Of the good and true-hearted By destiny hurled; Who enjoy all its folly And such are good fellows, With selfish, thankless lovers he is very irate, and all true men must accept his creed of gratitude in love, viz: For, verily, I tell you, friends, that Pity may be allied to Love, but gratitude is an essential part thereof. A mian may have had his scores or hundreds of bonnes fortunes; he may have quarrelled with, or run away from, or jilted or have been jilted by them all; but if he has one single spark of high-toned gentleness or Cavalier feeling in him, he will never recall a single lady love without a sincere thrill of gratitude for the early gift of her heart. He is deeply read in all the lore of "WINDOW LOVE." The beauty of Window Love has, of course, not escaped the notice of the race of rhymers. Every bard of true feeling has experienced it, from the New Orleans Minstrel : Who saw her at the window, To the exquisite Uhland, who thus briefly chronicles his own experiences : I quit my narrow room but rarely, For, ah, that flute so softly pealing, At my fair neighbor o'er the way! Then we have specimens of Window Love from Rückert-from "the lofty and ideal Schiller," from the humorous Tom Hood, from the "Squyer of LoweDegre," and from "Herr Heinrich Von Morunge"The noble Moringer'-a gentleman and a poet," and finally Karl has the audacity to assert that "Window Love has given many a young lady a beau when other expedients have failed." Oh, fie, Karl! other expedients!" we are ashamed of you for uttering such an insinuation, as that young ladies ever resort to any "expedients" for such a purpose. They don't. And we are so much offended with you for such heresy, that we shall not say another word of your Sketch-Book at present. The Great Sieges of History. By William Robson. Illustrated by John Gilbert. London and New York: G. Routledge & Co. 1855. This is a book suggested by the times, but also likely to survive them. Giving an account of all the principal sieges of which history has preserved the record, from that of Bactra, A. C., 2134, to that of Sebastopol, A D. 1855; it has thus grouped together for convenient reference many of the most important events in the history of the world. Among all the incidents of war, battles, victories, retreats, none concentrate in themselves so great a variety of interesting circumstances as sieges. On the one side, the most dashing and reckless valor, assailing against the fearfullest odds; on the other, heroic endurance and courage, sustained under the severest privations. The author has given the most interesting incidents connected with the various sieges, and though many of them are necessarily very brief, others are more fully described. The sieges of Gibraltar, St. Jean d'Acre, Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Syracuse, Rhodes, Paris, etc., are especially attractive, and will probably lead to a thorough reading of those subjects. In the account of the fifth siege of Constantinople, A. D. 1453, we find the following description of a great gun. The A Hungarian, who had not been able to procure employment among the Greeks, founded for Mahomet some pieces of artillery that would carry balls, weighing two hundred pounds. A modern author judiciously observes that each of these balls would have required nearly a hundred pounds of powder, of which only a fifteenth part would have taken fire at the moment of the explosion. These enormous pieces of ordnance appeared more formidable than they really were. use of artillery, fired by gunpowder, was not more than a hundred years old; and with a true Eastern imagination, Mahomet I. wished to have the large t and most powerful cannon that had ever been made. He was satisfied with the answer to the first question, he put to the Hungarian artist "Am I able to cast a cannon, capable of throwing a ball or stone of sufficient size to batter the walls of Constantinople?" "I am not ignorant of their strength, but were they more solid than those of Babylon, I could oppose an engine of su perior power; the position and management of that engine must be left to your engineers." On this assurance a foundry was established at Adrianople. An enormous piece of ordnance was produced within three months; its bore was twelve palms, and it was capable of throwing a ball or stone weighing six hundred pounds. It was tried in a vacant place before the new palace of Adrianople; but notice of its being fired was obliged to be published on the preceding day, to presion is said to have been heard over a circuit of a hunvent the effects of astonishment and fear. The explodred furlongs; the ball was cast by the gunpowder above a mile, and when it fell, it buried itself a fathom deep in the ground. To convey this cannon thirty wagons were linked together, and it was drawn by a team of sixty horses: two hundred men walked by the sides of it, to poise it, and keep it steady; two hundred and fifty men went before, to level the way, and repair the bridges; and it required two months to draw it a distance of an hundred and fifty miles. With regard to general getting up, especially illustrations, the volume is admirable. It would make a very good holiday gift to youth. Ballads. By WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. Bos ton: Ticknor & Fields, 1856. Thackeray's ballads are in verse exactly what his novels are in prose-the literal report of things seen. There is a scrupulous exactness that sometimes astonishes us, quite as much-though in a manner somewhat different-as the highest flight of fancy. A familiar instance may be found in one of the "ballads of Policeman X:" This Mary was fare and in misery once, And she came to Mrs. Roney, its more than twelve monce, A very large majority of speakers-even other than "pleacemen"-pronounce the plural of the word month exactly as it is here spelled, and this circumstance together with the ingenuity of using it in such a rhyme seems to us very comical. It has been said that authorship tends to requiring as much genius in the reader as the writer; and it may be added in some instances a genius of the same particular kind. These ballads are written to the very level of the characters from whom they purport to come, and those characters would understand them, yet not entirely-for they would not perceive the Thackeray in them. Doubtless, hundreds of Irishmen would read Malony's Lament of which the following is the first stanza-without finding it aught else than a very serious thing, with out seeing any ridicule whatever, like the clergyman who thought some of the rejected addresses "very good." We have never seen what New Yorkers call "the Irish," better caught than it is here: O, Tim! did you hear of thim Saxons, Dear boy! 