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The British Quarterly Review (one of the ablest if not the ablest of the English Quarterlies) has an elaborate article on " America from the cosmopolite point of view." It says some very fine things of us, though with a sprinkling of the usual "buts." We give one quotation which ought to satisfy our national vanity for

a season :

"The Americans are not only a nation, full to the brim of the consciousness of nationality, they are also entitled, according to any test or measure that can be applied to them, to rank high in the cosmopolitical scale. Tried by the numerical measure of popula tion they are already on a par with Great Britain, and will soon leave it behind. Even Russia, with its fifty millions, must regard America as a full grown nation. Again, tried by the test of exports and imports-that is, of commercial necessity to the rest of the world-the United States hold a place with the first. Further, if we make military and naval prowess the test of cosmopolitical importance, America will stand second to none. She has already, in the past, given sufficient proof of her capacities for fighting, both by sea and land; and, if it be not admitted that the Americans are superior to the English at sea, it is at least certain that the despotic powers of the old world would be more chary of insulting the starspangled banner, than of insulting the flag of England. A Yankee captain, indeed, is notoriously the most terrible thing going; and chips of the American block generally, though they are recognized everywhere as the most braggart and irreverent of the sons of men, are recognized, also, as the most dangerous to be locked up or called in question for anything they say or do. Add to all this, the consideration that in all departments of intellectual labor, America is a leading nation. In art and literature, indeed, as well as in the higher walks of pure speculative science, America is yet behind England; though there is evidence, even now, that a spirit of more original effort in such things is at work among the Americans. But in the application of science to social uses, in industrial invention, and generally in such exercises of the intellect as give a country practical eminence among the nations of the world, they have already an acknowledged superiority. Among the machines for agricultural and other purposes sent to the Great Exhibition, those sent from America were the most useful; and Colt's pistol is but one example of an invention proceeding from America, and claiming instantly the attention of the whole world. Essentially the same thing, in reality, with this claim of America to high cosmopolitical estimation in virtue of her Colt's pistols, her improved plows, reaping machines, models of ships and the like, is her claim to cosmopolitical estimation in virtue of the fact, that she is already in possession of a great many conclusions on important social questions, which are, by their very nature, interesting to all the world alike, and that she is at present the richest known field of experimentation, with a view to the elucidation of other social questions. The very thing that most of all gives a country cosmopolitical importance is its ability to furnish out of its own experience answers to the questions that chance at the moment to be of greatest social interest to other countries, or to exhibit going on within its bosom processes and experiments, the issue of which is not yet clear perhaps even to itself, but which are curious, novel, and suggestive in their nature. Russia, in this respect, is almost a blank on the map. It has a claim to cosmopolitical respect, because it is a formidable power of conquest, and because it supplies us with hemp and the like; but who ever looks to Russia for solutions of problems common to all parts of the world, or for brilliant social sights and suggestions? America, on the other hand, is like a black board on which something new is ever being chalked up, whether in the way of solution or of interrogation. For example, the entire political system of America is a practical solution of the great problem, everywhere important, of the reconciliation of local self-government with federation. The question of national defences without standing armies is also set in a new light to us by the militia system of America; while the question of

the competence of a people to act on the aggressive, without standing armies, also receives light from the experience of America in volunteer enterprises. A

hundred such examples might be given of points of

great social interest, on which America may be said to have fully made up its mind, while the other nations are still only bungling in the dark. Lastly, what are such odd manifestations as the Spirit Rappings, the Mormonite outburst with its consequences, and all the other similar developments of American inquisitiveness or credulity, but chalkings, as it were, on the black board of the world for the other nations to look at? If it be the case, that humanity has not yet filled out its utmost constitutional limits, but that from age to age it is continually efflorescing into new manifestations which seem at first anomalies, but are in reality normal and natural, where shall we look for the last efflorescence, the freshest sprouts, but in that country where human nature is newest and most advanced ?"

