The character of Wilkie Collins's writings is so well known that we need not attempt to describe it; and the volume before us is not an exception to the general class of his writings. It will be acceptable to the greater number of those who have pleasure in reading works of fiction. It is very neatly printed. 38.—Lord of Himself. A Novel. By Francis H. Underwood. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1874. Duodecimo, pp. 512. Price $1.75. A story of life, thirty years ago, in the interior of Kentucky, while slavery was a living fact and abolitionism merely a misty phantom. It is said to be a faithfully drawn picture of country life, in Kentucky, at the period referred to, say in 1844; and, as such, it possesses an interest far beyond any mere novel, because such pictures are seldom seen, and those who can draw them are, year by year, becoming less 41.-Sabbath-school help. An exposition of the International Lessons [in Mark) for 1874. By Alfred Nevin, D.D., LL.D. Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen, & Haffelfinger. 1874. Duodecimo, pp. 96. An excellent "help" for Sunday-scholars, in their studies of the lessons in Mark. It is simple in style, without undue elaboration of the subject; and the accompaning Parallel Passages and Questions add, very materially, to its usefulness. It is a very neat and convenient little volume; and is worthy of an extended circulation. 42.-The Hidden Sin. A sequel to The Dethroned Heiress. In our January number, we noticed The Dethroned Heiress, as an unfinished work: we have before us, in the work under notice, the sequel to that work, finishing the story. We have hitherto noticed this work, and By Miss Eliza A. Dupuy. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Bros. little now remains but to announce the appear-Sine anno. Duodecimo, pp. 2 pages, unnumbered, 18–357. Price ance of another volume, uniform in style with $1.75. the three which have preceded it, and not less meritorious as an authority in Grecian history, The periods embraced in this volume are that (B. C. 404-379) when Sparta was the ruling power in Greece, and that (B. C. 379-362) when Thebes controlled. It includes, of course, the history of Athens under the Thirty and after the restoration of the Constitution, to the death of Socrates; the relations of Sparta and Persia; the Corinthian War; the consequences of the Peace of Antalcidas; the uprising of Thebes and her struggle for her rights: and the offensive wars of Thebes; closing with the Battle of Mantinea and the death of Epaminondas. We have not yet found time to do more than glance over it; but we perceive that the interest of the former volume-little as we found in it to interest us-is kept up in this; and we commend it to those readers of sensational literature who delight in crime and its consequences, colored far beyond the ordinary shades of such actions, in real life. The typography of the work is very neat; handling which such works generally receive. and its substantial binding adapts it to the 43.-Sunday School Edition. A Commentary, Critical, Ex There is very much in every portion of this excellent work which American citizens may usefully read and reflect over-very many lessons which they may profitably study in connection with their own country's history and destiny.pository, and Practical, of the Gospel of Mark for the use of There are, therein, warnings, enforced by illustrations, which our country cannot safely disregard; warnings which will not be disregarded, Bible-classes and Sabbath-Schools. By John J. Owen, D.D, LL.D. New York: Scribner, Armstrong, & Co. 1874. Duodecimo, pages 4, pp. unpaged, 147–501. This is, certainly, a very remarkable work; and, although it probably belongs among the historical and the biographical, it seems to belong rather to the class of romance. The author is said to have been the only son of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, of whom the world knows a great deal, and her husband, who was the British Ambassador to Turkey, a member of the Ministry, in the days of George I., and the personal friend of Swift, Steele, Addison, Congreve, etc. He was unfortunate enough to secure the ill-will of both his parents, from his infancy; and he was, consequently, brought up in neglect and subjected to harsh treatment, from servants and understrappers of the household. His manhood was equally forbidding; and he evidently regarded the world of fashion with the utmost disgust. As a necessary consequence, his parents were treated with the same contempt which he extended to the rest of the world; and neither monarch nor subject, male nor female, nobleman nor commoner, is spared from his terrible strictures. A very carefully prepared Introduction is followed by a very thorough exposition of the text of the Gospel, verse by verse, from the standpoint of an "Old School" Presbyterian, of the most strait-laced class. The great ability of Doctor Alexander is matter of history; and the careful production of the solid scholarship and patient research of such a man is always entitled to the highest respect. But there are times when