LITERARY NOTICES.

THE WRITINGS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, WITH a life of the AUTHOR: BY JARED SPARKS. New York: Harper & Brother.

This work may be said to possess a national character in a higher sense than almost any other work of which our country can boast. It contains a picture of Washington drawn by his own hand; or rather it is Washington himself speaking in the productions of his own great mind. Dr. Sparks has rendered admirable service to his generation and indeed to all coming generations, as the editor of this immortal work; to say nothing of the fact that the Biography which he has given us in the first volume, is worthy alike of the subject and of the author. The Messrs Harper, into whose hands the work has now fallen, are bringing out a second edition of it at a considerably reduced price; and though it is still a somewhat expensive work, it is fairly within the ability of a considerable portion of the community to purchase it. It ought especially to find its way into all our public libraries, so as to be accessible, so far as possible, to all the youth of the nation. The first three volumes only have yet been published.

WASHINGTON AND HIS GENERALS: BY J. T. HEADLEY. Two volumes. New York: Baker & Scribner.

Though the first volume only of this work has yet appeared, it may no doubt fairly be taken as a sample of the whole work, and it can hardly be necessary to say more of it than that it is what might naturally be expected by those who have become acquainted with the author through his previous productions. Whatever may be the subject of which he treats, there is an unwonted fascination in his style, which enchains the reader, nolens volens ; and it is often found no easy matter to separate one's self from him, till the last line of the last page of the book has been reached. The present work, though it may not be superior in point of execution to that on "Napoleon and his Marshals," has an interest for the American reader, which the latter never can possess. It exhibits a striking and condensed view of the promi nent milltary actors in our revolution, in connection with the more important

scenes in which they mingled; and though the sketches are necessarily brief, they are so true to life and nature that the reader almost forgets that he is not in actual communion with those illustrious spirits of by gone days. The engraved likenesses which accompany the several sketches greatly increase the value of the work; and by the way it may be a question for the physi ognomists to decide, how it comes to pass that with the single exception of Washington himself, Benedict Arnold is decidedly the best looking man among them all. The account given of Arnold's treason is slightly modified from any previous account of it that we have seen, and though it does not in any degree extenuate his conduct, it suggests reasons for it which are of monitory import now and in all coming time. There is no doubt that the work will have not merely an extensive but enduring popularity.

HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY: BY J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D. D. Four volumes in one. New York: R. Carter. The writer of this work may justly congratulate himself upon having written a book for the world. The subject to which it relates, is one of which Protestant christendom at least, can never grow weary; and there is a fascination in his manner of treating it, which to most readers is quite irresistible. And more than all, its materials are drawn from the most authentic sources, and have been brought together as the fruit of long continued and diligent investigation. We doubt whether there is another work in any language in which the characters of the great spirits of the Reformation are so accurately and strikingly exhibited. The work has had an immense circulation in Great Britain as well as in this country; and its present unpre. cedented cheapness, (one dollar for the whole) will be sure to work for it a passage into every nook and corner of the land.

D'AUBIGNE AND HIS WRITINGS, WITH A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR: BY REV. ROBERT BAIRD, D. D. Second edition. New York: John S. Taylor.

This volume consists of D'Aubignés miscellaneous writings, which have been published from time to time in pamphlet form, and most of which have attracted great attention for the profound philosophic as well as Christian views, for which they are distinguished. The brief sketch of the author's life, by Dr. Baird, greatly increases the value of the work, as it is written not only by an able and truthful hand, but with the advantage of a long and intimate acquaintance.

HOLY LIVING AND DYING: BY JEREMY TAYLOR. With a Memoir of the au. thor. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This is one of the best productions of one of the greatest minds of the seventeenth century. It has passed through editions almost without number

and it is yet far enough from having completely fulfilled its mission. It is well that some of our publishers are disposed to give a voice to the past, especially when they cause it to utter itself in so much wisdom and might and beauty, as this book exhibits.

THE CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER: BY AMBROSE SERLE, ESQ. New York: Robert Carter.

The author of this work has been long known to the Christian public, by another work somewhat celebrated in the theological world, entitled " Horæ Solitaria." The present volume is distinguished for clear and simple views of religious truth, and for the fervor and unction which breathes through every page of it. While it brings out the great peculiarities of Christianity in a highly felicitous manner, instead of presenting them merely as subjects of speculation, it exhibits them in their most vital and practical connections.

THE OVERLAND JOURNEY ROUNd the world, during the YEARS 1841 AND 1842: BY SIR GEORGE SIMPSON, Governor in chief of Hudson Bay Compa ny's territories. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard.

This work, though it neither possesses or claims an elaborate character, is evidently the result of much intelligent and accurate observation. Its details, though somewhat minute, are generally of a highly interesting character, and include much statistical and other information which the intelligent reader must highly value. The part of the work which relates to the Sandwich Islands, particularly, cannot fail to attract attention, for the account which it contains of the rapid progress of civilization from a recent state of absolute barbarism. We imagine there are few who are so well informed in regard to the present state of the world, that they may not find something new and valuable in the perusal of this very well written and interesting work.

