Book Notices. Roughing it in the Bush. By Mrs. MOODIE. New York: G. P. Putnam Co. 66 Roughing it in the Bush" forms Nos. XII. and XIII. of Mr. Putnam's SemiMonthly Library, and is quite equal to any of its predecessors. The authoress is a sister of Agnes Strickland. She lives in Canada, having emigrated thither many years ago, is the wife of a farmer, has experienced all the toils, trials and privations incident to pioneer life, and has given us an account of them in two highly entertaining volumes. Mrs. Moodie is a true heroine, and her simple narrative has all the interest of an imaginative creation. It is a work of so much merit, the scenes and adventures it describes are so full of freshness, truth, and humor, the tone that pervades its entertaining pages are so healthy, and the lessons it teaches are so profitable, that it is to be hoped it will find a place in every library. Life and Letters of Neibuhr. Harpers. Whoever has visited Rome, and felt the difficulty of separating the chaff from the wheat of her history, and known the bewilderment attending the endeavor to reconcile her existent remains with the classic annals, and then turned to the acute, profound and suggestive pages of Neibuhr, will greet this interesting account of his childhood and youth, the cordial and sincere letters, the affectionate spirit, and the truthful manliness of his intellectual character, as here unfolded. It is full of interest and information, and contains essays on his character by Professors Brandis and Lorbell, and Chevalier Bunsen. The Diplomacy of the Revolution. By W. H. TRESCOTT. D. Appleton & Co. Versed as our people are in the actions which resulted in the establishment of American independence, few, we apprehend, do full justice to the foresight, firmness, and judgment with which the correspondence, state papers, treatise, and other diplomatic writings of American statesmen have been conducted. To bring together and elucidate this phase of our history is a worthy and important enterprise, and a great saving of labor to those who desire to possess themselves of the essential points of the subject. This has been done with great tact by the author of this little volume, which is an epitome of the most vital negotiations of our government. The Friend of Moses, by Dr. HAMILTON, of Mobile, Ala., is the title of a work of deep interest to the theological student, and all who desire to acquaint themselves with the fundamental grounds of the Christian religion. Our author evinces an extensive acquaintance with ethnological learning, especially with that of modern Germany. He treats of the cosmogony of the ancients, the origin of the human races, and other topics of interest to the biblical scholar, and the lover of curious enquiry. Dodd is the publisher. Arctic Journal; or Eighteen Months in the Polar Regions. By Lieutenant S. OSBORN. New-York: G. P. Putnam & Co. This is the latest issue of Putnam's Semimonthly Library, and it is a most agreeable volume to read during the "reign of the dog-star." Quite refreshing to revel, while sweltering under an almost tropical sun, among icebergs and the scenery of polar regions. American Female Patriotism. A Prize Essay. By ELIZABETH WETHERELL. This is a little, playful, spirited discussion by an intelligent family circle, in which is canvassed the question, "How may an American Woman best show her Patriotism?" We can best indicate the nature of the work by saying that this somewhat perplexing interrogatory is answered in a sensible, common-sense way- —a way which, if put in practice, would soon bring to an end much of the senseless twaddle about "woman's sphere.” The Laws of Life, with Special Reference to the Physical Education of Girls. By ELIZABETH BLACKWELL, M.D. NewYork: G. P. Putnam & Co. A well-written volume on an important subject. It is the second of a series on Popular and Practical Science. We have in it evidence that there is no insurmountable obstacle to the acquisition of professional knowledge by females, yet there must be a great change in public opinion before ladies can append the M D. to their names without exciting a sense of the incongruous. There is much valuable matter in these lectures, and we cannot do better than to commend the book to the attention specially as it does, a detailed account of the misof mothers. 66 My object in the present course"-we let her speak for herself" is to call your attention to the importance of this subject -the physical education of the youngand to urge upon you the means by which our present degeneracy may be checked, and a steady progress made in the improvement of the condition of the race. To do sionary labors of a man well known-not here only, but throughout Europe-and esteemed as widely as he is known. Historical Sketch of the Electric Telegraph: Including its Rise and Progress in the United States. By ALEXANDER JONES. New-York: Geo. P. Putnam & Co. To those who would understand the to the people as to any patentee, or perhaps more so-excepting, of course, some of the minor inventions of individual operators, and many of these were found out by several, either simultaneously or without knowing what had been already discovered by others. this, I shall, in the first place, point out the merits of the long controversy respecting great principles which govern existence, and telegraph patents, this work must prove according to which the material life of our exceedingly interesting. Of course, there bodies is carried on. I shall show the way is much of dry detail, the result of indein which these wonderful bodies of ours fatigable labor; yet, notwithstanding, it is grow, and what they require for perfect well worth perusal by the general reader. growth. I shall indicate what nature has It appears, from a very cursory glance to do, and what we have to do in the grand work of growth-and by an exam:-through its pages, that the right to electronation of our present habits of life, I shall telegraphic communication belongs as much search out the causes of evil-the way in which we defeat the designs of nature, and produce our present condition of suffering In the course of my remarks, I shall notice some of the important functions of our economy, and state the conditions of their normal action, dwelling on such points of physiology and hygiene as bear directly up- Queechy. on our subject. And lastly, I shall consider what changes we may accomplish in the arrangements of practical life, by means of which the truth we have gained may become a living fact, moulding our lives for good. And I trust that our efforts have the influence of all earnest endeavor, in hastening that grand future when man shall attain to the harmonious action of all his powers, and bear once more the image of the Creator!" may St. Helena and the Cape of Good Hope: or Incidents of the Missionary Life of Rev. J. M. Bertram. By Rev. E. F. HATFIELD, D.D. With Introduction, by Rev. GEO. B. CHEEVER. New-York: Edw. H. Fletcher. By ELIZABETH WETHERELL. New-York: G. P. Putnam & Co. The precursor of this volume, by a new candidate for public favor, found many readers, yet it was not till the publication of the work before us, that even "The Wide Wide World" was properly appreciated; it has had, however, already an almost unprecedented sale, and we doubt not that The editor of the Christian Intelligencer, Queechy" will attain a like popularity. on whose judgment we can rely, says: "Domestic and country life are so beautifully and truly portrayed, and both are pervaded by such a healthful moral tone, that their pictures, while they delight the imagi nation, cannot fail at the same time, to improve the morals and make the heart better. From the eagerness with which we have seen it devoured by some youthful readers, we think it must be peculiarly captivating. The dialogue is always easy and natural: and throughout the whole there is a tineture of philosophy which compels the intellect to pause and reflect, while the imagi nation is carried forward with the beauty of its delineations. We have much admired some of the pieces of poetry in these vol umes, of which the author very ingenuously declares she has them only by gift--not The "lonely isle" has a charm about it to all, from its having served as an imperial prison; and to such as have touched at that stopping place in the paths of the sea, the rock of the ocean has double charms; yet very little is known of its inhabitants, in this country at least; and we welcome the little volume before us, giving us a glance at its interior life and the progress of Christianity and civilization among its anomalous people. To the religious world it will prove highly interesting, containing, the gift of nature.' |