Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-17
LITERARY NOTICE.

LITERARY NOTICE.
SPIRITUAL PRoGREss or, Instructions in the Di-
vino Life Of the Soul. From the French Of Feue-
Ion and Madame Guyon Edited by James W.
Metcalf. New York w. Dodd. Sold by Gray q
Ballantyne, Seventh Street. Washington. One
volume.
The name of the author Of { Christian Conn-
sels," which constitutes the first part Of the
volume before us is sufficient recommendation
to those who are familiar with his graceful
style, and especially with his holy and deyont
life. II il the offspring q mind rich in
Christian experience, and thoroughly acquaint-
cd with the human heart He has looked with
searching eye into the unfathomable depths Of
the spirit and having seen the mysterious
workings of sin there, and how willy it cheats
us Of our souls, he gives us wise and unerring
directions how to deliver ourselves from it's
power. The eye can hardly rest upon page,
or even paragraph, which is not full Of val
able instruction. II possesses the "pith and
marrow Of the Puritan writer's, without their
numbering phrasaology. The design Of the
book is to lead to higher Christian expert
ence and stronger faith; in short to make
such ChristiGns as our fathers were. The
work il we'll calculated to meet the wants of
the present time, when the earnest desire for
progress" in almost everything but the di-
vine life, has left no room for secret self.com-
munings and quiet meditation. 1t will. prove
q valuable guide to the Christian, and would
be suitable companion for the Bible at morn
ing and evening private dcvotions
The Short and Easy Method Of Prayer"
and ~ Concise Vieo Of the Way to God" by
Madame Guyon, which forms the second part
of the book, is beautifully written, and breathes
much the same spirit as do the writings Of her
friend, Archbishop Fenelon. She differed in
many points from theologians generally, but
she was woman Of pure and elevated mind,
and high aims and purposes. Her writings
are highly devotional, and her graceful and
elegant style and holy fervor will recommend
them to every reader of good taste and real
piety. g.
LET THEM BE REMEMBERED.-We learn
from the New York Times that on Sunday af-
ternoon colored man named Matthews, who
was employed on board Of the packet ship
Three Bells, in the capacity Of head cook, died
from the effects of exhaustion. 1t appears the
deceased was strong, powerful man, and du-
ring the appalling scenes in saving the passen-
gers from the San Francisco, he over-exerted
himself and lost his life thereby. He leaves
wife and two children living in that city. II
is said that several Of the crew Of this vessel
are quite i'll, from their exertions and exposure.
The Philadelphia Sun well says:
1--WE arc an impulsive nation, and very apt
TO go to extremes in laudation; but can we do
or say too much in favor of that glorious man
and noble sailor, Capt Creighton, of the Three
Bells who laid by the San Francisco six days,
engaged in the chivalrous rescue Of her suffer-
ing passengers and crew. We think NOT and
we hope to sec something done on magnifi-
cent scale, to show the national sense of obi
CATION to the generous captain and crew, who
mperilled their own lives to save 30 many of
our cherished sons and daughters. The Three
Bells ia an iron vessel, owned by three broth
ers, Bell, OF Glasgow, and those who were res
cued are loud in praise of her commander
they unanimously state that no language Is
adequate to describe the kind and considerable
manner in which they were treated, and the
readiness manifested to supply their necessi-
ties One of the officers. when asked about the
captain of the Three Bells, replied, with feel
ing emphasis, and his eyes watered as he
spoke, sHc is gentleman, God bless him-he
is n gentleman, What shall we do then, to
let Capt Creighton and his crew know how
much we appreciate his generous conduct"
Let us do much in his honor, and no less in
a practical and substantial form.
WREcKs ON THE CoAsT OF FLORIDA 1t il
stated in n letter to the New York Herald, from
Key West, that twenty eight vessels were wreck
ed on the Florida reef during the last year, and
twenty-nine arrived in distress. The estimated
value Of these vessels and their cargoes was
50, 0s2 500, &C which only about 1890, 100 was
the loes Of underwriters. The amount paid for
salvage was $i7l,350, and for repairing, Sc,
$i55,750.
PROBABLE INrANTIcfDE.--At 9 o'clock this
morning, Officer Barnaclo brought to the Cen.
trail Police Office the body Of white child,
which had been found in lot on Fourteenth
street, near Franklin Row. TWAS wrapped
up in what we suppose were the ragged under
garments OF its wretchcd mother We should
think the child had lived a few days after it's
birth. We saw no marks Of violence upon it
An inquest has not yet been held.
THE CAPTAIN or THE SAN FaANcrsco-
Capt James r Watkins, the noble and heroic
commander Of the unfortunate steamship San
Francisco, is a native Of Anne Arundel county,
Maryland. Ills wife is from the same county.
She was formerly Mics Merrken.
10 The Albany Argus is intensely delight
cd with the musical performances Of the Misses
Collins, two young ladies who won great praisc
in this city some months SINCE and who, We