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LITERARY MISCELLANIES.

THE principal publications of the month are in- | liberately professes to do one thing, and as deliber cluded in the following lists:

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, &c. Memoirs and Correspondence of Mallet du Pan, illustrative of the history of the French Revolution.

2 vols., a work which the Examiner regards very

important.

"In some important respects there has not been any more valuable contribution to our knowledge

of the first French Revolution. Mallet du Pan had the singular distinction, throughout those exciting events, of maintaining principles equally removed from monarchical and republican extremes, and he enjoyed the more singular good fortune of escaping the guillotine which was repeatedly sharpened for him. He lived till after the 18th Brumaire, which he criticised from the opposite shore. He was one of the ablest journalists then existing, and in his later years became the selected adviser and agent of that exiled family of Bourbons to whom in his

earlier he had tendered honest warnings and unhappily disregarded advice. It will rightly be supposed, therefore, that his correspondence covers a wide range of persons and opinions, from Voltaire on one side of the channel to Burke on the other."

India in Greece, or Truth in Mythology, containing the sources of the Hellenic race, by E. Pococke, is an ambitious work on an abstruse topic of ethnology, which is so wild as to suggest to the Literary Gazette the idea that it is a jeu d'esprit in

rivalry of Dean Swift. It has, however, considerable pretensions.

An account of the Danes and Norwegians in England, Scotland, and Ireland, by J. J. A. Worsaae. Mr. Worsaae, whose reputation as an antiquary is European, was in 1846 commissioned by the King of Denmark to investigate the memorials of the ancient Scandinavians, which might be still extant in Great Britain. His researches were to extend from the earliest period down to the complete establishment of the Norman sway in England. For this purpose Mr. Worsaae travelled for a twelve-month in the British islands: and his zeal to claim for his Danish ancestors the honor of being reckoned among the forefathers and founders of the present British nation, has stimulated him in the investigation of a very neglected branch of English history. If that zeal is occasionally a little outré-this is, nevertheless, more than compensated by the many curious relics of Scandinavian customs and influence in the British islands which his zealous researches have brought to light, and which in some instances none but a Northman would have been able to trace. It is a very suggestive addition to English historical literature.

The Men of the Time in 1852: or, Sketches of Living Notables, is the title of a book of which the Literary Gazette says:

"We know of no annual publication which de

ately performs another. This volume undoubtedly achieves that not very meritorious feat, and at once secures an unenviable position of its own."

Dr. Maddon's Shrines and Sepulchres of the Old though "paste and scissors" have had quite as much and New World, is a work of interest and research, to do with its composition, as the pen and pencil. The author has been a pilgrim "in many lands;" and seems to have made tolerable use of his eyes and ears, and of the other faculties with which he is endowed. He could hardly be expected to write on such a subject as the shrines and sepulchres of ancient and of modern times, in both hemispheres, without resorting to many anterior writers: but we were scarcely prepared for the very abundant use that he has made of them, and for the manner in which he has transferred to his pages all of theirs that was available for his purpose."

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biographical work, translated from the German of The English Writers of History, is the title of a Herr Ebeling, but pronounced by the Athenæum to be useless as a guide to historical literature: the information offered being too slender and fragmentary for the student's purposes, even if all that is given were of the best quality, which it is far from being. Herr Ebeling's series will not pass muster under any literary standard whatever, even as a fair catalogue or index librorum.

descriptive of Emigrant Life, by Mrs. Susanna Roughing it in the Bush, is the title of a work Moodie, better known as Miss Susanna Strickland, sister of Agnes Strickland. The Literary Gazette sums up its qualities as follows:

"Mrs. Moodie's work, unaffectedly and naturally written, though a little coarse, will delight ladies, please men, and even amuse children. The book is one of great originality and interest."

