Among an attractive fleet of children's books lately launched into the pin-a-fore community, we notice this translation of a weird little tale by Gustav Nieritz, well known as one of the best German writers for children, and three charming little volumes from Routledge's series of "Picture Reading Books." The first is an old German legend concerning a young Princess who, being tormented by evil spirits, is persuaded by a pious Israelite to make a pilgrimage to the holy waters of the river Jordan. Ón their way they meet the Three Wise Men, following the Wolfsden" is written with sufficient skill to be a failure and tends to illustrate how little mere rhetoric can do for a novel. In many respects the work deserves censure for the narrow and sectional spirit which it meddles with matters of which it really which pervades it, and for the pretentiousness with knows nothing. On the other hand, many descriptions of scenery are very fine, and occasionally we there is often too much melo-dramatic taint to satisfy find some happy touches in character-painting, but a very refined taste. star which was to lead them to the Infant Christ. able. The story is full of a chastened, quiet sentiment of religious beauty, as well as excellent moral teaching, wholesomely and agreeably administered; it deserves a far better dress than the one it appears in, and we observe many typographical inaccuracies, which, in children's books, are altogether unpardonThe three others are got up in the usual, excellent style of English publications for the young; they are plentifully supplied with cuts, admirably drawn and well engraved. In the matter of illustrations, the grateful nature and blind faith of children were too long imposed upon; it is really refreshing to witness the great improvement in that respect since the days when we labored desperately over the staring Roman capitals underneath the pictures in our books of animals, to distinguish between the counterfeit presentment of a horse and that of a camel, or between a cat and a tiger-when an ass and a cow and a buffalo were all one, and a weasel looked very like a whale." Every one is familiar with the pious songs of dear old Dr. Watts; every child-body has been rocked to sleep by them, read them in church during the long dry sermon, and sung them in Sunday-school with all the deafening shrillness of ten-year-old lungs, hundreds of times; these are most happily illustrated-nothing could be more appropriate or more tenderly suggestive than their accompanying pictures. We earnestly recommend these little books to our young friends, assured that they will be delighted with them, one and all. BOOK NOTICES. Aims and Aids for Girls and Young Women, on the Various Duties of Life Including physical, intellectual, and moral development; self-culture, improvement, dress, beauty, fashion, employment, education, the home relations, their duties to young men, marriage, womanhood, and happiness. By Rev. G. S. Weaver. New York: Fowler & Wells, 1856. Mrs. ent book is exceedingly artificial, altogether too rhe- The Exhibition Speaker; Containing Farces, Dia- The We believe it is De Tocqueville, who says, that pieces for acting, with ample illustrations and expla- The specific purpose of this book is very excellent, and though the treatment is not such as to render it generally attractive, there is yet a class that its counsels will reach and influence. The principal difficulty with didactic works of this sort, is that they are too dry and sombre to suit any other than the most serious cast of mind; whereas, to effect the greatest good, they should be so written as to inter-schools in which elocution is taught, and contains est more frivolous and fanciful dispositions to which they peculiarly apply. These observations are dietated by no unfriendly spirit, nor are they urged in any deprecation of the volume under consideration. The author has, in his own way, sought to do good, and with every reason to hope that he may not entirely fail. Topics are introduced, bearing upon the various relations of the sexes, and views suggested of much strength and clearness. While we unhesitatingly admit the correctness of his conclusions, we cannot sympathize or acquiesce in all the processes by which he arrives at them. Our impression is, that the attempt to make a science of matrimony, would, if successful, disclose evils which at present are not seen, but which would be quite as objectionable as the condition of things in that regard which now exists. It is well to hold all the passions under control, but it may not be so well to entirely destroy them. If Mr. Weaver's style were not so very sententious, his book would be much more readable. There is throughout an uninterrupted succession of short sentences, sometimes for several pages averaging no more than a line and a half in length, which is disagreeably monotonous, all the more to be regretted as the fault might have been so easily corrected. The latter portion of the work is designed to direct and assist in the promotion of physical strength by muscular exercises, and we strongly commend it to the careful attention of parents and teachers. As a people, we are no doubt very neglectful of bodily health, and it is certainly quite as clearly our duty to develop the physical strength as to cultivate the mental powers. It would be better that children resorted to out-of door exercises, such as ball-playing, foot-racing, &c., than to apply themselves to the machinery of gymnastics, but the latter has an advantage in being under the teacher's control. The great need of the country appears to be physical education, and this must be supplied at its source, in our schools. This book, though not entirely unobjectionable, is yet well deserving of strong recommendation. Deutsch-Amerikanischer Dichterwald. EINE SAMMLUNG, von Original Gedichten Deutsch-Amerikanischer Verfasser. Detroit: C. Marxhausen, 1856. This is a collection of poems written by Germans resident in America. Much very excellent fugitive poetry is thus preserved from the ephemeral existence of the newspaper, and we hope that this first publication may be sufficiently supported to encourage other volumes. The book has four divisions: Leng und Liebe, Spring and Love; Haus und Welt, House and World; Geschichte und Sage, History and Tradition; while the vermischten Inhalts. In the first division are poems, fourth is composed of miscellaneous pieces, Gedichte contributed by L. W. Kölkenbeck, Frederick Wolf, Otto Roeser and others. Many of these gentlemen Guido Ilges, A. Walchner, Dr. Charles Brockmann, have no little reputation. Mr. Walchner has been connected with several literary enterprises, is the and has had some of his compositions translated into author of a volume of poems published in Germany, "Dichterwald" to all who feel an interest in the proEnglish. We take pleasure in recommending the gress of German literature in America. MAGAZINES. Southern Literary Messenger. New Series. Vol. 1, The New Series of this deservedly esteemed National Magazine is maintained with vigor, and we prietors recently made, they regained their old high indulge in the hope that in the rally which the provantage ground. In the present number, there is an excellent variety of "prose and verse." "O the deep, deep skies of June," is very pleasant to read in the company of Zero, suggestive, sentimental and sacred. There are several careful reviews, and many is the reprint of Aldrich's exquisite little poem of excellent selections in this number; among the latter 'Babie Bell." MEN OF LETTERS, by taking the CRITERION Will obtain all intelligence concerning the PUBLISHING OF BOOKS: the CONTEMPLATED ISSUES OF LITERARY MEN AND MATTERS. NEW WORKS. and all the GOSSIP RELATING TO LIBRARIES AND LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS, will find a weekly list of all NEW PUBLICATIONS in AMERICA and EUROPE, with their prices, and much valuable information connected with similar organizations. HISTORICAL SOCIETIES AND ANTIQUARIANS, are referred to the Department of NOTES AND QUERIES which contains many items of interest, and affords them a medium of communicating with each other. FAMILIES will find a large quantity and great variCREAM of all NEW Books, and are intended to have an ety of entertaining matter. The REVIEWS give the interest within themselves independent of their critical observations. In the Department of MISCELLANEA will be found ENTERTAINING SELECTIONS from POPULAR PERIODICALS, and books not yet issued in America, with occasional TRANSLATIONS as well as ORIGINAL POEMS of a high order. It is believed that when once the CRITEunderstood, it will be esteemed one of the pleasantest RION has become familiarized, and its precise character family papers published in the country. PARENTS AND TEACHERS are deeply concerned in the success of this journal. Aside from its direct interest to themselves, it has claims which deserve their consideration. The design of this paper is to cultivate and refine literary taste; it will give the reof all important current publications, and will pay parsults of the careful examination by competent critics ticular attention to the principles contained. Thus parents and teachers will be enabled to recommend meritorious works to, and prevent the reading of pernicious ones by, their children or pupils. The importance of such a journal as the CRITERION to youth cannot be over-estimated, and no parent or teacher should neglect to weigh its importance as an EDUCATOR. The CRITERION is the only FAMILY LITERARY AND CRITICAL JOURNAL IN AMERICA. It has already acquired a very high reputation and, with the encouragement of the public, it shall take rank among the FIRST JOURNALS IN THE WORLD. The support of all the lovers of litera ture; of all who desire to see the taste of the country elevated and refined, and who would raise some check to the flood of trash continually pouring over the land; of all who wish to see America take that position in literature which she already occupies in many branches of art, is earnestly solicited. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION per annum, single copy, $3. Three copies, $8. Four copies, $10. Ten copies, $20. Payable in advance. Subscriptions received at the above rates for any term less than a year. Specimen copies sent on application. CHARLES R. RODE, New York. A COMMENCEMENT. In the present number, we give the first of a proposed series of reviews, which are to include, in connection with the particular book under consideration, a few of the notices it may have already received. By this means, our readers will be enabled to form a very fair idea of the style in which the "literature" is "done" in many of our papers. There is an old adage about the receiver, etc., and the public will detect the application by observing in what manner these notices are employed. Seriously, are these notices known to be undeserved? if yes, what is the character of those who make use of them? We are well aware that editors are annoyed and coaxed to a degree, that might have overcome Saint Anthony, and we also suppose that some publishers are not well qualified to judge upon the merits of a review; these may, to a certain extent, be exonerated from intentional wrong. But there are many who cannot shield themselves with such defense. N. Y. Mr. Collier's volume of three or four hundred contemporaneous with the day of the book; and "I was at New York at the time of the elections, five days before quiet was restored, it is to be supposed OBITUARY.-Prof. Edward Tyrrel Channing died at Cambridge, on the 8th inst., at the age of sixty-five. From an obituary by R. H. Dana, jr., communicated to the Boston Daily Advertiser, we make the following extract: December 12, 1790. The biography of his elder brother, Mr. Channing was born in Newport, in Rhode Island, William Ellery Channing, has made all familiar with the history of his family. Coming from Dorsetshire, Newport, and filled highly respectable positions in proin England, they resided for several generations in To such, we say in all kindness: reflect upon what you self; and in one street or alley by the Five Points, fessional and commercial life. His father, after holding are doing is it honorable, is it honest! Shall everything be sacrificed to cupidity? reform your manner of conducting business. To the public, we promise to observe a vigilant scrutiny of these matters, and pledge ourselves to expose in plain English the various means by which a few persons are seeking to degrade the literature of America. LITERARY GOSSIP. PRECEPT vs. PRACTICE.