Chapter XIV (4)

_Aims and Obstacles_, by G. P. R. JAMES. Another production of the most indefatigable of English novelists, whose powers seem to have received a new impulse from his recent change of residence. The scene of this work is laid in England, and like all its predecessors, abounds in lively sketches of character, and charming descriptions of nature. For boldness of invention, variety of incident, and freshness of feeling, it is not surpassed by any recent production of its eminent author.

_Norman Maurice_, by W. GILMORE SIMMS, is the title of a new drama, which can not fail to add to the high literary reputation of its distinguished author. The materials are derived from American professional and political life; not a very promising source, one would suppose, for a work of art; but in the plastic hands of the present writer, they are wrought into a dramatic composition of admirable skill and thrilling interest. The plot is one of great simplicity. A noble-minded and brilliantly-gifted person becomes the object of jealousy and hatred to a crafty, unscrupulous villain. The drama consists in the development of his infernal machinations for the ruin of his enemy, and the ultimate triumph of the latter over his foul and cunning conspiracies. The denouement is effected by an heroic instance of self-devotion on the part of a woman, whose character exhibits a rare combination of feminine loveliness and strength. Mr. Simms has succeeded in portraying some of the darker passions of humanity with uncommon power. His language is terse and vigorous--intense, but not extravagant, and often marked by an idiomatic simplicity that reminds one of the golden age of dramatic writing. We rejoice to notice such an instance of decided success in a branch of literary creation where triumphs are so much less frequent than defeats. (Richmond. Published by John R. Thompson.)

_The Claims of Science_, by WILLIAM C. RICHARDS, is an Anniversary Discourse before the Literary Societies of Erskine College, South Carolina. It sets forth the value and importance of the physical sciences, both as the means of a generous intellectual culture, and the condition of great practical discoveries. The argument of the speaker is sustained with great vigor of statement, and a rich profusion of illustration. Familiar with the varied field of nature, he expatiates on her majesty and loveliness with the enthusiasm of a favored votary. The style of the discourse is chaste and polished throughout, and often rises into earnest and impressive eloquence.

A second series of _Greenwood Leaves_, being a collection of letters and sketches by GRACE GREENWOOD, has just been published by Ticknor, Reed, and Fields. A sincere, genial, thoroughly individualistic production--overflowing with exuberant gayety--though dashed with frequent touches of bitter sadness--often wildly impulsive, but always kindly, human, and hopeful--with occasional specimens of sharp-shooting, though the polished, nimble arrows are never dipped in poison. It will be widely read for its spicy humor, its fine, frolicsome naivete, its gushing good-nature, and its genuine nobleness of tone, even by those who may now and then wish that she would leave political and social questions to the sterner sex. The same publishers have issued another work by GRACE GREENWOOD, entitled _Recollections of my Childhood_, intended for juvenile readers, and abounding in beautiful appeals to the best feelings of the young heart, illustrated by the reminiscences of personal experience.

M. W. Dodd has published a translation from the German of HILDEBRANDT, of _Winter in Spitzbergen_, by E. GOODRICH SMITH, depicting the frozen horrors of that savage clime. It is a narrative of great interest, and will be read eagerly by young people, for whom it is intended. It is equally rich in attractiveness and in information.

A collection of stories by CAROLINE CHESEBRO', entitled _Dream-Land by Daylight_, has been issued by Redfield in a style of uncommon typographical neatness. The writings of this lady are not unknown to the public, in the isolated form in which many of them have already made their appearance. We are glad that she has been induced to embody them in this pleasant volume, which, we think, will occupy no inferior place in American fictitious literature. We find in it the unmistakable evidences of originality of mind, an almost superfluous depth of reflection for the department of composition to which it is devoted, a rare facility in seizing the multiform aspects of nature, and a still rarer power of giving them the form and hue of imagination, without destroying their identity. The writer has not yet attained the mastery of expression, corresponding to the liveliness of her fancy and the intensity of her thought. Her style suffers from the want of proportion, of harmony, of artistic modulation, and though frequently showing an almost masculine energy, is destitute of the sweet and graceful fluency which would finely attemper her bold and striking conceptions. We do not allude to this in any spirit of carping censure; but to account for the want of popular effect which, we apprehend, will not be so decided in this volume as in future productions of the author. She has not yet exhausted the golden placers of her genius; but the products will obtain a more active currency when they come refined and brilliant from the mint, with a familiar legible stamp, which can be read by all without an effort.--The fantastic, alliterative title of this volume does no justice to the genuine value of its contents, and we hope Miss Chesebro' will hereafter avoid such poverty-struck devices of ambitious second-rate writers.

_Memoir of Mary Lyon_, compiled by EDWARD HITCHCOCK, President of Amherst College, has passed to a third edition from the press of Hopkins, Bridgman, and Co., Northampton. It is a record of a life devoted to a great work of Christian benevolence. Inspired by a lofty sense of duty, possessing an energy of purpose and a power of execution seldom equaled in any walk of life, and endowed with intellectual gifts of a robust, practical character, Miss Lyon was a highly successful agent in the cause of popular and religious education. The narrative of her labors is no less interesting than it is useful and instructive. Her name is held in grateful remembrance in New England by numerous pupils to whose character she gave a powerful impulse for good. The present volume is prepared with the ability of which the name attached to it is a promise. It is an excellent piece of biography, in all respects, and will long hold an honored place in New England households.

