1846.] Notices of New Books. the French cuisine. This nation has long The Redskins; or, Indian and Ingin: No class of writers occupy a more agree- some ingenious means are introduced on the elaborate manner with which Mr. men, whose motives of self-interest, or Temper and Temperament. 1 vol. By We are always highly gratified at receiving a copy of any work from the graceful and philanthropic pen of the gifted authoress of "the Women of England." In all ages a distinct understanding as to the chief duties of social life has contributed more or less to the well-being of society; but in the present stage of refine ment, as these obligations have become more complex, and the subservience to conventionalism almost universal, they require the most conscientiously faithful and exquisitely delicate and skilful exposition. Those authors who would serve the world by increasing human happiness, must look deeply into the heart of man; examine with jealous care the artificial influences by which he is surrounded, and well appreciate the lofty purposes of his creation. Such writers are alone capable of defining and illustrating the real duties and essential observances of modern and refined social life. They alone are worthy the glorious object of demonstrating to the world, that true happiness and distinction lie in the reconciliation of will and duty, and in the indulgence of those lofty and delicate traits of sentiment and character which should be regarded as the true tests of a more refined civilization. Mrs. Ellis has nobly enrolled and distinguished herself in this cause, and has produced several works which exercise a most salutary and agreable influence. The charming volume before us is another step in the useful course she has pursued. Both temper and temperament are so varied by worldly. circumstances, considerations of health, education, and a thousand unknown causes, as to present a never-ending theme for speculation. The practical object of the above work is, however, to show the absolute necessity of making ourselves acquainted with every phase of the character of those with whom we come most in contact, or who exercise the greatest power over our destinies. The fair authoress gives a very interesting disquisition on temper and temperament, as relatively considered, and supplies two of the most touching stories or sketches we have read for some time. These are entitled the Managing Wife," and "the Imprisoned Mind," and serve most aptly to illustrate her theory. 66 Napoleon and his Marshals. By J. T. HEADLEY. Vol. 21. New-York: Baker & Scribner. 1846. We have canvassed at some length in previous numbers Mr. Headley's merits and defects as a writer; and the present volume confirms the opinions we then advanced. It would be difficult to find a subject better adapted to the author's powers. His forte is description -both scenic and adventurous-especially the latter. The idea was a happy one to group together the lives of the remarkable men who were so instrumental in carrying out the designs of Napoleon. It was a marked trait of the emperor-no small element of his success-that he was gifted with rare sagacity in the choice of his officers. Various in character as his marshals were, they were all endowed with brilliant qualities; and Mr. Headley has given us vivid daguerreotypes of their exploits, such as present their battles and Alpine marches with dramatic effect to the imagi nation. In many of the theories and speculations of Mr. Headley, we find it impossi ble to follow him. As a guide to reflec tion we hesitate often to commit ourselves to his suggestions; but as a painter and delineator of events and scenery we cannot but award him high praise. Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate; their influence upon the health, intellect, and the moral nature of man. This is the title of a small volume translated from the French of A. St. Arroman, and published by Towsend Ward, of Philadelphia. The writer quotes the opinions of several distinguished medical practitioners upon the subject. Many of their views are doubtless erroneous, and contrary to those entertained by the majority of experienced tea and coffee drinkers. But the opinion of Dr. Begin, with respect to the nature of tea, is so just and will be so generally recognised, that we cannot refrain from giving the substance of it. He says that it facilitates digestion, excites perspiration, and has been used for the cure of rheumatism and many diseases of the skin. Mr. Percival, another writer referred to, recommends it as calming nervous affections; whilst Monsieur Lemery awards it the still higher praise of augmenting the mental powers, giving activity and development to thought, and producing hilarity and contentment. Those, how. ever, who are desirous of reading the ablest and most interesting dissertation we have yet seen on this delightful and salutary beverage, should read the pamphlet published some few months since by the Pekin Tea Company, New-York, wherein its various medicinal and moral properties are arrayed with a clearness and force which carry conviction with them. Memoirs and Essays on Arts, Literature, and Social Morals. By Mrs. JAMESON. New-York: Wiley & Putnam, 1846. We are happy to see Mrs. Jameson's name on the title-page of a new volume. Her books are always suggestive, and possess that happy mixture of enthusiasm and discrimination which forms the most delightful critices on literature and art and life. Her Diary of an Ennuyée-hackneyed as is the scene of the book-abounds with freshness and originality. Her "Loves of the Poets" is a delightful compilationthe very romance of biography. “Characteristics of Women" is, however, the work upon which her fame rests. It contains more thought than any other work from a female pen of modern times. The intellect of Mrs. Jameson is decidedly masculine, but the spirit in which she writes is full of that delicate sympathy and chastened ardor so native to a woman's genius. 1846.] Notices of New Books. The work before us is worthy of her reputation. It contains a very artistic commentary on the career of Adelaide Kemble; a beautiful tribute to the memory of our own Allston; a noble essay on Woman's Mission, and several other characteristic papers. The publishers have issued the first number of Heath's Heroines of Shakespear-a series of exquisite heads, with the "Characteristics of Women," as the text; an enterprise that cannot fail to succeed. Dolores. A Novel. By HARRO HARRING. 