We

Gutzlaff's Life of Taow-Kwang, the late Emperor of China, has just appeared. Though the work of one who had the reputation of being better acquainted with China and the Chinese than perhaps any other European, it disappoints the critics. have heard it said by those who knew him, that so completely had he assimilated himself to the Chinot only his modes of thinking but his very physinese during his long residence among them, that ognomy had assumed a Chinese cast. From such a man-so thoroughly imbued with Chinese opinion and sentiment, and at the same time still a European scholar-we might naturally have expected a book giving us a close insight into the Chinese and their ways. The Athenæum says: "Dr. Gutzlaff's posthumous work, with all the advantage which it may have derived from Sir George Staunton's revision, is far from answering to even the least exacting notion of what a biography of a Chinese emperor should be to fit it for English reading. Not only is the style bald and stiff, but there is an al

prepared by Mr. Coxe, of the Bodleian, from the MS. in that library,—and "Fasti Catholici: a universal chronology," by the Rev. Edward Gress well. Mr. Bentley announces several important new pubLangdale, late Master of the Rolls; Corneille and his Times, by M. Guizot, to appear in England, under the new International Copyright Treaty, simultaneously with the Paris issue; A History of the Administration of the East India Company, by Mr. Kaye, the historian of the Affghan war. Lives of the Archbishops of Canterbury; Lives of the Prime Ministers of England.

most total want of anything like the true biographic | art of interweaving interesting and significant particulars relative to surrounding society with the life of the individual selected as the chief subject." The Political and Historical works of Louis Na-lications. The Life and Correspondence of Lord poleon Bonaparte, have recently been published in two vols. They include his various writings, his exposition of what he calls "Idées Napoléoniennes," and which his translator incorrectly renders "Ideas of Napoleonism," and in the prefatory memoir large excerpts from his correspondence are printed. All of these have, of course, an interest as so many materials towards the understanding of a noted performer in contemporary history. The satisfaction of curiosity, if not of sympathy, is provided for in this seasonable collection of the literary lucubrations of Louis Napoleon. The reading of the memoir and the works will awaken at once the laughing and the weeping philosopher.

-a

History of the British Empire, from the accession of James I. By John Macgregor, Esq.,work by a celebrated and learned writer, yet not well received. The Athenæum says: "If his publication is to be received as a practical definition of what he understands by a 'History of the British Empire,' we can only say his view is peculiar and unfortunate. He has written something between a long lecture on, and a full abridgment of the history of these islands from Alfred the Great to Oliver Cromwell. For certain purposes, and in the hands of particular persons, his book will be useful. In its kind, it is not badly written. The style is generally clear, vigorous and rapid. But his arrangement is exceedingly confused and imperfect."

A new edition of Dr. Pye Smith's Geology and Scripture, has been incorporated into Bohn's Standard Library. The Literary Gazette says, "the lamented author was thoroughly in earnest, unaffectedly pious, and a devoted seeker after truth. He succeeded in mastering the literature and much of the practical knowledge of geology, and spoke out his opinions as boldly as sincerely. The leading points of these essays are as telling now as when they first came out.'

Lord Palmerston's Opinions and Policy, as Minister, Diplomatist, and Statesman, during more than Forty Years of Public Life. By G. H. Francis, Esq. The Standard regards this "a valuable addition to the historical treasures of our country during more than forty of the most memorable years in our annals."

The Literature and romance of Northern Europe. By William and Mary Howitt. This work constitutes a complete History of the Literature of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland, with Copious Specimens of the most celebrated Histories, Romances, Popular Legends and Tales, Old Chivalrous Ballads, Tragic and Comic Dramas, National Songs, Novels, and Scenes from the Life of the Present Day.

The Oxford University Press is more than usually active just now. A New edition of the "Life of Ormonde," has been 'issued. Burnet's "Lives of the Dukes of Hamilton" is about to be re-issued, and two new and useful works are in the press, namely, "A Catalogue of the Manuscripts contained in the Libraries of the Twenty-four Halls and Colleges which constitute the University of Oxford,"

be a favorite. The first number is thus welcomed by Dickens' new work, Bleak House, is destined to the Literary Gazette.