_Sixteen Months at the Gold Diggings_, by DANIEL B. WOODS. (Published by Harper and Brothers.) The peculiar value of this work consists in its being an authentic record of the experience of an intelligent and trustworthy writer. In this respect, we have seen no publication on California that is its equal. Mr. Woods is a man of high character and learned education, who was led by ill health to exchange the duties of professional life for the rude toils of the gold-digger. He engaged in his new business with unflinching energy. Becoming a miner among the miners, he had the most ample opportunities to learn their condition, their prospects, their sufferings, and their rewards. He describes plainly what he saw. He borrows no colors from the fancy. His book is a record of hard facts. It introduces us behind the scenes. Eminently free from exaggeration, it shows the hardships by which the gold of California was procured on the first discovery of the placers. Its tendency is to discourage emigration. He would advise those who are tolerably well off at home to be content. At the same time, the California adventurer, who is tempted by the hope of a golden harvest to leave the blessings of Atlantic civilization, will find a guide and counselor in this volume, which can hardly fail to be of essential service. We recommend all prospective gold-diggers to take it with them across the Isthmus or around the Cape.

D. Appleton and Co. have issued an elegant volume of Oriental travels, entitled _The Land of Bondage_, by the Rev. J. M. WAINWRIGHT. It contains the journal of a tour in Egypt, with a description of its ancient monuments and present condition, illustrated by a variety of well-executed appropriate engravings. The work is intended to present an accurate record of the observations made by the intelligent author, without aiming at the brilliant vivacity which has been so much affected by recent travelers in the East. It is a simple, faithful narrative, and makes no pretensions to being a romance or prose-poem. The scenes visited by Dr. Wainwright, comprising the valley of the Nile from Cairo to Thebes, are full of interest. He describes them minutely, and with excellent taste. Uniting a fresh susceptibility to the romantic impressions of the "morning land," with a style of polished classic elegance, Dr. Wainwright has produced a standard book of travels, which merits a cordial reception by the public, both for the extent and accuracy of its information, and the beauty and good taste of its execution.

_The Evening Book_, by Mrs. KIRKLAND (published by Charles Scribner), is a collection of popular essays on morals and manners, with sketches of Western Life, including many of the most agreeable productions of the favorite authoress. Several of them have a sober, didactic aim, but all are marked with Mrs. Kirkland's habitual brilliancy and point. Her discussions of various topics of social ethics are admirable. She exhibits the acute tact of a woman in her perceptions of character, while she presents the fruits of tranquil reflection in a tone of masculine vigor. The spirit of these essays is one of mild, contemplative wisdom, gracefully blended with a love of the humorous, and a spice of perfectly good-natured satire.--A number of beautiful illustrations greatly enhances the interest of the volume.

_The Tutor's Ward_, (published by Harper and Brothers), is the title of one of the most powerful English novels of the season. It is intended to illustrate the great moral truth that the soul's repose is not found in human love; that the immortal spirit can live in love alone; but that human love is only the type of that which can never die. The story turns on two female characters--one a brilliant, gifted, fascinating, bewildering creature, whose heart has been wholly steeped in selfishness, but whose artful nature has called forth the most impassioned love--the other, a being of rare and beautiful endowments, with an intense, loving, devoted soul, in whom passion takes the form of a sublime, almost inconceivable disinterestedness, presenting the most striking contrast to her rival and evil genius. The plot is a heart-rending tragedy; the scenes are skillfully shaded off till they present the sullen blackness of midnight; the whole winding up with terrible retributions and despair. While we do not think the developments of this story are true to nature, we can not deny its strange, irresistible fascinations. It paints an ideal of heartless egotism on the one side, and of generous self-sacrifice on the other, which is psychologically impossible; but this ideal is set forth with so much subtlety of invention, such tragic pathos, and such artistic word-painting, that we forgive the defects of the plot, in our admiration of the skill with which it is conducted.

M. W. Dodd has issued a little volume by Rev. JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, entitled _Hints to Employers_. The substance of it was originally delivered in lectures at the Broadway Tabernacle, but the importance of its suggestions eminently deserves a more permanent form. Mr. Thompson handles the subject without gloves, and shows himself as well acquainted with the customs of trade as with the usages of the Church. His strictures on the prevailing methods of business are forcibly put, and have the merit of being directed against systems rather than against individuals. It is far better, for instance, to point out the evils of employing "drummers" to gain custom, than to inveigh against those who can not deviate from established habits without great sacrifice. Abolish an evil system, and the whole community is benefited; while abstaining from it in single cases is only an individual advantage. Mr. Thompson discusses the whole subject with decision and earnestness, but does not deal in wholesale denunciation.

* * * * *

_The Collected Edition of_ DOUGLAS JERROLD'S _Writings_, is carrying on in weekly numbers and monthly parts. Jerrold's writing is very unequal, the story and the style sometimes limping tiresomely; but even then detached thoughts and expressions keep up interest, and few pages pass without presenting a good idea or a good joke.

* * * * *

In announcing a new novel by BULWER, the _London Critic_ remarks: "Certainly, whatever the faults of 'our own wayward BULWER' (as Miss MARTINEAU fondly calls him), a want of industry can not be laid to his charge. What with novels, dramas, epics, Byronics, editorships, pamphlets, parliamenteering, electioneering, and even agitating, when the interests of the drama and literature seem to require it, BULWER is as hard-working a man as any pale or ruddy-bustling compiler in the reading-room of the British Museum. Close beside him in the advertisement columns (though not in life) is Lady BULWER, who also announces a new novel, "Moliere's Tragedy: his Life and Times," another of those "literary novels" which Mr. GRAVE lately predicted would soon be rife. Lady BULWER has taken the idea directly from GEORGE SAND, who recently produced, with considerable success on the Paris stage, a drama of "Moliere," in which the poet was made the dupe of a heartless coquette. Our English authoress's title is rather lachrymose for the subject; since MOLIERE'S life was by no means a tragic, but, on the whole, a pleasant and successful one."

