tolerably familiarized. But even among them, Webster dress delivered by him at the laying of the corner stone has distinguished himself by his talent for roughing it of the Bunker Hill monument in 1825, are the expression on a journey. His courage has been more than once of those genial feelings of the heart, which, intertwining approved in rencontres in the thinly settled districts. In themselves with the principles and convictions of the the stormiest meetings and debates he maintains his statesman, first give them full life and vitality. ascendency. And yet there is not, either in his bearing Considered in regard to his political principles, Mr or language, the least swagger or parade of fearlessness. Webster is a favourable specimen of a party which we An anecdote so trilling in itself as to be scarcely worth are happy to believe is silently but surely spreading its repeating, affords considerable insight into his character influence over America. We should incline to call its in this respect. He was detained, with one or two other members “tempered federalists,” but that we are unwillpassengers, in a lonely inn at the mouth of some river, ing to attach to them an obnoxious and ill-omened name, the name of which we have forgot, by a storm, which which they have evinced a wish to cast aside. This party rendered it dangerous to cross. When the violence of is characterised by the eminent good taste and feeling the weather seemed to have somewhat abated, one of his with which it steers its way between anti-republican companions was anxious to attempt a passage, but Web- doctrines and vulgar democratic sentiment. Its members ster thought it still too perilous. The other, a rude are conspicuous for their ardour in the diffusion of knowcountryman, taunted him with cowardice; but he laugh- ledge, and the promotion of internal improvement for ingly replied, that if there were a crowd assembled on the their zeal in propagating sound and rational views in all shore to see how heroically he could drown, he should questions of political economy-for the urbanity and have no objections to attempt to cross; but no one being tolerance with which, while maintaining firmly the printhere to admire him, he did not see the use of throwing ciples of their own constitution, they respect the forms away his life. of government established in other countries. The strong. The contents of “ Speeches and Forensic Arguments” hold of this party is in the New England States its afford a pretty comprehensive specimen of his powers. ablest organ is the North American Review-one of its They consist of discourses delivered at several solemn most energetic leaders Mr Webster. We are much misfestivals, arguments in the courts of law, both in matters informed if the next presidential election do not show its criminal and civil, and speeches in Congress. His legal rapid progress towards ascendency. pleadings evince extensive reading, and are characterised The most characteristic feature of Mr Webster's oratory by great clearness of apprehension and lucid arrangement. is impassioned intellect. He takes a comprehensive view The argument on the trial of John Knapp for murder of his subject, and arranges its details in such a manner (p. 450 et seq.) in particular, is marked by a delicate as to insure success in his endeavours to convey a full tact for discriminating what has been established by comprehension of it to his hearers. He has such a firm evidence and what not-by singular dexterity in linking hold, such a clear perception at once of the whole and together a long and cumbrous chain of circumstantial every part, that he can allow himself to expatiate upon evidence,-by a rare power of uniting the irresistible details without fear of overlooking others, or losing sight impetuosity of the impassioned orator with an unceasing of the main question. He has little imagination, is rarely recollection of what is due to candour and equal justice. picturesque, but makes up for this defect by headlong We regard this speech as a model worthy the study of warmth and energy. His expression of sentiment is irall who may be called upon to discharge the office of resistibly contagious, his sarcasm withering. If his first public prosecutor. But it is chietly in his discourses and blow do not tell to his satisfaction, he drives another his speeches in the legislative assemblies of his country, after, and huddles stroke on stroke till he attains his as showing the man and the statesman, that the general object. Such a style is naturally better fitted for debate reader can be expected to take an interest, and it is to than calm dispassionate discussions; and to this do we them that we propose at present to restrict our attention. attribute the immense superiority of his senatorial and Webster's reported speeches, delivered by him in the forensic displays, over his set discourses on high tides and Senate and the House of Representatives, although not festivals. numerous, embrace an extensive and important range of The following passage from his speech on the Bank of topics. As illustrative of his views of the foreign policy the United States is given, not as a specimen of his power, of America, we have his speech on the Greek revolution but of