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a vindictive opposition. His political path was illuminated by the flashes of an eloquence which has never been excelled for the union of brilliancy, force, and vehement passion. Lord Brougham remarks, "there may have been more measure and matured power in Pitt-more fire in the

more intense reasoning in Fox-more deep-toned declamation in passages of Sheridan-more learned imagery in Burke-more wit and humor in Canning;-but, as a whole, and taking in all rhetorical gifts, and all the orator's accomplishments, no one, perhaps hardly the union of several of them, can match what we are taught by tradition to admire in Bolingbroke's spoken eloquence, and what the study of his works makes us easily believe to be true." Every one is aware that Bolingbroke's political life ended in defeat, attainder and disgrace, and that the latter portion of his days was passed in retirement.

A key to Bolingbroke's conduct may be found in the consideration of the age in which he lived, and the defects of his early education. His family was of great wealth, high rank and noble name; and he appears on the first glance to have possessed every advantage for improvement, and every inducement to right action, which wealth, rank and enno-occasional bursts of Chatham-more unbridled vehemence→ bling recollections of ancestry, could confer. He was endowed by nature with a mind of great and various powers, and a person of uncommon grace and beauty. But with all the qualities which adorn humanity, he had all the vices which degrade it. His passions were fierce and turbulent, and early panted for gratification; were unrestrained either by proper parental care or religious principle; and in their uncontrolled indulgence, swept away every moral restraint, and passed every moral barrier. When very young he plunged into all kinds of criminal vice, with a vehemence which partook of frenzy. His great physical energies, thus early perverted, became curses rather than blessings. They ever conferred upon his acts a character of brilliant and reckless daring, but they produced in him that restlessness of spirit, and impatience of obstacles, which unfitted him for the course he afterwards pursued. In the gratification of his passions, however, he did not forget the cultivation of his mind, but acquired large stores of knowledge, which a tenacious memory ever enabled him to retain-and early manifested great depth, and subtlety of thought, power of observation, and fineness of fancy. After completing his education, he began at once a career of profligacy. He appeared to be imbued with an ambition to excel his asso-dom fails to give delight. Bolingbroke ever expresses his ciates in every thing which then betokened the man of spirit. The same thirst for distinction, which led him afterwards into political life to win fame and power, now impelled him into a course of libertinism to procure the praise of the brainless and godless profligates, who constituted the genteel society of his time.

Bolingbroke's writings take a deservedly high rank in the classical literature of England, and the appearance amongst us of a beautiful edition of his works, is to be hailed as a sign of an improvement in public taste. We trust that they will meet with an extensive circulation, and many readers. The intellectual wealth everywhere lavished throughout Bolingbroke's works, makes them an invaluable study to the scholar. The rare excellence of his style cannot be too much commended. Direct, nervous, harmonious, berning with energy, and overflowing with all the charms of rhetoric, it imparts interest to every thing it touches, and sel

ideas with clearness and force. His thoughts appear to flow from his mind as easily as rays of light from the sun. He speaks right to the reader's soul, and infuses into bam the feelings which animate his own breast. We would recommend his writings to all who wish to obtain a mastery over the resources of our language, and to write in such a way as to make others feel that they are in earnest.

POWHATAN; A METRICAL ROMANCE, IN SEven Cantos.
By Seba Smith. New-York: Harper & Brothers; 1841.

