21.-The Sibyl; or, New Oracles from the Poets. By CAROLINE GILMAN, author of "Recollections of a New England Housekeeper," "Recollections of a Southern Matron,” "Love's Progress," "Stories and Poems for Children," "Verses of a Life-time," etc. 12mo., pp. 312. New York: Wiley & Putnam. It will be recollected, perhaps, that we noticed, in the pages of this Magazine, a similar work, by Mrs. Gilman, entitled "Oracles from the Poets," published in the fall of 1845. The present volume resembles very much that in design, but its execution evident. ly cost the compiler a vast deal more labor. The two volumes of the "Oracles" form a very complete work, where the young may become familiar with something in an attractive form from the whole range of poetry, and where the more advanced may refresh themselves with a glimpse of their old favorites, while being introduced to the minds that are rising around them. The game of Sibyl is composed of eighteen subjects, in the form of questions, which are answered from more than two hundred poets. The first division pertains more particularly to the persons and affections, the second to the tastes. It is a delightful book, elegantly printed, and beautifully bound, after the manner of the annuals. 22.-The Rose: Its History, Poetry, Culture and Classification. By S. B. PARSONS. Royal 8vo., pp. 280. New York: Wiley & Putnam. The design of the present work "has been to throw around the culture of the rose a halo of pleasant thoughts and associations." For the classical scholar, the early history of the rose, and its connection with the manners and customs of the two great nations of a former age, will impart to it no slight interest; whilst the various poetic effusions which the author has strung together in a multifarious garland, will clothe this favorite flower with additional charins, in the eyes of many, and render it more attractive with the gentler sex; to whom pre-eminently belong the culture and care of flowers. Mr. Parsons, the author, is a commercial gardener, at Flushing, near New York, and his book will be found valuable to many on that account. The work is divided into twenty-seven chapters. The eight first are devoted to the early history of the rose; fables respecting its origin; luxurious use of the rose in ceremonies and festivals, and in the adornment of burial-places; the perfumes and medical properties of it, and some general remarks. Chapter VIII., which occupies about one-quarter of the volume, embraces almost every poetical effusion in the language that refers to the rose. The remaining chapters furnish full information on all points connected with its culture, its propagation, multiplication, diseases, and classifications, etc. It is the most elaborate, and, if we mistake not, the most comprehensive work that has ever been published in this country on that subject. 23.-Biographia Libraria; or, Biographical Sketches of My Life and Opinions. By SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE. From the second London edition. Prepared for publication, in part, by the late HENRY Nelson Coleridge; completed and published by his Widow. 2 vols., 12mo. Wiley & Putnam's "Library of Choice Reading." This, the latest, and to us the most interesting of all Coleridge's works, is probably the most complete edition that will ever be published; embracing, as it does, the corrections and additions of the son, and afterwards of the widow of that son-the daughter, by marriage, of the distinguished poet. Biography has ever been our favorite study and recreation; and, in our opinion, no kind of reading is more instructive-a remark that applies with increased force to auto-biography, where we can enter, as it were, into the interior life of the subject, and become familiar with the hopes, joys, sorrows and trials of the individual man, under every circumstance of his existence. There is not, in our judgment, a more valuable work in the whole catalogue of books comprised in Wiley & Putnam's "Library of Choice Reading." 24.-Hebrew Fales; Selected and Translated from the Writings of Ancient Hebrew Sages. To which is prefixed an Essay on the Uninspired Literature of the Hebrews. By HYMAN HARWITZ, author of "Vindica Hebraica," etc., etc. 12mo., pp. 171. New York: Spalding & Shepard. This, the first of the publishers' "Select Library," consists of a series of interesting tales, anecdotes, etc., selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrews, who flourished in the five first centuries after the destruction of Jerusalem-writers known to the learned by the names of the Talmud, Medrarhim, etc. Although the chief aim, and ultimate object of this publication, is moral improvement, the translator, in order to render it entertaining, has introduced several facetic and tales of a less grave character. The work is unsectarian, enforcing only "the religious and moral truths on which the best interests of all men, of all names and persuasions, find their common basis and fulcrum." 25.—A Campaign in New Mexico, with Colonel Doniphan. By FRANK S. EDWARDS, a Volunt er. With a Map of the Route, and a Table of the Distances Traversed. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. Of all the narratives touching Mexico, and the events growing out of our difficulties with that Republic, written and published during the last eighteen months, this is the most interesting to us, from the fact that its pages are not entirely occupied with accounts of blood ani carnage, and the horrors of the battle-field. Mr. Edwards has embodied, in an agis able form, his observations during part of a campaign with "the Xenophon of the ninet enth century," and given us many interesting incidents, besides a fund of informa tion connected with the habits, manners and customs of the people of New Mexico. The work is written in a chaste and scholarly, but unostentatious style; and is doubtless a faithful narrative of the circumstances and events of the campaign. It deserves, and we trust it will find a wider circle of readers, than the many catch-penny glorification "histories" of the events, and of the "heroes" engaged in this anti-Republican, anti-Christian war. 26.