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miration and reverence. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.' At last the divine speaker rises to the summit of moral sublimity: Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.' For a moment, O Teacher Blessed! I taste the unspeakable delight of feeling myself to be better. I feel as in the days of my youth that hunger and thirst after righteousness,' which long habits of infirmity and the low concerns of the world have contributed to extinguish." What a counsel towards charity in judging others is wrapped in this frank confession: "I am sure I should not esteem my own character in another person."

We should add, that in this American edition of the Memoirs of Horner, numerous additional letters are inserted, not found in the English edition. Elegant typography and fair paper have been well bestowed on these noble works, and they will grace the library of a man of any profession.

Peruvian Antiquities. By MARIANO EDWARD RIVERO and JOHN JAMES VON TSCHUDI. Translated into English from the orig inal Spanish. By FRANCIS L. HAWKS, D.D., LL.D. New York: George P. Putnam & Co. 1853. 8vo.

pp. 360.

THE translator, being engaged upon a general work on the antiquities of America, has been led to spend some time upon the original of the volume before us, as dealing with one element of his extensive researches. He has thought it worthy of being presented to English readers, that it may serve to inform them of the present course of opinion and investigation on a theme which underlies the history of this Continent. Dr. Hawks modestly shuns the mention on the title-page of the valuable additions which he has made from his own investigations, and has incorporated into the volume. Traditions, surviving monuments, existing customs, and learned though conflicting theories, are here put to service, that they may throw light upon a perplexed subject and clear up its mysteries.

The Life of WILLIAM PINKNEY. By his Nephew, the REV. WILLIAM PINKNEY, D.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1853. 8vo. pp. 407.

THE honored subject of this memoir left behind him but few of those documents which are of use to the biographer in authenticating his praise of a great and good man. The high offices

which he filled and the important functions which he discharged, at home and abroad, gave him an eminence among his contemporaries which a noble character helped to exalt. Some lively letters written from abroad, and a few political and legal papers, are turned to the account of the biographer, who certainly on his own part lacks none of the enthusiastic admiration for his subject which is said to qualify one for such a work. The career of Mr. Pinkney was comparatively short. Though his father had been a zealous Tory, the son, when he grew to manhood under changed circumstances, became as zealous a patriot. If we were to press a critical judgment upon this volume, we might suggest that its warmth of eulogy is somewhat excessive, and that we should have gladly received some pages more, if written with a little more calmness and occupied with such details of private life as greatly enrich the biography of an eminent or excellent

man.

Life of BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON, Historical Painter, from his Autobiography and Jouraals. Edited and compiled by TOM TAYLOR, of the Inner Temple, Esq. In two volumes. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1853. 12mo. pp. 537,

527.

THE contents of the three costly volumes of the English edition of this work are here offered in a cheap form to a larger circle of readers. Haydon was not a lovable, hardly a praiseworthy character. With a most impulsive and obstinate nature and an overweening estimate of his own talents, yet with a resolute diligence, which sought to fulfil his own high aims, his life was a painful conflict throughout. Though an artist's experience is generally burdened with many trials, springing from the inap. preciativeness of society and heightened by the keenness of sensibility which characterizes the tribe, some of the eminent in that profession and many of its indifferent performers have enjoyed a fair share of the common delights of life. Haydon enjoyed nothing. We meet on every page of his Autobiography the trace of some morbid sentiment, and the usual disappointments of hopes resting upon patronage sadden the whole narrative, making the dread conclusion of suicide not unexpected by us. There is, however, a great deal of pleasant gossip in the volumes, with much freedom of personality, making good reading of the sort, but requiring more reserve of judgment by us than the writer himself practised.

INTELLIGENCE.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Messrs. Phillips, Sampson, & Co. have commenced the republication of the Works of the Elder British Dramatists, in the style in which they were issued by Moxon, of London, a handsome volume in large octavo. The first volume contains the Works of Ben Jonson, with Gifford's Memoir. Scattered through the writings of this man of a rugged genius and of a kindly heart are many gems which sparkle more in their own setting, where the writer placed them, than when culled out in our books of quotations.

