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perious. On the ocean, whither the wind has driven the vessel which bears the destinies of humanity, the calms are rare, the tempests frequent.

times, to win the praises or the approval of his con- particular one, M. Monteil reflected much, he knew temporaries; but ought to fix his thoughts on the how much success depended on it. Indeed, it is by future, and compose a history for posterity. It is no means all that is necessary, to bring forth old The great events that have taken place in France from it he should demand the recompense of his la- chronicles of curious and interesting facts, patriotic during the last fifty years, have wrought much of this bor; that it may one day say: Without doubt this souvenirs of honor, energy and liberty. They must change. The peaceable have been torn from their historian was a free man, of honest and sincere be told in such a manner as to strike the popular dearest occupations, and in the whirlwind of change, speech; in him there is nothing of the flatterer, nomind. There must be placed upon the scene the the obscure have been elevated to the highest digni- thing of the slave; in every thing he follows the truth." people of every epoch; each must recognize itself ties and honors, political passions have been awaked Grant that it is difficult to keep within the limits of there, each must there perceive its fathers, brothers, in the most tranquil, and a feverish activity has seiz- impartiality, equally free from panegyrics and sa- and family. Individuals change, the occupations reed upon the most apathetic. A chosen few have been tires; difficult to speak without flattery, as without main; the peasant quits not his plough, the artisan urged by other motives, and have sought means malignity, the good and the bad, difficult to trace his trade, the merchant his desk, etc.; the distinct of promoting the public weal. Not less active, nor less the way by which a people has passed, to link one's classes which constitute the nation have their pecupatriotic, but because they loved not notoriety, or self to its destiny, to follow it through the centuries; liar characters; the needs of the future, the great that a public life demanded sacrifices in opposition-No one will deny it. Yes, the knowledge of the interests of life draw them together, and confound to their principles, or that their thoughts required facts is not acquired without trouble; their relations their distinctions; the small interests, the circumthe calm of retirement-they have not always follow- are not easily discovered; each period, each person stances of the moment, group and individualize them; ed the crowd to the forum. They have sometimes has its life, its local coloring; changes are wrought in there is a continual conflux and diffluence. From gone aside from it to seek illumination in solitude; governments, in ideas, and in customs; many contra- the culminating summit where the historian takes they have preferred independence to power, and dictions are found in human institutions; all these his stand, it may be that he can seize with a comlike wise men, have sought a means of repose amidst things may outweary the patience and exhaust the prehensive glance the work that is wrought in comthe general agitation. This means has been found by strength of the boldest intelligence. And how many munity, and that which is achieved in isolation. He some in the severe study of history, yes-historical intellects have sensibility of soul and love of men may embrace all things within his view; but, to destudies have redoubled their interest as rapidly re- sufficient to speak of them, for any length of time, scend from this height, is it the same thing? How curring events have redoubled their grandeur. Ruins with sympathy and free from bitterness. shall he reproduce at once this unity of action, this were heaped up. It was asked-whence came they? These things considered, it is not astonishing that diversity of opinion? How leave to each his indiWho made them? What purpose can they be made to the people of France should be for a long time des- viduality by the side of the broad features of national serve? A thousand different views divided men's titute of a national history. Their career has been, character? By what way, proceed in the arrangeminds. By what right? On what basis? To what more than that of others, bestrewn with diverse ac- ment of so many parts? There was the method of end? And the volumes, depositories of the secrets of cidents-their fortune has been more inconstant. the philosophers of the last century; the manner of the past, were opened and consulted with avidity. Early did they find themselves involved in all great the chroniclers of the medieval period; or the plan Soon curiosity, and the mere love of an opinion, be- events, but they were in nothing advantaged; their pursued by the ancients. M. Monteil has taken none came a taste-a love of history for itself and for lot gained but little in the progress of civilization; of these for his model. His work has no precedents. the truth's sake. This is what has happened to one neither victory nor defeat long profited them; they Its form is as novel as is its matter. He has not of the greatest French historians. Engaged, like so destroyed the feudal power for the greater benefit of chosen the most used, the most grave, or the most many others, in the struggles of political life, he ap- royalty; they seem even to be losers in the game. academic; he has given the preference to the most plied himself, the better to serve his cause, to his- King and lords are now united in the field against natural, the most true. For each century he has torical studies-bringing to them all the ardor of them. They have, however, always been animated varied it. There are letters, statements of grievances, youth, and the noble sentiments of a pure patriotism. by a lively spirit of independence; it is imprinted impressions of travel, memoirs, etc. If these are all Such studies pleased him-they possessed a singular on every part they have taken in the contests of full of life, if the times have preserved their physiogattraction for his mind, and he acquired for them a kings against internal or external enemies. Fre-nomy, if the recitals, whose tone changes as often as passion. But the pleasure he felt was not without quently has their voice been heard, demanding jus- the narrators, are read and re-read with pleasure,alloy, in perceiving how few of the books then es- tice. They obtain some immunities, and defend them it is not too much to claim for the author the glory teemed, contained the true history of his country. with their blood; by turns conquering and conquer- of a deserved success. Other writers and judicious critics noticed the same ed, they accept the yoke of a master, which gives thing at that time. There arose just complaints the unity necessary to their grandeur, they break against the usurpation of the prejudices of flattery it when it is about to decay, and arms in hand reand of error. Unanswerable proofs were produced assert their rights and liberties, and at last take of their justice, and he must have been very obsti- their place in history. nate, who did not perceive the absurdity of decora ting many works then in vogue with the ostentatiously title of National History.

In fact, there was not a single book, not one, which deserved this high honor, yet, to assert this, was to declare war against received opinions, and every cause, however bad it may be, finds defenders. Honor to those who broke the spell? Honor always to the reformers of opinion! Sublimi feriant sidera

vertice.

Now that the new doctrines have produced a harvest of chefs-d'œuvre, there are no longer any in France who doubt their justness. True historic method has triumphed over old conventional formulas; if any of these still appear, they rather result from force of habit, than from any inherent strength in the old exclusive system, whose defeat is one of the most solid titles to glory of contemporary French historians.

This people, full of energy and patriotism, certaindeserve to have an historian; and one eminently worthy has appeared. M. Amans Alexis Monteil has written the history of the French of diverse ranks.

A child of the people, outside all coteries, free from prejudice, the friend of truth and man, especially the friend of the unfortunate, he has all the necessary qualities of mind and heart, sympathy enough everywhere to discern the good, courage enough everywhere to denounce the bad, sincerity enough to give the true account of all. He has written on the last five centuries, and, unless we greatly err in our judgment, has perfectly succeeded in the first attempt at the history of a people. The nation for which he has labored thus judges, and has gladly welcomed his work. It is therein represented from the life: its features, exquisitely delineated, appear striking in their resemblance to nature, and the talent of the artist tampers nowhere with the fidelity of the picture. It serves on the contrary to enhance the effect, so life-like and natural is it in its freshness; its smiling simplicity by no means excludes the dig nity of art; there is just so much as is necessary to moderate, without constraint, the French vivacity of that charming family of beaux esprits to which he belongs; gay in his style and profound in his views; comprehending without confusion, and dividing with out destroying the unity; witty without malice and sad without bitterness; indefatigable and conscientious, he is worthy to execute the arduous task of the national historian.