1 volume, in 4 parts. Marrenner, Lockwood & Co., New-York. The earlier scenes of this romance take place at Buenos Ayres, and the materials 80 She "Unitarian elegies," which attract the attention of the authorities, and excite their curiosity and desire of vengeance to such a pitch, that Signor Alphon(her lover) is arrested on the mere suspicion of being acquainted with her name, and sentenced to a cruel death, for refusing to give her up to the dreadful punishments which await her. Some interesting scenes occur in the prison where he is confined, particularly that in which the beauteous heroine enters in disguise to take a last farewell of her lover. He had exacted, as the sole condition of allowing her to see him once more, a solemn promise that she would relinquish all idea of acknowledging herself to be the authoress. Her religious belief, indomitable patriotism, and elevation of mind, involve her in difficulties and adventures which, together with a free disquisition upon the political movements in South America some thirty years since, are the medium through which are conveyed the animus and aim of this work. We have mentioned the foregoing circumstances as they may be justly considered a fair indication of the contents of the volume. Sparks' American Biography. Little & We have received the 8th and 10th vol- the Lives of Charles Lee, Joseph Reed and their character and motives, cannot be re- The life of Nathaniel Greene, written by Lord Brougham's "Lives of Men of Let- So much has been said and written with In his life of Dr. Johnson, we find little, if any matter of fact that is not already well known to the reading community; but perspicuous, and pregnant style gives a novhis deductions are invaluable, and his terse, elty to incidents which had long ceased to interest us. These he has on various occa sions very happily introduced to illustrate his views; and we conclude the reading of this biography with the impression that we have been gazing upon a minute and per fect daguerreotype of the man; that we have traced the cause of every peculiarity of his mind, manner, and conduct, and that we have arrived at the most correct possible opinion of his merits and defects as an author. Indeed, Lord Brougham's literary criticisms are generally, as in this instance, so just, and his conclusions so well sustained by striking comparison and learned research, as to form, perhaps, the most brilliant and fascinating portion of his works. The life of Adam Smith is prefaced by a very able sketch of the rise and progress of ethical science; and the biographer having noticed some of the earlier works of that author, gives an excellent analytical view of the "Wealth of Nations," with a review and appendix, which cannot fail to engage earnest and general attention, as political economy has become a subject of study even amongst the great mass of the people. The other biographies lack none of the ability, interest, or accuracy of those we have just mentioned. Zenobia; or the Fall of Palmyra. By WILLIAM WARE. 2 vols. New-York: C. S. Francis & Co. 1846. The merits of this beautiful romance have long been acknowledged, both at home and abroad. It may now be regarded as a standard contribution to classic fiction. The subject is one of the richest and most affecting in history, and it has been treated with singular taste and judg. ment. The present edition constitutes the eleventh and twelfth numbers of Francis & Co.'s Library of Choice Prose and Poetry, and will make a most appropriate and acceptable addition to that popular series. The Statesman's Manual. Edw'd Walker, New-York. ation has been issued by the enterprising The 2d volume of this valuable compilpublisher. This volume brings down the States to the Mexican war message of May messages of the presidents of the United 6, 1846, being a complete collection of all the public addresses of all the chief magistrates of the United States from 1789 to 1846. There is appended to this volume tistical matter relating to the offices of the a mass of historical, chronological and staUnion, from the earliest times, together with an analytical index to the whole work, which much enhances its value.— Almost every public event can be referred There is also a synopsis of the constituto in a prompt and authentic manner.lately adopted by the people. The work tions of the several states, including those is certainly one of great merit, and of a usefulness so general as to make it indispensable, not only to every library, but to every citizen of the Union. A Year with the Franklins; or, To Suffer and be Strong. By E. JANE CATE. Harper & Brothers, New-York. This small volume presents a light, pleasant sketch of one or two of the more agreeable and interesting phases of domestic life. It possesses little attraction in the way of plot or story, but is full of sprightly conversations, which will be read with pleasure by amiable young ladies and gentlemen who are desirous of being amused. To the former we would recommend it more particularly. WHEN We reflect upon the rapid progress of our glorious Union; the unrivalled increase of an intelligent and orderly population, among whom the aggregate wealth of the whole country is more equally distributed than in any other nation of the earth; and where the constant vigilance of multifarious interests, quickened by the superior intelligence of the masses, forms a safeguard against the permanent preponderance of any one class, to the injury and oppression of the rest; we become convinced, that upon this continent, under our institutions, the greatest sum of happiness is to be reached by the human family. The perfect equality which exists among the white race, and the conviction which rests upon every individual mind, that all which this world offers of wealth, honor and happiness, are within the reach of his own exertions, and are their reward, keeps active at the bottom of society that ever living principle of progression, which is constantly bringing to its surface the most active spirits of the community. By this means, that distinctive "lower class," which exists in all the countries of Europe, is continually broken up, and progresses equally with the whole nation. The mechanical and rural classes of Europe, which have been such for centurieswhich have stood still in this era of steam, and present, in their customs, habits, and intelligence, scarcely any change from the rude ages, have no parallel in the United States. Those who immigrate from Europe, with the costumes, customs and characters of their ancestors, for centuries back, are soon lost in the advancing throng, and, if not themselves, their immediate progeny become as active, enterprising and intelligent, as the descendant of the first pilgrim. The red race, which once overran the soil, incapable of advancing with the civilization of the whites, refuses to amalgamate, and is driven back into the wilderness, as nation after nation becomes extinct. find, nevertheless, in our midst, a race which does not advance; which, preserving its distinctive features, remains at the bottom of American society, increasing rapidly in numbers, without advancing in their intellectual or physical condition. They have increased during the present century 180 per cent. in the whole Union, and in the southern States, in a ratio greater than that of the whites, through the operation of natural laws, entirely unaided by any accession of numbers from without, but rather checked, by constant We 1st. Message of the President, transmitting to Congress Despatches from the American Minister at the Court of Brazil. 2d. Report of the Secretary of State, with Correspondence of S. W. Slacum, late United States Consul at Rio Janeiro. 3d. Parliamentary Debate on Sugar Duties. |