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ductions of the human mind. The only portion of Slavic literature, which appears to be original and characteristic, is the Popular Poetry; the fourth part of the treatise contains several translations of songs and ballads, which possess very great merits.

Mahomet and his Successors. By WASHINGTON IRVING. In two volumes. Vol. II. New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. 1850. pp. 500. THIS work, the first volume of which we noticed in our February number, describes one of the most remarkable phenomena in the history of man. The present volume traces the progress of the Moslem dominion from the death of Mahomet in A. D., 622, to the invasion of Spain, A. D., 710. In the conclusion of this volume, the author intimates the possibility that he may hereafter narrate the conquest of Spain. We hope he will do so. Each volume would possess a unity, while together they would form the distinct but harmonious parts of a larger whole.

The field which the present volume occupies will be best seen from the review which the author takes at the close, of the ground he has passed over.

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"We have thus accomplished our self-allotted task. We have set forth, in simple and succinct narrative, a certain portion of this wonderful career of fanatical conquest. We have traced the progress of the little cloud which rose out of the deserts of Arabia, no bigger than a man's hand,' until it has spread out and overshadowed the ancient quarters of the world and all their faded glories. We have shown the handful of proselytes of a pseudo prophet, driven from city to city, lurking in dens and caves of the earth; but at length rising to be leaders of armies and mighty conquerors; overcoming in pitched battle the Roman cohort, the Grecian phalanx, and the gorgeous hosts of Persia; carrying their victories from the gates of the Caucasus, to the western descents of Mount Atlas; from the banks of the Ganges to the Sus, the ultimate river in Mauritania; and now planting their standard on the pillars of Hercules, and threatening Europe with like subjugation."—pp. 499, 500.

To say that this volume is well written is to state but a small part of its merits. The artistic selection of the events to be brought into the narration, those events only being selected which give a clear idea of the whole, the distinctness of the narrative, in which every fact is projected so as readily to be apprehended by the mind, and the air of romance, which, without affecting the reality, invests the whole history with a poetical coloring, are beyond all praise. Irving has often been compared with Goldsmith in several respects, among others, as a historian. But, here beyond all question, we think, the palm must be given to our countryman. It seems to us, indeed, that the histories written by our author present models almost faultless of the class of historical writings to which they belong.

Elements of Scientific Agriculture; or the Connection between Science and the Art of Practical Farming. Prize Essay of the New York State Agricultural Society. By JOHN P. NORTON, Professor of Scientific Agriculture in Yale College. Albany: Erastus H. Pease & Co. New Haven: T. H. Pease. pp. 208. 1850.

WE should be glad to see this volume in the possession of every family in the State, and taught in every school in the State. We know of no knowledge which would act so directly on the prosperity of our citizens as a knowledge of the scientific principles of Agriculture-hardly any, which would tend more to elevate the intellectual character of the people. Agriculture as here expounded has that combination of the Practical and the Theoretical, which, while it elevates the former above mere toil and relieves it of much of its laboriousness, gives healthful exercise to the intellect, and restrains the latter VOL. VIII.

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within the bounds of legitimate inductions. We have read this book with care, and we do not hesitate to give it our unqualified approbation. It has several peculiar excellencies. In the first place, it is really scientific. The scientific principles upon which the Art of agriculture rests, are derived from various sciences, but especially from Chemistry. Now there is a very great difference between reading up on these subjects so as to compile a book, and writing on these subjects from a mastery of them-a difference between that general information which belongs to all well read men, and true scientific knowledge. When we say, therefore, that this book is really scientific, we mean specifically, it is written by a scientific man. In the second place, it contains science scientifically applied to practice. There is a science of the application of scientific principles to individual cases. Indeed, it is this which appropriately constitutes the Science of Agriculture. The science of agriculture derives its principles from other sciences, as Chemistry, Natural Philosophy and the like. That, which it has as peculiar to itself, is, the deduction of general laws and principles of reasoning, by which these scientific principles thus derived are applied to the culture of the earth. A knowledge of these sciences is not necessarily a knowledge of scientific agriculture. A good chemist is not necessarily a scientific farmer. This point-what precisely is the science of agriculture as distinct from a mere collection of scientific principles from other sciences-has been often overlooked. We have been particularly pleased, therefore, that the author has throughout the volume developed the ground and nature of the reasonings by which these principles are applied. In the last place, the book is happily arranged and written with great perspicuity. We trust it will have an extensive circulation. We doubt not the judgment of the New York State Agricultural Society, who awarded to it its prize, will be fully confirmed by the community.