We call this system exclusive, because it continnally and studiously excluded from history all mention of the people. Citizens, artisans, etc., found no more place in it, than the Turks or the Arabs. The interests of the country were the interests of the crown; the state was the king. The king before all, then the courtiers, and those whose names figure in the Almanac of Gotha. Those who did nothing, those who were paid, those who enjoyed, those who squandered, those who owned, those who held rank at court or in the army, had of right a place in history. Of those who labored, of those who suffered, of those who tilled and gave value to the land, of those He has reconstructed, as he says himself, five anwho were neither noble nor ennobled, not a word,cient worlds which were sinking deeper and deeper or if one be found, it is to impress on them order, obe- in the past, rebuilding them from their own ruins. dience and resignation! For forced-work and im- He has reunited the scattered elements of their bepost be thankful! This for the people. Would they ing; he has drawn the French of the olden times, go beyond this, let them beware of the cudgel and living, speaking, acting, from the dust of the fourthe arquebuse. teenth century. Do you say, why has he gone back no further! Why? Because, beyond, there was nothing which has not been repeated later, nothing essentially different, nothing unusual.

In vain should we seek, in respect to the largest part of the nation, for something more characteristic more lifelike, more local in the histories of Velly, of Mézeray and of Anquetil. These gentlemen, we doubt not, wrote in good faith. They believed they were writing an exact, faithful and complete history. It is possible. But, it was not possible, that one could take up with their opinion, or the opinion of others, who saw nothing beyond their interests and their vanity. To treat thus the mass of the nation, is to forget,too daringly, the duties of the historian who, says Lucien, "ought not to write for his own

teenth, of independence; the sixteenth, the age of theo-
"The fourteenth was the age of feudalism; the fif-
logy; the seventeenth of the arts; and the eighteenth
of reforms. The previous centuries were, like the four-
teenth, feudal; and like the huge towers which surround
strong castles, they have seemed in our eyes, at least in
appearance, always immoveable and unchanged."

The form of the book is not the least novelty
that one perceives in it. Before adopting any

The examination we purpose, hereafter, to make of each volume, and the extracts we intend to give, will, we have no doubt, be very interesting to our readers. It will give them that view of the domestic life of the French nation in by gone years, which Macaulay has given us of the English in the time of James.

Lily, a Novel, by the Author of the "Busy Moments of an Idle Woman." New York: Harper & Brothers, 1855.

The authoress, speaking somewhere in the present volume of a mistake, and the one making it, says:

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'Had she not misunderstood her cousin at that moment, probably this story would never have been written." This shows how important it is that we be careful. We trust the young of both sexes will duly consider so striking an instance of the terrible effects a hasty conclusion may have, and above all things be more circumspect hereafter. In a world where our eyes may do such work, where glances are as safe as Congreve rockets in a blazing house, there is a certain virtue in blue spectacles, and blindness is above all praise. We have often thought that a dictionary of glances would be a great acquisition; that at present there is too much license in the lan guage of looks; the tender being sometimes mistaken for the silly, the jocose for the fiendish, the sleepy for the ecstatic, &c., the meaning depending in a greater degree upon the frame of mind ruling in the looked-upon, than upon the intention of the looker. Therefore, we say, we have thought that a work strictly defining the limits of each look would be an acquisition; we now see that it is absolutely necessary for the future well-being of the human

race.

The main events of this story may very well be real, as the authoress seems to desire they should be considered. The moving principle is coquetry. We are of opinion that coquetry is a great evil, and that it has much to answer for. It has done harm in the world, and we hold the European potentate who recently consigned a lady to a dungeon because her flirting had incited two noble gentlemen to a duel, in which one of them was killed, to be a We wish he would read Lily. For any labor it might cost him, he would have a nojust and good man. ble recompense in the feeling of satisfaction that would inevitably follow upon considering it in connection with the act mentioned. Of that en passant. The moving principle is not unworthy. The events are in nowise extravagant, and follow sequentially, and, without any particular originality in their conception or conduct, are not offensively hackneyed.

The opening is foggy, owing to the number of the heroine's relations, introduced at once and somewhat promiscuously. We never get them clearly placed, and finish the book without quite knowing their relative positions. Though the denouement is good, it is not perfect. As it is, a severe punishment falls upon those who do not deserve any, and a comparatively slight one upon those who deserve all that ingenuity could give. Our sense of justice is not satisfied. We naturally suppose that those who really love Lily, are heart-broken at her death, while Mr. Clarence Tracy, pictured as guilty of the highest crime in only loving her money, is only agonized at the loss of that -a loss not irreparable. Though to him it may be a great grief, it is one with which the reader is not satisfied, for it is one that he cannot feel. It does not come home to him in the magnitude it may really have to the other. In tales of fictitious passion, the reader is always good, and though he may see the grief or joy of unworthy causes, he cannot sym pathize with it, from not being at the proper moral level. The poignancy, therefore, of that grief toward which the whole story tends, and in which it ends, should culminate in its cause; the more especially so if the cause be, as in the present instance, a guilty one. This would give a completeness to the fic tion that it now lacks. This would be naturally accomplished by bringing Tracy to really, truly, and deeply love Lily for herself alone previous to the catastrophe. There is but little character, though Mr. Barclay is very ably laid in. It is evidently not upon any of these points that the authoress has bestowed her best skill.

such stimulants before he was equal to the exertion of
entering a ball-room. Being almost as rich as his bro-
ther, Edward Langdon had a great terror of falling into
some matrimonial net, and his New York life was a suc-
cession of attempts upon his liberty, which he labored
to ward off--in a faint sort of way. He was a great
flirt, liked to dance unlimited attendance upon some
demoiselle à marier, and then, when he saw the meshes
coming over him, dodge, and escape rather frightened,
but ready to start again with somebody else.
Does the authoress really suppose that there is any
truth in these silly iterations about Young New
York. We are willing to believe that there may be
six fools even in this city, and of that six, that there
may be one who affects this particular folly-this silly
caricaturing of the chief character in a well-known
Franco-English play: but when such a picture is
given as that of a "genuine specimen of young New
York," or of any other part of this country we must
be excused for remarking that the devil has no oc-
casion to blush. Does any one suppose that the fol-
lowing is a picture of conversation"in society: "
"Serves her right!" exclaimed Mrs. Hardcastle;
"what business has a married woman to interfere with
other people's lovers?"

Here a discussion ensued, which was learnedly taken
up, Angelica insisting that for her part she objected to
such interference simply because it was "such trouble."
heaven should she undertake to battle with other wo-
"When a woman had a husband to manage, why under
men for the direction and care of their property? Men
were only useful and agreeable as whetstones on whom
one sharpened one's legitimate powers of control. No
reasonable creature could seriously think that there was
any comfort to be gained in exchanging one man for
another. They were all alike; their envelopes only
differed. Yon were as likely to find contentment, or
rather strife, in one man's society as another's. There-
the law gave you an unlimited right to govern
fore satisfy yourself, if a married woman, with the man
and to lead. Every thing else was a humbug."
Artificial to the last degree, and if there are wo-
men who think thus, there are none who have the
effrontery to do more "in society."