* * * * *

We find a curious anecdote of Chevalier BUNSEN in connection with the recently-published Life of NIEBUHR, issued in London, under the superintendence of the Chevalier: The portly and hearty representative of Prussia at the Court of St. James, NIEBUHR, the Roman historian--every body has heard and knows something of him. But every body does _not_ know the special claim that his memory has on BUNSEN; for the latter, though he has risen to be the Minister of Public Instruction and Foreign Representative of a great kingdom, was once (how strangely it sounds in English ears)--not even a calico-printer or a cotton-spinner--but a poor student, NIEBUHR'S humble amanuensis! A prodigy of learning, as unknown then as Mr. THOMAS WATTS of the British Museum Library, in comparison with his deserts, is unknown now. BUNSEN, the story runs, was in attendance on his employer, at that time Prussian Minister at Rome, when the King of Prussia, then Crown Prince, paid NIEBUHR a visit. The conversation turned upon literary matters, and the Crown Prince made a statement which the humble amanuensis, bursting into the talk, took upon him flatly to contradict. Most Crown Princes (and some British commoners) would have flown into a passion. Not so our FREDERICK WILLIAM the Fourth of Prussia. He inquired into the character and history of the plain-spoken youth; found that he knew every language and literature under heaven, from Chinese and Coptic to Welsh and Icelandic; kept his eye on him, and gradually promoted him to be what he is. NIEBUHR'S letters have been published, and some years ago a biography of him, founded on them, was attempted in _Tait's Magazine_, and broke down; but BUNSEN'S will be _the_ life. NIEBUHR was foolish enough to die of the Three Days of July, 1830, being a staunch conservative. As the French would say: _Tant pis pour lui!_

* * * * *

The Winter Session of the New College, Edinburgh, has been opened, with an introductory address, by the Rev. Dr. CUNNINGHAM, successor of Dr. CHALMERS, as Principal of the College. The institution is chiefly intended as a Theological School, connected with the Free Church of Scotland, but has other Chairs attached, one of which, on Natural History, is held by Dr. FLEMING, the zoologist. On November 11th the Philosophical Institution of the same city was opened for the session by Sir DAVID BREWSTER, who gave an able address. Among the lecturers announced for the season are some distinguished names, and the institution seems to be conducted in a higher tone than is usual in similar places of popular instruction and amusement. HUGH MILLER, the geologist, and ISAAC TAYLOR, author of the "Natural History of Enthusiasm," are to deliver courses of lectures. In the University of Edinburgh, Principal LEE is reading a course of Moral Philosophy Lectures, in room of Professor WILSON, whose illness precludes him from any public duty.

* * * * *

Madame PFEIFFER'S account of her voyage round the world, says a London journal, a translation of which has just been published by Messrs Longman, is exceedingly interesting, and as full of adventure as the production of the awful Cumming Gordon, of rhinoceros-riding notoriety. When in Brazil, she undertook a long and hazardous journey into the interior, to visit the Puri Indians. She states that many of these singular people have been baptized, and, indeed, "they are at all times willing, for the consideration of a little brandy, to go through the ceremony again, and only regret that they have not more frequent opportunities, especially as it does not last long." Their language is extremely poor, and they have no method of expressing number but by repeating one, two--one, two, as many times as may be required. For yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow, they have only one word, and they express the variety of meaning by "pointing backward for yesterday, forward for to-morrow, and over the head for the passing day." We have noticed Harper's edition of this work in another place.

* * * * *

The late work of Sir JOHN RICHARDSON on _The Arctic Searching Expedition_, now in press by Harper and Brothers, is spoken of with unqualified praise by the London press. We quote a notice from _The Literary Gazette_: "This work affords a glorious instance of genuine, hearty philanthropy. With a self-devotion seldom equaled, and certainly never surpassed, the author of these volumes, at a time of life when most men think seriously of exchanging the cares and anxieties of an arduous profession, or of an official occupation, for repose, adventured forth to the terrible regions of Arctic America, to seek, and, if possible, to rescue a cherished friend. And this was done with no other incentive than friendship, hallowed by former companionship in the same regions, and the social intercourse of many years. With becoming modesty, Sir John Richardson is entirely silent respecting his official and domestic position at the time of his departure on his humane mission; but it is due to him to say, that he left a valuable government appointment, and sacrificed pecuniary advantages, when, taking leave of an affectionate wife and family, he left England in search of his old traveling companion; and though he has been happily restored to his country in unimpaired health and vigor, it must not be forgotten that the journey which he proposed taking, was not only arduous but hazardous, and might have been accompanied by a repetition of the frightful sufferings which befell him during his adventurous and memorable expedition with Franklin in the same country he was about to visit."

* * * * *

A new play by Mr. JERROLD, and one by Mr. MARSTON, are in the hands of Mr. KEAN, for early representation.

* * * * *

Sir James Stephen's _Lectures on the History of France_, republished by Harper and Brothers, are thus characterized by a recent journal: "The distinguishing characteristics of these lectures are an independent criticism, uninfluenced by previous authority, a religious philosophy which traces the effect of moral causes, the knowledge of a man of affairs rather than of a statesman, and a pellucid pleasantry of manner."

