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which his author confesses he derived the substance of all his dissertations. As a farther remedy, he must be fully able to comprehend the general tendency and object of his author's argument, since his meaning can often be gathered with sufficient certainty only from the coherent reasoning of the whole. His frequent and sometimes indistinct allusions to subjects of history and fable, for the sake of ornament or illustration, will also make a considerable acquaintance with ancient history and mythology of indispensable use. In short, a translator must possess a mind in comprehension, force, taste, and variety of learning, somewhat like that of Cicero himself, in order to do adequate justice to the prince of Roman philosophy.*

Could such a man be found, one who was willing to bestow the requisite time and labor on this work, so as to present us with a version faithful in substance and not unworthy of the original in elegance of language, he would deserve the gratitude of every admirer of Cicero, and of all to whom our national literature is a subject of interest; and even if he failed in his effort, after bestowing due diligence to ensure success, it might at least be said of him, as of Phaeton in old time, that "magnis tamen excidit ausis," he fell in a noble enterprise. But this praise is not meant to extend to any sciolist, "if such a man there be," who, without the learning or the capacity to comprehend his author, without the taste to appreciate his beauties, and without any competent share of the qualifications above considered to be necessary, should challenge the public attention to a work which, made under such circumstances, can be little better than a libel on the great Cicero. To what extent the author of the present version possesses the requisites of his task, we will now endeavor to show. As a specimen of the style in which he has chosen to translate this great work, we present the reader with the first sentence, which is transcribed verbatim.

"When at length relieved, my dear Brutus, either altogether or in a great measure, from the labor of the forum, and senatorial duties, I betook myself, chiefly at your exhortation, to those studies, which, held in mind, dropped at times, after a long interval of suspension, I have recalled; and, since the method and discipline of all arts, which relate to the right way of living, are contained in the study of wisdom, called philosophy, I have thought it my part to illustrate this in our own language; not because philosophy might not be known by means both of Greek authors and teachers; but it has always been my judgment, that our countrymen have either invented of themselves more wisely than the Greeks, or have made everything better which they received from them; at least, whatever they thought worth the labor."

We now proceed to show with what measure of fidelity to the text his work has been conducted. The first specimen which we shall give, is taken from the second page of the translation, (page 6 of the book,) where the following words occur:

"For, as with the Greeks, the most ancient of the learned was the race of poets; at least, if Homer and Hesiod existed prior to the foundation of Rome, and Archilochus during the reign of Romulus. The reception of poetry among us was rather backward," &c. By reference to the original, the reader will see that the word siquidem, which is rendered at least if, should be since, a term corresponding to the Latin, and in this place necessary to the

"Romanæ philosophiæ princeps," a title given him by Lactantius, Inst. lib. L

consistent meaning of the sentence. Moreover, the words, "the reception of," &c., forming the commencement of a separate clause, are properly the last words of the preceding one, which as it now stands is evidently imperfect. The whole should have been thus connected: "For although with the Greeks," &c.-" yet, among us, the reception," &c.

On the next page, it is stated that Cato had reproached Nobilior with carrying poets into one of the nal: "Duxerat autem consul ille in Etoliam, ut scimus, provinces; after which follow these words of the origi Ennium ;" and are thus rendered: "That consul took with him, however, into Etolia, as we know, Ennius." Waiving all objections to the phraseology, which might offend a censorious critic, we remark on the translation, that the word autem, in this connection, means for, and not however; and as it now is, the reader would refer the words "that consul" to Cato, instead of Nobilior. The sense of the original is this: "For we know that when consul, he had carried Ennius into Etolia." little studied by the Romans, the translation proceeds: Page 8. After stating that mathematics had been "But, on the contrary, we rapidly embraced the ora tor: nor him, at first, with erudition, though ready of speech; but afterwards with learning. For Galba, Africanus, Lælius, are transmitted by tradition as Cato; after them, however, Lepidus, Carbo, the Grac But studious, in the age before theirs, as chi; and then so great, down to our age, as to balance very nearly, if not quite, the ascendency of the Greeks." We bespeak the reader's special attention to this pas sage, and request him to compare it with the Latin attained, to render the mistranslation more apparent, text. It would be a vain attempt, and superfluous if since the greater part cannot be understood without reference to the original.

learned.