-A late number of the New York Herald contains a review of Messrs. Duyckinck's "Cyclopædia of American Literature," written by Rev. Rufus Wilmot Griswold. In eight and a half columns of fine type the critic finds no room to utter a word of praise, but accumulates every objection, positive and negative, which can be urged against the work, from the omission of an author to the misplacement of a comma. As the Messrs. Duyckinck, when editing the Literary World, reviewed a work by Rev. R. Wilmot Griswold with considerable severity, it may be not unreasonably supposed that that gentleman has been unable entirely to practise that forgiveness which at one time it was his profession to preach. แ common such disturbances had become." 66 AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM.—In No. XV., we quoted from the Athenæum some severe remarks upon American novels in general. The article in the Athenæum was incited by two books "Helen Leeson" and Lily," which have been reviewed in the CRITERION. We confess to having spoken somewhat severely of "Helen Leeson," and in order to present both sides of the critical opinions, now give a notice from the Richmond Enquirer quoted by "that excellent literary authority," the New York Tribune. Who shall decide, &c ? In this admirably written novel the errors of fashionable society, the miseries entailed by the heartless system of education, too prevalent in our highest circles, are set forth in glowing colors. The writer assures us that her only motive (for though the book bears no name, it is obviously from the pen of a refined and highly educated woman,) "in thus exposing to the "public gaze the smiles and frowns of our home-circles, "has been a feeling of love and charity-an earnest "desire to promote that improvement which would secure for future generations happiness and stability, and spare them the aching trials which modern extravagance must necessarily bring in its train." The work is gracefully, though unostentatiously written some of the scenes are dramatically vivid-the subtle workings of a young girl's heart-its secret struggles and changes are eloquently depicted. The story is artistically wrought out. The incident of the forced and clandestine marriage, which would strike the foreigner as extremely improbable, is very possible in the present state of New York society. The writer has evidently moved among the class which she portrays. A high-toned morality pervades her book. 66 By way of preserving an equilibrium, the Rev." John S. C. Abbott is made the subject of ten columns of Tribune indignation, which, as is very well known, is not encumbered with superfluous etiquette. Mr. Fry belabors Mr. Abbott over the shoulders of Napoleon III, (who, by-the-bye, gives the Tribune a great deal of trouble) by way of teaching the Rev. author not only to avoid anything like partiality or extravagance in his historical compositions, but on the contrary to observe a calm, unimpassioned spirit of justice in the narration of none but the best authenticated facts. This, Mr. Fry illustrates by example, such, for instance, as intimating that Louis Napoleon is not "the nephew of his uncle," and generally exhausting the Tribune's copi ous vocabulary of abuse upon the present Emperor of France, and the author of “ Abbott's Life of Ñapoleon." The creed of the Tribune seems to be, never to "lean to mercy's side," never to suggest a good motive for human action if a bad one can be invented, and finally and for ever to deny the existence of virtue to those with whom it disagrees. Mr. Abbott may consider himself utterly annihilated; as for Louis Napoleon, if he sustains this shock, he will prove himself invulnerable. The Committee to award a premium of $500 (offered by the late Rev. Thomas A. Merrill, D. D., of Middlebury, Vt) to the author of the best treatise on "The Right Way; or, the Gospel Applied to the Intercourse of Individuals and Nations," have awarded the premium to Rev. Joseph A. Collier, Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, of Geneva, Mr. George William Curtis delivered on Monday evening, 18th inst., the first of a series of lectures on English Fiction, in which he reviewed the prominent characteristics of the early novelists. The lecture was a success. We observe by late London papers, that the public reading of popular prose works has been initiated at Wyld's news-rooms in Leicester Square. An excellent opportunity is now offered for the experiment among us by the recent publication of Irving's Life of Washington and Prescott's Philip II. SHAKSPERE EMENDATIONS.-Sir Frederick Thesiger, on the part of Mr. Payne Collier, applied on Thursday to the Court of Queen's Bench, for a rule calling upon Mr. John Russell Smith, printer in Soho Square, to show cause why a criminal information should not be filed against him for publishing a pamphlet containing libellous charges against Mr. Collier. Mr. Collier possesses a copy of the second folio edition of Shakspere, containing marginal notes which seemed the offices of District Attorney of the United States, and Edward entered Harvard University in 1804, at the age of thirteen. He was not graduated in course, as he was involved in the famous rebellion of 1807, one of the few in which the students seem, on the whole, not to have been in the wrong. But he received his degree a few years afterwards, and in 1851 the further degree of Doctor of Laws. On leaving college, he studied law with his elder brother, and was admitted to the Boston bar. Soon afterwards, he became united with his cousin, Mr. Dana, in editing the North American Review. In 1819, at the age of twenty-eight, he was appointed to the Boylston Professorship. From his appointment until his resignation, in 1851, his life was strictly acade mic. His resignation surprised his most intimate friends. It was in pursuance of an early resolution to resign at the age of sixty, and although then in full vigor, with fair reason to look forward to many years of health and ability, he was immovable in his determination, resist