GOSSIP OF THE MONTH.

THE ARISTOCRATIC MONITOR is the appropriate and striking name of a weekly journal, published by Berford & Co., Broadway, and edited by Chace Barney, Esq., well known in our community as a finished scholar and accomplished writer. The paper, as its name imports, is given to chronicling the sayings and doings of our aristocratic world. What! cries the indignant republican; do you presume to acknowledge the pretensions of an aristocracy in our democratic America? Most assuredly; and there is no place in the world better adapted than a country so perfectly free as ours, to allow people the innocent diversion of playing at aristocracy if they are so disposed. Let us be understood; we confine the word aristocracy to social life, as this lively paper does. If a journal were started here, not a very probable speculation, to advocate aristocratic principles in a political sense, then we should combat its arguments and denounce its views. But in happy America every man and every woman is allowed to make money and grow rich, and where's the use of wealth, if one can't spend it as he likes? This privilege will always create a class that exercise influence in social life, and why should not a journal, if it can make profit out of it, as the Aristocratic Monitor does, occupy itself with the interests, feelings, and pursuits of this class. We have religious, temperance, commercial, literary, and we don't know how many more of all kinds of papers, meant to serve the fancies of their various patrons; then why should we not have an aristocratic paper, too? This is no doubt what Messrs. Berford & Co. thought when they established it; and conducted with so much tact, taste, and skill by Mr. Barney, it is no marvel that its success is so great. We hear its list ran up by thousands faster than any newspaper of modern annals.

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

THE ITALIAN OPERA took very unceremonious leave of their New-York patrons some three weeks' since, and serious fears were entertained that,

"Like a ship gone down at sea

When heaven was all tranquillity,"

that we should see no more of these capricious warblers. But such apprehensions have been put to flight by the formal announcement that, after their temporary sojourn at Philadelphia, they will return to their first love, New York, and renew their melodious career amongst us. We await the return of this delightful amusement with ill-disguised impatience.

The PARK THEATRE's spring campaign may be told in words as few and significant, as those Cæsar employed to record his Eastern triumph, but with a very different im port. "Veni, vidi, vici," wrote the Roman conqueror-I came, I saw, and conquered. The luckless manager of the Park may as briefly describe the fate of his theatre. "Opened, lingered, shut." The case is a desperate one, evidently. Nothing short of a new interior, an improved exterior, with some fresh blood in the old management, can restore the ancient fortunes of that once successful establishment. "Alas! poor Yorick !"

THE BOWERY THEATRE.-A sudden resuscitation in the direction of this theatre lately attracted our attention. A succession of new pieces, improved scenery, better acting, signs on every side of superior order, attention, to say nothing of increased cleanliness:

all, in short, announced that a new system, and a new spirit had got possession of this favorite establishment. The mystery was explained at once, when the rumor reached us that Mr. Hamblin again presided over its destinies. There is no man in this country, nor, indeed, out of it, so entirely competent to carry any theatrical enterprize up to the highest point of successful experiment, as this well-known person. Having held, for so many years, the foremost place in his arduous and honorable profession of tragedian, he is necessarily alive to all the exigencies of the stage, and can judge perfectly of the dramatic properties of a play, and the comparative abilities of those who aspire to represent it. This is the first requisite of a skilful manager. He has, besides, a quality equally indispensable, but far more rare in his calling, which consists in a varied and profound knowledge of business in all its ramifications. Punctuality, decision, industry, vigilance, in fine, every trait of that sagacious and subtle compound, christened "a man of business," distinguish him in an eminent degree. Of course, then, his management anywhere and in anything must be successful. The Bowery Theatre, under his control, has always been the best regulated house in the United States. When he held it formerly the stock company was the strongest in the country; and the entertainments he used to give the public were the choicest, the most striking, and the most gorgeous ever produced in America. His faculties have only ripened with rest, and he resumes the direction of this theatre with renewed powers, and fresh resolutions to restore its former reputation, and bring back its former popularity. There is a striking attribute that outshines all the rest in this great manager's character, his wonderful courage, which, calm in misfortune, is steady in success, and which, across obstacles, difficulties and trials of all kinds, never quails, droops, or abandons him. We welcome him back, cordially, to the position he should never have left, and we congratulate the public of New-York and the patrons of the Bowery, on the resumption by Mr. Hamblin of his managerial robe.