The Sermons of the Right Reverend Jeremy Taylor, D.D., Lord Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore. Complete in one volume. Comprising a course for the whole year, and a Supplement of Sermons on various subjects and occasions. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, No. 285 Broadway. 1850. THE presumption in regard to any work that comes from the press of Robert Carter & Brothers, is,-if it be a new one, that it is sound in doctrine and pure in morals-if it be an old one, that it is one of the standards of Christian literature. The present volume is all solid food. Nothing is wasted on preface, introductory essay by some distinguished modern, biographical sketch, or explanatory remarks; we come at once to the matter in hand and can march, if we please, straight through the five hundred and sixty-four large octavo pages with double columns, without let or hindrance. And whosoever does so, will have met with more eloquent appeals, with more picturesque descriptions, with more poetical imagery, with more felicitous expressions, with more curious learning, than is to be found in any other seventy-four sermons in the language, while he will prove himself no ordinary scholar if he has understood all the learned allusions, or even mastered the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew quotations. Besides, he will have met with much to arouse the feelings, to warn of danger, to excite to piety, and to fill the soul with pure and lofty emotions. But to do more than direct the attention of the reader to the sermons of Jeremy Taylor, in a notice like this, would be paying a somewhat equivocal compliment to his intelligence and taste.

The Psalms, Translated and Explained. By J. A. ALEXANDER, Professor in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. Vol. I. New York: Baker & Scribner, 145 Nassau-st. New Haven: T. H. Pease. 1850. SOMETIMES an author's name carries with it all the recommendation which his book requires. It is not unlike this with the volume before us. The ac

complished author is justly distinguished for biblical learning. His wellknown commentary on Isaiah is exceedingly valuable and stands deservedly high. Its reputation alone would be sufficient to render the success of a similar commentary from the same scholar quite certain. Accordingly the present work needs no array of testimonials to give it currency. Intending at first only to abridge and publish in a more available form Hengstenberg's commentary on the Psalms, the Professor has so far changed his plan as to have produced not a mere translation but a new work. Its basis, however, is the work of Hengstenberg, to whom due acknowledgment is rendered in the preface. The volume before us professes to give a new, literal and idiomatic version of the Psalms, from the 1st to the 50th, inclusive. Appended to the translation of each verse, are appropriate comments, intended not so much to elicit devotional sentiment, in the reader, as to present the exact meaning of the writer. In this manner the author has undertaken to realize the idea proposed to himself of an "amplified translation,” to form an exegetical basis on which the religious teacher and the private Christian can erect a devotional, doctrinal or practical superstructure of their own.

Thus far he has been eminently successful in the execution of his plan. We very much like the literalness of his translation. We like his preserving, as far as practicable, the Hebrew idiom. We like the clear and elaborate analysis which he has prefixed to each psalm. It is just what is wanted to put the reader on the line of a true exposition. Evidently prepared with the utmost care and stated with great precision, it furnishes him at the outset of his examination of a psalm, with a correct general idea of its significance.

The commentary annexed to the translation of each verse, at least for the use of ministers and religious teachers, is admirable. It seems less happily adapted to the general reader, owing to the introduction of divers technical forms of expression, not familier to the popular mind. These render it occasionally somewhat scholastic, although it is less so than the author's commentary on Isaiah. We are not sure, however, but more is gained in point of expression than is lost in point of perspicuity.

