portraits are some of them broadly humorous, they are no unreal creations. The style is, in general, natural and nervous-and in those portions of the work which embody most of the peculiar dialects of some of his originals, it may be thought something too much so. Aside from the interest which, as an attractive work of fiction, it is well calculated to excite, it contains valuable reflections upon prominent American topics, which show the author to be, not merely a man of quick observation, keen satire, and abundant humor, but also a man of sound judgment and comprehensive views. With several perceptible faults it possesses many beauties. The materiel-the jewels are there; and those who may suggest defects in the setting, cannot controvert their claim to be classed as brilliants. We are not sorry to learn, that the author does not intend to repose upon his laurels.

TODD'S JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY of the English Language, in Miniature. By THOMAS REES, LL.D., F. S. A. Philadelphia: KEY AND Biddle.

A VERY few words may serve to inform the reader, that this is a most neat and convenient edition of Johnson's Dictionary, revised by Todd. To the main part is appended a copious vocabulary of Greek, Latin, and Scriptural Proper Names, divided into syllables, and accentuated for pronunciation. The whole is executed upon a clear, fine type, and good paper, and the letter-press and binding are unexceptionable.

MECHANIC'S MAGAZINE, and Register of Inventions and Improvements. Edited by JOHN KNIGHT, late publisher and proprietor of the London Mechanic's Magazine. New-York: D. K. MINOR AND J. E. CHALLIS.

We know of no publication in this country better calculated to extend useful and important knowledge among the mechanics, and the scientific portion of the community, than the Mechanic's Magazine, a work, which, since its establishment, has been constantly increasing in value. It is not merely a compendium of Inventions and Improvements. It treats them in a clear and admirable manner, and explains and illustrates them by numerous engravings. It reflects credit upon the discernment and justice of the public, that it enjoys a liberal patronage.

MONTHLY COMPENDIUM.

UNITED STATES. CONGRESS.-On the 30th of June, the first session of the Twenty-third Congress was brought to a close, after a sitting of seven months. No bill was passed in either house, that was not definitively acted upon by the other. The subjoined are a few of the more important appropriations: Making appropriations for the Revolutionary Pensioners of the United States, for the year 1834. To enable the Secretary of State to purchase the papers and books of General Washington. To attach the territory of the United States, West of the Mississippi river and North of the State of Missouri, to the Territory of Michigan. Granting a township of land to certain exiled Poles, from Poland. Making appropriation for the improvement of the navigation of the Hudson river, in the State of New-York. To provide for the payment of claims for property destroyed by the enemy while in the military service of the United States during the late war with the Indians on the frontiers of Illinois and Michigan territory.

The charge upon the Treasury, for the present year, will be as follows,

viz :

From the last item deduct as an ascertained excess of appropriations,

In the Treasury on the
1st January, 1834,

Total,

7,985,790 $27,983,790

NEW CABINET.-The following nominations of the President were all confirmed by the Senate, during the last days of the session. Hon. JOHN FORSYTH, of Georgia, (of the Senate,) to be Secretary of State, vice Louis M'Lane, of Delaware, resigned. Hon. LEVI WOODBURY, of New-Hampshire, (of the Navy Department,) to be Secretary of the Treasury, vice R. B. Taney, of Maryland, rejected. Hon. MAHLON DICKERSON, of New-Jersey, (lately appointed Minister to Russia,) to be Secretary of the Navy, vice Levi Woodbu ry, promoted. The remainder of the Cabinet will stand as heretofore: Hon. LEWIS CASS, of Michigan, Secretary of War. Hon. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, of New-York, Attorney General. Hon. WILLIAM T. BARRY, of Kentucky, Post Master General. Hon. WILLIAM WILKINS, Senator from Pennsylvania, has been appointed to the post of Plenipotentiary to Russia, vacated by the transfer of Mr. Dickerson. There was no nomination for Minister to England.

GOLD.-Under the law which has passed Congress, to increase the value $22,000,000 of gold, old coinage, now in existence, 4,760,081 will pass thus: The Eagle $10 66 3-4; 285,000 half Eagle $5 32 1-2; the quarter Eagle $2 66 3-4; this being the true value of the pure gold now in those coins; 5,964,572 the new coinage will contain as much less pure gold as will make the Eagle $32,909,653 and its parts pass at $10, $5, and $2 50. British gold will pass thus: The Guinea $5 3-4; the Sovereign $4 84; the Louis 774,383 d'or of France about $3 75; the Doubloons, Spanish and Patriot, $15 60. All these values suppose full weight, as the value is always to be corrected by weight.