But if the main events are real, much of the detail is unpleasantly artificial. Such, for instance, as that of the May Queen. This particular festivity is an English institution, and the make believe, sugar-whom candy attempts of little boarding school misses over the country to naturalize it, are not sufficiently successful to justify its recognition on the part of one professedly writing an American story. Angelica, who, though drawn as the fille d'enfer, and at times sustaining the character, is upon the whole the most sensible person introduced, has a few remarks upon this matter with which we are happy to agree: "You spoke very well, Lily. It was a very pretty sight. Quite theatrical, though. Do you think it was in good taste, dear?"

In relation to novel writing we hold some ideas in common with our authoress. At the opening of chapter X., being in a censorious humor, she writes, in not the very best grammar: "It is terribly the fashion nowadays to transport the higher regions of sentimental history, as well as all others, into the bosom and lives of children. Little people, who can scarcely talk, lisp Methodist sermons, and argue with their elders, an i show judgment, tact, and energy, which invariably throw into contempt the strongest efforts in the same line of all grown men and women." This thought occured to us several times while reading "Lily." The heroine is the identical juvenile wonder with whom we have all been acquainted for so long a time, and Mr. Clarence Tracy, the chief figure in boots, makes, and carries into execution before he is twenty years of age, plans almost worthy of an Iago. Miss Angelica Purvis, this young gentleman's cousin, is described in a manner to suggest the epigram:

We

Mother Eve (whence cometh evil)
Spoke once 'tis written with the devil:
"Twould seem, however we regret it,
Her daughters never can forget it.

We are glad that the work contains much to com-
mend; if it had not, indeed, we should not have deem-
ed it worth while to consider it at such length.
There are whole chapters written with marked abili-
ty. We have mentioned before, both Mr. Barclay
and the filling up relative to him. It is admirably
thought and as admirably written. It displays
much power, and evinces the existence of more.
the interview between this gentleman and Lily, we
are carried well over uncomfortable, not to say dan-
gerous ground by sheer good writing. As a "piece"
this is exceedingly well done.

In

Sometimes she engaged me in conversation, to exhibit
my intellectual expression; then she encouraged a pen-
sive, down-cast seriousness to show my eyelashes, which
are rather long: it was all in vain. No young man flew
to secure my hand for the "mazy dance."
"Stand up, my dear," she said, presently.
I timidly obeyed.

"Sit down again," she added, after a while, and sighed hopelessly. It was of no use.

Then she signalled a manager and whispered a few words. I felt my cheeks tingle, for I guessed what was coming.

him earnestly appeal to a dandified youth, who looked The manager bowed and hurried off. I could see at me through an eye-glass, and evidently bade his managerial friend "to go (playfully) to the

Then the gentleman in office collared a grave young man in spectacles, with frizzly hair, and lugged him mong. My destined partner was too polite to struggle. He had large, projecting knees, and helpless hands. Dr. Larned."

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"Allow me the pleasure of dancing with you," he said, sepulchrally.

"No, I thank you," I answered, hurriedly. He was so unprepared for my reply that he held out his arm, and my chaperon nudged me.

"I'd rather not. Do, please, let him go," I said, imploringly, in a low voice.

The manager released his victim, and with another bow the large knees returned to their former position in the door-way.

That was my first and last ball.

I am not courageous and not over patient. From the beginning of that entertainment I wondered who was to take us to supper. The result showed me that a manager took my chaperon on one arin and me on the other. I could not hope for this luck at every ball, and, as I said before, the chairs are not cushioned, so I have never been to a second "St. Cecilia," and the truth is, my kind friend, Mrs. has never urged me to do so.

66

The following phrases and sentences belong on that page of grammar which is devoted to examples of false syntax: "When I say charity, I speak in its broad Bible sense." "The horticulturists reluctantly left their perfumed task and turned their attention to a more substantial repast." Mysteriously to gaze (without touching) at them." "After sixteen years of age, life ends instead of beginning." "There "Her diamonds is not a Charlestonian at an hotel." sparkled in their wheat-ear setting, and her wickedly bright blue eyes followed suit." ourselves, and tell us about Mr. Clarendon and you." "Alicia's conduct was so circumspect during the next few weeks that Lily had great hopes about her."

BOOK NOTICES.

"But leave

Nothing could be finer than the mode in which An-
gelica's head was placed upon her shoulders. She and
Lily equally possessed this distinctive and rare charm.
the commonest figure; but whereas in Lily it was only
It gives a character to the plainest features, and elevates
graceful and high-bred, in Angel it was predominating
and imposing. It blended in Lily's tout ensemble; it
was perfectly distinguishable in Angel's carriage, and
immediately called your attention. She had a way of
throwing back her head, and toying with the drooping
ornaments that usually adorned her coiffure, which was
both ensy and haughty; or else, while speaking, she
over and over the lustrous blackness of her bandeaux,
would fix her eyes upon her companion, and smooth
as if through careless thought, while in reality she was
considering how pretty must be her white fingers
threading these dark masses. To-day, long lappets of
lace fell from her braids upon her shoulders, and as she
would twine the gossamer costliness about her hand,
the jeweled butterfly, which, mounted on great pins,
fastened her head-dress, shook, and trembled, and flut-
tered like a living thing. I do not know if there was truth
in William Clarendon's conjecture, but certainly the sal-possess any very great powers.
fail-lowness of her cheek had given place to a faint color,
which was infinitely becoming, while, though she could
not compare in fairness with Lily, there was nothing
disagreeable in the dead whiteness which alone re-
mained of her once yellow tinge.

Blanche Dearwood; A Tale of Modern Life. New
York: Bunce & Brother, 1855.

things, the comparatively subdued and natural tone
This novel is to be commended for, among other
which pervades it. There is an interesting plot, and
it is well worked out. We shall not enter into an
analysis of the story nor of the style in which it is
written, further than to remark that it neither reaches
any very high excellence nor exhibits any strik-
ing originality. Such works as these, however, de-
take to pronounce upon the merits of popular litera-
serve favorable notice from those who may under.
ture. The very great demand for light reading, in-
volves the necessity of a correspondingly large sup-
ply, and while we should unhesitatingly condemn
those which either inculcate bad principles or pre-
sent a corrupt style, we should not on the other
hand require each volume which may be issued to

e presume it is upon the pictures of society that the authoress has laid out her strength. Of novels, with such supposed pictures for their basis, we have a great variety; they have been very generally ures, and Lily is a comparative success. As far as the little she has of New York society is concerned, there is only one thing wanting to her pictures: she should have seen the society. She seems to observe, closely, and we see, as in the instance of the parts including Mr. Barclay, that she can write felicitously what she has seen. She must not adopt current ideas, and suppose that because they are current they are therefore true. Consider the following description:

The brother was a perfect specimen of Young New York. He was small and thin, slightly knock-kneed, and very carefully dressed. His hair was parted with unwavering regularity; his collars were so stiff that they never yielded a momentary turn-down; his face was pale, his eyes fatigued, his manner nicely divided between indifference and superciliousness, his tone a drawl, and his air rather gentlemanly. He lived on dancing and a little opium. Wine had lost its power to arouse him; so, when he wished to be awake in society, he "brought himself up" with morphine, or red lavender, or ether, like a broken down actress. He was quite proud of this incapacity to enjoy life. It proved that he had lived "fast," and he used to boast of how many drops or tea spoonfuls he had taken of such or

The following very admirable piece of sketching,
au naturel, makes us wish that the author would
leave novels and give us her autobiography:
That hall is the first battle-field of our young Amazons
who go forth to conquer the male sex.