The age in which Bolingbroke lived, was in every way uncalculated to rear character on any noble foundation. It was a selfish and corrupt age, deficient in faith, and almost destitute of enthusiasm. The moral pestilence generated in the court of the second Charles-a pestilence more Mr. and Mrs. Seba Smith are well-known to our readers; deadly and lasting in its influence than the plague which the former by his Jack Downing letters, and the latter by desolated his capital-did not disappear with the death of numerous graceful productions, both in prose and verse. that monarch, but swept far and wide into succeeding The April number of the Messenger contained a beautiful reigns. Public and private morals continued at a low ebb. specimen of the lady's poetical abilities, entitled "The It was a time when the spotless ermine of too many judges Acorn," which has deservedly attracted the favorable nowas but an inapt type of the venal hearts which beat be- tice of the press. Mr. Smith is the author of several popu neath it; when profligate politicians were impelled to action lar lyrics, which are to be found in more than one collection by every motive but that of patriotism, and whose motto of American poetry. He also with justice claims the honor was, "rule or ruin;" when the priests of religion too often of being the original Jack Downing, whose characteristic disgraced their stations by meanness, insincerity, and base comments on men and things created no little amusement servility to power; and when authors gloated over impure from Maine to Georgia, to say nothing of the other side of ideas, and pandered to licentious appetite. In the fashion- the Atlantic. The amiable qualities and moral excelence able literature of the reign of Anne and George I, although which distinguish these writers in private life, and the usethere are honorable exceptions, we find mental power in an ful and pure nature of their productions, render them, like unholy league with brutal passion, or accompanied with the William and Mary Howitt, in England, truly valuable me vilest grossness of thought and expression. The pure spirit bers of the literary corps. In the present elaborate effert of poesy is reflected from the writings of many of the first of Seba Smith, we are happy to recognize the same good bards of the time, as we sometimes see the glorious stars ness of purpose and benevolent spirit, which belong both to and blue vault of Heaven mirrored in a muddy pool. the man and the author. He dedicates his work to the Some who have taken the name of poets, were absolutely young people of the United States-and expresses, in the beastly in their coarseness, and among these we are afraid preface, a desire to be read and appreciated by commen we must rank Swift. In this society Bolingbroke lived, readers. In accordance with these feelings, he has por and moved, and had his being. It is his high praise that he trayed the character and life of Powhatan, in language added not to its licentious literature. In the politics of the marked by simplicity and clearness. He calls his produc time he took a prominent part, and was raised to a high tion, very properly, a Metrical Romance. The subject is station in the government. Of his conduct while in power, one of the most interesting in the annals of Indian life. It and the dark suspicions which rest upon his political life, is emphatically a national theme. Mr. Smith deserves we shall say but little. He staked life, fortune, and repu- great credit for having holdly seized a local tople and fa tation on the hazard of the political die, in one of the miliar tradition. It was foreign to his purpose to decorate stormiest periods of English politics, with the axe gleaming such a story with high-wrought diction and splendid before his eyes, and hunted step by step in his course by gery. He has adhered rather with an historian's fidelity to

fact. The simple circumstance of the arrival of the English | on the shores of Virginia-their struggles with the aborigines-the heroic tenderness of Pocahontas-the gradual overthrow of the forest-king;-these, and the attendant scenes, have in themselves a romantic interest which no art can rival. Powhatan considered as a piece of versified composition, is remarkably well sustained. The author's plan is successfully carried out. To those who sympathize in his purpose, the volume will prove very attractive. It is not a style calculated to please all tastes. Perhaps it would have been more generally admired some years ago, when simplicity in literature was more in vogue. We trust it will be attentively perused with reference to its intrinsic merits. The reader cannot then fail to admire many passages of harmonious diction, felicitous description, and winning narrative. Parents who would initiate their children into a striking portion of our colonial history, set forth in musical verse, and yet in language perfectly intelligible, would do well to put into their hands a copy of Powhatan. We predict it will hold the youngsters from their play, according to the author's motto. We annex a few specimens of the work, which is very handsomely executed, and most cordially wish Mr. Smith in this and every enterprise, the success he so richly deserves.

In a future number of the Messenger, we design giving a more full and elaborate notice of Powhatan, than we could find room for in the present issue.

The change wrought in the wilderness by the early settlers, is thus described:

"Now crack'd the woodman's axe full loud,
And fast the sturdy forest bowed:

Tall trees, that waved like fields of grain,
Came crackling, crashing to the plain;
Their green leaves faded in the sun,
And flashing fires across them run;

And openings spread, and fields were cleared
And rustic huts and cabins reared.

A picket fort by the river side
The battle-axe and bow defied;

And the mingled hum of the busy throng
Echoed the hills and woods along,
And joyous shoutings, wild and free,
Rose from the infant colony."

