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rance and convivial brawlings have ceased to disgrace the colleges." “Intemperance is now regarded as disgraceful, and ill befitting the manners of any one who wishes to pass under the name of a Christian and gentleman." "We now see more earnestness, and decency, and gravity, in the conduct of our sons, than was seen in the early years of this century." Bishop Wilson of Calcutta, in his last visit to England, spent some time at Cambridge, and expressed again and again, in very strong words, his conviction of the great social and moral benefits of the Cambridge training. La Place, a few days before his death, in conversation with Prof. Sedgwick, used these remarkable words: "When I was a young man, I had not the means of travelling; then came the terrible war of the Revolution; and now I am too old to travel, and I must die without seeing the place where Newton made his great discoveries." I think your teaching right, and were I in your place, I should deprecate any great organic change; for I have lived long enough to know, what we did not at one time believe, that society cannot be upheld in happiness and honor, without the sentiments of religion." Prof. Sedgwick speaks in decided opposition to the Romanizing spirit of the Oxford Tracts, and asserts that they have not made a deep impression at Cambridge. In proof, he mentions the dissolution of the Camden Society, and adds, that no individual who was at all prominent at Cambridge, has apostatized to Rome.

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II. WOODBURY'S GERMAN GRAMMAR.1

Most of the dictionaries and grammars of the German language for the use of the English student have been written by Germans. They resemble many commentaries on the Bible, copious on all the points which occasion no difficulty, brief and unsatisfactory on the harder passages. In studying a foreign language, we need clear and exact information on all the peculiar idioms, on the points where the language deviates from our own, not difficult for a native, but perplexing for a foreigner. The technical and colloquial expressions, the proverbs, the pithy sentences, should be fully illustrated. In German dictionaries, many compound words are omitted, where it is difficult, especially for a beginner, to ascertain the shade of thought from the simple forms, or we are perplexed for want of a case in point A single remark might have solved the difficulty. But the example or the illustration is not furnished, and the poor translator ends his wearisome search over eight or ten lexicons and grammars, no wiser than when he begun. The truth is, that these elementary books should be made by those who have experienced all the practical difficulties of learning the language, i. e. by Englishmen or Americans. We do not need any English-German part in the lexicon. In the grammar we would dispense with all remarks on the German dialects, if we could be enlightened fully on the difficult sounds and constructions,

1 A New Method of Learning the German Language, embracing both the Analytic and Synthetic Modes of Instruction. By W. H. Woodbury. Second edition. New York: M. H. Newman & Co., 1851. pp. 504.

1851.]

Europe Past and Present.

445 and idioms, on the little words, also, so, denn, dann, auch, noch, sollen, dürfen, nämlich, etc. which are real and great stumbling-blocks to a beginner.

The grammar before us seems to have been prepared by one who knew what was needed. He has not sought an opportunity to display his knowledge, or to construct theories on the forms and syntax, to weary his readers by superfluity in one part, and leave them thirsting for information in another. Ollendorff's plan has great excellencies, as is proved by the many copies and imitations of it. But it is liable to the exception of being too practical. It has too much of a good thing. Children may study it for a long time, and not become deeply interested in the language. They need something more difficult, some mixture of abstract rules or propositions. Mr. Woodbury's fundamental idea is to unite the practical and theoretical, to blend the principle and the application, the doctrine and the illustration. For example, in the fourth lesson, the definite article, and the present tense singular of haben affirmatively and interrogatively, are declined; then follows an exercise, in which these two words are clearly illustrated. Thus the author proceeds from the simpler to the more difficult, till he has laid a good basis for the acquisition of this noble language. We are particularly glad to see the care which has been bestowed on the irregular verbs. They are fully conjugated, and then follow elucidating remarks on dürfen, können, mögen, sollen, wollen, etc. There is an important section on the collocation of words. In another section, between two and three hundred idiomatic phrases are explained. The knotty conjunctions, also, come in for a good share of attention. The book concludes with fifty-four pages of reading lessons and a vocabulary. In conclusion, we can confidently commend this grammar as one of the best we have seen on any modern language. It bears the marks of intelligent and conscientious labor on every page. The paper, type, etc. are all which could be desired. We observe that it is highly spoken of by educated Germans among us.

