23-Cyclopedia of American Literature; embracing Personal and Critical Notices of Authors, and Selections from their Writings. From the earliest Period to the present Day. With Portraits, Autographs, and other Illustrations. By EVERT A. DUYCKINCK and GEORGE L. DUYCKINCK. 2 vols., royal 8vo., pp. 676 and 781. New York: Charles Scribner.

This work has received high encomiums from many of the most distinguished American authors, such as Washington Irving, George Bancroft, George Ticknor, Edward Everett, and Jared Sparks. Their testimonials, with the general approbation of liberal critics, have united in giving to it a very favorable reputation. And since it is by far the most extensive publication on American literary history that has yet been issued, it is not wonderful that it has met with a large sale. Its compilers do not pretend that their work is perfect, but it is generally agreed that they have executed their laborious task in an amiable spirit, and with much ability. They have collected an immense amount of facts-some important and some trivial-relative to a great number of persons; and thus they have at least formed a valuable storehouse of information. In such a vast compilation of facts, (for the first time,) it is to be expected that numerous mistakes in dates and matters of fact are almost unavoidable. In this work we find some such mistakes, but they are not numerous, and we must regard the work as generally very reliable. The chief complaint against it is in regard to its deficiencies. Many authors, who were and are eminently deserving of extended notice in it, are not even mentioned by name. Yet this shortcoming may be easily and speedily remedied by adding another volume; and the editors themselves appear to have anticipated the exigency in proposing "to add supplements to future editions." Its editors "ask a generous and kindly consideration for a work of much difficulty," and we doubt not that they are already gratified with the reception that has generally been accorded to their publication. The volumes are neatly printed, and contain two hundred and twenty-five portraits, four hundred and twenty-five autographs, and seventy-five wood engravings, (views of colleges, libraries, and residences of authors ;) also, elegant steel engravings of Benjamin Franklin and James Fenimore Cooper.

24. The Puddleford Papers; or Humors of the West. By H. H. RILEY. With Original Illustrations. 12mo., pp. 353. New York: Derby &

Jackson.

Puddleford is, or rather was, a new settlement somewhere in the Great West. Like a thousand other new settlements, it had its green state to pass through. Puddleford's pioneers were like other pioneers-rough, honest, hardy, strong in common sense, but weak in the books. This volume is the interval history of Puddleford, and, by inference, of similar new settlements. Its leading characters are here "drawn to the life," and their portraits handed down to posterity.

25.-About New York: an Account of what a Boy saw in his Visit to the City. By PHILIP WALLYS. Profusely Illustrated. 18mo., pp. 102. New York: Dix, Edwards & Co.

This description of what a boy saw in New York is reprinted from that excellent monthly magazine, the "School-Fellow," and with the illustrations of public buildings and scenes, drawn from life, forms a very attractive book for boys, especially those who have never seen the great commercial emporium of the country.

26.-History of Henry the Fourth, King of France and Navarre. By JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. With Illustrations. 18mo., pp. 335. New York: Harper &

Brothers.

Mr. Abbott, the author of this series of books, relating to kings and queens and their times, is one of the best writers for the young among us. His histories are fraught with valuable instruction, and illustrate the idea that veritable history transcends, in all the elements of mystery and grandeur, all that man's fancy can

create.

34.—The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1857. 12mo., pp. 376. Boston: Crosby, Nichols & Co.

This excellent work has now been published for twenty-eight years, and has become universally known as a reliable manual for reference, useful to all classes of intelligent citizens. Each volume is complete in itself. The Astronomical Department has been prepared by Mr. George P. Bond, Assistant Observer at the Cambridge Observatory. The article upon "Terrestrial Magnetism," by Professor Joseph Lorering, of Harvard University, gives an account of the history and present condition of this interesting department of science. The greater part of the volume consists, as usual, of a well-arranged collection of political and statistical information relating to our General government and the individual States. The tables of the votes for President and Vice-President since 1789, and of the popular vote for President since 1824, are of interest to all. The European part of the work is revised from the best authority to late dates. Obituary notices of eminent persons, deceased during 1855 and 1856, are given, and have evidently been prepared with care. The chronicle of the events of the preceding year closes the volume.

35.-Memoirs of Washington. By Mrs. C. M. KIRKLAND. With Illustrations. 12mo., pp. 516. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

Mrs. Kirkland has prepared this biography for the especial use of young people-not children, exactly, but the older pupils in our schools, and some learners who have done with schools. She considers that young people generally regard Washington "as a cold, far-off, statue-like person, admirable rather than imitable, fit for reference but not for love," and her design is to introduce him "to their more intimate knowledge and tenderer regard." Upon this plan, a very entertaining and handsome volume is afforded, and one which, if it has extensive circulation will greatly increase the demand for the large standard works on the life and times of Washington.

36.-Voices from the Spirit-Land: through NATHAN FRANCIS WHITE, Medium. 12mo., pp. 260. New York: Partridge & Brittan.

This volume of rhyme and blank verse is one of the many works recently published, designed to promulgate a belief in the spiritual character of the modern manifestations. Its introduction includes a biographical sketch of the medium, who is represented as a gentle-hearted, simple-minded young man; with only the limited common-school education of a humble New England farmer's son; without imagination or ideality; incapable of deception; and utterly ignorant of bookmaking. Any defects, therefore" (according to the introduction) "apart from the Voices themselves, which stand precisely as uttered, must be charged to others than Mr. W., and his impressing spirits."

37.-The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion; or, Familiar Letters to his Nephews, containing Rules of Etiquette, Directions for the Formation of Character, etc., etc., illustrated by sketches drawn from life, of the men and manners of our time. By HENRY LUNETTES. 12mo., pp. 480. New York: Derby & Jackson. Cincinnati: H. W. DERBY & CO.

This volume differs widely from all other " manuals of politeness" that we have ever seen. Books of this kind usually consist of brief rules for polite conduct, to which comments are sometimes added. But this work apparently treats the subject as though it required four hundred and eighty pages for its proper discussion. And it is more than likely that the book will meet with an extensive sale on account of its size, which we cannot think it is entitled to on account of its merits.

38.-Lena Rivers. By MARY J. HOLMES, author of "Tempest and Sunshine," “The English Orphans," "The Homestead on the Hillside," etc. 12mo., pp. 416. New York and Auburn: Miller, Orton & Mulligan.

Mrs. Holmes is a very agreeable and even facinating writer; and is especially successful in her description of home and the family relations. Each of her works have attained signal popularity, and the present will only add to her well-established reputation.