In the peculiar line of writing our author has chosen, there is a wide and
interesting field before him. No kind of knowledge will have a greater
tendency to cement the foundations of this republic than a familiar
acquaintance, and its consequent sympathy, with the true life, characters,
impulses, and labors of the various classes who contribute to its support
and defence. To know one another is the best guaranty of union, and in
"union there is strength."
* * * * *
From LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, Philadelphia:--
THE SEPULCHRES OF OUR DEPARTED. By Rev. F. R. Anspach, A. M., Hagerstown,
Maryland. A pure and happy Christian spirit pervades the pages of this
volume, which cannot fail to infuse its genial glow into the hearts of
all who will peruse it with the right dispositions. We believe the work
is calculated to do a great deal of good wherever it may be read, and
will unquestionably awaken a proper attention to the burial-places of the
dead, which, as we know by experience, and by the complaints of newspaper
editors and their correspondents, are shamefully neglected in various
cities and towns of this Christian land.
* * * * *
From C. M. SAXTON, Agricultural Book Publisher, New York, through E. C. &
J. BIDDLE, Philadelphia:--
ELLIOTT'S FRUIT-BOOK: _or, the American Fruit-Grower's Guide in Orchard
and Garden_. Being a compend of the history, modes of preparation,
culture, &c., of fruit-trees and shrubs, with descriptions of nearly
all the varieties of fruits cultivated in this country; notes of their
adaptation to localities and soils, and also a complete list of fruits
worthy of cultivation. By F. R. Elliott. The price of this valuable work,
a handsome volume of five hundred pages, is only $1.50. The author is a
practical man, who, for more than ten years, has been patiently, and, as
he says, pleasantly engaged in the nurturing of trees and noting their
products. Such a book as he has presented the public with will not fail
to secure a ready and extensive sale in every part of the country where
the least attention is paid to the cultivation of orchard fruits, or to
those of the garden; and we feel sure that, in no spot where an "opening"
or a "clearing" has been made, is the cultivation of fruit in some form
or other entirely neglected. But, as it is important in the start to know
the description of fruit adapted to the peculiarities of soil and climate
by which the cultivator may happen to be surrounded, we unhesitatingly
recommend the book to his examination and study.
* * * * *
From LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO, & CO. (successors to Grigg & Elliot), No. 14
North Fourth Street, Philadelphia:--
TRIALS AND CONFESSIONS OF AN AMERICAN HOUSEKEEPER. Portions of this
handsome volume have been presented to the public in a different form;
but, as a work of amusement, as well as of wisdom, it will not be the less
acceptable on that account in its present shape, and with its numerous
appropriate illustrations. The _trials_ will be found full of instruction
for the inexperienced, and the _confessions_ will probably induce others
to examine their consciences who now think themselves blameless. The last
two chapters contain admirable lessons in regard to the treatment of
servants, and the important duties of a mother to her children.
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF A COUNTRY MERCHANT. _A Narrative of his Exploits
at Home, during his Travels, and in the Cities._ Designed to amuse and
instruct. By J. B. Jones, author of "Wild Western Scenes," "Adventures of
Colonel Vanderbomb," "The Monarchist," etc. The design of the author has
been admirably fulfilled. The contents of his volume are truly amusing;
and, with regard to the peculiarities of mercantile life, and steamboat
travelling in the West, it presents the reader with numerous instructive
lessons and graphic sketches.
THE WINTER LODGE; _or, a Vow Fulfilled. An Historical Novel._ By James
Weir. This volume is the sequel to "Simon Kenton." Its contents are highly
interesting, being animated descriptions of the early condition of the
western settlement, of the characters and habits of the people, and of
their bloody contests with the Indians.
* * * * *
From BESSEY & CO., Springfield, Mass., for sale by LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO, &
CO., and T. B. PETERSON, Philadelphia:--
CUT FLOWERS: _a Collection of Poems_. By Mrs. D. Ellen Goodman Shephard.
Edited by J. G. Holland. Many of the poetic effusions of the lamented
author have graced the pages of the "Lady's Book" and the columns of
"Arthur's Home Gazette." To the former work they were always most
acceptable, not so much on account of their fastidious conformity to
rhythmical rules, as for their happy and beautiful metaphors, and for
the instructive lessons they contained; the former drawn from simple
and natural objects, and the latter founded upon the truths of holy
Revelation. We venture nothing by the assertion, that there is not a poem
in this collection that will not meet with the kindest approval, and that
there is not a sentiment expressed that will not find a willing response
in the sympathies of the reader.
* * * * *
From HARPER & BROTHERS, New York, through LINDSAY & BLAKISTON,
Philadelphia:--
A CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By Charles Dickens. Vol. 2. England from
the reign of Henry the Sixth to the Revolution of 1688. We have never
seen the first volume of this history; and, after a short examination of
the second, we think we may venture to say, with all deference to the
great literary reputation of Mr. Dickens, that the style of his child's
history is not very clear, and not always appropriate to the dignity,
the solemnity, or the importance of the events related. In the effort to
reach the comprehension of children, in our opinion, it was not necessary
to relate deeds of injustice, murder, and rapine, however frequent their
recurrence, in an off-hand and careless manner, in indifferent words,
or to refer to them by a sneer or a joke. Such writing may be called
sprightly and easy, but it is by no means calculated to leave a lasting
impression of the baseness and cruelty of the deeds recorded upon the mind
of the youthful reader, or a just detestation of the characters of those
by whom they were perpetrated.
* * * * *
From MILLER, ORTON, & MULLIGAN, Auburn & Buffalo, through T. B. PETERSON,
Philadelphia:--
MINNIE HERMAN; _or, the Night and its Morning. A Tale for the Times._ By
Thurlow W. Brown, author of "Temperance Tales and Hearthstone Reveries."
The evils of intemperance, like the truths of Scripture and morality,
cannot be too frequently or too warmly insisted upon by judicious and
capable speakers and writers. They should be "kept before the people"
continually, as the politicians say, in order, if possible, to awaken
public opinion to a just sense of their enormity. The interest and
importance of the subjects incidentally connected with the discussion
are in no danger of being exhausted at present, and therefore not only
the attention and patience of readers and hearers may be relied on,
but very probably the footsteps of many will continue to be arrested,
as they are starting upon the downward path which leads to poverty,
crime, and dishonor. We are happy to recognize, in the author of the
excellent volume before us, the able editor of the "_Cayuga Chief_," a
popular newspaper published at Auburn, N. Y. Mr. Brown is an ardent and
consistent advocate of temperance, and of the principles of the Maine
Law, as his work will abundantly testify. In his zealous detestation of
intemperance, he draws pictures of distress, misery, and crime, which
sensitive hearts will naturally turn from with abhorrence, hoping, and
even deeming it impossible that such incidents could ever have occurred in
the midst of civilized society. But, alas! in those pictures, revolting
and painful as they are, those who are familiar with the facts and the sad
condition of its victims will recognize in this work the ever-present and
unquestionable results of intemperance.
* * * * *
From D. APPLETON & CO., No. 200 Broadway, New York, through C. G.
HENDERSON & CO., corner of Fifth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia:--