averaging not more than eight francs a piece, puts them within the compass of private fortures, as well as public institutions. It is particularly incumbent on Americans to encourage this undertaking, to the illustration of whose history it is devoted. We hope that the translator will experience the good fruits of this favorable disposition on our part, and be enabled to enjoy the satisfaction of feeling that his noble enterprise is duly appreciated by those whom it

most concerns.

2. A Winter in the West Indies and Florida; containing general observations upon modes of travelling, manners and customs, climates, and productioms, with a particular description of St. Croix, Trinidad de Cuba, Havanah, Key West, and St. Augustine, as places of resort for Northern Invalids. By an INVALID. New York: 1839. Wiley and Putnam. pp. 199.

"KNOWING," says the author in his preface, " that thousands were in want of the information herein contained, and that from peculiar sensitiveness, and attentive observation, I have been enabled to judge of all the places in question with great accuracy, and to present at one view more useful knowledge upon the subject than has ever before been published, I have been induced to write, and offer to the public, this little volume, hoping that it may be instrumental in restoring to health those who are unfortunately afflicted with complaints similar to my own; and may, in some degree, aid physicians, in advising patients what place to prefer for their particular complaints: and on the whole, may prove interesting and acceptable to the general reader."

He must be unkind indeed, who can indulge in severity of remark upon the labors of a poor invalid, availing himself of a temporary increase of health, to execute purposes benevolent as are those here avowed. If the book sometimes betrays the impatience and irritability engendered by disease, we cannot but remember that it has much to plead in extenuation. There is in this little volume a great deal of useful information, and it ought to attract notice in a land where one fourth of the mortality arises from diseases of the lungs.

Our author visited all the places named on his title page, and decidedly prefers Trinidad de Cuba. The climate there was most favorable to his case, though his health was much improved at St. Croix. As to the other spots visited by him, they are unequivocally condemned. We think, however, that our invalid has fallen into the mistake of supposing that all cases of pulmonary disease are of necessity similar to his; and a further error is in the supposition that no correct opinion can be formed of the benefit of a particular climate, save by the invalid who tries it. Now, as to the first of these opi

nions, we will merely state, that though our author found but little comfort at St. Augustine, and therefore deems it an unfit residence for a consumptive patient, yet we know of one who left Virginia, in the last stage of diseased lungs as it was supposed, and lived in St. Augustine afterward in tolerable comfort for twenty years. As to the latter supposition, though it be true that an invalid who, like our author, is observant, may best tell the effect of climate on himself; yet an intelligent physician, accustomed to discriminate between diseases which to the unprofessional man bear the same general aspect, will commonly, we think, judge more wisely than the great mass of patients can: for, after all, as our author remarks, "the causes of a good climate are few and simple: an even temperature, warm or cool; and an atmosphere at once dry and pure."

To some of our author's views we heartily assent. "In cases of confirmed tubercular consumption, (says he,) it is worse than useless to send the patient to a strange land for the sake of a climate which can do him no good." "Above all other considerations, prepare to go early-early in the stage of the discase, and early in the season. Nearly half the invalids fail to derive much benefit from change of climate, solely for the reason that they have waited till their cases were hopeless before trying it; making it a last, and in many cases, an entirely useless resort. Instead of being the last, it should be the first resort." Another valuable piece of advice furnished by our author is, that whenever an invalid finds a climate beneficial, and on his return home loses all he has gained, his proper course is, though it cost some sacrifice, instantly to abandon his former home, and make his permanent residence in the favorable climate. To consumptive patients generally, we say with our author, the West Indies will probably afford you the best climate: go early-stay late-and, if necessary, change your residence entirely.

3. Letters of Eliza Wilkinson, during the invasion and possession of Charleston, S. C., by the British in the revolutionary war. Arranged from the original manuscripts, by CAROLINE GILMAN. New York: 1839. Samuel Colman. pp. 108.

We have no doubt that the letters of Mrs. Wilkinson may possess particular interest for those "who dwell among her kindred," as is intimated in the preface to this publication. We must, however, be permitted to doubt whether that interest will be shared extensively by others. This little book certainly adds nothing to the stock of our historical information, though the narrative is confirmatory of what has already been communicated in the pages of more than one of the annalists of the revolution.

The letters (written, it must be remembered, without any purpose of publication) do present a living picture of the times, and bring

before us some of the privations to which females, well born and well bred, were subjected during the war of independence. The distresses of Mrs. Wilkinson, however, were small, compared with those of other ladies in South Carolina. They amount to nothing more than an occasional fright, the necessity for short journeys, and, in one instance, deprivation of part of her wardrobe.

What has most pleased us, in the perusal of the volume, is the indomitable spirit of patriotism exhibited by Mrs. Wilkinson. Her feelings, like those of nearly all her country women of that day, were thoroughly American. She " was a young and beautiful widow," when she wrote these letters; and, availing herself of the privilege of female youth and beauty, she was sometimes, (as she tells us herself) "very saucy" in her conversations with British officers. None of her retorts, however, equal those which are related of another southern lady, remarkable both for her patriotism and wit. When Tarleton, after the battle of the Cowpens, in which he was routed and hotly pursued by Colonel Washington, was speaking of his adversary before Mrs. Willie Jones of North Carolina, indulging in the most contemptuous language, he chanced to say, with a sneer, that he should be happy to see this great and redoubtable man, Colonel Washington. Had you looked behind you at the battle of the Cowpens, sir, you might have had that pleasure," was the remark of Mrs. Jones. Another officer, who, in the retreat, had actually been wounded by Colonel Washington, expressed himself more contemptuously than even Tarlton had done; and, unfortunately for himself, closed his abuse by saying, "I verily believe the fellow cannot write his name." "Perhaps not, sir," replied Mrs. Jones; " you, however, can testify that he knows how to make his mark.”