Their success

or failure is determined within those walls. She is
perdestined to rule who finds herself engaged at least
"six deep" before she smooths out her skirts for her first
quadrille, and she is a wall-flower for life who passes
her evening on one of these very hard chairs planted
around the room.

Sully's portrait of Victoria dominates the crowd at
the upper end of the hall; a string of likenesses, repre-
senting the series of Presidents of the St. Andrew's So-
ciety (to whom the hall belongs), line the walls, and a
carpet upon the floor gives a drawing-room look to this
festive spot.

I went to one of these balls once. Alas! the seats

are very uncomfortable, and I had no other experience.
My chaperon was very kind, and not satisfied with the
small effect that I produced. She varied my position as
inuch as she could so as to bring out my best points.

There was a time when the novel was really Now it is an old story, often literally as well novel. as figuratively. The story books we read in the present generation have about as much chance of being read in the next as have the generality of newspaper leaders, and no more. It is necessary then to consi-, der their value in reference to the particular mission they have to fulfil-to furnish recreation for the reading public.

Blanche Dearwood in this view is rather superior to the average of novels, and its circulation will be a favorable indication of popular taste, and publie appreciation of the more natural school of fictitious literature.

Curious Stories about Fairies, and other Funny Peo-
ple. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1855.
The "Little Folks" are under obligations to Messrs.
Ticknor & Fields for this addition to their classics.
We hope no parent will be so extravagantly utili-
tarian as to deny to his children the innocent and
indeed profitable enjoyment of fairy literature. Pro-
fitable in that it lays up a stock of pleasant memo-
ries, of bright hours, to be recurred to in after days,
amid all the cares and anxieties that beset maturity.

To us, who have such thoughts of by gone happy times to draw upon, these pleasant tales will be properly valued, and when we read them now, for their fascination has not all departed yet, visions of joyous, careless childhood rise again before us:

"There was a time when meadow, grove and stream, The earth and every common sight, To me did seem

Apparelled in celestial light,

The freshness and the glory of a dream."

If we cannot recall the actualities of youth, let the bright memories that remain plead with us for those who have yet unoccupied nooks and crannies of the brain to store with pleasant thoughts.

Crotchets and Quavers; or, Revelations of an Opera Manager. New York: S. French." 1855. The principal recommendation of this volume seems to be the personalities with which it deals. It is a sort of voluntary pillory, in which for the hope of a

Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic and Civil Wars : with the supplementary books attributed to Hirtins; including the Alexandrian, African, and Spanish Wars. Literally translated, with notes, and a very elaborate Index. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1855.

The well-known excellence of Bohn's Classical

NOTICE TO PUBLISHERS.-The attention of publishers is respectfully directed to the terms of advertising which we have adopted. They will be found on the last page, and are no doubt lower than those of any other paper in the country. The Publisher of the CRITERION not seeing the justice or policy of advertisers paying the whole expense, thus enabling the paper to

Library, from which this is a reprint, renders any be given to subscribers at less than cost, has decided

commendation unnecessary.

NEW YORK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1855.

THE PRICE OF A LITERARY REPUTATION. The full development of the power of wealth seems to have been reserved for our own time and our own country, and among the traits which shall serve to distinguish us hereafter, none will be so little creditable

as this. It was said long since and by good authority, that "If money go before, all ways do lie open." But

upon what appears to be a more equitable plan. He charges a fair price for the paper and a fair price for advertisements.

Publishers will much oblige us by sending the title, &c., of such books as they issue; and any other information of works contemplated, &c., will be appreciated.

The CRITERION will be delivered by carriers in

certain sum, the author allows himself to be pelted the glorious bard could scarcely have beheld in his far New York and Brooklyn, at Six Cents per week.

with ancient eggs, and other popular missiles.

Dickens' Little Folks. Smike-The Child Wife. New York: Redfield. 1855.

All the world and his wife are of course familiar with the works from which these stories are taken, and all the world and his wife will of course feel gratified that by this ingenious method," Dickens' Little Folks" may be introduced to their little folks. The plan of these volumes is to take such characters as "Little Nell," "Smike," "Little Paul," etc., and convey their histories in one connected story, as far as may be, in the language of Mr. Dickens. As far as a slight inspection may permit us to say so, they are cleverly done, and we can strongly recommend, if it be not a work of supererogation, the excellent moral teaching of all the writings which their great and good author has yet given to the public.

Border Beagles. A Tale of Mississippi. By W. GILMORE SIMMS. New York: J. S. Redfield. 1855. This is the third of a series of "Border Novels and Romances of the South." The tales of Mr. Simms are always interesting, and this volume is filled with exciting incident.

A Child's History of the United States. By JOHN BONNER. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1855. The idea of writing educational works for children in a style attractive to children, must needs be a good one. If geographies and histories can be made as fascinating as " Jack the Giant Killer," and "Goody Two Shoes," the great objection to study will be thereby overcome. The author has clearly and briefly expressed his design in a preface, which we append.

In this little book the author has tried to write the story of the United States in the language of children. The idea was suggested by Mr. Charles Dickens's Child's History of England-a work so beautiful, so manly, and so true, that if the Great Englishınan had written nothing else, he could not pass out of mind. It is the author's hope that a Child's History of this country may possess the use which Mr. Dickens modestly claims for his work-that "it may help children, by-and-by, to read with interest larger and better books on the same subject."

Whilst we gladly admit that Mr. Bonner has given us a very creditable performance in some respects, we do not concede that he has fulfilled his intention. The "language of children" is not necessarily coarse or vulgar, but the author uses quite often, expres sions which may be properly thus characterized. He has also, we think, exceeded his limits-brought down the History too near the present day, and alluded to matters of importance, in a superficial manner, which had been better omitted altogether. Mr. Bonner seems to be a believer in "Young America" and children's rights, but we may be ermitted to suggest the bare possibility of the depression of the youthful bumps of veneration on becoming familiar by authority, with expressions such as these: "Old Tom Benton." "Harry Clay," etc.

Does Mr. Bonner suppose that his juveniles will appreciate this exquisite pleasantry? "They do draw the long bow a leetle.

