The Voyage of the Jamestown on her Errand of Mercy. Boston. 1847. 8vo. pp. 154.

THIS is the voyage of the century. It is one of those things which can take place but once. It may be imitated; but this was the first voyage of a ship of war on such an errand, and as such it will take its place in the history of the world. All the circumstances attending the mission of the Jamestown — the readiness with which she was granted by the government, the manner in which she was loaded, the good wishes of a whole population which attended her, her passage so speedy that almost the first response to the appeal of starving Ireland was her actual appearance, heavily laden with provisions, in the harbour of Cork, and last, but not least, the character of her commander and offi -were such as one would have wished them to be. A favoring Providence seemed to be over the enterprise from beginning to end. Captain Forbes has done well to publish the documents contained in this volume. The particulars should be preserved in a durable form. His Report to the Committee of Distribution, which introduces the Correspondence and Narrative of Events at Cork, is an admirable one,- hearty, frank, to the point, revealing in the writer a mind and a heart which fitted him to take charge of this national charity.

cers

P.

The Prophecy of the Santon; and other Poems. Worcester & Boston. 1847. 12mo.

pp. 114.

We have read this volume with much interest, and gladly extend to its author a kind welcome. It interests us, not so much on account of the actual poetry which it contains, as for the sake of the promise of future achievements which we find in it. Its tone is calm and high, and it is evidently the production of a chastened heart and a thoughtful mind. There are passages of considerable strength and fervor of imagination in several of the poems, especially in the one called "Midnight," which, notwithstanding its somewhat unequal execution, strikes us as much the best in the collection. The author shows throughout a quick and delicate appreciation of the musical power of words, and a decided command of melodious measures. The great charm of the book, however, to us, and its fairest sign of progress, is its genuine simplicity and modesty. We have rarely seen a first volume of poems so admirable in this respect. We cannot of course give any extracts, but we may refer to "Angel Love," which is, we think, almost perfect in its kind, to the "Song of

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Death," and to the "Meeting of Art and Religion," as favorable specimens of the peculiar excellences of this new poet, to whom we again offer our warm and friendly greeting. H-t.

The Months. By WILLIAM H. C. HOSMER. Boston: W. D. Ticknor & Co. 1847. 16mo. PP. 72.

WE have examined the leaves of another of those poetic volumes in which the literary spirit of our time has so plentifully flowered out, each successive product having a hue, if not a fragrance, of its own. This new blossom has, to our perceptions, both hue and fragrance. The fancy of our author hardily blooms through every season and month of the year. There is no flaunting pretence or grand proportion in his offering, but it is natural and tasteful, and we accept it as we would the early snowdrop, the spring violet, the summer daisy, or the last gift of autumnal green and crimson that rests on the winter's edge.

B-1.

The Principles of Morality, and the Private and Political Rights and Obligations of Mankind. By JONATHAN DYMOND. Abridged, etc., for Use of Schools, etc. BY CAROLINE M. KIRKLAND. New York: C. S. Francis & Co. 1846. 12mo. pp. 263.

OUR readers are doubtless well acquainted with "Dymond's Essays" in its complete form. And yet none can be too familiar with it. We fear that an impression exists somewhat unfavorable to this work, on account of its alleged moral ultraism. In our judgment, such a charge only exhibits the need long felt by us, which this book supplies, of a less compromising code of morals. Many who were not able to receive Dymond's thoroughgoing Gospel ethics, when the work first appeared, might now, on reading it again, find their minds and hearts able to bear it. We earnestly commend the original work to our readers.

Mrs. Kirkland has done an excellent service in this Abridg ment. The language is not changed; only the amplifications and subtile reasonings, not adapted to the comprehension of children and young people, are left out. The work is provided with numerous and carefully prepared questions, fitting it eminently for a Sunday school or class book. Her Preface modestly expresses the hope "that this little book might fall into the hands of some who would be led by its perusal to inquire for the origi nal and far more interesting and instructive volume." We hope,

on the other hand, that those who have read the original will not fail to provide their children with the Abridgment, " presenting in a miniature form, and yet in identical language, the essence of the entire work." We want nothing so much as a more uncompromising obedience to the precepts and spirit of Christ instilled into the mind of the rising generation; and this book is admirably fitted to infuse it.

B-S.

Woman, her Education and Influence. By Mrs. HUGO REID. With a General Introduction. By Mrs. C. M. KIRKLAND. New York. 1847. 12mo. pp. 142.

On the whole, the best argument for "woman's rights" we have read. The extravagance which usually attends the vindication of woman's claims by her own sex is here, for the most part, repressed. We cannot too much admire the skill, taste, delicate satire, and just feeling of Mrs. Kirkland's preliminary essay; and we are not able, even when willing, to escape the calm argumentation and dignified remonstrance which Mrs. Reid opposes to the sneers and jests with which the "nobler sex are accustomed to receive any assertion of womanly rights be. yond those already conceded. We can assure our readers that here is a book aiming at reform in the position of woman, which neither denies Christianity, nor saps social order, which does not sympathize with George Sand, nor quote Fanny Wright. Is not this the book we are all wanting to see?

