The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-10
LITERARY NOTICES.

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- oRru Bu,rrsu REVIEW for November, lS49.--
What will probably be found most interesting
in this Review is an article on Humboldts As
poets of Nature, containing, among other things,
some highly curious statements as 10 poisons both
animal and vegetable--very valuable as incident
al to the recent specuations about the causes Of
epidemics Another is here added to the count
less essays on Shakspeare-illustrating Ulrics
idea that each play is the development of some
one text, or moral point, by a full-length notice
of the Merchant of Venice" This play the
writer thinks, is meant to exhibit studiously, in
incidental expressions and details as well as in
the main plot, the contrast between the letter and
the spirit of the law. Such speculations seem to
be. If not true, at least as good as true. Some
years ago, we were good deal interested by
pack of papers entitled the "Promehean," edited
by GOODWIN Barmby, fcrvent worshippcr Of
Shelley and disciple of Cornmunon-papers which
one knows not whether to call more devout or
defiant, earnest or grotesque. We are glad to
see that these, and the singular movement they
represent are made the subject of an elaborate
discussion the merits of which, however for The
present we must take on trust The character
of the Review is n guarantee for that on Locke
and Sydenhsm,' and the rest.
WAN WITH MEXIco. BY X. ) Ripley, New York Hsr
per N Brothers For sale by Franck Taylor, Pennsyl
vans avenue, Washington, u. 6
The author of this work, hrevet ma or in the
United States army has drawn his materials not
only from official documents, but from personal
observation of the country on both routes Of Opc-
ration during the Mexican war, an intimate ac-
quantance with many American officers, and
some intercourse with those Of the Mexican
srmv. The literary merits of the book are re-
spectacle, but he cert,inly has not accomplished
his aim which he says, has been to be impdrtmW
How An author, aspiring to the rank Of histo-
ran. manifcsts his impartaly and dignity and
truthfulness, by adopting the vocabulary Of
partisan we have yet to learn.
Major Ripley preiaoes his main narrative with
a review of the series Of events resulting in the
war, adopting the statements and views of those
who IN see nothing to be justified in the conduct
of Mexico, nothing to be condemned in the action
the annexation of Texas, on account Of slavery
he regards ~ fanaticism, and opposition to the
war that followed as Indicating a want of patriot
ism To 80 great an extent does Prejudice per-
vert his judgment, that he stoOps to charge the
Abolitionsts with "high treason upon the
strength of two anonymous letters, found in the
Mexican post office
" Almonter he says, after receiving his pass
ports from the United States Government. Ind
tarricd long enough in the country TO concoct,
with some Abolitonists of black slavery, whose
crazy philanthropy enabled them to look upon
high treason with Mexican eyes, schemes of ac-
ton by which they were to assist the Mexicans
against their own Government, should the war
break out and the hostities be actually COM
mencedn
One of the letters is from crazy nobody, with
no name, living nobody knows where The other
is without name or place Of date and there is not
the slightest evidence that it was written by an
Aboltionist or even an American. In fact, there
Is no evidence of the genuincness of the letter at
ALL And yet, these are the evidences on which
this man, pretending to write a History charges
Abolitionsts With high treason p
An author who can give currency to accusations
50 grossly hoeNous; Is either unable discern be-
tween good and eyii, Truth and i aisehood or ne
is unprincipled In either case, he is disqualified
for writing history.
ENottsu.iArrS IEsrcoN BY Charles Anth,n l. T. D.
New York Harper Brothers. Fog sale as above.
This large and handsome octave is very neatly
printed and very substantially bound No one
who attempts to compose "A Latin exercise should
be without it, it is founded on the Gcrmau-
Latin Dictionary OF DR. Charles Ernest Georges
by J. Edmond Riddle of st Edmond Hail. OK,
ford. and the Rev T. X Arnold who shared the
work between them, devoting to it some years of
hard labor. DR. Anthem has revised the result
of their abors, aud adds to the first American
edition. copious dictionary of proper names,
from the best sources.
The work is distinguished By careful account
of the use of words set down, their synonymical
distinctions the niceties connected with their en-
ploymcnt by classical writer's, and by various per-
tinent remarks and criticisms From the charac.
ter and attaipments of the learned men employed
on it, We must infer that it is all it processes to
be" the only English-i.atin Dictionary that n
student can consult with the reasonable hope OF
finding what he wants, and the certainty of being
able to trust what he fnds'
THE GREAr MsTs'roLs 1850. New York n Wilson.
For sale by Alan, Pennsylvania ssenas, Washington,
nc.
This is the New York Almanac for 1850 con-
tanning, in addition Ia the usual Aim amaze matter,
clue to ever1 tips in New York which stran-