Page 9. "Si aliquid oratoriæ laudi nostra attulimus industria." "If, by our industry, we have acquired tion, at best; and in the present case is inadmissible, some oratorical reputation." This is a strained construc because Cicero is speaking in his own person, though he uses the plural we; and the context shows that the words "oratoriæ laudi” refer to his country's fame and not to his own. In the next sentence, "cum motus he was rather stung at the glory," &c.; the word motus esset Isocratis rhetoris gloria" is falsely rendered, "as meaning here simply moved or induced.

Pages 14 and 15. "Auditor. You rally as if you thought I said the unborn are unhappy, instead of those who are dead. Marcus. Then you insist they are.' Auditor. Nay, but because they are not when they have been; in that, I think them unhappy." Here, the reply of Marcus seems to refer to the unborn, and

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conception of these words, has led him into an error in not, as it should, to the dead; and the translator's misthe next; for immo means yes, and not “nay, but." Besides, the words of Marcus, "they are," meaning exist, and the ambiguity creates some confusion; to 'they are unhappy," signify in the next sentence they avoid which it would have been well to translate the passage a little more at length, as thus: "Then you insist that the dead are unhappy ?-Yes, I think them unhappy, because they have ceased to exist after having once lived."

præsentia occurrit ut appellarem axioma; utar post alio Page 15. "Omne pronuntiatum, (sic enim mihi in si invenero melius,) id ergo est pronuntiatum quod est verum aut falsum." Every pronunciation, for so I will now call axioma-I will find a better word, if I can, some other time, is pronounced only because it is true or false." We have several faults to find with this passage. In the first place, pronuntiatum means, not pronunciation, but predicate or proposition: secondly, he has confounded the parenthesis with the open text, so as to make the whole almost inexplicable: and, thirdly, the latter part of the sentence is misunderstood; for, being interrupted by the parenthesis, it is begun anew, and should not form a consecutive part of the whole. The

meaning we conceive to be this: "Every proposition—thor's intention was to propose, as a separate subject of (so for the present let me render axioma—I will substi-inquiry, by what force of gravity all things tended to tute a better word when I find one)—a proposition, then, is an assertion which is either true or false."

the centre, &c. This passage we think an interesting one, because it shows that Cicero had some idea, though vague one, of the law of gravitation, the principles of which it was reserved for Newton to unfold and demonstrate. On the same page, the words "omnes partes circumspiciens" are translated “circling his glance to all parts."

Page 16. "Qui vivimus, cum moriendum sit, nonne miseri sumus?" "As to us who are alive, are we not miserable ?" In this clause the translator has omitted the important words, cum moriendum sit,—“since we are doomed to die." It is possible, however, they may have been wanting in the copy he used, though retained Examples of this kind, showing the translator's incain both of two editions now before us. On the same pacity for his task, might be multiplied to almost any page, allusion is made to an opinion of Epicharmus, number; and the extracts given are a very small por"acuti nec insulsi hominis, ut Siculi; which words are rendered, "an acute, and for a Sicilian, not a frivolous ion of what we had marked: but we grow weary of man." The meaning we believe to be mistaken; for the work, and doubt not the reader sympathizes with we think it is, that he was "a shrewd, intelligent man, us. We beg leave, however, to present him with a few as the Sicilians generally were." But the reader will other sentences of the translation, which we copy withjudge for himself, as the original admits of both inter-out giving the original, that our page may not be too pretations. much encumbered with Latin quotations. Page 19. The foregoing extracts are all made from the early "But thus far as stated, the heart, the blood, the brain, pages of the first book—a book of which it is very desi-air, fire, are opinions of common prevalence; the rest rable to have a suitable version, because it contains not only Cicero's own speculations on the most important of all subjects to man--the immortality and future des tiny of the soul--but the opinions, as he says, of nearly all the ancient philosophers on the same subject. With what fidelity this part of the work has been executed, the reader will judge from the specimens before him. We now proceed to comment on a few passages taken

from the last book.