Messrs. Little, Brown, & Co. have now issued sixteen volumes of their beautiful edition of the British Poets, and will continue to prosecute the undertaking, with a reasonable assurance that the elegance and cheapness of the series will secure the popularity which it deserves. The last author is Milton, in three volumes.

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Messrs. Crosby, Nichols, & Co. have published "Popular Legends of Brittany, an English version of Sonvestre's Foyer Breton,' from a German Translation by Heinrich Bode. By a Lady." (16mo. pp. 183.) That these Legends, originally written in French, and then translated into German, and now turned into English, may well be entitled "Popular," the facts of the case are sufficient evidence. For ourselves, we do not much affect this fabulous form of literature; but we suppose that children very soon learn to make still another translation of the page, in whatever language they may happen to read it, turning its imaginations into realities, and finding facts and morals for real life in the fictions of fanciful beings and incidents.

Messrs. Gould & Lincoln have published "Noah and his Times: embracing the Consideration of various Inquiries relative to the Antediluvian and Earlier Postdiluvian Periods, with Discussions of several of the Leading Questions of the Present Day. By the Rev. J. Munson Olmstead, M.A." (12mo. pp. 413.) This volume is one of a class of doubtful value, well meant in design, but dealing with matters on which speculation must stand in the place of knowledge. There are vastly more questions than answers in it. Every conceivable inquiry that curiosity or fancy can raise concerning its subject-matter is here presented, and the author has shown an admirable diligence in seeking out such matters and in giving the opinions of others about them. But, after all, what can we know about them? The author asks, for instance, whether Noah was present at the building of the Tower of Babel. We would suggest, as helping to decide the question in the negative, that, if he had been, he would probably have advised the substitution of a good, stout vessel, to be preserved under a ship-house, for the proposed tower. His own experience would certainly have looked that

way.

The Religions of the World and their Relations to Christianity.

By Frederick Denison Maurice, M.A." (16mo. pp. 262.) We are glad to have this reprint of the third revised London edition of the Boyle Lectures of this distinguished divine of the Church of England. We read them a few years ago with pleasure and profit. The author, in his office of Divinity Professor in King's College, London, is now brought before the public as a victim of ecclesiastical proceedings, on account of alleged heresy on the doctrine of future retribution.

"The Christian World Unmasked. By John Berridge, A.M. With a Life of the Author, by the Rev. Thomas Guthrie, D.D." (16mo. pp. 207.) This piece of quaint and homely divinity was worthy of a reprint. Though the author had the culture and the fame of a finished scholar, this little dialogue of his has all the rough strength and unpolished point of Bunyan, with some of the wit of Fuller.

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Messrs. Dayton & Wentworth have published "Happy Nights at Hazel Nook: or, Cottage Stories. By Harriet Farley.' (16mo. pp. 256.) This pretty book of fancies and fables, with its bright pictures, is a timely contribution, at this season, to the happiness of children at home. If they are allowed to select their own presents, many of them will lay hold upon it.

Messrs. John P. Jewett & Co. have published "Similitudes, by Lucy Larcom," (16mo, pp. 103,) an exquisite little volume, filled with gentle and refined lessons, drawn in a somewhat pensive spirit, from familiar phrases and emblems. Its delicate engravings are in keeping with its text.

The same firm have issued "The Convent and the Manse. By Hyla." (16mo. pp. 242.) As the title implies, the book contains a contrasted representation of life, and the effects on character of the two courses of existence suggested by the Roman and the Protestant religious dwelling.

Publications of the Messrs. Harper of New York.

