12. Travels in the Regions of the Upper and Lower Amoor and the Russian Acquisitions on the confines of India and China. With Adventures among the Mountain Kirghis; and the Manjours, Manquargs, Toungous, Touzempts, Goldi, and Gelyaks; the Hunting and Pastoral Tribes. By Thomas Witlam Atkinson, F. G. S., F. R. G. S. With a Map and Numerous Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1860. 8vo., pp. 448.

Hardly any region of the globe has been less known to Europeans than the vast valley of the Amoor separating Asiatic Russia from the Chinese Empire. And this ignorance has naturally been the occasion of much anxiety to British statesmen, inasmuch as this secluded region, touching the British Indian empire on the north, has given the Russians an opportunity to make secret advances towards the British possessions. Mr. Atkinson, the only European that has been permitted to enter this region, having spent several years in exploring the country, very properly presumes that his discoveries will have a peculiar value in the eyes of British rulers. But his work is not for statesmen only. His observations embraced very much of interest to men of science generally-particularly the ethnologist, the botanist, and the geologist. Further, the much larger class who have a passion for works of adventure, will have an immense fund of entertainment in Mr. Atkinson's feats of daring, hardship, and triumph over physical nature among the mountains and deserts, and along the rivers of the vast region drained by the Amoor. Commerce will owe much to his labors, which have opened a field of almost incalculable extent, where enterprise, skill, and industry are sure to find a profitable investment." The author's reputation, placed very high by his former book of Siberian travels, will not suffer by this last issue. He takes rank considerably above the average of tourists. We must complain of the map as too crowded with details to be readily available for the ordinary reader. The wood-cuts are excellent.

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13. Whims and Oddities, with One Hundred and Twelve Illustrations; and National Tales. By Thomas Hood. New York: Derby & Jackson. 1861. pp. 451.

The appearance of the "Whims and Oddities" demonstrated that even puns-usually the cheapest substitute for humorcould be made a basis of genial humor; that is, could be made so by one person, for we think it doubtful if any one but Thomas Hood ever displayed a faculty for such a work. We are pleased to see such a collection of fun-provoking miscellanies. He would be a stoic who can even look at the pictures without an accompanying smile. The "National Tales" have decided positive

merit; but they are the least satisfactory of Hood's literary productions. We learn with pleasure that the complete works of Thomas Hood, in the best style of print, are soon to appear.

14. The New American Cyclopædia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. Volume xi. Macgillivray-Moxa. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Boston: Elliot & White. 1861.

Prominent among the articles in this volume are "James Madison," "Magnetism," ," "Horace Mann," (highly and deservedly eulogistic), "Mansfield," (the great British jurist) "Mechanics," "Mazzini," (whose history is traced to so recent an event as Garibaldi's expedition into Sicily), "Medicine,” "Microscope," "Milk," (a particularly instructive paper), "Foreign Missions," "Mohammedanism," and "Mormons." The volume contains in all about 1800 articles. Our references to the New Cyclopædia have satisfied us that every word of the commendation we have heretofore bestowed upon the work, is richly merited. It has so greatly served us in our humble literary labors, that it has become a necessity to us. We urge

it upon our readers-the clerical portion of them particularlyto avail themselves of the volumes as they appear. They will make few investments, if any, that will return them more satisfactory dividends. We are eager to see the volumes completed. In this instance, however, we realize that patience is essential to perfect work.

15. View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages. By Henry Hallam, L.L. D. In Three Volumes. Boston: Crosby, Nichols, Lee & Co. 1861.

The dissolution of the Roman empire left the nations of Europe heretofore tributary to the empire, in a state of complete chaos. How the fragments were put together again; how some pieces were framed into a kingdom here; and other pieces into a kingdom there; how one aggregation made France, another Spain, another Italy, another Germany, and so on throughout Europe, all together make as fruitful and as profitable a theme for the historian as can be conceived. Fortunately, a man equal to the task of treating the theme appeared in Henry Hallam. Profoundly versed in the lore of the Middle Ages; comprehensive in his judgments; fully appreciating and sympathising with the social and intellectual peculiarities of the ages which he describes; without a living equal on the score of impartiality; always terse, clear, and often eloquent in style, his View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages has deservedly ranked

with the highest of the English classics. A Whig, though of the conservative school, Mr. Hallam was at first the subject of severe tory criticism, but time has shown the fallacy of objections coming from this quarter. To-day, no English historian is read with such general and unquestioning confidence as Henry Hallam.

The Boston publishers have put the history into its handsomest mechanical garb. Even London will give their edition the preference over every other. Such typography would make even a dull page inviting. We are happy to add that the three volumes noticed, are but the first instalment of the entire works of the same historian.

16. Recent Inquiries in Theology, by Eminent English Churchmen. Being "Essays and Reviews." Edited with an Introduction, by Rev. Frederic H. Hedge, D. D. Boston: Walker, Wise & Co. 1860. Pp. 480.

