New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Ira charm Of the N0rL american has been os'
,u,ned bv Professor Lowell, and MI: Cnarlc' Elo'
Norton this standard periodical commences me
new year with,brliaut promise Of inere sen aonliy
aud rgestiycnoss. FROM the first cstab"slMonNt
the North Ar,erican it has always numbered among
la contributors many Of the st eminent write
nj Massachusetts,. including William Tudor, John
Gall,sou. Samuel Gilman Z. 4. ChanuiDs, L. II.
Dana, John Farrar, Nathaniel Bowd'ich, Willard
Phillips, Joseph story, Alexander II. Everett Id
1ard ryeiett Jared Sparks, +. c. Cray, j. @. Pol
rev George Bancroft w. II. Prescott, George
yicknor W. o. Peabody. c. C. FELTON,, II. W.
Lonrfellow, C. 8. Hlari, Henry I. Tuckeyman
EP Whpple +. Bowen Andrew p Peabody, and
others perhaps not less distinguished whose names
wo do not nov recall Combining tho conservative
and progressive elements in duo scholarly proper
lions. without violating the moderation OF good
letters, it has appealed 10 the prejudces or
pxcitabilty Of the psblie, has avoided violent e1-
treIaes both in doctrine and language, and has
usually been no less honorably characterized by it's
ibcraty of tone its fairness Of discussion, and It's
ius. criticisms, thrn by It's uniform adherence to-
tAo rules OF literary propriey ard good TASTE Inc
editors into whose hands the MOTH american mas
now passed possess admirable qualifications TOT
tao important function. Sir. Lowell lie "idey
known not only as one OF orT most original aiu
vigorous poets. but as scholar Of choice ana
large a:tainments a bold and energetic thinker ed
writer of excellent humor great critical acu'eAeSs'
and rare power Of expression, on the current qnes-
tions of the day. Mr. Norton is younger man.
end of less prominent mark In American letters,
but has attained highly creiitahle reputation as
scholar Of extensive culture, elegant tastes, and
sound and generous principles. His name is iden-
tfed in Boston with exact and profound learning !
discriminating and lucid thought, and remarkable
force and dignity Of style; and from the specimens
we have seen Of his own writings, ho seems 10 Ia
herit tho intellectual virtues of his parentage. The
number now issued presents an attractive table OF
contents embracing " Ticknor's Life Of Prescott,
"The Bible and Slavery" immortality in Poll
tics" 1.-The Early Life Of Governor Winthrop
"Renan's Life Of Jesus" "The Presidents Pol
ICY" and other topics of contemporary interest
which are treated with marked ability. The usual
variety of brief Critical Notices" with which the
number Is closed, demand an explicit recognition
for their frankncss and fidelity, their Intelligence and
freedom from prejudice and the firm and decisive,
but sncularly courteous manner. in which their de
cieious are expressed. For example Mr.. Pnrton's
EGeneral Butler in New-Oreans is pronounced TO
be not "ouly entertaining, but interesting, ca
book OF permanent value and historical import
nnce" the suthor casually writes English, ard
good spirited English, but sometimes no permits
himself TO misuse the language, like an unedueaied
man" abe writes with humor sometimes, with
spirit almost always sometimes does injustice By
what seems 10 be hasty sentence, and sometimes
uses coloqual expressions, which are Eat; bd' ms
prevailing tone Of thought is fair and manly, and
his dissertations are usually animated and pleasing
sometimes emlneDtly 80" Mr. Braces Manual
of Ethnology" is commended as "the fruit
Of varied and interested sta1y;" Censurcd
for ats marked inclination toward fauci-
ful theory" but praised for It's lucid state
ments and ingenious reasonings' on the subjects Of
mans antiquity and unity Mr. Ayers History
of the Doctrine Of a Future Life" is declared 70
be the most comprehensive book on the subject
perhaps ever written, "a work highly creditabe 70
his ability, industry, learning, and perseverance,
aud adapted TO be Of grca, service alike 10 members
Of his own profession, and TO the more thoughtful
sndinquirng portion Of helarger public" although
"it lacks symmetry and unity" has in paris "ar
air of an:agonism which hardly suits the dignity q
history" and exhibits o frequent turgidness OF
rhetoric" Longfellows "Tsles Of Waysde I'M"
shows "a greater rpeness than any of It's pIedeco5
sors," has mellowness of eaIy Autumn in II, the
old sweetness native 70 the man, with greater
variety of character and experience" with a.
Chaucer-like =" airy grace, tenderness, simple
strength, and exquisite felicitCs Of description"
"The verse flows clear and sweet honey, and
with faint fragrance that tells, but not too plain
Iy, of flowers that grow in many fields A page is
devoted to "The New Path" the audaciOns and
among whom are men "not only of talents, but
OF serious convictions and Of independent thought.
ether opinions even when far from popular are
expressed with manly frankness and honesty.
There is occasionally in its papers tone Of dog
matsm and self-suticiency, occasionally, also
crudity and want Of completeness, which being
combined with singular sincerity and simplicity,
not unpleasanty reveal the youth while indicating
the capacity for growth Of the writers. Tho New
PatA has also contained essays which eyince rare
clearness and consecutiyeness Of thought exhibited
in O style Of not less uncommon transparency end
unobtrusye beauty" We certainly do not the
less approve of the critical judgments Of Tile North
American thus alluded TO, because they so fay CO.
incide with opinions heretofore expressed in our
own columns; while We welcome the manly and
generous spirit OF its discussions as of tie hap
pisst augary TO the periodical literature Of this
coIntry.