ing the most flattering and pressing representations from his brother officers and friends. * # After going to press last week, we received the sad intelligence of the decease of Mr. Joseph M. Field, at Mobile, on Monday, the 28th ultimo. Mr. Field commenced his literary career-which has been a diversified but cheerful one-as a writer in the Evening Post, the Evening American, and the New York Mirror. Subsequently he made his debut at the Park Theatre, where he gave unmistakable promise of the brilliant talent which has since signalized all his undertakings. From this city he repaired to St. Louis, where he spent several years, first as editor of the Reveille, and afterwards in the management of a theatre; which position he occupied with marked ability and success, nearly all the remainder of his life, in the lastnamed city, in Boston, and Mobile. Independent of his business engagements, he found leisure to distin guish himself with the pen, among literary circles and lovers of the drama. He was for a long time an invaluable correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune, over the signature of "Straws," and presented in that form a series of brilliant sketches, which were every where admired for their humor, wit, and graphic delineations of human character. He was the author of "Family Ties," a drama of very great merit; and also produced an admirable translation of "Griselda," for Mrs. Farren. "The Story of a Star" is the latest and best emanation of his genius. It is in his peculiar vein-witty, sparkling, and a vivid representation of an histrionic career, from beginning to end. * * * He leaves a widow and daughter. The latter is a young lady, sixteen years of age, and is now at school in the city of Boston. No him by his genial nature, his refined and generous wit, one could know Mr. Field without being drawn towards and his gentlemanly bearing and dealing. He was a devoted husband, an affectionate parent, a delightful companion, and an honest man. *We append * a few additional facts, which we have learned since the above was written: Mr. Field was forty-five years of age at his death, and fell a victim to consumption. He was born in England, and came with his parents to America when only five years old. He was married in Mobile, about the year 1836, to Miss Eliza Riddle, a Boston lady of most estimable character, and a deservedly popular member of the dramatic profession.Home Journal. Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz. The newspapers announces the death of this lady at Mariana, Florida, on the 11th instant. From Messrs. Duyckinck's Cy clopædia of American Literature, we extract a brief sketch of her life: “Mrs. Hentz is a daughter of General John Whiting, and a native of Lancaster, Massachusetts. She married in 1825 Mr. N. M. Hentz, a French gentleman, at that time associated with Mr. Bancroft in the Round Hill School, at Northampton. Mr. Hentz was soon after appointed professor in the College at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he remained for several years. They then removed to Covington, Kentucky, and afterwards to Cincinnati and Flor ence, Alabama. Here they conducted for nine years a prosperous Female Academy, which, in 1843, was removed to Tuscaloosa, in 1845 to Tuskegee, and in 1848 to Columbus, Georgia. "While at Covington, Mrs. Hentz wrote the tragedy of 'De Lara, or the Moorish Bride,' for the prize of $500, offered by the Arch Street Theatre, of Philadelphia. She was the successful competitor, and the play was produced, and performed for several nights with applause. It was afterwards published. In 1843 she wrote a poem, 'Human and Divine Philosophy,' for the Erosophic Society, of the University of Alabama, before whom it was delivered by Mr. A. W. Richardson. 66 66 In 1846, Mrs. Hentz published Aunt Patty's Scrap Bag,' a collection of short stories which she had previously contributed to the magazines. This was followed by the Mob Cap,' 1848; Linda, or the Young Pilot of the Belle Creole,' 1850; Rena, or the Snow Bird,' 1851; Marcus Warland, or the Long Moss Spring;' 'Eoline, or Magnolia Vale,' 1852; Wild Jack;' 'Helen and Arthur, or Miss Thusa's Spinning Wheel,' 1853; The Planter's Northern Bride,' two volumes, the longest of her novels, 1854. "Mrs. Hentz has also written a number of fugitive poems which have appeared in various periodicals. Her second tragedy, 'Lamorah, or the Western Wilds,' an Indian play, was performed, and published in a newspaper at Columbus. The scenes and incidents of her stories are for the most part drawn from the Southern States, and are said to be written in the midst of her social circle, and in the intervals of the ordinary avocations of a busy life." Mrs. Hentz had also written a novel, "Ernest Linwood," just issued by Messrs. J. P. Jewett & Co., of Boston, and which has been highly spoken of. 66 ing and perfectly satisfying. And by the way, it Among the audience was a slight-built, juvenile ment. The German Siederkranz, a musical Society composed of German gentlemen, sang a couple of pieces very acceptably; one of these, the "Glockentone' by Abt, is a very superior composition. The whole affair was a decided success. How MR. COTTON EMBRACED HIS ZELINDA.-Mr. Cotton, a dramatic singer, has brought an action in the Marylebone County Court against Mr. Augustus Braham and Miss Rebecca Isaacs, who recently opened the City of London Theatre for an operatic season. Though but a novice, Mr. Cotton was en- The audience was not so large as it would have been, were it not for attractions elsewhere. These attractions were comprised in the programme of the Concert of the German Ladies' Benevolent Society, which came off the same evening at the new City Assembly Rooms. It was a sort of charitable affair, and one which naturally appealed strongly to the sympathies of our German citizens, who turned out en masse; filling the spacious room. The programme was chiefly taken from the works of German composers; and principally interpreted by German artists. Mr. Eisfeld's quartet party, assisted by Mr. Timm, at the Piano-forte, performed some movements from Spohr's symphonies in C minor and D minor, and in the finale of the latter, especially the elegant artistic accompaniments of Mr. Timm, excited the most general admiration. This gentleman is one of the most valuable, and most gifted of our resident musicians, and we have never yet heard his superior as an accompanyist. There is no fuss about this superior artist-no frantic running up and down of scales, no pounding of chords to attract attention when he sits down to the piano-none of those unnecessary and disagreeable writhings and contortions of the body which so many pianists indulge in It stands within sight of the battle-field, being when playing, but everything is elegant, unassum-erected in Jackson Square, where, in the year 1840, INAUGURATION OF THE JACKSON MONUMENT.