III. EUROPE PAST AND PRESENT.1

Most of the nations

This is a convenient and valuable compilation, by an educated continental scholar, who seems to have lately taken up his abode in this country. It is introduced by some general remarks on the history and statistics, the geography and present condition of the European States. Then follow classified facts in regard to each State, in considerable detail. of Europe furnish copious and systematic information at shorter or longer intervals, by means of a statistical bureau or some special provision for the purpose. To this information, the author appears to have had free access. The work is quite seasonable, as the people of this country have never felt so deep an interest in the social and religious condition of Europe, as they

1 Europe, Past and Present; a Comprehensive Manual of European Geography and History. By Francis H. Ungewitter, LL. D. New York: George P. Putnam, 1850. pp. 671.

have since 1848. Accurate and reliable information even in regard to such small districts as Holstein and Hesse Cassel, is eagerly sought. The present volume will do much to satisfy this want. Still, it is susceptible of many improvements. It should have been revised by one familiar with the English idioms. The author has not quite mastered the peculiarities of our intractable language. Some things might be omitted without any loss, e. g. the details in regard to the orders of knighthood, which even Germans begin to look upon as baubles. We would also suggest whether a large amount of the minute statistics in regard to hundreds of unimportant towns might not be left out, or compressed into a tabular form. This would allow space for a more satisfying description of the prominent objects. Instead of being told that such and such towns are noted for possessing remarkable cathedrals, or monuments, or picture-galleries, we wish to know in what respects they are remarkable, or are distinguished from similar objects elsewhere. An indefinite statement, or a mere generalization, is tantalizing. We might well dispense with many details, if we could be favored with expanded and discriminating views in regard to the actual resources and prospects of the old world. The author is obviously a staunch friend of the old régime; the rulers are in the right; the poor republicans are in the wrong; the former have abundant sympathy at his hand; the latter none. He speaks of the benevolent designs of Austria towards Hungary. The infamous partition of Poland has not a word of condemnation. On p. 291, he takes occasion to indicate the total lack of practical capacity on the part of many German scholars. But, what is the cause of this helplessness, but the endless and vexatious interference of the governments with the liberties of the subjects? The principal cause of the distress of the Germans, according to our author, p. 306, is over population, and the consequent want of subsistence; there being, for example, in the grand duchy of Baden, 233 inhabitants to a square mile. Yet Belgium, which has one of the most liberal governments in Europe, has 381 inhabitants to a square mile. The crowded population in Belgium are not compelled to emigrate for want of employment or subsistence. "In the means of education," says the author, p. 505, " Austria rivals any other European country, and it is distinguished both for eminence in literature and science, and for the general diffusion of knowledge, with the single exception of Hungary!" "In the higher branches of knowledge, Russia rivals the rest of Europe!" p. 586. Such statements are incorrect, and conflict with what the author mentions elsewhere. Austria surely cannot rival Prussia or Saxony either in the possession or diffusion of knowledge. In what branch of knowledge does Russia rival the rest of Europe? For trustworthy political knowledge, or for impartial views of the different States of Christendom, we should be slow to trust either an absolutist or a radical.

1851.]

Smith's New Classical Dictionary.