It is, doubtless, well known to the readers of this Magazine, that duties of a very onerous character, connected with the "Tract cause," devolve upon the editor. It has therefore been necessary for him to be absent from his office most of the time, since March last, and it will be necessary for him to be absent, more or less, hereafter. But he begs to assure the patrons of the NATIONAL that it will not suffer on this account. Arrangements have

been made to supply the editor's lack of service, which are very satisfactory to himself, and which, he confidently believes, will be more than satisfactory to his readers. A gentleman, (Rev. J. M. Reid,) whose talents are a sufficient guarantee that the work will continue to improve, has been engaged to take charge of it for the time being. Correspondents will please understand, therefore, that their articles will pass through his hands alone, as the other duties of the editor will wholly withdraw him from the office for the present.

And now, friends, we bespeak your sympathies and patronage for our forthcoming volume. The necessity of some such work in our periodical literature-a work combining with a high moral tone, the entertainment of light yet instructive reading-is generally admitted. We have attempted to meet this necessity. The attempt has been made, according to the general testimony of the press, with success. It has been marred by no questionable moral biases, by no sectarian bigotry. The papers

of almost all Christian demoninations have spontaneously given their testimony in favor of the course of the work, and have given it with unusual cordiality and commendation. We trust, then, the further fate of the experiment to the good-will and patronage of the Christian public. Leaving no means unemployed to promote the mechanical and literary excellence of the work, its publishers will not doubt that their endeavors will be rightly appreciated by the friends of sound literature and sound morals.

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Book Notices.

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The Christian Laborer-the Christian HeroMemoirs of a Useful Man, is the title of a very interesting little volume-a biography of Roger Miller, a London City Missionary. It discloses the abysses of London low life, and the true modes of rescuing the vicious and ignorant.

This Christian laborer was indeed a Christian hero-one of the best examples of lay usefulness we have ever read. Get this book, reader, if you want to learn how to be a useful man. Price only 20 cents, in very neat style.-Carlton & Phillips, New-York.

Messrs. Harper have issued the fourth volume of Lamartine's History of the Restoration of Monarchy in France. It sketches, with his usual graphic skill, the progress of events from the death of Napoleon till the flight of Charles X.-a book with a little philosophy, some history, and abundant poetry-though less of the latter and more of the former than the preceding volumes of the series contained.

Strong's Manual of the Gospels is a reduction of Mr. Strong's much commended " Harmony." It is designed for Sunday Schools, Bible classes, &c. We could say much of it, but need only

remark that it is a skillful condensation of the excellencies of the original work. It is "got up" in very fine style by Carlton & Phillips, New-York.

Leavitt & Allen, New-York, have published, in excellent style, Xenophon's "Anabasis," edited by Dr. Owen, of the Free Academy, New-York City. It is on the basis of the text of J. Dindorf. The notes are numerous, but pithy, and adapted to the younger class of students, giving somewhat minute elucidations of idioms, the use of moods, and anomalous constructions. Dr. Owen has done his task with noticeable skill.

Asbury's Journals.-These data of the early history of Methodism have been issued in three neat volumes by Carlton & Phillips, New-York. They present the life and labors of one of the greatest ecclesiastical characters this countury ever saw-the great leader of Methodism in America. Slight diary notes, they are nevertheless not without deep interest.

We have received from the Messrs. Harper the "Life and Letters of Dr. Olin," in two volumes. It is compiled principally from the personal recollections of his intimate friends-those who

knew him well at different periods of his lifeand from his own writings, chiefly his letters; for his protracted ill-health scarcely allowed the regular use of his pen, even in a journal. Among the papers furnished by the former, are valuable and interesting ones from Hon. Myron Lawrence, who was his class-mate in Middlebury College, and Rev. Dr. Bates, who presided over the institution during his collegiate course. Reverends C. Mallory and S. C. Jackson have also given delightful recollections of his student character and habits. These are followed by contributions from the pens of Rev. Dr. Wightman, Professors Garland and Hardy, Dr. Lee of Virginia, and Rev. Dr. Holdich. It was our rare privilege to enjoy a personal acquaintance with this master-mind; we have seen him in his friends and family circle. The most thorough his hours of most unrestrained intercourse with knowledge of his character only increased one's respect, admiration, and affection for him; and we have risen from these delightful volumes with a still enhanced appreciation of his talents and character. His friends will be satisfied with this beautiful tribute to his memory.