Though the facts of history may be presented here, its dignity is entirely absent. Many people who are somewhat diffident to their grown fellows, are, we know, rather fond of an affected profundity, and a stern dogmatism to little folks, but we were somewhat surprised to find Mr. Bonner abusing his present opportunity by an indulgence of low, artisan feeling utterly and strangely out of place in a work such as this pretends to be. He has in respect of this entirely misconceived the duties legitimately devolved upon him.

insight, the time when money would have built a railroad to Parnassus. The days of struggling authorhood are past, and genius has become of less value than guineas. Newspapers publish their advertising rates, but we have yet seen none which announce their rates for reviews. It would make a curious table, wherein the scale of laudation was nicely graduated. The price for pronouncing Brown, Jones, and Robinson greater discoverers than Columbus-more indefatigable ex plorers than Park or Ledyard, might form an interesting contrast to the amount demanded for proving, or at least asserting, Smuggins to be a poet superior to Milton. A few newspapers are on the desk before us. Let us see "what the papers say." We italicize. "The two most surprising men of the most surprising epoch are unquestionably Louis Napoleon and Max Maretzek." [Indeed!]

"The incarnation of genial wit, true good feeling, sound common sense, and honest human nature, is John Brougham." [Is he?]

"Gushing with the pathos of real sorrow." "Nothing in Dickens surpasses its local pictures." "Dickens must look to his laurels." [Modest !] "A humor that rivals that of Dickens." [Won't they let Dickens alone?]

We have not heard lately of the gentleman, who, after being up two nights travelling in a railroad car, got a new volume, read until his bit of candle had burned out, and then in the middle of the night started off to borrow another, by which he finished it, but presume he will communicate to the publishers before long. Nor have we observed within a few weeks

past a letter from that "distinguished critic," in which he says of a book not yet published, "I have just read it the third time and expect soon to peruse it again."

It would appear that publishing facilities have greatly increased of late; for there are no apologies for postponements on account of the "immense rush of orders;" as the editor of the Bunkum Flag Staff expresses it, "Three editions printed before going to press." We have not seen an announcement for several days, that, "In consequence of our orders now reaching 17,987 copies we must beg the indulgence of the public for a longer delay of ten days in publica

tion."

Those wishing to subscribe will please leave their names at the office, No. 113 Nassau Street.

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TICKNOR & FIELDS have in press besides the works we have heretofore announced, "The Complete Poetical Works of Leigh Hunt; Plays and Poems," by George H. Boker; and two new volumes by De Quincey.

MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN will soon issue "Lives of Judges, infamous, as tools of tyranny and instruments of oppression. By John Lord Campbell." Edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by Richard Hildreth.-And "The Homestead on the Hill Side. A Domestic Story." By Mrs. Mary J. Holmes, the popular author of "Tempest and Sunshine," and The English Orphans." This reservation is mysterious. Like the dead silence which precedes the thunder, it fills us with expectant awe. Perhaps the "distinguished critic" did refer to the work again and is still going on; his next letter may say, "I have now read this marvellous story three hundred times and shall commence another hundred to

morrow."

One question only remains. What does it cost?

TO BOOKSELLERS AND PUBLISHERS. This, the fourth number of the CRITERION is sent to a great number of the trade throughout the country. We hope that those who may receive the paper will find leisure to examine it, and have no doubt that its value and importance will be apparent.

Particular attention is directed to the list of New Publications, and the Literary Intelligence. Especial care will be given to the collating of all such information as may be of interest not only to those who read books but to those who issue them.

The subscription to the Criterion is $3 per annum, but the trade will be allowed the usual discount.

DEWITT & DAVENPORT have in press, "Geoffrey Moneton; or, The Faithless Guardian," by Mrs. Moodie. J. W. RANDOLPH, of Richmond, has in press "History of the Virginia Convention of 1776." By Hugh B. Grigsby; and "Edith Allen, or Sketches of Life in Virginia." By Lawrence Neville. Mr. Randolph also publishes the "Quarterly Law Journal," the subscription to which is $5 per annum.

Our readers are referred to previous numbers of the CRITERION for lists of other works in press. The announcements this week have been unusually few.

FOREIGN.

From the London Publishers' Circular we take the

following summary of literary intelligence:—

BIOGRAPHY. -"Life and Writings of the Rev. Ralph Wardlaw;" also, selections from the works of that eminent divine; "A True Account of the Life and Death of Sir John King, Councillor-at-Law to King Charles II., from an Original MS.," 1 vol.; "Life of Henry Fielding," 1 vol. post 8vo.; "Memoirs of Captain Vicars, 97th Regiment;" a new "Life of Milton," by Mr. Keightley, in 1 vol.; "Memoir of Anthony Morris Groves, Missionary in India," 1 vol.

Among the works of FICTION are:-"Simplicity

66

and Fascination," by Miss Beale; "Unconscious Influence," by Catherine D. Bell; a new edition of Westward Ho!" a cheap edition of "Lewis Arundel," "The Adventures of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid, recounted by the author of Mary Powell;'" Everley, a Tale." An English translation of "Tolla." which appeared in the pages of the Revue des Deux Mondes, will shortly be published. A new historical romance of American life, by G. P. R. James-"The Old Dominion"-is also announced.

46

In TRAVELS, we have "The Wanderer in Arabia," by G. T. Lowth, 2 vols. with illustrations; "Greece and the Greeks of the Present Day," by M. About, in "Constable's Miscellany of Foreign Literature;" a second edition of Danby Seymour's "Sea of Azof and the Shores of the Black Sea;" the third volume, containing Meccah, of Lieut. Burton's "Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah:" a second edition of Hue's "Chinese Empire," 2 vols. Hurlbut's "Pictures from Cuba," and "Brazil, Viewed through a Naval Glass," by Edward Wilberforce, form two new parts of the " Traveller's Library." A fourth and cheaper edition of Mr. Gordon Cumming's "Five Years' Adventures in South Africa" is also announ"Lilliesleaf" is the title of the new story by the author of "Margaret Maitland."

ced.

A "Cyclopædia of Descriptive and Physical Geography," by James Bryce, M.A., post 8vo. with illustrations, is nearly ready.

66

In SCIENCE, are:-" Memoirs of Geological Survey of the United Kingdom," Decade 8, with seven plates; Arago's Popular Astronomy;" vol. 2 of vol. 1 of " De la Rive's Electricity;" a " Handbook of Zoology," by Dr. Van der Hoeven, 8vo. with plates; the first two parts of a new edition of Dr. Lardner's "Handbook of Natural Philosophy," to be completed in eighteen parts; a new work in Entomology on "Small Moths," by H. T. Stanton, in English, French,

German and Latin.

MEDICAL WORKS.-A new edition of Sir G. Ballingall's "Outlines of Military Surgery;" Barlow's Practice of Medicine" is added to Churchill's "Popular Manuals," the aggregate sales of which are announced at 73,000 copies. Part 2 of Professor Miller's "Elements of Chemistry" is nearly ready: the third part will complete the work. Kesteven's "Manual of Domestic Practice of Medicine;" Bell's "Anatomy and Treatment of the Teeth;" Dr. Huss on "Typhus Fever;" and Dixon on the "Diseases of the Eye."

HISTORY.-Frounde's " History of England, from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth," is in the press. Massey's "History of England during the Reign of George the Third" will be completed in four vols. Vols. 2 and 3 of Palgrave's "History of Normandy and of England" are nearly ready. Vols. 4 and 5 of "Merival's "History of the Romans under the Empire" are announced for January. Le Quesne's "Constitutional History of Jersey." Pictorial Histories of Greece and Rome" are about to be published, the former in two, and the latter in three vols.