-The ceremonies at the dedication of this fine architectural embellishment at New Orleans, appears to have attracted an immense crowd of spectators. The Picayune estimates the number at sixty thousand, a large proportion of whom were from the adjacent country. The 9th instant was the day. It had been intended that the inauguration should take place on the 8th of January, being the anniversary of the great victory of New Orleans, but the statue was shipped at Baltimore on the 12th of December, and did not arrive at its destination until the 7th of January, in consequence of the vessel having an unusually long voyage. Hence the ceremony was postponed until the 9th of February. On that day the statue stood firmly on its pedestal in the heart of the city whose gallant defence it is designed to commemorate. General Jackson assisted in laying the corner-stone of a monument commemorative of the battle. This design was never carried out, but in the year 1851 an Association, consisting of the municipal authorities of the city, was organized to erect a monument to the old hero himself as well as his great victory. In the same year this Association was incorporated, and the Legislature made an appropriation to aid in the object. On the 30th of October last the corin the pedestal erected for the equestrian statue. ner-stone laid by Jackson was removed and placed The latter is by Clark Mills, and is a copy of his original work in Washington. The pedestal bears the annexed inscription: have been from two and a half to three miles in MISCELLANEA. HOTEL HELOTRY. the other day, in the coffee-room of a hotel in a "Waiter, this wine is very bad," complained I popular watering-place, whither I had repaired to give the coup de grace to a London November and a liver complaint at the same time. The allusion was to a modest pint of Bordeaux, wherewith I was assisting the digestion of my fricandeau. Indeed, sir! I am very sorry. It is the same as is served in the private apartments, and I have not heard it complained of. I'll change it, if you'll allow me;" and the serf departed with the repudiated decanter. I recurred to my indisposition-I was in all the illness of convalescence and fell to considering whether it was not just possible that the fault might not be with the wine after all. I considered so long that the subject at length swam before me in a kind of mist, till I was called away from it by a voice. "Waiter." "Yes, sir," I reply: though how I come to find myself in that reversed position, I must leave to the penetration of my reader to settle for himself hereafter. Attired in an evening costume, with an irreproachable white tie, I am in No. 27, private sitting-room, and in the hotel in which I remember to have dined; for I seem to have retained my own individuality, and have acquired somebody else's into the bargain. I am awaiting respectfully the mandate of an imperious gentleman, with large whiskers and a red face-and hands to match in both particulars-who is looking out for his name in the Fashionable Arrival List. Oh, waiter, here; I want to order dinner." I suppress an intimation rising to my lips that I am not deaf, and hand the bill of fare. My patron considers, and I respect him for it: what is worth doing at all is worth doing well, even to the ordering of a dinner. At length he makes up his mind, which he conveys to me in the following terms: "Let me have a curry. You've got some decent curry-powder in the house, I suppose? Well, then a curry. And then some fowl-Pouly, you know— Pouly à la Marengo." Soup or fish, sir?" I take the liberty of sug"Eh! O yes, of course soup-mulligatawney." gesting. Curry and mulligatawney! mulligatawney and a chicken entrée, thinks I to myself, is rather bad heraldry. Every man is, of course, the natural guardian of his own epigastrum; but there is probably some mistake here. So I deferentially hint that, having regard to the curry, Barmecidě may like to replace the mulligatawney by a potage à la Pavillon; or that if he determines upon both devils, he may perhaps be glad to substitute a brace of woodcocks for the second pouly. "Confound you, sir!" is the reply I receive to my well-meant attempt to "make things pleasant." "Do you suppose I don't know how to order a dinner? I've better dinners on my table at home than are ever served in this house." 66 Certainly, sir," I respond acquiescently, though I have my private opinion upon the subject. "Any sweets, sir?" "Sweets, hey? Oh, of course. Here, some of that." The gentleman indicates, by means of his finger, a gelée à la Chartreuse, which he seems doubtful, I fancy, about committing to words; and turns to continue his search in the Fashionable Arrival List aforesaid for 66 Bullfrog, Esq., at the Pavilion, from Leeds;" and I depart to insert in the cook's book the order I have received, with which that functionary seems sufficiently entertained. A man need be forbearing as Griselda herself to be a waiter, thinks I. "Captain and Mrs. Dashuny," whispers the hall porter to me confidentially up the pipe, as two arrivals with one portmanteau ascend the grand staircase at this moment, to sitting room No. 18, which they had written to engage on my floor. Captain Dashuny, though obviously a coxcomb, is as obviously a gentleman. About Mrs. Dashuny, I feel some difficulty in coming to an opinion, as she wears her veil down, and only exhibits-which I fancy she does almost ostentatiously-the hand graced by the symbol which affords evidence, quantum valeat, of her title to that appellation. The