his style of oratory. -already well known in Europe-one on the expediency “What sort of an institution, sir, is this? It looks of appointing a mission to Panama in 1826, and several less like a bank, than a department of government. It on the different tariff bills which have been submitted will be properly the paper-money department. Its capito Congress. His opinions on some of the most import- tal is government debts; the amount of its issues will ant points of internal policy are recorded in the speech depend on government necessities ; government, in effect, on the Bank of the United States, delivered in 1815,– absolves itself from its own debts to the bank, and by way that with which he prefaced a resolution for the more of compensation absolves the bank from its contracts with effectual collection of the public revenue in 1816,-and others. This is, indeed, a wonderful scheme of finance. that which was elicited from him by Mr Foote's motion The government is to grow rich, because it is to borrow respecting the sale of public lands in 1830. His remarks without the obligation of repaying, and is to borrow of a in the Senate, on the application for the erection of a bank which issues paper without liability to redeem it. breakwater at Nantucket, although special in their appli- If this bank, like other institutions which dull and plodcation, are important, as serving to develope his views ding common sense has erected, were to pay its debts, it regarding the interference of the General Congress in the must have some limits to its issues of paper, and therematter of internal improvements. Three speeches, which fore, there would be a point beyond which it could not he delivered in 1821, in the convention of delegates chosen make loans to government. This would fall short of the to revise the constitution of Massachusetts, contain his wishes of the contrivers of this system. They provide opinions on three important questions of constitutional for an unlimited issue of paper, in an entire exemption law---Oaths of Office, the Election of Senators, the from payment. They found their bank, in the first place, Amovibility of Judges. The discourses we have now on the discredit of government, and then hope to enrich 1 enumerated, may be viewed as ratiocinative statements government out of the insolvency of their bank. With of his political creed. His speech in support of the bill them, poverty itself is the main source of supply, and for the relief of the surviving officers of the Revolution, bankruptcy a mine of inexhaustible treasure. They rely taken in connexion with his discourses in commemoration not in the ability of the bank, but in its beggary: not in of the first settlement of New England, and of the lives gold and silver collected in its vaults, to pay its debts, and services of Adams and Jefferson, and with the ad- and fulfil its promises, but in its locks and bars, provided restore IN THE WORLD. POPULAR INFLUENCE. by statute, to fasten its doors against the solicitations and are sufficiently counteracted by the infinite diversities in clamours of importunate creditors. Such an institution, the characters and fortunes of individuals. Talent, actithey flatter themselves, will not only be able to sustain vity, industry, and enterprise tend at all times to produce itself, but to buoy up the sinking credit of the govern- inequality and distinction; and there is room still for the Dent. A bank which does not pay, is to guarantee the accumulation of wealth, with its great advantages, to all engagements of a government which does not pay!John reasonable and useful extent. It has been often urged Doe is to become security for Richard Roe.' Thus the against the state of society in America, that it furnishes empty vaults of the treasury are to be filled from the no class of men of fortune and leisure. This may be equally empty vaults of the bank, and the ingenious in- partly true, but it is not entirely so, and the evil, if it be vention of a partnership between insolvents is one, would affect rather the progress of taste and literaand re-establish the credit of both.” ture, than the general prosperity of the people. But the In modern orations we do not look for nice polish of promotion of taste and literature cannot be primary oblanguage, or balance and adjustment of periods. We jects of political institutions; and if they could, it might shall not, therefore, subject Mr Webster to any finical be doubted whether, in the long course of things, as much criticism on this score. It is enough for us that his is not gained by a wide diffusion of general knowledge, language is strong, racy, manly English. In like man- as is lost by abridging the number of those whom fortune ner we do not look to the public debater for original and leisure enable to devote themselves exclusively to views and opinions. His office is to enforce and apply scientific and literary pursuits. However this may be, what the labours of the recluse student have established. it is to be considered that it is the spirit of our system to And yet in every page of the book before us we find in- be equal and general; and if there be particular disaddications of a mind that looks upon the world for itself, vantages incident to this, they