The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-05

CHa1nAs DAYS Ephraim Peabody D. D.
BOSTON, Crosby Nichols, Co
ms srony or nln TrlrGaArn
cAmn By Charles Briggs ana augustus s Maverick New
WuAnos AID SEARCH ON, sNsros
ExKRcIsx MAnrnsH Poucs oyEa mas VESSELS
ros &c. BY wm Beach Lawrence Boston Little Brown,
HISTORY or oylnuAuos N ENGLAND By Henry Thomas Backe
Vol l. New York d. Appleton Co.
Mr. Buckle is an enthusiastic English disciple Of Kant
and comte and he has produced the first instaIment
of a work which, whatever may be said of its
philosophc bases, is worthy Of generous and
thoughtful criticism than The last number of the London
Quarterly has bestowed upon it, We presume the
thor is young man, and in future years he may tone
down some expressions TO which the Quarterly makes
objection dis historical statements are almost without
exception correct his deductions only to show
that the modern phlosophic school ID brave az we're
the encyclopaedia but evercnt in its utterance
Indeed contrsted with the class Of thinkers Of
the last century, modern philosophers exhibit very
hopeful Improvement Mr. Buckle to have started
with the Kantean axiom that deaths, births, and
riages aud the oscillations Of the weather. irregular
they to be in themselves reducble upon the
great scale to certain rules there may be discovered in
the Of human history steady and continuous,
though slow development of certain great predspoetons
in human nature. The ''yestges Of Creation which
caused Hugh Miller to write that immortal book, the
idea Mr. Buckle weds to the thought of Kant that of
Auguste Comte, that history is simply succession
of natural sequences and has not behind it the inspra-
ton OF any volition, human Divine. We have
idea of abandoning the odashoned Christian evangilc
for the Gospel according to Satistics, yet have
read this first volume with great pleasure, and, dissent
ing entirely from the philosophy admire the pho-
sopher. We cannot conceive how any student fail
to appreciate the work and shall anxiously look for
the second volume 1t is of the best contributions
to solid literature which the judcous Appletons
have placed within the reach of American readers.
BY Henry
by D., Professor Of Vegetable Animal Physiology
state Agricultural College Of Michigan New York Appleton
Company.
The author upon his appointment to professorshp in
the State Agricultural College of Michigan found def
cheney ia the textbooks of his department This want
he has endeavored to supply in the volume before U.S.
seems TO have succeeded. The theory upon which he
bases his work s that the attempt to teach only human
physiology like similar proceeding in regard to anato
my only end in failure whereas if the origin $50 to
spea) Of the organic structures in the animal kingdom
be sought for and steadily pursued through all the classes
showing their gradual complication and the necessity
Tor the addition of accessory organs till they reach their
utmost development and eliminate in man, the study
may b. rendered agreeable and interesting one and
be fruitful in profitable results The book illustrated
by ney-executed wood cuts, and will take permanent
place amongst our most valued textbooks
BY Ephraim Peabody D. d.
Boston: Crosby Nichols, 4 Co.
The portrait Of the deceased writer of the volume
above named exhibits Of those sanity that we
instinctvely love- and in this the features were
faithful representatives of character nearly perfect as
may expect to find in this SHINING generation For
many years Mr. Peabody the centre around which
clustered the affections of of the largest and most
respectable congregations in America Living Bosten
and holding steadily to the Gospel work without turn
ing aside to more transient TOPICS he called "a
sentative by his neighbors, but he knew himself be
working for the highest interests of his fellow men
The volume before is posthumous collection from
his writings it might properly be entitled Chris
tan Thoughts for Christian Days The style polished
to the brightness of crystal the thought is earnest and
reverent and abounds with eloquence and the volume
is fitting memorial of good and wise man.
The err KING HRus4nrx AS VAS As Is AND
Philadelphia; James Chalcn Sons.
DIR. Barclays work is valuable contribution to geo
graphical literature Executed with the most careful
accuracy it is book of century. We have especial
reference to his description of Jerusalem it is which
expodes many statements previously uttered with great
show OF authority and places in possession facts
which to biblical student must be invaluable. The
engravngs executed in the very best style of the art
some OF them being beautifully colored and the work
reflects almost much credit upon the enterpsng pub
fishers as upon the distinguished author.
WILLIAM coyqvERon BY General Sir
Charles Napier Napier editor London
and New York: G. Routledge ~
Aside from its intrinsic merit which great there are
several things which will this novel be eagerly
sought for Foremost amongst these peculiar features
the insight afforded Of the Napier character The hero
OF Meanee stamped upon every page of the book His
villains thorough paced scoundre heroes and
heroines little less than angels Brave and impetuous
himself the General had faith in moderate or mixed
characters Then, in the assaults he makes upon his
enemies, he is cool tried soldier but relentless
Downing street must have writhed under his denunca
tions In the editorial preface Sir w Napier tells us
that the romance was written about 1927 when Sir c.
Napier suffering under the injustice of Sir Frederick
Adam. The preface is humorous ausion to himself
Mr. Peter Grevous vainly seeking redress for to
laugh at and joke upon his msfortunes was with
him absolute necessity. The blow given to his com
mander was indeed, metaphorica but forgotten
forgvcna book exposing the redapsm and injustice
of official power incapable" We can understand
do not readily comprehend 1t is the passage in
which Sir w Napier says "Some resemblance will be
found In parts to Sir Edward Bulwer yttons romance
of Harold, especially the creation Of the vaa But Sir
c. Napier work composed years before Sir Edwards
was published. 1t originally called Harold, also,
and sent to Mr. Colbun the distinguished publish
en- who kept it for many months indeed, was with