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such as Aqueducts, Bridges, Artesian Wells, and the like, made by machinery. To give a specimen of the contents of the work, we select from the letter Ă, the following topics: "Anchor," "Animal matter used in the Arts," "Aqueducts,"-under which head, is an account of the Croton Aqueduct, illustrated by numerous drawings and extending through twenty pages, "Artesian Well," Augur," ," "Axles," and the like; from the letter B, the following, "Belting," "Blasting under Water," "Blowpipe," "Bobbinet Machinery," the drawings of which extend through eight pages, "Boilers," "Boring Machines and Tools," "Brick making," "Bridges," and the like. The above will give some notion, though an imperfect one, of the character of the work. The articles are well written, the descriptions precise and minute, and the drawings of ample size and clearness, "so that a mechanic may construct accurately any machine described." In order to embrace all the materials, the work is of large octavo form and will contain nearly two thousand pages. It is to be illustrated by fifteen hundred plates and six thousand wood-cuts. It is printed on fine paper and with small but distinct type. It is issued in numbers at twenty-five cents each, and the whole work will consist of forty numbers. We think this work will be of very great utility to those for whom it is designed, and it is on this account we have mentioned these particulars. We think, moreover, that it will possess a more general interest; for, in truth, a history of machinery is almost a history of civilization.

Chambers' Educational Course. Edited by D. M. REESE, M.D., LL.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. Philadelphia: John Ball. Cincinnati: H. W. Derby & Co. 7 vols.

THIS is a very valuable series of school books. The first volume in the series is called "the Treasury of Knowledge," and is divided into three Parts, of which, the First contains "Elementary Lessons in Common Things," the Second, "Practical Lessons on Common Objects," and the Third, “an Introduction to the Sciences." The First Part aims strictly at an explanation of external appearances in the natural and social world, and is intended to furnish answers to the earliest questions which children ask. It treats of "God and the Works of Creation," "of animated creatures," "of the country, processes of husbandry-vegetation," "of inanimate objects, wood, trees, water, the ocean, ships, rivers," "of the form, size, and measurements of objects," and the like. We select these topics as examples of what the treatise contains. The Second Part was prepared originally for teachers, to furnish them with such knowledge and such modes of explanation as would best qualify them to give oral instructions on the subjects treated of. These objects are "The Metals," ," "Minerals," "Manufactured Articles," "Corn," "Spices," "Woods," "Miscellaneous substances," "Shells," "Insects," "Miscellaneous objects," and "Woven Fabrics and their Materials." It is supposed that the teacher is supplied with specimens so as to explain the objects described in the treatise. The Third Part aims to present a connected and systematic view of Nature. It treats of Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Geology and Physical Geography, Meteorology, Electricity and Magnetism, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Human Physiology, and Mental Philosophy. These sciences are considered as forming parts of a general system of knowledge. The information communicated is of course limited, but it will be found to embrace the fundamental principles of these several sciences. This volume is written with great purity of style, the descriptions and explanations are made with precision, and the objects about which the knowledge is given, are selected with good judgment. The remaining volumes of the series, treat of the following subjects in the order in which they are here enumerated-Drawing, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Electricity, Vegetable and Animal Physiology, Zoology, and Geology.

We think very highly of the whole series, and cheerfully commend it to the attention of teachers.

General French and English Dictionary, newly composed from the French Dictionaries of the French Academy, Laveaux, Boiste, Bescherelle, etc. From the English Dictionaries of Johnson, Webster, Richardson, etc., also an English and French Dictionary, &c. By A. SPIERS. Paris: Baudry's European Library. Boston: C. C. Little and James Brown. 1849. 8vo, 2 vols. in one, pp. 615 and 716.

THIS dictionary has recently been prepared in Paris from the best authorities, with great thoroughness and care. The examination of a few important words, will convince any scholar that the work has been well done, and that no dictionary sold in this country for common use in schools possesses equal excellence. The dictionary is printed in Paris and imported by the American publishers, and sold at a very moderate price, ($3,50,) considering the amount of matter. We recommend it to teachers of the French language, and to all who would possess a dictionary which will satisfy their wants.

The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, prior to the Union with New Haven Colony, May, 1665; transcribed and published, (in accordance with a resolution of the General Assembly,) under the supervision of the Secretary of State, with occasional notes and an appendix. By J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, Cor. Sec. Conn. Hist. Society, &c. Hartford: Brown and Parsons. 1850. 8vo, pp. 604.

THIS full and descriptive title-page relieves us from the necessity of saying much about the plan and object of the book. Of the execution we may say that it is highly creditable to the compiler and editor, and to the publishers. Such books are of great importance to the investigators of our early history; they give a more exact and lively representation of the character and condition of our fathers than can be found any where else. To the inquirer after genealogies too, such books, especially with indexes like those appended to this volume, are of high estimation.

We are glad that the State of Connecticut has made this beginning. Another volume of equal value might be compiled from the public records of the old New Haven jurisdiction.

The History of the United States of America, from the discovery of the Continent to the organization of government under the Federal Constitution. By RICHard Hildreth. 3 vols. 8vo. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1849. As we intend to criticise this work more at length than the limits of this notice will admit, we abstain from saying more at present than that it is elaborate and able, but altogether too much in the spirit of Hume. It is history without heroes-the history of our own heroic past by an author who has not only no pardon for the errors of the great and good, but no gleam of admiration for their greatness, and no glow of sympathy with their goodness. To the admirers of such history, these beautiful volumes, as beautiful in the style as in the mechanical part, may be freely commended.

Morton Montagu; or a young Christian's choice. A narrative founded on facts in the early history of a deceased Moravian clergyman. By Č. B. MORTIMER. New York: Appleton & Co. 1850. 12mo, pp. 255.