are far more than counand forms its own conclusions after its own fashion. We terbalanced by the benefits which weigh against them. subjoin a few extracts, selected at random, in vindica | The important concerns of society are generally conducttion of this opinion. ed, in all countries, by the men of business and practical ability; and even in matters of taste and literature, the STATION OF AMERICA IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM advantages of inere leisure are liable to be overrated. If there exist adequate means of education, and the love of " We are not propagandists. Wherever other systems letters be excited, that love will find its way to the object are preferred, either as being thought better in them- of its desire, through the crowd and pressure of the most selves , or as better suited to existing condition, we leave busy society.” the preference to be enjoyed. Our history hitherto proves, however, that the popular form is practicable, DANGER OF SUBMITTING SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS TO and that with wisdom and knowledge men may govern themselves; and the duty incumbent on us is, to preserve “ The case before the court is not of ordinary importthe consistency of this cheering example, and take care ance, nor of everyday occurrence. It affects not this that nothing may weaken its authority with the world. college only, but every college, and all the literary instiIf, in our case, the representative system ultimately tutions of the country. They have flourished hitherto, fail, popular governments must be pronounced impossible. and have become in a high degree respectable and useful No combination of circumstances more favourable to the to the community. They have all a common principle experiment can ever be expected to occur. The last of existence, the inviolability of their charters. It will hopes of mankind, therefore, rest with us; and if it be a dangerous, a most dangerous experiment, to hold should be proclaimed, that our example had become an these institutions subject to the rise and fall of popular argument against the experiment, the knell of popular parties, and the fluctuations of political opinions. If the liberty would be sounded throughout the earth." franchise may be at any time taken away, or impaired, the property also may be taken away, or its use pervertDANGERS ATTENDANT UPON AN ELECTIVE HEAD OF THE ed. Benefactors will have no certainty of effecting the object of their bounty; and learned men will be deterred " Reflecting men have always supposed, that if there from devoting themselves to the service of such instituwere a weak point in the federal constitution, it was tions, from the precarious title of their offices. Colleges in the provision for the exercise of the executive power. and halls will be deserted by all better spirits, and beAnd this, perhaps, may be considered as rendered more come a theatre for the contention of politics. Party and delicate and difficult, by the great augmentation of the faction will be cherished in the places consecrated to piety number of the states. We must expect that there will and learning. These consequences are neither remote often be, as there was on the last election, several candi- nor possible only. They are certain and immediate.” dates for the presidency. All but one, of course, must be disappointed; and if the friends of all such, however WEST INDIA COLONIES. otherwise divided, are immediately to unite, and to make “ Differing from these, and still differing more from common cause against him who is elected, little is ever to the New England and North American colonies, are the be expected but embarrassment and confusion.— The love European settlements in the West India islands. It is of office will, ere long, triumph over the love of country; not strange, that when men's minds were turned to the and party and faction usurp the place of wisdom and pa- settlement of America, different objects should be protriotism. If the contest for the executive power is thus posed by those who emigrated to the different regions of to be renewed every four years ; if it is to be conducted so vast a country. Climate, soil, and condition, were not as the present has been conducted ; and if every election all equally favourable to all pursuits. In the West Inis to be immediately followed, as the last was followed, dies, the purpose of those who went thither, was to enby a prompt union of all whose friends are not chosen, gage in that species of agriculture suited to the soil and against him who is, there is, in my judgment, danger, climate, which seems to bear more resemblance to comgreat danger, that this great experiment of confederated merce, than to the hard and plain tillage of New Enggovernment may fail, and that even those of us, who land. The great staples of these countries, being partly are not among the youngest, may behold its catastrophe.” | an agricultural and partly a manufactured product, and not being of the necessaries of life, become the object of DIVERSITY OF AMERICAN SOCIETY. calculation, with respect to a profitable investment of " Let it not be supposed, that this state of things pos- capital, like any other enterprise of trade or manufacture. sesses too strong