phenomena, with copious letter-press descriptions: "Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official"-the authorship is ascribed to Col. Sleeman, of the Bengal service: another work of somewhat similar class, called "Ocean Thoughts Homeward Bound from Indin," by an officer of the E. India service: and "Adventures of an Officer in the service of Runjeet Singh," by Major Lawrence. Lady Blessington's pen has been somewhat dormant lately, but it is about to make amends for this in a forthcoming novel in four volumes (!) to be called "Strathern, or Life at Home and Abroad." Two or three other novels are just ready for publication in London: "Hampton Court," an historical romance; "The Chevalier," by Mrs. Thomson; and in one of the magazines, we believe Bentley's Miscellany, Albert Smith announces, "The Fortunes of the Scatterwood Family," to be issued in monthly portions. There seems to be quite a rage for Biblical Illustration at the present day: we hear that Longmans propose to issue in portions the Sacred Oracles, done in the gorgeous missal style of embellishments: the project is a terrific one, as it would prove a prodigious expense, and extend over a surface of parchment or paper that would be only equalled by its prodigal cost. Fishers, of London, have just commenced the issue in royal 4to., of a superbly embellished edition of the Bible, copiously illustrated by exquisite engravings after the old masters. Martin & Co., of our city, have an edition in elephant quarto of scarcely inferior claims in course of publication, edited with annotations by Rev. Alexander Fletcher: and Harper and Brothers have rendered their profusely embellished edition so universally popular, that we need say nothing of the rare attractions the magic pencil of Chapman, aided by the beautiful designs of Adams, have imparted to it, and which have assigned to it such a proud preeminence among pictorial works. A new poem, from the charming poetess, Hon. Mrs. Norton, is announced, entitled "The Child of the Islands,' illustrated by the celebrated Maclise. Miss Jewsbury has a new work just ready, entitled "Zoe, a History of Two Lives." A kind of govern

ment Register of Marriages, Births and Deaths, is just commenced, under the patronage of the public authorities. We are happy to find that an embellished edition of the works of that much neglected, but true poet of nature, Robert Bloomfield, is about to appear, under the supervision of Van Voorst, the publisher of "Blair's Grave," illustrated. Mr. T. R. Jones has eonsigned to the press an abstract of his three courses of Lectures on the natural history of animals, delivered before the Royal Institution of Great Britain, embellished by over 100 fine plates. The new volumes of Murray's Colonial Library comprise, "Lewis's Residence amongst the Negroes of the West Indies," and "The Court of the Emperor of China," described during a residence at Pekin, by Father Ripa; and here close we for the present our rather extended gossip on the doings and designings of the literary and learned.

We ought not, however, to forget a passing tribute to one or two distinguished names which exist no longer but in the treasured storehouse of memory or the chronicles of fame. We refer to the demise of Corbould, the admired artist, which occurred recently at the house of Lady Chantrey, at St. Leonard's; that which occurred at Paris, of Theodore Gechter, the eminent sculptor; and that of the renowned Russian poet, Kryloff, who attained to the remarkable age, for a poet, of eighty-three years. His funeral obsequies were conducted with unusual magnificence at St. Petersburg; his body was placed in a coffin of great splendor, enveloped in the national costume, and wearing on its brow the laurel crown of gold, awarded to the poet by the Imperial Academy of Arts, on the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of his first poem; and on its breast a rich bouquet of flowers sent by the Empress. The solemn pageant was attended by 30,000 persons, including all the wealth and wisdom of the Russian Capital, and followed by 500 equipages, amongst which were three belonging to the Emperor. His remains were deposited by the Imperial hands in their lowly resting-place, over which a sumptuous sarcophagus was to be erected to his memory.

THE January meeting of this body was held on Tuesday evening, the 7th inst., at their rooms in the University; the first Vice President, Mr. Lawrence, in the chair, supported by the second Vice President, Dr. De Witt.

The minutes having been read and approved, the Secretary read letters from Clinton Haring, of Detroit, John V. L. Pruyn and S. S. Kendall, Esqs. of Albany, acknowledging their election as corres. ponding members.

Professor Mason, the Treasurer, presented his annual report on the finances of the Society, from which it appears that the receipts during the past year have been $2,026 12; the expenditures have amounted to $1,970 66-leaving a balance in the treasury of $55 46, and about $500 now due from the members. The report further stated that a large part of the expenditures had been for book-cases, fixtures, and old claims of many years standing, and that the society was now free from all debts and liabilities of every kind.

Mr. Gibbs, the Librarian, announced the donations during the past month, and read a letter from Mr. W. A. Whitehead of this city, presenting an original portrait of his grandfather, Lewis Morris of Morrisania, the father of Governeur Morris, our former Minister to France, &c. By whom it was painted is not known, but it has always been considered by the family, a good likeness. This portrait is a valuable addition to the Historical Gallery, as Mr. Morris was a prominent citizen of the Province of New York, a member of the Legislature, and subsequently until his death, Judge of Vice Admiralty for New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Also a letter from Joseph G. Cogswell, Esq., presenting the Bibliotheca Historica of Mensel, which contains a better catalogue raisonné of books belonging to our history, than can be found elsewhere. The Historical Library was originally compiled by Struvius, then enlarged by Buder, and finally brought out in its present form every way improved by Mensel. Its plan is not merely to specify the various works referred to, under their appropriate heads, but also to give some account of their contents, and of the estimate in which they are held, and being written in Latin, is, or ought to be, acceptable to every reader. Mensel, in his day, was regarded as one of the most learned and accurate of the historical and statistical writers of Germany. Mr.

