The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-24
LITERARY NOTICES.
d. F.. d., e.. s.

work, and noticed its leading features In
third volume embraces the period from the So
zure of Napoleon as q prisoner of war, and hi
exile in St. Helena, to the day of his death
is full of Lamartines poetry and philosophy.
SHADRs OF CHARACTER; or. The Infant Pilgrim
Anne woodroofe. vols. New York: Robe'
Carter Brothers. For sale by Gray Balantyn'
eth street Washington ID. G.
This is a religious novel-not religious Il
spirit or sentiment alone, but in technology
1t is hard to make such work agreeable bu
the authorizes has ventuIed upon the task Sh
writes in good style, and incucates excellen
sentiments
The HIGHER LAW in its relations to Civil Govern
ment with particular reference to Slavery and tn
Fugitive Slave Law. By William HOsmer. Au
burn; Derby Miller.
The author puts forth this book under tn
conviction that it IL the bOunden duty OF al
Christian ministers to take an active, promi
nent part on the side of the slave, in the dis
cussion of the question of Slavery; not only be
cause it is work of mercy to do battle for hin
who is wrongfully bound and unable to do bat
tie for himself, but because this said question
of Slavery involves principles in which is cen
tered the whole vitality Of the Christian faith
He contends upon true premises, that it is theil
duty to preach the Higher Law, as transcend
ing all other laws inasmuch as in its dena
the prime basis of the whole doctrine of Christ
is denied. He contends and again upon true
premises, that this duty /" is incidental to the
statesman, but not to the minister, for he il
charged with the defence of the Gospel"
The book is made up of a series of articles
each of which is an anal ysis of the Higher Law
in its relation to some one of the prominent
questions of the day. They are all remarkable
for quiet force, logical argument and clear
appreciation of the whole scope of the subject
The book is neatly printed, and opens with {
portrait of Mr.. Seward.
The DAuGHTERs OF ZION By Rev. S. D. Burchard
d. ID. New York John s. Taylor. For sale b,
Gray 4 Ballantyne, Washington, d. C.
The author has been induced to prepare an(
put forth this volume, by the feeling that in the
multitudinous daily book,births Of this won
drously prolific age, the Bible, considered mere
ly as literary production, was being deposet
from its legitimate position. His feeling vii
be at least respected by all who are familiar
with the exquisite beauty of those biographical
episodes which abound in Biblical History HI
has taken pains to arrange them in chronology
cal order, beginning with Sarah and ending
with Mary Magdalene. tasteful simplici
ty and reverent earnestness characterz
the style of these narratives, and they are MOI
as too often happens in such cases, overloade
with sectarian comments and Interpolation
Steel engraved representations of maiorit
of the Daughters" accompany their hist
ries.
The POLITICAL WORKS OF Henry AFFORD, Vicar
wymeswold, Leicestershire. Boston Tickno
Reed, Fields. For sale by Taylor & Maur
Washington, d. C.
Mr.. Afford is one of those who believe tbs
it is the Office of Poetry to incorporate itse
with the Present-tO exercise its refining inti'
ence upon the now -enacting events Of the worl,
He desires that, instead of terrestrializing al
gels, Ia la Festus Bailey DEMONSTRATING the moo
and stars, and paraphrasing ancient myths an
traditions, it should kick off its high-heele
boots and walk earnestly and bravely alOn
with the world-constitute itself the brakeman
as it were, on the engine of Progress, and Ell
deavor to modify this sixty miles an-hour in
petus which it has acquired somehow or othe
towards utter materialism. The distingushin
elements of his poetry seem to be perfect puri'
of sentiment, directness and strength Of though
and simplicity of language, combined with
deep, earnest, ever present religious faith. W
have been most attracted to those poems whic
describe actual experiences, and therefore r.
quire least aid from the imagination-in Il
absence of which faculty or at least the high'
form of it, consists his most notable defcienc
~ poet and herein we fancy, lies the secre
perhaps unknown to himself of his theory
regard to the functions of Poetry.
OF the Typography, SC, Of the book, it is 81
perfuous to speak, inasmuch as it comes frol
Messrs Ticknor & Co.
! TUE SUCCESSFUL MERCHANT BY William Arthu
A. NJ. New York; d. Appleton Co. For sa
| by X. Farnham, Washington, ID. C.
This purports TO be the biography of rel
character, followed through the thousand an
one intricacies Of an active and successful con
mercal life Its object ia to counteract II
deplorable tendencies of commerce rs conduc
ed nowadays II is meant to show that ma
can be merchant and successful me
chant" without immolating the hottest an
Coolest attributes of his nature--witho,
making Of himself mere thermometer, ind
eating the money temperature of Wall stree
1t is an earnest good book.
| AUTOGRAPHS FoR FREEDou. Boston j. p. Jewe
a Co, Cleveland, Ohio Jewett, Proctor, L Wort
ington
This is neat collection Of sketches sho
essays, and poems, from the pens OF some
the most prominent laborers in the gener
cause of Freedom, with fac SMILES Of their 7
spective autographs attached Among thel
We note the Earl Of Carlisle, the Bishop of o
ford, Horace Mann, Horace Greeley, White
Mrs Stowe, Mrs. Kirkland, Nc. The purpo
Of this publication is to aid in spreading Il
doctrine Of Anti-Slavery not only by IDS imm
date influence, but by the proceeds Of its sal
The project is ingenious and commendable, al
originated with the Rochester Ladies Ani,. 81
very Society. Success TO it
LADY-BIRD. 4 Tale by Lady 0eergan. Fulle
ton. New York D. Appleton a Go. For sale |
X. FArnham, Washington, D. G.
One Of that class Of novels which may |
characterized as pasively good-po~sssiu
neither prominent merits nor prominent d