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natural seasons, induces a corresponding division of labor into four great seasons, bearing the same names as the annual seasons. Each operation should therefore be described with particular reference to its appropriate season."

As we have already intimated, Mr. Stephens's own book corresponds very well to this ideal. We should suppose that there are a good many young farmers, and a good many young men, sons of intelligent farmers, who might become as it were pupils on their own farms, to whom this book would be of great value. But farming in England is conducted on a much more enlarged and expensive system than with us, and as a consequence many of the recommendations of Mr. Stephens in their application to American farming need much qualification. Prof. Norton's notes, however, are well adapted to this purpose, and will make the book as valuable for the American as for the English farmer.

The work will be comprised in about twenty-one numbers of sixty-four pages each. It will contain eighteen or twenty engravings on steel, and more than six hundred wood engravings. The engravings thus far are of a superior character. The work is now publishing in Edinburgh, and “the American edition is printed from the stereotype plates imported for this purpose." The cost of the work is only five dollars.

The Recent Progress of Astronomy, especially in the United States. By ELIAS LOOMIS, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the University of the City of New York. New York: Harper & Brothers. 12mo, pp. 257. Professor LOOMIS has rendered a very acceptable service to the reading public in general, but more especially to educated men, by presenting to them a connected and systematic view of the great discoveries with which the science of astronomy has been recently signalized. Many who have felt a strong interest in truths so grand in themselves, and so ennobling to the human mind, have been able to obtain only disjointed fragments, through the periodical press, and have sought in vain for a lucid exposition of them in terms divested, as far as possible, of the language of the schools. The present work appears to us exceedingly well fitted to answer their wants. If they have been puzzled, for want of more full and luminous explanations, to understand some points in the history of the discovery of Le Verrier's planet, Neptune; if they wish to know how the case stands with the little planets, Asteroids, the number of which has recently been multiplying upon us so rapidly; if they would fully understand what has lately been achieved among the satellites of Saturn and Uranus-what conclusions were formed respecting the great comet of 1843, (the most remarkable of our times,) and respecting the several other comets which have since made their appearance in our system, or are soon expected-what great things have been done among the starry heavens in measuring the distances of the stars, in tracing the motions of the great machine of the universe, and in resolving into stars those wonderful objects, the Nebulæ ; if they would learn more exactly what progress this noble science is making in our own country, by the rapid acquisition of powerful telescopes, and the erection of well-furnished observatories; and, finally, if they would fully understand the new and most perfect method of finding the longitude by means of the electric telegraph, one of the finest results of that admirable invention; we can assure them that they will find all the information they desire in this valuable work of Professor Loomis.

The Works of Washington Irving. New Edition Revised, Vol. XIV. Conquest of Granada. New York: George P. Putnam. 1850.

HAVING spoken on several occasions of late, of this edition of the works of Washington Irving, we need say no more now than that the present work is worthy of a high place among the historical writings of the author, and that it is printed in Mr. Putnam's very superior style of publication.

Europe, Past and Present: A Comprehensive Manual of European Geography and History; with Separate Descriptions and Statistics of each State, and a Copious Inder. By FRANCIS H. UNGEWITTER, LL.D. New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway, and 49 Bow Lane, Cheapside, London. 1850. In the first place, we will try to give an idea of the contents of this book. There is first a general view of Europe, under the several heads of Mountain ranges, Inland seas, bays, sounds and straits, Lakes, Rivers, Natural Products, Animals, Races of Men, Religions, State of Civilization, and List of the Independent states. Next follows the Social and Political History of Europe. In treating of the political history, the author commences with "the Migration of nations" at the dissolution of the Western Roman empire and traces the establishment of the several nations in the different countries and the rise of the chief princely families-bringing the account down to the middle ages. In treating of the social history he gives a condensed description of the state of European culture in the middle ages, under the following heads; Improvement of warlike or military conditions; Agriculture; Foundations of new towns and cities; Commercial intercourse and rudiments of history; a more general efficiency and propagation of Christianity and the extension of the clerical power; the foundation of universities and the generalization of other schools; the gradual improvement of Sciences and Fine Arts: Crusades: origination of free citizens and corporations: New progress of Science and Art: the invention of Gunpowder, the Art of Printing, the Reformation, the discovery of America, and of the passage to the East Indies.

After these general views, the author takes up each separate state, and in giving an account of them, pursues in each the same order—as follows: first, the statements about the area and population, surface, soil, natural products, manufactures, commerce and trade, public finances, form of government, army and navy, and the orders of honor; secondly, the history, beginning where the general history left off; thirdly, the topography, or an account of the principal places within the several smaller divisions of the state.

In the second place, we would state that the materials have been drawn from official and other documents which can be entirely relied on, and that besides the author himself has visited most of the European countries. It must, therefore, be a work of undoubted authority.

