present work, than those books which contribute directly to the beauty of the English language, and to the stores of its elegant literature. They show, however, much of the intellect of the country, and its rapid development. For the same reason, the mention of general scientific, and mere professional works, is omitted, for the most part. These have been somewhat numerous in the United States, within the last thirty years, and in several instances have obtained for their authors a brilliant reputation.* Periodical literature in the United States, in the form of Magazines and Reviews, has not flourished until within a comparatively late period. Something of the kind was attempted previously to the present century; but every publication proved to be short-lived. Even the popularity of Charles B. Brown, who tried a Monthly Magazine and American Review in 1794, was inadequate to sustain one. The first most successful work was Dennie's Port Folio, which began to be published in 1801, and was continued until within a few years ago. Since that period, other literary periodicals have been established with more or less success. A few have attained to some dozen, fifteen, or twenty years' existence, and still hold on their way. A number of these publications may be said to be devoted exclusively to literature and science. Others are of a miscellaneous nature, and designed to patronise both literature and religion, and are chiefly supported by the religious denominations whose system of doctrines they respectively maintain. On the whole, they have done and are doing a service to the state and the church-to the republic of letters and to Christianity, in the United States. They have strengthened the patriotism of the country, and erected a standard of literary merit independently of foreign criticism. They are, however, too numerous to be adequately sustained, and thus to exert all the salutary influence which might be expected from such publications.* Among the higher literary and scientific American journals of some years' continuance, may be mentioned The North American Review, The American Journal * AM. ED. REVIEWS. 315 of Science and Arts, and The American Quarterly Review. The North American Review was established at Boston in 1815, by William Tudor, the first editor. It has been conducted successively by Messrs. T. Channing, Edward Everett, Jared Sparks, and Alexander H. Everett. Since its commencement it has assumed different forms; but has been chiefly sustained by one and the same class of contributors, from the different Christian professions. It is a solid and elegant column of American literature. Its articles generally are able and interesting, and always candid and dispassionate. The whole work is marked by uncommon purity of style, and refined moral sentiment. Its reputation is high in Europe as well as in the United States. It gives a correct estimate of the works which it undertakes to analyse; but its manner more commonly is that of essays, on the subjects suggested by the publications, which are named at the head of its articles. The American Journal of Science and Arts was established at New Haven by Prof. Silliman, in 1817. Like the North American Review, it is a quarterly publication, and is mainly occupied with original papers on mathematical and physical science, and on the application of both to the mechanic arts. Both the subject-matter and the execution of the work, are honourable to the intellectual character of the country, and it deserves a larger share of patronage than it has hitherto received. The American Quarterly Review was established at Philadelphia, in 1827, and has been edited by Robert Walsh, to the present time. This gentleman, who had previously been engaged as editor of two or three literary journals, had also acquired distinction in Europe, by his Letter on the Genius and Disposition of the French Government, and by contributions to the Edinburgh Review. The work has been conducted with great ability, its moral tone is commendable, and it has much influence, particularly in the Middle and Southern States of the Union. Other important literary journals have been recently established, as The United States Review in Philadelphia, and Mr. Blount's American Annual Register. The latter is supplied by contributions from men of high talent in different sections of the country.* * AM. ED. Among the journals possessing a more miscellaneous character, we may name The Quarterly Christian Spectator, which has been alluded to in a different part of this work. It was established at New Haven in 1819, and its object is the promotion of religion and literature. During the first ten years, this periodical was issued monthly. Ever since, it has appeared as a quarterly. It has been edited successively by the Rev. Thomas Davis, Cornelius Tuthill, Esq. Rev. John Mitchell, Rev. Prof. Chauncey A. Goodrich, and Rev. Elizur G. Smith. The metaphysical discussions before spoken of, which occupied its pages in part a few years since, turned upon the causes of moral evil, the reasons of its existence in the universe, the nature of moral agency, the divine decrees, the means of regeneration, and the like. It has a high character for candour, just criticism, comprehensive views, and literary execution. The Christian Examiner and General Review is published once in two months, at Boston. Its title for eleven years was The Christian Disciple, during a part of which time it assumed a controversial character. Since 1824, it has had an enlarged form, and borne its present name. Through the whole period, it has