THE GYPSIES.-Mr. James Carruthers, in a lecture recently delivered in this city before a numerous and highly respectable audience, gave an elaborate exposition of the origin, history and characteristics of this strange and outcast race. The lecturer was peculiarly happy in his description of their entrance into countries-their social aspect, adventures, avocations, and marriage and burial ceremonies. He also gave a graphic account of the appearance of their camps in different parts of Europe, and their modes of combating civil power; also, their military expeditions, secret wealth and pleasures. Mr. C. concluded his entertaining lecture by showing how much the Gypsies were dreaded-at times, spies, incendiaries and robbers-often expelled, yet as oft bidding defiance to expulsive edicts. We trust we shall again have the pleasure of a similar treat from Mr. Carruthers. He is young and eloquent.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

THE MYSTERIES AND MISERIES OF NEW-YORK. By Ned Buntline. Berford & Co. This work is evidently suggested by the great work of Eugene Sue, and doubtless NewYork affords as ample material for a soul-stirring romance, as even the great Babylon of Europe. Mr. Judson has not sought, like the French author, to weave any peculiar ideas into his relation of social life, but merely to point out the modes and means of vice with which a great city always abounds. In relation to one vice, too prevalent, we quote a chapter as indicative of the style of the work:

"Reader, if you are one of the twenty thousand young clerks who are in this city, there is a moral in this young man's course and feelings, drawn entirely for you. Follow him through his career, watch him from his first false step to the last, and if you will let thought or fancy place you in his position-feeling as he does-knowing his guilt-dreading an exposure, and the disgrace which it must bring alike on him and those who love him, you would never even approach the first fatal misstep, for you would more fear the torments of a shamed and buruing conscience, than all the chains or bars which the penal law could inflict.

"You may rob your employers for years in small sums, and perchance do it with a cunning and address which will evade detection; but the ALL-SEEING EYE is upon you, and man never can inflict the punishment upon you that must come eventually, even in life, upon your own hearts. After the first step in crime is taken, it seems as if its memory never can be washed away; the devil seems at once to lay a claim upon the committer, and thenceforth drags him on and down, until he is plunged into the deepest vortex of infamy and misery. Do not commence gambling, for it begets stealing as surely as words are begotten and caused by thoughts. There have been more young men ruined in this and other cities by gambling than by any other means, even intemperance included. What more valuable assistant has the gambler than the liquor shop? None! Why does each establishment keep the best liquor upon their sideboards, to be drank freely, gratis, by their visitors? Simply because if a man drinks freely and addles his brain, they can dupe and rob him with less trouble. Beware of them all-they are sharks, cruising about the world-sea, and unlike the finny sharks of the ocean they can never be gorged.

"And yet gambling is illegal! Why, then,' asks the moral reader, 'is it permitted ?' We echo the question.

"It is pretended that gambling is carried on secretly-that the guardians of the law cannot find out where it is done? If such a pretence is made, it is false! The writer can point to many a hell' within sight of the City Hall steps. Yes, almost within hearing of the Grand Jury, where they hold their usual sittings, there are not less than a dozen large gambling hells, where citizens and strangers, old men and young, nightly assemble to enjoy this enticing and pernicious passion.

"The writer knows that he offends many a one by this open and plain talk, but this book is dedicated to the WARRIORS who are sent to battle with vice in every shape, and it is devoted to a good and noble purpose. Shall he then shrink from his duty because he may offend a set of desperadoes-men who are the very combings of society, who have no profession save that of genteel robbery? No. He has put his foot on the track, and he will 'hoe his row' or die.

"Let no one, then, who has these things in charge, say that gambling is carried on secretly in this city, and that the law cannot touch it. There are establishments here as openly kept, and quite as thickly attended, as the free-seat churches.

