The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-27
GBs 8sbis6.

1856 By the author of the Thirty Years View. Vol.
vi New York: D. Appleton Il Co, 3ae and 34s
Broadway, Washington: Joseph Shilling1on, corner
Of Penn and 1t street
The seventh volume of this excellent
Abridgement of the Debates in Congress, by
the late Mr.. Benton, is on our table. 1t EN-.
braces the interesting period commencing with
the session of 1901, and terminating with
that Of 1924. Its needless to say to the in
teligent reader, that it was during the first OF
these sessions that the great controversy in re-
gard to the admission of Missouri into the
Union took place, and that the discussions
upon that subject have the most intimate rela-
tion to the politics of the present day.
This volume also contains the interesting
debate upon the Caucus System" which took
plece in 1924, and which led to its abandon
ment. Every citizen who sspires to an intel.
igent acquaintance with the history of Ameri.
can politics, should read this debate. 1t marks
al in portant epoch-viz: the new division of
the country into parties, after the era of good
feeling" inaugursted by Mr.. Monroe had pass
ed away With this debate commenced the
qnadrangular struggle between Adams, Jack
son, Clay, and Crawford, which, in the next
three or four years, settled down into the Dem.
ocratc and Wing parties.
Daring the session of 1924, highly-impor-
;snt tariff discussion took place, which tended
materially to shape the course of the parties
which sprung up at that period.
The design of Mr.. Benton in abridging the
debates of Congress is, to bring all that is
valuable in them within the reach of the mass
Of the people. By looping out the immaterial
and cumbersome parts of the daily business,
vhich fill more than hundred large volumes,
worth FIVE or six hundred dollars, he has com.
- pressed within a few octave volumes whatever
las permanent value. The typographical exc
cution of the seventh volume, like that of its
predecessors, is fsultless.
The Life of Thomas Jefferson. BY Henry s. Randall
IL ID. In Three Volumes Vo1. New York: Pub
ished by Derby Jackson For sale by Franklin
Phip, Penn. avenue, Washington, d. c.
We have never been disposed to defy Jeffer.
son, or TO regard his administration of the Gov
eminent with much admiration. His views OF
Foreign policy were not very enlarged his at.
titude towards Foreign Powers was too tame
and compromising; he had little of the "pluck'
Of The impulsive, high-spirited Adams. But, he
was a great man-full of ideas-sympathetic
with the People, stickler for the fundamental
principles of civil and religious liberty-and
lev men have exerted more marked influence
on American politics. This life by Randall is
delightful one. 1t has been noticed so largely
l. 81 -
where, that its merits need no discussion. 1t
IS fall and accurate, showing a nice apprecia.
ton of character, and Astounding in such no.
ices Of cotemporary events and actors, as
make it a most valuable addition to American
History. For the greater part of his life, JEFF
erson was an actor on the public stage, dis
charging trusts of the highest Importance, and
fox seventeen years after his retirement, he was
close observer of affairs of state The biog-
rapher finds complete record of his views for
more than sixty years, from period preceding
our national independence to one which found
our peculiar institutions tested, determined in
their nature, and fixed in their prescribed chan
nels. From this authentic record, he draws the
great facts and opinions of the Life.
History ofthe Republic of the United States of America
Based on the Writings of Alexander Hamilton. By
John Z. Hamilton. Volume H. New York ID. APP
pieion Il Co. For sale BY Franklin Philip, Washing
ton. d. c
The severe criticisms pronounced upon this
work, on the appearance of the first volume,
have produced no change in its plan or temper.
TIE author attempts to justify himself in as
suming for Hamilton the authorship of large
part OF the correspondence of Washington, and
continues his quotations from it in such a way
as to make Washington appear rather as sub.
ordinate to Hamilton. The effect is precisely
awakening admiration for Hamilton, it tends to
create 81 antpathy against him.
ihe London Quarterly Review April, 1885, The West
miasier Review, April, 1855; Blackwood's Edinburgh
Magazine. May, ISIS New York. Published by Leon
ard Scott Co. For sale by Taylor Many Wash
iugion. {.
II any one would know what a fool philos.
ophy can make of itself, when pulled up with
eoncsit, let him read the leading article in the
Westminster, on Auguste Comte's Religion of
Positivesm. The medical man will be interest.
ed IN quite learned article on medical reform.
The other articles have fresh aspect and cur.
rent interest.
The London Quarterly discusses that very
novel subject, Boswell and johnson, with as
much earnestness as if the world had just come
to the knowledge of the famous Life. There is
An admirable paper on Public Speaking, and a
most instructive one on English Agriculture.
his number is excellent.
The contents of Blackwood's are as follows /:
Food and Drink; What will be done with it;
antiquities of Kertch; Colleges and Celbacy
zanzibar; The Pupjsub; Italy; Dude.
ISar Fhe greatest literary activity prevails ia
Russia. The comparative freedom which ex-
lists under the present Emperor fosters literature
The contrast between the Russian and the
American Governments upon the question OF
Freedom is very marked. The Emperor heads
movement for the emancipation of millions
OF serf3-the American Government is endeav-
cring to ertend system of Slavery really more
lnhumsn than the serfdom of Russia.
HARD HIT.-The New York Times says:
At the Congregational collation., on Tues.
cay night, the two points most prominently pre-
sented by the speakers, and most applauded by
'ne audience, were the wonderful unity which
prevails among Christians of all sects and from
Oil sections, ard the anti. Christian conduct oil
me majority Of the Tract Society, in which all
nominations are represented"
Inc gentlemen, doubtless, spoke of unity in
rlckwlckian sense There was perfect uniop