The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-01
T H E r VIE W .

chemical and physiological" says the author
of the Chemistry of Common Life" Yet
these wonders are too often neglected by the
very persons who need to contemplate and
study them. Authors, and students, and closet
men, who live in total ignorance of the laws
of their physical nature, or in direct violation
of them, seem to be of the impression that, al
though it is the duty of the body to sustain
every exaction laid upon it, and unhaggingy
to feed the fire of mental activity, it is no con-
Germ of theirs to husband and care for the
physical powers allotted them. Yet a mind
attached to sluggish and inert body is like a
potato plant in a dark cellar. 1t needs to be
nourished by the fresh air and sunshine of
Gods universe, before it can develop the
germ within.
Said retiring young friend to US have
not digested my meals to-day. have feel
ing of goneness where my stomach should be,
rather as if a brass kettle were suspended right
below my diaphragm" "My friend" we re-
piled, ave will not indulge the suspicion that
this indigestion proceeds from nervous causes,
from any excessive mental exertion on your
part, but rather suppose it arises from want of
exercise, and consequently torpid liver. If
you will have the goodness to walk three, four,
or five miles, 'oer the hills and far away
every morning, and, in addition, go through
Miss Beechers complete course of Calisthenics,
we will guaranty not only speedy removal Of
the brass kettle, but also, a proper appetite
and longing after the good things of this
life."
In the above volumes, Mr. Lewes has intend
ed, without trenching upon the ground occu-
pied by the author of the " Chemistry of Com
mon Life" to treat of this common life
from physiological standpoint, and thus to
complete work designed for popular and
everyday use. 1t would be as reasonable for
one to form an opinion of Southey's Doctor"
&c, from a glance at its outside, as to Judge
this book from its title. The object of the au-
thor has been to exhibit the present condition
of physiological knowledge, and of matured
scientific opinion upon the subjects of which
he treats, yet his style is easy, familiar, and
very lucid, and, while giving all the results of
the labors and Investigations of students in the
field of Physiology, he nevertheless makes but
sparing use of those professional and scien-
ti6c phrases, which, though displaying the learn
ing of the writer, generally serve to befog and
bewilder the mind of the reader. The first
three chapters on Hunger and Thirst" obi
gestion and Indigestion" and Food and
Drink" seem to us to be very full of interest
perhaps from the fact that there has been more
research in this branch of Physiology than in
any other, though the remaining chapters, on
the Circulation of Blood" Respiration" &c,
are worthy of an attentive perusal.
The utility Of such works as this cannot be
over-rated. They are a fund of information
and knowledge to the people, and give popu-
lar rendering of important truths otherwise
hidden away in ponderous tones, whose very
size dlslnclines the reader to further acquaint-
ance.
The MOney-King and olher Poems. BY jobs C. SAKE
Boston Ticknor 4 Fields. 1860.
1t is better to be right than to be President,
and great deal better to be a poet even
" funny one, than a Democratic Governor
and we are glad to see the merry Green Mosn-
tain boy swapping his fingers at fate and Re-
publican majorities, and finding consolation in
popular laughter for the lack of the popular
vote.
We have always considered it an abuse of
the good things of this life to find undue fault
with people who make us laugh. Consequently,
we shall dispose of this book as school-boys do
of surreptitiOus punch in the side, when the
masters eye is turned away" pass it on"
Sword and 'wn. By the author of Guy Livingstone
Boston: TicLnor & Fields. 1850.
story in which the sword is represented by |
a character compounded of bulldog and satire, |
near the end, into something more |
nearly allied to manhood and the gown, by |
sleek, oily, vindictive, cowardly, selfconceited,
Oullet-headed idiot. We should object to taking
either as the representative of his class There
IS brilliant writing in the Photographic word
painting, satire, sense, and thought-but it is
if we may so speak, with material
SIN. Even the heroine is a splendid animal,
'ather than noble woman. The tender and
manly seriousness of some passages will cover
multitude of sins.
\ Natural Philosophy Embracing the Most Recent Dis
coveIes in the Various Branches Of Physics and Ex-
hibitng the hpp ,aiion of Scientific Principles in Every
Day Life. Adapted to Use With or Without Apparatus
and Accompanied with Full Desert tions of Experi.
ments Practical FIX, reises, and Numerous Ulustra-
lions. BY G p. Quackenbos, A NJ, PRINCIPAL of the
collegiate School," N. Y, author of " First Lessons
in Composition" Advanced Course Of Compostion |
and Rhetoric" illustrated School History of the Uni
ted States" &c New York D. Appleton & Co. $40
and 34S Broadway. 1850.
The title of this book explains, with sufficient
,learness, its design and scope, and the name
If the author is guaranty that the promises of
he title-page will be entirely fulfilled A some
What careful examination has convinced us.
hat in point of style and arrangement it is
superior to most of the textbooks now in use.
Manual Of Public Libraries Institutions and Soceties in
the United States and British Provinces OF North Amer
lea BY William j. Rhees, Chief Clerk of the Smith
sonian Institution Philadelphia: J b Lippincou &
Co 1859
This is valuable compilation of the Stats
les of the various Libraries and institutions of
he United States, and, ON examination, dis
loses many curious facts in relation to the
lumber and classes of books read by the pub
lc According to Mr.. Rhees, the readers of
lction are most numerous in general libraries,
ret respectable and constantly-increasing
lass of readers make use of books of higher
ange. In a recent report of the Astor Library,
he writer says: On observing the classes and
,inds of books which have been called for,
ave been particularly struck with the evidence
hus afforded of the wide range which the