New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-09-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.
The 6y GRFhf BErA ASp NE We
Volumes Nv ABRAHAM MILLS. A. VI. $40 pp SO,
;es Harper Brothers
The plan Of this work is of very com
prehensiyo character and could not be executed
to the satisfaction Of intelligent readers, without
an uncommon degree Of diligence, research, llte-
rary cultivation. and sound judgment. 1t en-
braces the whole field Of English literature from
the origin and formation of the Anglo-Saxon Ian
guage, to the close OF the eighteenth century,
including of course, long series OF writers, from
Bede and King Alfred TO Or Johnson and Burke
A biographical and critical notice Is given OF
each author, preceding the coplous selections
from his writings, which form the chief materials
of the volumes These are evidently prepared
with great care they are expressed IN neat and
perspicuous language hitting a happy medium
between the skeleon-hke dryness OF mere
compilation and the vcrboslty OF ambitious rheto
nc /, and although they often give occasion to
wide differences of opinion, are uniformly pre-
scented with temperance and Importantly We
are glad to welcome tins publication, not only
on account of the ability and candOr with which
it is executed, but as ahordIng a temptation to-
gether with the means, for a more general study
of English literature Too much time, We are
persuaded, is given to the study of foreign Ian
guages, while the rare aud exquisite treasures
OF our own tongue are comparatively neglected.
An intelligent appreciation of the beauties OF the
great English writers Is far more valuable ele-
ment IN the cultivation OF the intellect and taste
than the crude and superficial acquaintance with
few celebrated masterpieces, either IN the
ancient OF modern languages which Is often
mistaken ioT a valuable intellectual acquisition.
In the union of variety of tone, depth OF thought
bnlllancy of illustration, genuineness of passion,
and sweetness and force of expression, no htera-
ture is comparable to the English and whoever
devote his leisure hours to It's assiduous study
will open for himself a source OF pleasure and
improvement. which can never bc enjoyed 10y
the exclusive votarics OF what Is loosely enough
called classical learning The present volumes
form an important guide to a knowledge OF the
best literature OF the British nation, and Will
prove am acceptable Gift to the public If they
should do no more than direct attention to field
which Is too much neglected.
THE GREAT HARMONIC Nv ANDREw Jackson
pi Va u l2 pStg 81 go anil Boston Ta,,c Ma'''y
In this volume, Mr.. Davis expressly dis
claims all prctcnslons to he character OF an IN
falhblc teacher of science and philosophy, and
makes his only appeal 10 the sense OF truth IN the
human soul With a strong conviction OF duty,
he Processes To devote his life to the cause of the
spiritual illumination and happiness of man.
he believes that he is IN possession OF powers. sur
passing the usual gifts OF humanity,-but he pro-
pounds has communications. with no wish TO vIo-
late the freedom ofmdlvldual opinion ASacurlous
psychological phenomenon, this production Is OF
equal interest with the former volumes of
the author. and deserves 10 be examined with
candor, rs a specimen of mental operations
in am abnormal state, which has not been
explained ON philosophical principles. \ por-
portion of the work is dedicated to a detail OF
Mr. Davis early experience as a somnambuh>i
lie tells us. that from childhood he has eyinced
constant tendency 10 meditation, SOLITARY rambles
and somnambulSn, which have periodically
ON and sometimes continued 10 a protracted pc
nod, His FIRST experience on being thrown into
the magnetic state was as follows
felt the chilly hand pass and re ass my brow and
chamber of thought The living hlool which had
flowed undisturbed through my youthful form duTng
ITS brief existence, seemed we.-nlgh arrested. ltS
ten thousand avenues were immediately illuminated
with the flames OF electric me and anon 1t IN
tensely dark within. Dreadful and strange feelings
passed over my body and through my BRAN, IN rapid
succession. My emotions ere painful. had heard
OF the houid sensations of diving, Oh could tins De
abe period OF my ply seal dlSsoluton-of the spirits
transformation to a higher sphere Yes the heart
Sissontnuei TO perform rs ONCE 50 powerfully as
eeiore-l,S ecailngS were less ireQusn, | ieii the
different senses which connect the mind with the
ou'et'"oiu' gradually clo>c-a.1s they were clio
smg forever
All my senses yielded lmpercep,blv to the suhiu
mg power | could no longer hear the puSy and a.
tive world without, nor feel the touch OF any oh,ri
living dead. Ne lonSer, thought |. can / behold
the system OF nature. whose hcht lite and beauty
have prompted me 10 the deepest admiration The
sweet and fragrant forests and ae!GS are gone ma
are never more 70 be tae scenes oi happy oontem-
patlOn
Thouehts hike these fassed rapldh through nv
awe struck mind. But hat waS 20 60 To resist
the sensations would have the eaecI hoped
for and anticipated. But L. remain IN this coaLHon
much longer thought l. VIII re>gll N closing forever.
frvm my splri,, the beauties OF the material universe
But the query now occurred, whether All ih.s "a IS
any more than The Illusion cf the imagination '-
Certainly TANK | ieel strange but 90 actually
lslotc tha. nv sensations ace real Thus questioned
myself without making The least eNeT,'on to>atl>iy
NV mdgnsn, aS 10 the trtih or reality o. What eN-
perienced SAT almost breatheSs. few seconds Ion
ger, encouraging Z hone that the experiment mishi
not succeed, me hle inv oluniar sting pro
duce H. Il am alive vet thought /, for hear he
operator INQUIRE the hOur-l hear HIM &C, pond seem
mgiy Go something SAID by ano,Acr-ogt Go no, Aear
any other person speak Is not this exceedingly
suange" Another silence occurred during Which
endea,ored 10 anSlvze my feelings which had
penetrated The lnnumcrabe receS>eS OF NV whole
structure But again heard a low. distant. strange.
ahpeaSah, sound proceeding NON the operator, As II
IRON me human world, calling me back ~ earth
which was seemingly leaving far behind Then
my sense OF healing-those chambers along ,,hoSe
acccs panyng the sacred voice of purr afert,on and
friendship are closed -and closed 10 seal the ~ Iity
of an eternal silence Can this indeed be 80 =
thought !, wnile the most dreadful darkness encom