a painful pageant. From the narrative of Mr. Lanman, the background of that picture which has been so long before the world, is furnished with those soft and mellow tints which give it both richness and relief. The charm is so great, that we seem to have descended from some tall cliff visited by storms into the peaceful vale, smiling with the beauties of spring. Mr. Lanman, having been the private secretary of Mr. Webster, was intimately acquainted with the inner sphere of his life, and has presented us with those minuter incidents which escape the vulgar gaze, but which, nevertheless, form an integral part of his entire character, and which will, one day, be interwoven into the biographical texture that will transmit his fame to posterity. His domestic habits, his agricultural tastes, his communion with nature, his reverence for the word of God, his almost unbounded benevolence, his filial affections, his social qualities, give the finishing touch to his greatnsss as a statesman, and mitigate, in the judgment of charity, those errors with which his conduct has been occasionally charged.

Cornelius Nepos, with notes, historical and explanatory. By Charles Anthon, LL. D. New York: Harpers & Brothers. 1852.

The editor has prepared this school book with special reference to those errors which remained uncorrected in former editions, respecting the history, chronology, and geography of the times referred to. These lives of the Greek commanders are very attractive to young students, but the Latinity and the history require fuller and more accurate information than is usually found. This the editor has drawn from all the best previous editors, as well as from other sources within his reach. It is a neat, well printed volume, and replete with explanatory notes.

History of Romulus. By Jacob Abbott. Harper & Brothers. 1852.

Mr. Abbott is peculiarly gifted for the historical scenes which he has undertaken, both in his selection of characters, and the beautiful simplicity and verisimilitude with which he adorns them. The historico-mythic founder of the "eternal city," he has evoked from the records of the past and placed him before us with imposing distinctness. He has drawn his materials exclusively from such sources as have descended to us from antiquity, and not from his own invention. It is an exccedingly agreeable biography.

The World's Laconics; or the best thoughts of the best authors. By Everard Berkeley. In prose and poetry. With an introduction by William B. Sprague, D. D. M. W. Dodd. 1853.

A casket of intellectual gems would be a very proper title to this book. It is made up of the wisest expressions of the greatest authors, on all the principal subjects of thought, in alphabetic order, both in prose and poetry. It is a sort of an aphoristic commentary on whatsoever most concerns human life; a repository of maxims for the guidance of human conduct,

and a vast collection of germs of thought in their most available shape. Take for instance, the word " Occupation." You have the observations of Schiller, Landon, Hazlitt, Herodotus, Chesterfield, Adam Clarke, Ischomachus, Johnson, Addison; and so of the rest.

A Sequel to the Female Jesuit; By Mrs. Luke; (New York: M. W. Dodd,) is a continuation of one of the most thrilling narratives of the day. It is an account of the conduct of one of the most mysterious characters that have imposed upon the credulity of man. She is a living drama, acting by turns, in her own person, every part with perfect consistency. She has deceived all classes, especially the most informed; all professions, from the physician to the cardinal, without ever being suspected at the time, and when suspected, and tried, without ever betraying the slightest embarrassment. Names, places, dates, all are given.

Light in a Dark Alley; By Henry A. Rowland; (New York: M. W. Dodd,) 1852, is an earnest and very successful attempt to unfold and express those latent causes which lead men to a neglect of the gospel and to infidelity. These causes are very justly traced to the existing state of the heart and not to any well settled objective reasons. In this respect this small treatise is very valuable, and would do to put into the hands of those who slight or deride the Christian religion.

Stories of Ancient Rome. By F. W. Ricord. With illustrations. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1852.

The title would indicate that this book was designed exclusively for the young, but an examination of it shows that it is very well suited to the general reader. It is one of a series to terminate with the destruction of the empire. This extends from Romulus to Tarquinius Superbus. The materials are drawn chiefly from Livy and Dionysius Halicarnassus. It certainly promises both by style and ability to answer its object.

The Christian's Closet Companion; or sacred meditations for every day in the year. By Rev. J. Pugh. Louisville, Ky. E. Stevenson, Southern Methodist Book Concern. 1852.

Although the Christian closet has been favored with many aids to its hallowed exercises, we heartily welcome this into its privacy. It is different from all others we have seen, and is, in many respects, superior. It is not original. It would be difficult to produce original matter of the kind even equal to that which we already have. Its daily meditations, on the several passages of Scripture, are selections from authors distinguished alike for their piety and learning, full of sound, practical theology. It has thus the concentrated merit of them all, and should be introduced into all our families, coming especially from the source whence it does. Our own authors are copiously used in connection with the most evangelical of other denominations. It is a good and ought to be a very useful book.

The Early Days of Elisha: From the German of Krummacher. With an introduction by Gardiner Spring, D. D. New York. 1853. It is an inimitable portrait of the prophet. There is an exuberance of thought and luxuriance of language, which, though in the garb of a translation, is truly surprising. Points of doctrine and incidents of life that entirely escape most readers of the Bible, are brought out with a plentitude and power that fascinate and fill with delight. Boldness and fertility are his features as a writer, and the glory of Christ is his constant aim. He is a Calvinist, and very strong at that, but bating this, the work is an eloquent contribution to sacred literature.

Kathay: a cruise in the China seas. By W. Hastings Macaulay. G. P. Putnam. 1852.