In the third place, we would say, that there is nothing superfluous in the work; and everything is stated in the most precise and condensed manner. The author, with an occasional German construction and expression, has written it in very good English. The book is printed in small but distinct type, and contains 671 pages.

Finally, we recommend the work to every intelligent man, as one most convenient and useful to have within one's reach.

The Psalms Translated and Explained. By J. A. ALEXANDER, Prof. in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. Vol. II. New York: Baker & Scribner, 145 Nassau street. 1850. New Haven, T. H. Pease.

THIS second volume of the above work is now upon our table. From the examination we have been able to give it we are prepared to reiterate what we had to say, of a commendatory nature, in our notice of the volume. And we are sorry to qualify in any degree our commendation of a work which for the most part we like exceedingly. From the known doctrinal affinities of the author, we were prepared to expect, in the explanation of occasional passages, the adoption of terms and phrases, to us objectionable.

We have not been altogether disappointed in this respect. We think, however, it will be sufficient to enter our protest against the interpretation which the author has forced we think upon certain passages. Such interpretations, however, are few, and in some instances, as in the fifty-eighth Psalm, where the phraseology of the text afforded him the opportunity, he has foreborne to use it. On the whole we greatly admire the work as far as yet completed

for its intellectual and moral excellence as well as for the fine style in which Messrs. Baker & Scribner have given it to the public. Indeed we have assigned it the place of honor on our table over any other English work on the Psalms.

Rural Hours. By a Lady. New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. London: Putnam's American Agency. 1850.

THE great merit of this volume, and it has very great merit, is, that it is written in perfect good faith." There is a style of composition, though few persons have nerve and self-denial enough to write in it, which always charms; it consists in honestly calling things by their right names, "a knave, a knave, and a spade, a spade." This style holds the same place in literature as the Dutch School holds in painting. A very good example of it occurs to us in Mr. Dana's "Two Years before the Mast." Though that volume describes merely the ordinary events of a common whale-ship, every reader is delighted with the book, yet few of them would be delighted to take the writer's place on shipboard. We dwell upon this peculiarity of style, because we have not lately met with so good an example of this kind of writing as the present volume contains. Nor is it an easy matter to write in this way, though it might seem to be so it requires minute observation, sound sense, refined taste, and a certain simplicity and sincerity of character. If, now, any of our readers should ask us what they will find in this volume, we reply they will find in it a record of what was actually seen and observed by a lady of great intelligence and refinement, during the several seasons of the year, beginning Saturday, March 4th, 1848, and ending Wednesday, February 28th, 1849, and all set down "with simplicity and in earnest."

Select Orations of M. Tullius Cicero. With notes for the use of Schools and Colleges. By E. A. JOHNSON, Professor of Latin in the University of the City of New York. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1850. THIS edition of "Select Orations of Cicero," contains in addition to the four orations against Cataline, those for the Manilian law, for Marcellus, for Ligarius, for King Deiotarus, for the poet Archias, and for Milo. These have usually been considered among the orations, which from their subjects and language, are best suited to interest the student, and serve as an introduction to all the public discourses of the great Roman orator. The editor, in selecting his text, has been careful to consult the publications of the ablest critics. For the better understanding of these orations, he has furnished for each a historical account of the occasion on which it was pronounced, and a full and clear analysis of its contents. The notes are designed to remove such difficulties as the student may meet with in the statements of facts, and in the allusions of the speaker, to clear up obscurities arising from any unusual construction of language, and to point out and explain peculiarities of syntax. It is a question of no inconsiderable importance, how far an editor should proceed in furnishing aid to the student. He may say too little or too much. The student may be discouraged or become superficial, for lack of assistance, or he may be rendered indolent by having every thing furnished to his hands. The editor of this selection seems to have hit upon a just medium. The student will find himself assisted, but in such a way as to require his own constant labor and effort. A trial of this work can hardly fail to make obvious its adaptedness to the wants of those for whom it is designed.

October, 1850.

Harpers' New Monthly Magazine. No. V. FORTY-FIVE thousand copies of this number were issued as the first edition, and before our number reaches our subscribers, will be all sold, so that if any of our readers, who have not bought it, should be induced to do so by our notice,

their only chance is in the second edition. The intellectual wants of the community seem to be two-fold and capable of being satisfied only by a two-fold literature, by a literature which is for the present time and a literature which is for all time. "The proof" of the former is in "the eating of the pudding," and forty-five thousand copies devoured, shows, we think, both a well-set table and a good appetite. "The proof" of the latter is the "second sober thought" of all the greatest minds of all ages, but of that we need not speak. We observe the success of this enterprise has called forth some splenetic remarks from the London Times, in which the writer talks "of the Baronial House" of the publishers. We have never seen any Baronial Halls, but we remember nothing in Cliff street, which corresponds to the pictures we have formed of them. But, however that may be, any Baronial House might be justly proud of accomplishing as much that is noble and worthy of praise as the Publishing House in Cliff street.

