Page images
PDF
EPUB

10-1812, or Napoleon's Invasion of Russia; an historical romance. By Louis Rellstab. Stringer & Townsend, 222 Broadway.

The campaign of 1812 is fraught with materials for the most stirring productions, and the mind has been wrought up to the greatest advantage by the writing literati of Germany. This historical romance of Mr Rellstab is probably the best of the many excellent works that have flowed from the German pen. Whoever, however, undertakes to pronounce an opinion upon all the works that have of late been produced in Germany, must subject himself to the charge of flippancy. It suffices, however, that the one before us has become so popular with his countrymen, as to force itself to the notice of the foreign press, and attract the enterprise of American publishers, whose reward will doubtless be great, from the interest with which the work of Mr. Rellstab abounds.

11.-LIVING ORATORS IN AMERICA. By E. L. Magoon, author of "Proverbs for the People," &c. Baker & Scribner, 145 Nassau-street.

This is a useful and meritorious book, comprising sketches of nine statesmen, desig. nated as follows:-Daniel Webster, the logician; Edward Everett, the rhetorician; Henry Clay, the politician; John C. Calhoun, the metaphysician; Geo. M. Duffie, the impetuous; Lewis Cass, the courteous; Thomas H. Benton, the magisterial; W. C. Preston, the inspired declaimer; Thomas Corwin, the natural orator. While we coincide with the justice and the good taste displayed by Mr. Magoon in his remarks upon the first eight eminent men, we cannot understand why he should attempt to boost the vulgar demagogue Corwin into such company, nor why he quotes personally abusive shallow balderdash, that is excelled in wit and point by the habitues of every corner grocery, as qualifying its utterer to rank as an American orator with the scholarly and graceful Everett, the magnificent Clay, the profound Calhoun, and the majestic Webster. Indeed, the introduction of such a name, accompanied by so forbidding a portrait, conveys a feeling of disappointment, as if that brilliant galaxy of genius was arrayed, simply to cast au effulgence upon the dark substance they precede.

12.-REPUBLICAN CHRISTIANITY; or, True Liberty, as exhibited in the life, precepts, and early disciples of the great Redeemer, By E. L. Magoon, author of "Living Orators of America." Gould, Kendall and Lincoln, 59 Washington-street, Boston.

This is a most remarkable and timely production, dealing severe blows at the timecemented hierarchies of the Protestant as well as Catholic Churches. The general scope of the work is indicated in the creed of the author, as given in his preface.—

[ocr errors]

First, he believes in Jesus Christ; second, he believes in no one else as having the slightest authority over the personal freedom and religious rights of mankind.”

When the reform was commenced in Italy, by the action of the head of the church, it became evident that a separation must take place between the church and despotism in all countries where the pope was regarded as the spiritual head of a church heretofore considered as the bulwark of tyranny. The whole fabric of European society was shaken to its centre with the violent throes that are premonitory of the separation be tween spiritual and secular kingdoms. Priestcraft being deprived of its temporal dignities is becoming more pure, and this purity is effecting the church in this country as well as in Europe and England.

13. IRVING'S WORKS. A Book of the Hudson, collected from the various works of Diedrich Knickerbocker: Edited by Geoffrey Crayon. G. P. Putnam, 155 Broadway.

This is a very agreeable little volume, comprising those inimitable stories that have given immortality to the traditions of the Hudson, and, as it were, touched the classic chord in colonial history. It is elegantly got up and exceedingly cheap.

14.—AGNES; or, the Heroine of Domestic Life. Harper Brothers.

This is one of those works that so rarely maket heir appearance, viz. an American novel, but from the style and interest of the present one, we should judge they will become less rare hereafter.

[ocr errors]
[graphic]
[blocks in formation]

IV. VERSES ON THE DAY OF WATERLOO.-(From the French of
Beranger.).....

V. MINNA VON BARNHELM.-A COMEDY, IN FIVE ACTS....
Translated from the German of G. E. Lessing. Act IV.

VI. THE HILLS....

By MRS. J. W. MERCUR.

VII. POPULAR PORTRAITS WITH PEN AND PENCIL.-Hon. S. W. Downs, OF LOUISIANA...

VIII. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW..

.534

535

.546

547

........561

Progress of Money-State of the Exchanges-Import of Specie-
Beneficial Influence of Free Trade-Effect of the California Fever-
Operations of the Treasury-Federal Revenues. -Surplus Re-
ceipts.

IX. FOREIGN MISCELLANY....

X. NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.......

....566

By G. P. Putnam; Harper Brothers; Gould, Kendal & Lincoln;
Stringer & Townsend; John G. Ticknor & Co.

.569

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »