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biography. His own contributions are simply a setting for these epistolary gems.

The present volume includes the period in Irving's literary life of the publication of his Tour on the Prairies, Astoria, Legends of the Conquest of Spain, Adventures of Capt. Bonneville in the Rocky Mountains, Biography of Margaret Davidson, and shorter contributions to periodical literature. It admits us to his pleasant hopes and plans in purchasing and building at Sunny Side, and to his complete enjoyment of the fulfillment of them when he at last established his home there. It also takes us with him to the Court of Spain, admits us to its gaieties and its revolutions, and then restores him and us to that beloved fireside toward which his heart was ever yearning, and of which he had more than a year before written, “I long to be once more back at dear little Sunny Side, while I have yet strength and good spirits to enjoy the simple pleasures of the country, and to rally a happy family group once more about me. I grudge every year of absence that rolls by. To-morrow is my birthday. I shall then be sixty-two years old. The evening of life is fast drawing over me; still I hope to get back among my friends while there is yet a little sunshine left."

The history of the thirteen remaining years of his life will doubtless constitute the last volume of this most delightful biography.

History of the Reformation in Europe in the time of Calvin. By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, D. D., author of the "History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century." Vol. I, Geneva and France; pp. 433. Vol. II, Geneva and France; pp. 475. New York: Robt. Carter & Brothers. 1863.

of D'Aubigne

THE simple announcement of a new work from the pen is all that is requisite. The present history depicts the Reformation under Calvin just as his earlier one depicted the Reformation under Luther. The two works constitute a historical plan and purpose first conceived by the author nearly a half century ago, and through the long period since steadily cherished as the chief subject of his thoughts and investigations. The two volumes before us are the ripe product of a mature old age. They close with July, 1532. Others are rapidly approaching completion.

The venerable author has written an "American Introduction" for this edition. The closing sentences, which we give, are alike creditable to the Messrs. Carter, and gratifying to all who love honorable dealing: It is a satisfaction for an author to know that his writings will be

transmitted to a distant nation by virtue of an honorable commercial arrangement. This the author has found in his dealings with Messrs. Carter and Brothers; and he puts it to the honor of the American nation, that those editions published by the Messrs. Carter, from which alone he derives some advantage, will be purchased by the citizens of the United States, and that they will not countenance the pirated editions that other booksellers may issue without his consent." No reputable publishing house, we are confident, and we would like to add no Christian purchaser of the book, will disregard the author's wishes.

The Rebellion Record. A diary of American events.

1860-62.

Edited by FRANK MOORE, author of "Diary of the American Revolution." New York: G. P. Putman. Parts xxx-i-ii.

THIS serial, now well known to the public, still moves on with its cumbrous and gloomy burden. It is an invaluable thesaurus of information on all pertaining to the war.

SCIENCE.

The Races of the Old World. A manual of Ethnology. By CHAS. L. BRACE, author of "Hungary in '51," "Home Life in Germany," "Norse Folk," etc. New York: Charles Scribner. 1863.

MR. BRACE has performed a most useful as well as a laborious task. The sources of the Science of Ethnology are so widely separated; and many of them so difficult of access; and even the results of the Science are to be found only in forms so fragmentary and scattered, that ordinary scholars of limited leisure have been compelled to remain in comparative ignorance of its principles, and of what it has actually accomplished. Mr. Brace's manual supplies at the same time a guide-book and an epitome of results. We are glad to see in the introductory chapter a vindication, brief as it is, of Language as the true basis of classification, against the untrustworthy physical tests of race so much employed by those dabblers in the Science with whom Prichard is an ultimate authority. This manual will be eagerly welcomed by a large class of readers. It is designed, not so much for the learned, as for the large number of persons who are interested in the study of History, whether in academies and colleges, or among the people of business or professions." We hope the author will be encouraged to proceed with his projected treatise on "The Races of the New World."

Annual of Scientific Discovery: or, Year Book of Facts in Science and Art, for 1863. Exhibiting the most important discoveries and improvements in Mechanics, Useful Arts, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology, Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Meteorology, Geography, Antiquities, etc. Together with Notes on the progress of Science during the year 1862; a list of recent scientific publications; obituaries of eminent Scientific men, etc. Edited by DAVID A. WELLS, A. M., M. D., author of " Principles of Natural Philosophy," "Principles of Chemistry," "First Principles of Geology," etc., etc. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. London: Trubner & Co. 1863. 12mo., pp. 343.

THIS annual Summary of the results of scientific investigation has now become a universally recognized necessity. The most opposite class of readers are drawn to its pages. The characteristics of previous volumes are all preserved in this. The Notes by the editor on the progress of science, for 1862, are an admirable digest. An excellent portrait of the famous Ericsson, designer of the "Monitor" iron-clads, serves as the frontispiece.

