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are interspersed throughout the volume. Strong clear paper and an exquisite type make the appearance of the book accord with its intrinsic worth. To preachers of the gospel-with whom whatever throws light upon the ages preceding the advent of Christ has such especial, we might say peculiar value-Rawlinson's Herodotus will prove a great help, alike as a book of reference and of consecutive study.

2. Select Sermons Preached in the Broadway Church. By Rev. E. H. Chapin, D. D. New York: Henry Lyon. 1859.

It has been remarked of Burke that his first literary efforts were distinguished for compactness of thought tersely expressed, as, for example, the treatise on the Sublime and Beautiful, while in later years, he gave greater indulgence to his imagination, delighting in tropes and swelling periods. Such, we are sure, is not the common experience of literary men. Certainly, it has not been thus with the author of the sermons named above. With every fresh issue of his pen, we discover a growing severity of style. A large proportion of the sentences in this book have a laconic force; while the general power is subdued, indicating a supremacy of the will rather than of the emotions. We do not think that his present style will, in all particulars, meet the expectations of the "unskilful," though we are confident that judicious readers will find in it evidence of intellectual growth, and of progress in the higher style of oratory. It is however too late to assign Mr. Chapin a position. A constantly growing popularity for twenty years, settles that point. The public may be imposed upon by pretences for a time. But give the popular taste twenty or even ten years to make up its judgment, and the verdict will be infallible.

3. The New American Cyclopædia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. Volume VII. Edward-Fueras. New York: D. Appleton & Company. Boston: Elliot & White. 1859.

The present volume contains over four thousand articles filling seven hundred and eighty-seven royal octavo double-column pages. Chief among its articles are the more extended ones on Jonathan Edwards, (a most admirable analysis of the metaphysical theology of this extraordinary logician,) Egypt, England (history, language, and literature,) Entomology (as compact a piece of composition as we can name,) Europe, Fortifications, France, and Franklin. We name these of course simply as specimens of the kinds of subjects presented-others of nearly equal length. are numerous. As the last half of the letters of the alphabet

do not average so great a number of important initials, we may expect that succeeding volumes will apparently (though not in fact) get over the ground faster than have those now printed. Beyond the convenience, however, of having the whole work for immediate reference, none can desire that volumes destined to have such a permanent use, be hurried from the press. Four volumes a year must give the editors sufficient employment for the time. The sketches of living American statesmen amply exhibit the impartiality with which the editors perform their task. From these sketches no one could infer the partisan views of their writers. Nothing but facts are stated-the personal bias of the writer is no where apparent. As far as we can judge, the same holds of all the historical articles. Even the Catholic has complained only that Protestants are permitted to state his side of questions-we have seen no instance in which he has complained of the statements themselves. We trust that the enterprise of the publishers will meet with the appropriate response from the American public. It does not often happen that so valuable an acquisition of knowledge can be procured at so moderate an expense. We repeat the advice heretofore given-get the volumes as they appear.

4. Fiji and the Fijians. By Thomas Williams and James Calvert, late Missionaries in Fiji. Edited by George Stringer Rouse. New York: D. Appleton and Company. 1859. 8vo. pp. 551.

The Fiji Islands number about two hundred and twenty. Of these, only about eighty are inhabited, and these contain a population approaching one hundred and fifty thousand. The entire group covers about forty thousand square miles of the South Pacific, and forms "a connecting link between the abodes of the Malayan and Papuan race." The islands exhibit marked varieties of surface-rich valleys with groves of palm and chesnut trees and bananas, volcanic precipices, coral reefs, and lofty mountain peaks. But this region of material; beauty has long been the abode of the most ferocious cannibals-has been the theatre of the most revolting forms of cruelty, superstition, and self-abasement. It is now however, thanks to the zeal of Methodist Missionary labor-the scene of a hopeful degree of civilization-cannibalism, infanticide and polygamy being constantly on the decrease. The Fiji Islands have thus an interest to the geologist, the ethnologist and the philanthropist; all of whom will hail the appearance of the carefully prepared, tersely written, and in very many instances, fascinating pages of the volume named above. Mr. Williams has presented valuable information respecting the topography of the islands, their fer

tility and resources; but has done a much more acceptable labor, in the facts he has brought together respecting the manners, form of government, language and religion of the islanders. His chapter on their religion is, we think, the most instructive portion of his work. Many of his readers will be surprised that a race of cannibals should develope ideas so nearly approaching a spiritual conception of the Divine existence. Mr. Calvert gives a well written history of missionary operations among the Fijians-labors discouraging enough at first, but finally rewarded with an encouraging degree of success. The facts given in the whole work are novel, and while instructing the reader, will not fail to entertain him.

5. The Martyrs. By M. De Chateaubriand. A Revised Translation. Revised by O. W. Wight, A. M. New York: Derby & Jackson. 1859.