* * * * *

Hildreth's _History of the United States_ is now attracting the attention of London readers, and has given occasion to some able criticisms. His imperturbable coolness in the narration of events, excites no little surprise, and most of his judges would prefer a more impassioned tone. Nor, in the opinion of the _London Athenaeum_, has he done justice to the character of Jefferson. The merits of the work as an authentic collection of facts, appear to be highly appreciated. The journal just alluded to, says: "On this point, we have to object that JEFFERSON--a man of remarkable powers, and whose spirit has more intimately transferred itself into the heart and hereditary sentiment of the American people than that of perhaps any other American, not perhaps excepting even Washington--does not seem to have received a full enough measure of that appreciation which even Mr. Hildreth might have been able to give him. Jefferson we regard as the type and father of much that is now most characteristic in the American mind; and in any history of the United States he ought to figure largely. We have to repeat that Mr. Hildreth's work is, in its kind, a most conscientious and laborious undertaking--as an accumulation of particulars and a register of debates unrivaled--and therefore extremely valuable to all who wish to prosecute minute researches into the history of the Union, or of the several States composing it."

* * * * *

Herman Melville's last work, _Moby Dick_, or _The Whale_, has excited a general interest among the critical journals of London. The bold and impulsive style of some portions of the book, seems to shock John Bull's fastidious sense of propriety. One of the most discriminating reviewals we have seen is from the _London Atlas_: "In some respects we hold it to be his (Mr. Melville's) greatest effort. In none of his previous works are finer or more highly-soaring imaginative powers put forth. In none of them are so many profound and fertile and thoroughly original veins of philosophic speculation, or rather, perhaps, philosophic fancy struck.... Upon the whale, its mysteries, and its terrors, he revels as if the subject had enchantment for him. He pours into multitudinous chapters a mass of knowledge touching the whale--its habits and its history--the minutest details of its feeding or sporting, or swimming, strangely mixed with ingenious and daring speculations on the mysterious habits and peculiarities of the great brute--the whole written in a tone of exaltation and poetic sentiment, which has a strange effect upon the reader's mind, in refining and elevating the subject of discourse, and, at last, making him look upon the whale as a sort of awful and unsoluble mystery--the most strange and the most terrible of the wonders of the deep. That Herman Melville knows more about whales than any man from Jonah down, we do really believe."

* * * * *

Douglas Jerrold has written a letter, containing the suggestion, that a penny subscription shall be commenced to present KOSSUTH with a copy of SHAKSPEARE'S Works, in a suitable casket. Mr. Jerrold remarks: "It is written in the brief history made known to us of Kossuth, that in an Austrian prison he was taught English by the words of the teacher Shakspeare. An Englishman's blood glows with the thought that, from the quiver of the immortal Saxon, Kossuth has furnished himself with those arrowy words that kindle as they fly--words that are weapons, as Austria will know. There are hundreds of thousands of Englishmen who would rejoice thus to endeavor to manifest their gratitude to Kossuth for the glorious words he has uttered among us, words that have been as pulses to the nation." To this excellent proposal a response has already been made in many quarters. An incident, not mentioned in the daily papers, is worth recording: that among other deputations to the Hungarian President in London, one was to present him with a copy of the Sacred Scriptures, for which many had subscribed. In his reply, Kossuth said how much he had owed, both of counsel and comfort, to the Bible, and that this present he would treasure as the choicest memorial of England. He took occasion at the same time to thank an honorable working-man, unknown to him, who, on his entering Winchester, had come up to his carriage and presented a Bible to Madame Kossuth.

* * * * *

An address to the Hungarian ex-president, from the citizens of Bath, was headed by the signature of WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR. His letter, in reply to KOSSUTH'S acknowledgment, is worth recording, as a memorial of one so well known in the world of letters: "Sir--The chief glory of my life is, that I was the first in subscribing for the assistance of the Hungarians at the commencement of their struggle; the next is, that I have received the approbation of their illustrious chief. I, who have held the hand of KOSCIUSKO, now kiss with veneration the signature of KOSSUTH. No other man alive could confer an honor I would accept."

* * * * *

In a notice of SPRINGER'S _Forest Life and Forest Trees_ (published by Harper and Brothers), the _London Spectator_ suggests a singular comparison between the population of England and the United States, as afforded by the social position of the respective countries: "The volume will be found interesting from its pictures of hardship, exertion, skill, and adventure, in a country little known to the English reader even from books. It has also an interest of a deeper kind. It is impossible to look at the willing labors of these men, and to consider them as only a portion of the rural population of the United States, without seeing what a raw material they possess for war or enterprise. It is the tendency of a dense population and a high civilization to dwarf the physical powers and energies of men in two ways--by congregating large numbers of men in cities, and engaging them in pursuits which if not absolutely injurious to health, are destructive to hardihood; and by removing from the face of a country those natural obstacles which call forth energy and readiness of resource. In England, the working agriculturist is the most helpless of men out of his routine, from his having nothing to contend with: the 'navvies,' miners, and mariners, are almost the only classes trained to endurance and great physical exertion in their regular business, except the navy and perhaps the army, as special vocations."

* * * * *

_The London Examiner_ pronounces LAYARD'S abridged edition of _Nineveh_ (just re-published by Harper and Brothers), "A charming volume, to which we may safely promise a circulation without limit, and as unbounded popularity. The great feature of the Abridgement is, the introduction of the principal biblical and historical illustrations (forming a separate section of the original work) into the narrative, which, without sacrificing any matter of importance, _makes the story more compact, useful, and, indeed, complete in its abridged, than it was in its original form_."

* * * * *

Sheriff Alison, the historian, has been re-elected Lord Rector of Glasgow University.

