REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS

Discourses on the Christian Spirit and Life. By C. A. Bartol, Junior Minister of the West Church, Boston. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1 vol. 12mo.

It is not customary with us to notice sermons, but the present volume is so much superior in thought and composition to the generality of new books, that its literary merits would alone give it prominence among the publications of the day. It contains thirty discourses on as many different subjects, all of which indicate a reach and profundity of thought, a wealth of imagination, and a power and beauty of style, which entitle them to be considered positive contributions to American literature. The leading peculiarity of the author is the combination in his mind of singular distinctness with singular spirituality of thought. In contemplating a spiritual truth, his understanding, sensibility and imagination act in fine harmony, presenting the thing in its dimensions, its relations, and its life; and so rich and free is the expression that the truth seems to gush out of his mind, in all the warmth and clearness with which it is conceived, without any impediments coming from a lack of appropriate words or images. There is nothing hackneyed either in the method or the style of the sermons, but every thing has an air of originality and freshness indicating a vision and a feeling of the objects before his mind, and an avoidance of hear-says and thoughts at second hand. The volume is full of fine passages which admit of quotation, and we might extract many illustrative of the author’s powers of statement, description, reasoning, and piercing spiritual insight, but our limits will not permit. Among the best discourses in the volume are those entitled, “Business and Religion,” “Forbearance,” “The Spiritual Mind,” “Death is Yours,” “Belshazzar’s Feast,” “Nature, Conscience and Revelation,” and “Eternal Life.”

Clarence, or a Tale of our Own Times. By the Author of “Hope Leslie,” &c. Author’s Revised Edition. New York: Geo. P. Putnam. 1 vol. 12mo.

This handsome volume is the first of a new edition of Miss Sedgwick’s complete works. It contains a portrait of the authoress, an engraved title page, and its general execution is excellent. The novel of Clarence was originally published in 1829, and we preserve a pleasant impression of its interest and beauty. Miss Sedgwick’s writings are especially characterized by the sentiment of humanity, which pervades equally her narratives and reflections; and one always rises from her books refreshed in spirit. Her powers, also, of observation, meditation and imagination, place her among the most intellectual and accomplished women of the age.

We cannot resist availing ourselves of this occasion to refer to Mr. Putnam’s judgment and generosity in his selection and publication of American books. He comes as near the ideal of a model publisher as any living bookseller, combining, as he does, a real enthusiasm for literature, and a patriotic feeling in regard to American letters. Though he has been in business on his own account but about two years, his list already shows a goodly number of valuable publications, among which are many of the best works ever produced by native authors, and his taste in respect to all that constitutes the mechanical elegance of books has a certainty not common in his profession.

The Living Authors of England. By Thomas Powell. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1 vol. 12mo.

There is much in this volume to please and to offend every discriminating reader. The author is a man of fine talent, whose versions of Chaucer, not to speak of his original poems, are sufficient to indicate his ability for genial and graceful composition. But the present volume bears marks of haste and carelessness both as regards style and opinions, presents a medley of original and striking with flippant and unjust remarks, and in some instances passes the bounds of propriety. Mr. Powell knows personally many of the authors he delineates, and a few of the sketches indicate a disposition to avenge personal affronts. The notices of Talfourd, Moxon and Dickens, appear to us to have flowed from the author’s spleen more than from his heart or brain. The insults to Washington Irving are gross and unpardonable, having no reason in any evidence presented or withheld. We have read Foster’s Life of Goldsmith as well as Irving’s, and the books are so dissimilar that it is ridiculous to bring a charge of plagiarism against the latter because both employed the same materials. If Irving is to be sacrificed, we trust it will not be to John Foster—a man who, whatever may be his talents and accomplishments, has not a tittle of Irving’s beautiful genius.

Poems by Amelia (Mrs. Welby of Kentucky.) A New and Enlarged Edition. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1 vol. 8vo.

This splendid volume is illustrated with seven highly finished engravings, after designs by Weir, and in point of mechanical execution is very nearly equal to the same publishers’ exquisite edition of Halleck. “Amelia’s” poems have passed within a comparatively short period through seven editions, and they have therefore fairly earned their right to a handsome volume like the present. It is hardly possible to glance upon a page of Mrs. Welby’s book without having an affection for the authoress, and without sympathizing in her success. Envy and spite cannot touch her. The fine feminine tenderness, the graceful and affluent fancy, the mellowness and melody of diction, and the innocence and purity of sentiment, which are so characteristic of almost every poem in the volume, overcome the resistance equally of reader and critic. It may be generally said of her poetry that her nature is finer than her intellect. There is too much impassioned expansiveness in her pieces to produce those striking effects which come from stern, brief, tingling expression, in which imagination appears as a condensing as well as shaping power.