"Who that wears a decent coat was ever refused admittance to No. 3 Park Place, or the house directly opposite? Who ever was turned away from the Barclay-street hell, where our Henry Carlton and his gang hold forth, if he had a dollar to lose?

"The recherche establishment of Mr. Pat His'n may be a little more secret, because the sons of the elite patronise him; but yet his place is well known to those whose duty it is to put those things down. We intend that these persons shall have no excuse, for, if necessary, we will give a list of every gambling establishment in town, from Butcher Bill's' shop in the Bowery, up, and then see if it is pretended that gambling is carried on 'secretly-if these worst of law-breakers cannot be hauled over the purifying coals! "We do not mean to say that the Police, or their ever-stirring and energetic Chief, are

at all in fault in this matter. They are ever busy; no men connected with the city govern ment have harder work in earning their small, and but too niggardly salaries. But the fault is somewhere-it must rest with somebody! Before we are done with this work, we will try hard to find out who."

THE FAMILY AND SCHOOL MONITOR.

This is the title of a beautiful and comprehensive educational chart, by James Henry, Jr. The only novelty in this production is found in its arrangement of many of the leading and fundamental maxims in general education.

The groundwork of the Chart consists of a Tuscan Portico of four columns, on which are inscribed in large letters the great departments of Education, Labor, Government, and Virtue. Between the columns are three equal spaces filled with maxims, in Physical, Moral, and Intellectual Education, showing at a glance that it is the office of and design of right education to develope the powers and faculties in full and harmonious proportion.

We know of no work that, in so few words, and with so little tax upon both time and purse, will convey to the popular understanding so clear, accurate and comprehensive conceptions of a true and philosophical education. The Hon. Horace Mann, in a late number of the Massachusetts Common School Journal, expressed the hope that this chart would find a place in every school-house in that ancient and highly-distinguished Commonwealth. It has secured similar commendations from many of the enlightened friends of education in this and in other states, and we will add our hopes that it will find a place and that it will be read and studied, and that the great truths it inculcates will find a practical expression, in every family and school of this state and of the Union. Published in his usual style of excellence, by J. H. Colton, 86 Cedar-st., New-York.

EVA; OR THE ISLES OF LIFE AND DEATH. A Historical Romance. By Edward Maturin, Esq., author of "Montezuma," "the Last of the Aztecs," Benjamin the Jew of Granada," etc. 2 vols. Burgess, Stringer & Co.

Mr. Maturin is well-known to the literary world as a ripe scholar and distinguished writer, and the readers of the Review are already familiar with his productions. The Spanish ballads, which we published some time since, were highly prized. The present work is a tale of the conquest of Ireland, of the times when the wrongs of that people commenced under their English oppressors, whose yoke they have never since been able to shake off. The subject has been well-handled, and the historical basis wrought into a story of great power and interest by the skill and genius of Mr. Maturin. In the number of the Review for Nov., 1846, appeared from the then unpublished sheets of the present work, an interesting tale of "Morni and Ethnea, a Legend of St. Columba,” which doubtless our readers will remember favorably. Mr. Maturin has high claims to the public regard.

A SUMMER IN SCOTLAND. By Jacob Abbott. With engravings. Harper Brothers.

This title does not promise much in the way of novelty to the general reader, yet on its perusal a great degree of interest is excited, by the clearness with which scenes and historical places and buildings are described, fully coming up to the intention of the author, as expressed in his preface, of presenting a picture of what occurred in a summer's ramble.

THE BACHELOR OF THE ALBANY. By the author of the Falcon Family. Harper Brothers. This is a very lively and interesting novel, got up in a very neat, and exceedingly cheap style.

