LITERARY NOTICES. THE WRITINGS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, WITH A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR: BY JARED SPARKS. Vol. 8. New York: Harper & Brothers. The present volume of this invaluable work, includes Washington's correspondence from April, 1781, to the close of the revolution, and concludes with his inimitable address to congress, resigning his commission. The last letter which he wrote in his official character, was addressed to Major-General Baron Steuben, acknowledging the great value of his public services; and a more graceful and beautiful tribute to a distinguished foreigner, could hardly have been rendered. No one can read this correspondence without being more deeply impressed than ever, with the fact that Washington was the living soul of the revolution. His wonderful forecast, his incomparable sobriety and dignity, his great and magnanimous spirit impressing itself upon all his sayings and doings, comes out in this correspondence in a degree which leaves it, so far as we know, without a parallel in any other correspondence of which the world can boast. THE BETHEL FLAG; A SERIES OF SHORT DISCOURSES TO SEAMEN; BY GARDINER SPRING, D. D. New York: Baker & Scribner. Dr. Spring is every where known as one of the most impressive of our American preachers. The present volume, though addressed particularly to seamen, is for the most part made up of discourses that are applicable to all classes; and while those who do business on the great waters ought certainly to carry it with them along with their Bible, those who have their occupation on land, may with equal propriety ponder the solemn truths and affectionate counsels which it presents. Many of the discourses are as well fitted to be read in a lecture room, in the absence of a minister, as on board a ship; and we doubt not that the volume has an important mission to perform both by land and by sea. TEACHING A SCIENCE; THE TEACHER AN ARTIST: BY REV. B. R. HALL, A. M., PRINCIPAL OF THE CLASSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE AT NEWBURGH. This work is designed specially for teachers; but clergymen, parents, legisLators, all indeed who have a concern in the momentous cause of education, may find much here to interest and edify them. The writer, as we have had occasion to know before, is an original; and if he ever gives out other men's thoughts, it is not till their complexion has been very much modified by their having passed through his own mind. The present work, unless we greatly mistake, is a treasury of important principles and maxims on the subject of education; and if some things should be found of questionable character, in the estimation of some readers, we cannot doubt that as a whole the work will be hailed as an important accession to the important department of our literature to which it belongs. AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES; WITH BIOGRAPHIES OF DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS OF ALL GRADES: BY FAYETTE ROBINSON, LATE AN OFFICER OF THE ARMY. Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Co. Though this work has not exactly the character of a continuous history, it nevertheless contains a great amount of history, and that in the most attractive form. The most interesting feature of it is, that it contains biographical sketches of many of the lights of the American army, and enters a good deal in detail into the circumstances and influences by means of which they have risen to the stations which they occupy. Every man who writes the history of an impor. tant event, or the sketch of an important life, is a benefactor to his country; and we doubt not that the author of the present work has justly entitled himself to this distinction. EDITOR'S TABLE. Like a fine ship under full sail our "new craft" is sweeping along prosper. ously. The popular breeze, early invoked, and freely bestowed, has safely wafted us beyond Hurlgate into a region of plain sailing. Should a skillful pilot guide us safely to a foreign shore, we trust the whitewinged ship will not there be condemned as un-sea-worthy. We are now freighted with some gold, (valuable freight at this time for our transatlantic brethren) perhaps, we shall send more, hereafter. There are mines of it yet undisturbed in this growing republic. Though in certain locali. ties it is not allowed to possess any distinguishing qualities, yet when poured into the ample treasure-house of the Future, its brightness will be conspicuous and characterized as purely American. Our readers may be on the alert for the luxuries yet in store for them. "The lost Pleiad," "Tree of Liberty," and "Siege of Louisburg," are held in choice reserve to adorn the pages of our next number. The reason we issue our monthly the second week in the month is partly from design and partly accidental. In the literary banquet prepared for the people, it is generally understood that Graham and Godey, come on to the table as soups; the Southern Literary, American Literary, and Knickerbocker, as entrées; the North American, New Englander, &c., as hearty meats; and the Reprints, as side dishes. To those who are unaccustomed to partake of its several parts, our friends, through us, would especially recommend one of the entrées. We ourselves refrain from all advice in this matter, lest we be thought self-interested. |