around the relation of what would other- reader. Dr. Olin quitted this country in 1839, in the pursuit of health. It was not at first his intention to prepare a book of travels, but the materials soon unconsciously collected in the form of a diary, finally suggested the idea of publication. What he has given us, therefore, is pretty much as it was written down on the spot to which it relates. There is consequently a freshness and life about the narrative which are highly pleasing. We cannot say that he has furnished us much new information, but he has certainly given vividness and strength to many old impressions. The great value of his book, as a book of travels, is that he writes like a man of truth. It is impossible for the reader to get any other impression than that of the perfect truthfulness of the We feel-what is so important narrator. with travellers, but what they are proverbial for neglecting-that every statement may be relied upon with the utmost confidence. We could wish that we had room for a few extracts, and can do no better in the absence of these, than to refer our readers to the work itself. It is well worth a perusal. Marmaduke Wyvil; or the Maid's Revenge, Mr. Herbert, in his own proper field, that of the romance of by-gone days,-is one of the most vigorous and beautiful writers we now have; and were it not that the public taste is now pretty well satiated with this class of novels, we have no doubt that he could readily command a popularity little inferior to that of James. Indeed, "Marmaduke Wyvil" will compare advantageously with any that the latter has ever written. It is a Cavalier and Puritan story, the scene being partly laid in France, and in addition to the pri vate dramatis persone of the plot, many historical characters are introduced and treated with fine spirit and graphic skill. The Poetry of Life. By Mrs. ELLIS, author of "Wives of England," &c. Author's edition, complete in one volume. New York; J. & H. G. Langley, 57 Chatham-street, 1843. 8vo. pp. 184. Popular as have been all her subsequent writings, Mrs. Ellis has written nothing better than this the first production which, as Miss Stickney, laid the foundation of her literary reputation. It was the first cream of her mind, before she had regularly taken to book-making as a branch of manufacturing industry, and is truly a charming production. It was originally published, we believe, in 1825, and has long been out of print, so that it comes before the public, if not with all the freshness of novelty, yet quite "as good as new." Issued in the neat and cheap form in which the Langleys are publishing the whole series of her works, it will doubtless have a circulation unsurpassed by any of the enormous editions of her other writings which we understand they have recently sold. Scenes in Indian Life: a series of original designs portraying events in the life of an Indian Chief. Drawn and etched on stone, by FELIX O. C. DARLEY. TO which is added, in illustration, the Death of the War Eagle; a Tale, with copious Notes. Philadelphia: published by J. R. Colman, No. 203 Chestnut-street. This is a publication of a novel but very interesting character. It is in quarto form, and is founded on the model of Retzsch's well-known Illustrations. The plates are in the same style of outline etching, and are in general both designed and executed with admirable spirit. The hunting the Bison, and the scene of the finding the dead body of the Chief, are not indeed unworthy of Retzsch's own pencil; and, had they been issued to the world under his name, would have been received as well sustaining its great reputation. The accompanying tale is of course only intended as the string for the pearls. Preferring to read the story in the more vivid version contained on the face of the plates themselves, we have not d ne more than bestow a cursory glance on its Notes, which appear to embody much instructive information about Indian life and manners. Altogether the work richly deserves a general patronage. It is to be completed in five parts, with three plates in each, for the very low price of a dollar-the price of the single number being twenty-five It can be procured from most of the booksellers and periodical agents. cents. Facts and Arguments on the Transmission of Intellectual and Moral Qualities from Parents to Offspring. New York: Wiley & Putnam. 1848. 