Cogswell imported this work for his own use, about a year since, but as it is rare here, there being no other copy in New York, he generously presented it to the Society, regarding it as a work which will be more generally useful by being placed in a public library.

Mr. Gibbs read a letter from Robert Greenhow, Esq., of Washington, in acknowledgment of the resolution passed by the Society at their last meeting, requesting him to prepare a memoir on the Discovery and Exploration of the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Mr. Greenhow stated that the history of the northern portion of the coast has been investigated with minuteness, and with respect to that portion, he should have to perform only the humble office of abridging. With regard to the coast south of the Delaware, and especially that of the northern side of the Mexican Gulf, some researches in which he has been engaged have convinced him that much curious if not important information lies buried in volumes rarely opened. Mr. Greenhow has already collected many valuable hints relating to the discovery and settlement of the countries last named, which he will, in any event, communicate to the Historical Society.

The Librarian then read his annual report on the state of the library, giving an account of the additions thereto during the year, and submitting a list of the same. The report contained also a statement of the progress of the catalogue of the library, now preparing, and urged upon the Society the necessity of providing a Library Fund.

GEN. WETMORE presented a report from the Executive Committee of the nominations referred to them, and the following gentlemen were elected:

Honorary Member.-M. Joachim Lelewel, of Poland, now residing in Paris.

Corresponding Members.-Edward S. Cary, of Philadelphia; Henry Stevens, jr., Boston; Nathaniel L. Bowditch, do.

Resident.-Andrew Warner, Edward A. Tappan, Abner Benedict, Willard Parker, M.D., George W. Hatch, James O. Smith, M.D., Walter H. Peckham, M. D., John S. Lawrence, Thomas Bulkley, jr., R. Putnam, M.D., Edmund M. Young, Prof. John McVickar, D.D., Richards Kingsland, Samuel M. Hicks, Edward C. Halliday, J. J. A. Ebbetts, William Wilson, John P. Crosby, Paul Spofford, Paul N. Spofford, George Endicott, Francis Burritt, and J. Romeyn

Brodhead, Esq., a life member, without the payment of dues.

GEN. WETMORE then presented and read the Annual Report of the. Executive Committee. The report gave a flattering statement of the condition of the Society, and of the prospect of its continued prosperity. It numbers now about 320 active resident members, and a very large number of honorary and corresponding members.

The annual income is about $1600, and is fully adequate to all unavoidable demands upon the treasury.

It is a source of just pride and congratulation to the members, that the Society is entirely free from debt. The Society has exercised a large and beneficial influence upon the cause of historical literature, and not only the State of New York, but the country generally, is interested in the continuance of its useful labors.

The Executive Committee closed their interesting and valuable report by observing that they had no desire, nor was it their province, importunately to urge the claims of the Historical Society upon the liberality of its members, or of the public; but they felt it to be an imperative duty to ask earnestly, in the city of New York, wealthy and powerful, and justly proud of her position, character, and resources, whether a quiet sense of duty, and a feeling of just liberality, ought not to unite with a worthy sentiment of patriotic pride, in placing the library of the institution upon a footing that shall render it an honor to the munificence of her citizens.

Dr. THOMAS WARD, at the request of the Executive Committee, read a poem on the "Romance of American History," which was received with applause, and the thanks of the Society were returned to the author.

The Librarian read two interesting letters, written by Major Samuel I. Thurston, of the Connecticut Continental Line, to his brother-in-law, Mr. Wensley Hobby, of Middletown, Ct., dated at Peekskill, in the year 1777. The Society then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, and the following gentlemen were elected :

Hon. Albert Gallatin, President.
Hon. Luther Bradish, 1st Vice President.
Thomas De Witt, D.D., 2d. do.
John R. Bartlett, Foreign Cor. Sec'y.
John Jay, Esq., Domestic Cor. Sec'y.
John Bigelow, Esq., Recording Secy.
Cyrus Mason, D.D., Treasurer.
George Gibbs, Esq., Librarian.

Hon. Mr. Campbell offered the following resolution :-That the thanks of this Society be tendered to the Executive Committee for the able and impartial discharge of their arduous duties during the year which has just closed.

The 1st Vice President having resigned his seat, Hon. B. F. Butler was immediately called to the chair, and the following resolution, offered by Mr. Campbell, was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That this Society tender their thanks to Wm. B. Lawrence, Esq., for the faithful manner in which he has discharged the duties of 1st Vice President.

Mr. Lawrence expressed his thanks in a few words, and the Society adjourned.

Among the valuable donations to the gallery during the last month, in addition to the portrait of Lewis Morris, already mentioned, are an excellent portrait of Petro Van Schaac, from Frederic De Peyster, Esq., and a framed engraving of John Endicott, the first Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from his descendant, William Endicott, of this city.