The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-03


in the nations councils, received in his tour
through the Northeastern States full measure
of public and private hospitality, and leave, at
his death, a name and memory not ignoble.
His backwoods adventures, whether in court
ing or lighting or running away, his perils by
field, and food, and ice, and snow, and bear,
and panther, and Indian, the I" rise and pro-
gress of his political career, his not-attempted
| to-be-concealed chagrin at its premature close,
his oratorical lodges and dinners, the unfeign-
ed enjoyment with which he accepts his lioni-
cation, the bravery, cheerfulness, and hope,
which never forsook him, even in the death
struggle Of the Alamo, are gathered here into
| readable and instructive volume.
The book is not more egotistic than one
should expect, nor more Objectionable in point
of taste than many that make far greater pre-
tensions. The illusions to "the Government"
meaning Jackson,) the deposites, . " the lit
tie Flying Dutchman," &c, are thickly scatter.
ed through it, and only show how the thoughts
and interests woven into the life and breath Of
one generation are but the fossil remains of the
next Let us learn lesson
Fiji and the Fiiisns. BY Thomas Williams and James
Calvert New York D. Appleton Co. For sale nv
Taylor Maury, Washington
The above volume is the result Of the obser.
vations Of the authors during residence of
many years in Fiji. To one who would have a
thorough knowledge of the Fijians and their
mode of living, this book viii be indispensable.
1t gives all the facts previously known concern
ing these islands, with much new and valuable
information, and presents the Fijian with all his
virtues and vices, though, it must be confessed,
the virtues do not weigh much in the balance.
The details of the manners and customs are Gu.
rious and interesting. In particular, we were
struck by their very satisfactory method of set
ting private disputes, which only differs from
the practice of duelling in this-that the sur
vivor not only kills his opponent, but eats him
too, which, after all, is only more complete and
compendious mode of disposing of ones ene-
mics.
The compassionate and knd-hearted old
lady, who, when her husband was struggling
with painful disease, pressed pillow upon his
face, after which, to use her words, " the dear
old man went off like a lamb" would have
made capital Fjian. In the FIJI Islands, if
any one falls seriously sick, there are always
two or three charitable neighbors prompt to
offer their services in putting the sick man out
of has misery, by strangulation or otherwise.
Indeed, it is with difficulty their solicitations
can be resisted, and if the invalid happens to
be relative, and in any danger of becoming a
helpless burden upon their hands, he inevitably
falls a victim to their disinterested kindness.
We would not be supposed to look with IA
vorable eyes upon this custom but if such were
the practice in these United States our sick
list would become wonderfully small. Miss S.,
who is sure she is going into decline, would
not be so anxions to air her skeleton" if, in
any such event, she we're conscious that her life
would come to an untimely end through the
kind Offices of a sympathizing friend and Mrs.
F., who has a constitutional aversion to
anything suggestive Of vigorous exercise, would
be seen practicing most assiduously complete
course of gymnastics, under the eye of her hus-
band, who, bow.string in hand, is ready to take
advantage of any indication of weakness or in
disposition.
In ancient times, the intermixtue of swarms
of barbarians from the northern hive with the
effeminate inhabitants of the provinces delayed
for long the fall of Rome. Who can tell what
the engrafting of FJian customs upon our re-
publican institutions might effect!
Lessons from Jesus or, Teachings of Divine Love BY
William p Balfern. New York published by Shell
don Il Co. l vol, PIP 1924 Sold by Franck Taylor
Washington, d. @.
This little book is full of rich and pious
thought, flowing out of highly-cultivated
mind-one whose soul - been enriched with
all the lessons he would have others learn. 1t
is the most attractive book of the kind that we
have met with of late. 6 The several chapters
are enriched with illustrative poems, selected
from the "Lyra Germanica." We commend
it as book full of the best thoughts expressed
in the best manner.
Parties and their Principles. BY Arthur Holmes Pr.
3o4. New York: Appleton & Co For sale by Taylor
Maury, Washington ID. c.
This book gives clear and succinct account
of the rise and fortunes of the various political
parties which have existed in the United States
And though a complete history of the different
struggles which have agitated the country from
the first discussions in the Congress of the Con.
federation to the present time could scarce be
expected in SO small a space, yet Mr.. Holmes
has, with a very few exceptions, presented all
the leading features of the succession of con.
tests between the great political parties of the
United States. An appendix, containing,
among other important papers, the Ordinance
of 1887, Territories organized and States ad-
mitted since the formation of the Constitution,
a brief statement of the condition of public
lands, railroad and swamp lands, &C., make the
book Of special importance to those who would
have convenient manual of reference.
DOMESTIC SUMMARY.
The INsURGENT PRISONERS AT CHARLES
rowx-CooKE SAID TO BE WRITING CONFESS
sroN.-C hdrlestoscn, Oct. 30.-This evening,
the United Guard, of Frederick, under com,
mand of Capt. Sim, reached here from Har-