Here is a charming glimpse of the heroine :

"Forth in her airy summer dress,
With footsteps light and echoless,
All-unperceived she left the cell,
By servant, sire, or sentinel.
In such divine apparel seemed

That lovely night, you would have deemed
It had its bridal vesture on

To wait and wed the coming dawn.
Its moonlight robe flow'd rich and free,
Thick set with star-embroidery,
And round the earth and o'er the sky
Hung like a garb of Deity.
The pageant of that glorious night
Might well be gazed on with delight,
But still the loveliest object there
Was that lone maiden, young and fair,
Gliding abroad at such an hour

By forest tree and summer hower."

An interview between Powhatan and his daughter is well drawn:

"Come hither, child, the monarch, said,

And set thee down by me,

And I'll tell thee of thy mother dead,

Fair sprout of that parent tree.

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And I am an aged sapless tree,
That soon must fall to the plain;
And then shall my spirit, light and free,
Rejoin thy mother again.

'And thou, my child'-But here a sigh
Had reached the aged chieftain's ear;
He turn'd, and lo, his daughter's eye
Was beaming through a trembling tear,
And she was looking in his face
With such a tender, earnest grace,
The monarch clasp'd her to his side,
And thus her childish lips replied.

'Oh, do not say thou must be gone,
And leave thy daughter here alone,
Like some poor solitary bird,

To live unseen and mourn unheard.
Who will be left for me to love?
And who will lead me through the grove?
And when sweet, fresh-blown flowers I find,
Around whose brow shall they be twined?
And who, when evening comes along,
Will sit and hear my evening song,
And smile, and praise the simple strain,
And kiss my cheek and smile again?
The sun would never more be bright,
Joyless would pass the darksome night,
The merry groves and murmuring stream
Would all so sad and lonely seem,
That I could here no longer stay,
And thou in the spirit-land away.'

INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL IN CENTRAL AMERICA, CHIAPAS, AND YUCATAN. By John L. Stephens, Author of 'Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petræa, and the Holy Land.' In two volumes. pp. 898. New-York: Harper & Brothers-1841.

"Incidents of Travel" in these countries, are the subjects of the new volumes by Mr. Stephens, just published by Harper & Brothers; and glorious volumes they are. In his first work, Mr. Stephens had only in part the advantage of breaking new ground; in this, his ground is altogether new and while the materials it afforded him were as rich and various as Egypt or Arabia could yield, he exhibits in his use of them, the same adventurous spirit, and the same originality and raciness of style, that placed him, on his first appearance before the public, at once high upon the list of popular writers. Whether in narrating his personal adventures, depicting the manners and customs of the people among whom he journeyed, describing the remarkable volcanoes and other natural wonders of the country, or presenting in all their strange details the extraordinary ruins which it has been the privilege of so few to visit; and the vague accounts of which, that have before reached us, have so strongly aroused our curiosity, he exhibits in their highest perfection the attributes of the successful and skilful tourist-close observation, judicious comment, admirable descriptive powers, and withal a most delightful

vein of quaint but quiet humor. The engravings with which | ment of the Empire of Charlemagne) as one of the most his work is illustrated-some eighty or ninety in number-brilliant passages ever penned. It has already been extenare superb; wonderfully beautiful in subject, and perfect in sively quoted, and is itself worth the price charged for the execution. We venture to say, that such a book of travels volume. As to the merits of the translation, we but echo has never before issued from the press in this country, the opinions of the whole press, in pronouncing it a most and we heartily recommend it to our readers. finished performance. It presents with singular fidelity, the very spirit and tone of the author, in English undefiled.'

THE PROGRESS OF DEMOCRACY; illustrated in the History of Gaul and France. By Alexandre Dumas. Translated by an American. New-York: J. & H. G. Langley; 1841.

This is a remarkable book. Its author-one of the ablest and most popular of contemporary French writers-is a thorough-going republican; and he has written this work to illustrate and recommend his own political views.

'PANTOLOGY, OR A SYSTEMATIC SURVEY OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE; Proposing a Classification of all its Branches, and Illustrating their History, Relations, Uses, and Objects; with a Synopsis of their Leading Facts and Principles, and a Select Catalogue of Books on all Subjects, suitabte for a Cabinet Library; the whole designed as a Guide to Study for Advanced Students, in Colleges, Academies, and Schools; and as a Popular Directory in Literature, Science, and the Arts. By Roswell Park, A. M., Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania, and Mem. Am. Phil. Society." Philadelphia: Hogan and Thompson, 34 North Fourth Street-1841.