Five Years of a Hunter's Life in the far Interior of South Africa. With notices of the native tribes, and anecdotes of the chase of the lion, elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, rhinoceros, &c. By ROUALEYN GORDON CUMMING, Esq., of Altyre. In two volumes. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff street. 1850.

THIS title-page states precisely what will be found in the book. It is a narrative of personal adventures merely. It adds nothing, we believe, to our knowledge of Natural History, and very little to our knowledge of Geography. It contains some fine descriptions of scenery in parts of South Africa, which had not before been visited by any white man, but the far greater portion of the volume is taken up with the narration of the daily hunting-life of the writer. These accounts are deeply interesting, though we often feel even indignant at the fool-hardy daring, which could venture life in such useless perils. For our own part, we thought his African servant, who often refused to follow him, much the wiser-barbarian? The author fell in with those worthy missionaries, the Rev. Mr. Moffat and Rev. Mr. Livingston for whom he seems to have felt great respect. How ought their humane and useful labors, to have rebuked him for his!

Daily Bible Illustrations: being Original Readings for a Year, on subjects from Sacred History, Biography, Geography, Antiquities, and Theology. Especially designed for the family circle. By JOHN KITTO, D. D., F. S. A., Editor of "the Pictorial Bible," "Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature," etc., etc. Moses and the Judges. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, No. 285 Broadway. 1850.

IN our May Number we gave an account of this work, the contents of which consist of short papers upon particular portions of Scripture in regular series, and the design of which is to furnish a separate article for each day of the year. We repeat with increased confidence, from the examination of the present volume, the commendation which we then bestowed upon the work.

Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution; or, Illustrations, by Pen and Pencil, of the History, Scenery, Biography, Relics and Traditions of the War for Independence. By BENSON J. LOSSING. With six hundred engravings on wood, by Lossing & Bartlett, chiefly from original sketches by the author. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff street. 1850. Nos. 5-7.

IN our August Number, we gave an account of this work and expressed our opinion of its very great value. Its publication in numbers affords us an opportunity to speak of it again. And it is with no little pleasure that we refer our readers to a gentleman so worthy of commendation as the author of this work. Mr. Lossing does the whole himself, visiting the scenes, drawing the

sketches, engraving the drawings and writing the narrative. Nor is it with him, a work merely in the way of his business, but one, as we are told, and which is manifest from the book itself, which he prosecutes with a deep personal interest. These illustrations are not like ordinary illustrations, which are either mere ornaments or pictorial representations of the contents of the book; they are for the most part exact drawings of persons and objects, which must soon pass away. The book, therefore, when finished, will not only be extremely interesting, but of great utility. We have no doubt it will have, as it most certainly deserves to have, a very great circulation.

Railway Economy: A treatise on the New Art of Transport, its Management, Prospects and Relations, Commercial, Financial and Social, with an Exposition of the Practical Results of the Railways in operation in the United Kingdom, on the Continent and in America. By DIONYSIUS LARDNER, D. C. L., &c. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff street. 1850. 8vo, pp. 442.

THIS is the first attempt, we believe, to treat in a formal and scientific manner of the subject of railroads. As such, it is a work of great merit, though from the deficiency of statistics and the short time in which these roads have been extensively used, some of the conclusions may have to be hereafter considerably modified.

M. Tullii Ciceronis de Officiis Libri tres. With English notes selected and translated from the editions of Zumpt and Bonnell. By THOMAS A. THACHER, Assistant Professor of Latin in Yale College. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1850.

A GOOD edition of "Cicero de Officiis" such as would fully meet the wants of the student, has long been a desideratum in our literary community. This deficiency seems now to be supplied. The editor has furnished from the best sources an ample and clear exposition of the design of the author in this treatise, and of the course of thought in its several parts. Care has been taken to secure the most approved text. The commentary is copious without any superfluities. The various historical allusions are sufficiently illustrated, and such cases of syntax and construction, as might embarrass the student, are fully explained. This work of Cicero on morals is on many accounts one of the most valuable which has come down to us from antiquity. For general correctness of sentiment, even when brought to the Christian standard, and for beauty of language and illustration, it has ever been highly prized by the learned. Such a production in its present form, must be acceptable not only to instructors and to students in the early stages of their literary course, but to that class of scholars, who having been for some time devoted to other pursuits, wish to revive or extend their classical knowledge.

The Logic and Utility of Mathematics, with the best methods of instruction explained and illustrated. By CHARLES DAVIES, LL.D. 8vo, pp. 375. New

York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 1850.

THIS work enters a field that has been but little treated of, in the elementary books of this country. It is clear but not profound. It accomplishes well all that the author designed, which was to show the relation of the principles of the Deductive Logic to mathematical processes. The first part consists of an extended exhibition of Logic-taken principally and avowedly from Whately. The second treats of mathematics as a branch of Logic in the several divisions of arithmetic, geometry, algebra, analytical geometry and the calculus. We regard it as a very valuable addition to the series of text-books

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