The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-23
New Books.

THE OprIMIsr. By HENRy T. TUcKRRmAN New
York: George p Putnam, l55 Broadway Lon
don: Putnam's American Agency, 49 Bow Lane,
Cheapside, 1850.
This is a handsome duodecimo volume, compris-
ing twenty four essays on various subjects We
are more than pleased with these essays-we are
delighted. We than delighted too-we
are instructed and benefited. The author has
chosen to call his volume "The Optimist," and he
tells that CDR. Webster, besides the usual def
milton of Optimism, (the belief that every thing in
nature is ordered for the best,) gives to the word
another Specification, viz that order of things in
the universe that is adapted to produce the most
good"
With such purpose before him, our author
could not have produced bad book; for the most
unskilful execution of his design would find pardon
through the atonihg influence of his motives and
tendencies. But he has manifested skill of a supe-
rior order, taste well cultivated and subdued, and
observation and reflection worthy of his conception
He is sensible without dulness, practical but not
commonplace. lively and graceful, yet dignifed
and simple.
We will make but one quotation, and that brief
one; and select this only because of the subject
Of its remark. In describing "a Presidential In
suguraton," the city Of Washington il thss
sketched:
mind as Halleck calls the grave Of Burns; but at
every transition epoch in annals IL is the goal
Of innumerable pilgrims. They come from all
quarters oil the continent, inspired by varied mo
tives-those of selfish aggrandizement, liberal curl
osty, patriotic sentiment, the magnetism Of fash
ion, and the hope Of enjoyment. kind Of serious
carnival ensues; speculation is rife; ambition
pumes her wings; policy sharpens its wits; beauty
opens her caskets OF jewels and the honest pride Of
citizenship revives. Expectancy vague, yet ardent
u quckened Opinion finds response in events;
the past is deccntly buried, and over the future
hangs the iris Of hope evoked from the subsiding
tide Of faction. The occasion, when justly appre-
ciated eloquently explains these signs Of the times;
and the dsproportion Of the and the symbols,
10 an imaginative and thoughtful observer, heigh-
tens their moral significance.
at is a singular fact, that the only city in the
United States planned with reference 10 extensive
growth IL the only one which has never reached its
anticipated bounds. The broad avenues, scattered
and inadequate dwellings, and lonely thorough
fares OF Washington, though cherries TO the eye,
are suggestive 10 the imagination. An aspect 90
incongruous as IL here presented, the blending Of
village and metropolis Of splendid equipages and
comfortless strees, Of vast capabilities and inee
giant utility-tbe noble Capitol and the struggling
houses, plain citizens grouped around inn doors,
public edihces Of substantial architecture and a
frame building erected for national ball-all in
dicate the unfuhllcd destinies, The utltarian in
stincts, and at the time the boundless promise
Of the republic. All that meets the gaze in Wash.
ington, except the Capitol and the Departments
seems temporary. The city appears like the site
Of an encampment-as II IL were adapted more for
bivousck than home. Stone rsmparts and
grated palaces Immediately announce 10 the travel
Ter abroad an ancient scat of power; here every
thing whispers Of brief authority, and proc lsims
that the officials Of every grade are, for the time
being, only servants Of the people"
For a copy Of this volume we are indebted 10 the
politeness Of Messrs. Taylor Maury, by whom IL
s for sale.
iconographie Encyclopedia Of Science Literature.
and Art; systematically arranged, by G.. Heck.
With five hundred steel engravipgs, by the most
distinguished artists of Germany. The text
translated and edited by sPEScEa y. BAnD,
AM, NJ d., Professor OF Natural Sciences in
Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
We have Just received No Of this work con
tanning, does each Of the numbers twenty plates
and eighty pages Of letter press We can Of course
base critical opinion Of its merits upon such es-
animation as we have had opportunity TO give the
several numbers in their detached form; yet we
may well commend the style in which IL is got up,
and the artistic skill Of which the plates give am
pie evidence. Il may be procured Of Mes-rs. Tay-
or 4 Maury, in this city.
The Women of ne Rsroiuf;on. By ELIZABETH 3.
ELLKr In three volumes. New York Baker
Il Scrbner, 1850.
The third and last volume of this work s before
US; and IL has been long enough before the public
10 receive the full measure Of praise awarded to
the two preceding volumes. u may be obtained
at the Bookstore Of Mcssrs. Taylor q Maury.
A viLLAcs DssrnovsD.--The village OF Corning,
steubcn county, New York, was the scene Of Sc
we're confsgrstion on Friday and Saturday last
The whole business part Of the town was destroyed
including the railroad depot, the bank, hotel, all
the stores, and probably hundred thousand
doll. 70, worth Of lr,rnber