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purposely "to give some utterance to the agony which, from time to time, convulses this dumb people." With such an object in view, he laid the scene at Manchester, in the heart of the manufacturing interest; and, with a few indispensable exceptions, his charac ters are all taken from among the operatives-the men and women who toil early and late, and live upon oatmeal, in damp, dismal cellars; and after an existence of unremit ting labor, exclaim with their last breath: "Oh, Lord God! I thank thee, that the hard struggle of living is over,"-beings whom misery has embittered, who look to the system under which they exist as the cause of their wretchedness; and who, nevertheless, cling to that system, merely because, under it they do not quite starve-beings who, in spite of their physical and moral degradation, in spite of the intense hatred and envy they bear towards the rich, their oppressors, contrive to practise unostentatiously the loftiest virtues which Christianity teaches. For, as the author remarks:

"The vices of the poor sometimes astound us here; but when the secrets of all hearts shall be made known, their virtues will astound us in a far greater degree."

One of the personages of the novel, is “a thorough'specimen of a Manchester man, born of factory workers, and himself, bred up in youth, and living in manhood, among the mills. He was below the middle size, and slightly made; there was almost a stunted look about him; and his wan, colorless face, gave you the idea, that in his childhood he had suffered from the scanty living consequent upon bad times and improvident habits." This is John Barton. His daughter Mary, the heroine of the tale, is conspicuous for beauty and ambitious spirit. Another actor in the play is Alice, an aged victim of the manufacturing system, whose excellent heart and sweet temper misfortune cannot harden, want cannot sour. Another is Margaret, a young workwoman—a sallow, unhealthy, sweet-looking young woman, with a care-worn look." For such characters we are somewhat prepared. But others are quite startling, and present combinations of qualities good and bad, as strange as unexpected. Margaret's grandfather is one of these; "a little, wiry-looking old man, who moved with a jerking motion, as if his limbs were worked by a string like a child's toy, with dun colored hair lying thin and soft at the back and sides of his head; his forehead was so large, it seemed to overbalance the rest of his face, which had indeed lost its natural contour by the absence of all the teeth. The eyes absolutely gleamed with intelligence; so keen, so observant, you felt as if they were almost wizard-like." And yet this "wiry little old man" is a votary of study, an adept of recondite science, a sort of "learned blacksmith "—a character not very rare, it would seem, among the workmen of Manchester.

We shrink from the task of again wading through scenes of gloom, despair and famine, or we would attempt to give a sketch of the really interesting tale of "Mary Barton." It commemorates one of the great struggles between masters and operatives, cominenced in wrong, oppressiou, and injustice, protracted in obstinacy and suffering, and ending in crime. The object of the workmen in making their "strike" is feelingly expressed by John Barton, in a speech at one of the secret meetings of the trades' union :

"It makes me more than sad-it makes my heart burn within me-to see that folk can make a joke of earnest men; of chaps who comed to ask for a bit o' fire for the old granny, as shivers in the cold; for a bit o' bedding and some warm clothing to the poor wife as lies in labor on the damp flags; and for victuals for the childer, whose little ' voices are getting too faint and weak to cry aloud wi' hunger. For, brothers, is not them the things we ask for, when we ask for more wage?--We donnot want their grand houses, we want a roof to cover us from the rain, and the snow, and the storm; ay, and not alone to cover us, but the helpless ones that cling to us in the keen wind, and ask us with their eyes, why we brought them into the world to suffer?"

The American reader will shudder oftentimes in perusing "Mary Barton," and wonder at the extent and intensity of human misery, of which he had entertained no adequate conception. The story leads him through damp, unwholesome dens, crowded with human beings who starve, infested with pestilential diseases, which are hailed as deliverers since they bring a term to want and woe-through scenes of agony and death, yet of fortitude, Spartan e durance, and obscure heroism-and occasionally, as if in mockery, or to deepen the gloom of lowly wretchedness by the contrast of the gorgeous dissipation of the wealthy, the reader is ushered into the glittering palaces of the merchant princes, the "masters" who found the proud edifice of their fortunes upon the ill-requited toil of starving thousands. No ranting speech of aspiring demagogue could have a more incendiary tendency than the gloomy work we are now noticing. Written in a plain but nervous style-somewat à la Carlyle-it holds up two pictures, the starving operatives, and the luxurious rich who own the factories. And while it purports to hold forth doctrines of a conciliatory nature, while it preaches in a spirit of laudable conservatism, on the one side, patience-on the other, charity-its consolatory comments are uttered "in the desert;" because the substance of the book illustrates in vivid colors, the evils of the manufacturing system, when carried to a certain point. It pictures the