captain orders an early supper-a magonnaise of lobster. "And some champagne," suggests the lady. I cannot conceive what it is that brings the Café de l'Europe to my recollection at this moment; nor am I able to say why-but here I am slightly anticipating-I am instructed, the next morning, after Captain and Mrs. Dashuny have partaken of breakfast, which includes deviled kidneys, and a bottle of Pontac, to present that officer's bill, and signify to him that the rooms are engaged. I serve my exeat as gracefully as I can, but I find the duty extremely disagreeable. A man need possess the vigilance of Argus, and the diplomatic genius of Sir Hamilton Seymour himself, to be a waiter, thinks I. If you please, sir.” Well, now, waiter, we wish to give as little trouble as possible; and, as we always take a cold dinner at home on Sunday, to spare the servants, suppose we say a piece of roast-beef-roasted this evening, so as to be cold, you know, waiter. Eh, my dear?" My dear," who is opening a parcel just arrived by the train from London, is conjugally acquiescent. "Yes. Well, now, what would be the most convenient hour, waiter, eh? To give as little trouble as possible, you know." I venture to hint, as he has been so considerate as to inquire, that six, or half-past-the hour at which the other dinners in the house are about, and the servants necessarily in attendance—would, perhaps, be the most acceptable. "Ah! yes, to be sure, I daresay. But, as we always go to church in the evening ourselves, waiter, I'm afraid, eh! that would hardly do. Suppose we say half-past four, now: after afternoon service. Eh, my dear?" "My dear" thinks that half-past four will do very well. No chance of my getting out to-morrow, now, thinks I; the considerate family's half-past four dinner occupying just that interval between lunch-time and the usual dinner-hour, which affords my only opportunity for a little relaxation. However, the cook will benefit, at all events. "Yes, I think that'll do very well: half past four, then. Waiter, cold roast-beef, eh, with a little soup and an entree, or a piece of fish; whatever will give the least trouble, you know, waiter; and any little pudding or sweet that will be convenient. Yes, thank you, that'll do." I am departing hastily, feeling some difficulty in | smothering a hearty denunciation of considerate families who claim credit for forethought for their dependents, based upon no sounder foundations than hypocritical professions, when the lady, after a moment's consultation with her lord and master, calis me back. "This is the very thing, my dear; is it not? So beautifully appropriate! Oh, waiter, can you read?" Though rather staggered by this inquiry, I recover presence of mind enough to admit myself conversant with the accomplishment alluded to. "Ah! then, if you'll accept that, and read it, I shall be happy to give it you." And I am placed in possession of a small work, entitled A Word to a Waiter, with a frontispiece representing one of my brethren listening to the good advice of a benign gentleman, who, in outward appearance, might have stood own brother to the virtuous man at my side. Fortified by the aid to my Sabbath contemplations afforded by this incident, and endowed likewise with a similar gift for my under-waiter, which— though the parcel seemed to contain assortments like a stationer's shop on St. Valentine's morning, adapted to all sorts and conditions of men-was scarcely as appropriate, being entitled the Moral Militiaman,-I quit the room. If such be one of the glimpses afforded him of what passes muster, in society for piety, a man need be pure of heart indeed, and liberally endowed with that "spirit which thinketh no evil," to be a waiter, thinks I. Seven o'clock ! All the business of the day seems to have gathered into a focus for the purpose of falling en masse upon my devoted head. Bullfrog, Esq., from Leeds," has sent for me to abuse the sherry, because, after his mulligatawney and curry, he finds it hot in his mouth. Captain Dashuny, in No. 18, has changed his mind about the lobster, because Mrs. Dashuny thinks she would prefer something hot; and wants a spatch-cock instead, and to see the champagne in ice, for fear of a mistake. The considerate family in No. 36 desire to see the proprietor immediately, because they have rung the bell twice for tea-being desirous of attending late service at St. Barabbas's-and can't get it; when the house-clerk brings me up Lady Maunder's bill, No. 45, who wishes to depart by the eight o'clock train. "Oh, waiter! don't go!" observes this lady, as I lay down the bill for her inspection, and am stealing away to attend to the simultaneous requirements of Nos. 18, 27, and 36. "I always like to go through the bill with some body "-she has been in the house three weeks-" before I settle it." With a sigh of despair, which, of course, it is my duty should not be audible-waiters having no more business to sigh than clowns or coryphées-I attend deferentially while "my lady," with my aid and that of a double eye-glass, goes through the account. A run down stairs to the clerk, to inquire what "sixpence paid" on Wednesday-week means, and to find, after much inquiry, that it relates to a gratuity bestowed, by her ladyship's directions, upon a turnpike sailor," who had invested her carriage at the door; another journey, because the bill is so exorbitant, to pretend to desire the proprietor to step up, who knows better, and is unfortunately "not at home;" and half an hour's respectful argument in defence of ordinary charges, which the lady has objected to in the same manner, and paid, every time she has visited the house for the last five years, occupy a profitable three-quarters of an hour, which, but for the fortunate circumstance that trains, like tides, wait for no man, might have been a whole one. 66 A man need have the chivalry of Don Quixote, and the patience of Job, to be a waiter, thinks I. However, it is an existence of compensations; and finding myself somehow endowed-for waiters, with all their opportunities, are no wiser in some respects than their neighbors-with a wife and four children, I go down, when my day's labors are over, at eleven o'clock, to draw my