Chapter 8

A Narrative of Voyages and Commercial Enterprises. By Richard J. Cleveland. Two vols. 12mo. Cambridge: John Owen, 1842.

This is one of the many narratives of adventures at sea given to the public in consequence of the success of Mr. Dana’s “Two Years before the Mast.” The author, who retired from the merchant service more than twenty years ago, presents some interesting reminiscences of voyages to India, South America, and other parts of the world, written in a style of simple elegance rather unusual for a veteran sailor. The industry and enterprise of the New Englanders is in nothing more conspicuous than in their mercantile marine, and we infer from his pleasant work, that Mr. Cleveland has done his part to gain for them their enviable reputation.

Athanasion, and other Poems. By the Author of “Christian Ballads.” New York: Wiley & Putnam.

The author of “Christian Ballads” is the Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe, Rector of St. Anna’s Chapel, Morrisania, near New York: a young poet who has won an enviable reputation by numerous contributions to the periodical literature of the day, and by some more elaborate writings. “Athanasion” is, perhaps, his best metrical composition. It has, with many excellencies, some defects, which we lack space and inclination to point out in this number of our Magazine. The volume before us is printed in a style equal to that of the best English impressions.

Fathers and Sons: a Novel. By Theodore E. Hook, Esq. Two vols. 12mo. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1842.

Theodore Edward Hook was one of the most popular of the authors who died in the last year. His table wit, it is said, in freshness and exuberance, was never equalled in England; and the humor that pervades his writings will keep them in favor probably for centuries. The novel before us was his last. It appeared originally by separate chapters in the New Monthly Magazine, of which he was editor; and he was engaged in its revision when seized by the disease which terminated his career. His first work—excepting some plays written in his boyhood—was “Sayings and Doings,” published in 1824. It was followed by a second and third series of the same work; by “Maxwell,” “The Parson’s Daughter,” “Jack Brag,” “Births, Deaths, and Marriages,” “Gilbert Gurney,” “Gurney Married,” “Precepts and Practice,” several volumes of biography, and “Fathers and Sons.” He died on the twenty-second day of September, 1841, in the fifty-third year of his age.

His last work has all his peculiarities; the most felicitous humor; graphic delineations of character; and incidents interesting and ingeniously diversified. We have not space for an analysis of its plot; and one is the less necessary, as, notwithstanding the “hardness of the times,” very few will permit the last legacy of Theodore Hook to go unread.

Sermons and Sketches of Sermons, by the Rev John Summerfield, M. A. With an Introduction, by the Rev. Thomas E. Bond, M. D. One vol. 8vo. Pp. 437. Harper & Brothers: New York.

John Summerfield was one of those remarkable men who have appeared from time to time to electrify the religious world, by eloquence the most persuasive, and lives which served as samples by which those who would might guide their course to heaven. He began to preach in Ireland, when but twenty years of age, and soon after came to the United States, where he continued to labor as an evangelist until his death, which occurred sixteen years ago. Most of the sermons and sketches of sermons included in the volume before us were written down after their public delivery. They possess a deep interest, especially to those who remember the sainted author, more worthy of canonization than were ninety-nine hundredths of those whose names are included in the calendar.Henry Perkins: Philadelphia.

Practical Geology and Mineralogy; with Instructions for the qualitative analysis of Minerals. By Joshua Trimmer, F. G. S.—Itum est in viscera terræ. One vol. Lea & Blanchard: Philadelphia.

A valuable elementary treatise on Geology. For the convenience of those who have not access to cabinets of minerals, the author has collected various chemical and mineralogical details, to enable any person easily to recognise the different minerals when discovered in the fields. In the purely geological part of the work, Mr. Trimmer has confined himself to facts and classifications and a few universally admitted inferences, avoiding all questions affecting the higher generalizations, since they are still and must long continue to be matters of controversy. The work is illustrated with wood-cuts. We commend it to students in geology.

Italy and the Italian Islands, from the earliest ages to the present time. By William Spalding, Esq. With engravings and illustrative maps and plans. Three vols. Harper & Brothers: New York.

This is an able and comprehensive work, and may be consulted with confidence by persons who wish to inquire concerning the history, scenery, antiquities, topography, and present condition of Italy. The author is, perhaps, less profound than he would have been if he had contemplated a more voluminous treatise. For all purposes, however, of general reference, or as a guide to more detailed inquiries, his volumes may be consulted with advantage. The account of the social, religious and political revolutions of the ancient and modern Italians, and the history of the rise and progress of the arts and literature in Italy, constitute two of its most valuable divisions.

