The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06

uesnmeht sdioon OF the House OF Commons,
and have carouse. every WELL" said Fox,
" Let us have game on the road. He who
utters the stupidcst joke, or makes the worst
pun, before we reach st. Stephens, shall be ex-
cused paying his share of the wine. agreed"
said his companions, Sheridan, and Plowden
the historian. The trio had nearly reached
Northumberland House, and Fox had not
opened his lips. Suddenly a porter, with
hare dangling in his hand, rushed into the
centre of the party, in order to avoid a passing
carriage, and nearly upset Fox. 81 beg your
pardon" said the man. "No harm done, my
FRIEND" replied Fox, but may take the lib
erty of asking you, if that be your own hare, or
a wig? ?" Sheridan and Plowden gave in"
without further contest.
1t is full of anecdote, and to us many of
them are new, and of sparkling interest. They
meet you, like friend turning corner, unex-
pectedly, and to your delight for, as we have
before said, there is no method adopted by
the author to prevent him from following the
impulse of the moment in any direction his
humor takes him; but he never runs off with
out taking the reader along with him, who is
always repaid foS the excursion he is called
upon to make.
TIE BUSH BOYS the History Adventures of Cape
Farmer and his Family in the Wild Karoos of Southern
Africa. BY Captain Mayne Reid With twelve illus
trauons. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. One volume,
PIP. 1885, For sale by Taylor Maury, Washington
This is another of those attractive books
which boys delight so much to read, full of ad-
ventures with wild animals and wild men, and
in the telling of which Captain Reid manages
to make his readers acquainted with natural
history and the history of the races where his
story is placed. There are twelve admirable
pictures to this volume, illustrative of the scenes
described.
JACKSON AND New ORLEANS. An authentic Narrative of
the Memorable Achievements of the American Army
under General Jackson before New Orleans in the
winter of 1si4-r5. BY Alexander Walker. New
York: ]. C. Derby. One volume, PIP. Ali. For sale
by Taylor Maury, Washington ID. c.
Forty years has elapsed since the victory of
General Jackson closed the war with England.
1t was the browning glory of American arms,
and has been followed by most important con-
sequences to the country, not then within the
prescience of man. The victory of New Or
leans has eventuated in the dynasty of General
Jackson. But without. looking into this book
from any other standpoint than the history of
the event itself, it is a contribution to the his
tory of the country. The author has shown
great diligence and care in presenting all the
incidents which preceded and took place in the
hoftlo IF fho af He
has carefully preserved the names of all the
actors in this campaign, and has presented a
volume which cannot fail to interest the public,
especially those young hearts who love to live
over the perilous events of their country's his
| tory.
THE Mystic and other Poems. BY Philip James Bailey,
author OF Festus" One vol, PIP. 159 Boston: Ticknor
Fields. For sale by Taylor & Maury, Washington.
politicians" says Taper, in DIsraelis
"New Crusade" scare for nothing so much
as to have good cry with which to open a
campaign; )" and authors are usually very
anxious about good title, and nothing is so
much sought for by those literary gentlemen
vino make fortunes by selling books, as " ia,
king tnlepage." Now, we think Mr.. Bailey
has not been fortunate in his subjects. We
have the Mystic for the first poem, and a
"Spiritual Legend" for the second. The web
of both are alike mystical, and they will be
read because they are written by the "author
of 'Festus.' The scheme and aim of this
last poem is not unlike the end and aim OF
Festus," and is thus expressed on page 1873
And when il tn end,
Unnumbered times, duration unbethought,
Have passed, shall God His name be ever blessed
| And sanched) another world causate:
| The powers of all spirits shall aggrandize
| In every thought, design desire, shall reign
| And glorify Himself undoubtedly;
| Into their hands, all mortal desiinies give,
And bid them rule and bless wherever stretch His skies
| The angels
| AMERICAN DIPLoMAez The Adventures of my Cousin
| Smooth. BY Timothy Templeton, of Tewksbury. New
York and Auburn Miller, Orion, & Mulligan New
York, 25 Park Row. 1856.
| Deragoguism is the besstting vice of Re-
publics; and the United States being the great
est Republic which the world has ever seen,
flor the Republic of Rome was confined, even
in its palmiest days, to the city wals,) is more
afflicted By it than any other, since the begin
ming Of time. 1t ia only in moments of real
peril that the best men are brought to the sur
face of society, while these "piping times Of
peace" are characterized by the ascendency
of mercenary partisans, whose sole ambition
is to wear the titles of official station, vaunt
themselves on their brief authority, and revel
in the spoils.
1t is unlucky for the honor of the country
that the political vermin are not content with
the monopoly of domestic honors, but insist
on going to foreign lands for the exhibition Of
their emptiness snd vanity. For years past
intelligent Americans have deplored the low
standard of character and attainments required
of our National representatives abroad, many
of whom, by their dissipated habits and vulgar
manners, have brought dishonor upon the name
of American.
Our author has rendered valuable service
to his country by his admirable satire upon
the diplomatic vice and folly to which we have
referred.
The reader will be particularly amused and
instructed by the chapters devoted to the o.
tend Congress, and to the ingenious method
which has been discovered for the payment Of
diplomatic debts. We regret that our narrow
limits forbid the making extensive extracts
from these humorous sketches. There may
be different opinions as to the merits of some
of the earlier chapters of the book; but we
cannot be mistaken in characterizing those
above referred to, and some others, particu
1 l..