* * * * *

In a recent synodical letter of the Bishop of Lucon, among the books denounced as immoral and dangerous, are Anquetil's "History of France," Thiers's "History of the French Revolution," Lemaistre de Sacy's "Translation of the New Testament," "Le Bonhomme Richard," and, lastly, "Robinson Crusoe!" Facts like these require no comment.

* * * * *

The French papers state that Lord BROUGHAM, in his retreat at Cannes, is preparing for publication a work entitled, "France and England before Europe in 1851."

* * * * *

The extraordinary popularity of WALTER SCOTT in France, is illustrated by the announcement of the publication of another volume of the _twentieth_ edition of DEFAUCONPRET'S translation of his novels, and the announcement of the publication of an entirely new translation of the said novels. If Defauconpret had been the only translator, _twenty_ editions would have been an immense success; but there are besides, at the very least, twenty different translations of the complete works (many of which have had two, three, or four editions) and innumerable translations of particular novels, especially of "Quentin Durward." In fact, in France as in England, Scott dazzles every imagination and touches every heart--whatever be his reader's degree of education, or whatever his social position. His popularity amongst the lower orders, in particular, is so extraordinarily great, that it forms one of the most striking literary events of the present century.

* * * * *

_The Leader_ announces a new work from GUIZOT, with the promising title of _Meditations et Etudes morales_; a novel by the Countess D'ORSAY, called _L'Ombre du Bonheur_; and an important work by GIOBERTI, _Di rinovamento civile d'Italia_, the first part being devoted to the Errors and Schemes of the day: the second to Remedies and Hopes. To those who love pure literature, we know not what more agreeable volume to recommend than the one just issued of SAINT BEUVE'S _Causeries du Lundi_. It contains some of the best portraits he has ever drawn; and a charming gallery they make. We pass from RABELAIS to VAUVENARGUES, from the Duc de SAINT SIMON to FREDERICK THE GREAT, from DIDEROT to the Duchesse de MAINE, from CAMILLE DESMOULINS to Madame EMILIE DE GIRARDIN. The necessity of limiting his articles to the exigencies of a newspaper, has forced SAINT-BEUVE into a concision both of style and exposition, which greatly improves his sketches; and we know not which to admire most, the variety of his attainments or the skill of his pencil.

* * * * *

In History and Biography, European Continental literature has not been doing very much lately. There is a new or newer volume, the eleventh, of THIERS'S _Consulate and Empire_, and a Paris journalist of high repute, M. DE LA GUERRONNIERE commences a promised series of _Portraits Politiques Contemporains_ ("Portraits of Political Contemporaries"), with a monograph of that "nephew of his uncle," the Prince-President of the French Republic. A. M. LEONARD GALLOIS publishes in four volumes, with illustrations, a _Histoire de la Revolution de 1848_ ("History of the Revolution of 1848"), written from a republican-of-the-morrow point of view. SAINT-BEUVE contributes to _The Constitutionnel_ graceful sketches of the lately-deceased Duchess of ANGOULEME, and of RIVAROL, the Royalist pamphleteer and man-of-all-work in the first revolution, famed for the plaintive epigram, "MIRABEAU is paid, not sold; I am sold but not paid," one of the saddest predicaments that poor humanity can find itself in. A. M. COINDET has compressed WARBURTON'S _Prince Rupert and the Cavaliers_ into a handy _Histoire de Prince Rupert_ ("History of Prince Rupert"). The Germans send us the _Leben and Reden Sir Robert Peel's_ ("Life and Speeches of Sir Robert Peel"), tolerably compiled by one KUNZEL, and Italy has produced a new _Life of Paganini_. Worthy of more extensive notice is EDOUARD FLEURY'S _Saint-Just et la Terreur_ ("Saint Just and the Reign of Terror"), a biography of the "great Saint of the Mountain," the fellow-triumvir of ROBESPIERRE, and partaker of his fate, though not five-and-twenty; the fanatic young man who, scarcely beginning life, declared, "for revolutionists there is no rest but in the tomb!" FLEURY is a clever and active young journalist in the department of the Aisne, SAINT-JUST'S birth-country--the same who lately brought out the very interesting "Memoir of Camille Desmoulins," and an equally interesting historical study, "Babaeuf and Socialism in 1796." FLEURY has gone about his biographical task in the proper way; roamed up and down the country side, sketching the scenery in which his subject spent "a sulky adolescence," and collecting anecdotes and reminiscences. One of these is worth retailing. An old woman who knew SAINT-JUST well when a boy, pointed out "an alley of old trees" where he used to stalk and spout: when he came into the house, after one of these soliloquies, quoth the old woman, "he would say terrible things to us!"

* * * * *

First in the list of recent French novels is the far-famed JULES JANIN'S _Gaieties Champetres_ ("Rural Gaieties"), which all Paris is eagerly devouring. The scene is laid in the era of LOUIS XV., and the story (alas!) is worthy of the period, and must not be recited here. More innocent are _Les Derniers Paysans_ ("The Last Peasants"), by EMILE SOUVESTRE, a cycle of graphic, and, for the most part, gloomy stories, meant to embalm the superstitions, which still linger among the peasantry of Brittany, soon to be dispelled by the march of civilization. ARMAND BARTHET'S _Henriette_, though a touching tale, is not to be recommended. ALPHONSE KARR, a writer scarcely so well known out of France as he deserves to be, promises _Recits sur la Plage_ ("Stories from the Sea Shore"). KARR is the only living French novelist who reminds one at all of THACKERAY, of whom he has some of the caustic bitterness, but none of the light playfulness. He first became known by his _Guepes_ ("Wasps"), a periodical consisting of little, sharp, sarcastic, and isolated sentences, aimed at the quacks and quackeries of the day. With all this, he has a true feeling for nature, which is sometimes, however, carried to an absurd length.

