New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE POETS AND POETRY OF AMERICA: By Rsrys
& McSllsn SUD BY Z. P. kadd.
The Issue Of the sixteenth edition Is an unmstsk-
able testimony 10 the popular value of this work as
record of American literature. CONSISTING ss IL does
for the most part OF extr sets from the various poets in
different epochs of national culture, il forms sig
ncapt commentary the deveio 3meDt of literary srt
in the Western world. Dr. Griswold is Justly entitled
10 the concentrations he has won in Amos; every in
tellgept circle for the manner IN which he has per
formed his task less degree of zeal and enterprise
Than that which has prompted his abors, woul have
proved inadequate to its cNm )lishmenf He hiss
exp'ored the whole field OF Amei an authorship,
gail ri up he scattered productions of genius as
well as it's rpened harves.s aud never crossing weary
in bis researches for specimens of crsdsble poetry
or for suthepc bog phcal notices of their aubors
Ip general he has been ring uary successful in his Sc
lesiious. Few Ame lean poets OF marx and merit can
sccuse him OF neglect Indeed, he rather ers ID too
iscle admission into bis pegs ,bsn on the score Of
arrow snd un worthy eIclusveness. Gee or two IN
stances Of on siop, lie that of Eitry CHANGING for
example loob ore like he exercise OF caprice orpe
judce than Of genuine cultivated taste; but these
are &C, ,anly ra,e and caa call 10 mind but few
names entitled 10 place in such collection, whose
abssn,e We have remarked. In bis comments
on the poets DR.. Grswold ia usually judicious
and discrimns,iDg is, to great exteLt free from
the % tuance OF criticism-le appreciates different
styles Of excellence, without urging uniform and
memorable standard to which nature is avere in all
her choicest growtbs-nor does be regsd compNa-
tyel, nnsucoe sful author as victim to be tOrmened
20 much as fac. to be regis cred. lie is visa in
aiming a, historical accuracy more than a, critical
IL; Ia mat ala fnr
f rmipg his OVID judgment instead of iores'aiog his
opinion by dogmstic assertions. Some exceptions to
this prevailing trait occur in the of the volume
and their effect is the unpleasant on account OF
their contrast with the general tone Of fairness aud
impartisi'y which is pursued by the editor. Of the
younger living poets, DR.. Grswold has gisen ample
50, cmens accompanied by just and generous notices
In the present edition he has introduced several
Nance many Of the notices entirely rewritten, aud
eli are corrected and enlarged, when necessary, 10
adsp. them 70 the most recent date. The volume s
enbelshed with nine portraits of oistiDg poets,
bat mcst Of them fa TO give satisfactory representa-
tion of their originals, and in two or three they are
shockipsly csrcatured. Not gitbs4ndDg THE defect,
The volume deserves 70 fill fsvorte place In every
ibrsry-t forms an importsn, historical Illustration OF
in'e lectual progress in this country-snd while it
brings the Of the great and the gifted IN the
circle If household reverence ana love, it will prove
durable monument Of The literary taste and enthusiasm
OF he editor.
TIE GOSPELS; wra HO..L REFLECTION. on r &c.
yERss. By P,seU "a QuEssEt zyoa, $40, PIP. oB,
GO. Pbisdelphs: PsrJ henD,ao.
The history of this work has several features Of c1r
ous interest. The author born in Paris in 1854,
though his grandfather a native of Scotlaod.
Educated in the Roman Catholic faith be eo,ered the
Reigi, Us Congregation of the Oraaire 10 1857. From
bis earliest years be devoted himself TO the s,Idy OF
the Scrt lures and OF the fathers of the church He
soon began to comp books of piey, chiefly in ended
for The young persons under bis The work now
published has been denounced by eminent authorities
The best pr accal commentary the Eyangelists eX
tant. II is not, however, critical or p1iar exposi
ton Of he Gospels but election Of noralreaecilC ns
on each yene. As repository Of Original aud striking
medi.s,ions in this point Of view, superiority has
been claimed for it over any work IN the language
No edition has before proceeded from the American
pre.s-a neglect which is probably owing TO The fact
that the author was known, known at all Only asa
minister OF the Roman Catholic Church. Bu be wrs
20 lille imb ned ith tbs spirit OF her commlDon, tbas
hi, very work was condemned by the Vatican, In the
famous Bail Unigeni.us, which points out over a
hundred propositions as hereica This fact" says
zoe AmerIcAc eCIIOf, snOulu pDcu~
ton Of enlightened Protestsns II is true that the
original editions # the work contain many passages
repugnsnt 10 Protestant tastes. A large portion Of
these were omitted in the Eogith edition; sone Of
them, however, we're overlooked, and these have now
been e,puDged With uIsparing fidelity. The work is
introduced by highly commendstory essay from the
pen OF the Rev Dr. Wilson, Bishop Of Calcutta who
says; We have nothing in practical divinity so
sweet so SPIRITUAL, 50 interior, as TO the real life OF
grses-so rich, so copous, so original. We have
nothing that eIols the gracs Of God and alarm, sad
lowers man go entirely"
A PRONoUNCIS9 EXPLANATORY, AVID sYSoSY-
nous DICTIONARY W TIE EStLi,h Ian
GuA9E. sTo., pp. 5e5. Bostoni hSh-Hs' s~n |
Br.vn.
Dr.. worcestfr's labors as learned, discreet, and |
conservative photographer s'e well known to Aned- |
can and English phIologis.g. Withou, cherssng
reckless Love Of innovation, Re allows fair hearing 70
alleged Improvements ia orthogsphy and orthoepy
ard though jealous for the integrity Of the Engsh
vernscuIar be,rsys desire 70 confne Us progre..
.i,e spirit in leading strings He Is not blind par
tssD IN matters Of langusge-his candor is equal -
bic eonscieni ,ress-and beth are large; while he is
sirg ulsrly free from The nsrowness and pet1lance
which would seem 10 be the characteristic vices Of
grs mn ariaIs sad verbal critics His "Compreben-
sise Die nary" which was fif't published in $780,
90 m abe iuoroyenen, N thu in ANAL.