Of the literary merit of Mrs. Wilkinson's letters, it is hardly fair to speak, as they are avowedly but hasty effusions, designed for the eye of friendship merely, and not for the press. They are, however, lively and spirited at times, with an occasional outbreak of femality that is rather amusing.

4. Legal and Political Hermeneutics, or Principles of Interpretation and Construction in Law and Politics, with remarks on Precedents and Authorities. Enlarged Edition. By FRANCIS LIEBER. Boston: 1839. Charles C. Little and James Brown. 12mo. pp. 240.

IN a former number, we noticed Mr. Lieber's Political Ethics. In regard to the work now before us, we can only express, in the same general way, our gratification at seeing it published in its present form. We have read it with pleasure and improvement. Mr. Lieber is a man who is prompted, as we believe, to write on the

important subjects treated in this and in his former work, by a warm and earnest love for truth, and human welfare. Besides being sound in general principles, the value and interest of his book are increased, by the richness of historical illustration, in points which his extensive, yet choice reading, enables him to contribute, The present work is useful, as illustrating the principles of interpretation generally; but it is especially valuable, in its relation to our political condition. Exposed as we are, under a constitution and frame of government such as ours, to the danger of having that constitution made to mean any thing and every thing, by explanations arbitrarily put upon it by Party and Power; it is unspeakably important, that the true principles of interpretation and construction should be impressed upon the public mind. Mr. Lieber's book is excellently adapted to diffuse this most necessary instruction, and for it, he deserves the thanks of all earnest and good men, and lovers of our country.

5. The Military Profession in the United States, and the means of promoting its Usefulness and Honor: An Address, delivered at the Military Academy, at West Point, etc. By BENJAMIN F. BUTLER. New York: 1839. Samuel Colman. pp. 46.

THIS is an interesting and appropriate address for the occasion. that called it forth. It contains many instructive remarks and valuable suggestions, in regard to the proper objects and policy of our military establishment-the importance of habits of subordination and courtesy-the professional, scientific, and general knowledge and literary cultivation requisite to form an accomplished officer. We have not much room for extracts, but will quote one or two short passages which we were gratified to meet with. Speaking on the topic of courtesy, as something more than a mere ornamental accomplishment," but a Christian duty to all, even our enemies, and " especially due to the latter, when the fortune of war has placed them in a victor's hands," Mr. Butler says:

66

During our last war with Great Britain, several instances occurred of mutual courtesy between officers of the contending armies, the good eff cts of which have not been limited to the circumstances which gave them birth In the arrangement recently concluded, by the intervention of Major General Scott, between the governors of Maine and New Brunswick, the ancient friendships which had grown out of relations of this nature were successfully appealed to; and every part of the difficult negotiation was marked by a courtesy and judgment worthy of all praise "-p. 19.

We are pleased to see Mr. Butler taking occasion to remind the young gentlemen whom he addressed,

"That the true foundation of all pure morality-the only one capable of sustaining, in well balanced proportions, that difficult combination of the heroic and

NO. X.-VOL. V.

65

passive virtues, which forms the highest order of the military character- is solely to be found in the enlightened fear of God, and the diligent keeping of his commandments."-p.21.

6. H KAINH AIAOHKH.—Novum Testamentum að Exemplar Millianum, cum Emendationibus et Lectionibus Griesbachii, praecipuis Vocibus ellipticis, Thematibus omnium Vocum Difficilioram, atque locis Scripturæ parallelis. Studio et Labore GUL, GREENFIELD. Hanc Editionem primam Americanam Summâ curâ revensvit, atque mendis quamplurimis expurgarit JOSEPHUS P ENGLES A. M. Philadelphia: 1839. Sumptibus Henrici Perkins.

Tus republication of Bagster's Polymierian Greek Testament is entitled to special notice. No pins have been spared by the editor, or the enterprising publisher, to ensure typographical accu racy. Mr. Engles deserves very great credit for the laborious fidelity with which he has revised the work of Mr. Greenfield. He has very carefully collated his edition of the text with the excellent copy of Mill's Testament, published at Oxford, 1825-the various readings of Griesbach have been minutely examined as also every Scripture reference. The result has been the correction of several hundred errors found in the London edition.

No small praise is due to Mr. Perkins, also, for the style and execution of the work. The satin paper, made expressly for the purpose, is beautiful, and the type-printing suffers nothing in com parison with that of the best specimens of the kind in England.

7. A Treatise on the Diseases of Infants, founded on recent Clinical Observations and Investigations in Pathological Anatomy, etc., with a dissertation on the Viability of the Child. By C. M. BILLARD, M. D., of the Faculty of Paris. With notes, by Dr. O LIVIER, of Angers. Translated from the third French edition, with an Appendix, by JAMS STEWART, M. D. New York: 1839. G. Adlard. p. 620.

ELECTRICITY and the magnetic powers seem to be the absorb ing branches of chemical philosophers at the present day :-pathological researches in like manne: may be considered the most prolific source of that mass of disquisition which summons into active operation the talents and industry of the major part of those who desire to enlarge the boundaries of physiology, and the curative principles of the art of physic. Recognised as a severe and patient inquirer into the philosophy of life and health, the author of the work before us recommends himself to notice, as a contributor to the stock of new and important truths on several subjects, which have