A very frequent fault with commentaries is that of dodging the sterner difficulties of interpretation or covering them beneath heaps of verbiage. Not so in the volume before us. On the contrary, we have admired to see how fearlessly the author grapples with the difficulties which he encounters, and with what masterly ability and candor he disposes of them. It would be too much to say that we invariably adopt his conclusions, but not too much to say that they are always candid and entitled to great respect. His style, by its singular transparency, is happily adapted to a work of exposition. Nor will any one, we think, study the present volume without feeling that it fully sustains the already high reputation of its author for biblical scholarship and interpretation. We anticipate with much pleasure the forthcoming volumes which are necessary to complete the work. We are confident they will be a rich contribution to our religious literature.

Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution; or, Illustrations, by pen and pencil, of the History, Scenery, Biography, Relics and Traditions of the War for Independence. By BENSON J. LOSSING. With six hundred engravings on wood, by Lossing and Barritt, chiefly from original sketches by the author. Nos. I-IV, to be completed in about 20 numbers. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff street. 1850. New Haven: T. H. Pease.

JUDGING from the first four numbers, the execution of this work will be fully equal to the promises in the title-page; and, when thus executed, it will be a book of very great value, which it would be well to have placed in the possession of every family in the land. The incidents which are recorded will interest every member of the household, and the engravings made familiar in youth would fix the events vividly and permanently in the mind. In order to

present some idea of the work, we subjoin a list of the illustrations in the second number.

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"1. Site of the first Interview between Gates and Burgoyne.-2. Medal awarded to Gates.-3. Portrait and Signature of Silas Deane.-4. The Reidesel House.-5. Its Cellar where the Ladies of the British Army were concealed.-6. Reception of Baroness Reidesel by General Schuyler.—7. Place where Lovelace was executed.-8. Bloody Run.'-9. Fort Miller Fordingplace.-10. Plan of Fort Edward.-11. Balm of Gilead at Fort Edward.-12. Jane M'Crea Tree.'-13. A River Batteau.-14. Jane M'Crea Spring.'15. Her Grave.-16. Mouth of Fort Edward Creek.-17. Curious Skull.-18. 'Cob Money.'-19. View at Glenn's Falls.-20. William's Rock.-21. Portrait of Hendrick, the Mohawk Sachem.-22. Bloody Pond.-23. Fort William Henry.-24. Ruins of Fort George.-25. View at the Head of Lake George. -26. Long Point and Vicinity.-27. Sabbath-Day Point.-28. Map of Lake George.-29. Roger's Rock.-30. Plan of Ticonderoga.-31. Portrait of a living Soldier of the Revolution.-32. Ruins of Ticonderoga at Sunset.—33. The Bakery of the Fort."

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The work is written in the form of travels, the author following in the narrative the course which he followed as an artist in sketching the scenes. would only suggest that some of the ordinary incidents of travel would be better omitted, as not suited to the importance of the general subject, and the permanent character of the work.

Redwood; A Tale. By the Author of "Hope Leslie," &c. Author's revised edition. Complete in one volume. New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. 1850.

WHAT changes in the world of novel-readers have taken place since this "Tale" first saw the light. Young misses who languished over the loves of Ellen and Westall, are now staid matrons. Staid matrons who rejoiced in the wisdom and worth of "Aunt Debby," have passed somewhat farther on in life, and there are some elderly gentlemen now who have done with such things, that twenty years ago did not think it beneath them to grow sentimental over the joys and sorrows of "Redwood." All these will be glad, we think, to grow young again over this enchanting story, and perhaps some of the younger generation will be curious to learn what kind of works pleased their fathers and mothers years ago: and we, who belong to the elder generation, are not afraid to have the experiment tried.