MR. DICKENS returns to us in "Bleak House" with the same quaint elaboracy of character and incident, developed with the same largeness and simplicity of heart. He still sees fun where fun is, and good where good is; and brings his characteristic powers of description to bear upon the world around us with, if possible, a riper and a truer hand.

AMERICAN Books,

Bancroft's new History of the American Revolution, is warmly received. The estimate of the Athenæum is abundantly confirmed by the leading critical journals. It says:

"This work must take its place as an essentially satisfactory history of the United States. Mr. Bancroft's style is original and national. It breathes of the mountain and the prairie. A strain of wild and forest-like music swells up in almost every line. The story is told richly and vividly. In his hands American scenery is full of fine effects. Steeped in the colors of his imagination, a thousand incidents, though dull before, appear now animated and pietorial. In his narrative all is movement. His men glow with human purposes-his story sweeps on with the exulting life of a procession."-Athenæum.

The Life of Justice Story, by his son, is also well received. The Spectator says of it:-"In a biogra phy by a son, the reader is prepared to make allowances for filial partiality, shown both in commission and omission. In the case of Mr. Story the allowance needed is less than usual. He takes a critical

though a favorable view of his father; touching with truth, if somewhat undervaluing, his defects of diffuseness and want of condensed strength in composition; which, indeed, naturally arose from the extent and multiplicity of his tasks. In the social aspect the man was probably as faultless as man can well be; his disposition to think well of everybody, and to be satisfied with every effort, except latterly in the case of Democrats, certainly not amounting to a fault. In his public and gen eral character the reader will desire another view; at present the picture is, so to speak, almost without shade."

The Athenæum, while eulogizing the man, inclines to censure the biography. "Like the biographies of Romilly and Mackintosh, these volumes are a tribute of filial love and reverence; and on this account, as well as from respect for the memory of the great American jurist, we were desirous of being able to place the record of so much genius and worth on the same shelf with the former works. umes no such distinction. Without their diminishWe regret to say, that we can accord to these vol

ing in the least degree, our respect and admiration | for Justice Story as a philosophical lawyer and a conscientious and amiable man, we are compelled to confess that the perusal of these volumes has not afforded us much instruction or pleasure. But if he intended his work to be read-if he aimed at pleasing and delighting others, as well as indulging his own feelings of filial regard,—why did he make this work so long? The life of his father does not afford sufficient incident for two thick octavo volumes. A judicious curtailment of the correspondence, and a brief but clear epitome of the father's professional labors, would have been far preferable to the present series of uninteresting letters and of cases which are much better read in the regular Reports."

The Life of Margaret Fuller meets with various reception. The Critic opens with a ludicrous description of Transcendentalism, and says: "It was with unsated curiosity that we took up these Memoirs of Miss FULLER, who was understood to have been the Queen of New England's new spiritualism, as EMERSON was supposed to be its king. Nor have we been altogether disappointed. It is a book which throws ample light on a New England personality, and on a New England circle, which, in themselves, and from their contrasts with character and circumstances in Old England, are very singular and interesting. Certainly, it is the first chapter of American literary history that we have found worth the reading. We may characterize its interest in a single sentence, by saying that what CARLYLE's Life of Sterling is to Old England, these Memoirs are to New. For the rest, it need only be added that to high literary excellence, the work makes no pretensions.”

Sixteen months in California, by D. B. Woods, published by HARPERS, and reprinted by Low, is highly praised. Says the Athenæum: "We have not seen a better book than this on California. We say emphatically "better,”—not as respects the writer's cleverness though that is respectable enough-but as regards the sobriety of tone throughout, the evident honesty of purpose with which it has been written, and the exactness of its details in all that relates to the miner's daily life. This is partly to be attributed to the writer's position and acquirements."