Redburn: His first Voyage. Being the Sailor-Boy Confessions and Reminiscences of the Son-of-a-Gentleman, in the Merchant Service. By Herman Melville, Author of Types, &c. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 12mo.

Mr. Melville has been called the “De Foe of the Ocean,” and we can hardly conceive of a compliment more flattering, and, on the whole, more appropriate. He has De Foe’s power of realizing the details of a scene to his own imagination, and of impressing them on the imaginations of others, but he has also a bit of deviltry in him whichwe do not observe in De Foe, however much raciness it may lend to Melville. The present work, though it hardly has the intellectual merit of “Mardi,” is less adventurous in style, and more interesting. It can be read through at one sitting, with continued delight, and we see no reason why it should not be one of the most popular of all the books relating to the romance of the sea. The fact that it narrates the adventures of a “green hand,” will make it invaluable to a large class of youthful sailors. The style sparkles with wit and fancy, but its great merit is a rapidity of movement, which bears the reader along, almost by main force from the commencement to the conclusion of the volume.

Orations and Occasional Discourses. By George W. Bethune, D. D. New York: Geo. P. Putnam. 1 vol. 12mo.

This volume contains twelve discourses, originally delivered before Lyceums or Literary Societies, and which obtained great popularity at the period of their delivery. They are worthy of Dr. Bethune’s reputation as an orator and writer, being replete with eloquence, scholarship and sound sense, and characterized by an unmistakeable individuality and independence both of thought and expression. The subjects are Genius, True Glory, The Uses and Abuses of Leisure, The Age of Pericles, The Prospects of Art in the United States, The Death of Harrison, The Eloquence of the Pulpit, The Duties of Educated Men, The Duty of a Patriot, A Plea for Study, and The Claims of our Country upon its Literary Men. Of these we have been particularly impressed by The Age of Pericles, and the Oration last named. The latter was delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Cambridge, and was celebrated at the time for the splendor of its rhetoric and the raciness of its wit.

Glimpses of Spain; or Notes of an Unfinished Tour in 1847. By S. T. Wallis. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 12mo.

Mr. Wallis evinces many of the characteristics of a good tourist, and is especially felicitous in understanding both the curiosity and the ignorance of his readers. He has accordingly produced an interesting volume, full of information very pleasingly conveyed, and leaving on the reader’s mind a regret that circumstances should have cut short his tour. To politicians, who think their names are known wherever the sun shines, there is one little paragraph in his book which must leave a saddening impression. We quote it for the benefit of our readers: “In theDiorio[of Seville] of May 14, 1847, an article speculating upon the probable election of General Taylor to the Presidency of the United States, was wound up by the following suggestion:—‘It is to be borne in mind thatGenerals Fackson and Flamiltonowed their election to the Presidency to their military reputation!’ ”

The Old World: or Scenes and Cities in Foreign Lands. By William Farniss. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1 vol. 12mo.

This is a pleasant volume, going over a wide field of observation, and conveying much information not generally known. In the present rage for voyages and travels it will doubtless find many readers. It appears to us, however, that our American publishers are altogether too fertile in their issues of works of this kind. Few have any positive literary merit, and hardly one in a hundred is an addition to the literature of the country.

Frontenac; or the Atotarha of the Iroquois. A Metrical Romance. New York: Baker & Scribner. 1 vol. 12mo.

Mr. Street is not exceeded, if equaled, by any American poet, in the accuracy with which he observes nature, and the clearness with which he paints a scene upon the imagination with the colors of verse. If his vision of the internal life of natural objects was as quick and sure as his perception of their external forms, few English or American descriptive poets would equal him either in reputation or power over the feelings. But his mind, though abundantly fanciful, is not suggestive and imaginative, and in his descriptive pieces he is apt to catalogue rather than represent nature. His analogies, also, are rather drawn from the surface than the spirit of things. But he is admirably calculated to do what he has attempted in the present volume. Frontenac is a metrical romance, with natural descriptions varied by characters and events, and all conveyed in energetic and “numerous” verse. It is in every way worthy of Mr. Street’s high reputation, and, in saying this, we imply that it is creditable to American Literature.

