NEW AMERICAN WORKS.

J. & H.G.LANGLEY, 8 Astor House, have in immediate preparation Von Raumer's Letters from America. It will be translated and published in advance, by an arrangement with the author.

Mr. Willis has nearly ready for the press a series of Sketches heretofore published in the weeklies and magazines, with the new name of "Dashes at Life with a Free Pencil." The first number of this new work is now nearly ready for delivery. It contains one small novel written in sketches (not generally known), called "Leaves from the Heart-Book of Ernest Clay," and several other tales of English and American life, forming a volume (uniform with the Mirror Library), of over a hundred pages. Two other numbers will form a complete collection of all the narrative prose of the author.

The new book of Cornelius Mathews, "Big Abel and Little Manhattan," a fanciful and picturesque tale of New York City, will soon be issued by Messrs. Wiley and Putnam.

Mr. Poe's Tales will be issued immediately by the same publishers. The collection includes The Gold Bug; William Wilson; The Murders in the Rue Morgue; Marie Roget; The Purloined Letter; The House of Usher; The Premature Burial, and numerous others.

Messrs. W. & P. also have in press "Letters from Italy," by J. T. Headley, and "The Journal of a Cruizer on the West Coast of Africa," by an Officer of the Navy-edited by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Mr. Parke Godwin has just completed a new collection and translation of the Tales, Domestic, Humorous and Historical, of Heinrich Zschokke for early publication in several numbers of Wiley & Putnam's Library of Choice Reading.

Mr. Henry B. Hirst has in the Boston press and will shortly issue, "The Coming of the Mammoth, the Funeral of Time, and other Poems."

Rev. Ralph Hoyt is about to publish the second part of "The Chaunt of Life and other Poems."

A new enlarged and revised edition of R. W. Griswold's Poets and Poetry of America is nearly ready.

Harper & Brothers have in press The Eclogues and Georgics of Virgil, by Charles Anthon, LL. D.; Zenophon's Anabasis, by the same editor; A Key to Latin Versification, by Professor Anthon; Life of the Rev. Dr. Proudfit, by the Rev. Dr. Forsyth; A New Work by Epes Sargeant; The American Shepherd, by L. A. Morrell; New Greek and English Lexicon, including Liddell and Scott's enlarged translation of Passow's Greek and German Lexicon: under the supervision of Henry Drisler, A. M.; Mackenzie's Life of Paul Jones, new edition; A Treatise on Domestic Economy, by Catharine E. Beecher; The Duty of American Women to their Country, by the same Authoress; The American Housekeeper's Receipt Book, by the same Authoress.

Messrs. Carey & Hart, Philad., announce American Naval Biography, or Lives of Distinguished Naval Officers, by James Fennimore Cooper, Vol. I., nearly ready.

The Poets and Poetry of Europe, by Henry W. Longfellow-in one volume royal 8vo. (uniform with the Poets of America and Poets of England).

Longfellow's Poetical Works. Illustrated from original designs, by D. Huntington. 1 vol., royal 8vo.

Messrs. Lea & Blanchard, Philad., announce Memoranda of a Residence at the Court of St. James, from 1819 to 1823, by Richard Rush-supplementary to the former volume under the same title.

A History of the War of 1812, by Charles Jared Ingersoll.

Graham's Colonial History, with Notes by Quincy, Sparks and Prescott.

Messrs. Lea & Blanchard have just issued Vols. I. and II. of the octavo edition of the "Narrative of the Exploring Expedition." by Capt. Wilkes.

Plato against the Atheists; or the tenth book of the Dialogue on Laws, accompanied with Critical Notes and followed by extended dissertations on

some of the main points of the Platonic Philosophy and Theology, especially as compared with the Holy Scriptures. By Taylor Lewis, LL. D., Professor of the Greek Language and Literature in the University in the City of New York. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1845. 12mo., pp. 378.

A System of Latin Versification, in a Series of Progressive Exercises, including Specimens of Translation from English and German Poetry into Latin Verse, for the use of Schools and Colleges. By Charles Anthon, LL.D. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1845. 12mo., pp. 327.

The Blind Girl; with other Tales. By Emma C. Embury. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1845. 18mo., pp. 222.

Never Too Late. By Charles Burdett, Author of " Emma, or the Lost Found" "The Adopted Child," &c. New York: D. Appleton and Co. 1845. 18mo., pp. 180.

Saul. A Mystery. By the Author of "Christian Ballads," "Athanasius," &c. (A. Cleveland Coxe). New York: D. Appleton and Co. 1845. 12mo., pp. 297.