been in the charge of an association of gentlemen, generally clergymen of Boston. It is the advocate of the Unitarian religion, and admits both essays and reviews of new publications. As a literary work, its merit is universally acknowledged. It has had many admirable articles in moral and philosophical criticism. The Biblical Repertory and Theological Review is published at Princeton as a Quarterly. It was begun, in 1825, and edited for several years by Rev. Prof. Charles Hodge. Of late years, it has been edited by Rev. James W. Alexander. It ably defends the Presbyterian Church in its doctrines and discipline. It also gives a religious and moral analysis of literary works. The Biblical Repository commenced at Andover in 1830. In conformity with its title, it is principally occupied in the discussion and elucidation of biblical subjects. In these, so far as they are original, it has exhibited a degree of research, learning, and ingenuity, highly honourable to the intellect of the country. Many of its articles are translated REVIEWS AND MAGAZINES. 317 from the German and other languages. Some of these are extremely valuable, and the whole work is rich in critical, sacred learning, and in the history of religious opinions. The Literary and Theological Review was established in 1834 at New York, and is edited by Leonard Woods, Jr. It has taken already a high rank among the periodicals of the country, and discusses religious and literary topics, generally, with much ability. A work has appeared in New York semi-annually, entitled Views in Theology. It is understood to be written entirely by a merchant in that city. The author' adopts in general, the theological opinions of President Edwards. He has an acute and discriminating mind.'_The articles are of a metaphysical character. The Evangelical Magazine, commenced at Hartford in 1832, under the editorship of Caleb J. Tenney, and is issued monthly. Its principal object is the discussion of the doctrines of religion. It admits notices of new publications, and other miscellaneous matter. It is modelled, in its tone of sentiment, after the early Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. The Christian Advocate is a well-conducted periodical, under the charge of the Rev. Dr. A. Green, of Philadelphia. It is a monthly paper, and in plan somewhat resembles the London Christian Observer. The Albany Quarterly Magazine is conducted by Rev. Dr. Wilson, and supports the interests of the Presbyterians of the Associate Reformed Church. The Methodist Quarterly Review, published at New York, advocates the principles and claims of Methodism. All, or nearly all the religious denominations in the United States, have their respective perodicals, as is also the fact, with the several larger benevolent societies.* The New England Magazine, a monthly periodical, was established at Boston in 1831. It was edited the first two years, by Joseph T. and Edwin Buckingham ; afterwards it came under the charge of the former. In January 1836, it was merged in the American Monthly Magazine, when, under that title, the editorship was asassumed by Park Benjamin. It combines amusement with instruction. It is partly occupied in statistics and notices of new publications. Knickerbocker's Magazine was established at New York in 1833. It is an interesting miscellany, and conducted with distinguished ability. The Western Monthly Magazine, which is a continuation of the Illinois Monthly Magazine, was established in 1833. Its editor is Mr. James Hall, who has communicated to the public much information respecting the western regions of the United States. This periodical has a high moral and literary character. It gives many lively accounts of the customs and manners of the West.* The American Annals of Education and Instruction is a work that stands nearly alone, in the United States, in respect to the subjects of which it treats. These are indicated by its title. It is issued once a month, and is edited by William C. Woodbridge. It was known during the first five years of its existence, as the Journal of Education. In 1831 it received its present name. The subject of education in its numerous and important relations, receives a thorough discussion in its pages. It is rich, especially in the intellectual resources of its editor, who has looked into both European and American systems of instruction, with great care. * Within a few years, publications have appeared in the United States, which have afforded to the body of the people, peculiar facilities for the acquisition of knowledge on general topics. Of this nature, is the American Library of Useful Knowledge, which commenced in 1831, with an introductory volume, that was occupied by a number of lectures and dissertations on the value of knowledge. These had been delivered or published at different periods, by eminent individuals, both in England and the United States. Another work is one entitled Encyclopedia Americana, in twelve volumes. It is a popular dictionary of arts, sciences, literature, history, politics, and biography, brought down to the present time. It was edited by Francis Lieber, assisted by E. Wigglesworth and T. G. Bradford. Portions of it were also prepared by Dr. Godman and Mr. Walsh. Its execution is correct, and its authority unquestioned. It has, moreover, the high recommendation of cheapThe Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, published in 1835, is a valuable work. It is evidently a publication of care, research, and impartiality. In the department of religious biography, it supplies a defi ness. * AM. ED. |