Evenings at Woodlawn. By Mrs. E. F. Ellett, Author of the “Women of the American Revolution.” New York: Baker & Scribner. 1 vol. 12mo.

The title of this book is a poor one, for it conveys no notion of its contents. It consists of a series of forty stories, translated and recast principally from the German, relating to the superstitions of the various European countries. We are favored with all sorts of legends, German, Spanish, Danish, etc., referring to supernatural personages and events; and the whole makes a book, brimful of fairies, magicians, witches, wizards, and imps, calculated to delight all who have a taste for the wild and wonderful. The volume, indeed, is admirably calculated for popularity, and we regret that its accomplished authoress should not have chosen some name for it which would give a hint of its matter.

Children’s Books.The Appletons of New York have just issued a series of beautiful volumes exactly fitted to charm the hearts of youthful readers.Fireside Fairiesis a delicious little book for a holyday present, and well adapted in its style to fasten upon the sympathies of the young.American Historical Tales for Youth, a thicker volume, discoursing of Henry Hudson, Daniel Boone, Captain John Smith, and other American celebrities, is a grand book to put courage and resolution as well as knowledge into the minds of boys.Home Recreationis full of marvelous adventures by sea and land, related in Grandfather Merryman’s most entertaining way, and radiant with illustrative colored engravings.The Child’s Presentis for younger readers, and contains about fifty short stories, very quaintly told by the grandfather aforesaid. Each of these little volumes is admirably calculated for the holyday season.

History of the American Bible Society, from its Organization to the Present Time. By W. P. Strickland. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 8vo.

This is quite an interesting and important work, giving, in moderate compass, a view of the operations of the Bible Society in different parts of the world. The chapter on the different translations of the Bible is especially interesting, and gives, among other valuable items of information, a complete list of the names of the forty-seven translators of the English Bible. It is curious to notice, that among these, there is hardly one celebrated man, though together they produced a translation which is the Standard of the English language.

Statesman’s Manual.

With the above for a leading title, Mr. Edwin Williams, of New York, ever indefatigable in collecting, arranging, and disseminating valuable political information, has prepared four octavo volumes, containing the whole of the Messages of each President of the United States, from 1789 to 1849. The book proceeds in order, and gives a biographical sketch of each President—an account of the inauguration—a history of the principal events of his administration. The leading transactions of Congress at each session during the period. So much, well performed, relates to each presidential service. The work is then rendered more valuable by the addition of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, Constitution of the United States, with notes and references; a brief history of the events and circumstances which led to the Union of the States, and formation of the Constitution; a synopsis of the Constitutions of the several States; tables of Members of the Cabinets of the various administrations, Ministers to Foreign Countries, and other principal public officers; Chronological Table of Political Events in the United States; Statistical Tables of Revenue, Commerce and Population; a complete List of Members of Congress from 1789 to 1849; a complete Index, or Analytical Table of Contents to the whole work.

We need scarcely go beyond such a simple statement of the contents of these four volumes, to satisfy every reader of this Magazine that it is a work for all hands. But we deem it due to the publisher, Mr. Walker, and the author, to say, that the work is well done, the facts are clearly set forth, and the statistical tables well digested. So that we may safely say that the work forms a brief but most interesting and satisfactory history of the country for the time, and no library should be without the book, and if any man has a house without a library, let him purchase these to begin one. The foundation, of course, being always laid by those hand books that lead and serve devotion, and a copy of Graham’s Magazine. Mr. John Jones, in North Fifth street, above Market, is the agent for the work in this city, and will receive orders for it from the interior. We mention this that people may know where they may be served, for we take it for granted that a work of such unusual interest will be universally called for. We ought to add, that the publisher has had the good taste to have the book printed on excellent paper, and clear new type, and has ornamented each division with a beautifully engraved likeness of the President of whose administration he is treating—and then the work is handsomely bound.

Proverbial Philosophy; a Book of Thoughts and Arguments originally treated. By Martin Farquhar Tupper, Esq., D. C. L., F. R. S. of Christ Church, Oxford. From the eighth London edition, embellished with twelve characteristic illustrations. Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Co. small quarto, 391 pp.