For this purpose, he has taken up the history of his native country, from its first settlement under Cæsar, B. C. 51, down to the accession of Philip de Valois in 1328; and in transcribing and adapting to his purpose so much of his country's anuals, he has shown himself to be one of the most accomplished historians of the day. Indeed, we do not believe that any other history can be named, which in a brief compass conveys so much information in so pleasing a style. The narrative is direct, methodical and dramatic; as much so as if the facts were invented for the occasion; and the copious foot-notes, while they verify the correct-ledge, and at the same time applies it practically to the inness of the details, evince the author's great research and discrimination. These notes, in fact, are a sort of "Elegant Extracts" from the old writers, and in themselves greatly enhance the value of the work.

We were very much struck with the felicitous adaption of the historical facts to the writer's political theory: and, indeed, the coincidence between the two is so perfect and so uniform-the theory grows so naturally from the facts, and the facts so perfectly sustain the theory-that, without the aid of argument, Dumas' positions are demonstrated and established. We have never before seen a case more perfectly made out, and the author may well congratulate himself on the rare achievement of having advocated his political principles in a work which is unanswerable.

We welcome a work covering the ground embraced in this title, as a desideratum in our Literature. We have many Encyclopedias, and books of a similar character, but neue which gives a systematic classification of human know.

formation which it classifies. Even those works which profess to give a complete view of this universal subject, have in most cases, a long train of miscellanies, which might, with due study, be referred to their proper places in the system. We want a thorough synopsis of human know. ledge, on a plan so simple that every well informed reader may be able to profit by it in arranging and digesting the information which he seeks, or possesses. The spirt of the present age tends to diffusiveness and universality; and the farmer at his plough, or the mechanic in his workshop, enjoys reflections and spculations which the ancient philosophers might have been proud to entertain. It is right that our self-governing citizens, who control the destinies of a great nation, should think for themselves, and extend In the last portion of the book (which Dumas himself their thoughts beyond the every-day concerns of life; though calls the Epilogue, but which the translator designates as these, of course, are not to be neglected. It is well th the conclusion,) the writer sums up the precedent history, they should survey the wide field of human research, and takes a rapid glance of the country down to the present study the relations of mind and matter, the laws of the day, and states his conviction that Louis Philippe will spiritual and material world. Many there are, however, prove the last King. We are not prepared to endorse his who have made but little progress in this instructive sur predictions, though they may very possibly happen to be pro-vey, for the want of proper guides and assistance, in a rephetic; and although we are satisfied that his theory as to gion so extensive, which they have never been taught to past events is, as we have already remarked, unanswerably explore. To such readers especially, and to all who have established: but we may safely say of this "Conclusion," that it is one of the most brilliant specimens of argument, both as to logic and style, that we have ever met with in any language.

not become familiar with the great outlines of knowledge, this work will be of essential service, in directing their course, and heightening the pleasure of their intellectual excursions. Its plan, is first to explain the objects, sources, We regard "The Progress of Democracy" in its English and best classification of human knowledge; and then to dress, as a great and valuable accession to our literature. take up the branches in succession, and give such leading As a history it is unrivalled, for it conveys the essential ideas of each one, as will be serviceable to those who are names, dates and facts in such a form, that the reader must unable to study it more thoroughly, while they will form remember them; and that can be predicated of very few his-easy introduction to the subject for those who design to pur tories that we have ever seen. As an exposition of the sue it more extensively. The collocation of the branches, political rights and duties of the people, it is unrivalled for will, in most cases, show their relations and dependent es, its clearness of reasoning and aptness of illustration; every body will understand it, and every body will be convinced by it. As a whole, therefore, it should find a place in every private and public library, and a reader in every family, throughout the land.