'Twas he was our pride and our joy. Ye Sacred nympths of Pindus, That wondrous thing, We think the "merry bard" very good indeed: Zuleika! The young Agas in the bazaar are slimwaisted and wear yellow slippers. I am old and hideOne of my eyes is out, and the hairs of my beard are mostly gray. Praise be to Allah! I am a merry bard. ous. There is a bird upon the terrace of the Emir's Chief wife. Praise be to Allah! He has emeralds on his neck, and a ruby tail. I am a merry bard. He deafens me with his diabolical screaming. cage. Praise be to Allah! He ravishes may soul in There is a little brown bird in the basket-maker's the moonlight. I am a merry bard. The peacock is an Aga, but the little bird is a Bulbul. I am a little brown Bulbul. Come and listen in the moonlight. Praise be to Allah. I am a merry bard. The volume contains several admirable translations from the German-and altogether very much pleasant and real funny reading. BOOK NOTICES. PIGEONS BROILED. Split the backs; season them highly; lay them over a clear brisk fire; serve with mushroom sauce. Mushroom sauce! Miss Hall, you know the weak point in the reviewer's organization, MUSHROOM SAUCE! And then we find such magnificent passages, tender allusions, deep humanity, fine analysis of character. "Take some oranges,' Take a quart of sweet milk," "Take half-a-dozen of the fattest pigeons you can get," etc. These appeal to the profoundest emotions of our nature; they touch a chord in every breast, and awaken reminiscences most delightful. We can't from knowledge say, whether all the directions are proper, but we have that evidence of things unseen, faith, in a remarkable degree. Housekeeping is not new to us, and consequently we have some familiarity with the results of cooking, not much with the practical operation. We are willing to learn, to hazard something in a speculative enterprise, and we once bought a cook-book. Now for its effects: Our better-half proposed a rice pudding, capital! Thus was it. "Take 6 eggs," we had but ing of nutmeg, a little of mace" etc., etc. We strugtwo," then some cinnamon," we had none, "a gratgled along, until we came to puff paste-puff paste! ridiculous! We boiled our two eggs, and ate them with a slice of toast. Visions of vension, Southdown mutton, only inferior, because "people prefer what is deer to what is sheep," and of partridges, quails, trout, etc., etc., are produced by Miss Hall's "Practical Cookery." We scorn all bribes, but admit, we should like to dine with Miss Hall, or any one of her proficient pupils. Her book has affected us even to tears; had we been hungry as erst we have been, it would have been overpowering. In all candor, we believe this to be a very good book. It contains directions for carving, preparation of beverages, medicinal and other, and a great variety of very useful information. The Private Life of an Eastern King; Compiled for a Member of the Household of his late Majesty, Nussir-U-Deen, King of Oude. By WILLIAM KNIGHTON. New Edition, Revised. London and New York: G. Routledge & Co. 1855. This very interesting romance or reality, whatever it may be, was reviewed at length in the second number of the CRITERION. We were then indebted to Mr. Redfield for a copy of his reprint; the present volume is the English edition which we have received from a branch of the firm of G. Routledge & Co., established in this city. Since the first edi tion of the "Private Life of an Eastern King," it has escaped, that the work was written, or at least edited, by Mr. Knighton, which somewhat detracts from the interest which it had, when assumed to be the relation by the writer of his personal experience. We may reiterate that it is one of the most fascinating volumes we have seen in many a long day. The English edition is embellished with some animated lithographs, representing animal combats and other wild sports. This is No. 14 of "Harpers' Story Books," and with regard to the series thus far, we think they approach very nearly to what such books should be. To say that writing for children is a most difficult art, and what few attain, is to say something very trite; yet it is, perhaps, but just to the author to lay down this literary axiom, when we at the same time give our opinion, that he has not achieved a very decided success. The value and popularity of these monthly publications will, no doubt, be materially lessened, unless the illustrations be improved. NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1855. Mr. Frederick Parker, Nos. 50 and 52 Cornhill, is our agent CHRISTMAS AND ITS LITERATURE. At this season, with all its associations and suggestions; a season in which the best traits of our character are usually developed; when charity and love are receives its stimulated, and good-will towards men broadest fulfillment, there is no more appropriate custom than that of a recognition of its claims in the Practical American Cookery and Domestic Economy. the head. Try a few paragraphs. sented. We have not in America that devoted re gard for the Christmas which in many other countries bert's Poems, uniform with the beautiful illustrated is entertained, and we are especially deficient in those edition of Cowper's "Task," of last year; Rev. Wm. pleasant and inspiring tales which are elsewhere elicited Adams's "Collection of Allegories," illustrated by the first artists, and in a style to justify the expecby the day. We have, however, a custom which we tation that it will be the favorite book of this class. believe prevails in all Christian countries, of making Rev. Leigh Richmond's "Dairyman's Daughter" appresents, and although those evidences of friendship pears at the same time, as an illustrated book, on a and of love have their greatest significance in the smaller scale, but very pretty. Very choice and spirit which prompts them, their intrinsic character beautiful editions of Campbell's" Pleasures of Hope," should not be neglected. What then is more valuable, illustrated by Birket Foster and others; of Longfelmore entertaining, more permanent than a good book? low's Poems, illustrated by Gilbert, in his richest Personal adornments give to the outward body a tran-style; of Keats' "Eve of St. Agnes," with twenty illustrations, from drawings by Wehnert; and a sient charm; but the mind eternal derives from the first class specimen of the old style of steel engravperusal of recorded thought an impression which sur- ing, in a new edition of Moore's "Irish Melodies," at vives for all time; which may mould the character for once a standard as well as a "season " book, uniform good or evil, and exercise a controlling influence, not with the 8vo. illustrated edition of "Lalla Rookh." Two other exquisite specimens of steel engraving, are a crown 8vo. edition of Goldsmith's "Traveller," Rhine," the descriptive letter-press of the latter, by and a volume of the "Picturesque Scenery of the Henry Mayhew, both indebted to the industrious and unsurpassed pencil of Birket Foster. Bracken bury's "Campaign in the Crimea," illustrated by forty of Mr. William Simpson's beautiful sketches, taken on the spot-a magnificent and cheap book, entitled to a large sale; "The Bayeux Tapestry," elucidated by John Collingwood Bruce, LL.D., 1 vol. 4to., with 17 colored plates; Fergusson's long-an1,000 illustrations; Labarte's "Handbook of the nounced "Handbook of Architecture," 2 vols., with Arts of the Middle Ages," with 200 illustrations; and a new edition of Lockhart's "Spanish Ballads" —are all just in time to claim mention as books of this season, but of interest and value far beyond it. The third and fourth volumes of Ruskin's "Modern Painters" might be added, but they will not appear until January. only upon the happiness of one, but of many individuals. Let the custom of remembering this time, by the memento of a book, generally obtain, and we shall in a few years, no doubt, have works of high character prepared for the occasion. We shall have a Christmas Literature that will instruct us in the proper appreciation of the season, and add greatly to our enjoyment of its delights. During the progress of the first volume of the CRITERION, subscriptions will be received for any time less than a year, at the rate of $3 per annum. This will afford an opportunity of becoming familiar with the paper without the necessity of pre-paying for a longer period than may be considered requisite. The CRITERION will be delivered by carriers in New York and Brooklyn, at Six Cents per week. Those wishing to subscribe will please leave their names at the office, No. 118 Nassau Street. TO CORRESPONDENTS. A REMARKABLE REMARK. review of Prof. Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha," in the CBI Our correspondent thinks that the TERION, is lame, in respect of the line in Longfellow's "Psalm of Life"-" footsteps in the sands of time." He "ventures the assertion that Longfellow uses footprints after all." We shall, probably, clear up our correspondent's difficulty, by informing him that the reviewer's copy contained the word footsteps; but that, in later editions, footprints is substituted, of course by the author himself. It will thus be evident that Prof. Longfellow has, by this correction, confirmed the criticism. H., a Philadelphia correspondent, will perceive that we have now agents in his city. The remarks in his letter generally coincide with our views. CHRISTMAS BURS is sufficiently smooth, and not without poetic merit. We must, however, decline the favor of Nemophila. ABBINGTON —The lines you have sent us are entirely destitute of any poetic merit, and seriously defective in grammar. We are thus plain, as you seem to entertain the impression that you can write verses fit to be read; and it is better to be at once candidly and emphatically informed of your error, than to postpone the disclosure, until it is attended with ridicule and mortification. If you have leisure, it would be best employed in studying the rules which govern the speaking and writing of your language. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. We have received no notices of works in press since our last issue. The publishers, we presume, are sufficiently busy with their Christmas books, and will probably devote the few days which remain of the year to closing up unfinished matters. The coming year, from present indications, promises to be exceedingly prolific of publications. FOREIGN. From a proof-sheet of the London Publishers' Circular, we extract the following very interesting summary: most of the choice and promising illustrated and In this long list we must not omit "The Keepsake' and "Court Album "-the only "annuals," once so popular, now sustaining their character, or even making an appearance. The juveniles are never unprovided for by their of good and amusing books is varied and long, inkind friends the publishers; and this year the list cluding many that will suit the oldsters. "The History of Sir Thomas Thumb," with illustrations by J. B.; it is difficult to say which it will amuse most, old or young. "A Peep into the Canadian Forest, with a History of the Squirrel Family," by Mrs. Traill: "The Bush Boys," by Captain Mayne Reid; "The Wonders of Science; or, Young Humphrey Davy," by Henry Mayhew; a new and cheaper edition of "The Whaleman's Adventures; or, Life in the Southern Ocean," edited by Dr. Scoresby; "Mia and Charlie; or, a Week's Holiday at Ryedale Rectory;" "The Great Wonders of the World, from the Pyramids to the Crystal Palace," with 50 engravings; "Tales of Magic and Meaning," by Alfred Crowquill; "Sir Thomas; or, The Adventures of a Cornish Baronet in North-West Africa," by Mrs. Lee; "Martyr Land; or, Tales of the Vaudois," by the author of "Sunlight through the Mist ""-are all new and capital books for ages varying from seven to seventeen. Then we have some admirable books for the younger ones. The prince of books for children under nine, affording a fund of amusement as well to those much older, from its spirited and beautiful illustrations, is Cundall's "Treasury of Pleasure Books;" the same experienced provider for the young has also "Harry's Picture Color Book," with 16 colored engravings, and 16 to color like them; "King Arthur's Alphabet; " three one-shilling books, illustrated by Harrison Weir; and a long list of small books for beginners to read, printed on calico. Messrs. Dean & Co., and Messrs. Darton & Co., the two well known, and, to children, beloved names for books, have a good and varied assortment of the same class. LITERARY GOSSIP. 66 auction sale of books interesting to students in MM. Lorieux and Eugène de Fourey are prepar ing for publication, in seventeen large maps, an Atgreat (say the tenth) part of the French metropolis las of subterranean Paris. It is well known that a and its environs (namely, the communes of Vaugir ard, Montrouge, and Gentily) rests on an immense and intricate system of quarries and excavations, which, from the first century of the Christian era The extent of these excavations (of which the celeParis and its neighborhood with building materials. down to the seventeenth century, have furnished brated catacombs form only a very small part) was hardly known during the eighteenth century, and still less was it suspected that they could become dangerous to the streets and houses above them, until, in 1774 and 1777, the sinking down of a number of buildings in the vicinity of the Boulevard Neuf and the Barrière d'Enfer (one house, among others, was buried in an abyss of eighty feet depth) drew Since then, up to this very day, uninterrupted even the attention of the public to the alarming fact. by the political revolutions of France, examinations and labors of all kind have been set on foot at the expense of the city of Paris in order to prevent further accidents. The whole of this cavernous maze has been explored in every direction, the streets and roads running above have been ascertained, and props, pillars, supports and buttresses have been erected wherever they seemed necessary, so that, at present, it appears, the Parisians may sleep in quiet. At least, one is led to this conclusion by the fact, that the annual expenses for the works, which, to 5,000 francs. The Atlas of MM. Lorieux and De in former years reached the average amount of 100,000 francs have been reduced, for the present year, Fourey will be, at all events, a most useful and interesting addition to our knowledge of Paris. A Correspondent writes from Florence:-" In the report of the meeting at which the city of London decided-constructively-that they never knew no good come of book learning,' it was stated by one of the speakers that at Florence there existed in public libraries 370 volumes to every 100 inhabitants. This is far from being the case. There are four public libraries in Florence, which contain about 258,000 volumes, while the population is about 110,000. The Magliabecchian Library contains 150,000 volumes; the Marucellian, 80,000; the Riccardi, 20,000; and that of the Academy, 8,000. These collections are open to the public on an average about twenty hours a week. No book can be taken out of them under any circumstances. And the vast majority of the works they contain are obsolete, or useful only to the erudite and curious. The celebrated Laurentian Library contains only MSS., and is serviceable only to the same classes."