Horace Greeley's Glances at Europe, published by DEWITT & DAVENPORT, is reprinted in London. The Critic says they "are the hasty notes of a Visitor to the Great Exhibition. There is little of novelty in them, even for his Transatlantic countrymen; nothing for us, to whom everything described is so familiar. Nor does his style offer any peculiar attractions to make old things look lie new."

The Men and Women of the Eighteenth Century, is the title of a brilliant series of sketches of eminent personages who flourished in France during the reigns of Louis XV., Louis XVI., and subsequent to the establishment of the Directory-published in two beautiful volumes, by REDFIELD. The list includes a great number of names celebrated in history, with not a few whose genins contributed to the splendor of their era and the formation of the public character, but to whom history has not done an equal justice. Statesmen, warriors, poets, artists, actors, savans, kings, queens, nobles, courtesans-all the strangely brilliant circle that at the

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time made up French society are brought into review, and into that moral juxtaposition which their real influence would indicate. The list is large, and the delineation admirable. The peculiar tact, brilliancy, and finesse of the French mind are visible in every touch of the author's pencil. Some of the sketches are master pieces of characterpainting, while the facts of private history, personal traits, and illustrative incidents are instructive. Treating of French characters there is much that must be repulsive, if the delineation be true; but we know of no work which, with such successful strokes, brings before the reader the veritable picture of that desolate era which found its natural development in the horrors of the Revolution, as these volumes present.

Prof. Aytour's Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers, a well-known brilliant series of ballads founded on the heroic incidents of Scottish history, and highly lauded by the British press, has been handsomely reproduced in this country by Mr. REDFIELD.

The Book of Ballads by Pro. Gaultier, the prince of parodists, has also been reprinted by Mr. REDFIELD-a most genial and humorous work. Poetic ability and fire are intermingled with the humorous fancies and broad farce of the poems. They are incomparably the best specimens of comic poetry of the day.

Cousin's Course of the History of Philosophythe memorable prelections of the distinguished French philosopher, on his restoration to his chair in the University, which have been the admiration of scholars and thinkers, have been elegantly translated by Mr. O. W. Wight, and published in two volumes by the Messrs. APPLETON.

Madame Pulszky's popular work, Tales and Traditions of Hungary, which was received with remarkable favor in England, and is a work of both intrinsic and relative worth, is republished in a handsome volume, by J. S. REdfield, and will be equally a favorite in this country. The last work of that accomplished scholar, Professor Stuart, of the Andover Seminary-a Commentary on the Proverbs-has been published by M. W. DOOD, in one vol. 12mo. It bears the marks of that extensive erudition, careful thought and earnest feeling which render the author one of the most successful exe

getes of modern times, and will be an acceptable bequest to the wide circle of his admirers.

The Messrs. Carter have recently republished several works of religious character, selected with that judicious care which has made their lists one of the most valuable and interesting of any house in the country. The Folded Lamb, a biography of a charming little child, by his mother; Far Off, a popular sketch of oriental lands and scenes, by a highly successful writer, the author of "Peep of Day;" Songs in the House of My Pilgrimage, a collection of devotional poetry for daily use; Frank Netherton, a fine juvenile tale, &c.

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The Wollaston Medal of the Geological So- | ciety, has been conferred on Dr. Fitton, one of the patriarchs of the Science.

Mr. Dickens' generous-hearted labor of love, the "Guild of Literature and Art," is making substantial and honorable progress. Three performances of Sir E. B. Lytton's drama lately given, realized a net profit of 1300l. to the institution, which has now about 4000/. in hand.

printed letter with the printed article, wrote at once to Mr. Moxon informing him that the letter-by whomsoever written-was a "crib" from an article which he had written for the "Quarterly Review."