The same publishers have issued "Thackeray's Lectures on the Humorists," already so generally known by their delivery in this country-sketchy, pithy, critical, and, in not a few instances, strongly prejudiced. They are, nevertheless, such a treat as Thackeray alone could provide.

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Memorials of the English Martyrs," by Rev. C. B. Taylor, has been republished by the Harpers. It sketches the localities which are now identified with the names of this goodly company, as well as the events of their lives and deaths, which have given them immortality. It is illustrated by numerous, but not very described in the text. well executed wood-cuts of the principal places

We are indebted to Messrs. Derby and Miller, of Auburn and Buffalo, for a copy of their noble edition of the complete works of Arminius. The first two volumes are the translation of Nichols; the third, with a biographical sketch, is from Rev. Mr. Bagnall, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. We will only remark, that the attentive reader will find that this great and good man has been sadly misconstrued. The volumes are full of Biblical learning and critical thought. It is a work of which no clergyman's library should be destitute.

Layard's account of his second expedition to Nineveh and Babylon has been issued by the Messrs. Harper, in one volume, with all the illustrations of the English edition-a remarkable example of the Yankee process of cheapening foreign works. The book is one of extraordinary interest, not merely from its antiquarian discoveries, but from its personal

narrative of the author's adventures in that

marvelous land.

The New-York Alliance is an able temperance paper, devoted to the Maine Law. It is full of facts and spirit on the subject.

Literary Record.

THE Boston Mercantile Library Association contains 13,626 volumes, of which nearly 2,000 were added during the past year. The reading room is in constant receipt of twenty-five daily and ninety-six weekly American and foreign newspapers, besides being supplied with the principal reviews and magazines. The whole amount of receipts during the past year was $7,667 52; the expenditures, including investments, and premiums on them, were $7,609 36. During the winter the society furnished two series of lectures, on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week, yielding to its treasury the net income of $1,584 60.

The Rev. H. J. David, formerly Professor of Ancient Languages in Princeton College, and distinguished for his acquirements in Oriental literature, has for some time past devoted his attention to the subject of general history. The labors of this accomplished scholar have resulted in the production of a work of high interest, which will soon be published, and will be hailed as a valuable addition to historical literature.

Charles Dickens has announced that he is

writing, and means to publish, his veritable autobiography. What a book it will be-pro

vided he romances a little!

The first volume of the new edition of the

Encyclopædia Britannica is completed, containing the preliminary dissertations of Dugald Stewart, Sir James Mackintosh, Playfair, and Sir John Leslie; and the new dissertation, inserted as the third, by Archbishop Whately, on "The Progress and Corruptions of Christianity."

In Murray's Railway Reading, an acceptable number contains The Life of Lord Bacon, reprinted from Lord Campbell's "Lives of the Lord Chancellors."

Dr. Bowring, the poet-linguist, is about to return from China, his term of office having nearly run out. He has added Chinese to his other attainments, and will probably re-enter Parliament. In politics he is an ultra liberal.

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A convention is to be held in this city in September, composed of librarians and others interested in bibliography. It is proposed to consider the best means of advancing the prosperity and usefulness of public libraries, and for the suggestion and discussion of topics of importance to book collectors and readers. The convention will be attended by the librarians of prominent institutions in this and other cities.