-Athenæum. The publishing world is still full of gossip about the marvels of MR. MACAULAY's forthcoming volumes, and there is some reason to believe that the demand will not fall far short of the number which was authoritatively pronounced to be an exaggeration. It is said one circulating library alone will take 2500 copies; and it is clear that almost all who possess the two former volumes (which went through ten editions) will become purchasers of the third and fourth. A correspondent of the Times makes it a matter of complaint against MR. MACAULAY that, whereas the price of the first and second volumes was only thirty-two shillings, that of the forthcoming volumes is advertised as thirty-six. It may possibly turn out that the enlarged bulk of these volshould it be otherwise, we do not imagine that many umes may account for the difference of price; but Our present Circular, sanctioned by custom with the designation of the Christmas number," reca- has proposed to deliver a series of annual lecLIBRARIES AND LECTURES. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher pitulates, under the attainable heading of now ready, tures, at Litchfield, Conn., and to devote a part of purchasers will carp at the additional price. The his compensation towards the establishment of a li-imes correspondent says, speaking of MR. MACAUbrary. We hope that this suggestion will not be lost upon those, who, in the smaller towns, have charge of such matters. Lecturing has of late years been so popular and remunerative, that its pecuniary results have become of more interest to those connected with it, than its other purposes. By de juvenile books referred to, as coming, during the past two or three months. Many are now announced, however, for the first time; and we suddenly find ourselves surrounded with season books" for all ages, unsurpassed by any former year in number, attractiveness, value, 66 LAY: "I reverence his genius and his glory too much to believe that he can look for his recompense ing produced a work destined to delight and instruct in anything beyond the proud consciousness of havthe last generations of mankind." This is all very well, but "fine words butter no parsnips;" and we or variety. A brief summary may be useful both to voting the profits which accrue to the projectors and imagine that neither the correspondent in question, bookseller and purchaser. To begin with: we have the exquisitely finished picture," Life of Luther," with Archdeacon Hare's descriptions; "Sabbath Bells chimed by the Poets," with highly finished colored wood engravings; Her managers of lectures, to the establishment of libraries or the promoting of other public literary pur nor the editor of the Times, would be content to detheir lives. Why should literary meu be the only pend upon posterity for the reward of the labor of poses, much good may be effected. laborers on the earth who are expected to work ANCIENT BOOKS.-A Boston firm recently had an gratis.-London Critic. We give a number of items from the London Publishers Circular, connected with literary matter. Some of them relate to our own country, but will not be the less interesting on that account. Mr. Dyce has bequeathed his valuable Shakspearian Library to the Bodleian Collection at Oxford. The Dublin University Magazine has been pur chased by Messrs. Hurst and Blackett, of Great Marlborough street; no Dublin house offered near the sum tendered for it by that firm. The extensive publishing and bookselling establishment of Mr. M'Glashan has been purchased by Mr. Gill, printer to Trinity College, Dublin. strange coincidence that these inquiries should be Mr. Gaskell, the Author of "Mary Barton," is, it Our old friend and voluminous novel-writer, G. P. vel already announced in our Circular, and "Prince Messrs. Low and Co.'s list of new American importations evinces that the times and seasons have their influence on literary productions equally in both the old and new countries. It includes the "American Almanack for 1856" (ready about the 15th); Colonel Spalding's Japan Expedition;" Mr. R. A. Wilson's "Mexico and its Religion, with Incidents of Travel in that Country;" Mrs. Child's Progress of Religious Ideas in Successive Ages," 3 vols.; Schele de Vere's "Leaves from the Book of Nature," Gibson's "Prison of Weltevreden; or, Travels in the Eastern Archipelego;" Schmucher's History of Catherine II. of Russia;" "Life of Sir William Pepperrell, the only American Baronet;" "Lives of the Early British Historians," by Eugene Lawrence; and Duyckinck's " Cyclopædia of American Literature." Among the copyrights of works, the property of Messrs. W. S. Orr & Co., sold by auction on the 23d instant, were the following: Dr. Wordsworth's Greece-Pictorial, Descriptive, and Historical-the copyright, steel plates, and woodcuts, £610. Kenny Meadows' Illustrated Shakspeare-the copyright, stereotype, steel plates, and woodcuts, £760. The Land we Live in-the copyright, stereotype, steel plates and woodcuts, £555. Milner's Gallery of Nature-the copyright, stereotype, steel plates and woodcuts, £350. Richardson's Rural Handbooks, comprising Bees, Flax, Cows, Dogs, Fowls, Horses, Pigs, Sheep, Pests of the Farm, Manure, Drainage, Flower Garden, and Rural Architecture, 13 volumes-the copyright, £470. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, by Mudie and others-the copyright, stereotype, and steel plates, £300. Dr. Forbes's Physician's Holiday-the copyright, £19 58. Corrall's Johnson's Dictionary-the copyright and stereotype plates, £36. Catherine Douglas-the copyright and woodcuts, £21. Amy Wilton-the copy- The eccentric and violent but popular pen of right and woodcuts, £23. Ellen Seymour-the copyright and woodcuts, £27. Helen Bury-the copy-lishers announce "Rose Clark, a New Tale by the Fanny Fern" has been again at work; and her pubright and woodcuts, £17 17s. Rachel Cohenthe copyright and woodcuts, £14. An imperfect" Horæ in usum Sarum," printed on vellum by Wynkyn de Worde, has lately been sold for £35 at a sale of Messrs. Southeby and Wilkinson's; the purchase was for America. A "Press Association" is about to be established in Liverpool for the periodical social meetings of those connected with the press of that town. The "Printers' Rest" Almhouses at Wood Green, near Hornsey, are progressing towards completion, and, it is believed, will be ready for the reception of three inmates, to be elected in May next. A sum of £4,000 has been already subscribed, but more funds are required to increase the efficiency of this charity. 66 Author of Ruth Hall,'" as just ready. An American literary paper has just started, apparently of ability and promise, under the title of "The Criterion." It is somewhat noticeable that in that land of newspapers, up to the present time, no such paper as our " Athenæum" or "Gazette" has held its way; the "Criterion" has our best wishes. "Spiritual Books" appear still on the increase in America; and we note an advertisement for "additional colporteurs to carry our catalogue of one hundred volumes!" from a New York firm, whose issues are devoted to the science. The philosophic, but perhaps over-credulous, Judge Edmonds, we see, announces a new book. Mr. Vere Foster has given a donation of 100 valuable books to the Compositors' Library, Raquet Court. ter. There is no news of literary interest stirring in the French capital at present; the "Euvres Posthumes de Lamennais" are published, and other The Globe states that the longest length of speakvolumes, containing "Mélanges Politiques," and let-ing tube in use is in a Liverpool printing office: it ters are in the press. The Journal des Débats speaks is four hundred feet long, and one inch in diamehighly of a "Life of Montaigne," by Alphonse Grun, Keeper of the Records of the Empire.