A recent number of the official _Moniteur_ contains a long report to the Minister of Public Instruction, by M. VATTEMARE, on the "literary exchanges" which have recently been effected between France and the United States. It is not, perhaps, generally known that the governments, universities, colleges, scientific societies, literary establishments, medical and legal bodies, borough municipalities, and commercial associations of the two countries, have for years past been in the habit of making exchanges of books. They have thus got rid of duplicate copies which were rotting on their shelves, and have received in return works which it would have cost vast sums to purchase. A more useful arrangement could not possibly be conceived; and at the same time it has the advantage of spreading knowledge, and of increasing the friendly relations between the two peoples.

* * * * *

M. Ch. Pieters has published the "_Annales de l'Imprimerie Elzevirienne_," giving copious details on the life and exertions of the famous printers, the ELZEVIRS. This book is the result of very extensive researches on this subject, as there were fourteen members of that family who were printers and publishers during a period of 120 years. M. Pieters's book contains quite new data obtained from authentic sources; to which he has added a list of all the works issued from the Elzevir presses, followed by one of those which have been erroneously attributed to them, and another of such as are the continuation of works published at that celebrated establishment.

* * * * *

The Paris papers state that the Free Society of Fine Arts in that capital are subscribing for a monument to the Late M. DAGUERRE--who was a member of their body--to be erected at Petit-Brie, where the distinguished artist lies buried.

* * * * *

Henry Heine, the German poet, whom his countrymen insist on comparing with Lord Byron, has published a collection of the poems of his later years, under the title of "Romances." The book, which all the German papers concur in eulogizing, and a large edition of which was sold within a few days after its publication, is divided into three parts, Histories, Lamentations, and Hebrew Melodies. A brief prose notice prefixed announces that the skeptic has become a believer, and hurls defiance at the Hegelians refusing (to use his own words) "to herd swine with them any longer." This celebrated poet, and perhaps the only man who has succeeded in uniting German solidity and grandeur to French elegance and wit, is now languishing on his death-bed. Recovery is impossible, and his state is such that death would be almost a blessing, though in him the world would lose one of the most remarkable geniuses of modern times. In the intervals between the paroxysms of his malady he composes verses, and (being deprived of the use of his limbs and of his eyesight) dictates them to his friends. He also occupies himself at times in inditing memoirs of his life, and as he has seen a good deal of French society, and was a shrewd and intelligent observer, he has much to say. One consequence of his long and lamentable sickness has been to effect a complete change in his religious views--the mocking Voltairian skeptic has become a devout believer.

* * * * *

We see it stated that in the short space of time between the Easter fair and the 30th of September there were published in Germany no less than 3860 new works, and there were on the latter date 1130 new works in the press. Nearly five thousand new works in one country of Europe in one half year! Of the 3860 works already published, more than half treat of various matters connected with science and its concerns. That is to say--descending to particulars--106 works treat of Protestant theology; 62 of Catholic theology; 36 of philosophy; 205 of history and biography; 102 of languages; 194 of natural sciences; 168 of military tactics; 108 of medicine; 169 of jurisprudence; 101 of politics; 184 of political economy; 83 of industry and commerce; 87 of agriculture and forest administration; 69 of public instruction; 92 of classical philology; 80 of living languages; 64 of the theory of music and the arts of design; 168 of the fine arts in general; 48 of popular writings; 28 of mixed sciences; and 18 of bibliography. It is satisfactory to see, after their recent comparative neglect, that science and the arts begin to resume their old sway over the German mind.

* * * * *

The Frankfort journals state that, in consequence of the rigor displayed by the Saxon Government with respect to the press, the booksellers of Leipzig seriously intend to remove the general book fair to Berlin or Brunswick.

* * * * *

In Germany, Austria excluded, appear 746 newspapers; of which 646 are printed in German, 5 in French, 1 in English, 15 in Polish, 3 in Wendish (the Wenden are a Slavonic people in the midst of Germany), 7 in the Lutheran language. In all Europe, according to official statements, 1356 news papers are published, of which 169 are issued at Paris, 97 at London, 79 at Berlin, 68 at Leipzig, 36 at St. Petersburg, 24 at Vienna.

* * * * *

Dr. Augustus Pfizmaier, of Vienna, has published the first part, in ninety-two pages folio, of a Dictionary of the Japanese language.

* * * * *

Baron Alexander Von Humboldt has announced the discovery at Athens of the edifice in which the Council of Four Hundred was in the habit of assembling in ancient times. Few particulars of the alleged discovery are given; but it is added, that more than a hundred inscriptions have been found by the excavators--and that a number of columns, statues, and other relics have been already dug up.

* * * * *

Dr. Hefele's German work on _Cardinal Ximenes_ and the _Ecclesiastical Affairs of Spain_ in the 15th and 16th century, has just reached a second edition.