Charles Weiss has just finished his work, "A History of the French Protestant Refugees, from the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes to the Present Day." It claims to be the history

of three hundred thousand exiles who were driven out of France by the foolish bigotry of Louis XIV. The author first describes their situation at home, their persecution, and its fatal results to France. He then follows the refugees to their settlements in Germany, England, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and in America; sets forth the services they had rendered to the countries of their adoption, and describes the condition of their descendants to-day. Besides his own somewhat extensive researches in France and abroad, Mr. Weiss has been permitted to make use of those made within the past two years, under the order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, by French diplomatic agents resident in the countries above-mentioned.

A journeyman printer, name unknown, has issued from the London press, "A Workingman's Way in the World; being the Autobiography of a Journeyman Printer," a work which commands the attention of the leading men in England. Of various phases of London life, and of printing-offices, editors, &c., curious notices are given. It is said to be a genuine autobiography, and a gem of wit and humor. Coming from such a source, it could not well

be otherwise.

"A Peep into Japan" is the title of a work just published in London, from the pen of F. Gerstaecker, a German of much enterprise and energy. He devotes considerable space to the American expedition, and is of opinion that if the emperor grants them an interview he "will dismiss them again, without even promises." He says:

"If the Americans do force an entrance upon some point-and it is as likely as not that they may do so and do not take the whole island, they will be walled in in a very short time, and permitted to see little enough of their neighbors. Still, the islands are too small to resist, for any length of time, refirst his country, and then his crown, just about as newed attacks; and his majesty will have to yield, willingly as the California Indians, or Sikhs, or Australian blacks; or, in fact, all other nations that have seen their countries overrun by strangers and enemies."

A new annotated edition of the English poets is announced, to be edited by Robert Bell, an industrious littérateur, author of a "History of Russia," "Lives of the English Poets in Lardner's Cyclopædia," &c. The volumes are to be monthly, and to begin with Chaucer. A connected view of the progress of English poetry is to be wrought in with the undertaking.

The Ohio University, under the Presidency of Rev. Solomon Howard, is in a prosperous condition. It is gradually filling with students. There has been an accession the present term of thirty students, and the university has enrolled in its several departments during the current year one hundred students.

"The Text of Shakspeare Vindicated," is part of a title of a volume issued by the old critical editor, Samuel Weller Singer, and leveled at the folio of John Payne Collier. Mr. Singer's book is reviewed in the London Athenaeum, and is there

considered to be anything but a successful attack upon the earlier edition. An American reprint is being issued by Redfield, in numbers, with improvements, in the shape of marginal notes on the English edition.

A Swedenborgian University, the first in this country, has been established at Urbana, Ohio.

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Phaïthon," a work by Kingsley, author of "Alton Locke," is announced.

At a recent meeting of the New-York Historical Society, among the donations received were the original deed of the Knickerbocker Insurance Company, the first institution of the kind in this city-organized in 1797, and a specimen of the timbers of the Royal George man-of-war, sunk off Spithead upwards of seventy years since. The society resolved that a

sufficient sum has been obtained to warrant the

commencement of the new fire-proof building for the library and valuable collections of the society. A paper on the "Title of the United States to the Northwest Territory," was read by Mr. Joseph Blunt, of this city. The society then adjourned, to meet again on the first Tuesday in October next.

At a recent meeting of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library, the librarian announced a donation of more than six hundred choice Volumes given by George Ticknor, Esq. This donation consists of works pertaining to American history, of complete sets of American periodicals, and of more miscellaneous works. Much of the collection is said to be of great rarity and value.

From the annual report of the Buffalo Young Men's Association, we learn that the number of volumes added during the year is, by purchase, $36, and by donation, 82. Total additions, 918. The whole number of volumes drawn from the library during the year has been 14,440. The receipts of the association, exclusive of the building fund, were $6,405 46; its expenses, $5,421 47.

The London Peace Society, and the Peace Congress Committee, offer the sum of $1,350 to the author of the best essay upon the European standing armaments, and $500 for the second best essay. The prizes come from a fund of $30,000, subscribed lately at Manchester, in part of the sum of $50,000 which is required to complete it.