-A new work by Dr. Veron is just published, entitled "Cinq Cent Mille Francs de Rente," 2 vols. 8vo.-The "Annuaire des Deux Mondes," in connection with the Revue de Deux Mondes, is ready, 1 thick vol. royal 8vo. The remaining volumes of M. Thiers' "History of the Consulate" are expected shortly, and the subscribers to the work are, it is said, to receive an additional volume gratuitously. The manuscripts of the author of "Paul and Virginia," forming 12 or 15 folio volumes, have been deposited in the public library of the municipality at Havre, the birthplace of the celebrated author.The first number of a new weekly journal, the Revue Musicale et des Theatres, is to be published in January at St. Petersburg.-A large gift of books is about to be presented to Canada by the French government; the collection consists of scientific, classical, and religious works, and is intended to supply, in part, the loss occasioned by the burning of the Bibliothèque at Quebec. The oldest work in the Russian language was published in 863, and was a translation from the Greek of the Four Gospels. Dr. Hopf, of Bonn, has discovered at Venice a work on the "French and Venetian Supremacy in Greece during the Thirteenth Century," written by Torvello in 1328. An interesting question has been raised in Notes and Queries: "Were all the Waverley Novels written by Sir Walter Scott? In presence of strong circumstances to the contrary, Mr. Francis Ballantyne writes" that the statements and arguments are certainly startling," but he hopes to collect such information as cannot fail to rebut the charge. It is a Government has ordered the sum of £1000 to be placed at the disposal of the Royal Society this year for scientific purposes, and has informed the Council of the Society that a similar sum will be annually included in the Miscellaneous Estimates for the advancement of science. Mr. John Mitchell Kemble is engaged upon a History of Hanover, and its Connection with England," from documents collected during a stay in the former kingdom. At the last meeting of the Dublin Photographic Society, Dr. Lover exhibited an apparatus for taking photographs by gas-light. [For the Criterion.] First the Ticknors', those booksellers, Printed it, and nicely bound it, All the "dailies" and the" weeklies," What was their surprise indignant Then the "Ticknors'" rose up mighty Shall be yours, unworthy daily, Of our 'Poem' and its author, Then this paper literary, In New York came out quite bravely, Now of all the accusations praises Of a book its many merits All the critics rose indignant, That the price for their hard labors And so very low a figure. Then rose up the "Tribune" mighty, None of their corps could be purchased. But my tale is getting longer Think of children when they're hungry, Hotter waged the battle, fiercer Until finally so savage Grew the Thunderer" of Nassau That at length it lost its temper, "Mason," "Underwood," and "Griswold," But, at length, these doughty warriors, Each out-tried his fierce opponent, Written in the heat of passion. That they did not mean the "Tribune," Put an end to this fierce battle- SCIENTIFIC. SCIENTIFIC MOVEMENTS AT ALBANY.-Most of our readers would be taken by surprise, should we venture the prediction that the city of Albany is designed to become one of the most important centres of science. Many of the citizens of Albany themselves would perhaps be surprised. And all will be interested in a statement of the facts which seem to point to so bright a future. "The distant spires, the antique towers" The Meridian Circle, Prof. Gould feels assured, 'will be a triumph of mechanical art, classic and ever noticeable in the history of Astronomy." The Circle, the Transit Instrument and Astronomical Clock, presented by Mr. Corning, will be in their place in the Observatory by mid-summer, 1856. As the representative of these noble enterprises in Albany, Dr. Gould has received the warmest welcome from the most celebrated astronomers and mechanicians of Europe. Mr. Babbage, Mr, Johnson, Director of the Radcliffe Observatory at Oxford, Prof. Encke of Berlin, the famous Argelander, (after Struve, the greatest of living observers,) enter into these movements with enthusiasm, and express themselves delighted that such brilliant preparations are in progress for scientific research in America. The illustrious Von Humboldt has written a letter in the same spirit. Le Verrier gave Prof. Gould a dinner party, at which all the astronomers of Paris were present, and many of the scientific celebrities from other parts of Europe, whom the Exposition had brought to France. These great and enlightened spirits, whose minds and hearts are hemmed by no boundaries but those of the republic of letters, listened to the statement of these projects with delight, admiration, and applause. With one voice they say: "America has youth, has means, has energy, and a noble ambition. Europe has looked to America to do much for Science. What we hear to-day assures us that she is now entering upon a career worthy of her own greatness." These things redound greatly to the honor of the ancient capital of the Empire State, and will be hailed with feelings of common congratulation and pride by every educated man in the American Union. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, have given emphatic evidence of their approbation, by appointing their Annual Session (for the second time within four years) to be held in Albany in August next. At that time, in the presence of a galaxy of learned and eminent men, the Dudley Observatory, with its splendid treasury of astronomical mechanism, will be dedicated with suitable ceremonies to the science of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. Many European savans have been invited to join in this inauguration; and Liebig, of Germany, and Airey, Astronomer Royal of Great Britain, have already signified their determination to attend. Hon. Edward Everett will pronounce the Discourse. The State Geological Hall, now in course of erection, will be formally dedicated at the same time. Hon. William H. Seward, under whose administration as Governor this survey commenced, and who wrote the introduction to the Natural History of the State, will deliver the Oration. Beyond all question, the session of 1856, at Albany, will be the most interesting and memorable which the American Association for the Advancement of Science has ever held; and every thing conspires to impress us with the belief that the time and place will mark the beginning of a long and brilliant course of triumphs in the sublimest walks of human research.-Daily Times. These facts are for the most part connected with meeting of the Institution of Civil Engineers, "On LIGHT HOUSES.