The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-18
very pleasant account Of novel and remarkable
tour Of exploration.

tour OF exploration.
The ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DIscovRRr, or Ys.HBoor
or FACTS IN science AR. Boston Gould, Ken
DALI Lincoln. 1850. limo, PIP. 39a For sale as the
above.
We have referred with much interest aud
pleasure to several portions of this very valuable
volume. 1t comprises eight separate departments
of knowledge, besides Patents, Obituary. Scien-
tfc Publications, and two Indexes; besides a
portrait and biographical sketch Of Professor
Agassiz. 1t is such book as was more wanted
than perhaps any other in the chronicles of
knowledge, and seems to be very faithfully execu-
ted. The admirable account we have before al
luded to, of the Britannia Tubular Bridge, is
condensed into five close-printed pages. One is
surprised at the immense amount Of matter accu-
INFLATED in a single year and glad to find il
methodized and given in a convenient form. We
are sorry to see that grossly exaggerated state
ment is here admitted Up. 275) as to the strength
of the marble used in the Washington Monu-
ment IL is by no means a stone of first quality
but the editors may easily satisfy themselves on
their own showing, that it will have to sustain
pressure Of only ons-thUd of what it will bear
or, allowing for the slope of the obelisk less than
oae-nmetieth. We regret, too, that one Of the de-
partments is enlarged by an unauthorized and i'm
perfect report of one of the meetings Of the Ma
tional Institute. P. 1881 The statement given
is correct in the main, but the value as we'll as
interest Of such report depends on its strict
accuracy We hope the Institute will, as con-
templated, publish its own proceedings in an
authentic form. Our examination Of the work
has shown us nothing else to except to, and we
have been very highly gratided at recovering
here the thousand and one scraps of information
which float by one SO rapidly on the food of
newspapers as well as many others we should
else have no means of knowing.
EARLY CoSFLIcrs OF CHRISTIANITY. by the Rev w.
Tngrshsm Kip d. d. New York; Appleton. For sale at
Farnham's, Washington, d. c.
This is an exceeding neat little volume, Of
near 800 pages, containing Eve picturesque and
animated sketches of the early conflicts of
Christianity with Judaism, Grecisn Philosophy,
the Licentous Spirit of the Age Bsrbarism,
and the Pagan Mythology. 1t forms the first of
q series of three, which may ultimately be CON-
pleted-thus introducing the peculiar conflicts"
of each age of Christian History. There is not
much show Of original learning, bdt rather an
abundant and skilful use Of the illustrations
offered in Literature, Art, &c, and the refer
ences are rather to popular than learned works.
1t is of rhetoric too highly colored, perhaps for
strict and sober historic truth This is all the
better for the authors purpose, which is rather
to give hint and impulse towards the more full
understanding of the subject. He writes from
the point of view Of the Episcopal Church.
morton MoNrAsU; OR, YouSo CHRISTIANS CHOICE.
BY c. b. Mortimer. Published and for sale as the
above.
This is a " narrative founded on facts in the
early history of deceased Moravisn missionary
clergyman We are sorry that it has not the
additional charm Of faithful biography, and
cannot understand the writer's motive in conceal
ing name which he intimstes will be easily
seen, through the Disguise by all from whom it
was not desirable to conceal it. We are sorry to
read 30 fair and pleasant book with any qualif-
cation. 1t contains sketch Of the history and
trials of that most faithful Christian body; and
the powerful motive which impelled the young
mans noble self-sacrifce is well set forth in the
interesting narrative which follows
THE LIFR OF JOHN CALVIN, Compiled from Authentic
Sources and particularly from his Correspondence. By
Thomas H. Dyer. With q Portrait. New York Har-
psrs iS5a Duodssimo. PIP. 45s With Appendix and
Index For sale at Frsnck TayIor's.
This is o compact, careful, critical, rather I'M
sympathising life of very remarkable man. Its
fitness and honesty of statement las appears on
the face Of III must make it very valuable as
piece of ecclesiastical biography. We have as
yet read only fragments of the book; but every
page that we have opened has happened to contain
something in disparagement of the great Gene
van reformer. So that it appears to US before
hand that We are not to expect here that sort of
candor, to say nothing Of sympathy, which is es-
sential to the true understanding of any man 1t
may therefore, perhaps, serve as critical check
on what the author considers the over-estimate
made in the Life by DR. Henry, rather than the
truest account Of the man. We are the more
anxious to do John Calvin justice, that there is
hardly any historical character of any eminence,
not absolutely bad, who e1ctes less of our per-
sonal sympathy than he.
A MsMorR THE LIFE JAMES minor, d. D., late
Rector of st. Georges Church, New York BY Rev
John S. Stone, d. d. Abridged. Published by the
American Tract Society. Duodecmo, PIP. $40.
1t is seldom that a religious biography gives
more agreeable impression Of one, than this of
DR.. Minor. He seems to have been eminently
deserving of the respect and affection with which
his biographer regards him. little skill in
compression would make of this a volume half as
large and twice as interesting. As it is, we have
to make our own abridgement, probably at a
great disadvantage.
The American Tract Society have also pub
lished the following:
l. THE MrssIosARY's DAUGHTER A Memoir of Lucy Good
all Thurston Of the Sandwich Islands.
A brief and touching biography of pure
minded, devout, affectionate child, who died at
the age of seventeen and few months on visit
to America.
q Mxxo,a OF CHARLxs HssaY Porter, a Student in
Theology. BY E. Goodrich Smith.
At the age Of nineteen, Mr. Porter, then
merchants clerk in Norwich, Connecticut, re-
ceived very strong religious impression !; and
thenceforward showed remarkable energy, apt
ness, sud devotedness in the work of religious
teaching. A more striking instance of the pos
session of fixed and ruling purpose is seldom
SEEN His earnest desire TO become a preacher
WAS only just grati6ed, when he died, at the age
Of thirty. The volume is made up in great part
from his letters and Journal.
2 TaK DIVINE LAW OF BssSFIcEscR. by Rev. Parsons
Cooke.
An argument for methodicil and systematic