Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-04-09
NnB PRBSS
LETTERS FROM THE METROPOLIS.
NO. V.
Nrw YoRn, March q, lS4l.


Several very valuable publications have beenf
brought out by our publishing houses during then
pas, week. The Applctons have Just issuedE
a work which will be warmly welcomed byE
scholars and highly priced by tile general ready
or: il is Schleges Philosophy of History, trans
lated from the German by James Russell Robert I
son. An interesting Memoir of the Author isl
pretixcd. As a philosophical work, do not6
think it fully equal to many of the productions
of its celebrated author: his Lectures on ORA l
matte Literature are distinguished by more crit
ical ability and will be more generally ready
Still this is very able work and will be veryt
valuable addition to the library of the historical
student.
THE Life and Land of Burns is another en-
celcnt work Just published. 1t contains Cun-I
ninrham's Life of the Poet, and sketches byl
Thomas Campbell, of the various places lmlnor-
talized by his songs, with the mastery crtica
essay on his Genius and Works, by Thomas
CARLYLE. 1t was announced previous to its pub
lcaton that it would also contain the recently
Published Essay upon same subject, by Prof.
wilson, tie .Kir Natl' of Backwooks Maya
sIe.: IN. it seems that this was one of the tricks
q. .he trade, for believe that essay has not yet
rcschel this country. see however that it is
warmly praised in the London Literary Jourai,
and from extracts there given, | should think
their commentator well deserved.
Combs chronological Tour through the L.
States has also just appeared in the market
So far as have been ableto examine it, shond
think it in many respe cts, one of the best books
that have vet been written by foreigners travel
ing in this country. II is not made up of gossip
md slanderous twattlc, as have been the books
Of Trollop, Basil Hall, Fanny Kcmble and Mary
att: nor is it mainly occupied with developing
the philosophical character and tendency OF our
institutions as was that of De IocquevllIc but
the Author has aimed to collect such facts Will
regard to our social politics and religious insti-
tutons as might enable them. for whom it was
more especially written to form an accurate
judgment of our condition and prospects,
Many Of his statements appear to us common
place and unworthy Of mention in a work like
this but it must be borne in mind that it was
written for foreigners and not for the American
public and that, what to lis is matter of every
day occurrence, and passes almost unnotlccd, is
the very source from which they Judge of the
aspect Of our society and the real character o.
our Institutions The most prominent feature
in his book, however, is its pLrenol2gicdl char
acter. In every thing he says, he has specia
reference to this, his favortc pursuit. In Civ
ing sketches of individual character, he does i
by telling what organs predominant in remark
ing upon social characteristics, the same techno
loey is observed and he tells us in conclusion
that it is only by phrenology that religious sect'
my be harnonised and true happiness, individ
ual, socia! and political, attained. 'Phrenology,
he says in the closing address to the people o
tho United States on this subject. is the grca
instrument presented to US by Providence, t.
enable us to realise that grandeur and excel
ience in our individual and social condition
which the friends of humanity hold as bound T.
exhibit as the legitimate fruits of Freedom II
those who disbelieve the dogmas OF Phranology
(and trust there is yet a remnant Of SUCH il
the and,) this feature OF the work will make
appear infinitely ridiculous. Still, aside iron
this, it contains much that is interesting and OK
tremey valuable. 1t is written in form Of
journal, in which, under appropriate heads ever.
occurrence that seemed worthy Of note is care
fully chroncled. All public meetings, politca
movements, are noted with full and general.
accurate accounts Of our schools, charitable op
cra'ons, periodicals, religious opinions, currenc
matters, railroads, elections, &c. 1t will have
very general popularity and will do much il
Englandto correct false impressions and to cul
tvate a more liberal spirit in Judging OF on
character.
The British Queen was advertised to leav
London on the 10th inst. 1t is time therefor
that she had arrived and she is hourly expect
ed. Yours &c VERMONT.