The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-12-18
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Tse RIFLE AXE SADpLBBAos; and other Lectures.
By William Henry Milburn With an Introduction by
McClintock, d. D. Portrait of the author, on steel
New York Derby & Jackson. 1857. For sale by Tay-
lor L Msury, Washington, D. C.
Under the somewhat singular leading title
above, We have presented to US a series of
graphic sketches relating to the early settle
ment of the Western country, especially of
kentucky, where the scene ia mostly laid. AS
the representatives of the hardy pioneer, and
the psriIs and adventures of Indian warfare,
and the sufferings endured, we have Daniel
Boone, and some of his companions. A vari-
ETY. of incidents is given from the early ira
ditions or annals of the State, and very effect
i've picture thus wrought out. In the second
sketch we see the sturdy woodman, with the
proud forest bowling before his advance, the
progress of settlement-and here are inter.
mingled numerous illusions and descriptions
referring to the rude manners and customs of
such a period, evidently drawn from life !;
while, "a third division, the author intro
duces the preachers belonging TO his persua-
sion, including Henry Bascom, celebrated as
the most eloquent of Western pulpit orators.
AL these sketches are attractive, and show not
little talent of popular address. Such we
know to belong to Mr.. Milburp, and the Intro
duction relates many striking particulars of his
early life and subsequent history. Our readers
will hardly need to be informed that he is
blind, was Chaplain in Congress, and is re-
garded as an eloquent preacher and lecturer.
Another portion of this volume, called "Songs
in the Night" contains illusions to his blind
ness, and is interspersed with poetical extracts
bearing on his subject. There are also two
other divisions, embracing different pieces, one
entitled "An Hours Talk About Woman" and
the last, French Chivalry in the Southwest"
1t will thus be seen that there is quite va
riety Of topics. The author has been very sue
cessfrl in producing book fitted to engage
the attention Of his readers. His style is ami
mated, sometimes much more elevated than at
others, occasionally redundant, but not open
10 this objection so greatly as in the case of
many lecturers.
RscoLLscroNs cs \ ZoUAvE BEFoRE SKBAsrAPoL Edited
by DR. Felix Maynard, Elk sanitary Physician Trans
lated from the Fs,nch, by Mr., NJ. Harrison Robinson
Philadelphia Hayes Il Zell. 1886. For sale by Franck
Taylor, Washington, ID. c.
The late Russian war has been the occasion
OF numerous books relating to its various scenes
OF conflict, and the events transporting during
the long and memorable siege of the fortress
OF the Crimea. Many an officer has given his
experience, and we have had thus published
details of operations, with personal adventures.
This little volume is mainly devoted to the
recollections of a trumpeter belonging to the
famous corps of Zouaves, formed originally,
we believe, in the African expeditions of the
French at Algiers, and bearing an honored
place among their warriors before Sebastopol.
Inc trumpeter is present at many attacks and
engagements, and shares in the bold and dar-
ing efforts on frequent occasions in the opera
lions there carried OF, till he is wounded most
severely in the shoulder, and sent to the hos
pital at Pera, and thence transferred to France.
The whole of his own adventures, intermingled
with those of lis comrades, is told graphically,
and just as one might suppose such story of
har-breadth escapes and reckless adventures
might be told by such a person, while there is
such an honest, manly expression of the SOL
der, and such grateful recognition of the
care and attention received in his residence in
the hospital, that he engages the readers in
terest, and we do not feel when we reach the
close, as if the book was too long, but would
rather not part company so soon with the en-.
tsrtaining narrator.
Sketches ike these give better idea of the
actual appearance of the camp, and the man
ner in which the siege is carried on, than the
official reports, which can of course do little to
represent the individual and personal relations
CT the different corps who bore part in the
great spectacle that was there acting out be-
fore the world. The dark side, and the bright
en- too, Of an army, are presented to us, and
many curious and sometimes comical incl
dent drops in naturally with the lively talk of
the wounded hero, whose great regret seems to
oe that ne was not able longer to sound the
charge, as he had been wont to do for the
Hoaaves, and to mix himself up in the heaviest
part OF the 6ght. The translation appears to
De well executed, and the book is one not
easily laid down, when taken up, till it is read
through.
iHk POETRY os The East. BY William Rounseville Al
ger Boston; Whiiiemore, Niles, & Hall. 1856. For
sale By Taylor Maury, Washington DC.
This is perhaps the FIRST regular attempt in
this country to lay before the public selection
from the rich treasures of Oriental poetry, by
various authors. Single pieces have found
their way into collections of elegant extracts,
and occasionally some one has thrown off q
version or imitation of an ode, or a part of q
poem. In TIE reprints of English poets, like
WISE, more frequently similar attempts have
been made thus to reproduce the products of
Oriental Imagination. But nothing like the
efforts of Herder. Ruckert, and others, among
the Germans, to set forth the phases of Orient
al thought in their long celebrated poetry, has
ever been tried among Us. We question some
what whether we are not too much matter of
fact people to be attracted easily by some Of
these E.5les Of Oriental poetry. They better