B-S.

King Réné's Daughter. A Lyric Drama. From the Danish of HENRIK HERTZ. By JANE FRANCES CHAPMAN, Translator of " Waldemar," and "King Eric and the Outlaw." London. 1845. 18mo. pp. 87.

THIS little Drama is the work of Henrik Hertz, a writer who, as Miss Chapman in her short and sensible Preface tells us, holds a high rank among Danish authors. The idea of the play is the beautiful truth, that spirit precedes and moulds matter, and it is very well carried out. Iolanthé, the daughter of the troubadour King Réné, of Provence, blind from her childhood, is placed, in order to regain her sight, under the care of an old leech, who says that it can return to her only through the yearnings of her soul after light. These are awakened by the words and love of a young poet, Tristan de Vaudemont, to whom the princess, on receiving her sight, is united. The plot is well conceived and gracefully managed. Miss Chapman's translation, we should

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think, must be an excellent one, though we could wish that she had not sometimes sacrificed truth of quantity and simplicity of expression to the demands of metre. These are, however, comparatively trifling defects, and we heartily thank her for the pleasure we have received from this agreeable product of her industry, taste, and skill.

H-t.

The True Story of My Life; a Sketch. By HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. Translated by Mary Howitt. Boston: James Munroe & Co. 1847. 12mo. pp. 298.

THIS very interesting book is so written, that the reader feels, while turning over its pages, that it is as trustworthy in its details as it is simple and natural and beautiful in its style; and also what cannot be said of every autobiography-that he is gaining an insight into the author's real character, as well as a knowledge of his various fortunes. We have room only to add, for the sake of those to whom the name of Hans Christian Andersen is new, that he was born, in 1805, on a small island of Denmark, passed his early years in the lowest condition of life, struggled for a long time with extreme poverty and its attendant difficulties, without allowing his temper to be soured or his faith either in God or man to be weakened, and finally, by his writings alone, which are distinguished not less by moral purity than by intellectual power, secured for himself a European reputation, such as but few, in the most favorable circumstances, have been able to acquire.

B-t.

Mary Anna; or a Visit to the Country. By a LADY. Boston: Wm. Crosby & H. P. Nichols. 1847. 18mo. pp. 107.

We are not among those who believe it well to say to a little girl of seven years of age, "You have a sinful nature," or to teach her that Christ has promised to "present the guilty soul, washed in his atoning blood, to his Father in heaven." With the exceptions which this remark implies, we commend the "Visit to the Country," as a narrative which the young may read with pleasure and advantage.

B-t.

The Sick Chamber. Boston: J. Munroe & Co. 18mo. pp. 50.

WE entirely agree with the "medical friend" of the publish ers, who says, "I cordially recommend the work you sent me to

VOL. XLIII.

4TH S. VOL. VIII. NO. III.

40

all who are, either occasionally or as an occupation, called to perform those offices of the sick-chamber to which it relates." Its suggestions in regard to the methods and manners of the friends, as well as the nurses, of the sick, will meet with the instant assent of every one who has known the trial of long illness.

G.

The Parables of our Lord. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1848. 16mo. pp. 34.

We have received from Messrs. Appleton & Co. a copy of this beautiful volume, and do not hesitate to pronounce it the most complete specimen, in its kind, of typographical enterprise that has appeared in this country. The parables of our Lord are printed on parchment, each page surrounded by a deep and richly illuminated margin, the various devices for which, being different on every page, exhibit the ingenuity, as well as mechanical skill, of the artist. The volume is bound in heavy embossed covers, and is altogether a gem.

G.

Two Discourses on the Character of Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D. D. BY DANIEL SHARP. Worcester. 1847. 8vo. pp. 20. A Discourse commemorative of the Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D. D., delivered in the Second Presbyterian Church, Albany, on Sabbath Evening, June 27, 1847. By WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, D. D. Albany. 1847. 8vo. pp. 47. Jesus the Best Teacher of his Religion. A Discourse delivered before the Graduating Class of the Cambridge Theological School, July 11, 1847. By SAMUEL J. MAY, of Syracuse, N. Y. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1847. 8vo. pp. 29. A Discourse delivered before the Third Congregationalist Society in Cambridge, August 1, 1847, being the Sunday after the sudden Death of Lowell M. Stone. By A. B. MUZZEY, Pastor of the Lee Street Church, Cambridge. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1847. Svo. pp. 16. Christ the Way. A Sermon preached at the Ordination of Rev. George M. Bartol, as Minister of the First Church of Christ in Lancaster, Mass., Wednesday, August 4, 1847. By CYRUS A. BARTOL, Junior Minister of West Church in Boston. the Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. C. T. THAYER; and the Charge, by Rev. ALONZO HILL. Lancaster. 1847. 8vo. pp. 50. The Anniversary and Farewell Sermons, preached in the Hollis Street Meetinghouse, the former March 3, the latter Septem

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