In a literary point of view, "The Progress of Democracy" is a masterly production. It abounds with striking comments, profound reflections, and matchless imagery. We regard the concluding paragraphs of the Second Part of the book (where the author considers the alleged dismember

and thus serve an important purpose; while the sole advantage of an alphabetical arrangement is supplied by a fil alphabetical index, at the close of the work. The volume is illustrated by a number of engravings; and the froatspiece presents the whole classification in the form of a tree. the branches of which are inscribed with the names of the branches of knowledge. We are pleased with the synmetrical distribution of the various subjects of Literature, Science, and the Arts, into four great provinces, sixtee departments, and about eighty branches,—an arrangement

so easily remembered,—especially as it seems to result from natural, practical, and well recognized divisions of the subjects, without doing violence to establish views of the genealogy of the sciences. The value of the work is greatly enhanced by the select list of books on every subject of human knowledge, embracing upwards of fifteen hundred works, of the choicest literature, arranged in the order of subjects, as the branches are in the preceding parts of the volume.

troduced into many of the best schools of Great Britain; while in this country they promise to supersede all others. A Classical Dictionary, more comprehensive and accurate than that of Lempriere, and that should be free from the defects generally of that work, has been greatly needed; nor could its preparation have fallen into better hands. This new work will prove invaluable to the classical student, from the many improvements that have been introduced into it, and from the vast amount of additional information contains, derived from the ample stores of Gerlearned author has, indeed, shown astonishing industry in man Literature, and the reports of modern travellers. The the collection of facts; he has left nothing unexplored, and his pages may be said to furnish a complete picture of the Ancient World, in regard to its geography, history, arts, This is an exceedingly interesting and able work. Mr. manners and customs, &c. &c. It is not our design to enHallam, indeed, is so well known as an elegant and pro- ter into a critical examination of this great work. It has found writer, that little need be said to recommend a pro- been extensively noticed by the press, and in terms of the duction from his pen. His View of the State of Europe du- highest praise. A very substantial evidence of its merits ring the Middle Ages, has probably been more extensively is, that though but a few weeks have elapsed since its pubread than any other recent work of a high literary character; lication, a second edition is already called for. nor is the work before us at all inferior to it. It is distin

INTRODUCTION TO THE LITERATURE OF EUROPE IN THE
FIFTEENTH, SIXTEENTH, AND SEVENTEENTH CENTU-
RIES. By Henry Hallam, F. R. S. A. New-York:
Harpers and Brothers; 1841.

guished by the same depth of thought, the same extent of THE POETRY AND HISTORY OF WYOMING. New-York learning, the same elegance of style, and the same profound and original views. In noticing the various literary and scientific productions of the three centuries that followed the revival of learning, the causes which accelerated or retarded its progress, &c., Mr. Hallam has presented us with a complete history of the human mind during that most interesting period. The value of such a work will be fully appreciated, if we consider, that it is increase of knowledge which has given an impulse to all the movements of society, and has acted, and is destined to act, with more power than every thing else upon all its institutions. These volumes cannot fail of interesting every class of readers, as there is no intelligent person but must be gratified to trace the progress of the human mind through its successive stages of

advancement

THE MARTYRS OF Science, or the LivES OF GALILEO,
TYCHO BRAKE AND KEPLER. By Sir David Brewster,
F. R. S. A. vol. 130 Family Library; 1841.

and London-Wiley and Putnam-1841. This is an elegant volume, illustrated with several cuts, and printed in very neat style. It contains Campbell's celebrated poem-Gertrude of Wyoming; a memoir of the author, by Washington Irving, and a History of Wyoming by William L. Stone. To the latter gentleman the reading public are under large obligations for having rescued from oblivion so valuable a portion of American aboriginal history. In the present instance, he has given us a full description of the celebrated valley of Wyoming, corrected many false impressions, particularly as regards the character of Brandt, derived from Campbell's poem, and furnished complete historical sketch of Wyoming from its discovery to the present century. Of the importance of such contributions to our literature, it is unnecessary to speak, and the names of the authors on the title-page of this volume, are guarantees of its excellence in point of style and influence.

a

THE POETICAL WORKS OF SIR WALTER SCOTT-Complete-vols 1 and 2. LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. By J. G. Lockhart-vol. 1. New-York-Charles S. Francis; 1841.

