The New York herald., 1845-11-16
Literature.

This little work is admirably adapted for the family
and social partyn the coming season. With liberia
supply OF fun for the gay, 1t lacks not sentiment for
the more sedate but by lovers il will be found a
perfect multum in parvo. II is well got up and will
have run.
Edwards Lester Vol. 1. New York-Paine ~
Burgess.-Thls elegant work has been laying on
our table several days unnotlced from the tact that
we did not know exactly what 10 say about IT. II
was entitled to more than common notice, tor It Is
no common book, and an elaborate criticism, such
as the work deserves, we had not space TO give. II
is a curious and extraordinary book, both as regards
its literary merit and the material OF which II Is
composed. 1t Is written with spirit and betrays ID
versatile and comprehensive mind The most in
terestlng portion perhaps consists OF autobogra
ply OF our gifted fellow counrymen, Hiram Pow
ers, whose statute OF the Greek Slave created
such a deep sensation In England few months ago.
II describes the various trials he struggled through
in his chequered hfe, and many amusing and tarci-
iu Incidents TILL you 10 his artistic life, when
the scene changes, and you behold, instead OF the
gay smile and light heart OF the boy, the despondent,
bitter feelings OF the man of genius, wrestling with
adversely and struggling TO acquire fame with star
vatlon stalking DER his hearth-stone. He makes
effort after effort reach Italy, and after repeated
failures, at length succeeds Every thing there seems
yet more desoate to HIM than the land he had left,
butwlth conscious power and braveA American heart
ne goes to work. Cloud after cloud fieeted away
fame seemed to have selected him for her own, for
he dallled not with her gifts. The praise of Thor
valsden" which pronounced him the greatest scup-
tor since the days OF Michael Angelo, only nerved
him to more daring feats. He finished his Greek
Slave" which Is pronounced by connoisseurs the
chef d'Gurye of all modern art. Mr.. Lester, in
speaking Of the "Slave" and the "Eve," says
IAN who gaze upon them seem to go away with that
beautiful emotion which long fingers around like
ideal form that sometimes, in the calm sleep OF
early spring morning. fits the fancy, but cannot be
forgotten 1t wakes lave quiet ourselves and try to
sleep, and bring back the vision again I'm.
like other female statues have seem they combine all
ali that is cheerful and homelike the fair beings
cluster around resides and live in our hearts
Through all the changing scenes of Powers life,
Mr. Lester in his " Conversations carries the rea-
der. He says, Powers would talk about the buck
eyes of Ohio, the hunters and squatters Of the West,
and the dry drol Yankees (; and would make HIM
talk about the Michael Angeles, the Raphaels, and
the Thorvasdens and we brought these great
masters into strange company, tor curiosity and hui
NOR, well as poverty, have something to do in
max ing men acquainted with strange bed-fellows."
1t will be seen by this extract, that Powers was
unwilling to talk about himself, and averse to hav
ing account Of his life published; but when Mr..
Lester had written it, and stated his reasons for pub
fishing it, the Scuptors scruples gave way, and it
was with his full consent II was presented to the
public.
This volume also contains an elaborate and
ably written article on our present miserable Con-
sular system, which has been the jest OF foreign
powers Take 1t all in all, this is curious book,
which everybody should read. We look upon Mr..
Lester as one OF the most remarkable men of the
day-with a highly wrought and profound mind,
brilliant imagination, he is perfect master Of the
human heart, and an ardent admlrer OF his country
and her free institutions. He is destined to attain
high position, and deserves the thanks of his coun-
try as well those of literary men. We shall look for
the concluding volume with no ordinary interest
The publishers also deserve the thanks of the reader
for the beautiful style in which they have issued
the volume.
WnATELy's ELEMENTS OF LoGIc-Wm. H. Col
yer, No Hague street, New York.--This is a trea-
tise containing the substance of the article on Logic
which appeared in the Encyclopedia Metrophtana :
Ii is most excellent work, and will be read with
interest by all who wish arrive at scientific truths.
BossuEr's VARIArIoNs-D. ~ J. Sadlier, 5S Gold
street.-Who has not read Bossuet-the most chaste
and elegant writer the Catholic Church ever ros.
sessed His denunciations of Protestanism and
the classic style in which he wrote, have made him
celebrated among Catholics well as Protestants.
His works will be read with interest by all
NEW York MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER,
FOR NOVEMBER number contains reports of
Prof Motifs and Prof Parker's Ci,niques and other
interesting matter. II is valuable work for all
members Of the medical profession.