are almost singular, as were many still more ancient ; the more recent, however, Aristoxenus, a musician, as well as philosopher; a certain attuning the body, as in singing and the lute, which is called harmony." Page 20. "But Dicæarchus, in that discourse which he represents as held at Corinth, in three books, where the interlocutors are learned men, many of whom are speakers in the first book, in the two, he introduces a certain Pherecrates, an old man of Phthiotis, sprung, as Pages 285-6. Cicero is speaking of the tomb of Ar- he says, from Deucalion, asserting that the soul is chimedes, which had been unknown to the Syracusans, and was discovered by him in the midst of weeds and nothing at all, and that this name is empty altogether," brambles; and he thus continues the narrative: "Tene-&c. Page 31. "And thus, although, I presume others bam enim quosdam senariolos, quos in ejus monumento esse inscriptos acceperam; qui declarabant, in summo sepulchro sphæram esse positam cum cylindro." These words the translator renders: "For I remembered certain trimeter verses, which mentioned that a sphere with a cylinder were placed on the summit of his sepulchre," omitting the words quos in ejus, &c., "which I had understood were inscribed on his tomb." A little after, the author states, that the weeds and briers were It is but fair to state that the first book, from which cut away; and the translator proceeds: "When the ground was cleansed, we walked up to the base: the most of our quotations have been made, is the worst of epitaph appeared-the letters at the lower part almost the five, and that the translation improves considerably half effaced by corrosion." Two instances of misinter- as it proceeds. The improvement, however, is not sufpretation occur in this sentence. In the first place, ficient to exempt any part of it from the general cen'cum patefactus esset aditus," means "when a way was opened," and not "when the ground was cleansed:" sure to be passed on the whole, since the flagrant defects in the second, "apparebat epigramma, exesis poste- of the first are visible in all the other books, though not rioribus partibus versiculorum, dimidiatum fere," im-to the same extent. We are disposed to suspect that plies, not that the letters at the lower part were almost Mr. Otis began his version with very "small Latin;" half effaced, but that almost half the epitaph was effaced, but becoming more familiar with the language in the the latter part of each line being obliterated.

46

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also, in so many ages, but as transmitted in extant letters, Pherecydes, the Syrian, first said that the souls of men are inmortal, he claims antiquity certainly; for he existed in the reign of my namesake Tullius." We make no comment on these passages, but merely recommend the ingenious reader to discover the meaning without the aid of the Latin text.

Page 287. "Hinc omnia quæ pulchra, honesta, præ-progress of his work, he was enabled to give the clara sunt (ut supra dixi; sed dicendum idem illud paullo meaning with greater accuracy. Something too may uberius videtur) plena gaudiorum sunt." 'Hence, all be ascribed to the fact, that the first book is the most things which are beautiful, honest, noble, as I have said difficult of all. before, but it appears to be said a little more copiously, are full of joys." Honestum were better rendered honorable, than honest; and the words, "but it appears," &c. hardly give the meaning of the text, which is, that "it seems to deserve a more copious explanation."

6.

The Tusculan questions abound in poetical extracts. These the translator has sometimes rendered into prose, and in no way distinguished from the text, as on pages 102 and 150. The liberty thus taken with his author is certainly too great to be allowed, since it ascribes to Cicero the merit or the responsibility of the passages so confounded with the text.

As specimens of the translator's versification, we

Page 289. He speaks of investigating, among other things, quibus cavernis maria sustineantur: qua omnia delata gravitate medium mundi locum semper expetant, qui est idem infimus in rotundo"-" by what caverns the seas were sustained; into which all things are di-give a few extracts. rected by gravitation; seeking always the central point of the universe, which is the lowest in a sphere." Here, the translator makes Cicero say, that all things are directed into the seas by gravitation, and the latter words seem to have no relevant meaning. But the au

66 Nay, howsoe'er to Priam I restored
The body; Hector, at least, I've taken off."--p. 78.
"Men widely err in life, through mental night;
Euthynous enjoys, the special prize of fate,

An early grave; for such was best for him and thee."-p. 83.

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It may not be amiss to tell the reader in passing, that to plain" means to complain of (conqueri.) We feared he might be puzzled to understand the passage this explanation.