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Birket Foster, who made a special tour to sketch
that exquisite scenery; and a companion volume to
"L'Allegro," published last year. Goldsmith's "Tra-
veller," with etchings by the same artist. A new
edition of Adams' Sacred Allegories," with wood
engravings after Cope, Horsley, Palmer, and Birket
Foster. "Sabbath Bells chimed by the Poets,"
printed in the old style with colored initial letters,
and illustrated with sixteen engravings printed in
colors, after drawings by Birket Foster. A pictorial
edition of the Rev. Legh Richmond's "Dairyman's
Daughter." Keats' "Eve of St. Agnes," illustrated
by Edward Wehnert, of the same size as "Gray's
Elegy," "Pleasures of Hope," &c., &c. The "Ballads
of Ireland," collected by Edward Hayes, in 2 vols.
A new Poem, in seven parts, will appear in a few
days, by the author of "Ruins of Many lands," en-
titled "The Poetry of Creation." The British Classic
edition of the works of Pope will extend to eight
volumes. "Glasgow and its Clubs," by Dr. Strang.
The "Food of London," by George Dodd. "Art of
Perfumery," by G. W. O. Piesse. The "British Year
book for the Country, 1856," edited by C. M'Intosh
and Dr. Kemp. A new and important work on the
"Condition and Resources of Canada," which gained
the Government prize, will shortly appear. Advices
from Montreal speak in the highest terms of the re-
ception it is likely to meet with, as supplying infor-
mation so long required, especially in the home
country.

"The Lessons of the Church-What they Teach,"
Among the new serial publications, we may notice
edited by the Rev. Henry Newland. The first
monthly part is announced for publication to-day.
The "Engineer," a new weekly magazine, will ap-
pear on the 17th inst.

The first volumes published by the Brothers Harper
were "Locke on the Understanding" and "Blair's
Lectures." We have received a long communication
on the subject which may appear hereafter.

The N. Y. Times in a notice of "Poets and Poe-
try of America," having charged the Rev. Rufus
Wilmot Griswold with having altered Poe's poem of
the "Raven," by printing it, not as Poe wrote it, but
to suit some fancy of his own, or, it is yet more pro-
bable, to suit the double columns of the book;" is
thus replied to.

The "Raven" was first printed in Poets and Poetry of America in the spring of 1845, (soon after its original publication in the Whig Review, from a manuscript copy furnished by the author. A proof was sent to him; on reading it he suggested that the poem would look better if the lines were divided, each upon the consisting already of three and a half feet of that kind, fourth trochee, except the last in each stanza, which needed no division for the purposes in view; the change was, therefore made, and on returning a second proof, he wrote me the letter which I enclose for your inspection, expressive of the satisfaction he felt at its improved appearance "in short metre." Thus you will perceive that you were mistaken in supposing I have taken to call "the actual identities of the poem." any unwarrantable liberties with what you are pleased

That Mr. PoE wished it always to be printed in short lines is evident from the facts that, in the several autograph copies of it which he made for his friends, and in a copy which he prepared very carefully for a London publisher, who proposed issuing an edition of his poems, disapproved of the change, or if the change had been he wrote it so. Beside, as he lived more than four years after I printed "The Raven" in this manner, if he had made without his authority, you may readily believe that he would have indicated his feelings on the subject in some altogether unmistakable way.

I make this correction of your error respecting "The Among the Maps recently published, may be men- Raven" lest your paragraph should lead others, not less tioned those of the Geological Survey of the United acute, to similar criticisins of my book. Probably more Kingdom, colored under the superintendence of Sir than one hundred of the poems which it contains were R. I. Murchison. A new and improved edition of printed from the autographs of their authors, or from copies in which they had made alterations. This was the Sidney Hall's "General Atlas," corrected to the pre-case with all those by RICHARD HENRY WILDE, with two sent time, is announced at a greatly reduced price. by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, and with others by Judge HopA Map of London, Westminster, and Southwark, as KINSON, WASHINGTON ALLSTON, ANDREWS NORTON, BISHOP in the Olden Times. A Map of Nicolaiev, showing DOANE, OTWAY CURRY, JOHN NEAL, C. F. HOFFMAN, ARthe keys of that naval building-port of Russia, Kin- THUR CLEVELAND COXE, CHARLES G. LELAND, HENRY W. burn and Otchakov. PARKER, and, no doubt, many whose names I do not now remember.

LITERARY GOSSIP.

Prescott's "History of the Reign of Philip II." which we have already noticed as being in the press of Messrs. PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & Co., will bring down the story to the execution of Count EGMONT and HOORN in 1568, and to the imprisonment and death of Don CARLOS, whose mysterious fate, so long the subject of speculation, is now first explored by the light of the authentic records of Simancas.

Your obedient servant,
November, 15th, 1855. RUFUS W. GRISWOLD.
The literary papers we have received from Eng-
land contain but little in the way of gossip.

20,000 copies of Mr. Macaulay's forthcoming volumes have been subscribed for; the amount of these subscriptions is about £50,000.

Messrs. Routledge have sold already upwards of twenty thousand copies of the collected correspondence of W. H. Russell. "Our special correspondent,” will receive by arrangement with the publishers Dorritt" will be laid in Paris, and that for purposes £1,000, being one shilling per copy. of observation, &c., Mr. Dickens intends passing the winter in the French capital. The proceeds of Mr. Dicken's last serial "Bleak House" It to have fallen little short of £13,000. The sale is asthirty-five thousand per month, which at half the sumed to have varied from thirty to forty, averaging selling price, leaving the other half to defray expenses, would be in round numbers £10,000 for the twelvemonth on the monthly parts alone; and the parts extend to twenty.

It is rumored that some of the scenes of "Little

lectures, before the Mercantile Library Association
PROFESSOR SILLIMAN is to deliver a course of twelve
of Providence, this Fall. He lectures three evenings
in the week. For this service he is to receive $2,000,
the Society paying the expenses of himself, wife and
servant, and of transporting his specimens, &c.
is thought that the sale of tickets will remunerate the
Society for this large outlay-not less, probably,
than $2,600.

An article on "Publishers: their Past, Present,
and Future in the U. S." in the American Publishers'
Circular states that

are understood

THEOLOGY.-"Sermons" are announced by the Rev. Charles P. Eden, M.A.; the late Rev. John Natt, B.D.; the late Rev. Thomas Nunn, of Leeds, with a Preface by the Rev. Dr. Hook; the Rev. H. Alfred; a Second Series by Professor Archer Butler. The Rev. J. S. Gelderdale's Denyer Theological Prize "Essay." A new work by the late Bishop of Lincoln is announced, on the "Church of Christ during the First Three Centuries." Marsden's Eighth and concluding part of "The History of Christian Churches and Sects from the Earliest Ages of Christianity." A new edition of Dr. Kitto's "Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature," in 2 vols. "The Christian Clergy of the First Ten Centuries," by Henry Mackenzie, B.A. The Plant of Renown," by the Rev. Dr. Hamilton. "Heavenly Thoughts for Evening Hours," by Lady Catherine Long. "Exeter Hall Lectures," in one volume. PHILOSOPHY.-Dugald Stewart's "Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers," in two vols., and his lec- success. To follow the progress of this house down to The preface discusses the causes which produced the

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tures on Political Economy" (the latter now first published). Butler's "Lectures on the History of Ancient Philosophy," 2 vols. 8vo. A translation of Schler's Initiatory Treatise on Philosophy." The twenty-first edition of Tupper's "Proverbial Philosophy" is announced.