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necessary consequence of reckless competition, in driving the "masters" to extend their operations, in holding forth fitful inducements for factory labor, in training thousands to a factory life and no other, so that when the supply of such labor chances for any cause to exceed its demand, the poor operatives find themselves utterly at the mercy of their employers. That such a state of things cannot for ever last, that sooner or later, the thousands who have long suffered in silence must be aroused to active despair, with some such war-cry as “ La propriété est un vol,"-lamentable experience teaches us to believe. Long may such a result be averted, even for England; and may the system that leads to such a result, never obtain upon our native soil!

3. THE GREAT HOGGARTY DIAMOND.

Brothers.

By W. M. Thackeray.

New-York: Harper

The author of Vanity Fair, whether he elect to call himself Thackeray or Titmarsh, requires no introduction to the public. His fame is established. At one giant stride he placed himself in the first rank of fiction writers His talent is of a peculiar order. He seeks no aid from extraordinary events, or combinations of accidents; he takes but little apparent trouble in painting character; he never goes out of the way to describe, and nevertheless, somehow, character is painted, localities are described, or at least, the reader feels perfectly intimate with personages and places, although unconscious of the process through which he became acquainted with them. So naturally does the action develope itself, so unaffectedly do the several actors unfold their respective peculiarities, that in reading a novel of Thackeray, we feel as if we were actually living through the story we are perusing.

The most conspicuous agent in the nouvelette before us is, "the great Hoggarty Diamond," a precious stone presented in token of great affection unto Samuel Titmarsh, by his aunt, Mrs. Hoggarty, of Hoggarty Castle. It is hardly worth our while to point out, how this diamond being set into a pin, and inserted in the shirt-frill of the hero, brings about his sudden elevation; or rather how, in directing attention to him, it gives him an opportunity to show those good qualities which, in due time, promote his success in life. The morale of the tale inculcates the necessity of labor; the superior dignity and certain advantage of steady, persevering toil, over the tempting glitter of reckless speculation. Never was the promulgation of that great truth more necessary than it is uownever was story written better calculated to effect that promulgation. The tendency of Thackeray's writings is truly Christian in the spirit. He labois to invest the scenes of bumble life with an attractive coloring, to exalt the virtues of the lowly,―to establish the majesty of poverty, and in so far,

"To justify the ways of God to man."

His genius had not yet taken its free scope when he composed the work we are now engaged in noticing; yet no one can read "The Hoggarty Diamond," without discovering, at every page, the germ of " Vanity Fair." The quiet contempt of bigotry, the chivalrous respect for true religious feeling, the half suppressed pathos, the unpretending manner, the plain but exquisitely correct style, all are as conspicuous in the earlier essays of this writer, as they are in his more labored productions. We are free to encourage and advocate the perusal of these works; they appeal to the softer feelings of our nature; they exert a genial influence over the young; they divert, without exciting over much the spirit of adventure; they teach the knowledge of mankind, without hardening the human heart in the tuition.

4.—A LETTER ABOUT THE LIONS. By Frances S. Osgood. George P. Putnam; 155 Broadway.

This is a delightful little spicy production of a favorite authoress, being addressed to "Mabel in the Country," and descriptive of the literary curiosities of the day, with the peculiarities of which, the fair writer shows a just acquaintance, yet mysteriously intimates,

"But all I see, and all I'm told
Till night, from early morn here,

I wouldn't tell for all the gold
Unfound in California."

5.-A NEW SPANISH READER; consisting of Passages from the most approved Authors, in Prose and Verse, &c., and a copious Vocabulary. By Mariano Velasquez, de la Cadena, Professor, &c. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway.

Of the many good books published by the Messrs. Appleton in their admirable educational series, this is well calculated to aid in the acquirement of that language becoming so important to the commercial interests of the country.

6.-FRANK FORESTER'S FIELD SPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND BRITISH PROVINCES, NORTH AMERICA. By H. W. Herbert, Esq. Stringer & Townsend, publishers, 22 Broadway.