tendencies towards the production of a The more especially, as they require, by necessity or dead and uninteresting level in society. Such sendencies habit, slave labour for their production, the capital ne EXECUTIVE. Such as cessary to carry on the work of this production is more Articles II. and IX. couvey a mass of interesting inconsiderable. The West Indies are resorted to, there formation respecting the progress of internal improvefore, rather for the investment of capital, than for the ment in America, and the state of its currency. Article purpose of sustaining life by personal labour. V. is a pleasing rambling notice of the labours of Wilson possess a considerable amount of capital, or such as choose the Ornithologist; and Article III., a judicious critito adventure in commercial speculations without capital, cism of the works of Charles Brockden Brown—the can alone be fitted to be emigrants to the islands. The Godwin of American romance writers. We cannot say agriculture of these regions, as before observed, is a sort that the present Number of this able periodical is characof commerce; and it is a species of employment in which terised by any thing like commanding talent, but it is far labour seems to form an inconsiderable ingredient in the above mediocrity-instructive and amusing. productive causes, since the portion of white labour is Our limits only admit of our enumerating the most exceedingly small, and slave labour is rather more like interesting articles in the numbers of the Christian Erprofit on stock or capital, than labour properly so called. aminer which have come to hand. Art. I. of No. 13, The individual who contemplates an establishment of this is an excellent paper on Moral Education, in which the kind, takes into the account the cost of the necessary subject is treated in a calm dispassionate manner, and number of slaves, in the same manner as he calculates from which may be gathered more real and useful inforthe cost of the land. The uncertainty, too, of this spe- mation regarding the moral condition of America, than cies of employment, affords another ground of resem- from many large volumes. The system of the Edinburgh blance to commerce. Although gainful, on the whole, Sessional School is descanted upon in a style which must and in a series of years, it is often very disastrous for a be pleasing to those connected with it, as well as every single year, and as the capital is not readily invested in lover of what tends to ameliorate the condition of the other pursuits, bad crops, or bad markets, not only affect lower classes ; the necessity of education is pointed out to the profits, but the capital itself. Hence the sudden de- the legislature, and to the parent, and the inference drawn, pressions which take place in the value of such estates." that every government, whether republican or monarch While the legislative assemblies of America are swayed ical, must become corrupted in proportion as education is by men like Webster, and while useful knowledge and a neglected.---Art. II. treats of prison discipline, and comhealthy moral feeling are diffused through her inhabit- bats a belief pretty prevalent in the Union, that the prison ants, her power and happiness are as secure as any thing system works well in proportion to the pecuniary gains earthly. which are forced from the prisoner. The writer shows that there is actually a loss sustained to the state when the prison accounts exhibit a large profit. An accouut American Quarterly Review. No. XVI. December, is given of the routine pursued in the prison of Charles1830. Philadelphia : Carey and Lea. Glasgow : town, which seems on the whole to coincide pretty closely John Reid and Co. with that observed at Auburn, already known to the Christian Examiner and Critical Review. New Series. British public.- Art. V. is a review of the first collected Nos. XIII. and XIV. March and May, 1831. edition of Hall of Leicester's works, in which the reBoston': Gray and Bowen. Glasgow : John Reid viewer exults because America has been before the mother and Co. country in publishing it. The editor has prefixed to his American Monthly Magazine. June, 1831. Boston: ded all Hall's political and enrly productions, which have edition a life gathered from different sources, and incluLight and Harris. Glasgow : John Reid and Co. Hall's character is American Annals of Education. Third Series. Nos. been lost sight of in this country, drawn with boldness and originality. III, and IV. April and May, 1831. Boston : Carter, Hendee, and Babcock. Glasgow : John Reid In No. 14, the first paper which ire deem worthy of and Co. attention 'is Art. IV., a review of Grimke's Address ou the subject of introducing the Bible into all schools, to tbe Earlier numbers of all these "periodicals, except the exclusion of all other works! We have rarely met with Christian Examiner have occasionally come' under our such a just and clever castigation of those who, making critical inspection. That work is one of the most ex- one particular subject their study, exclude all others, and, tensively circulated, and, we may add, one of the most deeming it of greater importance, brand every one as bigots able advocates of the Unitarian faith, in America. With who do not