The publication of a book in the Messrs. Harpers' Family Library, is no unsatisfactory evidence, of itself, that the book is a good one. Great care is evidently taken, in making their selections for this object. These Lives of the It is generally conceded that the most desirable edition of three distinguished men who were the founders of modern astronomical science, we have read with great interest. the Waverley Novels, published in this country, is that issued by Samuel H. Parker, of Boston, at the cheap rate of Strange to say, they were persecuted and abused for presuming to make known the true system of the universe-twenty-five cents a volume. In point of typography, paper such was the bigotry and ignorance of the times in which and correctness, these books have received the warm encothey lived. This work presents us with a view of the la- miums of the press and the large patronage of the public. bors and discoveries of these great men; it is full of inci- We may add that the neat paper-binding in which they apdent, beautifully written, and no less entertaining than pear, is another recommendation. It renders the volumes

instructive.

ANTHON'S CLASSICAL DICTIONARY.

New-York-Har

convenient for immediate use, and enables the purchaser to renew the covers, in a more substantial form, according to his taste. This method is very common on the continent, and is there universally approved. We are happy to perper and Brothers; 1841. Iceive that C. S. Francis of New-York, has commenced the Perhaps no scholar of the present day has done so much publication of Sir Walter Scott's Poems and the Life, by for the promotion of classical learning as Dr. Anthon. He Lockhart-in a style corresponding with Parker's edition of has studied the great authors of antiquity with profound at- the novels. This will supply the community with a comtention, and to his familiarity with their writings, he unites plete series of Scott's works, including the admirable mea delicate taste, and an accurate and discriminating judg-moir by his son-in-law, at an economical rate, and in a ment. He is animated, too, by a rare enthusiasm in this most convenient form. It is superfluous to enlarge upon his chosen field of literature, and possesses that persever- the merits of the volumes mentioned above. They rank ing application without which nothing great can be accom- among the standard productions of modern literature. Our plished. That he is a most laborious student we have object has been to call the attention of our readers to the abundant evidence; and that his erudition and talents are enterprise of Mr. Francis, and to counsel those who do not duly appreciated abroad as well as at home, is shown by the possess all the works of the Great Unknown, to supply fact, that his elementary books for classical study are in- themselves with this beautiful, cheap, and complete edition.

MOORE'S EPICUREAN. New-York-C. S. Francis-1841.)

This delightful tale, by Thomas Moore, has been long out of print in this country. The present edition supplies a want long felt by the reading public, and is executed with much elegance. The price, also, is very reasonable. The same publisher has just issued Alda, the Captive, a tale of the Early Christians, by Agnes Strickland. He has in press, 'Scenes in Judea,' by the author of Letters from Palmyra.

LITERARY NOTICES.

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France.

Hon. JOSEPH STORY is preparing for the press Commentaries on the Law of Evidence.

Among the works announced as in preparation, we ob-rated a report on the subject read before the Institute of serve "THE POETS AND POETRY OF AMERICA," by Rufus W. Griswold. It will be published in the ensuing autumn, by Carey & Hart, of Philadelphia, and will probably be one of the most splendid specimens of typography ever issued by that well-known house. It is to make one large octavo volume, in the style of Murray's last London edition of the writings of Byron. Its contents will consist of selections from some fifty or sixty authors, with biographical and critical notices by Mr. Griswold, whose fine taste and unequalled knowledge of every thing relating to American literature, peculiarly qualify him for the task.

GEORGE BANCROFT is industriously engaged on a continuation of his History of the United States. His fourth volume will be published in the autumn of next year. Mr. GREENE, our Consul at Rome, has nearly completed his History of Italy.