12mo. pp. 191. The author of this little volume-a lady, by the way-has for many years devoted a particular attention to the subject indicated by its title; under the conviction that there is no mode in which she could better perform her part of the universal duty of doing some good to our kind and age, than by awakening the attention of parents to the important truths which she here discusses, with certainly a most scientific plainness. Insisting very justly that the formation of the character and probable destiny of the child begins long before its own appearance to the light, she urges with much force the responsibilities thus peculiarly incident to the sacred and beautiful relation of the mother. Though she advances nothing novel on the subject, she has collected a great number of the cases known to history, of the evident influence of remarkable mothers in impressing on their offspring the stamp of intellectual greatness or moral excellence. NOTE. The story by Hawthorne in our present Number originally appeared in an annual some thirteen or fourteen years ago. Being published anonymously, and indeed before the name of the author had risen to distinction, it of course shared the fate of the annual" literature, perishing like the snows of the same year and season. As it was not included in his subsequent collection, in those exquisite volumes of "Twice-Told Tales," though fully worthy of a p ace there, it has been thus resuscitated, with the author's permission, as being in truth not less new and original, as one of his acknowledged writings, than if now for the first time stamped in print. Disappointed in receiving our usual contribution from the same diamond-tipped pen, we were unwilling to deprive our readers of their wonted pleasure of seeing his name in our table of contents. AMERICAN. LITERARY BULLETIN. The literary on dits of the month are, as usual at this period, few and unimportant; the several publishing houses have indeed some works now ready, but their publication is deferred. Charles Wells has in press a beautiful Annual for 1844, with sixteen fine steel engravings, it is called "The Winter Green, a Perennial Gift for 1844," edited by John Keese. It will be a beautiful melange of Prose and Poetry, and will embrace the names of our most distinguished writers. "Froissart's Chronicles," to be completed in eight numbers, have just been commenced in an elegant style, with engravings, at the New World office. No recommendation is needed for a work of such standard merit. The cheap publication mania has reached "down east," and the Boston publishers are going into the business at once. The admirable translation of" La Fontaine's Fables," translated from the French by Elizur Wright, jr., has just been issued by Messrs. Tappan & Dennet, in beautiful style, for 50 cents, in 2 vols. 18mo., with 50 cuts by Hartwell, from the original designs by Grandville. Sixth edition. "Rockwell's Foreign Travel and Life at Sea." A new edition of "Fowle's Dialogues and Discussions for Schools and Academies," which has become one of the most popular school books of the day. Also, "Universalism Examined, Renounced and Exposed," by Matthew Hale Smith, is having an unprecedented sale. The fifth edition is just out. Dr. Sweetser's very ingenious and interesting work on the reciprocal influence of the intellect and passions, entitled "Mental Hygiene," is attracting very general attention in the scientific world; and we hope the reading public at large will not be indifferent to the value of so admirable an elucidation of a subtle and important subject. (Langleys, publishers). The same firm have recently published a fine edition of Dr. Thomson's "Conspectus of the Pharmacopoias." This celebrated and valuable Manual for the Physician and Student, incorporates an immense amount of new and important matter, comprising the New Remedies of Pereira and all other recent accredited writers in Ma teria Medica. The American edition has been endorsed by the most flattering opinions of the leading members of the Faculty in this city as well as elsewhere. Our worthy publishers have also issued the first Number of their "New York Journal of Medicine and the Collateral Sciences." The judicious and skilful Editor (Dr. Forry) has presented his professional brethren with an able and most acceptable work; and were we to venture an opinion from the specimen before us, we should bespeak for this Journal a high rank among works of its class. Lea & Blanchard will issue, in the course of the present month, a new romance by Cooper, to be styled "Wyandotte, or the Hutted Knoll," also the poems of Samuel Rogers, with the splendid English embellishments. The "Attaché," by Sam Slick. The works of Sir Astley Cooper, with plates, and several new medical works, of which we have not space to speak in our present number. Tower's beautiful " Memoir of the Croton Aqueduct" is selling well. We do not