The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-03

first time, as we may say, the vast almost un-
known region is laid open, questions Of scien-
tiic interest settled, and new form given to
the geography and annals of Northern and
Central Africa. The volume before US is the
closing one. 1t opens with DIR. Bsrth's de-
parture for Timbuktu after the death of DIR.
Overweg, and unfolds to us the state of the
country in different districts and cities visited
by him, up to his return to Europe. 1t is ac-
companied by most valuable appendix, en-
bracing sixteen topics, in which are condensed
great amount Of varied information as to the
tribes and families, the literature, history, &C.,
of different nations mentioned. We cannot
even glance at the full table of contents of the
book. Our readers must examine, and that
with no hasty steps, the ground he has gone
over, to appreciate its true character. 1t has
also full index in his pen, requisite in such a
book.
Lives of the Queens Of Scotland and the English Prn
cesses connected with the regal succession OF Great
Britain By Agnes Strickland, author Of Lives of
the Queens of England" Vol. vii New York: Har
per Brothers. 1859. For sale by Taylor & Msury,
Washington, d. c.
This volume forms the second one of Miss
Strickland's life of Mary Of Queen of Scots,
whose defence is undertaken with an enthusi-
asm that perhaps must modify our estimate Of
her judgment in the case. She sets out with a
strong bias and so while undoubtedly successful
in disproving much, yet we feel as we read
there is wanting the sober, cool weighing of
causes, effects, probabilities, and circumstances,
which belongs to the impartial historian. By
her research, she has thrown much light on
events and transactions before obscure. A mass
of materials has been gathered from State
papers and private records, before or till quite
recently unknown, and thus some things most
unfavorable to the character of Scotland's
Queen Mary have been explained. But the
danger in such cases ever is, that in the refu-
tation of what is unjust, assumptions are made
as from the other extreme; and so that true
estimate, which, occupying the middle ground
regards the character as a whole, influenced by
various motives, is lost sight of. Mary had her
Weaknesses her foibles, her graver faults; and
whether or not the darker suspicious which
gathered over her be dissipated, yet her life and
her character must have received an impress
from the times IN which she and the persons
among whom she moved lived, that must be
allowed in the judgment We form of her, and
her public and private relations in the history Of
that age. Miss Strickland's work is one of the
many books to which recourse may and ought
to be had in forming that judgment; but,
though written in most pleasing style, full of
incident and information, it is a generous wo-
mans appeal in behalf of one of her own sex,
unwilling to see or admit aught unfavorable in
the subject of her vindication, and so we think
itneeds to be read as one reads the defence of
an advocate for an arraigned criminal, whom
he is bound at all events TO clear of every ac-
cusaton and to make appear the wholly wrong
ed and deeply injured. No one, however, can
peruse her volumes without feeling her power
of earnest effort, or lay down the book and not
be glad he has seen it.
The Old Plantation and What Gathered there in an
Autumn. By James ifIungerford, of Maryland. New
York Harper Il Brothers. 1850. For sale by Taylor
Maury, Washington, ID. c.
A sketchy volume describing plantation life,
with its peculiarities, persOnages, legendary
lore, love-scenes, excursions, ghost-stories,
haunted houses, duels, happy meeting, dis
posal of characters" and glance into after
times" Is it true or fction2 Is the name a
real one, or assumed2 The dedication to an
" aged mother would seem to imply the former,
and there is nothing in the story or successive
scenes to invalidate it. Still, we do not know
Without any high pretensions it is very fair
picture of life, as we may suppose it, coming
out from the recollection of past years. 1t is
discursive the persons mentioned are numer-
GUS, and there is no strained attempt to portray
something extraordinary, but an easy running
on of the pen, as though taking down converse
tions many of them, of course, of lower life, and
the pleasures ofthe unbent intercourse of friends
in the country enjoying autumn days and
evenings. Such books lets us into phases of
society that must be seen where they occur to
be fully understood, but we doubt not that the
novelty itself will be amusing, and may be in
structive to many of the readers of this volume,
as we here find it.
The Edinburgh Review for January, 1889 Leonard
Scott Co s Reprint
We always find something in the Edinburgh
ReUieo to repay for its perusal. If all the
articles are not always equally attractive, yet
some one or more may be found adapted to the
reader in general literature full of information,
as well as written in excellent taste. 1t is so
with the present number. We have been able
but to glance over several of the papers since
we received it but even so cursory an exam-
nation has satisfied us that the topics are of
interest, and ably discussed. The titles of the
articles are,
/. "Help's Spanish Conquest in America; )"
giving good summary of the work, which is
highly commended.
III. I" Life Assurance" full of statistics, and
exhibition of the principles of calculation &c.
III. "The Church Rate Question SUBJ
ject more strictly belonging to England than
our country.
~. "The Roman Catacombs )" most read
able paper, and with not little curious matter.
v. "The Hudson Bay Territory" respect
ing a region comparatively unknown yet, on
our borders, and giving history of the Com
pany and its operations.
vi. "Lord Liverpool's Administration until
1925" historical and political.
VII "The Library of the British Museum"
treat for bibliopoles, SO far as it goes.
VIII. Life and Organization devoted
partially to discussion of the theories on this
subject. l
TX. History and Prospects of Parliament