"The sick mind, as Ennius says,

Ever wanders, impatient to endure,

without

Or suffer to covet never ceasing."--p. 135.
"The man who deems him not the God supreme,
Let pass for fool; at least, to all things new.
Alone it rests with him, whom he will madden,
Whom make wise, insane, or victim of disease,
Or whom in turn beloved, caressed and courted."--p. 237.

All his poetry is not equally bad, but a great part of it is; and we think the extracts already given, will convince the reader that Mr. Otis's talent is as little to translate verse as prose.

mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Tusculan questions?" "Place this work in the hands of all who can read?"-never, we devoutly hope; for, great as our admiration of Cicero is, and much as we wish to see him more known and read by our countrymen generally, we prefer them to remain in hopeless ignorance of " Rome's least mortal mind," rather than make bis acquaintance through this defective version, which is but a caricature of the original.

Prefixed to the work are two letters from Mr. Adams, ex-president of the United States. One acknowledges the receipt of the "first Tusculan," but gives no opinion of its merits, he not having read it then. The other was written with reference to a "revised translation of the first four chapters of Cicero's offices," which, to Mr. A.'s "taste," was "better than Guthrie's." We have never seen Mr. Otis's transla. tion of the offices, and know not if it has ever been pubIt may be thought harsh to expose his versification to lished or even completed, and therefore charity should the reader's view, since the Tusculan questions are a induce us to hope it was better than the "Tusculans;" prose work, and its translator does not assume to be a but as it proceeded from the same pen, and was a poet; but we think he should have sought the aid of younger essay by five years than the present, we fear some one better able to perform this part of his office, if it will not be found in any degree superior. We are he doubted his own capacity; or if he could obtain no not of those who "lightly speak evil of dignities;" but competent assistance, that circumstance ought to have we would respectfully ask how we are to keep unimled him to relinquish the undertaking. paired our reverence for Mr. A.'s candor and judgment, if he has been seduced by flattery, or misled by false "taste," to praise and encourage such a translation as this?

We would state, in conclusion, that we have no personal acquaintance with Mr. Otis; and that, before the present version, we knew him as an author only through his translation of Botta's American War. Not much, we think, can be said for the style of that translation; but we were, nevertheless, well disposed to

A defect in the design of the whole work is the want of all annotation. We are not advocates for a cumbrous commentary; but to mere English readers, for whom the translation is chiefly intended, a few welljudged explanatory notes are essentially necessary for the perfect understanding of the text. There are many passages of such a character that, without notes, they cannot be translated intelligibly to one ignorant of the Latin, unless by a copious paraphrase which departs from the original, and which, in point of fact, incorpo-wards him, as having added one to the really valuable rates the note with the text. We refer, for example, to the author's definitions of Greek and Latin words; and we might direct the reader to many such passages if we thought it necessary. There are others, too, to which short notes appended would explain obscure allusions, and save the reader much unnecessary trouble and research.

books our country has produced. Should we seem, however, in the foregoing review, to have looked with an evil eye on his present work, in our own defence we beg leave to refer the reader to the translation itself. If that be examined and compared with the original, we confidently think he will not charge us with the want of either courtesy or candor. Moreover, we Modest, unassuming ignorance never merits contempt have to apologize for the air of sententious dogmatism or censure; and we should have been less pointed in our criticisms may be thought to wear. This we could our condemnation of Mr. Otis's work, if he had offered not avoid, without incurring a tedious prolixity. Nor it to the world with the air of a man who seemed to had we any wish to leave the impression that we could doubt his full ability for the discharge of his office. But have made a better translation than Mr. Otis has done. he challenges the patronage of the reading public, with We are conscious of our own weakness, and know that the confidence of one who is only claiming his unques-it takes but a small share of wit or wisdom to see and tionable right. We copy a few sentences from his preface. "When, at length, weary of the toys of literature, and sickened with its trash, will the sons and daughters of this high-minded republic be likely 'to close their ears to the most eloquent voice of wisdom?' Will they neglect to read a volume recommended by all the attraction of novelty; and which no one can read without being made wiser and better?" And half a page farther on he continues: "Will they not place this work" (the translation, to wit) "in the hands of all who can read, from the village school, to the highest university? Will there be one among them to oppose the introduction of this hidden treasure into the currency of our literature, when the only recompense desired for the arduous attempt is, that they will read,

laugh at the faults of others who may be superior to us; and that the trade of a cavilling critic is the proper calling of a feeble and petulant mind.

