The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-08
New Books.
JAPAN.

JAPAN.
PUTNAM & Co, of New York, have issued OPP
portunely a readable little volume JAPAN, illus
trated with numerous wood engravings, and fur
nshing an account of that interesting empire,
geographical and historical, from the earliest Pc
Rod ut which the islands composing it were
known to Europeans down to the present time.
The immediate call for this work to have
been induced by the superstition that the United
States proposing to embark in an expedition
for the purpose Of establishing, by force or nego-
tiaton, more intimate commercial connexion
with the Japanese than has been hitherto effected
by any other nation. No such expedition is in
progress, has ever been seriously contemplated,
the most which is in view being maritime recon-
noissance Of the North Pacific.
1t ia common to say that we know little or nothing
of the japanese. The volume before us shows that
ample materials are accessible for as accurate an
account of them exists Of any other eastern ma
ton. The author, Mr.. CHARLES McFARLANE, has
examined a library of works on JAPAN, in Latin
and in several of the modern languages, varying
in date from $50 to the present time. From this
library, and from notes and memoranda of his
own of the conversations of friend who had
sided several years at Japan, he has made an in
structive and entertaining book, which is got out
found in this city at FRANcK TAYLoR's.
UNIVERSITY LIFE.
Fipe Years in English Unipersity By CHARLES
AsToR BRIsTED, late Foundation Scholar of Trim
ity College, Cambridge. Second edition. New
York: G. P. Putnam & Co., 10 Park Place.
1852.
The omission of the very superhuous appendix
renders the present edition of this book q great
improvement the first; and if it should into
a third edition there might be further curtail-
ment to advantage. The work is too much spun
out, but it is entertaining and agreeable in spite
of it's "puppyism"-he only word in the language
that will precisely express the idea that desire
to convey. We are not quite sure that the book
would be as amusing it is except for this very
trait; and there appear to be SO many good points
about the writer that may well pardon not
little conceit and affectation. He has succeeded in
giving series of vivid pictures of English univer
sity life, some of which evince little skill and
clevernees, and will commend themselves to many
who have never been inside the walls Of a college.
Some of the most valuable chapters in the work
will be read probably with the least pleasure by
those who read for amusement; but in these there
appear to US either an Improbable repetition,
at least similarity in details, which impair the
interest Of the book even with those who read for
information. 49,
PuTNAM's SEMI. MONTHLY LInnARY.-Three
numbers OF this summer library, convenient for
steamboats, and railway cars-though not less
handy for the winter freside-have been received
by US since We last had occasion to speak of it.
They arctic Journal, or Eighteen Months in
the Polar Regions, by Lieut. OSBORN; second se-
ries of Home and Social Philosophy, from DICK
ENs's Household Words; and Sicily, Pilgrimage,
bv FL nj
TAYLoR's.
PERIODICALS.
THE KNIcKERBoCKER for September is genial
and full Of life and fun ever.
THE LAW REPORTER for September, and the
mint volume Of the English La,r and Equity Re-
ports, from the press of LITTLE, BRowN s. Co., of
Boston, before The latter publication is
Issued every two months at twelve dollars year
to permanent subscribers. In this form the pro-
fesson furnished with the earliest reprint of the
English reports, and from their cheapness and tho
amount Of matter furnished, the present series
must commend itself to very general circulation.
1t may be found at WIN. M. MoRRIsoN's.
The Southern Literary Messenger, the IVhig Re-
vier, and the Democratic Reuie,c, for September,
have been received from the respective publishers.
The last-named magazine contains q number Of
wood-cut caricatures Of General ScoTT.
Iowa and IllinOis-Whig Mass Meeting.
The Wings of Iowa have invited the Wings of
Illinois to meet them in mass convention at old
Fort Armstrong, on Rock Island, midway in the
Mississippi river, between the cities Of Davenport
Iowa. and Rock leland, Illinois, and the invitation
has been responded to with the greatest unanimity
on the part OF the Wing press of Illinois. The
Chicago Journal says the gathering there may
therefore be regarded as fixed fact; and that pa
per adds:
"The time designated is the 2lst of September,
the anniversary OF General Scott's treaty with the
Sacs and Foxes, by which the Indian title to the
lands in Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin,
and Iowa, the fairest portion of the West, ex
tinguished to give place TO its present population
"We have the assurance Of friends at Rock
Island, Davenport, and the immediate region
round about that beautiful and romantic locality,
that ample provision will be made for the recep-
ton and comfort of such will be in attendance.
1.-THE Wings of Illinois, and especially in the
river counties, will be there to meet their friends
from Iowa in cordial welcome-all who are within
REACH and not needed at home should be there
eve expect also to meet number of our st.
Louis friends on the occasion, this is a favorie
resort OF theirs for summer recreation, from the
dust and din of a crowded city life.
Remember the day and place-Whig Mass
Convention at Rock leland, September 2lst.
IMMENSE RAFT OF LunBsn-hs Destination.-
A late number Of the Norfolk (Virgina) argus
says:
'We saw floating in the harbor yesterday sone
Of the largest RATS ever brought to waters. Its
length 500, and it's width 60 feet; it contained
GU, l56 cubic feet Situate about mid way of the
raft was tenement l6 by 80 feet, for the accom-
mediation of the who are employed to nevi.
gate it to s place Of destination Some of the pieces
OF timber are Of very large size. One piece mea-
surcs 59l cubic feet and SO feet long by 80 inches
square, The tolls upon it through the Dismal
Swamp Canal amounted to upwards Of $3.50. and
it sold, delivered here at port at price not far
from ST. 900. This floating of timber was
brought from the yellow pine forests of North Caro-
lna bordering upon Pamco Sound. Ii is intend