Thomas Moore-to be best known hereafter by his songs and his satires-died at Sloperton Cottage, near Devizes, on the 26th of last month, in the 72nd year of his age. For the last three years bis life had been a long disease-not attended with — An industrial refuge for impoverished gentle-ual softening of the brain and a reduction of the either bodily or mental suffering-but from a gradwomen of rank and station has just been founded, mind to a state of childishness. Swift and Southey under the title of "The Ladies' Guild." and Scott suffered much in the same way,-but the case of Moore was rather like that of his great countryman Swift than like those of his contemporaries Scott and Southey. Swift was frequently free from pain-but Southey and Scott suffered mentally and bodily. Mr. Moore had lived in the cottage in which he died for four-and-thirty years. It is a pretty, unpretending home,-fitly described by its owner in the words of Pope

-Count Demidoff has announced to the Acade my of Sciences in Paris his intention to make a sojourn of three years in Siberia,—accompanied by artiste, men of letters and savans to the number of twenty-five or twenty-six.

Prof. Blackie of Edinburgh, has been elected to the vacant Greek chair in the University of Edinburgh. He had distinguished competitors-Dr's. Smith, Schmitz, Prof. Macdonal and Mr. Price.

A bill has been introduced into Parliament, for abolishing tests in the Scottish universities for all professional chairs but those of the theological faculties. At present every Professor, before induction, is required by law to sign the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the other formularies of the Scottish Established Kirk. Many of the most distinguished professors in Scotland do not belong to the Established Church of that country. In Edinburgh, for instance, Mr. Kelland, Professor of Mathematics, was a Cambridge senior wrangler; Sir William Hamilton, Professor of Logic, was an Oxford first class man; and Professor J. D. Forbes, Natural Philosophy, also belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church. It is the same in other universities, as at St. Andrew's, where the Principal, Sir David Brewster, belongs to the Free Church of Scotland.

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The recently published letters of Shelley, prefaced by the poet Browning, turn out to be forgeries!

manner.

The discovery was made in quite an accidental Mr. Moxon had sent a copy of the book to Mr. Tennyson. During a visit which Mr. Palgrave was paying to Mr. Tennyson he dipped into the Shelley volume and lighted on a letter writtens from Florence to Godwin-the better half of which he at once recognized as part of an article on Florence written for the " Quarterly Review" so far back as 1840 by his father, Sir Francis Palgrave. It is good to find a son so well versed in the writing of his father as young Mr. Palgrave proved himself to be on this occasion. He lost no time, as we may suppose, in communicating his curious discovery to his father; and Sir Francis, after comparing the

A little cot (with trees a-row)

And like its master very low

and is separated from the picturesque village of Bromham by a small verdant valley, exhibiting some of the best characteristics of Wiltshire scenery. Thomas Moore was born in Angier Street, Dublin, on the 30th May, 1780.

Archbishop Whately has pronounced against the proposal for withdrawing the grant to Maynooth College, in Ireland.

On the first day of the publication of "Bleak House," Mr. Dickens had the honor of entertaining at dinner His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, and the leading members of the Guild of Literature and Art, including Messrs. Stanfield, Grieve, Stone, Egg, Tenniel, Haghe, Knight, Horne, Bell, Costello, Forster, Cunningham, Collins, &c.

The inhabitants of Schaffhausen have been inaugurating a monument to the memory of John-von Muller, the great historian, in that, his native town.

Madame Sontag, who has been singing at Leipsic for £104 a night (an immense sum in Germany,) is burg, and purposes visiting the United States, acengaged for a short series of performances at Hamcompanied by Thalberg.

LAMARTINE'S new periodical, the Civilisateur, is receiving fair support. The subscriptions are coming in rapidly, and the first number will appear shortly. It is stated that General Cavaignac is engaged in preparing his "Memoirs" for the press Frederika Bremer is contributing her Impressions of England during her recent visit. She is engaged also on a more elaborate account of her residence in the United States-Herr Hartleben, the publisher at Pesth and Vienna, has just published a translation of Mr. Dickens' "Child's History of England."

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