DICTIONARIES. A new edition of Richardson's "English Dictionary," in 2 vols. 4to. is nearly ready; also an edition in 1 vol. 8vo., without the quotations. Pocket Dictionaries of English and Hindustani, and English and Persian. A "Chinese Manual," small folio. Two smaller editions of Webster's "English Dictionary."

OF ILLUSTRATED BOOKS for Christmas we are promised a pretty good supply. The new illustrated edition of "Moore's Irish Melodies" is nearly ready; likewise an illustrated edition of the Poems of George Herbert," illustrated by Birket Foster, Noel Humphreys, and Clayton. "The Rhine," with engravings after

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"The first book ever published by the HARPERS
mously. Another house had an edition of the same
of Scott's Novels, then issued anony
work in press; to 'head off' which, one of the brothers
James, we believe-visited, with an early copy, the
booksellers; and before his opponent was regularly in
the field, he had disposed of his edition. The house
then purchased the opposition edition upon advanta-
geous terms, and sold it with surprising rapidity and
the present time, would be to write a volume of no or-
dinary dimensions. What we have stated, however,
may indicate the nature and extent of their business
less than thirty-eight years ago; and in addition, it
may suffice to say, that their present establishment is,
perhaps, the most spacious and extensive publishing
house in the world; that they have in continual motion
over thirty steam presses, propelled by a seventy-five
literateurs, over six hundred persons; and have on
horse-power engine; that they employ, exclusively of
their trade list between one thousand and eleven hun-
dred publications. The house of D. APPLETON & Co. is
younger, by several years, than that of Harper & Bro-
thers. It was founded by the late DANIEL APPLETON,
and is conducted at present by his five sons.
book ever published for the firm was a volume hardly
one inch square, entitled, 'DAILY CRUMBS.'"

The first

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The Dublin University Magazine is about to be sold in consequence of the ill health of the publisher, Mr. McGlashin.

The first Russian Translation of Schiller's poems, edited by MM. Gerbel and Michailov, has recently been published at Moscow.

The twelfth volume of "L'Histoire du Consulat et de l'Empire," by M. Thiers has just appeared.

fall of the monarchy of Napoleon I.

Some unpublished letters of the witty Earl of Chesterfield have just turned up. In one he gives a lengthened criticism on Richardson's novels, and observes that when Richardson gets into high life he loses himself and is untrue to high life. especially to "Sir Charles Grandison." are in the possession of Lord Stanhope.

He refers The letters

The King of the Belgians has presented a gold medal to M. J. De Geyters, of Antwerp, author of the Flemish poem read at the late celebration of the 25th anniversary of Belgian Independence.

Among obituary notices we find the names of Sir William Molesworth, Mr. Frederick Lucas, and Lord Wharncliffe, each having some reputation among men of letters. The Dutch poet, Spandaw, aged eighty years, died lately.

The writer of an article on "Paragraph Bibles" in the October number of the Edinburgh Review, sttaes

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"that there is no such thing as a readable Bible," arising partly from " the superstitious notion that the Sacred Scriptures must all be brought together in a single volume." The reviewer further declares" that the demand for bibles printed in an improved form is felt by the public, and will doubtless be provided for by the booksellers."

The Austrian police has prohibited the circulation of General Klapka's work, "The War in the East during the Years 1853 and 1854."

The total number of periodical publications in Germany in 1854 was 2025, of which 403 were political. In the same year there were 2,000 book, music, and print sellers, and 1679 printing offices. The number of books printed exceeded 10,000.

The venerable Alexander Humboldt celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday on the 14th October, in Berlin, in the full enjoyment of his intellectual powers. The Duchess of Genoa has caused the library of her deceased husband, consisting almost entirely of military works, to be arranged. The library will be opened to the public at the commencement of next year. It contains more than 400 Italian and foreign manuscripts.

roots contain alcohol and sugar; nothing can be more true." M. Plée follows up his assertion by the ensuing curious details:-"Take a thick lump of freestone or quartzeous silex; reduce it to powder; mix this silex when pulverised with a sufficient quantity of alcali; fuse it-you will obtain a soluble glass that you can dissolve so as to precipitate the silicium it contains in the shape of a jelly. You then take this last product and have it filtered, then redissolved a second time in a cyanurated lixivium, so as to produce a compound cyanuret. This operation will give you a fluid, whence there then only remains to extract the metal called silicium. Plunge into this liquid your utensils, whether of copper, iron, zinc, tin, or lead; bring the electric process to bear upon them properly; and they will instantly be covered with the adherent plating of silicium, which is white as silver, and attains to the highest degree of lustre under the polisher's hand." M. Charles Junot is the name of the man who has invented this new metal, and has, according to the account given by M. Plée, spent years in indefatigable research; nor does the silicium appear to be the only substitute for silver he has discovered; two or three others are equally mentioned by M. Plée. The silicium, however, seems to be so hard to distinguish from silver, that a learned French chemist has already presented to the Academy of Sciences a report on the necessity of devising fresh methods of analysis, in order to distinguish between the two metals which is which. "Other chemists," adds the writer of the Sicle, "have other processes for the reduction of silicium, and all are setting to work at it. It is, therefore, to be expected that a complete transmutation will be effected. We shall from clay draw aluminum; from ASTEROIDS.-The discoverers of the two Asteroids freestone, from silex, from sand we shall extract silicium; these metals, given up to industry and fabrication, may replace silver for domestic purposes, and silver be thus entirely restored to monetary circulation."- Correspondent of Manchester

Count Fiequelmont is engaged on a diplomatic History of Europe since the congress of Vienna. Jenny Lind has expressed an intention to visit London, for the special purpose of giving a concert in aid of the proposed Nightingale fund.

The German philologers held their annual meeting this year at Hamburg, on the 1st October: next year they will assemble at Stuttgart..

SCIENTIFIC.

referred to last week were M. Goldsmidt and M. Luther. It was "a strange coincidence" that both were discovered in the same day-the one by Mr. Goldsmidt at Paris, and the other by M. Luther at Bilk.

The former has been named Atalante, the latter Fides. The interesting family of the Asteroids now numbers 37 individuals.

seem.

Guardian.

of creation.

THE SCIENCE OF ENERGETICS.-Energy, or the capacity to effect changes, is the common characteristie of the various states of matter to which the several branches of physics relate; if, then, there be general laws respecting energy, such laws, must be applicable, mutatis mutandis, to every branch of physics, and must express a body of principles as to physical phenomena in general.