* * * * *

One of the principal literary men of Spain, Don Juan Hartzenbusch, assisted by the publisher, Senor Rivadencyra, has commenced a reprint of the works of her most distinguished authors, from the earliest ages to the present time. This reprint is entitled "Biblioteca de Autores Espanoles," and it is a more difficult undertaking than things of the kind in western and northern Europe. For as very many of the works of the principal authors never having been printed at all, the compiler has to hunt after them in libraries, in convents, and in out-of-the-way places; while others, having been negligently printed, or "improved" by friends, or disfigured by enemies, have to be revised line by line. Some idea of the importance of this gentleman's labors maybe formed from the fact, that he has brought to light not fewer than _fourteen_ comedies of Calderon de la Barca, which previous editors were unable to discover. The total number of Calderon's pieces the world now possesses is therefore 122; and there is every reason to believe that they are all he wrote, with the exception of two or three, which there is not the slightest hope of recovering. In addition to this, M. Hartzenbusch has carefully corrected the text from the original manuscripts in the Theatre del Principe, or authentic copies deposited elsewhere; and he has added notes, which throw great light on the most obscure passages. Moreover, he has given a chronological table of the order in which Calderon produced his plays. But what, perhaps, is the most curious thing of all is, that he demonstrates that "le grand Corneille" of France actually borrowed, not plots alone, but whole passages from Calderon. His play of _Heraclius_, for instance, has evidently been taken from Calderon's comedy called _En esta vida todo es verdad y todo mentira_. Some of the passages are literal translations.

* * * * *

Daily, about noon, writes the _Weser Zeitung_, the loungers "Under the Linden" at Berlin, are startled by the extraordinary appearance of a tall, lanky woman, whose thin limbs are wrapped up in a long black robe or coarse cloth. An old crumpled bonnet covers her head, which, continually moving, turns restlessly in all directions. Her hollow cheeks are flushed with a morbid coppery glow; one of her eyes is immovable, for it is of glass, but her other eye shines with a feverish brilliancy, and a strange and almost awful smile hovers constantly about her thin lips. This woman moves with an unsteady, quick step, and whenever her black mantilla is flung back by the violence of her movements, a small rope of hair, with a crucifix at the end, is plainly seen to bind her waist. This black, ungainly woman is the quondam authoress, Countess IDA HAHN-HAHN, who has turned a Catholic, and is now preparing for a pilgrimage to Rome, to crave the Pope's absolution for her literary trespasses.

* * * * *

Professor Nuylz, whose work on canon law has but recently been condemned by the Holy See, resumed his lectures at Turin, on the 6th. The lecture-room was crowded, and the learned professor was received with loud applause. In the course of his lecture he adverted to the hostility of the clergy, and to the Papal censures of his work, which censures he declared to be in direct opposition to the rights of the civil power. He expressed his thanks to the ministry for having refused to deprive him of his chair.

* * * * *

We hear from Rome that the library of the Vatican is to receive the valuable collection of Oriental manuscripts made by the late Monsignor Molsa--Laureani's successor.

* * * * *

Two curious instances of the favor that Literature and Art are to receive from the Ultra-montane party on the continent of Europe, have recently occurred. From Paris we learn that a relative of Mr. Gladstone has been excluded from a _cercle_, or club, in that city by the priestly party, because his uncle, the member for Oxford, had the courage to denounce the senseless tyranny of the Neapolitan government! The other instance amounts to the grotesque. It is the case of a young Roman artist, who is banished from Rome for the crime of being called Giovanni Mazzini! The very name of the late Triumvir--it would seem--is about to be proscribed in the Roman States, as that of Macgregor was, in time gone by, in Scotland. To the question "What's in a name?" the Roman government gives a very significant and practical reply.

* * * * *

We learn from Muenster, Westphalia, that some fresco paintings of the 13th century have been lately discovered in the church at Seremhorst, near that town, and that a curious specimen of painted glass has been found at Legenwinden. In the chief aisle of Patroklus Church, at Soest, Romanic frescos and statuettes of the 12th century have been discovered, and measures taken to remove from them the coatings of lime and plaster which the fanaticism or the ignorance of former years has heaped on them. It has also been discovered that the Nicolai Chapel, in Soest Cathedral, is entirely covered with very curious paintings of the 12th century.

* * * * *

On the 29th October, died at Brighton, Mr. WILLIAM WYON, a medal engraver of admirable skill, and probably more widely known by his works than any other living artist. Mr. Wyon was the engraver of the later coins of King George the Fourth, and of all the coins of William the Fourth and of her present Majesty. Mr. Wyon's medals include the recent war medals of the Peninsula, Trafalgar, Jellalabad, and Cabul--the civic medals of the Royal Academy, the Royal Society, the Royal Institution, the Geological Society, the Geographical Society, the Bengal Asiatic Society, and indeed of almost every learned society, home and colonial. Mr. Wyon was in his 57th year. Much of his genius is inherited by his son Leonard--known by his medals of Wordsworth and others, and honorably distinguished in the recent awards at the Great Exhibition.

* * * * *

The London journals announce the decease of the Rev. J. Hobart Caunter. Eighteen years ago this gentleman's appearances in the world of ephemeral literature were frequent--and fairly successful. He was the author of "The Island Bride," a poem of some length, and editor of "The Oriental Annual." Besides these, Mr. Caunter produced translations, and one or two graver works on historical and Biblical subjects.

* * * * *

The foreign papers report the death of the Chevalier Lavy, Member of the Council of Mines in Sardinia, and of the Academy of Sciences in Turin--and described as being one of the most learned of Italian numismatists. He had created at great cost a Museum of Medals, which he presented to his country, and which bears his name.

* * * * *

The French papers report the death, at Moscow, of M. de Saint Priest--a member of the French Academy, formerly a Peer of France--and the author of several historical works.

* * * * *

Dr. Paul Erman, the Nestor of Prussian _savans_, died recently at Berlin, at the advanced age of eighty-seven. In addition to innumerable articles on different subjects in scientific periodicals, he published important works on electricity, galvanism, magnetism, physiology, and optics.