-The Drama in Pokerville; The Bench and Bar of Jurytown, and other Stories. By" EVERPOINT," (J. M. FIELD, Esq., of the St. Louis Reveille.) With eight illustrations, from Original Designs, engraved expressly for this work, by F. O. C. DARLEY. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart's Library of Humorous American Works. We shall be pardoned for saying, in the outset, that the plan of this series of works is not of the most elevated character; nevertheless, in the hands of a true humorist, like Mr. Field, it may be made the instrument of "shooting folly as it flies," and in that way become a teacher when only amusement appears on its surface. Hydropathia and Carey & Hart's Jumorous American Works will, we venture to affirm, effectually cure hypochondria in man and hysteria in woman. The illustrations by Darley are capital. 27.-Ta's for the Rich and Poor. By T. S. ARTHUR. 18mo. New York: Baker & Scribner. The design of these tales will readily be inferred from the general title of the series, as well as from the titles given to the volumes already published, viz: "Rising in the World," "Keeping up Appearances," and "Riches have Wings." The author is a close observer of society, as it exists in our own country, and seems to have studied human nature from the every-day walks of life; and, in the form of fiction, he draws faithful narratives of the former, as well as truthful delineations of the secret springs of the latter. The teaching of such boks, is of the most salutary kind; and the universality of the lessons, in a form so generally interesting, cannot fail of securing for the author a wider "parish" of attentive listeners than that enjoyed by any of the numerous sects in religion, or different schools of philosophy. 28.-Miscellanies; Embracing Reviews, Essays, and Addresses. By the late THOMAS CHALMERS, D. D., and LL. D. 8vo., pp. 544. New York: Robert Carter. The present work consists of reviews, essays, and a few occasional discourses, pertaining to matters in morals, religion, political economy, and philosophy, collected and published since the author's demise. Chalmers sustained about the same position-the highest-in the Presbyterian, that our Channing did in a widely diverging denomination of the Christian church. Both have exerted a powerful influence in the church, and in the great philanthropic movements which so strongly mark the present century. The volume before us will necessarily secure a standard character, like everything from the giant intelleet of the author; who, whilst he has added another to the catalogue of the world's great men, has gone up another and a majestic on-looker to the "cloud of witnesses." 29.-Erangeline; a Tale of Acadie. By HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW. 12mo., pp. 163. Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co. We are so much indebted to Longfellow for his noble "Psalm of Life," two or three verses of which are scarcely ever out of our mind, that we should be very loth, were we competent, to criticise anything from his pen." The metre is not, however, agreeable to our taste, which is no disparagement to the poet, as our taste is not very classical or good. Nevertheless, we took up Evangeline," and did not lay it down until we came to "the end," on page 163; and we hope that the playful humor, genial pathos, and graphic descriptions with which it abounds, will afford others the same pleasure that we ave derived from the perusal of this beautiful production. 66 30.-Facts and Fancies for School-Day Reading; A Sequel to " Morals and Manners." By Miss SEDGWICK, author of "Home," "Poor Rich Man," etc. New York and London: Wiley & Putnam. Sixteen short tales, aptly illustrating some moral virtue, or social duty, in the happy manner of this deservedly popular writer. 31.-The Crown of Thorns; a Token for the Sorrowing. By EnwIN H. CHAPIN. Boston: A. Tompkins. This pretty miniature volume contains six essays of a consolatory character, in which the author sets forth, in his own peculiar and beautiful style, the Christian view of sorrow, and the Christian consolation in loneliness. There are also essays on resignation; a discourse on "The Mission of Little Children," written by the author just after the death of a dear son. Upon its pages," its amiable author has poured out some of the senti ments of his own heartfelt experience, knowing that they will find a response in the heart of the sorrowing, and hoping that the book may do a work of consolation and of healing." 32.-Memoir of the Rev. Charles F. Torry, who Died in the Penitentiary of Maryland, where he was Confined for Showing Mercy to the Poor. By J. C. LOVEJOY. 12mo., pp. 364. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co. > The circumstances connected with the melancholy fate of poor Torry, are familiar to most of our readers. His imprisonment and sufferings were at the time, recently, matters of public notoriety. The present volume not only records these events, but furnishes a clear and succinct account of his early life, bringing it down to the period of his death. The volume, moreover, embodies the more interesting portions of his correspondence, particularly the letters that passed between him and his friends, while in prison. We see, by a note appended to the title-page, that the copyright has been secured to Mrs. Forry, who was left in destitute circumstances. 33.-The Rose, or Affection's Gift, for 1848. Edited by EMILY MARSHALL. With ten elegant steel engravings. