The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-15
LITERARY NOTICES

CIVIL WARS AND MONARCHY IN France. By Leo
pold Ranke. Translated by NJ A. Carney New
York: Harper Brothers. For sale by Franck
Taylor, Penn. avenue, Washington d. c..
A general knowledge of historical events in
France, will prepare any one to appreciate this
remarkably concise and philosophical history
of the development of the French nation, of the
civil wars which attended the establishment Of
its monarchy, and of the unlimited pretensions
and wonderful power which made France for
long period the central point of the move
ments which agitated Europe and the rest of
the world" The distinguished author follows
none of the ordinary models. His history is
rather dissertation than a narrative--a dis.
sertation however, in which epochs are care
fully defined and critical events clearly desig-
mated 80 that the reader is enabled to perceive
the causes which determined the internal con-
No one who carefully follows this author, and
takes the pains to comprehend his mastery
congratulations can fail to obtain a most salts
factory view of France in all stages of it's de-
velopment.
ScorA's BARDs. Illustrated New York Carter &
Brothers. For sale by Gray Ballantyne, 7th
street. Washington, d. C.
This is most tasteful collection OF poems
from Scotia's Bards-illustratve of her scene
ry, her traditions her eventful history, and the
social life of her peOple-printed in volsme,
which for beauty of paper, Typography, and
Embellishments, would excite the admiration of
those famous old authors, could they be allow
ed a peep into it. 1t will serve admirably for
q New Years Gift, and not the less so for pos
sessing permanent value
TIE Book OF NATURE. BY Frederic Schroeder Phi
d. Philadelphia Blanchard & Lea
This Is favorite German work designed as
an elementary introduction to the natural sci
ences. Translated from the sixth German edi-
ton, by Henry Medlock, in England, it has
been reprinted for the first time in America
under the direction of an American editor, who
has corrected some errors which escaped the
attention of the English editors, and made some
additions, with view of adapting it to the stu
dents Of our country. We find ia it the main
facts of the natural sciences condensed and
presented according to clear method, so that
the student is greatly aided in his investga-
tions. The attempt to manufacture scientific
infants, or to make boys and girls knowing in
physics astronomy, botany &c, before their
minds are disciplined by some attention to the
classics and mathematics, we have no patience
with. Such education may make smatterers
sciolists, sweet fools, but not thoroughly dsc-
plined and strong thinkers But, when the
student has acquired, by course of mental
gymnastics, the power Of using his faculties at
his will such work as this Of Schoedlers will
be of service to him.
SUNRISE AND SUNSET; n True Tale. By Helen +
Parker. Auburn Derby 4 Miller
We take pleasure in noticing this "true
tale from the pen of one whose contribu-
tons have occasionally graced the columns OF
the Era. It u told in a simple and an earnest
style and tNo2uthoress shows that the heart
though it may be saddened by its first great
disappointment, need not DO broken; that
though its sunrise may bo cloudcd, its sunset
may be serene