The Institutes of Medicine. By MARTYN PAINE, A. M., M. D., L. L. D., Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Materia Medica in the University of the City of New York, and corresponding member of any number of learned societies. New York: Harper & Brothers, London: Sampson Lowe, Son & Co. 1852.

DR. PAINE is one of the high authorities in his profession. The Institutes are a philosophy of Medicine based upon the theory of Vitalism, as contra-distinguished from that of mechanical and chemical physiology, and exhibit great research and rare power of analysis. In the mutability of medical science, a seventh edition is at once proof of the worth of the work, and of the estimation in which it is held by the profession.

MISCELLANEOUS.

HARPERS' LIBRARY OF SELECT NOVELS.

A Point of Honor. By the Author of "Morals of May Fair," "Creeds," etc., etc., etc. New York: Harper & Brothers.

1863.

THE story of a long and patient passion, blind and but half-requited, at last overcome by a clearer discernment of character, and displaced by a more excellent love, which gradually renovates and expands the

heart withered by its earlier fires. A quietly told story, with well defined characters, and a good moral skillfully wrought in.

A Dark Night's Work. By MRS. GASKELL; author of "Sylvia's Lovers," "Mary Barton," etc., etc., etc. New York: Harper & Bros. 1863.

A TALE Slow in movement, wanting in plot, with little individuality of character, and, though possessing some of Mrs. Gaskell's excellencies, by no means among the best of her productions.

St. Olaves. New York: Harper & Brothers.

1863.

A NOVEL of very considerable merit, faulty in the details, and arbitrary in the unfolding of its plot, but elaborate and spirited in its execuion.

First Friendship. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1863.

THE old young people of the present day who profess to rejoice in the nil admirari philosophy, and to "cut" sentiment along with their second incisors, will find, in spite of themselves, something hearts responsive to the romantic friendship of this story, and loyal to its old-fashioned hero, now so rarely admitted within the pale of polite fiction.

A Manual of Flax Culture and Manufacture: embracing directions for preparing the ground, sowing the seed, harvesting the crop, etc. Also an Essay by a Western man, on Hemp and Flax in the West; amount grown, modes of culture, preparation for market, etc. With botanical descriptions and illustrations. Rochester, N.Y. Published by D. D. T. Moore, editor of Moore's Rural New-Yorker. 1883. pamphlet. pp. 48.

THE title page of this valuable little manual sufficiently explains its contents and designs. Its publication is opportune, and will contribute to a much desired increase of flax culture in this country.

Manual of Gymnastic Exercises for Schools and Families. By SAMUEL W. MASON, Master of the Eliot School, Boston. Third edition. Boston: Crosby & Nichols.

THANKS for whatever will help to foster the growing attention to physical culture. It is one of the hopeful signs of our time that this culture is being made a branch of public education. This little manual of exercises has the merit of embodying a system which has been practically tested, and which ordinary school teachers may readily adopt.

Theory and Art of Penmanship. A manual for Teachers, containing a full statement of Payson, Dunton and Scribner's celebrated method of teaching, including class-drill, writing in concert, criticism and correction of errors, hints towards awakening interest, etc. Together with a complete analysis and synthesis of script letters, as developed in their series of writing books. By Messrs. PAYSON, DUNTON, SCRIBNER, and HAYES. Second edition. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. . New York: O. S. Fell. 1853.

THIS is a manual which we should suppose teachers of chirographic mysteries would find instructive to themselves, and helpful to their pupils. It contains the combined wisdom of four celebrated masters of the art.

Tales and Sketches. By HUGH MILLER, author of "The Old Red Sandstone," etc., etc. Edited, with a Preface, by Mrs. MILLER. BOSton: Gould & Lincoln.

1863.

It is generally a species of questionable kindness to the memory of an author to collect and republish his earlier and fugitive productions. Though the reputation of Hugh Miller will suffer nothing from these volumes, yet it will be difficult, from the merit of the tales themselves, to make out, to all minds, a very clear justification of this attempt to rescue them from oblivion.

Modern War: Its Theory and Practice. Illustrated from celebrated campaigns and battles; with plans and diagrams. By EMERIC SZABAD, U. S. A. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1863. 12mo. pp. 284.

CAPTAIN SZABAD left the Italian service for the double purpose of participating in the American War, and of afterwards describing its events. He was attached to the army of General Fremont in Western Virginia, and when operations in that quarter and under that officer ceased, he was temporarily thrown out of active service. His leisure was occupied in preparing this popular exposition of the modern theory of the art of war. He touches upon the progress of the art; describes an army, its "secondary operations," its lesser engagements or "combats," its marches and manoeuvres; explains and illustrates plans of campaigns and sundry noted battles in modern warfare, concluding with a chapter on retreats. Its explanations and illustrations by diagrams will make more intelligible to the uninitiated the accounts of our own great battles.

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