These volumes form Nos. 151, 152 and 153 of the Family Library, and are published in the usual style of that excellent series.Carey & Hart: Philadelphia.

A Discourse on Matters pertaining to Religion; by Theodore Parker, Minister of the Second Church in Roxburgh, Massachusetts. Pp. 505, 8vo. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown. 1842.

This is a bold and eloquent attack on the doctrines of the Bible, by one who avows himself to be a Christian minister, and is ordained and settled over a religious congregation. Some of the readers of Mr. Parker’s “Discourse” who are unacquainted with the writings of the German rationalists, may fancy that he is a man of deep research and profound scholarship; but there is little danger that an intelligent student in theology will be so deceived. The work embraces the substance of five lectures, delivered in Boston during the last autumn. The author denies the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and most of the other ideas of what he terms the “popular theology.” We leave him and his labors to the critics of the Christian churches.

Masterman Ready, or, the Wreck of the Pacific. Written for Young People. By Captain Marryat, R. N. Second Series. One vol., 18mo. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This is a sequel to the entertaining volume published under the same title last year. Though “Masterman Ready” is an entertaining story, it is far from being equal in any respect, save its freedom from the coarser kind of jests, to “Peter Simple,” “Jacob Faithful,” or the other early works of the author.

Means and Ends, or Self-training. By the author of Redwood, Hope Leslie, Home, Poor Rich Man, &c., &c. Second edition. One vol. Harper & Brothers: New York.

One of the best of Miss Sedgwick’s smaller works. It is written in a light, rambling style, enforcing truths by anecdotes or short stories. It has been deservedly popular, and we predict that it will pass to a third and even fourth and fifth edition.

What’s to be Done? or, the Will and the Way. By the author of “Wealth and Worth,” &c. One vol. 12mo. Pp. 232. New York: Harper & Brothers.

The pleasant little volume entitled “Wealth and Worth,” which we commended to our readers a month or two since, has been succeeded by another work from the same pen, which we think even superior to its predecessor. It is a story of American life, conveying, as its piquant title indicates, a useful and impressive moral. The style is animated and pure, and the sketches of character are graphic, forcible, and various; while the plot preserves a deep and natural interest. “Wealth and Worth” has gone through five large editions in the course of as many months—a remarkable instance of rapidly attained popularity. A success equally decided must attend the spirited little tale of “What’s to be Done?”

The Divine Rule of Faith and Practice, or a Defence of the Catholic Doctrine, that Holy Scripture has been since the Times of the Apostles the Sole Divine Rule of Faith and Practice to the Church, against the dangerous Errors of the Authors of the Tracts for the Times and the Romanists, as, particularly, that the Rule of Faith is “made up of Scripture and Tradition together,” &c: In which also the Doctrines of the Apostolical Succession, the Eucharistic Sacrifice, &c., are fully discussed. By William Goode, M. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge. Two vols. 8vo. Philadelphia: Herman Hooker.

This is probably the most learned and able theological work that has been published in England or America during the year. Those who have read the “Tracts for the Times,” and all who feel any interest in the religious controversies of the age, will thank us for directing to it their attention.

Diary and Letters of Madame D’Arblay: Edited by her Niece. Parts I. and II. Philadelphia, Carey & Hart.

Miss Burney, afterward Madame D’Arblay, is best known to the literary world as the authoress of “Evelina,” one of the most admirable and popular novels in the English language. She died early in the year 1841, at the advanced age of ninety, and two volumes of her autobiographical remains have since been published in London, both of which are included in these “parts” of the American edition. She was intimately acquainted with Johnson, Sheridan, Burke, Boswell, and other eminent persons of their time; and her diary, including a great number of interesting anecdotes and reminiscences of her early career, is one of the most entertaining works of the day.

Rufus Winter Griswold, a gentleman of fine taste and well known literary abilities, has become associated with us as one of the editors of this Magazine. The extensive literary knowledge of Mr. G. renders him a most valuable coadjutor.

The connection ofE. A. Poe, Esq., with this work ceased with theMay Number. Mr. P. bears with him our warmest wishes for success in whatever he may undertake.

three ladies and a gentleman dressed in latest fashionFashion’s Latest Style for Graham’s Magazine

Fashion’s Latest Style for Graham’s Magazine

Transcriber’s Notes:

Table of Contents has been added for reader convenience. Archaic spellings and hyphenation have been retained. Obvious punctuation and typesetting errors have been corrected without note.

[End ofGraham’s Magazine, Vol. XXI, No. 1, July 1842, George R. Graham, Editor]

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