As we are making up our list of works most worthy of mention, the newspaper accounts of the disastrous conflagration in New York, which reduced to ashes the gigantic establishment of the Brothers Harper, have given us a fresh appreciation of the enormous amount of instruction and amusernent which that firm has been the medium of imparting to readers over the whole length and breadth of this land. They have flooded the country with valuable publications, and it is impossible to calculate the sum of good thus wrought. The enterprise which they have heretofore exhibited is a warrant that, whatever be the amount of their present pecuniary loss, they will soon resume - we know not that they will intermit even for one day their amazing activity in preparing food for the mind. We e owe to them, from our boyhood upward, the resources which have engaged many of our best-spent hours. Our sympathy in their misfortune is but little to offer them, but we cannot withhold the expression of it. Among their most recent publications, which have accumulated upon us beyond our ability to peruse them, we have the following:

"History of the Captivity of Napoleon at St. Helena: from the Letters and Journals of the late Lieutenant-General Sir Hudson Lowe, and Official Documents not before made Public." Edited by William

The work in its

Forsyth. (In two volumes. 12mo. pp. 633, 672.) English edition is calling out much criticism abroad. The custodian of Bonaparte, as Governor of St. Helena, should be able to tell the truth on many points concerning which the numerous biographers and journalists are at issue. We shall read the volumes with a disposition to accept their statements.

"Louis XVII. His Life - His Suffering - His Death. The Captivity of the Royal Family in the Temple. By A. de Beauchesne. Translated and edited by W. Hazlitt, Esq. Embellished with Vignettes, Autographs, and Plans." (In two volumes. 12mo. pp. 432, 480.) Doubtless the reprint of this authentic account of a distinguished victim of state intrigue was suggested by the excitement caused by the articles in Putnam's Magazine, relating to the claims of the Rev. Éleazer Williams to be the Dauphin here commemorated. "Memoirs of John Abernethy, F.R.S. With a View of his Lectures, Writings, and Character. By George Macilwain, F.R.C.S." (12mo. pp. 427.) The current anecdotes related of this gruff and eccentric physician, as well as his reputed skill and distinguished professional renown, afford good materials for a biographer, which seem to have been well used in this volume.

Two small volumes, the one entitled "History of the Insurrection in China, with Notices of the Christianity, Creed, and Proclamations of the Insurgents. By MM. Callery and Ivan. Translated from the French, with a Supplementary Chapter, narrating the most Recent Events. By John Oxenford," (16mo, pp. 301,)—and the other entitled "The Czar and the Sultan: or Nicholas and Abdul Medjid. Their Private Lives and Public Actions. By Adrian Gilson. To which is added, The Turks in Europe: their Rise and Decadence. By Francis Bouvet," (24mo, pp. 195,) are occupied with themes in which wars and rumors of war have quickened the popular interest. The books will be sure of readers.

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Redfield, of New York, has a most busy press, nor does he confine it to one species or form of literature. His books are of a popular character generally, and the rapidity with which they follow each other proves that they do not cumber his shelves, but must find their way over a wide region. Among his recent publications, we have before us the following:

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"The Yemassee: a Romance of Carolina. By W. Gilmore Simms, Esq.' (12mo. pp. 454.) This is a revision of a delightful work which has been a favorite in our literature for nearly a score of years.

"Minnesota and its Resources; to which are appended, Camp-fire Sketches; or, Notes of a Trip from St. Paul to Pembina and Selkirk Settlement, on the Red River of the North. By J. Wesley Bond." (12mo. pp. 361.) We have here reliable information, given in a spirited and concise way, upon a region which is drawing many hearts, as it has already drawn to itself many feet. Mr. Bond electrifies his readers with his own enthusiasm, and though some of his predictions seem bold, he may live to see them realized.

"A Month in England, by Henry T. Tuckerman," (12mo, pp. 243,) contains nine very lively essays, which, so far from being a mere record of sight-seeing, are enriched with a suggestive wisdom, and with a graceful moralizing upon some aspects of humanity. The paper on "Lions"

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