The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-06
NEW BOOKS.

Our attention has been so exclusively occu-
pied with other than literary matters, Tor some
time past, that we have not been able to no.
tice, in order, several new books which have
been laid on our table. At present, we can
only speak of two or three recent publications
of Ticknor & Co.
"PoEMs AND PARoDIEs," is the title of a
collection of the poetical writings of Phebe
Carey, who needs no introduction to the readers
of the Era. There is true poetry in this vol
ume-pure, womanly, and sweetly musical ut
terances of the heart as well as the intellect.
Somewhat less imaginative and fancifnl than
her sister Alice, the writer is truer to nature
and the actual experiences of life. There is
an intense reality of feeling in some of her
lyrics which is almost painful, and which sin
gularly contrasts with what we know Of her
sunny hearted and happy girlhood. Her Par
odies have great deal of characteristic clear
ness and wit; but with the exception Of
"Martha Hopkins "a perfect gem of bal
lad-are scarcely worthy of the place they
occupy in connection with the serious beauty
of the original poems.
@WENsLEy," a story without moral, is, We
think, the most successful attempt which has
yet been made to portray the peculiar trials of
New England society of the past generation.
The old-school Clergyman and his man Jasper
are evidently pictures from life, and are drawn
with skill, truthfulness and genial humor. 1t
seems to us the most readable book of the kind
which has appeared since Hawthorne's Blith-
dale Romance. The authorship is unac-
knowledged, but rumor ascribes it to, Edmund
Quincy, Esq, of Boston.
"ATHERToN, AND OTHER TALES" by Mary
Russell Milford, is an original work by the
author of "Our Village and every way equal
to those charming rural pictures of merry Eng
land. Indeed, we are inclined to rank Ather-
ton, as work of art, higher than any previous
production of the writer. It is faultless bit
of romance, the interest of which never flags
for moment. The book is elegantly printed
and is made doubly valuable by fine engra-
wing of the author-a beautiful, kindly face,
which Time has only touched lightly and low
ingly-our very ideal of true English gentle
woman. -. u. w.
THE SLAvE-owNER MODE OF TEACHING
SLAvEs.-The following "catechism for slaves"
is clipped from the Southern Episcopalian, q
reputable religious monthly magazine, publish
ed at Charleston, S. C.. 1t is taken from the
April number, 1854:
What keeps snakes and all bad things from
hurting you? AnsDer. God does.
Who gave you a master and mistress? God
gaze them to me.
Who says that you must obey thems God
Says that 1 must.
What book tells you these things? The
Bible.
How does God do all His works He always
does it right.
Does God love to work? Yes, God is always
at work.
Do the good angels work? Yes, they love
to please God.
What does God say about your work? He
that does not aUork, shall not cat
Did Adam and Eve have to work? Yes,
they were to keep the garden.
Was it hard to keep that garden? No, it
was very easy.
What makes the crops 80 hard to grow ?
Sin makes it.
AAAAoS yVu io1y Wy owA "iSAOu
heart
How do you know your heart is wicked? l
feel it every day.
What teaches you so many wicked things /?
The Devil.
Must you let the Devil teach you? No,
must not.n
The Concord IN. H. Independent Democrat
says:
"The huror Of the questions and answers
about work-pafticularly this: what does
God say about work2 He that will not work,
shall not eat will be appreciated, when we
remember that this is the religious instruction
provided, for those who do ali the hard ,cork-
ing, BY those who do all the good eating. Who
will not rejoice that those poor slaves are bless
ed with the consultations Of such Gospel lightq
Who will not thank God for revivals, which
bring those benighted children Of Africa under
the sanctfying Influences of such catechism
as the above?n
large deposite of bituminous coal has been
discovered in Halifax county, Virginia.