This edition of a work which, in spite of serious defects, has established its reputation as a French classic, the editor assures us, is the only one that can claim to be a complete translation. In his revision, the editor his produced nearly a third of the work left out by the English translator, while numerous additions have been retrenched. The plan of the "Martyrs" may be stated as purposing to exhibit side by side the two religions, Christianity and Paganism, in their diversities of character and external accompaniments, in the somewhat waning period of the Roman empire. The most prominent figure however is Chateaubriand! With an egotism more amusing than provoking, he constantly obtrudes himself upon his readers, not unfrequently eclipsing his subject. On the death of Mdme. de Beaumont, for whom he affected to have a passionate love, he is said to have written to a friend: "You cannot imagine to what a degree I am liked and respected here for my grief, and for my conduct on this occasion!" The writer of such a sentence might not inaptly be regarded as approaching the sublime of selfishness. A singular genius was the author of the "Martyrs." He has however written a book which, notwithstanding its defects, will not fail for readers.

6. The Thoughts, Letters and Opuscules of Blaise Pascal. Translated from the French, by O. W. Wight, A. M. With Introductory Notices, and Notes from all the Commentators. New York: Derby & Jackson. 1859.

Besides what is announced by the title page, this volume contains an account of the various editions of Pascal's Thoughts, an essay on the "Genius and Writings of Pascal," by Henry

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Rogers, and an essay entitled, "Pascal considered as a Philosophic Skeptic," by the French philosopher, Cousin. These prefixes have a polemical interest, in that Roger's essay is in part an attack on Cousin's views touching Pascal's philosophic skepticism, while the essay from Cousin is in part a reply to Rogers. The "Thoughts," however, make the most valuable portion of the volume, and these cannot be too highly praised. A profound logician, highly imaginative, a master of style, earnest, sincere and full of humane feeling, Pascal will be read as long as greatness and goodness are venerated by men. The skepticism which gave the point of dispute between Rogers and Cousin, had been to Pascal a source of much distress, bodily as well as mental. To save others from a similar fate, he purposed writing a book on Christian evidences, which should anticipate every possible form of doubt. The "Thoughts" were merely notes, taken down in chronological rather than logical order, preparatory to the book, which however he did not live to complete. The two volumes of Pascal (the " Provincial Letters" were noticed in our last) are the most complete collection of the productions of that great man-pronounced by the editor "not only the greatest genius but the holiest man that France has produced"-accessible to the English reader.

7. The Holy Bible, containing the old and New Testaments; translated out of the Original Tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised. In which all the proper names are pronounced, and a copious and original selection of References, and numerous Marginal Readings are given, together with Introductions to Books, and numerous Tables and Maps. New York: Carlton and Porter. Boston: James P. Magee, New England Methodist Depository.

This edition of the Bible has several valuable peculiarities. It gives the pronunciation of proper names, "syllabically divided, and accented according to the present lexicographical standard." The various references of the common version have been revised, and many new references have been inserted in the middle columns of this edition, making a more complete Scripture concordance than any other reference Bible. The marginal references have all been inserted in the columns, and the reference marks are distinct. A capital feature is a short introduction to each book of both Testaments, 'embracing all the necessary items of historical interest, such as date, authority and genuineness, and a synopsis of subjects of which it treats." Chronological, historical, geographical and archæological tables have been drawn from the most recent sources of information. Several maps recently constructed will greatly assist the reader in determining the Scripture localities. The edition is handsomely

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bound, but the substantiality is more marked than the beauty. Recommended by so many excellencies, this edition of the Scriptures cannot fail to arrest the attention of purchasers.

8. Hits at American Whims, and Hints for Home Use. By Frederick W. Sawyer. Boston: Walker, Wise and Company. 1860.

With the exception of an occasional lack of discrimination in the application of criticism and complaint, the author has given us palpable hits and valuable hints. As we are anxious to convert our Puritan friends to more rational views pertaining to amusement and recreation, we would not run the risk of prejudicing their judgments by an uncalled for harshness of rebuke. The author has physiological as well as philosophical views on such topics as cleanliness of person, out-of-door exercise, muscular training and amusement. His suggestions on these and kindred points, will meet the approval of judicious readers. He does not however appreciate the spirit of the New England divine who said that Yankees think enough of their creeds to quarrel about them. His chapter on Creeds is more plausible than sagacious. It may seem easy to demonstrate their inutility on logical principles, but we should deplore the day when people lose interest in theological opinions. The American people will do well to heed our author's advice on the subject of good manners-the lack of which is our national fault. We commend also his suggestions on the subject of charity. If opportunites rather than money were given to the poor, they and their benefactors would be benefited by the substitution. As a whole, we heartily commend the book.

9. Fables of La Fontaine. Illustrated by J. J. Grandville. Translated from the French, by Elizur Wright, Jr. New York: Derby & Jackson. 1859.

This edition of La Fontaine's Fables contains, in addition to what has appeared heretofore, a Life of La Fontaine which recently appeared, for the first time, in Paris, and which has been translated by the editor, Mr. O. W. Wight; an estimate of La Fontaine's literary character by M. Nisnard, also translated by the editor; and copious critical notices. The translator of the Fables, Mr. Elizur Wright, Jr., is well known to the American literary public. A keener wit does not live in our midst. He has been pronounced by a high authority, as "kith and kin with La Fontaine," having the same good humored way of looking upon the world and the doings of man, and something of the same humorous turn of expression." Nature as well as education, therefore, qualified him to introduce to English and

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