Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-23
NEW BOOKS.

From Robert Farnham we have TIE LIFE OF PHILIP Me-
LANcHrHoS: Lindsay s. Blakiston Philadelphia.
Melanchthon like most Of the German scholars Of that
era discarded his harsh teutonc oognomen, ScUarsd=
black assumed the harmonious Greek synonym
by which he is known in history.
The mild Reformer is distinguished the author Of
the Augsburg Confession, well by the extensive in
fuence welded by him the scientific and religious
culture Of Gemany and the amable Erasmus confesses
that he was general favorite with honest and candid
men, and that his adversares could not hate him.
The book is translated by Lutheran Divine, and APP
pears faithful narrative Of the life and abors Of the
great German Doctors Of the violent fuds the endless
discussions the stormy poemcs which agitated and dis
traced the band Of Reformers and which embttsred the
life and troubled the restless pillow Of the dying
We insert curious passage from page 80. During .
visit to Bretten the residence Of his mother that
rabas LADY who continued pious Cstholic, asked her
son: But what am to believe amidst many different
opinions Of the present dayf" $50 on" replied Me-
lanchthon "believe and pray you now do and have
done before and do disturb yourself about the dis
putes and controversies Of the time"
We have from Morrison & Co. THE LANDS OF THE SARA.
CEN, by BAYARD TAYLOR: New York, Putnam.
The public is not unacquanted with the works o. this
distinguished traveller orator. and poets for in each Of
these characters he has achieved reputation and
golden opinions.
This volume includes his travels in Palestine, Asia
Minor Sicily and Spain; and the Journey from Aeppo
Constantnople through the heart of Asia Minor illus
ates regions rarely raversed by tourists and will doubt
less be most Of readers Leaving antiquarian
research and speculation to other hands, the authors
sole aim has been to give correct picture Of Oriental
life and its gorgeous scenerythe sacred hills Of Pales
tine the sun-gilded mnarets of Damascus the lonely
pine forests Of Phrygia.
From Taylor s. Maury we have The LONDON ART-JoUR
NAL, No. II, for November, 1854.
The Journal, with its exquisite engravings needs nj
encomium at our hands. In fact, description may
convey adequate Impressions Of the phases Of beauty
To be appreciated they must be The plates in thi
number are
/. Country Cousins. q The Nymph. 8. View on the
Thames. 4. Examples Of the Artists Of Germany.
These fine engravings from paintings Of excel
ence from the easels Of Redgrave Phillips, and Turner
distinguished members Of the Royal Academy
The letter-press contains Dictionary Of Terms Of Art
Pictures Of the Crystal Palace and the Progress Of Art
Manufacture, all elegantly iustrateda walk through
the studios Of Rome directions for painting and dAwng
from an ancient manuscript architectural decorations
with many other topics relative to the progress Of thu
Fine Arts. Published in New York by Virtue, EN-
mons Co.
THE NORTH BRITISH REVIEW comes freighted with it
usual stores Of valuable articles. On running it
able dispositions, The Insouble Problem The Won
ders Of the Shore,' and Sir Henry Hollands Treatis
on Mental Physiology and Electro Biology" viii arres
the attention of readers.
In the article ON Popular Education it is painful to
cognise the existence alarming degree fgnoranc
and depravity in the 6onay brks Of Scotland tn
land Of the heather and the glen Of chvary and song
and in days Of yore the model nation Of Europe in morals
piety, and learning.