PERHAPS the chief interest of this volume is the representation which it gives of the history and character of the Moravian Church. Why the biography is given under a fictitious name, and how much of the narrative is fact and not fiction, are questions which we can not answer. If the reader will dismiss such questions and take the story as he finds it, the book will be to him both entertaining and instructive.

Elements of Natural Philosophy. Designed as a Text-Book for Academies, High-Schools, and Colleges. By ALONZO GRAY, A.M., Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in the Brooklyn Female Academy, and Author of Elements of Chemistry," &c., &c. Illustrated by three hundred and sixty wood-cuts. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff

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Street. 1850. Companion to Ollendorf's New Method of learning to read, write ond speak the French Language; or, Dialogues and a Vocabulary. By GEO. W. GREENE, Instructor in Modern Languages in Brown University. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 200 Broadway. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton, 164 Chesnut Street. 1850.

Ollendorf's New Method of learning to read, write and speak the French Language; with the Lessons divided into sections of a proper length for daily tasks, and numerous additions, corrections and improvements, suitable for this country. By V. VALUE. To which are added Value's System of French Pronunciation, his Grammatical Synopsis, a new Index, and short Models of Commercial Correspondence. New York: D. S. Appleton & Company, 200 Broadway. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton, 164 Chesnut Street. 1850.

SCHOOL books are multiplied with such alarming rapidity that we utterly despair of examining a tithe of them: we have hardly room to announce their publication.

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL.D. By his son-in-law, the Rev. WILLIAM HANNA, LL.D. In three volumes. Vol. I. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff Street. 1850. The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey. Edited by his Son, the Rev. CHARLES CUTHBERT SOUTHEY, M.A., Curate of Plumbland, Cumberland. To be completed in 6 Parts. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff Street. 1850. Parts I. and II.

WE are disposed to call in question the right which these respected publishers have assumed of trying the patience of readers, by publishing works of such absorbing interest as these, in fragments. But we are in their handshowever, we are determined not to write a notice of such works in fragments. We merely announce that they are in course of publication.

THE

NEW ENGLANDER.

No. XXXI.

AUGUST, 1850.

ART. I.-LIBERALISM IN EUROPE.

History of the French Revolution of 1848. By A. DE LAMAR2 vols. Boston: Philips, Sampson & Co. 1849.

TINE.

To write a satisfactory history of a great popular revolution, we regard as a very grave affair. It can not be done in haste. It is difficult to do it, soon after the event occurs. It may also be added, that the instances are rare, in which it has been well done by those who were themselves chief actors in the occurrences narrated. Time is ordinarily required, to the end that the subject may be studied on all sides; that the impressions and the testimonies of many persons may be brought together and compared; and that the excitements and the sympathies called forth by the occasion may subside, and leave the mind to calm and healthful action. All that it is reasonable to expect, in such a case, is that those who write should give us faithful chronicles, or graphic pictures no matter how fresh and lively, of what they have seen and known, or of what they have thought and purposed if personally concerned; and these will furnish the materials out of which, when the proper time arrives, the philosophic historian may construct his well-labored, comprehensive, and impartial work.

If, therefore, in writing the history of the late revolution in France, M. de Lamartine has failed to accomplish all that must be ultimately demanded, there are obvious reasons for the failure, which are not at all connected with any question as to the qualifications of the writer for his task. We doubt, however, whether the genius of this brilliant man is well adapted to historical composition. His temperament is ardent and impulsive; his imagin

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ation kindles easily, and rises often to wild and airy flights; his currents of thought are rapid, and his generalizations not seldom seem to rest on too small a basis; and although his reflections are often highly original and striking, he lacks the power of cool analysis, and of sustained and vigorous reasoning. Even his History of the Girondins, justly popular as it is, does not, in our opinion, rank in the highest class of histories. Still less does the History of the Revolution of 1848. This work, well known already to the reading public, is written with dramatic spirit, and portions of it with a thrilling power and interest; yet it exhibits, nevertheless, the defects which would naturally be expected from the characteristic peculiarities of the author. It has, however, a special value, as the apparently honest personal narrative, of a truth-loving, generous, and right-hearted man-himself the hero of the story-written while every incident was fresh in memory. This is all we propose to say of M. de Lamartine or of his book at present. Indeed it would be out of season now to say much more. But as it was the demolition of the throne of the House of Orleans, and the establishment of the French Republic, that opened the drama the progress of which agitated all Europe for so long a period, and which reached its catastrophe when the sword of the Austrian butcher entered the heart of Hungary; the history of this first act, affords an appropriate point from which to take a departure, in submitting a few thoughts in relation to the actual results of the late determined struggle of the nations for the attainment of a happier social and political condition. think it of great importance to the cause of freedom that these results should be correctly understood; and we would gladly contribute even a very little towards the right apprehension of the facts.

We

The present is the offspring of the past. Then only do we comprehend our own time, when we consider it in its relation to all time. To a superficial reader, the history of the world presents only a long succession of struggles and of changes which seem to have been regulated by no steady principles, and to have led to no very great results. The revolutions of empires are innumerable. The rise and fall of states and cities, and of political and social institutions, are found to make up no small portion of the events of every century, as we go backward towards the fabulous ages of the race. The men of every period are seen exhibiting signs of restlessness and aspiration; sensible of wants, and striving and hoping for the attainment of a better condition and the coming of brighter days. Yet on a hasty view, but little appears to have been accomplished after all. Still the whole race is unsatisfied; large portions of it are wretched, and the day of general perfection of condition and of universal joy, looks as re

mote as ever.

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