follow in their train : and we would seriously its religious tenets we do not intend to interfere further recommend this paper to the attention of some of our own at present, than simply to remark, that every man who worthies, who, desirous of showing their learning, fill up has been blessed with a logical head, tarianism is neither more nor less must see that Uni- their lucubrations with quotations from five or six lan. an attempt to guages, when there is no possibility that they can do more strike a compromise between the vague lingering impres- than disgust the bulk of general readers. We would also sions of a Christian education, and deistical feelings or recommend it to another class, who, adopting a theory, convictions. Unitarians would be deists if they dared. look out for their facts, and make crude statements Having thus briefly stated our dissent from the theology without having them properly authenticated, except in of the Christian Examiner, we shall notice its literary their own brain. Art. V. is a review of the labours merits, in the order of arrangement we have adopted, in of the Baptists in Europe, America, and more parall fairness and candour, hoping, that should these re- ticularly in the East; they receive all due praise for marks ever fall into the hands of its conductors, they their laudable exertions, but really, to judge by paswill thence take a lesson in Christian charity towards us sages quoted from various Oriental translations of the who adhere to the old faith—a virtue in which they are Scriptures, the Bible in many cases has been miserably at present sorely deficient. traduced and abused by them. Some of the quotations The contents of the number of the American Quar- mangle the text in a manner positively ludicrous. terly now before us are chiefly of a historical and sta- We feel almost tempted to assert, that it were better tistical character. Article VIII. contains an able sketch the natives should want the Bible altogether, than posof the French Revolution, principally with reference to the sess it translated in the mapgled and imperfect state agency of Mirabeau. - Article VII. is a just appreciation which we know many of these versions exhibit. Art. of the character of that worthy Van Halen, who at one vil is a clever paper on the use and abuse of books, time threatened to act a prominent part in the troubles of directing the reader how to spend his time and fix his Belgium. -- Article IV. is full of interesting gossip re-choice; and we cordially agree with the reviewer, that lating to the early settlers of Philadelphia. - Article 1. there will always be good and bad publications, but to gives a popular view of the statistics of Buenos Ayres. I attempt to fetter the press with penal laws is not the a a way to prevent this-that where a correct moral taste vation of nature. The following passage is a fair speciexists, public opinion, the only legitimate literary execu- men : tioner, will be sufficient to put them down. “ The fields are still ; The American Monthly Magazine is a work conducted The husbandman has gone to his repast, in a tone of good and conciliatory feeling, the prose articles And, that partaken, on the coolest side of which, with a great affectation of liveliness, are por Of his abode, reclines, in sweet repose. tentously empty and nerveless; the poetry is better-wit Deep in the shaded stream the cattle stand, ness “ The Wife's Appeal,” which we some time ago 'The flocks beside the fence, with heads all prone, transferred to our pages. There is a poem in the present And panting quick. The fields for harvest ripe, Number—apparently by the same author - more am No breezes bend in smooth and graceful waves, bitious, and less uniformly sustained, from which we feel While with their motion, dim and bright by turns, tempted to extract a few passages. The subject is the The sunshine seems to move ; nor e'en a breath story of an old Arab astrologer, and a pupil who studies Brushes along the surface with a shade himself into madness. It opens thus Fleeting and thin, like that of flying smoke. “ Night in Arabia. An hour agone The slender stalks their heavy bended heads Pale Dian had descended from the sky, Support as motionless as oaks their tops. Flinging ber cestus out upon the sea, O'er all the woods the topmost leaves are still ; And at their watches now the solemn stars E’en the wild poplar leaves, that, pendent hung Stood vigilant and lone, and, dead asleep, By stems elastic, quiver at a breath, With not a shadow moving on its breast, Rest in the general calm. The thistle-down, The breathing Earth lay in its silver dew, Seen high and thick, by gazing up beside And, trembling on their myriad viewless wings, Some shading object, in a silver shower 'Th' imprison'd odours left the flowers to dream, Plumb down, and slower than the slowest snow, And stole away upon the yielding air.” Through all the sleepy atmosphere descends; And where it lights, though on the steepest roof, The astrologer is thus portrayed : Or smallest spire of grass, remains unmoved. " Ben Chorat knelt before his telescope, White as a fleece, as dense and as distinct Gazing with earnest stillness on the stars. From the resplendent sky, a single cloud The grey hairs struggling from his