It is difficult to realize that these essays are from clergymen of the Episcopal Church-that productions so liberal in some respects, so radical in others, and in not a few cases making a too near approach to rationalistic speculations, are from an Establishment proverbially stolid and inflexible in its conservatism. The Oxford Tracts of twenty years ago, inaugurating a movement towards Romanism, and these Essays, pointing towards the very extreme of Protestantism, taken together, demonstrate the fact of a fatal schism in the English Church. The Tractarians are the most logical; but the Progressives have the sympathy of the great public. We have the same essential thing here in the antagonisms of Andover and Princeton Princeton having the argument, and Andover the people! The truth is, humanity has got ahead of the old postulates of theology; and thinking men prefer inconsistency in theorizing, to further unequivocal acknowledgment of dogmas which outrage the human heart. The leading spirits of the book under notice are Rowland Williams, Baden Powell, and Benjamin Jowett. Jowett, in his essay "On the Interpretation of Scripture," makes the greatest contribution both as respects bulk and value. Whatever we may think of the extreme tendencies of this essay or of its logical implications, there is evidently something of truth in the position, that words and maxims spoken eighteen centuries ago, and to a peculiar people, cannot have an unqualified application to all people, and in all ages. To suppose that the creeds of modern Christendom were the formal beliefs; of Christ and his apostless, is as preposterous as to suppose that they believed in the Hamiltonian metaphysics. Of Powell's essay

"On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity," we cannot speak in terms of commendation. It seems to us an unchristian assumption that man can receive the Christian doctrines without the aid of an external revelation. We regret that a book which contains so much of fresh thought, and has in it so much of the Christian unction, should have its mission for good impeded by speculations which, we must think, are subversive of the Christian revelation. As a whole, this book of "Essays and Reviews" is the most significant publication of our day.

17. The Conduct of Life. By R. W. Emerson. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1860.

Most of the papers in this collection we had the privilege of hearing read by the author-some of them more than once. The essays on 66 Fate," "Power," "Wealth," "Culture," and "Beauty," we recognize as quite familiar. They inspired us when we heard them- particularly the two on Power and Beauty. There is less of mysticism in Mr. Emerson's later productions; unless, indeed, he has educated his admirers to a higher appreciation of his thought-a very agreeable conceit indeed, if conceit it be. It is clear, that his mind is taking a more practical turn; his thought which once glittered without warming, now touches our sympathies and moves us to act. Mr. Emerson is the great American thinker; and to this conclusion his once hostile critics are being forced. The first emphatic recognition of his power was by Europeans; and to the unbiased judgment thus expressed, his countrymen, however unwillingly in some instances, must bow.

18. Home Ballads and Poems. By John Greenleaf Whittier. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.

For descriptive poetry with New England themes, as well as for the impetuous verse with philanthropic aim, Whittier ranks first among our poets. There are pieces in this fresh supply equal to any in his former publications. He never wrote anything better than "My Psalm," page 125. His friends will eagerly avail themselves of this new collection.

19. Hymns of the Ages. Second Series. Being selected from Wither, Cranshaw, Southwell, Habington, and other Sources. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1861.

There is a quaint grandeur, and at the same time an earnest simplicity in this collection of hymns. They are evidently compiled by one whose religious aspirations are strong and fervid,

and whose appreciation of sacred poetry is delicate and pure. Warm, pious hearts will thank the industry that has brought them together. The print is antique, and the paper slightly tinted. It makes an exquisitely beautiful volume, alike in its contents and its mechanical execution.

20. The Four Georges. Sketches of Manners, Morals, Court and Town Life. By W. M. Thackeray. With Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1860. pp. 241.

If compelled to single out the literary treat of our life,-the one which by its peculiar zest has the pre-eminence over other intellectual entertainments, we should unhesitatingly name Thackeray's lectures on the Four Georges, Kings of England. We gladly welcome their re-appearance in book-form. They are full of pictures-living portraits rather of the celebrated men and women who flourished or fluttered in the presence of British royalty during the epoch of the Brunswick dynasty. In each lecture, except the last, the post of stupidity is filled by the king. The Republican most prejudiced against monarchies, could not give vent to more disgust and contempt than Thackeray evinces for the first three Georges. George the Fourth was not stupid, he was, in Thackeray's phrase, a hog!" The rottenness of the British Court during this monarch's supremacy was probed and laid open to the gaze of an American audience, and this by a subject of the British crown! It seemed to us when we heard him, that Mr. Thackeray was acquainted, and on jocose terms, with Walpole, with Hervey, with the two Pitts, with Lord North and Mr. Wilkes. It is indeed a marvellous faculty which can make mere book acquaintances seem so real. To us the book will have value as a memorial of the pleasure we felt in hearing Mr. Thackeray.

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21. Brief Biographies. By Samuel Smiles. With Steel Portraits. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1861.

The several Biographies were first published in English periodicals, and are now brought together at the suggestion of the American publishers. The book embraces one tolerably long sketch of James Watt, and very brief ones of Dr. Arnold, Francis Jeffrey, Thomas Carlyle, Leigh Hunt, Hartly Coleridge, Edgar A. Poe, Harriet Martineau, and other distinguished persons in the different walks of life. The author of "SelfHelp" could hardly write a poor book. He has a sudden yet solid reputation in this country.