Narrative of a Journey to Guatemala, in Central America, in 1838, by G. W. Montgomery. New York. 1839. 8vo. pp. 195.

The exclusive jealousy which guarded the colonies of Europe, in America, was by no monarchy so strongly felt, and suspiciously enforced, as by Spain. The colonial policy of Great Britain, excluded all intrusion of foreigners, by navigation acts; and North America long bore the subjection and unmanly dependence, of the system of modern colonies. Principles of civil

liberty, well understood and often acted upon at home, were but transplanted to the British colonies, which early liberated themselves from the odious vassalage of Metropolitan government.

It was not until the period of our second war of independence, that the ci-devant Spanish colonies in America, began to revolt, against the oppression of the mother country. The first gritos, or cries for independence, were heard in South America, but thirty years ago; and without referring to the progress of events in that quarter, it may be sufficient to say, that Guatemala, or Central America, only achieved its independence, in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three.

The government of the United States has always acted upon a settled policy, of acknowledging governments, existing de facto. A minister was accordingly sent to Guatemala, at an early day, and diplomatic relations have been constantly maintained with that Republic. The exigencies of these diplomatic relations, induced the government of the United States to send Mr. Montgomery, last year, to that Republic, and the result of his journey has been equally instructive and entertaining to the American people, in the volume of travels now before us.

No better selection could have been made by Mr. Forsyth, for the purposes of his mission, than of Mr. Montgomery. The son of an American Consul at VaJencia in Spain, born and educated in that country, familiar with Spanish literature, laws and manners, he was the suitable person for a tour in Guatemala. He has already achieved a reputation in the literary world, by the romance of Bernardo del Carpio, which he terms a "Novela, historica, caballeresca, original." One of its knightly heroes, is Don Alfonso II., King of Leon and Asturias, who flourished in the latter part of the eighth century. Mr. Montgomery was lately United States

Consul at Puerto Rico.

Embarking at New York, our author proceeded to Havana, and thence sailed for the port of Truxillo in Guatemala. The commandant of this place is graphically described, at page 24.

"The Commandant was about thirty-seven years of age, rather tall and muscular, though of slender form. He had an expressive countenance, with features strongly marked, dark eyes, black hair, and thick eye-brows He was somewhat sun-burnt, and had a scar near the corner of his mouth; but, altogether, he was a fine, soldierly looking man. His dress was a blue frock coat, with military buttons, gold epaulettes a little tarnished, a sword and cocked hat, with a plume and white fea

thers, the national colors of Central America."

neat one, of wrought iron, provided with a handsome mosquito net, was placed on a platform, which raised it about two feet from the floor. A military saddle in one corner of the room, a cavalry sabre in another, and a pair of pistols hanging from the wall, gave a military and picturesque character to this primitive ménage."

This description of houses and their furniture, is characteristic generally of the coast of Spanish America, as we ourselves know, from observation. The following account of a conversation with the Commandant, relative to the United States, represents with much truth and humor, the general ignorance of the people of South America, in regard to foreign countries.

"During dinner, the conversation turned on topics chiefly relating to the United States. I replied to many of the commandant's questions; but when I stated to him, distinctly, the population, commerce and resources of of communication by land and water, he would smile, our republic, the progress of the arts and the facilitics shake his head, and cast a meaning look at the ministers, as much as to say, that he was not to be imposed upon. This, though I was relating nothing but the truth, embarrassed me, and made me feel as if I had been thought to extricate myself from this awkward pátion, detected in using the privilege of a traveller. I by reducing my subsequent statements to the standard of his belief. Accordingly, I relieved the Pennsylvania of no inconsiderable weight, by reducing her one rate of travelling in rail road cars, I stated to be from hundred and forty-eight guns, to one hundred. The fifteen to twenty miles, instead of from twenty to thirty. I even curtailed the amount of the national revenue, and actually purloined the United States of ten or a dozen

millions."

name.