Poems. By William W. Lord. New York: D. Appleton and Co. 1845. 18mo., pp. 158.

History of the Oregon Territory: it being a demonstration of the title of these United States to the same-accompanied by a Map. By Thos. J. Farnham. Second Edition. William Taylor, 2 Astor House.

Greenhow's History of Oregon and California, and the other Territory on the North West Coast of North America. Second Edition, revised, corrected and enlarged. 1 vol. 8vo., pp. 510. Boston, 1845.

Wyoming. A Tale. New York: Harper and Brothers. Library of Select Novels, No. 53. 8vo., pp. 123.

Life of Ramon Monsalvatge, a converted Spanish Monk. Written by himself. With an introduction by Rev. R. Baird, D.D.

Human Physiology, for the use of Elementary Schools and Academies. By Charles A. Lee, M.D., late Professor of Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence, in the University of the City of New York. Fourth Edition.

The Principles of the Chrono-Thermal System of Medicine, with the fallacies of the faculty. By Samuel Dickson, M.D., of London, with an introduction and notes, by William Turner, M.D., late Health Commissioner of the City and County of New York.

A Charitable Judgment of the Opinion and Conduct of Others, recommended, being the last Sermon of Rev. Jas. Milner, D.D., late rector of St. George's Church. New York: Stanford and Swords. 8vo.

The Big Bear of Arkansas, and other Tales, illustrative of characters and incidents in the South West. Edited by W. T. Porter, with 10 original engravings from designs by Darley. Philadelphia: Carey and Hart.

Popular Lectures on Science and Art; delivered in the principal cities and towns of the United States, by Dionysius Lardner, Doctor of Civil Law, &c. New York: Greeley and McElrath. 1845. Parts 1 and 2, 8vo., pp. 208.

Recollections of the United States Army. A series of thrilling tales and sketches by an American Soldier. 18mo., pp. 167.

Life of the Hon. Jeremiah Smith, LL.D., Member of Congress during Washington's Administration. By S. H. Morrison. Boston: Little and Brown. 8vo., pp. 524, with portrait.

REPUBLICATIONS.

Messrs. Wiley & Putnam have in immediate preparation, to appear in the Library of Choice Reading, Professor Wilson's Work (Christopher North), The Life, Genius and Character of Burns; The Indicator, by Leigh Hunt; Hazlitt's Lectures on the Age of Elizabeth and the Crescent and the Cross-a companion to Eōthen, by Eliot Warburton.

Messrs. Harpers announce, Memoirs of Celebrated Statesmen of the English Commonwealth. By John Forster. Edited by Rev. J. O. Choules, A.M.; The Constitutional History of England, from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. By Henry Hallam; The Travels of Marco Polo, with Notes. Hugh Murray. [Just ready]; Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy. From the new improved Edition; Practical Astronomy. By Thomas Dick, LL.D.; A New Anatomical Atlas. From the French; The Life of John Marten. A Sequel to

By

Henry Milner. By Mrs. Sherwood; Praise and Principle. By the author of Conquest and Self-Conquest," &c.; Self. A Novel. By the Author of "Cecil." [Just ready]; A New Work on Insanity. By Dr. Galt; The Smuggler. By G. P. R. James, Esq.; An Illustrated Edition of the Wandering Jew; Mrs. Loudon's Lady's Country Companion, and Farming for Ladies; Miss Bremer's New Work, Dalekarlein; De Rohan; or, The Court Conspirator. By Eugene Sue. [Just ready]; The Book of the Farm. By Stephens; Illustrated Common Prayer. Embellished with about 700 fine Engravings; Book of Common Prayer. Standard Edition revised, under the Superintendence of Drs. Wainwright and Cox. In thirty varieties of size and binding.

John W. Moore, 138 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, has just published an American edition of Gray's Elegy, written in a country church-yard, with thirtythree illustrations, engraved on wood after English artists, by R. S. Gilbert. The original designs are by G. Barret,

Copley Fielding, J. Constable, G. Cattermole, T. Stothard, P. Dewint, W. Boxall, S. A. Hart, Thomas Landseer, Frank Howard, W. Westall, A. W. Callcott, J. H. Nixon, A. Cooper, W. Mulready, J. W. Wright, Charles Landseer, J. J. Chalon, H. Howard, R. Westall, Thales Fielding, C. A. Stanley, W. Collins.

Indications of the Creator. By William Whewell, D. D., Master of Trinity College, and Professor of Moral Phi sophy in the University of Cambridge. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. 1845. 12mo., pp. 86.

The Trials of Margaret Lyndsay. By John Wilson. Boston: Saxton & Kelt. 1845. 12mo., pp. 261.

