The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-13
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Life Thoughts gathered from the Extemporancous Dis
Of Henry Ward Beecher Boston: Phillips,
Sampson, & Co. 1855. For sale by Taylor Maury,
Washington, ID. c.
There are not many living preachers from
whose sermons more choice selection of beau
tifuI glowing, and original thoughts could be
gathered, than those of Henry Ward Beecher.
BE sbounds in rich and varied illustrations,
drawn from the fields of nature and art, and
struck out by habit of nice observation of
human character in the different phases of life.
A keen critical scumen may discern, indeed,
that sometimes the most striking comparisons,
as they appear at first sight, will not always
bear a close examination, but there will still
enough be left, after any required deduction, to
warrant the statement we have made. Much
always depends, in such book, on the person
who culls and binds up the flowers that form
the garland. In this case, Mr.. Beecher has
been fortunate. 1t was evidently done con
ansore, and the copious index enables the read
err at once to turn to any subject mentioned.
Hewill thus find wildly presented some thoughts
of high meaning, sometimes in quaint and
homely words, and sometimes shaped and
wrought out in language of great beauty, sug.
gestiye and well fitted often to call forth from
each ones mind processes of reflection, hints
of which only lie in the few lines that contain
them. 1t will be popular book, and though
it can scarcely be ranked with Cecil's, Robert
Halls, or John Fosters grand and massive
Michael Angelo.like studies for the Christian,
yet we trust it will bear weighty and solemn
truths to multitudes who otherwise might not
care to think of it.
The Eclectic Magazine for May, 1855.
Mr.. Bidwell, in this number of his excellent
Magazine, presents rs with two finely engraved
plates, by Sartain, and the usual well.selected
variety of articles from foreign periodicals. The
FIRST of the engravings is the portrait of the Earl
of Shahesbury, President of the British and For
eign Bible Society; the other, " A Literary Party
at Sir Joshua Rsynolds's," similar to the one re
Gently given of Sir Walter Scott and his friends.
The Atlantic Monthly, May, 1s5S. Boston: Phillips,
Sampson & Co.
This Monthly, too, we believe, fulfilled the
expectations cherished in regard to it. 1t was
begun in November, and the first volume, con-
sisting of seven numbers, is now completed.
Steadily has it grown in reputation, and its sue
cess, we learn, is established beyond contin-
gency. The next volume will also contain seven
numbers, so that thereafter the volumes will be-
gin with January.
The Shadow on the Hearth or Our Fathers voice in
taking away little ones By a Beresved Parent.
With an Introduction by N. l.. Rice D. D.. Chicago,
Illinois. New York Robert Carter Brothers. 1883.
For sale by w. Ballsniyne, Washington, D. C.
There is many shaded hearth there is
many an aching heart. Buds of promise have
dropped from many a stock that has strove up
ward, amid the rain and sunshine, till there
came a frost, killing frost, and nipped them
from the parent stem. The grieved spirit so
stricken, looks round TO mark the desolation,
and feels as none but another who has shared
in like woe can feel 1t is such one who
has written and compiled this book, and the
bereaved and mourners viii best be able to
appreciate its value.
The New American Cyclopedia. Edited by George Rip
ley and Charles A. Dana. New York d. Appleton &
ngton, d. G.
We need hardly add word to the high com.
mendation bestowed on this work on the
appearance of the first volume. The best
writer's are contributing their best offerings to
it. The first edition was disposed of in less
than fortnight. The third volume viii be
issued in June.
The majority of contributors are American
authors; peculiar prominence is given to
American topics, and the mode Of treating
them is eminently popular. In all these respects
it is adapted to the wants of the country. Of
course, we cannot expect to find in it the pro-
found scholarship, the fulness and the accura-
cy of European works of similar order, but,
with less pedantry, it may be far more useful
to the masses of the People.
History the United States from the Discovery OF the
American Continent. BY George Bancroft Vol. VII.
Boston: Liteli, Brown, & Co. For sale by William
KMorri.on Pa. avenue Washington, d. G.
Having gone through our Colonial History,
Bancroft in this volume commences the Histo-
~ of the American Revolution, which, he says,
divides itself into two epochs the 6rst extend
ing TO the Declaration of Independence, the
second, 10 the acknowledgment of that indie
pendence by Great Britain. he rises with his
subject treating il sometimes as q philosopher,
sometimes as an orator; considering it, not as
an isolated event. belonging to our country alone,
but great fact, springipg from universal laws,
involving the interests and rights of mankind.
Brilliant in narrative, and glowing with patriot
ic feeling, the volume affords a remarkable
contrast to Hildreth's plain, unambitious, &C.
we're account of the same transactions.
UNPLEAsANT.--It must be not little nm.
pleasant TO such men a. Messrs Cox, Lawrence,
Groesbeck, and other Northern Democrats, who
finally went for the compromise Kansas bill, that
the ultra Southern journals nearly all approve
the measure. The Richmond South exults over
its passage through Congress as Southern
triumph. Is the South apt to be satisfied with
a mockeryf The Charleston Courier says that
Kansas enters the Confederacy under Lecomp-
ton-Or not at all, and claims triumph over