The style of this well-known and versatile writer is peculiarly felicitous and elegant. He has remarkable turns of expression, lucky hits of the pen, which win our reluctant belief in his boasted achievements with the gun. What if these be somewhat startling at times; to misquote Horace:

"Omnibus hoc vitium commune est venatoribus."

Besides, these titbits of romance are always so well told, that the Italian proverb invariably applies: Se non è vero, è ben trovato. Elegantly prodigal of his wealth of imagination, it is in vain that he seeks, in attempting new careers, or adopting many pseudonymes, to disguise his identity. Him, whether gun in hand, he lead us through the brake or halffrozen morass or pensive in his study, he aspire to rival Buffon or Cuvier-or in a sportive mood he indulge lively communion with a friendly Spirit-him, whether Frank Forester he calls himself, or by any other nom de plume, elect to be designated-him, no man for a moment can mistake, who has an ear for musical turn of phrase and orginality of style.

But it is not only the setting that deserves praise, the gem is the subject matter itself. The peculiar habits of our game of North America, can but be learned through his pagesthe scenery of our woods and mountains was never better painted even by professed describers. Fiction was never more gracefully adapted to illustrate the manners of a

class.

Much credit is due to the enterprising publishers for introducing a work of this importance in so superb a dress. It is as worthy by its binding, typography, and illustrations. to occupy a place on a lady's centre-table, as by its intrinsic worth it deserves a nook on the student's shelf.

George P.

7.-IRVING'S WORKS. THE LIFE AND VOYAGES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; to which are added, those of his Companions. By Washington Irving. Vol. II. Putnam, 155 Broadway.

The immense sale which this excellent standard edition of the works of Irving has met with, affords evidence of the lasting renown which the author has acquired. The popu lation of the country has quadrupled since the appearance of his first work, and as the English language spreads over the continent, the pure diction and classic elegance of Irving must continue to be the guide for increasing numbers of learners, as well as the amusement and instruction of those of riper years. The first volume forms the fifth of the series of which there are to be twelve--and it is the second of the voyages of Columbus. It is of 150 pages, and contains a large and accurate map of the four voyages of the discoverer.

8.--THE LEGENDS OF MONTAUK. By J. A. Ayres. With an Historical Appendix. Geo. P. Putnam, 155 Broadway.

This is a very pleasing poem, with considerable poetical merit. The scene is attractive from its local and romantic nature, being on the extreme point of Long Island.

9.-LABOR AND OTHER CAPITAL: the Rights of each secured, and the Wrongs of both eradicated; or, au Exposition of the causes why few are Wealthy and many Poor, &c. By Edward Kellogg, author of “ Currency: the Evil and the Remedy." Published by the Author.

This volume advocates commercial law, paper money and public economy that belong to a by gone age. The antiquated views of projectors, based upon principles that experience has shown to be fallacious, and of which the number of advocates is daily and hourly diminishing in all countries, can possess little of interest to any parties. As well might an author write in favor of the institution of knighthood, or of the service of heraldry, as to advocate class legislation, usury laws and paper money in this age of the world. We may, hereafter review the work more at length, in order to show how far it lags behind the present state of economic science.

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The History of England, from the accession of James II. By Thomas Bab-
ington Macaulay. Vols. I. and II. Harper Brothers.

III. NEWSPAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES....

BY R. DODGE.

IV. OPPRESSION..

V. MINNA VON BARNHELM.-A COMEDY, IN FIVE ACTS..

Translated from the German of G. E. Lessing. Act I. (continued.)

VI. FRIENDSHIP'S OFFERING...

219

224

..176

225

231

232

VII. THE FEMALE POETS OF AMERICA...

The Female Poets of America. By Rufus Wilmot Griswold.

VIII. PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER: HIS LIFE AND WRITINGS....

248

IX. TO SOPHY. (From the French of Beranger.).

256

X. THE REPUBLIC. BY G. TAYLOR...

BY HENRY J. BRADFIELD.

257

The Republic of the United States of America; its duties to itself, &c.

XI. STANZAS TO LOUIS NAPOLEON..........

262

XII. POLITICAL PORTRAITS WITH PEN AND PENCIL.-SAMUEL D.

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