-A paper was read at the last the University of Albany. Two departments of this the Construction of Buoys, Beacons, and other sta. Institution are already well established. The Medical Department, known as the Albany Medical tionary floating bodies," by Mr. Herbert. The floatCollege, has been prosperous and distinguished for ing sea-marks, as ordinarily constructed, labored unyears. The distinction and attainments of the Pro-der these several defects-of riding uneasily on the fessors in the Law School of the University attracted waves, of being frequently submerged, and also of the large number of seventy-nine students during broken, not an uncommon occurence in heavy wea being carried away from the mooring chain being the term just closed. The Observatory, called, from ther. To obviate these defects a wrought iron pearMrs. Dudley, its principal patron, The Dudley Ob- shaped buoy was proposed, of a circular form in servatory, is already built. The Observatory is a chaste and elegant structure, and crowns the boldest plan, the centre of gravity being placed a little beelevation in the neighborhood of the City. It comlow the water-floating line; the bottom was made concave, being indented internally in the form of a mands a noble view of cone, to the apex of which the mooring chain was attached. An experiment made with one 9 feet in height, 6 feet 6 inches in diameter, and submerged to stances of wind and tide an upright body 7 feet out of the water; the power of retaining a vertical position arose from the tide or wave acting simul taneously, and with almost equal force, on the exterior of the buoy and the interior of the cone. An experiment on a larger scale, tried on the South Sand head of the Goodwin Sands, was also successful. It is now proposed to have floating light-houses upon this principle of construction. The security of such light-towers would of course depend upon the moor ings. Now, from observations made at Bishop's Rock, the most westerly of the Scilly group, it was ascertained that of waves measured from the hollow to the unbroken crest those which had a height of 8 feet were in number thirty-five in one mile, and eight per minute; of 15 feet, five or six in a mile, and five per minute; of 20 feet, three in one mile, and four per minute; and it was calculated that, of Albany, and (to quote again from Gray on Eaton the extent of 2 feet, presented under all circumCollege) "Th' expanse below Of grove, of lawn, of mead," embracing in its sweep several miles either way of the Hudson River, with high mountain ranges on every hand in the distance. Prof. Gould, of the United States Coast Survey, is now in Europe, commissioned to contract for the finest set of Astronomical apparatus which modern science and modern mechanism are capable of producing. It is the intention of the founders and patrons of the Dudley Observatory, that it shall be the best equipped Institution of the kind in the world. The Heliometer, which is a masterpiece and a wonder of Astronomical art, and of which there are but three in the world, will combine still more exquisite and ingenious refinements, and surpass everything of its kind in perfection and power. with moorings sufficiently strong, neither the pressure of the wind nor the action of the waves would cause any inconvenience upon any sea light-tower on this construction. The present light-houses could be placed only to act as warning points to mariners, whereas these sea light towers might be advantageously employed as "guiding" or "fair way" lights. Of course these beacons could be placed in almost any and every position, and would thus "form a new era in the system of lighting, at once double the safety of navigation, and be the means of saving many valuable lives." There was also this very important consideration, as contrasted with lighthouses, that the expense was very materially less, and the time required for construction and mooring would be very much lessened. For instance, the light-house on the Skerry-vore Rock occupied seven years in building, and cost upwards of 90,000l.; whereas, by means of the sea light-tower, the same object might be accomplished, in one year, at a cost of 30,000l. These new forms would also possess the advantage of being accessible in all weathers. If this principle of construction proves to be correct, it would be evidently applicable for floating forts, and to almost every other description of stationary floating body.-Critic. MARINER'S COMPASS.-The many fatal accidents arising from the disturbing causes that affect the compass-needle in all vessels, but more especially in those constructed of iron, have caused the attention of scientific men to be turned to this subject, particularly as the corrections proposed have only proved in themselves as great causes of error as the original disturbing causes. In a pamphlet, just brought out by Mr. Thomas Allan, civil engineer, after pointing out the worthlessness of these correcting tables, pithily observing that "the table of errors to which the navigator has to look to, to help him out of his difficulties, is a nomenclature, the truthfulness of which few will dare to dispute," propounds three plans of adjustment, simple and practical, and which are applicable under all circumstances. The first plan may be thus stated: as a less magnetic influ ence, acting near the compass-needle, is equal in effect to a greater at a greater distance, an ascer tained induced magnetic influence, placed in the horizontal plane of the compass-needle, is made use of as a counterpoise, equivalent to the magnetism of the ship's iron. Take the ascertained line of the ship's magnetism-say N.E.-describe a circle around the compass, and place the counterpoise in a line N. W. on that circle. This counterpoise, of a bundle of soft iron rods, must be made equal to the magnetism of the ship's iron, when the needle, bisecting the angle formed by the line of the keel N.E., and the radial line of the counterpoise N. W., will point to the correct magnetic north-this counterpoise of soft iron always varying, by induction, with the magnetism of the ship's iron. Again, instead of placing this counterpoise at an angle to the ascertained line of the ship's magnetism--the second plan is to place it in a line in continuation of the line of the keel, so from the west, will counterbalance the attraction of that "the repulsion on the south pole of the needle, the north pole of the needle from the east," and thus hold the needle in equilibrio. From these propositions, it will be seen that the principle propounded is, "that of two opposite and unequal forces counterbalancing each other by their co-equivalent leverages," the cause of deviation is from one of the induced magnetic polarities of the ship's iron being is, the bulwarks and rigging are nearer the plane of nearer to the compass-needle than the other; that the needle than the mass of the hull. The result of these two forces acts upon a focal point, which is somewhere forward from the shape of the ship; if this point never varied, it would be possible to pivot the needle in a position of no deviation. Now, reaposition arises: that if two needles are placed, one soning inductively from this hypothesis, a third proon either side of this focal point, it will act upon both reversely, but upon one stronger than on the other. If a mean of this difference of force be taken, it will always be possible thus to ascertain the correct magnetic north. We earnestly recommend these propositions to the consideration of the Board of Admiralty, if such a board, indeed, can ever be brought to consider any propositions in proportion to their practical utility, and not as matters of personal in terest or indolence.