even scholars like Doctor Alexander encounter unwelcome facts-facts which, honestly regarded, tend to unseat ancient prejudices and overthrow inaccurate teachings-and, in such cases, not even such as he can seek to evade those facts, or to belittle them, or to create fictions to offset them, without belittling their own characters as scholars, honest men, and Christians. Such an instance occurs on pages 10, 11, of this volume, in the author's unworthy attempts to evade the force of the words, "and was baptized of John IN "Jordan" [Mark i., 9] and "straightway coming "UP OUT OF THE WATER, he saw the heavens opened" [Ibid. verse 10] in order to fit the Gospel to the standard of the Westminster Catechism; and we need hardly say that Doctor Alexander, in thus dodging the record, in order to screen his own and his church's unauthorized mutilation of a positive ordinance of the Head of the Church, merely for their own personal convenience, has lowered himself in the scale of Christian commentators as well as in that of faithful Christian Ministers. The volume is very neatly printed. 46.-A NOVEL CATALOGUE.-We have just received a small pamphlet, which, coming as it does when the mercury is beginning to rise, has a most peculiar interest. It is a complete Catalogue of works on The Devil, comprising his History, Adventures, Tricks, etc. It is divided into two parts, -the first, including books treating of his Satanic Majesty, as viewed in Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics: the subject, each being chronologically arthe second, presenting the humorous side of ranged. Quotations, Aphorisms, and Proverbs enrich the pages of this brochure, and make it. what is almost unknown to Catalogues, pleasant reading in itself. This Catalogue is issued by Scribner, Welford, and Armstrong, 654 Broadway, New York; and this subject, of books, actually for sale, ever is, we believe, the only one wholly devoted to published. We would urge all our readers not only to see this pamphlet, but also the curious collection of books it describes. THE HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. Vol. III. THIRD SERIES.] MARCH, 1874. [No. 3. W. Ripley, of Greenfield, a grandson of its author-through the good offices of our untiring friend, Captain C. W. Elwell, of this city-to present it to the readers of THE HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. I.-DIARY OF ENSIGN CALEB CLAP, OF past; and we have been kindly permitted, by Captain Thomas FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT, BELONGING TO CAPTAIN THOMAS W. RIPLEY, OF GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A GRANDSON OF THE AU THOR. [The author of this interesting manuscript was CALEB CLAP, who, at the time covered by this Diary, was an Ensign in Captain Thomas Mighill's Company, in the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Massachusetts troops, commanded by Colonel Loammi Baldwin, but, subsequently, was called to the command of a Company, either in that or in some other Regiment. Captain Clap was a native of Sudbury, Massachusetts, where he was born on the ninth of February, 1752-one of twin brothers, Caleb and Joshua. He entered the Army of the Revolution, at an early date-in August, 1775, he was Sergeant-major of Colonel Doolittle's Regiment of Massachusetts troops-and served throughout the War, with honor and usefulness. Subsequently, he settled in Greenfield, in his native State-his brother, to whom he was ardently attached, having settled in Montgomery, Vermontand engaged, extensively, in trade; and on the fifth of June, 1812, after having spent a life of active usefulness, he died, suddenly, at Greenfield, regretted by all who knew him. We copy the following notice of Captain Clap, from the vil lage paper, published in the town of his residence- the Franklin Herald, published at Greenfield, on the ninth of June, 1812: "Died, Suddenly in this town on the morning of the 5th inst. Capt. Caleb Clapp, An Officer of the Revolution. "With those who knew him, his Moral Worth & Virtue, "And the Social qualities that Adorned his Character, the death of Capt. Clapp Will be learned with an heartfelt Sorrow, deep "and lasting. "A life of 60 years, full of Services to his Country and Soci"ety in general, will Speak the best and truest Eulogium. It is a small quarto volume, containing memoranda of other matters than those referred to in the Diary; and those memoranda are mixed with the record of passing events, without any regard to the disorder thus produced. The order of the entries is further disturbed by the frequent entry of circumstances, under their proper dates, out of their chronological order-possibly when the information reached him-and, in one or two cases, he has noticed the same event, more than once. We have carefully copied the first portion of this volume; and the remainder will follow, in successive issues of the Magazine. The memoranda of other matter than that detailed in the Diary is omitted, entirely: the different paragraphs, placed out of their chronological order, in the manuscript, are brought together, under their several dates, in