The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-24
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON. JANUARY 81, 1850.
LITERARY NOTICES.

ESSAY ON CHRISTIAN BAPTISM BY Baptist w. Noel
New York Harpers 1850. For sale by Franck Taylor
~ asssssss,sS cc.------.----.
Those interested in this subject will find here
thorough discussion of all points except that OF
immersion, which is reserved for separate essay.
The especial value of this treatise is that it Was
written without consulting any authors but those
on the other side. Mr. Noel has become a Bap-
list by the same independent process that led him
out of the Establishment We should think his
argument would be very convincing to those who
hold the ritual to be an essential element of Chris
tanity, and at the same time reject the authority
of venerable custom and of the religious feeling
connected with any form of ancient observance
His remarks on the moral influence of the cere-
mony, and on the communion Of godly Pedobap-
lists, are WORTH of attention.
PSYCHOLOGY THE SCIENCE OF THE Soul, considered
physiolozicay and Ihilosoplically. BY Joseph Had
dock NJ d..
Whatever we may think of the pretensions of
the Fowlers to answer all questions Of philosophy
from the point Of view of blood and brains"
we cannot deny that the glances We have given
at several of their publications show them to be
zealously at work TO improve the popular mind
and morals. The ethics of physiology is branch
of science deserving all the attention it can get
This little book Included in their series) is an
exposition Of the nervous system, with view to
introduce ard legitimate the alleged facts of Mes
merism. Published by Fowler Wells.
MISCELLANEOUS WORKS RRv.J. T. HRADLRr. In .
volumes New York John 5. Taylor For sale by K.
Of nsylv and
Washington.
Mr. Headley is more vulnerable TO criticism
than almost any writer we know, equally readable,
and we are glad to see that his biographer has
bestowed a little where it was deserved. Ofthese
volumes we have read Tor listened to- portion
OF his "Rambles in England which are pleasant
and picturesque. But even here the perpetual
egotism of the letter-writer does not accord very
well with his fashy rhetoric; and the perpetual
contrasts between England and America, some
times Just, sometimes unjust, are positive dis
fgurement. Mr.. H. thinks apparently SO much
of attitude and effect that distrusts his power
of truthful description His forte is strong scene
painting, in glazing colors, to be seen at q dis
lance by gas-ight. The nervous energy Of his
Napoleon and Cromwell hides a multitude
of sins. The various contents of these volumes
offer an ample field for the display Of his peculiar
power, and he seems to have used it well.
CHRISTIAN ExAMNRR RRLIoIoUs MISCELLANY.
January, 1850.
We have read this Review from the first
word to the last, which is certainly the highest
praise we can give it, We know Of none which
combines more excellent qualities a. general re-
view, or which is more uniformly good. Theology
(ofthe liberal stamp bears about the same pro-
portion in it as Politics in the English Reviews.
The three longest articles are on the British EN-
pire in India, Humboldts Kosmos, and Ticknor's
Spanish Literature-the last two being written
by Professor Levering and George s. Hillard 1t
is great merit in the Examiner thus to Sc
cure the best services of men in other professions
than divinity and it bears evidence that its sci
entifc articles, as well as literary, are meant to
have standard value Mr. billiards. concluding
article is one of rare beauty and interest, as a
picture Of the Spanish people and culture.
RRPoRrs FIRST EXHIBITION SALEM
CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION. Pro
Very interesting as catalogue of the no
tionso with which the busy brain of dear New
England continues to TEEN. Some of the descrp.
tons appended will make it Of considerable value
for reference; and 1t seems to be to the Northern
villages what the famous Times advertising sheet
is to life in London
THR OeILvIEs. A Novel. Harper Brothers, New York
For sale by Franck Taylor.
very readable book, full of incident, with
occasional passages of exquisite pathos Such i.
the death of poor Leigh Pennythorne, the boy
student, and the influence it eXerts upon the hard
character Of his worldly-minded father. With.
out being remarkable for brilliancy or strength
the book is better than the average Of its class
and does no discredit to the author, whoever h,
is, who has however, seen proper to withhold hi
name from the title-page.