From Truxillo, Mr. Montgomery proceeded by water, to the English settlement of Balize, and thence in an English steamer to the town of Izabal, on a river of that This town was the nearest port to the city of Guatemala, the destination of our author. It is distant ten days journey. The notice of the English settlement at Balize, is peculiarly interesting at this moment, as the British government has just taken possession of the island of Ruatan, opposite to the Balize, which which the government of the United States has heretofore involves some questions of continental policy, upon expressed itself, very intelligibly, to the nations of Europe.

The picturesque scenery of the Izabal, is described with singular felicity:

"About midnight the moon rose, and the effect of her pale silvery light on the trees and the water was beautiful beyond description. I could now see objects more distinctly, and felt satisfied, that if there is any thing picturesque, beautiful and sublime in nature, it must be the entrance to this river. The banks rise to a height of from two to three hundred feet, and are clothed with a rich and impenetrable foliage, the branches of the trees spreading several yards over the river. In some places this foliage entirely disappears, and a vast naked rock, smooth and flat, and perfectly perpendicular, rises like a stupendous wall, at the foot of which the depth of water admits of a vessel brushing the very face of the precipice, without danger. Here and there may be seen a rill of water as clear as crystal, coursing from top to bottom of this natural wall, or gushing out from its side. At other places, a group of rocks assumes the appearance of an old castle or ruinous fortification."

"The house of the Commandant was a good sized building, of solid masonry. It consisted of one large room, formed by the four walls, without any division into apartments; and above, instead of ceiling, were the rafters of the roof. On one side was the street door, with two windows grated with iron bars; on the other side another, but smaller door, opening into the esplanade of the fort, where a swarthy sentinel was pacing to and fro, with a straw hat, no jacket, and a rusty firelock on his shoulder. The floor was paved with flat tiles, and covered here and there with little straw mats, of a kind peculiar to the country. This room constituted the whole of the establishment, except the kitchen. It served for a parlor, bed chamber, dining room and office. And well it might; for With this sketch of scenery in Central America, we there was the sofa for the reception of visitors, a sub-will, in this place, connect a description of some remarstantial cedar table for dining, a bed to sleep in, and a kable birds which inhabit the noble forests of this desk with writing apparatus. The bedstead, a very country, Mr. Audubon has still much to do in the

natural history of America, to judge from our author's ornithology.

and of a light brown color, was boiling furiously, and
rising in bubbles three or four feet high. The steam
ascended in a column of white dense cloud, and spread
time on the bank of this natural cauldron, gazing with
for a considerable distance round, as I stood for some
The heat was so
awe, upon its tremendous water.
great on the surface of the ground, near the borders of
the lakes, that had our feet not been protected by thick
shoes, it could not have been endured. On thrusting a
few seconds, was so hot, as to burn the fingers. Our
knife into the pond, the blade when drawn out, after a
horses, which, according to the customs of the country,
In some places, a little column of smoke, issued fiercely
were not shod, exhibited much symptoms of uneasiness.
from a hole in the ground, while in others, the water,
in a boiling state, gushed out like a fountain. The
ebullitions of these lakes or springs, have formed, on
the borders of them, a deposit of the finest clay, and
of every variety of colors."

"The birds of Central America, are deservedly celebrated for their great variety and the extraordinary beauty of their plumage. Among the most conspicuous, is the Quesal or Trogon resplendens, which is to be found only in the wild and remote regions of Central America, and the South of Mexico. Those frequenting the forests of Quesaltenango, from which they derive their name, are much the finest. This bird is of the shape and size of a pigeon. Its plumage is of a metallic golden green, except that of the wings, which is spotted with a brilliant red and black. The head is adorned with a soft silky crest of short barred feathers, of a beautiful green. But the distinguishing feature of this bird, and that which constitutes its peculiarity and beauty, is the plumage of its tail, which consists of three or four loose wavy feathers of a rich green, powdered with gold. These feathers are barred and about three feet long. They were formerly worn by the aborigi- The preceding extracts from the journey to Guatenes of America, as ornaments for the head. In bril-mala, are perhaps not those which might present the liancy of plumage, and in symmetry of form, this bird-full merits of the book. It abounds in rich historical even setting aside the grace and beauty of its pendent and statistic information; but it is chiefly a pleasing plumage, is unrivalled among the feathered tribe. When deprived of the ornament of its tail, the quesal seems sensible of the injury. It sickens and dies. Such is the importance it attaches to this part of its gorgeous dress, that the nest it makes, is provided with two apertures, one for egress, the other for regress, in in order to avoid the necessity for turning, by which the feathers of its tail might be broken or disordered. For the same reason, it seldom makes a short or sudden turn. The Indians hold it sacred, and used to say that, the Creator, when he formed the world, assumed the form of a quesal."