BLOOD GLOBULES.-Some photographic views of SILVER FROM PAVING STONES.-There is in the blood globules taken by M. Duboseq, of Paris, have lately formed the subject of a microscopic exhibition Sicle, under the head of "Transmutation," a highly at the Royal Polytechnic Institution. The globules interesting article upon the new discovery of turning paving-stones into silver. Do not start back in in- of the human race, of animals, of birds, reptiles, and fishes, were shown upon the white curtain. The eredulons astonishment; it is perfectly exact, per- specimens all exhibited the same general features, fectly authentic, perfectly practicable, as it would Paving-stones! that unworthy, ignoble, in-varying only in size and shape. The subject is highsurrectionary pavé, that first and worst element of ly important, not only in a medical, but a judicial barricades, is to be converted into plate, and, driven point of view, for all blood stains could thus be anafrom the streets by M'Adam, is to figure on the table. Lyzed and be made to assist in eliciting the truth, It will be argued that there was no need for any affects the human economy could thus be scrutinised while, for medical purposes, every disturbance that further production of plate, since the electrotype and remedies suggested according to the appearances gold and silver, invented and improved by Knolz, indicated. The great power of the microscope thus Elkington, Christofle, and so many others, and that vies with the telescope in manifesting the wonders the precious metals have, by these processes, been rendered quite common, and quite attainable enough. But that is not all the utility of silver and gold (of the former especially), and upon the feasibility of facilitating the circulation of silver moneys runs the chief part of M. Plée's long article in the Siècle. He starts from the necessity of producing an equilibrium between the two metals, gold and silver, and says that such an equilibrium, wanting totally at the present moment, since the influx of gold from California and Australia, is of the utmost importance for trade; and M. Plée remarks, justly enough, that the advanced state of science will assuredly not leave us in the impossibility of supplying the void left by the insufficient yield of silver; and that we shall end either by extracting silver elsewhere than from silver mines, or by discovering new metals to take its place. There are, for instance," observes M. Plée, "new metals, noble and beautiful as the old ones hitherto held to be not reducible, which are now perfectly reduced, and which, for the fabrication of every object till now fabricated in silver, would be a complete equivalent for it, and thus allow it to be exclusively consecrated to the monetary circulation." Aluminum has, as we al ready know, been the object of considerable attention to men of science, and, no doubt, its uses will be great and stand us in good stead; but there is just now another discovery that is more curious still, and the success whereof would appear likely to be established. The use of stone is growing less ever since asphalte, macadam, and iron have superseded it, and the hard, solid paving stone is being more neglected every day. "Now," says M. Plée, "if one was to declare at once, and without any preamble, that paving-stones were productive of a metal scarcely in any way distinguishable from silver; that saucepans, plates, forks, and spoons were to be got out of a block of freestone, one should probably be unmercifully laughed at, yet such is the case, the pave does contain metal, as beet

64

in work the change has been effected, which, in potential energy, is capable of being effected. [W. J. M. Rankine, Proceedings of Philosophical Society of Glasgow, May, 1855.]

DR. H. BARTH.-It will be remembered that seve

The

ral years ago, the British Government determined
to fit out an expedition for exploring the interior of
Africa. Upon the recommendation of that famous
geographer, Dr. Aug. Petermann, two young Ger-
mans, Dr. Barth and Dr. Overweg, were entrusted
with this important mission, and a few years after,
in 1853, an equally able and courageous German,
Dr. Vegel, followed them. They were successful,
and the reports of their discoveries reached their
friends in Europe, from time to time. Dr. Overweg
died of the fever on the 27th September, 1852, and in
the early part of this year, the scientific public were
alarmed by a rumor of Dr. Barth's death.
greater was the joy. therefore, on the part of his nu-
merous personal friends, and those interested in the
advancement of science, when, only a few weeks ago,
they heard of his safe return. Through France, Dr.
Barth went to London, and arrived at Hamburg,
his native city, on the 1st of October. He met
there with the most hearty reception, all the learned
societies conferred membership upon him, and the
city made him its honorary citizen; equal honors
waited for him in Berlin, where Alexander Von
Humboldt introduced him to the king. He is now
gone to Gotha, in order to publish, with the aid of
Dr. Petermann, a detailed account of his travels and
explorations, the results of which chiefly consist in
the following:-Description of the true character of
extension of the Mandif Group; proof that the east-
the Desert Sahara; ascertaining the situation and
ern branch of the river Kewara, the Binue, is inde-
pendent of the Lake Tsad and forms the natural
commercial route into the interior of Africa; explo-
ration of the rivers System, Baghermis, and Adama-
nas; and determination of the course of the Niger

between Soccoto and Timbuctoo.

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MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.-M. Julien will commence his season of promenade concerts at Covent Garden on the 5th of November.-In a notice of a recent concert, the Shrewsbury Journal thus expresses its admiration of a lady vocalist: "In Mme. Gassier, however, we find fresh fields and pastures new."-Mr. In a paper read to the Philosophical Society of Richard Turner, of Dublin, has lately contracted to Glasgow, on the 5th of January, 1853, a first at- fit up a wrought iron roof and all the upper machinetempt was made to investigate such principles, by ry of a large theatre at Buenos Ayres, the cost of defining actual energy and potential energy, and by de- which will be upwards of 4,000l.-Mrs. Louisa Chatmonstrating, a general law of the mutual transform- terly lately gave a dramatic reading at the Bristol ations of those kinds of energy, of which one par- Athenæum before a numerous and respectable auditicular case is a previously known law of the me- ence. Shakspeare's comedy of Much Ado about Nochanical action of heat in elastic bodies, and anoth-thing was selected, and the Bristol Advertiser char er, a subsequently demonstrated law, which forms acterises Mrs. Chatterly's reading as chaste, intellithe basis of Professor William Thomson's theory of gent, and captivating." Meyerbeer is expected at thermo-electricity. Vienna on the 10th of next month, He is to direct in person, the rehearsals of the "Etoile du Nord," which wil be performed for the first time at Vienna on the fete-day of her Majesty the Empress. A license to open the theatre of Sebastopol has been accorded to MM. Devaux and Danterny, the managers of the French company at Constantinople.-A new Oratorio, by Herr Emil Naumann, of Berlin, entitled "Jerusalem's Zerstörung durch Titus," will be execu ted at Berlin (by the Royal Sing-Academie) in January, and at Dresden, in February next.-The receipts of the theatres, balls, and concerts of Paris in September last amounted to 1,558,997f., which were 96,500f. more than those of August, and double those of September, 1854.-At the close of the Paris Exposition on the 15th of next month, to add state to the distribution of the medals, music is to be performed under the direction of M. Berlioz, who is to marshal 1,500 orchestral and choral executants on the occasion.-The Turin correspondent of the Times gives the 1ollowing account of a new Italian cantatrice :-As

Energy, Actual and Potential-The term energy comprehends every state of a substance which constitutes a capacity for performing work. Quanti ties of energy are measured by the quantities of work whicht hey constitute the means of performing.

"Actual Energy" comprehends those kinds of capacity for performing work which consist in particular states of each part of a substance, how small soever; that is, in an absolute accident, such as heat, light, electric current, visa visa. Actual energy is essentially positive.

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Potential Energy" comprehends those kinds of capacity for performing work which consists in relations between substances or parts of substances; that is, in relative accidents. To constitute potential energy there must be a passive accident, capable of variation, and an effort tending to produce such variation; the integral of this effort, with respect to the possible variation of the passive accident, is potential energy, which differs in work from this-that

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