this copy of it: in no other respect, as far as we have knowledge, has there been the slightest shade of an alteration of the text, as its author left it, in his original manuscript. This portion of Captain Clap's Diary covers the period of time extending from the twenty-ninth of March, until the twenty-first of October, 1776-embracing the entire period of time when the main body of the Continental Army occupied New York City and a portion of that occupied by that Army in retreating towards White Plains, in Westchester-county. It possesses considerable value, as an historical authority; and we deeply regret that a sickness, which has sent us to a sick-room, prevents us from annotating it, carefully, for the more general information of our readers. As we have said, the remainder of this valuable volume will be published in the future issues of the Magazine.-EDITOR.] Cambridge March 29th 1776 Five Regiments March for New York, from Cambridge Co1 Baldwins Regiment Left Cambrige at 3, O, Clock P, M, march to Waltham the first Day, the Second Day as far as Marlborough, the 3rd Do to Grafton the 4th to Bellingham, the 5th to Providance, the 6 day Lay at Providance, the 7 March to Coventry (in Rhodiland) the 8th to Plainfield the 9th Norwich the 10th New London arived there at 7 O, Clock PM, drawed 6 Days Provision and Embark About 9, O, Clock the next morning for New York had fair Wind, About 11 0. Clock PM We run O Ground at Huntington beach on Long Island Lay there till the 10th In stant then She Sail, and arived at New York News Arived here May the 17th that our People the 11th Dayware defeated at Quebeek, the 4 Instant The Guards are to be increased to the following Number. May 18th 1776. The 14 day, the Asha Sail out at the Narrows Embark Aprill 20th 23 of Aprill A man belonging to Co Poor Regiment, was found dead in one of the unclean Houses on the Holy Ground Six Regiments ware ordered to Embark for Quebeck the 27 Instant of April Co1 Reed Stark Wayne Ewing Ivine & Dayton, two from Hampshire two from the Jersies & two from Pensylvania, were the orders of the Congress and that the Regiments belonging to the Middle Colonies, Shall Receive the Same pay, as what the other Continental Regiments have, from the first of May next on Account of their going to Canada, (Aprill 29 1776) New York May 4th 1776 Saterday morning I went to the Jews Synagogue about 8 O, Clock, went in with my hat off Soon was aidded to A Genteel Seat, and Seeing that they all had their hats on, I used the freedom to put my hat on. The Seremonies being very Strange to me, when I first went in, they all had on Silk or Linnen Mantles and ware engaged very deeply either in reading or Singing, but their discourse being in Hebrew, and their Tune So Strange to me that was not Able to distinguish between reading and Singing, only as they Somtimes raised their voises, (then I Concluded it was Singing) the whole time of Exercise, they all Sing, and read, with the Minester, it Seems their is Several that Assists him by geting Up one at a time and waiting upon him, Speaking a few words in A Low tone to him and then he Speaks very Lowd to the Assembly.- About half an hour before the Exercise is over, the Minester with three or four with him goes to A Large Alter, taking out the Law which is roled Up in two Large Roles of Silk, with two balls on the top, Surrounded with A [number*] 12 of Small bels (to appearance) which make a great gingling I went to the Lutherin Church, the People was Called Germans, their discourse was in High Dutch, Suppose, I could not understand one Word, their Singing was very Curious, with the assistence of the Organ. the Regiments Encamped May 6th 1776 We Encamped May the 6th 1776 On the North River A Mile from the City *This word is erased in the original, and the figures "12" interlined, as substitutes. Total 5 13 19 20 14 396 About the 18th Instant A Gentleman Arived Summer by Some of His Majesties Forces, and here, who was taken towards Quebeck Last Caryd home to England, in Irons, he Arived derman and Received no further Examination their and was discoursed by the Mare and Aland was Set at Liberty he brought Several Letters to General Washington though they ware not Signd An Account of the Destination of the Troops this Summer, General Washington Supposed he was Acquainted with the hand writIn consequence of these Letters, I am informed ing.the General was Sent to by the Honble the Continental Congress he Set out the 23rd is Sopposed to Return the 29th Instant May the 24th General Gates having an Appointment from the Congress of Major General, and Supposed to take the Command at Boston, Co' Mifling having of A Brigadier May 24 We had the news of the Great Prise taken in Boston 75 Tun of Powder besides other Articles, this being taken 17th of May this news arived here the 24th Instant Captain Putnam Left New York the 25 of May, in order for Boston to bring 25 Tun of the Powder here Taken the 17th Instant and as many of the Utensils as Coud be Spared. It is reported that there is 10 Tun of Powder more done up in cartridges and in Boxes in the Magazine ready for immediate Action