THE POETS OF AMERICA. Edited by John Keese. We take great pleasure in announcing a second series of this splendid work. It will appear very soon, and when we It is an erroneous belief that there is in America a dearth say that it out rivals the first volume, our readers may antiof materiel for a book of this description, that shall be emi- cipate a rare treat both for the eye, the intellect and the nently honorable to our literary character. Though we heart. The first specimen of "The Poets of America ilhave no particular acquaintance with the subject, we ven- lustrated by one of her Painters," has met with a degree of ture to give the names of a few poets, of whom any nation encouragement, unanticipated by the most sanguine friends might well be proud. In the North are Bryant, Dana, Per- of the enterprise. To supply the public demand, it was cival, Longfellow, Sprague, Holmes, Pierpont, Henry Ware, soon found necessary to increase the second edition, until Halleck, Benjamin, Street, Whittier, Willis, Hoffman, Pea- the issues amounted to five thousand copies. When we body, McLellen, Sargent, Seba Smith, Mrs. Sigourney, consider the state of the times and the expense necessarily Mrs. Seba Smith, Miss Gould, 'Maria del Occidente' and attending such a publication, this is a remarkable evidence others, who are yet living, and the departed Brainard, of the growing taste among us for works of an elegant and Sands, Drake, Wilcox, Clarke, Brooks and Hillhouse. highly intellectual character. Several hundred copies were In the South and West we have Wilde, Simms, Pike, sold in London, where the typographical and artistical merGallagher, Prentice, Dinnies, Welby, (the "Amelia” of its of the volume, as well as its poetical beauties, were corthe Louisville Journal,) Flint, Thomas, and the late Pinck-dially appreciated. We have in these facts a striking inney, Harney, and a great number beside; all of whom stance of what may be accomplished by the union of litehave written enduring poetry. We have mentioned these rary sympathy with business tact on the part of a publisher. few names in the order in which they occurred to us, and Mr. Keese is one of the most active members of the trade with no intention to arrange them according to their rank. in New-York. He is a warm lover of poetry and poets, and We might easily add many to the list, whose claims to be the personal friend of most of our distinguished bars. regarded as genuine poets none will deny; but we have Under the influence of such feelings, he undertook to disgiven enough to show that Mr. Griswold cannot for want of play the gems of our poetical literature in a style worthy of materiel fail to produce a work that shall be creditable to their claims. An intelligent and enterprising spirit, and a the national character. From our knowledge of his abili-native taste for the art, enabled him successfully to accom ties, we are confident that the labor could not have been as-plish his design. The volume proved highly creditable to signed to more competent hands. We shall look with his discrimination as a compiler, and his skill as a pubanxiety for the appearance of the volume. lisher; and he has been induced to repeat the experiment.

We perceive that RICHARD H. DANA, of Boston, is preparing for the press a new edition of his Poems and Prose Writings. Few Americans stand higher in the estimation of the literary world, than the author of "The Buccaneers." The forthcoming edition of his works will, it is understood,

be in two octavo volumes.

As a selection, the new volume will be found fully equal, if not superior, to its predecessor. The poems admirably represent the characteristics of their several authors. Those who were but slightly represented before, for want of space, here shine in their just proportions; while many, acciden tally omitted, now receive justice. The illustrations Chapman and Croome are truly beautiful. There is a su perior delicacy and grace about them, and the whole arrange ment will be found a decided improvement. We had the pleasure, a few days since, of inspecting some specimens of these charming designs; and among them, were highly delighted with those intended to illustrate The Fountain, Mr. PRESCOTT, the author of "Ferdinand and Isabella," one of Bryant's finest efforts; a sonnet to Spring, by Geo: the first historical work yet written by an American, has Hill; Miss Lucy Hooper's spirited poem of Oseola, Mrs. been for about two years engaged in writing a " History of Embury's "Death of the Duke of Reitchstad;" Charles the Discovery and Conquest of Mexico." The completion Sprague's "Brothers," &c. This volume will, undoof the work has been retarded by the author's blindness, edly, take the lead of the Annuals for 1842, and constitute which has made necessary the tedious and unsatisfactory a permanent ornament of the centre-table and the favorite service of an amanuensis. It is probable that it will be fireside companion, in every American dwelling, where the published in 1842. It will make three large octavo volumes. love of the beautiful is cherised.

PROFESSOR LONGFELLOW, whose admirable "Voices of the Night," have passed to a sixth edition within a year and a-half, has nearly ready for the press a tragedy, founded on an incident in the history of Spain. We presume it will be produced at one of the principal theatres before it is published.

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