Tupper’s Proverbial Philosophy has passed through eight editions in London. In this country it has been reprinted many times in a cheap form, and upwards of thirty thousand copies have been sold; indeed the work is so well known that it does not require any commendation from us. Butthis editionis deserving of especial praise. It is the first illustrated copy of this work published either in England or America. It is printed on beautiful white paper, as thick and solid as parchment. The type is large, clear and elegant. The binding is rich Turkey morocco, with massive paneled sides richly gilt. We consider it the most elegant published volume we have seen. As a holyday gift-book this volume will do credit to the tact and judgment of the presenter, while it is a most elegant compliment to the mind of the presentee.

Mornings among the Jesuits at Rome. By the Rev. M. Seymour, M. A. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 12mo.

This is an exceedingly interesting volume, the production of a fair-minded tolerant man, and conveying far more accurate information on the spirit of Jesuitism than any work published for many years. It is composed of notes of conversations, held by the author with certain Jesuits whom he met in Rome, on the subject of religion, and especially on the standing controversy between the Roman and English Churches. Mr. Seymour, from the fact that he conversed with his opponents, and enjoyed their friendship, impresses the reader in a very different manner from those controversialists, who have never known the men whose system they attack, and who thus unconsciously confound doctrines with persons, and convert living beings into mere theological machines. Under every religious creed there is a human heart and brain—a truism which is so often overlooked, both in eulogies and attacks on different religious sects, that we must be pardoned for mentioning it.

The Little Savage. By Captain Marryatt, R. N. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 12mo.

Most readers can recollect the time when Captain Marryatt was the most popular novelist of the day, and Peter Simple and Jacob Faithful were as familiar names as Oliver Twist and David Copperfield are now. But that time has passed; the gallant captain survived his reputation without really losing his talents. The present volume is a most fascinating story, calculated to charm young readers almost as much as Robinson Crusoe.

Boston Edition of Shakspeare.Phillips, Sampson & Co., of Boston, are issuing a new edition of Shakspeare, in large, clear type, and on handsome paper, with introductions and notes to each play. Every number contains a whole play, and an illustrative engraving in the best style of art. Four numbers, at the low price of twenty-five cents each, are already issued, and are to be succeeded by a new number every fortnight. When completed it will be the finest and most sumptuous edition of Shakspeare ever published in the United States. The engravings of Miranda, Julia, and Mrs. Ford, in the numbers before us, are alone worth the price. The great merit of the edition, however, is the size of the type and the beauty of the mechanical execution. It can be read by the oldest and weakest eyes without difficulty and without pain.

The History of Alfred the Great. By Jacob Abbott. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 16mo.

The subject of this volume combines the interest of history and romance, and we hardly need to say that it loses nothing in point of fascination as presented in Mr. Abbott’s clear and graceful style of narration. The series of historical volumes to which it belongs should penetrate into every family in the land.

The Fountain of Living Waters, in a Series of Sketches. By a Layman. New York: G. P. Putnam. 1 vol. 16mo.

The topics of this exquisitely printed volume are sufficiently indicated by the general title. It evidently comes from a soul profoundly imbued with religious sentiment, and the sketches indicate an observing and reflecting mind.

Anaïs Toudouze

LE FOLLETParisBoulevart St. Martin, 61.Chapeaux de Mme.Baudry,r. Richelieu, 87—Plumes deChagotainé, r. Richelieu, 81;Robes deCamille—Métier parisien de Mlle.Chanson,r. Choiseul, 2bis.Graham’s Magazine

LE FOLLET

ParisBoulevart St. Martin, 61.

Chapeaux de Mme.Baudry,r. Richelieu, 87—Plumes deChagotainé, r. Richelieu, 81;

Robes deCamille—Métier parisien de Mlle.Chanson,r. Choiseul, 2bis.

Graham’s Magazine

SADNESS MAKES THEE SWEETER.

WRITTEN BY

J. M. CHURCH, ESQ.

MUSIC COMPOSED BY

JAMES BELLAK.

Presented by Edward L. Walker, 150 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

I watch thee dearest maiden,I mark thy beauty rare,Thou’rt leaning from thy casement,To breathe the moon-lit

I watch thee dearest maiden,

I mark thy beauty rare,

Thou’rt leaning from thy casement,

To breathe the moon-lit

air!The rays are softly fallingUpon thy mournful face,And in thy sweet, sad eyes love,A secret pang I trace!My dreams are all of heaven.Or sooth sweet one of thee!And oft I seek thy casement,This earthly heaven to see:Ah! tell me where thy thoughts love,Are wandering this hour!Thou art not happy lovely oneThus lonely in thy bower.That brow how darkly shadowed,Bid clouds of grief depart!Yet sadness makes thee sweeter,More sad, more sweet, thou art,Now mine’s a cheerful heart love,Wilt mingle it with thine?The cup we’ll quaff together,And thus our fates entwine.

air!The rays are softly fallingUpon thy mournful face,And in thy sweet, sad eyes love,A secret pang I trace!

air!