-Id. PROJECTILES -The war presents us with a new breech-loading musket and carbine, which, at from 300 to 500 yards, will batter a bull's-eye to pieces, and at 800 yards make most excellent target prac tice; the bullet, powder, and wad are all connected together, the wad being greased to clean the barrel. The Pays states that Professor Jacobi, the projector of the submarine infernal machine, has discovered the means of throwing a congreve rocket to an enor- inferior Leonora, she was fairly matched by Brignoli mous distance; while a modern engineer, who dates as Fernando. The only passable thing done by the from Essex-street, Strand, asserts that he possesses handsome tenor" was the air" spirito gentil" in the the means of throwing a congreve rocket more than last act; this was most exquisitely rendered, but in ten miles, and calls the serious attention of the Gov-all the rest of the Opera, he sang wretchedly. Gasernment to the long range. An experiment with a paroni was weak, and even Morelli was not up to steel gun, a 68-pounder, constructed by Messrs. the usual mark. It is seldom that Donizetti's masKrupp, from Essexen, in Prussia, has turned out a terpiece has been so poorly given, either here or failure. The proof charge of powder was 25lbs., and elsewhere. the conical projectile, 2 feet long, weighed 2 cwt. 1 qr. 7lb. At the first discharge the gun burst; the value of it was estimated at £1,500.-Id. DRAMA, MUSIC, FINE ARTS. MUSICAL-The Opera-The magnificent "Trovatore" was never more magnificently performed in this country than on last Monday evening. La Grange, Didiée, Brignoli, and especially Amodio, sang in a manner far surpassing all their former efforts; the wonderful "Miserere scene was encored, as well as several other gems of the opera. Yet beautiful as the music is, it was impossible to overlook the absurd inconsistencies of the plot, and when our admiration was divided between the splendid singing and splendid costumes of the hero, the thought suddenly presented itself: How does the Troubadour manage to dress in this style? Who is the Troubadour? Has he any visible means of subsistence? It is generally supposed that the Troubadour of olden times, was an itinerant serenader, who followed for a profession the singing of songs by night to fair ladies, seated on second-story balconies, or peeping out of romantic lattices-that he was a species of genteel Jem Baggs of the fourteenth century, who passed his time in the company of his guitar, singing doleful ditties on moonlight nights, and always getting into trouble with some fierce brother or lover of the serenaded lady. But in "Trovatore" we find a troubadour, the son of a poor gipsy woman, associating with high-born ladies like Leonora, and dressing in a style of princely magnificence, and yet in a legal view he is a "vagrant," being "without any visible means of subsistence." Then what is the reason that, when he sees his mother led to the stake, he stops a long time to tell us in the " di quella pira" that the flames to which she is being conducted scorch every fibre of his brain, instead of rushing immediately to her rescue, as a dutiful son should? What right has the Count di Luna to exercise such authority over Leonora, as though he were her "stern parient," instead of her imploring lover? Will the Count di Luna explain this? Where can the Count di Luna be found? What is his Post Office address? And why are we attempting to criticise the plot of that most inconsistent of things, an Italian Opera? Surely, such music as the "Trovatore" contains, will atone for any absurdities of the story-the elegance of the picture will more than compensate for the rough unpolished frame. The admirers of Rossini will think it heretical, to call such a well-known opera as the "Barber of Seville" stupid. Yet such it undoubtedly is; the success it enjoys being more owing to the popu larity of the comedy of Beaumarchais, than to the Opera of Rossini. In a musical view, all that saves it is the introduced aria in the music-lesson scene, in which a Prima Donna has an opportunity of showing her execution, and obtaining a success which Rossini's music would never do without the interpolation of some borrowed selection. The long recitatives with their meagre accompaniments, and the light, slipshod style of the arias, are unworthy the reputation and genius of the composer of Semiramide and William Tell. The "Barber" was performed, on Wednesday night, at the Academy of music-La Grange show ing her wonderful execution in the introduced arias, and Salviani singing the music of Almaviva's part in an easy and graceful manner. The other Artistes tried to be more funny than musically correct, and succeeded. Why did Mme. Didiée commit such a blunder, as to attempt to sing the soprano part, in "Favorita"? Like Vestvali, who appeared in the same character, last season, and made a decided fiasco, she was too ambitious for her own good. As a contralto, Mme. Didiée has achieved already great popularity, but there is no possibility of her ever becoming a soprano prima donna; as well might Amodio attempt to sing one of Brignoli's tenor parts, as for Didiée to essay one of La Grange's roles. It is to be hoped that Mme. Didiée will borrow a Latin Dictionary, and when she comes to the page, containing the maxim ne sutor ultra crepidam," turn down the leaf, and "make a note on't." If Mme. Didiée made a very 66 We were visited by a spasmodic attack of the concert-mania last week. Gottschalk the Pianist, Miss Brainerd, and Mrs. Emma Gillingham Bostwick, the American Vocalists, have each given a Concert. We presume it is chiefly owing to a desire to raise their name and reputation, that these ladies have been induced to appear in the Concert room; for it is doubtful whether the receipts could have more than equalled the expenses. However really worthy of public patronage these entertainments may be, it is certain that the public will not attend them; Concerts, unless with some extraordinary attraction, do not pay. Perhaps the most remunerative of the three, last week, was that of Mr. Gottschalk, who succeeded in filling the saloon of Dodworth's rooms with a crowded and appreciative audience. NEW MUSIC.