* * * * *

The Continental papers report the death, at Jena, of Professor WOLFF.--Professor HUMBERT, of the Academy of Geneva, a distinguished Orientalist, and author of many learned works, is also reported to have died, on the 19th of last month.

MR. POTTS'S NEW YEAR'S.

Mr. T. Pemberton Potts--thus he always wrote his name, though the "Family Record," which sets forth the genesis of the house of Potts, does not contain the sonorous trisyllable which follows the modest initial T., which is all that he ever acknowledges of his baptismal appellation of TIMOTHY--Mr. Potts had been in great tribulation all day, in the apprehension that hatter, or tailor, or bootmaker would fail to send home the articles of their craft in which he proposed to make a sensation in his to-morrow's "New-Year's Calls." But his apprehensions were groundless. For a wonder, all these artists kept their word; and the last installment arrived fully two hours before the Old Year had taken its place in the silent and irrevocable Past. As one by one came in the brilliant beaver, the exquisite paletot, the unimpeachable swallow-tail, the snowy vest, the delicate, pearl-gray "continuations," and the resplendent boots, which Cinderella might have assumed, had she lived in the days of "Bloomerism," Mr. Potts displayed them scientifically over a chair, and gazed upon the picture they presented, as fondly as painter ever gazed upon the canvas upon which he had flung his whole burning soul.

When Mr. Potts awoke on the following morning, he was half afraid to open his eyes, for fear that the whole should prove a dream, too blissful to be true. After he had mustered courage to look, and found it to be all real, he lay for a while in lazy rapture, feeding his eyes upon the picture, which seemed more beautiful by daylight than it had appeared by the midnight camphene, of the preceding night.

Having performed the initial rites of the toilet, Mr. Potts attempted to assume the admired boots; but found to his cost that the disciple of St. Crispin had too literally obeyed his injunctions to give him a "snug fit." In vain he tugged and pulled, excoriating his fingers against the unyielding straps--his dressing apparatus did not comprise a pair of boot-hooks--his foot would no more _in_ than Lady Macbeth's blood-fleck would _out_. At last, by dispensing with his "lambs-wools," diligently lubricating the leather, and introducing a handkerchief into one strap, and a towel into the other, so as to gain a firmer hold, he succeeded in insinuating his naked feet into their places. "It is the first step that costs," says the French proverb, and Mr. Potts's first step in his new boots cost him an agonizing thrill in his toes, which threatened to put a veto upon his hopes of wearing them that day. Having fully arrayed himself, Mr. Potts mounted a chair, so as to bring the lower part of his figure within the range of his somewhat diminutive dressing-glass, and finding that the image which met his view fully equaled his anticipations, he bestowed upon it a farewell smile of approbation and set off upon his rounds.

He was soon at the door of the up-town mansion whither Mr. Briggs had retired from the "dry-salted," "roans," and "skivers" of the "Swamp," with a plum in his pocket, and one fair daughter whom Mr. Potts loved well if not wisely. Just as he was about to ascend the marble steps, an omnibus dashed by, and to the infinite horror of the wearer, deposited several large mud-blotches upon the delicate pearl-gray inexpressibles, in which were encased the nether limbs of the unfortunate Mr. Potts. With a muttered malediction between his teeth, he rang the bell, and was ushered into the hall. As he had come somewhat early, with the hope of finding the fair Mary Briggs alone, in which case he determined to make more than a passing call, he was in the act of laying aside his paletot, when a shrill cry and a simultaneous pang, made him aware that the tail of a monstrous cat was crushed under his boot, while the claws of the agonized animal were firmly fixed in his leg. Mr. Potts could not at once free himself from the hold of the enraged beast, for his arms were pinioned behind him by his upper garment, of which he was disencumbering himself. This circumstance nowise tended to restore his mental equilibrium, which had been disturbed by the previous occurrences.

Bewildered and confused, instead of passing through the door of the drawing-room, which was held open for him by the sable attendant, Mr. Potts rushed up the broad staircase, and burst into the first door he saw. Here he encountered a spectacle which sent the perspiration to his forehead faster than the most vigorous application of his handkerchief could remove it. He found himself in the presence of a matronly dame, robed in the loosest possible of dressing-gowns, her hair hanging down her neck, while a heap of articles which had fallen from her lap as she hastily rose, and lay at her feet, showed that, mindful of the economics of her "below Bleecker-street" days, the stately Mrs. Briggs had been engaged in repairing certain portions of her husband's wardrobe. A rustling sound, which met his ears, though at first he could not tell whence it came, was explained, when the eyes of Mr. Potts fell upon a glass so placed as to reflect objects behind a screen. There he saw the rubicund visage of the worthy ex-leather-dealer peeping out from the folds of a cloak, which hung against the wall, while the portion of his figure appearing below its bottom, showed that he was in a state as remote as could well be conceived from full dress.

Had Mr. Potts been writing his own biography, the next few minutes must have been a blank, so far as any definite reminiscences on his own part were concerned. He has a dim recollection of stammering out something about "mistaking the room," the "industry of Penelope," and "begging pardon;" then he remembers somebody, he hardly knows whether himself or not, rushing down-stairs, and passing through a door held open before him. Then he said, or heard somebody say something about "compliments of the season," "many returns," "fine day," "the gentlemen are favored," "make many calls?" At last, when he fully came to himself, he found that he was sitting in a drawing-room, his hat between his knees, and a cup of coffee in his hand. Near him was a table upon which, instead of a vulgar eating-house display of all the "delicacies of the season," was simply a massive coffee-urn, and two or three articles of plate. Before the table stood a lovely figure dressed in the purest white, her countenance lit up with the most enchanting smile in the world.