Essays on the Principles of Morality, and on the Private and Political Rights and Obligations of Mankind, by Jonathan Dymond, author of " An Inquiry into the Accordancy of War with the Principles of Christianity, etc.," 4th thousand. New York: Collins, Brother & Co. 1845. 12mo., pp, 576.

A LIBRARY FOR REFERENCE.

ONE of the necessities of the times in the city is a public library, freely open to the citizens, and provided with the necessary facilities for reading and writing, with a permanent collection of books in the different departments. The two largest libraries-the Society Library and the Mercantile Library-are chiefly on the plan of the old circulating libraries. There is some slight provision made, more particularly in the latter, for consulting a few dictionaries, encyclopædias, &c.; but in both cases this is entirely inadequate to the wants of the public. In neither library can you find, at any one time, an unbroken set of periodicals, volumes which it is desirable frequently to refer to, and which it is impossible for the wealthiest student to collect. A set of the Edinburgh Review, alone, fills a parlor book-case.

In a city like New York, assembling daily so vast a number of strangers -where information is constantly sought by travellers from the interior, on every topic of Science, Literature and Art, which it is impossible for them to obtain in their village homes-where the growVOL. XVI.NO. LXXXIV.

ing demands of the city itself are so important-it is time this matter should be seriously looked after. Here are a few examples which may happen every day. A country clergyman comes to New York to gather donations for the building of a new church, and desires at the same time to pick up a few ideas on architecture and get some notion of a proper model for its construction. There is a small library of such books alone published— the very volumes he ought to consult. Where is he to find them? He sees one or two at the counter of the importing bookseller, which perhaps refer him to a third-the very book he wants. He cannot find it, and could not purchase it if it were to be had. He goes to the libraries and finds the collection on Church Architecture very meagre on the catalogue, and next to nothing on the shelves. As it is a circulating library, the only book purchased is likely to be of a very general and popular character, and that, of course, is out. If it were in, and the book wanted, he would find extremely slight inducements to stay and consult it, because no institution in the city makes provision for the necessary attendants and conveniences for such objects. 42

Again, a mechanic comes to the city with a new invention in his head, which may lead him to great toil and expense, and turn out, after all, an old one. A good library of reference would be of some use to him.

The interests of the newspaper press alone in the city require such an institution, liberally conducted, with complete series of the leading foreign and home journals, in good order; collections of statistical works in every department; the writers on Government, Political Economy, &c., &c. The certainty of finding the right book at any moment is indispensable to the usefulness of the library.

Another important point. Books can never be well kept, or in any decent order, unless they are guarded on the spot. A circulating library book is a greasy and unwholesome afair. The little relish it may get from being handled by the fingers of beauty in the boudoir is more than compensated by its odious transit back to the library again between the fingers of the scullion. It is notorious, too, that library books, as well as others, are not exempt from the perils of the nursery, that they come back mutilated of their plates (though sometimes, on the contrary, enhanced by the gorgeous hues of the infantine paint-box), and sometimes do not come back at all. There is very little motive in purchasing the best editions of books for a circulating library.

There is one of the institutions in the city which can afford to adopt this improvement-the Society Library. Its position and the character of its members demand the change. The Reading Room for the newspapers and periodicals of the month is, already, the most valued department of the Institution. Could not provision be made, at least gradually, for its conversion into a permanent Library of Reference, to be conducted on the plan of the British Museum-which is simply to provide complete collections of books on different subjects, attendants to furnish them, and suitable desks and tables, with pens and ink? One of the upper rooms of the building would provide the requisite accommodations. The catalogue would be there for consultation, and any one wanting a volume would furnish the attendant with the name of the volume, press mark, &c., and his own signature on a slip of paper. The book would be preserved, and the signature, in the nature of a receipt, kept till the volume was handed back. The attendants would be continually passing backwards and forwards, and no book would be readily mutilated; if it were, the ticket would point out the offender.

PEN AND INK SKETCHES BY A COSMOPOLITAN.

DURING the last month several papers under this title have appeared in the Boston Atlas and been generally copied by the newspapers, being everywhere well received as a pleasant and plausible account of the literary men in England. They are eminently readable from the style and the subject matter, the one colored and flowing, the other including those personalities, the interest of which, relating to personages who have before interested us by their greater deeds, is almost inexhaustible. Any writer who can tell us a new anecdote about Byron, or Scott, or Coleridge, will be welcome. Our pen and ink sketcher, however, while we give him credit for his agreeable qualities, sometimes carries the thing too far in his zeal to please. He writes a little after the model of Silk Buckingham in his lectures, who thought there was nothing which could not be predicated of the ignorance of his audience. The Pen and Ink Sketcher opened with a very agreeable sketch of Sydney Smith, with a new anecdote of the Philadelphia Bonds, which he had himself listened to. It was well done. Who could be the writer was the question in literary circles. It must be Mr. Grattan, the Consul-but Mr. Grattan, on being appealed to, had not even seen the papers. It was then attributed to Mr. Choules, but there were some incidents soon set forth, of which Mr. Choules could have been no partaker-or any one else for that matter, for they were exceedingly apocryphal.