We have here a picturesque description of a voyage in the Chinese archipelago; very well written; and speaking as it does of the "climes of the sun," there is a charm which invests it higher than is claimed by the oft repeated topographies of European tourists. It is not on the score of pleasure that we would recommend its perusal, but of the topical information with which it abounds.

Recollections of a New England Bride and of a Southern Matron. By Caroline Gilman. New edition revised. G. P. Putnam.

1852.

A very lively sketch of local manners and habits. A fair picture is given of some portion of southern life. The plantation negroes are admirably taken off, and a just tribute paid to their happiness and piety.

Putnam's Semi-Monthly Library.

1. Table Talk about Books, Men and Manners; from Sidney Smith and others.

2. A Book for a Corner. By Leigh Hunt.

3. Pictures from St. Petersburg.

There is in each of these numbers a union of sprightliness and solidity, of sense and of sentiment, which render them very suitable for recreation in the intervals of business or hard study.

The Spirit World; or, The Caviler Answered. By Joel H. Ross, M. D. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1852.

This book written in the form of dialogue, is designed to refute sceptical notions with regard to man's immortality, and a future state of rewards and punishments. The unbelief which it attacks, is that which develops itself more in practice than in theory. Hence the plain and practical cast of its arguments and appeals. It appears to be well adapted to disabuse the mind of practical scepticism, and rouse attention and practical regard to the awful responsibilities involved in man's future destination.

A History of the Division of the Presbyterian Church in the United States

of America. By a committee of the Synod of New York and New Jersey. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1852.

The severance of a large and influential ecclesiastical body, cannot take place without exciting considerable interest in the minds of intelligent Christians generally. As, indeed, any great movement affecting the Redeemer's kingdom amongst men cannot fail to do. And however much we may lament church divisions, and the unchristian feelings which they never fail to excite between honestly differing brethren, yet during the present imperfect development of the Christian life, their occurrence does not produce any great surprise; and they should always be contemplated with candor and forbearance, accompanied with fervent prayer for such a coming of the kingdom of Christ as shall cause the whole family of God on earth to settle down peacefully into one fold under the one great Shepherd of the sheep. To understand the grounds of difference, and the causes of ecclesiastical separation, involves the study of a deeply interesting branch of philosophical and theological inquiry. The work now under notice is a contribution to this branch of study. It proceeds from one party to a controversy, but sets forth as far as we have been able to judge a full statement of the causes which led to the separation now existing between the Old and New School Presbyterians in this country. The tone and temper of the book seem to be fair and moderate. Those interested in such in

quiries would do well to read.

The present Jews not the lawful heirs of the Abrahamic will. Letters to a Millenarian. By Rev. A. Williamson. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1852.

A small book on a subject which lately occupied much Christian contemplation. Its title indicates its object. We entertain a favorable opinion as to the merits of the argument, and also the truth of the position sought to be established. With the learned and pious Hengstenberg, we have no confidence in the view which would elevate the Jews into a spiritual caste, or aristocracy in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. But with Paul, we believe that "there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." To those who are troubled with the carnalizing notions of Scripture prophecy, entertained by the Millenarians, we recommend the perusal of this little book.

Strictures on Dr. Howell's "Evils of Infant Baptism." By Thos. O. Summers. Richmond and Louisville. John Early. 1853.

This pamphlet is reprinted from the able work of Dr. Summers on Baptism, which, by some oversight, has never been laid upon our table, but of which we hope to present a review shortly. Dr. Early has certainly done a valuable service in presenting these Strictures to the public. They not only overturn Dr. Howell's astonishing assumptions, but have the merit of turning the tables upon him with a success which will give his polemics a vast deal of trouble. It is much more than an antidote. It is an explo

sive retort in the spirit of an honest indignation at the ecclesiastical arrogance of the author. Dr. Summers has the excellence of not dealing in fancies, but is peculiarly versed in the tactics of historical facts, which he who meets, must be more skillful than the redoubtable author of the “Evils of Infant Baptism." We sincerely hope these Strictures will be circulated from Dan to Beersheba.

Essay on Calcareous Manures. By Edmund Ruffin. J. W. Randolph. Richmond. 1853.

The forthcoming work is from a Virginia gentleman, whose contribu tions to Agricultural science has already given him an extensive popularity. Mr. Ruffin is a practical farmer of great intelligence, and is eminently competent to impart information on the subject which for so many years has engaged his attention. This work, published by J. W. Randolph of this city, well deserves the support of the Southern community, and we cannot doubt, will be sustained both on account of its value and the enter prise of the publisher, who is exerting himself with great zeal to establish Southern publications.

N. B. We are obliged to omit the notice of a number of very interesting works. Our present list is as large as our pages will allow. The publishers who have so generously favored us, will receive due attention in our

next.

ART. IX.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Several elaborate works in the department of Ecclesiastical Jurisprudence have recently appeared in Germany upon the Penitential Laws, Canons and Formularies of the Western, including the French, Irish, Anglo Saxon and German Churches. The first impulse to a diligent investigation of this subject, so far as our information extends, was given by the publication in 1839 of Prof. F. W. H. Wasserschleben's Beiträge zur Geschichte, der vorgratianischen L. I. Kirchenrechts-quellen, or rather by an interesting memoir which that work contained upon Confessional Books. The especial design of this paper was to direct attention to the importance of the inquiry, and the necessity of resuming certain investigations upon this topic, which in consequence of their unscientific and apparently unfruitful character had been long suspended. In 1840 the English Ecclesiastico-Legal Record