1849.] Notices of Recent Publications. 511 Herodotus. A New and Literal Version from the Text of Baehr. With a Geographical and General Index. By HENRY CARY, M. A., Oxford. London: Henry G. Bohn. 1848. THE series of which this neat volume forms the first is printed uniformly with the enterprising publisher's "Standard Library." It is his intention to comprise in it literal English translations of the principal classics. Of those now existing, the greater part are unsatisfactory and require a careful revision. Mr. Cary, who has long been favorably known to the literary public as the translator of Schweighäuser's Lexicon to Herodotus, and also of a Lexicon to Thucydides, has ably executed his task in the present instance. Beloe's translation, which has been more extensively circulated in this country than any other, is rather a paraphrase than an imitation of the original Greek. The version of Laurent, a French scholar, who has given ample evidence on every page of his ignorance of the English as well as of the Greek language, has obtained some notoriety. His translation of Pindar is more accurate than his version of Herodotus. Littlebury's translation is also inaccurate, and is disfigured by the greatest faults. Taylor's version has not received the attention which its merit demands, probably from the fact, that he departed from the usually received division of the text by chapters, thereby diminishing the facility of reference. Notwithstanding a few slips and inaccuracies, it is a creditable performance. The translator of a classical author, in the selection of his words, and in the construction of his sentences, should follow the analogy required by the age and character of the author whom he is translating. Homer should be translated in the style and language of the old English poets; Herodotus, after the manner of Froissart, or Philip de Comines; while Demosthenes and Æschines require all the elegance and force of diction of Fox and Burke. The present volume is ornamented with an elegantly executed bust of the historian. Copious geographical and general indexes are annexed. The readings, and generally the interpretations, of Baehr have been adopted. The publisher announces as in the press, Thucydides, translated by Hobbes. This translation, by the celebrated Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, has long been known as the best that has ever been published. H-rd. Select Popular Orations of Demosthenes, with Notes and a Chronological Table. By J. T. CHAMPLIN, Professor of Greek and Latin in Waterville College. Boston: J. Munroe & Co. 1848. 12mo. pp. 227. THE popular orations of Demosthenes have been judged singu larly well adapted for the purposes of education, not merely from the fact that they are expressed in the words of the most perfect master of the most elegant of all languages, but because in matter and tone they intimately correspond with the spirit and genius of our own institutions. From the seventeen which are accredited to Demosthenes, Professor Champlin has selected the "Olynthiacs," the "Philippics," the oration "On the Chersonesus," and the eloquent argument" For the Liberty of the Rhodians." We have carefully read a large portion of the Notes in this volume, and have found them excellently adapted for the use of students. They contain short abstracts of every paragraph, and explanations of those passages which present difficulties not readily solved by younger students. Much attention has been bestowed upon many of the more remarkable grammatical constructions, and upon the uses of the prepositions. Such historical and chronological matter as seemed to be required the editor has appended in the form of a "Table of the Life and Times of Demosthenes," which will be found of great service in the study of any of his orations. The typographical execution of the volume is particularly worthy of notice. The Porsonian type, which the enterprising conductors of the University Press have introduced into this country, gives the text an air of neatness and elegance unsurpassed by any similar publication. H―rd. Infant Baptism a Scriptural Service, and Dipping unnecessary to its Right Administration; containing a Critical Survey and Digest of the Leading Evidence, Classical, Biblical, and Patristic; with Special Reference to the Work of Dr. Carson, and Occasional Strictures on the Views of Dr. Halley. By the Rev. ROBERT WILSON, Professor of Sacred Literature for the General Assembly, Royal College, Belfast. London. 1848. 8vo. pp. 534. We give the whole long title of this work, which has been sent to us from England, as showing its design and large attempts. It is elaborate and minute; taking up every question in regard to the import and use of the original word for "baptism," the early and later custom, and the present propriety or duty. The conclusions are all in favor of infant baptism, and of great latitude as to the mode; while the proof is well made out, that neither the Scriptures, the classics, nor the fathers identify baptism with immersion. The book seems to us to be fair, both as to its temper and ability. But we do think that these repeated labors on the form of a form are altogether disproportioned to the importance of the object, in view especially of other demands of the day. 1849.] Notices of Recent Publications. 513 The Christian's Catechism, or Lessons from the Old and New Testament on Religion and Morality, for the Use of Families and Sunday Schools. By LEWIS G. PRAY. Boston: S. G. Simpkins. 1849. 18mo. pp. 76. 66 an THE First Part of this Catechism on the Old Testament is mainly historical; the Second Part is intended to present outline of religion and morality as taught in the Bible, and, in substance, adopted by all Christians." The Answers to the Questions, "with a very few exceptions, are all taken from the Bible," -in regard to the advantage of which, however, we entertain some doubt. The Bible was not written to be turned into a catechism, and quite as much ingenuity as reverence is shown in adapting texts disjoined from their original connection to the exigencies of the new framework into which they must be introduced. Mr. Pray has generally succeeded as well as such a principle of construction permitted, and his work, though it does not seem to us to supply, beyond the need of any further attempt, the un-' deniable deficiency" to which he alludes in his Preface, will be found useful in our Sunday schools and families. 