-We have received from Messrs. Hall & Son, a number of their latest pieces of sheet music, some of it good, and more of it bad The inundation of weak, insipid songs, now-a-days, is quite frightful, and among the latest and most prolific of these song writers, is a lady by the name of Miss Anne Fricker. Among the music received. are some pieces of this lady's composition, "The Old Man's Home," and "Faithless Swallow." They are both comparatively free from any harmonic faults, and equally free from any harmonic beauties. The accompaniments are simple, and the words, also by Miss Fricker, are on a par with the music," Sleep mine eye-lids close," is the name of another of these songs, and the soliloquy of the listener at its performance would be the same as its title. This class of music cannot be criticised, for there is nothing in it to criticise; it is destitute of an idea. Of the same style is a ballad, "Come haste thee home," composed by A. C. Farnham. At Parodie's recent concerts at Niblo's Saloon, the fascinating Amalia Patti Strakosch was one of the great attractions, and she introduced to the public a new song by W. V.Wallace, "Good night and pleasant dreams.' It is one of those elegant, graceful melodies that Wallace knows so well how to throw off, and though easy of execution, is by no means childish. It is well worth trying "Calm be her sleep," a plaintive song in four flats, by C. C. Converse, and sung by Mrs. Georgiana Stuart Leach, is one of the few lately published songs, that is worthy of decided praise. The accompaniment is very beautiful, but needs care and taste in the execution. "Smile to day," by George Robertson, jr., is a very sweet melody of the Love not" style, and is well worth purchasing. "The phantom cloud waltz," and the "Midnight Moon Quickstep," introducing the melody of Glover's favorite duett "Midnight Moon," are both pretty little pieces, suitable for beginners. From Horace Waters we have received "I never can be thine;" ballad, composed by Eliza Valentine. Kind words can never die;" ballad, composed by Sister Abby and sung by the Hutchinson Family. The Lover's Leap Galop," for the P. F. Herrman S. Saroni. "Looking around polka," by George Lamb. MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC GOSSIP.-M. Jullien's Promenade Concerts are proceeding as usual. To meet the " Meyerbeer fancy" of England just now, we suppose, he the other evening attempted the Overture to “Struensee,”—but that prelude cannot keep a place as a concert overture, though it is elaborately wrought, and though its commencement-a Danish air, picturesquely and pompously dressedis excellent. M. Jullien's Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and Mozart nights will be duly given. M. Sainton and Mr. Viotti Collins on the violin, Mr. Lazarus on the clarionet, and M. Montigny on the violoncello, have given variety to the programmes by their respective performances The concerts of the Amateur Society will commence for the season on Monday next. Madame Goldschmidt has arrived in London:-It is understood with the intention of giving a series of concerts in England. She will sing in The Creation" on Monday week, and in " Elijah" on Monday fortnight at Exeter Hall,-the Oratorios being conducted by Mr. Benedict. We may here notice the announcement, published in the Morning Post some days ago, by Mr. Mitchell, who is on this occasion her manager, disavowing at the Lady's instance a statement put forth in the Art Journal, and copied in other journals, to the effect that Madame Goldschmidt visits England in compliance with an invi tation from Mrs. S. C. Hall, and with the special or exclusive purpose of singing for the Nightingale Testimonial Fund. Surely, it is time that the appearance of a benevolent woman and magnificent singer should be disengaged from all scaffoldings, props, and magnifying vistas of the Barnum order of archi tecture. The reports of the Chambers and Waters trials, in the Court of Bankruptcy and other courts of law, must have long since instructed all who trouble themselves with legal proceedings, that rarely has any building furnished such ample picking for the ravens of Law as Her Majesty's Theatre. They have been "at it again;" the plaintiff, "Faithful Croft," attempting to oust Mr. Defendant Lumley, who appears to cling fast to the building, though the theatre still continues shut for the box and stall proprietors,-who have no dividends-no opposition to Covent Garden-no Lind-no “Pas de Quatre"-" no nothing" by way of amusement-in return for the 70,000l., or thereabouts, said to have been sunk by them collectively within the Ilaymarket quadrangle. Judgment has been given in Mr. Lumley's favor; but we imagine that there is small chance of such trial proving the last trial, and no great probability of the theatre re-opening. Were the last feat performed, it would be still a question, where is the company-where is the repertory to come fromcapable of attracting a public to the place where Pasta, Pisaroni, Malibran, and Sontag sang Signor Rossini's operas almost as fast as they were produced? Besides the monster concerts given in the Exhibition Building at Paris, of which some mention was made last week, other musical entertainments have been held there on a vast scale; one of these being devoted to a selection from the works of M. Félicien David; another, an assemblage of the choral societies and singing-schools of France and Belgium. At this, the voices and wind instruments employed in their accompaniments amounted to 4,500 persons. M. Gounod conducted this concert, as the head of the Orpheon. Private letters from Paris describe the appearance of Signor Mario and Signora Penco in "Il Trovatore," at the Italian Opera in Paris, to have been little successful. M. Roger has signed a new engagement with the Grand Opera at Paris; M. Meyerbeer, it is whispered, having made this a condition of giving "L'Africaine" to that theatre. How are foreign journals to be believed? The foreign papers some weeks ago killed and buried Herr Ander, the Viennese tenor; and the Athenæum copied the report of his death and funeral. We must, therefore, mention that we have since seen reports on the performances of Herr Ander. The Herr Maelzel, too, of whose death we spoke conjecturally some weeks ago, is now said not to have been the maker of the far-famed automata, but his brother,—also, a mechanician of some renown. The new opera by MM. Scribe and Auber, in which Madame Marie Cabel is to appear at the Opéra Comique of Paris, is to be on the old story of Manon Lescaut."-A new five-act play, "Joconde" has been just produced at the Theatre Français, with Madame Arnould Plessy as its heroine. A Signora Lotti dalla Santa, described as possessing a superb soprano voice, has appeared at the Italian Opera in the Russian capital, with entire success. "L'Etoile du Nord" is in preparation there; but, out of deference to etiquette, the libretto of M. Meyerbeer's opera will be re-made, and the outbreaks and heroisms of Master Peter be transferred to some other hero of history. Herr von Flotow, the composer of "Stradella," 'Martha," and other popular operas, has been appointed Intendant of the Grand Ducal Theatre, Schwerin. Herr Taubert, of Berlin, has repaired to Munich, in order to superintend there the execution of one of his latest works, viz., a series of compositions written (at the desire of the Munich theatrical authorities) to accompany a representation of Shak speare's "Tempest," on the birth-day of King Maximilian. Herr von Dingelstedt has adapted the drama, after Schlegel's translation, for the stage. Schiller's tragedy, "Die Braut von Messina," has been represented at Weimar, on the 10th of November, in commemoration of the poet's birth-day. The profits of the performance have been made over, by command of the Grand Duke, to the Schiller Fund at Dresden. At Toulouse-the scene of that battle which was fought betwixt English and French after Napoleon's abdication—the last battle of its series" God save the Queen was lately sung with English words. The journals go on to say that the tune was rapturously applauded. Toulouse, nevertheless, has a rude public, among which old prejudices might be expected to linger, if we may judge from certain |