$32,135,270 The Receipts of the Treasury, for the year 1834, may be stated as follows, viz: Estimated receipts from all sources Probable Excess of Receipts over Estimates

$15,500,00

THE NAVY.-Among the late acts of Congress is one appropriating $180,000 to rebuild the frigate Congress; another, 1,500,000 appropriating $50,000 to procure a live

Total-Non

slave-holding 7,012,476

10,079,964

80,969 490,402

Virginia,

1,211,405

13.7

Dist. Columbia, 39,834

20.5

852,374

South Carolina, 581,185

15.4

51.5

47,999

749,055 249,196 303,329 296,219

MASSACHUSETTS.

RAIL-ROADS.-The Worcester Rail

road has commenced business under the best auspices.

On Friday, the 18th 1,377,367 ultimo, there were not less than three thousand persons in the cars, yielding 670,687 a sum to the proprietors of no less than 782,986 eight hundred dollars. There is a new route in contemplation, viz: from Boston to Salem, over the turnpike; which, when completed, will probably be ex837,046 tended to Portsmouth, N. H. a distance in which space there is nothing that deserves the name of a hill, and the whole route might be finished without blasting a single rock, and with perhaps half the expense of the Harlaem Rail-road, a distance of only about seven miles.

1,103,682

64,673
60,000

7,965,984

18,045,948

COMMERCE OF BOSTON.-The number of foreign arrivals from January 1 to June 30, 1834, was 511-during the same time last year, 480-excess over last year, 31. The number of foreign clearances from January 1 to June 30, 1834, was 478-during the corresponding time last year, 412-excess over last year, 66. The amount of duties accrued from January 1 to June 30, 1833, was, $1,818,465 14. First quarter 1834 Second quarter 1834, estimated,

655,714 56

864,800 00

$1,520,514 56

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.-The last

Grand Total, 288,238 Annual Report of the Trustees of the

hours covered completely over with water. Sheep, hogs, and cattle were swept away and drowned, principally of the former, to the amount of several hundreds. The bridges at Columbus and at Circleville, have been swept away by the onward rush of waters. The Ohio Canal has also been damaged to a great extent.

NEW-JERSEY.

DELAWARE AND RARITAN CANAL.This undertaking is now accomplished, and an entire inland navigation is completed from New-York to Baltimore. A large barge proceeded a few days since from Bordentown in the Delaware, having on board Gov. Vroom, General Wall, the Secretary of State, and most of the Directors and many of the Stockholders, on its passage through the Canal, for the purpose of observing minute

New England Institution for the Edu- | cation of the Blind, exhibits the condition and prospects of this establishment in a favorable light. After the commencement of its operations, about two years since, with very limited resources and under discouraging circumstances, it soon awakened a deep interest in the public mind, and secured a liberal share of public patronage. The munificent donations by Mr. Perkins, of Boston, of his valuable mansion-house, as a permanent residence for the blind, was speedily followed by contributions from the public to an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars. The Legislature of Massachusetts appropriated $6,000 per annum, for the education of the indigent blind of that state. The Legislature of Connecticut, made an annual appropriation of $1,000 for twelve years, for the same purpose. The Legislature of Newly its formation and peculiar fitness for Hampshire voted $500 and a temporary appropriation, and Vermont an appropriation of $1,200 per annum for ten years. With these resources, the institution, having provided the requisite accommodations of school rooms, work shops, play grounds, etc. opened its doors for the reception of pupils from all parts of the country last September. Since that time the number of pupils has gradually increased, and more are expected. The whole number admitted has been thirty-eight; the actual number is thirty-four; of these twenty-four are from Massachusetts; four from New Hampshire; two from Connecticut; one from Rhode Island; one from NewYork; one from Ohio; and one from Virginia.

OHIO.