Our cannon here have been Provd but one Split that being A 32 pounder One piece of it flew upward of 40 Rods went throug a house in to the Seller but did no Damage The Congress being brought to New York She has been Discharged twice with (almost) A Double Charge and holds Yet, and appears Sound By all information we have met with A great Loss at Quebeck it appears by the best information that General Worcesters [ ] to take the command was disagreable to General Arnold, causd Some deficulty and General Arnold went to Moreall and Some of his Men with him, his Men it Seems did almost as they had amind the Small pox was amongst them and the men ware Scattered all over the Country, and was Anoculating, Some Hunderds had Anoculated themselves Left their arms behind in Camp. Upon Major General Thomas's Arival he found the Men in the Situation that I have just mentioned he coud not Muster but 244 Effective Men he was much Surpriz'd but determined to Retreat as fast as Possible till he was reinforcd and save all the Baggage he coua he had prepard to March the next Night and an Irishman Diserted and went inter the City and informed the Enemy of their Situation, and the enemy Salied out immediatly, and drove them back took 1 brass 24 pounder Several Smaller 500 Stand of Arms and A great part of their Utensils took some prisoners besides a number that ware Sick this conduct it Seems gives the French and Indian great incouragement, and that we can not purchased Provision with Continental Munney, Since the Retreat, but their is no time Lost in Conveying Provision Ammunition Utensils &c to our Men. the Troops Sent from New York Since March consist of About 6000. 25th May A woman was Suspected to have communication with her Husband On board of the Asia, and was confined, and A number of Letters ware found, one in A particular Manner that bore a Late date her Husband intreated her to get all her affects on board if Possible, and Also Acquaint some of her Friends that the Enemy purposed to Attack the City immediately without any dispute, and they must not Let any time be Lost in Secureing their Affects, as the City would, be in the hands of the Enemy in A Short time June 11th the Citizens of the City of New York Gethered together a number of them and went round among them which they Supposed to to be tories, Striped a number of them and was at the Trouble of carrying them about the Streets, on a Rail, and then confined them in Geol others they Visited and they appeared to be so Humble they Let them alone after making Promise to comply with their Directions (I happened to have the Command of the Picquet that Day) the General Sent for all the Picquets in the three Brigades in order to Surpress them but seeing So many under Arms they Dispered Quick June the 13th an Express arived here from the Hon-the Continental Congress for to have all the Militia Called for and for to have them come in Companies or any other way, that would Hasten their Dispatch, for they Desputed not but the Enemy woud. attack the City of new York with in Ten daysThe Provintial Congress of the City of New of Compenies Shoua meet and Review their Men York, Rosolved that the Commanding Officers and Se that they ware Acquipt- -(this being as much as You coud Expect for the City of New York) June the 19th 2 Regiments of Men came in from Philedelphia the 20 Instant there was 9 Hundred men called for Fatigue Several French Vessels has arrived here Loaded with Sugar Rum has gone to Albany to Load for France June 20th A Gentleman Frenchman Arrived here from Paris, what his business is I cannot inform, but it Seemes the Geneal wait on him with the Greatest Pleasure and why may we be displased with his Arrival, Rejoice o, ye and be Glad& & &c June 21st at Evening the Mayor of the City of New York was taken up and a number of the Citizens with three of General Washington Life Guard, and some others belonging to Different Regiments, it is Reported to the amount of 40 are now taken, some are now in Irons, other Confined in the State House, the Mayor is confined in A Publick House by the state House, this arising from a Chest of Arms being sent from here to Long Island in order to be conveyed to the Asia, in the Chest was A List of A number of the Tories that givin there Name to Stand by the British Forces, and when We eware attack they was te Destroy the Magazine and these two of the Life Guard was to Kill General Washington (one of the Life Guard had Several Half Johanaees in his pockett when he wa taken) others ware te fall on our Artilemen and Kill them and Play with the cannon on our Men beside other Plan they had contrivedI have taken considerable pains to find the Circumstances but cannot Satisfy myself YetIt is Reported that there is two Hundred, that have now Signed this paper, but as te the truth of it I cannot asert It is Reported the Mayor of the City is at the of this Plot A few Days Since the Riffle took two Negroes which going to the Asia and got infermation by them that we had enemies amangst us General Thomas Deceased May 28th, at Canadg, with the Small Pox Major General Gates is going to Canada to take |