"A Literary Breakfast at Samuel Rogers" was the feather to break the back of the giant. It was the most wonderful breakfast ever put upon record. The characters who met there, and the things they did and said, presented a splendid array of impossibilities. In the first place a bank note story was a serious draft on the public credulity, which could no more be met and accepted than the bank note itself. A bank note for a million sterling uncalled in, and good for that amount at any moment on presentation, hanging up in a gilt frame in Rogers's parlor, and the poet, the magician, ready" at a word to transform it into a golden shower, and render it all powerful for good or evil." Think of that, a poet with five millions of dollars over at the bank, to say nothing of any incidental small balances.

In the way of the guests assembled too, there has been nothing so numerable since the meeting of six kings at a Café in Candide. There were together-Crofton Croker, of the Fairy Legends; Jerdan, of the Literary Gazette; Dr. W. Cook Taylor, the Irishman in London; Thomas Miller, the basket maker; Theodore Hook, the diner out; W. Harrison Ainsworth, of the Newgate Calendar; George Cruikshank; Sharon Turner; Leigh Hunt; Barry Cornwall; Sergeant Talfourd; Thomas Babington Macauley; Sir David Wilkie; Sir Francis Chantrey; honest Allen Cunningham; Samuel Warren, the Diary of a Physician; James Smith, of the Rejected Addresses; Martin, the painter; Turner; Etty; Maclise; the prolific James; Coleridge, and-the writer himself. A pleasant liberty apparently of the writer to bring this heterogeneous assembly together in the somewhat narrow apartments of the fastidious Rogers. And a peculiarity of the personages was that they all looked exactly like the familiar prints of them in the shop windows, Leigh Hunt and Cruikshank particularly, and that they were very confidential, making exactly the same communications with regard to themselves which have latterly appeared in print in various English publications. Mr. James, in the course "of a brief conversation," informed the sketcher, that

One day

"he frequently dictated two novels at once to two amanuenses"-a fact, which, a few months ago, transpired to the readers of Horne's Spirit of the Age. The gossip on Theodore Hook may be found in a late number of the Quarterly Review, and the particulars of Mr. Rogers's publication of his Poems in the Pictorial Times.— We doubt whether the writer has as authentic confirmation of his subsequent story of Brougham's writing the article which killed Keats in the Quarterly-a mistake probably for the Edinburgh Review, and the review of Byron's Hours of Idleness which, it is said, Brougham did write. The anecdote of Robert Hall's marriage has an odd appearance. "His marriage was a singular one. while alighting at a friend's door, for the purpose of dining with him, he was joked on his bachelorhood. He said nothing, but while at table, was observed to take particular notice of the servant girl who came in to replenish the fire. After dinner, he went into the garden, sent for the young woman, and asked her to marry him. In her astonishment she ran away and said she believed Mr. Hall had gone mad again (he had been once deranged). Her master, like herself, was surprised, and on his speaking with Mr. Hall on the subject, the latter declared his intention of marrying the girl, who, he said, had taken his fancy, by the manner in which she put the coals on. They were married and lived happily together." The story of Robert Hall lighting his pipe, after preaching, at the pulpit lamps, reminds us of the old story related we believe in the Doctor-of the sexton out of tobacco who smoked the bell ropes-good arguments both of them for the sanctity of smokers.

Altogether, these are very agreeable sketches of what a man, an Asmodeus, a Bottle Imp, or some other ubiquity, might have seen and heard-and put in the mouth of a diner out of a long memory at a dinner party in a novel, would be just the thing. With this understanding, and the least grain in the world of hesitancy of belief, they are excellent summer reading-when the imagination, like the atmosphere, is readily expanded.

Ax adjourned meeting of the N. Y. Historical Society was held at its rooms in the N. Y. University, on the 13th day of May, 1845.

Present,-Hon. Luther Bradish, 1st Vice-President, in the chair.

The Domestic Corresponding Secretary read the following communications, received since the list meeting:

1. From J. J. Abert, Esq, acknowledging his election as a Corresponding member of the Society.