447

IV. SMITH'S NEW CLASSICAL DICTIONARY.1

We may name the following as the principal merits of this Dictionary: 1. The form, small octavo, is convenient and portable. It is printed in double columns, on good paper, and with clear type. The titles of the articles are in small capitals, and are sufficiently distinct to catch the eye. The proof-reading, which in such a volume, is a most anxious and laborious affair, has been well attended to, so far as we can judge from reading some of the longer articles. 2. The amount of matter under the different titles, seems to be well proportioned to the importance of the topics. 3. The information communicated comprises the substance of what is known, according to the latest and most exact inquiries. The extensive and profound studies of a multitude of German scholars have illuminated almost every corner of this vast field. Judicious and abundant use has been made of these ample stores. Special acknowledgments seem to be due to Pauly's admirable Encyclopaedia of Classical Antiquity, now carried on by Waltz and Teuffel. The influence of the great work of Niebuhr is seen, directly or indirectly, on almost every page. 4. The truth is well sifted from the mass of matters often conflicting, and is stated with precision. In a volume, designed for lads in part, exactness of phraseology and directness of statement, are indispensable. In this respect the dictionary has great merits. 5. The moral tone of the work is unobjectionable. The wretched stories, and the unguarded statements, which disfigure or injure some of the old lexicons, find no place in this. The volume may be safely put into the hands of the young. 6. The appendices, filling eighty pages of small print, are of special utility. They include chronological tables of Greek history, parallel years of the Christian, Roman and Greek eras, a list of the Athenian Archons, list of kings of various countries, and sixteen tables of measures, weights and money. 7. Dr. Anthon's additions, corrections, etc. impart much value to the dictionary. His additions are enclosed in brackets, and amount to 1400 independent articles, besides adding to or correcting articles already in the work. In the department of bibliography, many improvements have been made. Special pains have also been taken by the American editor, to accentuate the Greek words and to secure a correct typography.

We have one or two suggestions for future editions. In some cases the statements might have been more exact and discriminating. Thus, in the article on Saint Jerome, that father is stated to "have had a profound knowledge of the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages." This remark would need qualification, were he compared with modern philologists. And we should hardly apply the word "profound" at all, to his knowledge. Again,

1 A New Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology, and Geography, partly founded upon the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biog. raphy and Mythology; by William Smith, LL. D. Revised with numerous Corrections and Additions, by Charles Anthon, LL. D. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. pp. 1039. 8vo.

a fuller list of the best editions of works of different authors, and of works illustrating the life of individuals and the topography of places, would be highly serviceable. Indeed there are few objects in a classical dictionary more important. The inquisitive scholar, though young, wishes to be directed to larger sources of information. Thus under" Cicero," we observe no reference to the excellent edition of the Orations by Klotz; under Chrysostom, no allusion to Neander's volume, or the able work of Paniel on Christian Eloquence; under Plato, no reference to the excellent editions of some of his works by our American scholars; under Melite, no use made of Mr. Smith's admirable volume. Our last remark we will introduce with an extract. “As a statesman and citizen, Cicero cannot command our respect. He did good service to his country by the suppression of Catiline's conspiracy; but this was almost the only occasion on which he showed vigor and decision of character. His own letters condemn him. In them his inordinate vanity, pusillanimity, and political tergiversation appear in the clearest colors." Now this condemnation is much too sweeping. It should have been added, that persons well qualified to judge, have formed a far more favorable opinion of the great orator. "He was not a man of weak character," says Niebuhr; "Whenever there was need of it, he showed the greatest firmness and resolution. What makes him appear weak is his sensitive nature; a thing which he thought an indignity (indignum) completely annihilated him." "His pure mind was above all baseness, and it was only the consequence of his noble ambition that he wished to show himself in the most brilliant light.”1

V. VIEWS OF A PAINTER IN PALESTINE.

Sir David Wilkie was one of the best painters of the modern English School. He was the son of a Presbyterian minister at Cults, Fifeshire, Scotland, was born Nov. 18, 1785, and died near Gibraltar, on his return from a visit to the East, June 1, 1841. In search of health and for the purposes of his profession, he travelled extensively, and resided several years abroad. We have been quite interested with the journal of his tour in Syria and Egypt. We have here condensed a few of his observations on some of the objects and scenery in the Holy Land. They have value, coming from an acute observer, and an accomplished artist. Great as the assistance," remarks Sir David, "I might say the inspiration, which the art of painting has derived from the illustration of Christianity, and great as the talent and genius have been, which this high walk of art has called into being, yet it is remarkable that none of the great painters to whom the world has hitherto looked for the visible appearance of Scripture scenes and feelings, have ever visited the Holy Land. Though Paul Veronese, Titian, Giorgione and Sebastian del Piombo, all Venetians, have by commerce and

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1 Niebuhr's Lectures on Roman History, Lond. 1849, Vol. III. pp. 19, 27. 2 The Life of Sir David Wilkie, with a Selection from his Correspondence By Allan Cunningham, in three vols. London, 1843.

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