Cuba and the Cubans; Comprising a history of the Island of Cuba, its present social, political, and domestic condition; also, its relations to England and the United States. By the author of "Letters from Cuba." With an Appendix, containing important statistics, and a Reply to Senor Saco on Annexation; translated from the Spanish. New York: Samuel Hueston, 139 Nassau street. George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. 1850. 8vo, pp. 251. In addition to the subjects mentioned in the title-page, there is an interesting chapter on the geography of the island, another on the state of religion, and one on public education. Recent events connected with Cuba impart an interest to this work, though, independent of this consideration, it contains much interesting matter. The recommendation of annexation may prejudice the reader against it, but as there is no very great probability of such an event, we would advise him to forego the prejudice and receive the information. For our own part, if what is said in this volume is to be relied on, and we have no reason to doubt it, we think the Cubans would be fully justified in attempting a revolution for themselves, if they have the least prospect of success-or almost if they have not, since no change, it would almost seem, could be for the worse.

The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Cæsar to the Abdication of James the Second, 1688. By DAVID HUME, Esq. A new edition, with the Author's last corrections and improvements. To which is prefixed a short account of his life, written by himself. In 6 vols. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff Street. 1850. New Haven: T. H. Pease. The History of England from the Accession of James II. By THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY. Vols. I. and II. From the last London edition. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff street. 1850. New Haven: T. H. Pease.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. By EDWARD GIBBON, Esq. With Notes, by the Rev. H. H. MILMAN, Prebendary of St. Peter's and Rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster. A new edition, to which is added a complete Index of the whole work. In 6 vols. Vols. 1-3. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff street. 1850. New Haven: T. H. Pease.

HERE are fourteen volumes-six volumes of Hume, two volumes of Macaulay, and six volumes of Gibbon-printed on good paper and with good type, for four dollars and twenty cents in paper covers and for five dollars and sixty cents in binding. But though they are sold at so low a price, they are by no means to be reckoned among "cheap publications." If the enterprise of rival publishers shall always manifest itself in the publication of such standard works, book buyers will not only have nothing to complain of on account of such emulation, but will themselves be without any apology, if they shall allow the cheap trash of the day to accumulate in their libraries. Nothing need be said by us as to the value of these histories themselves; that is well known and universally acknowledged. We will merely refer to the character of the editions. And with respect to this, we need only say that they are perfect copies of the best editions-they have the same extended tables of contents, the same full indexes, and the date at the top of each page, together with all the Appendixes, Prefaces, Notes, and also the portraits of Hume, Gibbon and Macaulay.

Dictionary of Mechanics, Engine-Work and Engineering. OLIVER Byrne, Editor. New York: D. Appleton & Company. New Haven: T. H. Pease, Chapel street.

We have already noticed the first six numbers of this Dictionary. Since our notice, eight additional numbers have been published. They fully sustain the high character of the work. The more we see of this work, the better we like it. In style and matter, in type and paper, and in the drawings-and the drawings are very numerous,-it is alike excellent. We should suppose it must be of very great utility to machinists, engineers and inventors. We observe in the present numbers a long article on Docks, with an account of the Dry-dock at Brooklyn, on Dredging and Dredging machines, on Electricity and its various applications by means of machinery, Electro-Metallurgy, Engines, extending through three numbers, and the like.

History of the Puritans in England and the Pilgrim Fathers. London: Thomas Nelson, Paternoster Row. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. TAIS volume is made up of two separate works, of which the history of the Puritans is written by the Rev. W. H. Stowell, Professor of Theology in Rotherham College, England, and the history of the Pilgrim Fathers by D. Wilson, F.S.A. Scot., "author of Cromwell and the Protectorate," and of other works. These histories are preceded by an account of the Fathers of the English Church, Tindal, Frith, Robert Barnes, Ridley, Latimer, Cranmer, Hooper and Bradford. These several histories bring to the notice of the reader some of the wisest and best men of the Church of Christ in England,

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