"The Corcha, a species of Oreole, is remarkable for the curious construction of its nest, which is of the kind called pensile, from the circumstance of its being sus pended in the air by a mere thread, from the extremity of a long branch. In the construction of this nest, an architectural construction is displayed, the most ingenious, artificial and complicate, that it is possible to imagine. It is a bird of small size, and its plumage is black and yellow. It is to be found also in the United States." We have never, in all the countries which we have | visited, ever seen but one preserved specimen of the quesal, this wonderful beauty of natural history. That specimen belongs to the Hon. John Forsyth, Secretary of State. The bird and its tail of “rich green, powdered with gold," are singularly well preserved. Our author has carried his powers of close observation, and happy description, into other departments of natural history, and we have been equally instructed and amused, with his notices of beasts, birds, fishes, trees and plants. Of the togography of Guatemala, he remarks:

"The face of the country is generally mountainous. It presents a succession of sierras or mountains, with intervening vallies, except in the neighborhood of Guatemala, when the table-lands commence, leagues around. All the physical and natural peculiarities of other countries, are united in the formation of the general aspect of Central America; delightful valleys, teeming with animal and vegetable life, extensive prairies clothed with verdure, gentle rivulets and foaming torrents, huge broken rocks, inaccessible mountains, and fiery volcanoes, dense gloomy forests, grassy knolls and shady groves."

We will conclude our extracts from Mr. Montgo. mery's book, by the following notice of the boiling lakes, near the village of Aquachapa.

"Of these lakes or ponds, there are several, and they occupy a considerable tract of land. The largest is about a hundred yards in circumference. In this as in all the others, the water, which was extremely tubrbid,

narrative of personal adventures, by flood and field. As an amusing book of travels, in a country little known, we recommend it to our readers, and equally so, as a book of instruction. Guatemala must henceforth attract much interest, from the narrative which the public may expect from our successful tourist Mr. Stephens, who is already embarked for Central America. Del Rio, Haafkens, Thompson and lastly Waldeck, are the authors who have already written upon Central America. The antiquities of Palenque, Copan, Peten, &c., are sufficient of themselves, to attract the attention of the scientific world, to ethnographic questions so closely connected with the early history of America, and with the early condition of the human race.

We have observed the progress of events in Guatemala, with sincere regret. The latest information from that quarter, is that each state of the confederation, had declared itself independent, and they were so acting in their sovereign capacity. Is the tendency of confede rations centrifugal, or towards consolidation? In the United States, we have felt both moral forces. Generals Carera and Morazan, whom Mr. Montgomery notices, have brought about this fragmentary condition of the republic. The people follow their leaders, and government is dissolved. Delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.

Mr. Everett's Address on German Literature. The descendants of that rude race, who, centuries ago, marched, "a brave blue-eyed troop," against the Imperial City, and overturned its classic altars and shattered with their war-axes its royal monuments, have opened the books of the Sybil, and snatched the Lyre, and have given utterance to thoughts and awakened strains, that thrill upon the hearts of men like the sound of timbrels over the waters. The attention of our scholars is daily drawn towards it, and, teeming as it does with the wizard creations of genius, each eye that turns thither is fas cinated as by a spell. The country of Goethe and Schiller and Richter and Kant and Fichte, has become the enchanted land of Literature.

We will not presume to question the excellence of its wisdom-the value of the treasures which lie sparkling in this newlyopened mine. We will say nothing of the effects of its strange and dreamy style upon our writers-of its philosophy upon religious faith. We merely ask of the initiated, if, when they have been communing with its master-minds, and thirstily quatting from its curious lore--we ask them, if then it does not seem pleasant to turn back to the good old English writers, the pure, the eloquent, the thoughtful and the free? Is it not like emerg

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