66 G. WE intended to speak at some length, in this number, of a work which we have received from the author, who is one of the Unitarian ministers of Belfast, Ireland, and one of the Professors in the Belfast Academical Institution, Principles of Textual Criticism, with their Application to the Old and New Testaments. By J. SCOTT PORTER. (8vo. pp. 516.) We can now only allude to the industry, learning, and impartiality which it discovers, in the hope of giving it a more extended notice hereafter. We should have been glad if we could also have devoted some space to a notice of The People's Dictionary of the Bible, (London, Svo, pp. 634, 634,) edited, and, we suppose, mainly, if not wholly, written by Rev. Dr. BEARD, of Manchester; the second volume of which, completing the work, was received in this country a few weeks since. Having often had occasion to refer to it, we have found it in the highest degree satisfactory, and unhesitatingly recommend it as a valuable addition to the library of every clergyman or student of the Bible. We hope the "Examiner " may yet do more justice to its merits. Leaves from Margaret Smith's Journal in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 1678-9, (Boston: Ticknor, Reed, & Fields, 16mo, pp. 224,) is a very agreeable and successful attempt to present the outward and inward life of the period assumed as the date of the Journal, in the style of expression which marked that time. We are, we presume, revealing no secret in telling the reader that he is indebted for the pleasure the volume will afford him to the "Quaker Poet" of New England. VOL. XLVI. 4TH S. VOL. XI. NO. III. 44 A Treatise upon the Nature and Treatment of Morbid Sensibility of the Retina, or Weakness of Sight, by JOHN H. DIX, M.D., (Boston Ticknor & Co., 12mo, pp. 144,) will be found useful by other than professional men. Dr. Dix's scientific acquaintance with the subject, and long experience as a practitioner, give a special value to his practical suggestions, as well as inspire full confidence in regard to the more technical parts of the book. Republican Christianity: or True Liberty, as exhibited in the Life, Precepts, and Early Disciples of the Great Redeemer, from the prolific pen of E. L. MAGOON, (Boston: Gould, Kendall, & Lincoln, 12mo, pp. 422,) we hope, is a better book than either its title, or the title of the First Part, "The Republican Character of Jesus Christ," would lead us to expect. Mr. Magoon needs to remember that strong truth should keep company with good taste. Man Primeval or the Constitution and Primitive Condition of the Human Being, by JOHN HARRIS, D. D., of Cheshunt College in England, (Boston: Gould, Kendall, & Lincoln, 12mo, pp. 480,) is one of a series of treatises to which "The Pre-Adamite Earth" was intended as the introduction. Having received, from the perusal of one or two of Dr. Harris's previous works, the impression that his ability as a writer is greatly overrated by his admirers, we must confess our ignorance of the contents of these two volumes. Among the genealogical publications of the day, we may mention the Memoir of Thomas Wight, of Dedham, Mass., with Genealogical Notices of his Descendants, from 1637 to 1840, by DANFORTH PHIPPS WIGHT, M. D., (12mo, pp. 119,)- a work distinguished for great accuracy and thoroughness. Mr. John Doggett, Jr., has recently republished the Original Narrative of the Boston Massacre, with Additional Notes, and a "Plan of the Town of Boston, copied from one published in the 'Gentleman's and London Magazine,' for 1774," (8vo, pp. 122.) The additional matter is chiefly explanatory, and as such, will be found useful to the reader at the present day. The Iliad of Homer, translated into English Prose, as literally as the different Idioms of the Greek and English Languages will allow, with Explanatory Notes, by a GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, being the "first American from the fourth London edition, thoroughly revised and corrected, with Additional Notes," (8vo, pp. 416,) published at Princeton, by George Thompson, has been sent us, along with a new and revised edition" of the Iliad of Homer, in the original, by Professor FELTON, and a second edition of the Gorgias of Plato, with "changes and additions" by President WOOLSEY; all of which will, for different reasons, prove acceptable to the public. The publishers of Felton's Homer and the new edition of the 1849.] Notices of Recent Publications. 515 Gorgias (Messrs. J. Munroe & Co.) are entitled to our special thanks for the beautiful typographical execution of the volumes issued by them. It is scarcely necessary to add, that they are from the press of Metcalf & Co., Cambridge. - Aunt Mary's New Stories for Young People, edited by Mrs. S. J. HALE, (Munroe & Co., 18mo, pp. 125,) are very well suited to their object, the communication of moral impressions through the channel of agreeable narrative or innocent fable. — Whisperings from Life's Shore; A Bright Shell for Children, by S. W. L., (Munroe & Co., 18mo, pp. 160,) will please many readers, and can harm none. The "specimen sheets are all that have yet appeared of a new Collection of Sacred Music, prepared by Messrs. B. F. Baker and F. F. Heard, and intended to give, with the tunes, the words of the best hymns used in the worship of Unitarian congregations. The work will be published in August, by Messrs. Munroe & Co. We have received from the author the First and Second "Parts" of Lectures on the Development of Religious Life in the Modern Christian Church, by HENRY SOLLY, (London, 16mo, pp. 98.) The series will be completed in six Parts, and "be followed by another series, if a sufficient sale can be secured." It will include "notices of the lives and opinions" of Luther and Munzer, Calvin and Zwingle, - Ignatius Loyola, - George Fox, -Wesley and Whitefield, Priestley and Channing. The purpose and spirit which Mr. Solly exhibits induce us to look with interest for the completion of his plan. Old Age,- 1849. 8vo. The Leaven of the Word. A Sermon preached at the Ordination of Rev. Joshua Young, as Pastor of the New North Church in Boston, Thursday, Feb. 1, 1849. By Rev. FREDERIC H. HEDGE, Pastor of a Church in Bangor. With the Charge and Right Hand of Fellowship. Boston. 1849. 8vo. pp. 32. A Sermon on the Moral Condition of Boston, preached at the Melodeon, on Sunday, Feb. 11, 1849. A Sermon on the |