FLOOD.-A heavy flood has occurred on the Sciota river, which is remarkable on account of its happening in July; an incident never noticed since the settlement of Ohio. The corn and wheat on the western bottoms of the river were entirely under water, comprising the best crop known for years. The latter was just fit for cutting, and indeed some had been already reaped, when the freshet came and destroyed the whole. The most destruction was effected upon the corn, with which almost the whole of those rich bottoms, owned principally by large stock raising farmers, was planted. Thousand of acres, in the highest state of cultivation, were for ten

a great and valuable object. The Canal, we understand, is now open for the passing of shallops, etc. from the Delaware to the Raritan-the supply of water is good and appears to be abundant for a depth of six or seven feet. It is perhaps one of the largest and most substantial works of the kind in the Union. Length of the main Canal from the steam-boat wharf, at New Brunswick, via Trenton, to Bordentown, on the Delaware, about forty-three miles, eighty feet wide by eight feet deep. The Feeder extends from Trenton, up the Delaware to Bull's Island, a distance of twenty-three miles-forty feet wide by five feet deep.

MISSOURI.

THE MORMON WAR.-Advices from the West seem to indicate that the war between the citizens of Jackson county, Missouri, and the disciples of the Book of Mormon, who have encamped among them, and whose conduct has rendered them peculiarly obnoxious to those among whom they have taken up their abode. An attack was made on the Mormon village some time since, in which much damage was done to their property, and they were peremptorily ordered to decamp from that section. Since then, bands of their brethren have been seen crossing the Ohio and Mississippi to join them, and it is probable that their increased numbers will soon enable them to bid defiance to their foes.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

"AMERICAN POETS AND THEIR CRITICS."-We are glad to perceive that the article in our last number, under this title, has received invariable praise. We are pleased at this circumstance, because it convinces us that the reign of impudent hypercriticism, exercised by the weak obscure, is well nigh over. The facts and passages adduced in the article in question, were all truly quoted; no distortion nor perversion was allowed in any instance, and as much more of the same tenor could have been given in each case.* The dramatic quotations were derived from the pieces as played, and as remembered by the audience; many of whom, when desirous of a laugh, have since compared notes on the subject. There is a variation in one instance, from the printed copy-namely, the burst of eloquent inquiry which overwhelmed the supernumerary in the Usurper. It is well known in Philadelphia, however, that the printed Tragedy differs materially from the production as played. It was indeed so intolerably bad, that many of the actors burnt their written parts in the Green-room, on the evening of the second representation, being determined to repeat their characters no more.

A correspondent has inquired if it can be possible that such a writer has gained admission into a respectable Quarterly for so long a time? Yea, verily, it is; and on every appearance, he has received universal condemnation. In the last instance, all the journals of authority among us, have already expressed their disdain and censure. In using an occasion to expose some of the ridiculous inconsistencies and poor judgment of this individual, we were actuated by the honest desire to secure something like justice hereafter to our native writers, by showing the invidious motives which have withheld it, as well as the incapacity which has substituted a watery hypercriticism in its stead. The extracts that were given afforded all the proof that was necessary to establish the incompetence of the dramatico-critic. They have spoken for themselves; their meaning is inherent, though separated from the other, and often "baser matter," by which they are surrounded, in the pages whence they were taken. The field from which these flowers of literature were culled, and the anecdotes with which their presentation might be garnished, are inexhaustible: whether they are to be sought hereafter, or to "waste their sweetness upon the desert air" of Oblivion, will depend upon the inducements offered by the assumptions of the critic himself.

We are thoroughly convinced of one fact-namely, that no medium of communication with the public, however dignified its pretensions, can sanctify dullness, or give force to that kind of false acumen at which sense and taste revolt with a smile of ridicule. We take the public to be the umpire in letters; and we look upon any opinions which clash with a verdict from that source, as of very little value indeed. They are suspicious in their origin, and utterly unsuccessful in their aim. Instead of the pitiable sneers of envy or ignorance, (given while the public smiles,) we hold, with the North American Review, that a competent critic will approach with respect the literature of a great nation. "If a good book contains the best thoughts and sentiments of a fine mind, the 'life-blood of a master spirit,' the literature of a nation contains all the noble feelings, the creed, the morals, and the aspirations of a people. To condemn it in a mass, is to pronounce the sentence of worthlessness against a large part of the whole sum of human existence. Respect for human nature, therefore, allows no hasty judgment against a national literature."

* A typographical error or two escaped the vigilance of the proof-reader in the text of the article in question; but the intelligent reader will readily correct them.