see how it can fail of success, it is so beautifully embellished. The indefatigable author has expended a large amount of money and labor on this production, and it will remain a monument of his skill and enterprise for many a distant day. The Appletons are preparing a second series of their "Miniature Library;" also, a new volume of "The Rose," for 1844. Dr. Pusey's celebrated Sermon, which caused his suspension from the priestly office, is published by this firm. It occupied twenty-one dense columns of the London Times. The Harpers will shortly publish the first number of their " Illustrated Bible;" a new volume of Albert Barnes's "Notes on Hebrews;" Dr. Bangs's "Life of Arminius;" Prescott's "Conquest of Mexico," 3 vols., 8vo., and Choules's edition of Neale's "History of the Puritans," &c. Carey & Hart announce the following:"Chemical Science, with its numerous and important applications to Medical Science, Agriculture, the Arts, and Manufactures." By James C. Booth. To be completed in twenty numbers, at twenty-five cents each." The Gift, for 1844," with superb engravings from original paintings, by Sully, Inman, Huntingdon, Cheney, Mount, and Page. "The Literary Souvenir," beautifully illustrated with plates, from pictures by Sully, Chalon, &c., splendidly bound in Turkey morocco.-"The Complete Poctical Works of Thomas Moore, Esq.," in one pocket volume, with beautifully engraved portrait and title. "The French and English, and English and French Dictionary, on the basis of Flemming and Tibbin," in one volume, royal 8vo., of upwards of twelve hundred pages. Our publishers (the Langleys) announce for early publication the following medical works; "Clark on Diseases of Females," with additions and notes by Dr. Delafield. "Valpeau's New Elements of Operative Surgery," accompanied with an Atlas, in 4to, of 22 plates. This new translation will include copious notes by Dr. Mott, and will be accompanied with nearly 200 wood cuts intercalated with the text. A new work by F. C. Stewart, M.D., on the "Hospitals and Surgeons of Paris." Also "Observations on Obstetric Auscultation," by Dr. E. Kennedy, M.D. Dr. Copland's "Dictionary of Practical Medicine," in monthly parts, and Dr. Pereira's new work on "Food and Diet," edited by Dr. Lee, which last, however, is now ready. ENGLISH. The first item of news that reaches us from the literary emporium of the old world is, the unwelcome announcement of the demise of that prince of publishers, John Murray. His distinguished career would supply materials for a biography that could not fail to prove interesting. He was possessed of great critical acumen, combined with an almost prodigal liberality to authors, which secured him the friendship of the greatest men of the age. His establishment will be continued under the auspices of his son, who has already entered the lists of authorship with surprising success-his popular "Hand-books for Tourists" to all parts of Europe, par exemple. Among the new books just ready, we notice the following:"Change for American Notes"-quære, is not the writer Geo. P. Putnam, the bookseller? Mrs. Ellis has still another new book in preparation-"The Mothers of England"-by the way, we observe the London publishers are issuing an illustrated edition of her popular works in numbers. A new work by the author of Sam Slick is announced by Bentley, entitled "The Attaché." The Sidney Correspondence is to be completed by the two new volumes. Also Memoirs of George Selwyn and his Contemporaries, in 2 vols., are nearly ready. "Circassian Chief," a romance of Russia, and "The Busy Body," a novel. "Hampton Court," by Lloyd, and "Windsor Castle," with plates, by Ainsworth, which is now completed, are the principal new works of fiction. Yord Brougham's 2d vol. of" Political Failosophy," is out; also "A Steam Voyage on the Moselle," and "Rhine," by Quin; and, moreover, we notice a favorable reception given to Herbert's novel, "Marmaduke Wyvil," which presents a singular set-off to the rumors this side the water, that it is a work abundantly plagiaristic! Lady Blessington's new novel is to be called "Meredith," and is said to be just ready; also" Personal Observations on Sindh," the Marquis de Custine's new work on Russia, and a translation from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, by Laing, entitled "The Chronicles of the Kings of Norway," &c. COPYRIGHT.-A deputation of booksellers and literary men waited on M. Guizot recently, respecting the adoption of some plan for the suppression of piracy; they recommend the recognizing of a copyright in France of all works published by foreigners in their respective countries. |