STATESMEN OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND; with a treatise on the popular proceedings of English History: BY JOHN FOSTER. Edited by J. O. CHOULES. New York: Harper & Brothers.

This work casts a flood of light on one of the most interesting portions of British history. It is the production of a master mind, deeply imbued with the spirit of the period of which he wrote, and abundantly adequate to form a suitable estimate of the illustrious characters from whom the period derived its principal interest. We know of no work in which so much of the same kind of information is contained within the same limits, and in a form that renders it so exceedingly attractive. The American editor, well known for his successful labors in this and kindred departments, has done his part of

the work in a fitting and judicious manner, and thus considerably enhanced the value of the book to the American reader. It is withal an exceedingly cheap work, and is furnished for a small part of the price of the British edition.

THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. Continued from the close of the Fifteenth Century: BY THOMAS GAILLARD. New York: M. W. Dodd.

The writer of this work, though he occupies ground which not a few have trodden before him, has nevertheless produced a book which for continuity of thought, perspicuity of style, and adaptedness to general utility, deserves to find an extensive patronage. It is particularly fitted and designed to recommend and exalt the great principles in which the Reformation originated, not less than the glorious results which it accomplished. It is well that such a book should be abroad, especially in our own country, at this day; when the conflict is vigorously going on between the spirit of freedom that breathed in the Reformation, and the spirit of tyranny that opposed and resisted it. It professes, and we have no doubt with truth, to have drawn its facts from the most authentic sources; and many of these facts, unless we greatly mistake, have not hitherto been within the reach of the great mass of readers.

HISTORY OF WYOMING, in a series of letters. from CHARLES MINER, to his son W. P. MINER, ESQ. Philadelphia: J. CRISSY.

Notwithstanding this work has been for some time before the public, yet as we do not think it is at all known in proportion to its merits, we deem it not inappropriate to notify our readers, not only that such a work exists, but that it possesses an interest which justly entitles it to an extensive circulation. Of the scenes of terror and blood which have passed in the valley of Wyom. ing, and which have rendered it notorious all over the world, every person of the most ordinary intelligence has some knowledge; nevertheless, it remained for the author of this work, to separate authentic history from spurious tradition, and to give to the world the first thorough and reliable account of those transactions which have created a tragical association with the very name of that beautiful valley. But it is not merely for the history of the far famed massacre that this book is to be valued, but for an account of the peculiar relations which Wyoming has sustained, and the peculiar controversies in which she has been involved, and we may add, the peculiarly good influ ences which have eminated from her. The particular form in which the work appears, that of Letters from a father to a son,-rather increases its interest, as it furnishes the opportunity for bringing out the numerous details in the most familiar and agreeable manner. The controversy between Penn. sylvania and Connecticut, is detailed with great interest; and though the fact of the existence of such a controversy is familiar to every intelligent

reader, yet the particular incidents connected with it, of which this work furnishes a detailed account, are, it is believed, but very little known. Those who have a taste for exciting and thrilling narratives, as well as for import ant historical information, will thank the author for his labors, and, if they do as they ought, will manifest their gratitude by purchasing his book.

THE WORKS OF the late Rev. Robert MurraY M'CHEYNE. With a Me. moir of his life. In two volumes. New York: Robert Carter.

Notwithstanding these volumes have the disadvantage of appearing as posthumous, without any expectation on the part of the author that their contents would ever see the light, they have already attained on the other side of the water, and are now likely to attain on this side, a wide and well deserved popularity. We are not sure that the author's friends have con sulted his reputation as much as his usefulness in making so large a selection from his writings; and indeed we doubt whether the memory of many a great and good man is not unjustly dealt with in the same way; but still there is nothing in these volumes which the Christian reader would wish to have had repressed. The author died while he had yet only just entered on his ministry but he lived long enough to accomplish much for the church, and to secure the embalming of his memory and the perpetuation of his usefulness, through many coming generations.

THE LIFE OF WESLEY; and rise and progress of Methodism: BY ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ., L. L. D. Two volumes. New York: Harper & Brothers. This book is not exactly what the friends of Wesley, or the friends of true Christianity, could desire; and we take it for granted that it was impossible for a man of Southey's tastes and feelings to do full justice to such a charac. ter. Nevertheless, it is a work of exceedingly great interest, and contains a vast amount of information concerning the character of Wesley and the progress of his cause, which, so far as we know, is not elsewhere to be found. It is needless to say, considering who is the author, that it possesses every attraction, in respect to style and manner, which the most fastidious could desire, or which could be expected from one of the most accomplished men of the age.

PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE; or the moral wants of the world we live in: BY MRS. ELLIS. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This is an exceedingly lucid, practical and thorough view, of one of the most important subjects that can engage a philanthropic and Christian mind. Those who are engaged either directly or indirectly, in the business of edu cation, will find in it much to enlighten them in respect to their duty and to