Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-30

With an Introduction, by Robert Baird, u d.
Published by M. w. Dodd, Now York. For salo
BY Gray Bailantyne, Washington, D. G. \.
In this travelling age, when everybody who
goes abroad writes q book, and tells us just
what hundreds have told us before, il is re-
freshing to find something that bears tho stamp
Of freshness and originality. The work before
us is Of this character; no dull, monotonous list
Of places passed at railroad speed, but lively,
racy volume, full Of interesting and instructive
matter The descriptions are rapid and ami
mated, always giving clear idea Of the OBJ
jeot, and sufficiently minute to answer for
guide-book, yet never continuing long enough
to be tedious Neither does the author inflict
upon his readers long account Of his intense
and overwhelming emotions at this or that
place, "piling up the agony till the reader
is fain to turn away and leave the page UNI
read; but like skilful artist, -whc expresses
more with one stroke Of the pencil than an
other would with a hundred, no says a few
significant words, and then, like the ever-chan-
ging scenes Of q panorama, hastens on to other
topics.
The interest of the work is greatly enhanced
by brief sketches he gives in passing of what
ever historical association or important event
may be connected with the places visited, thus
rendering the book as instructive as entertain
ing. Dr. Baird, whose power to judge cannot
be questioned, has given in his introduction
high recommendation to the book; and we
agree with him, that " it is altogether the
most readable and instructive book Of travels
embracing the same field, nwe have had before
usin long time. Let those who have a penciant
for foreign travel, without the power to crafty
il, read this book. It will be the best substi-
tute for the desired enjoyment ho can find
and, like Cowper at his Preside he can say,
" He travels, and / too. tread his decks,
Ascend his topmasts, through his peering Dyes
Discover countries, with kindred heart,
Suffer his woes and share in his escapes;
While fancy like the finger of a clock,
Runs tho great circuit, and is still Mt homer
G.
The CRUISE OF THE STEAM YACHT NoRTm STAR.
narrative Of tho Excursion Of Mr.. Vanderbilt,s
party to England. Russia, Denmark, France, Spain,
Italy Malta, Turkey. and Madeira BY the Rey.
JOuu oNSftOH OuOuics, ~ ~ DOStOu. dOulu ~
Lincoln. Sold by Taylor Maury, Washington,
DC vol, PIP. 35s
This is a beautiful book, written in the best
style for the purpose, Of beautiful voyage in
beautiful steamer, under the command Of it's
owner, the veteran Captain Vanderbilt, who.
having made million or two, determined to
let tho world SOC that he knew how to spend il
like lord; and, accordingly, this grand yacht
ing party, consisting Of tho Captain and his
family only, including as was most fitting,
chaplain and historiographer; and il the Duke
de Montpensier was happy in the selection Of
Dumas to be tho historian of his progress when
visiting the Court of Spain as the alFanccd
Of the lnfanta, in like manner was Captain
Vanderbilt fortunate in selecting as his chap
lain and historian the companionablc gifted,
and variousIy accomplished, Doctor John Over
ton Choules. Nobody need fear Of finding
mixed mp in these pages matters irrelevant;
for, though written by Doctor Of Divinity,
there is no divinity, nor pious reflections, nor
extracts from his diary, obtruding themselves
into the midst Of pages giving accounts Of the
good times they all had abroad. Captain Van
dcrbilt as is well known, is remarkable for
terseness Of expression, q oompacted force of
argument and Spartan simplicity, rarely TO be
equalled; but instead Of these sententous ut
terapces, We have in these pages long speeches
Of his, leaving tho impression upon the reader
that the Reverend Doctor has most marvel
lous memory and not only the Captains table
speeches. but those Of the son in-law, and the
Reverend Chaplain HIMSELF are all duly re-
corded Indeed, those glorious days spent by
the party in the port Of Southampton are
worthy Of living in the memories OF all who
were participants OF the feast Of good things,
and Of wines well refined
In conclusion, we lay down this book with
the most kindly sentiments for all on board,
and OF all for the historiogaphcr and tho
feeling flowed in upon us as we came to tho
last page which Cowpcr has expressed Cor us:
"Now let us sing. long live the king,
And Gilpin, long live he;
And when he next doth ride abroad
May be there TO Sec"
CONVICTION or SACRED AND PRoFANK HIsToRY
Being Review Of tho Principal Events in the
World, MS they bear upon the state Of Religion,
from the close Of the Old Testament History to the
establishment Of Christianity. BY ID. Davidson
Three volumes in New York: Carter Broth
ers For sale by Gray a BalIsntync and r.. Farm
ham, Washington, d. G.
Most people suppose the historical books
bound up in the Apocrypha in the Family Bible
supply the links Of history between the close
Of the Old Testament and tho New Testament
This is an erroneous impression. This work
has been written recently, and all readers Of
tho Scriptures will find here Just what they
have felt need of-thc completion Of tho His
tory Of tho Jews, the Conquest Of Jerusalem,
the subversion Of the Jews, and the triumph Of
the Roman Empire. I