9.-Principles of Forensic Medicine. By WILLIAM A. GUY, M. B., Cantab., Professor of Forensic Medicine, King's College, London, etc., etc. First Ameriean edition, with Notes and Additions, by CHARLES A. LEE, M. D. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1845. pp. 711, 8vo.

We are neither lawyer nor doctor enough to estimate the full value of such a work to those professions: yet we find in it much that is valuable to every man of science. It is a comprehensive epitome of medical jurisprudence, embodying all its important facts and principles, and, from its convenient arrangement, must be peculiarly fitted to be a text-book for students and practitioners. Infanticide, Legitimacy, Unsoundness of Mind, Toxicology, etc., are treated of in a perspicuous and masterly manner. Also Medical Evidence, Personal Identity, Life Assurance, Spontaneous Combustion, and many other subjects of great interest.

10.-A Commentary on the Book of Psalms. By GEORGE, Lord Bishop of Norwich and President of Magdalen College, Oxford. With an Introductory Essay by the Rev. Edward Irving; and a Memoir of the Author. New-York and Pittsburg: Robert Carter. 1845. pp. 536, 8vo.

Mr. Carter now offers this valuable work at the low price of $1,50, printed on fair paper and in a good-sized type, thus making it, at the same time, readable and accessible to all. And, although this commentary cannot lay claim to as much critical acumen as some others, and would not be resorted to by the student of the Scriptures for accurate interpretation of the text, yet it is decidedly one of the very best practical commentaries we have. Bishop Horne was eminent in his day, and certainly possessed some excellent qualifications for commenting on this book of devotion. His style is lucid and often terse, his reflections grow naturally out of the sentiments of the passage on which he comments, and there breathes through the whole so much sympathy with the Psalmist in his humble views of himself and his exalted conceptions of Jehovah; there is such a heavenly, sweet frame of mind exhibited, so much spirituality and such love for the Redeemer, as to render this commentary one of peculiar fitness for family-reading.

The Introductory Essay, too, by Edward Irving, written when he was in his right mind, before his great intellect was left to its vagaries, is deeply interesting. It is, indeed, in the Edward Irving style of inversion, yet abounds in such richness of thought, vividness of description, and lofty imaginings, that we forget the defects of style and follow the writer under the influence of such a mesmeric attraction as to be almost persuaded that even the style is just what the thought demands. At all events, it is pleasant to look back to Irving as he

was and to see him standing at the threshold of the Psalmist's Oratory and beckoning us to enter with him into his devotions there.

11.-Sermons on Important Subjects. By the Rev. SAMUEL DAVIES, A. M., President of the College of New-Jersey, with an Essay on the Life and Times of the Author, by ALBERT BARNES. Stereotype Edition, containing all the Author's Sermons ever published. In 3 vols. Fourth edition. New-York: Robert Carter. 1845. This is another of Mr. Carter's good publications, which he offers at so low a price, ($1 50 for the 3 vols.) as to present quite an inducement to purchase. Those who love to read good sermons, can have no excuse for not indulging that love. Davies' Sermons have been so long known, that it is a work of supererogation to say any thing to recommend them.

The Essay of Mr. Barnes is in his best style, and contains reflections well worthy the consideration of ministers and students of theology.

12.—An Essay towards an Easy, Plain, Practical, and Extensive Explication of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. By JoHN BROWN, of Haddington. From the sixth Edinburgh edition. New-York: Robert Carter. 1845. pp. 356, 12 mo.-624 cents. The Shorter Catechism is one of the best systems of Divinity, in a condensed form, ever published; and John Brown's Explication of it is "easy, plain, practical and extensive." With only this and the Bible, a minister could discipline and indoctrinate his mind well, and write many good sermons.

13.-Advice to a Young Christian, with an Introductory Essay by Dr. ALEXANDER.—A World without Souls. By J. W. CUNNINGHAM.— The World's Religion contrasted with Genuine Christianity. By Lady COLQUHOUN. New-York: Robert Carter. 1845.

Many of our readers, doubtless, perused these small volume when they appeared in their first editions; and many, probably, have not yet. To the rising generation we can safely recommend them. They are of wholesome tendency, and the first and third especially adapted to elevate the standard of piety, and wean the Christian from the vanities of time to the realities of eternity. The volumes are neatly "got up."

14.-Judæa Capta. By CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH. New-York: M. W. Dodd. 1845. pp. 234, 18mo.

Mr. Dodd keeps reminding us, every now and then, that Charlotte Elizabeth has somewhat more to say to us. Well, we are content: for we know she will say something of interest and utility. The Jews

and the Jews' land, engage much of her attention, for she looks confidently for their restoration to the country of their fathers. In this volume she portrays the siege and taking of Jerusalem in her peculiar style.

15--Kind Words for the Kitchen, or Illustrations of Humble Life. By MRS. COPLEY. New-York: M. W. Dodd. 1845. pp. 263, 18mo.

This is a truly well-meant, and well-executed attempt to elevate the character and promote the happiness of those in domestic service: and we hope it will not be without its effect.

16.-The Great Secret Discovered. A Tale for Children. By JOSEPH ALDEN, D. D. New-York: M. W. Dodd. 1845. pp. 65, 18mo.

This is a little story by Prof. Alden, intended to impress very young children with the importance of beginning early to overcome selfishness and cultivate kindness toward all, and at the same time to teach parents to look well to the employments of their children. Children will be interested in reading it, and may be prompted to imitate the course of Samuel, and thus to overcome evil as he did, if they should be of the same disposition.