The Columbian Literary Club celebrated their second anniversary at Hope Chapel, NewYork, recently, when several addresses were made, and a highly talented and humorous poem, entitled "Præstemus," was delivered by Mr. I. L. Reese. The exercises were concluded by R. J. Leggatt reading a paper on the "Mothers and Daughters of America."

Perthes, of Hamburg, announces the following important works as in press: the twelfth volume of Ritter's History of Philosophy; the fourth volume of Bunsen's Egypt's Place in the World's History; the twenty-sixth issue of Heeren and Urkert's History of European States, being the fifth volume of Hermann's History of Russia. Only four volumes of Ritter's History of Philosophy, and one of Bunsen's Egypt, have been translated into English.

The London Critic has the following notice of De Quincy and his writings :

"De Quincy, the English opium-eater, is a Manchester man, though from Manchester and all that pertains to it, materially and intellectually, multifarious influences have long separated him. His home (and Christopher North's) is now in fair Lasswade, by the flowing Esk, where, the victim of 'nervous distraction, which renders all labor exacting any energy of attention inexpressibly painful,' he has managed to see through the press, and even to preface a first volume, just appearing, of Selections, Grave and Gay, from Writings published and unpublished, and containing his autobiography to the threshold of its great era, the discovery of opium."

Mr. Field, one of the members of the firm of Messrs. Ticknor, Reed & Co., of Boston, spent Quincy's various writings, which the author, several months in Scotland, searching for De many are prone to believe, was too indolent to accomplish, or deemed irrevocably lost. Alluding to the subject, the old man thus writes:

"I have received from many quarters in England, in Ireland, in the British colonies, and in the United States, a series of letters expressing a far profounder interest in papers written by myself than any which I could ever think myself entitled to look for; hence a republication was long determined on, which would never have been made in England, however, had not the preliminary trouble of collecting from far and wide the scattered papers been taken by the Boston firm of Ticknor & Co., who deserve honorable mention for having made me a sharer in the profits of the publication, called upon to do so by no law whatever, and assuredly by no expectation of that sort upon my part."

A translation into French of Calvin's Commentaries on the New Testament is announced, to be comprised in four octavo volumes, in double columns, at 25 francs for the complete work. It is a singular fact that this will be the first French edition of the commentaries on the New Testament of this great French reformer. With the exception of a fragment on the Old Testament, none of Calvin's Commentaries have been published in France, though they have gone through numerous editions in Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and Germany.

The commencement exercises of the Univer sity of the City of New-York were held at Niblo's, recently, when the Rev. Isaac Ferris, D. D., was inaugurated Chancellor.

Cardinal Mai's "New Library of the Fathers," consisting of unpublished manuscripts from the Vatican, has been issued in Paris. This is a continuation of his former collection, and is to be comprised in six quarto volumes. It is described as containing, among other fragments, two hundred new sermons of Augustine, and commentaries by him on various parts of the Scripture; thirteen works by Cyril, of Jerusalem, translated with notes, and also extracts from some of his commentaries; Tracts by Eusebius, of Cesarea; by Gregory, of Myssa; a History of the Manichees; and a Refutation of the Koran.

A new work, by the author of "Mary Barton," is announced in England; also, the "Tanglewood Papers," by Hawthorne, and a complete edition of the English poets, with notes, by Robert Bell, author of the History of Russia.

Mr. Willis, bookseller, of Covent Garden, has purchased the celebrated Bowyer Bible, on which $1,500 had been expended, for $2,025.

Religious Summary.

THE Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions has appointed Rev. S. Leighton Wilson, formerly a Missionary to Africa, a Corresponding Secretary of the Board, his position to be coördinate with that of the Messrs. Lowrie.

At the annual meeting of the English Baptist Missionary Society, the total receipts for the year were shown to be $111,205; the expenditure, $87,590; the balance against the society last year, $23,615-this reduces the balance to $9,065. From a tabular statement read by Mr. Underhill, the Secretary, it would appear that the income of the society (which in 1846 was $87,500) has been gradually falling off. He did not think that this was caused by anything save by a want of exertion, which for the future

was to be made.