wages; for it is Saturday, as I have said, and pay-day-five-and-twenty shillings a week, and no vails, attendance being very properly charged in the bill. A man need be as modest in his personal requirements, as St. Simeon Stylites himself, to be a waiter, thinks I. Courtesy and clean linen; to be as well dressed as his masters, and better bred than some of them; the forbearance of Griselda, the vigilance of Argus, and the tact of a diplomate; good principle enough to see hypocrisy in high places, and not follow the example of his betters, and renounce honesty, too; the chivalry of Don Quixote, the patience of Job, and the personal self-denial of a saint-all required, in full play at once, like the fountains at Versailles on a fete-day, for five-and-twenty shillings a week. However, it is education, after all: these are days of progress, and who knows what may hap pen; for, certainly, it requires not much higher qualifications-and they don't always, I suspect, get as high-to qualify for a cabinet minister, thinks I. "I've changed the wine, sir, as you desired," said a voice at my side; and the Ganymede in black cloth stood again beside me. How long he had been there, and whether any further conversation had passed between us, I am not prepared to say. At all events, if I had fallen asleep, I had awakened. I tasted my fresh bottle, found it good, and endeavored to trace the difference between it and its predecessor, without success. "Is this a different wine, waiter?" I inquired, very placably. "Fresh bottle, sir; the wine is the same. Other bottle not well corked, perhaps,” he added, I almost thought, compassionately. "Can I get you any thing else, sir?" A pen and ink, if you please." And here is the result, In vino, veritas! THE USE OF TORTURE IN INDIA. The tortures which the commissioners find to have been employed are of various kinds and of different degrees of severity. Some of them are so light as to amount to little more than a menace. Some are so severe as to cause not only extreme present pain, but permanent injuries, mutilation, and even, not unfrequently death. Some of them exhibit an amount of diabolical ingenuity on the part of the torturer, and a degree of moral abasement and deg radation in the victim, of which our western minds can hardly form a conception; some, in fine, are so loathsome and indecent, and at the same time so excruciating, that, although they are set down nakedly in the Report, we must abstain from any specific allusion to their nature. The two most common forms of torture appear to be the Kittee (in Teloogoo called Cheerata), and the Anundal, which in the same language is called Gingeri. The kittee corresponds with the thumbscrew of the European torturer. It is a wooden instrument somewhat like a lemon-squeezer, between the plates of which the hands, the thighs (in woman also the breast), the ears and other more sensitive parts of the body, are squeezed to the last point of endurance, often to fainting and even to permanent disablement. In many places the kittee has been superseded by the more simple plan of violently compressing the hands under a flat board, on which a heavy pressure is laid, sometimes even by the peons standing upon it: or of compelling the sufferer to interlace his fingers, and delivering him over to the iron gripe of the peous (or policemen), who sometimes rub their hands with sand, in order to give them the firmer gripe. In other cases the fingers are bent back till the pain becomes unendurable. ANECDOTE OF A CHIMPANZEE. to ligionists I am anxious to obtain some further information in relation to the descendants of Abraham. What I most desire to know at present on the subject is this: whether the Jews in this country offer sacrifices of animals in their synagogues according to the forms prescribed by Moses or in any other manner, or whether the Jews still offer such sacrifices in any part of the world. I would be thankful if you could refer me to any work on the subject of the present religious ceremonies and observances of the Jewish people. Perhaps the author of the Post-Biblical History, or some of your contributors, will favor me with this information through the pages of your interesting paper. Yours respectfully, NEW PUBLICATIONS. V. The last time I saw him (May, 1854) he came out to taste the morning air in the large circular encloThe anundal is a more purely eastern torture. It sure in front of the Palais des Singes, which was consists in tying the victim in a stooping or other built for "our poor relations" by M. Thiers. Here wise painful and unnatural position, generally with Chim began his day by a leisurely promenade, castthe head forcibly bent down to the feet, by a rope ing pleased and thankiul glances towards the sun, or cloth passed round the neck and under the toes. the beautiful sun of early summer. He had three The posture, however, is varied at the caprice of satellites, coati-mundis, either by chance or the executioner. Sometimes the poor wretch is amuse him, and while making all manner of eyes at made to stand on one leg, the other being forcibly a young lady who supplies the Singeri with pastry tied up to his neck. Sometimes the arms and legs and cakes, one of the coati-mundis came up stealthiare curiously interlaced, and the frame, thus violently behind and dealt him a small but malicious bite. ly distorted, is kept bound up for hours, in a condi- Chim looked round with astonishment at this audation little short of dislocation. Sometimes a heavy cious outrage on his person, put his hand haughtily stone is laid upon the back, while thus bent; and it upon the wound, but without losing his temper in often happens that the peons amuse themselves by the least. He walked deliberately to the other side sitting astride upon the unhappy sufferer who is unof the circle, and fetched a cane which he had dropdergoing anundal. More than one of the witnesses ped there in his promenade. He returned with ANDREWS.