turban folds, On the soft bosom of the air becalm d, Play'd with the entering wind upon his cheeks, Drops a lone shadow as distinct and still, And on his breast his venerable beard On the bare plain, or sunny mountain's side; With supernatural whiteness loosely fell. Or in the polish'd mirror of the lake, The black flesh swell’d about his sandal thongs, In which the deep-reflected sky appears Tight with his painful posture, and his lean A calm, sublime immensity below." And witber'd fingers to his knees were clench'd, We could have wished that the reviewer had favoured And the thin lashes of his straining eye us with more of Mr Dana's poetry. The man who Lay with unwinking closeness to the lens, could write such lines as these has the right stuff in him : Stiffen'd with tense up-turning Hour by hour, Till the stars melted in the flush of morn, “ But when the light winds lie at rest, The old astrologer knelt moveless there, And, on the glassy, heaving sea, Ravish'd past pain with the bewildering spheres, The black duck with her glossy breast, And, hour by hour, with the same patient thought, Sits swinging silently.” And again “The ship works hard; the seas run high; His head upon the window, and look'd forth Their white tops, flashing through the night, Upon the heavens awhile, until the dews Give to the eager straining cye, A wild and shifting light.” Before we leave this publication, we may remark, that the last article contains a merited compliment to our Our last extract is a picture of dawn : worthy publisher, with copious extracts from the second « Ben Chorat rose volume of his “ Cabinet." And silently look'd forth upon the east. The American Annals of Educalion continue to be The dawn was stealing up into the sky supported with more talent and spirit, and devotion to the On its grey feet, the stars grew dim apace, cause they advocate, than we fear is likely to be requited And faded, till the Morning Star alone, either on this or the other side of the Atlantic. Their, Soft as a molten diamond's liquid fire, exclusive theme addresses itself to too narrow a public to Burn'd in the heavens. The morn grew freshlier afford any hope of adequate remuneration. The upper clouds were faintly touch'd with gold, The fan-palms rustled in the early air, Daylight spread cool and broadly to the hills, An Essay on Junius and his Letters ; embracing a Sketch And still the star was visible, and still of the Life and Character of William Pitt, Eurl of The young Bedouin with a straining eye Chatham, and Memoirs of certain other distinguished Drank its departing light into his soul. Individuals ; with Reflections, Historical, Personal, and It faded-melted-and the fiery rim Political, relating to the Affairs of Great Britain and Of the clear sun came up, and painfully America, from 1763, to 1785. By Benjamin WaterThe passionate scholar press'd upon his eyes house, M.D. 8vo. Pp. 449. Boston: Gray and His dusky fingers, and with limbs as weak Bowen. Glasgow : John Reid and Co. 1831. As a sick child's, turn'd fainting to his couch, Nor long ago, a work was published in New York, discussing the identity of Junius; a second made its apThe extracts from the works of Carlos Wilcox, con- pearance immediately after in Boston ; a third is undertained in this number of the American Monthly, indicate stood to be in active preparation ; and here is a fourth an amiable disposition, and an intense and delicate obser- which, incidentally at least, discusses the question. We a 1 And slept." ton. do not share the surprise that has been expressed by some American Anecdotes, Original and Select. By an Ame. of our friends at the interest which this discussion conti. rican. Volume II. Boston: Putnam and Hunt. nues to excite in America. The Letters of Junius are fully as much matter of American as of English history. Glasgow : John Reid and Co. 1830. The bolder and more en venomed tone which they gave to Our first thought was to pass over this book in solemn political discussion, served materially to increase the bold silence. On further reflection, however, we deem it ness and resolution of the colonists. In the circle of that worthy of castigation. Not because it is stupid, but opposition, which caught its sentiments from Junius, or because its sole aim and tendency seems to be to inculcate was at least materially confirmed in them by bis exhort- and perpetuate a vulgar and rabid sentiment of hatred on ations, were formed some of the most daring supporters the part of America towards every thing English. Our of American independence—the lives and letters of the friends across the Atlantic are touchy enough when any two Lees of Virginia sufficiently establish this fact. It thing is said here that compromises their dignity. Will seems to have been an indistinct notion to this effect that they have the goodness to give us their opinion of this induced Dr Waterhouse to bestow so much labour and publication? Whatever comes from the advocate of a time upon the concoction of his long and sagacious, but political sect is viewed with distrust—that is in their somewhat desultory work. The candidate for the honour favour in regard to the diatribes published in this couutry of having given birth to the Letters of Junius whose against