The rays are softly falling

Upon thy mournful face,

And in thy sweet, sad eyes love,

A secret pang I trace!

My dreams are all of heaven.Or sooth sweet one of thee!And oft I seek thy casement,This earthly heaven to see:Ah! tell me where thy thoughts love,Are wandering this hour!Thou art not happy lovely oneThus lonely in thy bower.

My dreams are all of heaven.

Or sooth sweet one of thee!

And oft I seek thy casement,

This earthly heaven to see:

Ah! tell me where thy thoughts love,

Are wandering this hour!

Thou art not happy lovely one

Thus lonely in thy bower.

That brow how darkly shadowed,Bid clouds of grief depart!Yet sadness makes thee sweeter,More sad, more sweet, thou art,Now mine’s a cheerful heart love,Wilt mingle it with thine?The cup we’ll quaff together,And thus our fates entwine.

That brow how darkly shadowed,

Bid clouds of grief depart!

Yet sadness makes thee sweeter,

More sad, more sweet, thou art,

Now mine’s a cheerful heart love,

Wilt mingle it with thine?

The cup we’ll quaff together,

And thus our fates entwine.

Transcriber’s Notes:

Table of Contents has been added for reader convenience. Archaic spellings and hyphenation have been retained. Punctuation and obvious type-setting errors have been corrected without note. Other errors have been corrected as noted below. For illustrations, some caption text may be missing or incomplete due to condition of the originals available for preparation of the eBook.

page 4, his voice faultered on ==> his voicefalteredonpage 20, customary slouching gate, ==> customary slouchinggait,page 24, Ellsler’s castinets in the ==> Ellsler’scastanetsin thepage 26, ranks. No faultering—no ==> ranks. Nofaltering—nopage 26, work—no faultering—no ==> work—nofaltering—nopage 26, shield of Salahad when ==> shield ofGalahadwhenpage 32, McClean, who, losing all ==>McLean, who, losing allpage 34, of Quebec, M. Cramehe ==> of Quebec, M.Cramahépage 47, And wavy Appenines and ==> And wavyApenninesandpage 49, simply Lily’s Euphuisms revived ==> simplyLyly’sEuphuisms revivedpage 64, On the mantle-piece were ==> On themantel-piece werepage 69, investigation of inorganized ==> investigation ofunorganizedpage 71, still plead the angel-voice ==> stillpleadedthe angel-voicepage 77, Harry advised as villany ==> Harry advised asvillainypage 79, home is — No., Union ==> home isNo. —, Unionpage 89, (Pelecanus Onocrotatus) ==> (PelecanusOnocrotalus)Le Follet,Chapeau de Mme.Baudry==>Chapeauxde Mme.BaudryLe Follet,Plume deChagot==>PlumesdeChagot

page 4, his voice faultered on ==> his voicefalteredon

page 20, customary slouching gate, ==> customary slouchinggait,

page 24, Ellsler’s castinets in the ==> Ellsler’scastanetsin the

page 26, ranks. No faultering—no ==> ranks. Nofaltering—no

page 26, work—no faultering—no ==> work—nofaltering—no

page 26, shield of Salahad when ==> shield ofGalahadwhen

page 32, McClean, who, losing all ==>McLean, who, losing all

page 34, of Quebec, M. Cramehe ==> of Quebec, M.Cramahé

page 47, And wavy Appenines and ==> And wavyApenninesand

page 49, simply Lily’s Euphuisms revived ==> simplyLyly’sEuphuisms revived

page 64, On the mantle-piece were ==> On themantel-piece were

page 69, investigation of inorganized ==> investigation ofunorganized

page 71, still plead the angel-voice ==> stillpleadedthe angel-voice

page 77, Harry advised as villany ==> Harry advised asvillainy

page 79, home is — No., Union ==> home isNo. —, Union

page 89, (Pelecanus Onocrotatus) ==> (PelecanusOnocrotalus)

Le Follet,Chapeau de Mme.Baudry==>Chapeauxde Mme.Baudry

Le Follet,Plume deChagot==>PlumesdeChagot

[End of Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 1, January 1850, George Rex Graham, Editor]

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