AMERICAN MNEMOTECHNY; or Art of Memory, Theoretical and Practical; on the basis of the most recent Discoveries and Improvements in Europe and America, &c. &c., with a Mnemotechnic Dictionary. Pliny Miles. 3d Edition. Wiley & Putnam. The ability to remember and call to mind, opportunely, what one has learned in the course of his existence, is a matter of the highest importance. In fact, without study. research and industry are of but little avail. He who is possessed of a prompt and good memory, may make far more available a small stock of information than a person without that faculty, with a very considerably greater fund of knowledge. Whatever, therefore, tends to strengthen and assist the memory, as it were, multiplies knowledge. The art of Mnemotechny has of late years been gradually growing in popular estimation, and the work of Mr. Miles ander notice, is one of the best treatises upon the science, a fact indicated in the sale of three editions.

THE ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND CONCLUSION OF THE FLORIDA WAR; To which is appended a Record of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates, of the United States' Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, who were killed in battle or died of disease, &c. &c. By John T. Sprague, Brevet-Captain eighth regiment United States' Infantry. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway, New-York.

This admirably-got-up volume supplies, in a most desirable manner, a remarkable passage in our national history, viz.: a seven years' war, waged against a handful of Indians, at an expense of near $20,000,000, more than two-thirds of the debt contracted for the conquest of Mexico. Capt. Sprague seems to have brought great industry and research to the construction of his history, and the facts seem to be treated with candor and judgment. The interest of the narration is well-sustained through the necessarily dry details of such a war. The sketches of the bold and daring chiefs, who led and sustained a war of seven years against the strength of the United States, are of high interest, and the whole contains matter of much useful information. We find the names of young officers who received their first brevets for gallant conduct in Florida, that of late have borne the brunt of the Mexican struggle. The book will no doubt meet with an extensive sale.

A SYSTEM OF ENGLISH VERSIFICATION; Containing Rules for the structure of the different kinds of verse. Illustrated by numerous Examples from the best Poets. By Erastus Everett, A. M. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway.

This little work supplies a grand desideratum, in furnishing a sort of guide to the structure of English verse. The author, in his preface, deplores the general ignorance that prevails upon this subject, even among those who have considerable literary attainments, and seeks, by furnishing a text book for the use of the advanced classes in schools and colleges, to supply a want, and we think he has done so successfully.

OLLENDORFF'S NEW METHOD OF LEARNING TO READ, WRITE, AND SPEAK THE SPANISH LANGUAGE; With an Appendix, containing a brief, but comprehensive recapitulation of the Rules, as well as of all the Verbs, both regular and irregular, &c. &c. By M. Velasquez and P. Simonné, Professors of the Spanish and French Languages. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway.

The great and deserved celebrity of Professor Ollendorff's method of teaching the French, German, and Italian languages, enables the application of that method to the Spanish language to be fully appreciated; the more so, that all elementary treatises on that language have been heretofore more or less defective.

A REPLY TO DOCTOR MILNOR'S "End of Religious Controversy," so far as the Churches of the English Communion are concerned. By Samuel Farmar Jarvis, D.D., LL.D., &c. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway.

This rather heated theological discussion has doubtless much interest for a large class of the community. The writer is seemingly much aggrieved at the favor shown Romanism of late by the English Ministers, and is apparently of the opinion that the Maynooth Grant rather gives the Catholics the advantage over the Established Church.

THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS. Illustrated with 600 beautiful designs on wood. In 12 parts. Harper Brothers, New-York.

There have been many editions put out of these world-renowned and popular tales; but none are equal in style of typography, or beauty and splendor of illustration, to the present beautiful edition of the Messrs. Harpers.

MANESCA'S ORAL SYSTEM OF TEACHING LIVING LANGUAGES. Illustrated by a Practical Course of Lessons in the Spanish Language, through the medium of the English. By Don Carlos Rabadon, Professor of the Spanish, and Translator of Languages. No. 88 William-street, New-York.

To understand the Spanish language, without doubt, has been a most important accomplishment to all. It has now become, as it were, a necessity. Recent events on this continent have, nationalized Spanish with us. A large number of citizens is added to our comprehensive republic whose language is Spanish only, and the march of events will bring our citizens in more immediate contact with at least 20,000,000 persons who