them. But here, under that least suspicious of claim the Doctor supports, is no less a person than the all forms, a dull Joe Miller, we are treated to a tissue of Earl of Chatham. It strikes us that we have lately seen gross and vulgar lies, all tending to excite in the youth of a pamphlet published in England—which must have is- America an abhorrence of Englishmen. The next time sued from the press about the same time as the work be- we hear an American complain of English calumnies, we fore us—supporting the same opinion. Our author brings shall feel strongly tempted to remind him of a conversaforward some strong facts in support of his opinion, and tion between the pot and the kettle, not remarkable for might have startled us had we not long ago given in our its delicacy. adhesion to the Byronian view of the case. By far the most interesting feature of the work is the new light which it throws in some instances on the progress of the The American Almanac, and Repository of General contest between England and America. The author Knowledge, for the Year 1831. Second edition. Bosnow of a ripe age-having finished his initiatory studies Gray and Bowen. in medicine, embarked, in 1775, on board the last vessel Appendix to the American Almanac, for the Year 1831. that was permitted to sail from Boston, and was con Boston. Gray and Bowen. signed by his relations to the care of Dr Fothergill. He resided three years in the house of that eminent physician, This work, the plan of which seems to bave been sug. the firm friend of Franklin and America. Proceedir gested by the almanac published under the auspices of afterwards to Leyden, he was, during his residence there, the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, is a frequent inmate of the family of John Adams. In beautifully got up, and contains a great amount of useful 1783, he was called by the authorities of Massachusetts information. The second part, in particular, contains a to aid in founding their medical school the second esta- number of historical and statistical tables and documents blished in America. His connexion with Cambridge regarding the United States, not easily met with elselasted till 1812, during which period he had the honour where. The Appendix contains a correct ephemeris, to be a principal agent in the introduction of vaccina- and other astronomical tables. We hope, however, that tion into his native country. From 1813 to 1820, he the conductors will, in their future publications, be less held the medical superintendency of nine of the military under the necessity of laying themselves under obligations posts of the United States. We have mentioned these to foreign astronomers. circumstances as going far to prove that he possessed ac. cess to the best authorities, and talents to make the right use of their information. The application of this remark MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE. to that portion of his work, which we have noted as most important, is obvious. THE BYSTANDER, No. XII. Historical Sketches of the United States, from the Peace of 1815 to 1830. By Samuel Perkins, Esq. 12mo. SOMETHING VERY CHILDISH. Pp. 444. New York: S. Converse. Glasgow : John “ The Lord to me an helper will, Reid and Co. 1830. And that right early prove." The object which the author proposes to himself in It is strange how at times sounds unheard for years this work is, to give a correct and connected account ist, will recur, uncalled for, to the memory. The words I Of the Military and Naval Transactions, embracing the have quoted from our old, rough, but occasionally majesAlgerine war, the measures taken to suppress piracy, and tic Scottish version of the Psalms, have been ringing in the Seminole war ; 2d, of the proceedings of Congress my ear this whole morning, palpably and distinctly—in the and the Executive, relating to important subjects of very snuffling tone with which the worthy precentor ge of neral policy ; 3d, Of judicial decisions on general ques used to give out the line. They were words of tions; 4th, of diplomatic discussions ; 5th, of the good omen to awaken with, and should they be followed affairs of Europe and the Republics of Southern America, by no happier event, they have brought along with them so far as they affect their relations with his country, a succession of vivid pictures from the happy scenes of The plan is good, but the execution is inadequate. The youth. author's sources of information seem to have been fre Again bave I slung my satchel on my back, and stufquently deficient, and his arrangement is any thing but fing a huge slice of bread and cheese in my pocket, and a satisfactory. Till some better work appear, however, it long well-dried peat under my arm, set off for the villagemay serve as a clue to the student of the late history of school. The object of the last-mentioned fardel may not America, through the puzzling mass of pamphlets, acts at once be clear to all my readers, so I explain. It was of Congress, &c. &c., in which he must seek for in- not, in my early days, the custom to pay to the teacher formation. that tribute-money, which has since been levied by some under the designation of " fire money." We paid out kain to the hearth-stone in kind each pupil was in the |