The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-04-02

tiful-a heart thoroughly imbued with rever-
ence for the sacred volume, and graphic pen,
with which to record his impressions, he candid
ly weighs testimony, and gives his opinions
without dogmatism. We think his work es-
pecially valuable for the light which it throws
on the Interpretation of Scripture, by the Incl
dental as well as more direct testimony con-
tanned in every page. He is so well acquaint
ed with every portion of the Bible, that coinci-
dences of customs and manners, and confrma-
ton Of the veracity OF the writer's, come unsought
con.ina aly into his memory; and thus there are
more isSss quoted and referred to incidentally in
his pages, than in almost any single volume of
travels Of the same kind recently published. 1t
is the production, therefore, of q scholar, a man
of taste, and q Christian; and we cordially
commend it to place in the Sabbath School
and Family Library, as q work that will add
| increasing strength to the conviction of the ex-
cellency of the Bible, in all its parts. We
wish, however, there had been added to its other
attractions good map, which we always re-
| gard as of prime Importance in a book travels.
| The author promises future work, Notes of
Journey through the Land of Promise"
which, we hope, will also be hereafter given by
the same publishers to the American public.
RAY OF LIGHT TO BRIGHTEN COTTAGE HOMES. BY the
Author of "A Trap to Catch Sunbeam" &c New
| York Robert Carter & Brothers. For sale by Gray
| Ballantyne, Washington.
| Ever since Miss blanche, who now, however,
bears matron name which has escaped our
memory, exhibited to the world "a Trap to
Catch Sunbeam" her ability to combine the
useful with the pleasing has been unhesitating.
ly acknowledged. Now, after so long silence
that her readers have not only had ample time
for testing her plan for securing sunshine upon
life's rugged pathway, but have been obliged to
console themselves by looking back at Old
Jolife," Oaly," &C., she again appears, to
give us "a Light" fitted "to brighten" not
only "Cottage Homes" but those of the rich
and great, wherever there dwells benevolent
and teachable spirit. Wrought into an attract
i've story, she sends forth ministering angel
in the person of her humble heroine, of whose
life it might be said, as it was of old of her D-
vine Mastes, she "went about, doing good"
Milliceni Ray is attractive and loveable, not
for her yoeth or personal beauty, nor for her
polished manners or intellectual accomplish
ments, but for those gentle and self sacrifcipg
| qualities, which never fail to throw halo
around the plainest features, and to endow
their possessor with perpetual youth. Her
sympathy - ever ready for all who need it, and
her aid is intelligent and effective. The Incl.
dents by which she is surrounded are such as
to show the deplorable effects of the ignorance
and want of skill in the common affairs of life,
which are so very prevalent among the poor and
uneducated, and occasion is also taken to show
the remedy for many human ills. The school
in which Millicent becomes engaged, through
the considerate benevolence of her Christian
patrons, is one which may well be commended
to the attention of the philanthropist.
We have only one fault to find With our he
roine; and that is, in the single instance where
her habitual generosity acts so much from i'm
pulse as to make her forgetful of other and
higher duty. But she suffers so much from the
noble fault, that we readily forgive her. Not
so readily can we overlook the conduct of Philip
on the occasion; if not unnatural, it seems, al
least to accord i'll with the estimate he must
her, without affording her opportunity for ex
PLANTATION. With this exception, and that o.
poor Robert Mason's death, the incidents are
increasingly agreeable, and the termination il
gratifying to all whose symathies have beer
enlisted by the story. We could wish there
were more Millicents and Mr. and Mrs. Ponson
oys, to shed the benign radiance of such true
philanthropy over every village, and to raise
and cheer the inmates of so many abodes where
ignorance and squalid poverty alike bear rule
The little volume will do good, and we are
pleased to welcome it in SO neat and inviting q
dress as its publisher has given it.
Villas and Cottages series of Designs. prepared 70,
Execution in the United States. BY Calvert vaux Arch
| neci, late Downing & Vaux, Newburgh on the Hudson
Illustrated by 300 engravings. New York: Harper &
Brothers 1851 For sale by Franck Taylor, Wash.
| ington d. C.
If the houses of the rich and the cottages Of
the poor in our country are not hereafter built
tastefully, especially in the older settled States.
1t cannot be owing to the want of directions how
to 90 1t. Every year adds to the volumes which
issue from the press, adapted to this need of the
various classes, containing suggestions, plans,
and calculations, views in whole and detail to
aid in this desirable object. The list of com.
forts access BILE to the poorer classes in the con.
structon of their dwellings are multiplying, and
instead OF merely erecting something to answer
the purpose to cover their heads, they are learn.
ing to combine exterior beauty with internal
convenience. The volume before us is one of
the best we have seen for the purpose for which
1t is designed. 1t is prepared with much care.
and beautifully printed. The examples are
taken from houses actually built and occupied.
Some of these plans are by Mr.. Vaux himself.
while others also exhibit the taste and skill of
the late iamented Mr.. Downing, whose forming
hand has been impressed on so many of the
most tasteful country seats as we'll as public
grounds in our country. The want of detailed
estimates will probably be felt by some who
turn to its pages, as the general statement of
cost in parts only is given. But the author seems
rather to have chosen to present view of the
building, ground plan, to furnish numerous
wood'cuts OF the more ornamental portions, and
offer such suggestions as to materials and modes
OF execution as might enable builder to pro.
coed, leaving to him the minuter estimates, which
must vary according to the price of material.
end also as the plan is taken in whole or mod.
| he'd by the taste or convenience of the owner
of the house to be erected.
The work is full of information of practical
kind, and though the price of construction on
| the plans will exceed the means of those who
must content themselves with the humblest sort
OF dwellings,, vet. even from tho hoout;fnI not