17.-The Church Visible in all Ages. By CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH. New-York: M. W. Dodd. 1845. pp. 121, 18mo.

This is a new volume from Charlotte Elizabeth, issued by the publisher in a very pretty style. The object of the author is to show that the true church has always been visible, though sometimes a very little flock,—and distinguished from the false church, by Scriptural marks. It contains, in a brief space and in an interesting style, much of the history of the Paulicians, Albigenses, etc., who, in the darkest periods of the church's existence, preserved the faith once delivered to the saints, unshaken by the bitterest persecutions.

18.-Correspondence between Schiller and Goethe, from 1794 to 1805. Translated by GEORGE H. CALVERT. Vol. I. New-York and London: Wiley & Putnam. 1845.

The correspondence of literary men is always entertaining and often profitable. Two such men as Goethe and Schiller, stars of the first magnitude in the literary firmament of Germany, could not conduct a regular correspondence for a series of years without uttering thoughts which must let us into some of the secrets of their own reflective powers. Of course they pass under review many of the issues from the press of that day, and give us their own views on poetry, literature, philosophy, art, and religion.

This volume contains but half of the correspondence, the remainder to appear in a second, to be published ere long.

The translator seems to have executed his task well: but we cannot approve all he says in his "Preface." He there takes occasion to controvert the remarks on Goethe, which appeared in the Phi Beta Kappa Oration at Cambridge in 1844. In that production Goethe is called "selfish, false," "a bad man," 39.66 a synonome for dissoluteness," etc., etc. These judgments the author pronounces false: and there will always be discordant opinions of the man, depending on the stand-point from which different persons view him.

We cannot think, however, that the translator has uttered more than a flat denial of the statements of the oration: for his argument that Goethe could not have been "selfish, false, nor bad," because he wrote an Iphigenia, a Clara, etc.; because a large composition of mind," a "justness and clear humanity of nature," are apparent in his poetry and letters, we hold to be a perfect non sequitur. There is an abundance of facts obliging us to believe that a man may be very far from the possession of whatever is "pure, lovely and of good report" in his private character and personal habits, and yet utter in poetry and in letters the most beautiful and sublime senti

ments.

The translator reveals the point of view from which he looks on his idol when he says: "Goethe is the most complete man of his time -the richest specimen of humanity since Shakspeare."

19.-A Course of English Reading, adapted to every Taste and Capacity; with Anecdotes of Men of Genius. By the REV. JAMES PYCROFT, B. A. Trinity College, Oxford; with additions by J. G. Cogswell. New-York: Wiley & Putnam. 1845. pp. 243 12mo.

That will depend on

Such a book as this may be very useful. the character of the person into whose hands it shall fall. Too many of the young are, at the present day, so bent on fashion and folly, that no systematic course of reading can ever be expected of them. The very sight of such a book as this would frighten them. "La! me! how could a body ever think of reading all that? It would take two lifetimes." A very comfortable conclusion for the pleasure-loving and lazy. And as it would take so long to read all, they deem it the wiser course to read none.

We have been applied to ourselves, as doubtless most educated men have, for courses of reading; and we have marked them out; but, we presume, in very few cases have they ever been pursued faithfully and perseveringly.

Mr. Pyeroft has certainly pointed out an effective plan, and put it in the power of the reader to make an admirable selection of works on almost all subjects.

On some topics he has omitted valuable works, perhaps the most valuable; and under the head of "Reading for Controversialists" he has enumerated a formidable array of authors "against Dissenters," but none in their favor.

20.—Hydropathy, or the Water-Cure: its principles, modes of treatment, etc. Illustrated with many cases, compiled chiefly from the most eminent European authors on the subject. BY JOEL SHEW, M. D. Second Edition, revised and enlarged. New York: Wiley & Putnam. 1845. pp. 360, 12mo.

New modes and measures are apt to become hobbies: and what has been useful in many cases, is in danger of being cried up as panaceative.

This book can be read with pleasure and profit, whether we adopt the views of the author or not. As to the efficacy of the application of cold water, internally and externally, we have no doubt: nor any more, that, in a multitude of cases, it is all that is necessary, either for the preservation or restoration of health. The Priessnitz method unquestionably requires caution, sound judgment and experience. It may do to dabble in water, but to mummify ourselves in wet sheets is no child's play.

21.-WILEY AND PUTNAM's Library of Choice Reading.—No. I. Eothen, or Traces of Travel brought home from the East. No. II. Mary Schweidler, the Amber Witch. Edited by W. MEINHOLD, D. D. Translated from the German by Lady Duff Gordon. We perceive that the worthy publishers design to publish, in a library form, a series of works of an interesting description, such as will pass for light reading, and yet be of good moral tendency. We ardently hope they will adhere to their purpose, and that the day is not far distant when the vapid, trashy novel will be no longer in demand.

The first two numbers promise well. Eothen is one of the best, and most popular books of Travels in the entire catalogue; a neat book-not a sham." The Amber Witch has, also, excited universal attention, and called forth general approbation. It was, at first, thought to be fact, but is now known to be fiction, characterized by the excellencies of Robinson Crusoe and the Vicar of Wakefield. The author is the "Editor" of the title-page.

22.—D'Aubigné's Miscellany. Puseyism examined—A Voice from Antiquity-The Voice of the Church-Confession of the Name of Christ-Faith and Knowledge. By J. H. MERLE D'Aubigne, D.D. New York: John S. Taylor & Co. 1845. pp. 330, 18mo. Mr. Taylor has here thrown together into one small volume, the