Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-10-13
New Books.

Levana or the Doctrine OF Education, lranslat-
ed from the German Of Jean Paul Friedrich
Richter author OF Flower Fruit and Thorn
Pieces" "I1lan," ETC., ETC. Boston licknor
Fields PIP 400.
This book is a treasure house OF excellent
thoughts aod suggestions for those who have
charge VI the home education Of children and
youth. Jean Paul is well known as one Of the
best of German writers, and he has here set bis
genius at work to shed light on the path in which
parents, and especially mothers should walk, in
forming the minds and habits Of those under their
care. The book is decidedly German, but is, on
that account, all the more attractive, as it has
about it an apparent freshness, and nnlikeness to
our somewhat hackneyed modes Of thought and
expression, which are delightfully."- and continually
surprising the reader. The object Of the author
in writing this book, thus charmngy set forth in
bis preface
"At least this book has been composed with
warmest love for the little beings, the delicate
hower-gods Of a soon fading Eden. May Leyana,
the mo;hery goddess, who was formerly entreated
to give fathers heart to fathers, hear the prayer
which the title Of this book addresses to ner, and,
in doing So justify both it and this. The demands
Of the state or Of learning unfortunately rob the
child Of half Is father. The education Of most
fathers is but a system Of rules to keep the child
at respectful distance from Them and to form
him more with regard to their quiet than has pow
ers : or, at most under tornado OF wrath, to
impart as much mea Of instruction as he can
scatter. Bat would ask men Of business what
eduelti Of souls rewards more Delightfully."- and
more Immediately than that of the innocent, who
resemble rosewood which imparls its odor even
while being carved aud shapedP o. what nov
remains to the decaying world-among so many
ruins Of what is nobe,t and ancentest-excepl
children, the pure beings yet unlaslfed by the
age and the woIldP Only they, with a higher
object than that for which they were formerly
used, can behold iulufty and truth in the magic
mirror, and with b4ndaged eyes draw the pre-
cious lot from the wheel of chance. The word,
that the father speaks TO his children in the pr
ylcy Of home are not heard by the rid but, a.
in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard a
the eud, and by posteFiy.
Il would be my greatest reward Il at the enc
ol twenty years some Tcad r. as many years 0lt
should return thanks to me, that the book which
ne IS then reading was read by his parents"
MEDlTATloNs On LIFE AND IT'S RELIGIOUS DU
TlEsi Translated from the German Of Frederi
ca Rowan. vol l6no. PIP. 3o4 Boston
llcknor & Fields. 1868.
We have only time to say Of ibis book that I
one Of The besi Of the few really good books o
religious reading which are nowadays given t,
the public. 1t is penetrated with a warm, Twin.
Christian faith and love, and the authors genius
thus Illuminated with a devout piety, has pro
duced in these pages food for the most cultivate
mind and the most pious hearts. We hope sooi
to be able to give our readers some extracts from
the volume, whea they can Judge for themselvc
Of It's exceencies.