-The Practical Pronouncer and Key to Andrews depose to the infliction of this torture under the majestic wrath upon his brow, mingled, I thought, fierce Indian sun, upon a number of defaulters placed with contempt; and, taking Coati by the tail, comtogether in rows, for two, three, four, and even six menced punishment with his cane, administering hours; and this in the immediate vicinity of the such blows as his victim could bear without permacutcherry, or revenue office, and in the presence of nent injury, and applied with equal justice to the the tahsildar, or native collector, and of the assem- ribs on either side, in a direction always parallel to bled villagers. the spine. When he thought enough had been done, he disposed of Coati without moving a muscle of his countenance, by a left-handed jerk which He came down a sadder and a better Coati, and rethrew the delinquent high in air, head over heels. tired with shame and fear to an outer corner.-London Quarterly. Will it be credited, for example, that it is not uncommon to apply to the most sensitive parts of the body (enclosed in a cloth or a cocoa-nut shell, or other similar receptacle), a biting insect or reptile, such as the poollah, or carpenter-beetle, and to leave it to gnaw the flesh of the miserable sufferer? That by a further refinement of cruelty, meant to combine both pain and humiliation, the defaulters are sometimes tied by the hair to the tail of a donkey or a buffalo? That they are occasionally hung up with the head downwards? And that it is an ordinary practice to put pepper or powdered chillies into the eyes or the nostrils, and to apply these and similar irritating drugs in other ways too revolting to be even hinted at? Thus we find an unfortunate man, Nangun Chaloovun, subjected to the anundal, tortured with the kittee, and exposed to the burning sun during four hours, in order to compel payment of an illegal demand of ten annas (fifteen pence)! Another Ryot, named Singuriah, who refused to pay the sum of one rupee four annas (two shillings and sixpence), had his hands tied behind his back and his head bound down to his feet with a coir rope, for two hours. Nay, in the terrible case of Vencatachella Rajaulee, in which one of the parties actually died from the effects of the violence employed, the sum demanded was but ten rupees !-Edinburgh Review. THE WITS OF THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH. NOTES AND QUERIES. SZKOLNY OR SCOLVO.-[Our correspondent D. G. B. will find below a passage extracted from Humboldt's Examen Cri tique de l'Histoire de la Géographie du Nouveau Continent, &c., referring to the navigator of whom he requested some infor mation in a late number of this journal. There are other Je terminerai la liste des navigateurs qu'on croit avoir es- *JOACHIMA LELEWELA, Pisma pomniejsze geogr. historyczne, 1814, p. 58. GEORGI HORNI, Ulyssea, 1671, p. 279; ZURLA, Viaggi, t. ii., p. 26; MALTENUS (De Situ Dania, 1631, p. 763) écrivent par erreur Scolvus. The great men of that day said many witty things and many wise ones, but we cannot fail to be struck with the singular contrast between the robustness of their intellects, their solemn, and often ponderous wisdom, and the poor facetic to which they sometimes stooped. With the fools, who entertained the guests of kings and nobles, and who bore some resemblance to the laughter-maker of the ancients, we are familiar through the plays of Shakspeare. Their sallies were characterised as much by impertinence as by wit. Indeed the impertinence was often itself BRUN, p. 532; WYTFLIRT (Descript. Ptol. augmentum, 1897, p. 188) et PONTAthe joke. To put one person out of countenance afforded mirth to the rest. The womanly vanity and queenly pride of Elizabeth shrunk from these rude rebukes. She would not allow her fool, Pace, because of his caustic vein, to enter her presence; but once being persuaded to have him in, "come on, Pace," said she, now we shall hear of our faults." "I do not," he replied, "use to talk of that which all the town talks on." She never probably ventured to repeat the experiment, and in this case no one can do otherwise than sympathise with the sensitiveness of Elizabeth, and wonder at the taste of our ancestors who could suffer their conversation to be broken in upon by the sorry jests and coarse personalities of a licensed buffoon. From Shakspeare we learn equally how the paltriest puns in that day were received for wit; and Lord Bacon's Apophthegms, the best repository of the smart sayings of the ancients which was ever made, bears testimony no less to the fact that an indifferent play on words was held in estimation by sages like himself. -Quarterly Review. TAKE ANOTHER GLASS. It is recorded of Hugh Peters, a celebrated preacher, during the reign of Cromwell, that when he found the sand of his hour-glass had descended, he turned it, saying "come, I know you to be jolly dogs, we'll take t'other glass." There is a beautiful and fertile valley in Clark County, both Lucifer and Nachash is, because one of the meanings of count of its power, then, afterwards, worshipped on the same Harrisburg, Feb. 18, 1856. To the Editor of the Criterion : instant, on a Post-Biblical History of the Jews, has interested AMERICA. and Batchelor's New French Instructor; containing an Introduction, the Lessons of the Instructor, with a Phonetic rendering in parallel columns; a French translation of the Exercises, together with an Appendix. By Stephen Pearl Andrews and George Batchelor. 12mo. pp. 347. [D. Appleton & Co. N. Y.] BELCHER.-The Religious Denominations in the United States; their History, Doctrine, Government and Statistics, with a preliminary sketch of Judaism, Paganism, and Mohammedanism. By Joseph Belcher, D. D. Large 8vo. pp. 1,024. Illustrated by 200 Engravings. [Sterns & Spicer, Ind.] BERTHA; or, the Pope and the Emperor. Reprinted from the last English edition, 12mo. pp. 475. [Moore & Bros., Boston.] Cloth, $1 00. BERG.-Abaddon and Mahanaim; or, Demons and Guardian CAMP-A Programme of Themes and Texts for the Sundays- 75 cts. GADDIS.-Footprints of an Itinerant. By Rev. Maxwell P. HENTZ-Ernest Linwood. By Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz. LIFE in India; or, Sketches of Madras, the Milgherries, and RYAN.-The Philosophy of Marriage, in its social, moral, and TRASK-An Address on the Pernicious Effects of Tobacco. TUCKER.-The Sinless One; or, the Life Manifested. By Rev. WILLY REILLY. a Tale of Irish Life. By W. Carleton. |