A new Catholic Cathedral is to be built in Chicago, at a cost of between $150,000 and $200,000.

The Rev. E. W. Dickinson has removed from Lewisburg, Pa., to Pittsburgh, and taken the pastoral charge of the Union Baptist Church in that place.

The statistics of all the various branches of Methodism in Europe and America show a total of ten thousand four hundred and nine traveling and thirty-three thousand local preachers, who minister to two million thirty-six thousand one hundred and sixty-two communicants.

The managers of the American Bible Society have received several new volumes from London for their library: among them a folio copy of the Bishop's Bible, of 1572, with Cranmer's preface; a standard Oxford copy of King James, in three volumes, of 1769; and a large Roman Catholic Breviary, from an Italian, once a Papal priest, but now a convert studying for the Protestant ministry.

The Diocesan Synod of the Archiepiscopal Diocese of Rochester, which has been recently in session in that city, among other important decrees, enacted one for the publication of marriage bans, requiring that all Catholics intending marriage shall give notice to that effect to the clergyman of their parish, which notice will be read in church during the public service. A correspondent of a London journal thus speaks of the American Mission in the Punjaub, India:

"The American Presbyterian Mission have a station at Jullundur, where they have made about twenty converts. Their school is attended at the present time by upward of one hundred and twenty boys, the greater part of whom are Mussulmans, but I have never seen any female children there. Although the English language is taught, almost all the books are in Hindoostanee. Arithmetic, reading, writing, grammar, and geometry are also taught. The boys assemble every morning at the sound of a small gong, when they are marched into the chapel, and prayer is offered up in Hindoostanee, after which they go to their respective places in the school-room adjoining. There are a number of ushers or moonshees' under the superintendence of Mr. Lewis, their master."

In consequence of the intolerant attitude lately assumed by the ultramontane party, the

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Protestant clergy of France, at their last annual conference, appointed a Committee to consider what steps are necessary to take for the maintenance of religious liberty.

The Jews of Stockholm have lately commenced using the Swedish language, in the place of the Hebrew, in the performance of their religious services.

Rev. Wm. Wylie, D. D., for many years the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Newark, Ohio, has recently resigned, on account of age and infirmities.

The Churches of the Sandwich Islands, give from $20,000 to $30,000 annually, for the support of the gospel among themselves and elsewhere one of the results of missions.

The Female Tract Society, Easton, Penn., have circulated during the past year fourteen thousand and eighty-one English, and two thousand eight hundred and four German Tracts.

The project of a law for a complete separation of Church and State, in New-Grenada, has been submitted to Congress by the executive. It provides that from the passage of the act, th temporal and spiritual authorities shall be accordingly no civil functionary shall take part entirely independent of each other, and that

in the election of any ecclesiastical offices of any religious sect whatever, and that compulsory contributions for the support of religious worship shall cease after the first of Sep

tember.

The American Episcopal Church has a mission of sixteen years standing at Cape Palmas, where are twelve white missionaries successfully at work, with about the same number of assistants. It is proposed to establish another mission at Bassa Cove, where there are two thousand colonists and fifty thousand native Bassas: a mission house and chapel are going up, and two ordained missionaries will be sent next year.

The receipts of the American Baptist Missionary Union, during the past year were $134,112 17, and the expenditures $135,344 28. The number of missions is nineteen, embracing eighty-eight stations and one hundred and eleven out-stations, besides three hundred and fifty places of stated preaching in Germany and France. Connected with the missions are sixty-four missionaries, of whom sixty are preachers, sixty-six female assistants, and two hundred and six native preachers and assistants. There are one hundred and eighty-one churches with fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty members, about one thousand two hundred of whom were added by baptism the past year. There are eighty-one schools, including twentyfour boarding-schools, with one thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine pupils.

According to the English Census of 1851, there are twenty thousand four hundred places of worship not belonging to the Established Church, and about fourteen thousand belonging to the Establishment.

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