Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-14
Notices of New Rocks.

We have received from the publishers, Messrs. Lea &
Blanchard OF Philadelphia, through Messrs. DRISEkR &
MoRKIs. the following interesting volumes:
l. The History OF the United States of North Anne.
rca, from the plantation OF the British Colonies till their
assumption OF National Independence ;" by James Gra-
hane, LII. D. This admirable work is prefaced by a por
truit Of the author, and a Memoir of his life from the pen
Of Josiah Quincy, Esq. late President of Harvard UNIVERSE
~. From Mr.. Quincy's interesting sketch we learn that
DR.. Graham, a native Of Scotland, inherited from his faith.
er an ardent attachment 10 the Institutions and people of
the United States, and that, many years ago, he formed the
resolution 10 write their history, although he had never
crossed The Atlantic. Devoting many years to the eollec-
ton and examination OF authentic facts and documents,
the two volumes now before us are the fruit OF his labols;
and, although from the unPopularity, on the other side of
the ocean, OF the poitca! and religious sentiments express
sed and defended by the writer, his work has found bui. lit
tie favor in the eyes Of the British critics and reviewers,
the highest American authorities have given 1t the sane
ZION Of their unequivocal appreciation. The North Amen-
can Review says, "it is the best book that has any where
appeared, upon the early history OF tie United States. -
Our distinguished Consul at Paris, Mr.. Walsh, aud our
still more distinguished Ex-Minister to Spain, Washing
ton Irving, were both 30 much delighted with d.. Gra-
hams history, that they urged him TO write the history OF
the American Revolution. the former gentleman offering
to procure for him materials, and a sufi cient guaranty
against pecunisry loss. SO urged, the Doctor resolved 10
undertake the task but his feeble health, followed by his
uelth IN lel2, put an emu 10 the undertaking. The Colo
NAL history OF the United States, Of which our own citi-
zsns have generally such n meagre and imperfec, knowl-
edge, is so rsPlete with romantic and evenuul incidents.
that. independently Of the real meIi, OF DR.. Gaham's
work. we think we perform a public service in recommend.
ing ito the attention Of the students Of history. Most OF
them know more Of the fabulous legends OF Greece and
Rome than they DO Of the early history Of their native
ianu. GnIs iaOIIgIHE U' iudIsP-"-LlO f-v. lee Ios4iteu
partly, no doubt, from the difficulty Of procuring an au-
thenuc and well digested account of the settlement and
growth OF the Colonies. The publication Of these volumes
removes this difficulty, and will also, we hope, wipe off this
reproach.
2. The Sd and 4th volumes Of "ihe History OF Civilizs.
ton, from the fall Of the Roman Empire TO the French
Revolution by NJ. Guiz1t, Prime Minister Of France
We have barely had time to glance at this work but the
subject is one so attractive in itself, and VI. Guizot is con-
fessedly so capable OF imparing TO it additional interest,
that the bare annuneiauon Of the title and the name OF the
author s q sufficient recommendation OF the work.
3. "The jerusalem Delivered. Of Torquato Tasso,"
translated by J. II. Wiffen--beauufully printed, and ombel.
lshed with six elegant engravings.
Messrs. Nash 81 woopuousE have sen, Us a volume on.
titled American Phreno-M nemoiechny,n by Pliny Miles.
whose Lectures on that subject, IN this city, last year, will
be remembered by some Of our readers. W. have not a
very high admiration Of this "Science," and very little
confidence in its utility but, we have no doubt that Pro-
lessor Miles volume will prove a valuable auxiliary to those
Disposed to study IT,
From Messrs. J. w. RANDOLPH & Co. we have received
the I'd, Sd and Ith volumes, entitled "The Eclectic Read.
DER prepared, for children Of different ages. by Professor
MeGufiey Of the University Of Virginia. These unpre-
tending works arc said by those more competent than
we are to decide upon their merits, to be admirably adapted
for the use Of schools. The acknowledged capacity Of DR..
McGufTey, indeed, and the deep interest he feels in proper
iy training the youthful mind, constitute the best recon-
mendation Of these volumes.