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: G. S. Appleton. Although this "rose" blossoms at the close of the year, without the usual puffing of larger and more pretending volumes, it is really one of unusual excellence and beautythe literary matter proceeding, as it does, from some of the ablest pens of the present literary era, and the spirited embellishments being executed by some of the best artists and engravers in the world. The tales and sketches comprised in this volume, are various in character, including the romantic, the pathetic, the humorous, and the didactic; while the poetry-lyric, moral, and heroic--is not less various. 31-Hora Liturgice. 12o., pp. 204. New York: Stanford & Swords. This work is divided into two parts. The first, embracing a series of letters from Richard Mant, D. D., Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, points out the extent, evil, and remedy for liturgical discrepancy. The second part embraces the obligations, means, and security against error, whether "popish or puritanical," by the same eminent prelate. The Rev. W. D. Wilson, a divine of the Episcopal Church, in the United States, has added a number of notes, and made some additions, the better to adapt it to the case of the American church. 35.-Chambers' Miscellany of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge. Edited by WILLIAM CHAMBERS. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. New York: Berford & Co. This publication, the ninth part of which has been published, is to be completed in thirty numbers, forming ten volumes, of over five hundred pages each. We venture to say, that no work heretofore published embodies so much reading, so well adapted to the tastes and occupations of "the million," as the five thousand pages of Chambers' Miscellany. It embraces much that will interest the most intellectual student, and instruct the humblest mechanic or laborer in the land. 36.-The Fortunes of Col. Torlogh O'Brien. A Tale of the Wars of King James. With illustrations by "PHIZ." Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. We have not, as the staid conductor of a commercial magazine, found time to read the fortunes of O'Brien, except through the humorous illustrations of the inimitable "Phiz," from which one can almost read the story. FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.We have had the pleasure of examining the proof-sheets of a forthcoming work with the above tile, prepared by JESSE CHICKERING, M. D., author of "A Statistical View of the Population of Massachusetts," who has heretofore contributed several valuable papers on the banks of that State, etc., to the pages of the Merchants' Magazine, which were extracted from our Journal by John McGregor, M. P., as Secretary of the British Board of Trade, in his parliamentary document on the United States, and published by command of Her Britannic Majesty. The subject is one of deep interest to this country, and Dr. Chickering has treated it with great ability. The tabular statements of this eminent statician, illustrative of his positions, compiled with great enre and labor, furnish a vast amount of statistical data, pertaining to the subject of inmigration, of great value for present and future reference. On that subject, indeed, we consider it a complete text-book for the statesinan and political economist. ART. CONTENTS OF NO. II., VOL. XVIII. ARTICLES. PAGE I. PAST AND PRESENT POSITION AND RESOURCES OF MEXICO: Her relations to the 164 V. SHIPS, MODELS, SHIP-BUILDING, ETC. By JOHN ENDICOTT GARDNER, of Massachusetts. 172 VL STRICTURES ON THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. By Hon. GEORGE TUCKER, late Professor in the University of Virginia................ 181 MERCANTILE LAW CASES. 186 Insurance against Perils of the Sea covers Losses by Collision-Decision by Judge Betts....... COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW, EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC., ILLUSTRATED WITH TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS: View of Financial Affairs-Failures of Merchants and Bankers in England and other parts of Europe -Exports of Specie from New York and Boston-Exports and Imports of the Port of New YorkUnited States Exports-Vessels built in the United States from 1840 to 1847, inclusive-Rates of Freight to Liverpool-Tonnage Cleared, and Goods Exported from the United States, from 1841 to 1847-Imports into Great Britain-Cost of Breadstuffs imported into Great Britain-Amount of Railway Calls-Condition of the Bank of England-Leading Features of the Banks of Boston, New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans-Quotations for Government and State Stocks in the New York Market, etc., etc... 191-198 JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY AND FINANCE. Progress of the Bank of England from 1778 to 1844.. 198 Bonuses on Bank of England Stock from 1799 to 1847. Circulation, Deposits, Securities, Bullion, and Rest of the Bank of England from 1778 to 1844....... 198 Banks of the States of the Union, Capital, Circulation, etc.... .... 199 200 Boston Imports and Exports of Specie in each year from 1828 to 1847............ Highest and Lowest Price of Bank of England Stock in each year from 1732 to 1846 .... 201 201 202 202 Finances of the States of Ohio and Massachusetts. 203 Finances of the State of Pennsylvania.... Payments into the Treasury of the United States from Customs, etc., at different periods.. 204 204 205 Imports, Exports, and Nett Revenue of the United States in each year from 1791 to 1847. 206 208 208 Export of Corn and Corn Meal from the United States from 1791 to 1847.. 208 209 Vessels and Passengers arriving at New York from 1835 to 1847.... 209 210 Inspections of Leaf Tobacco at the Port of New York from 1834 to 1847... 210 Stocks of Tobacco on hand in each Month of each Year from 1837 to 1848. Imports to, and Exports from Foreign Ports at the Port of Boston, with the Revenue received at the Custom-house from 1838 to 1847..... 212 Arrivals from Foreign Ports at the Port of Boston from 1838 to 1847... Tonnage of Vessels, and Men engaged in the Foreign Trade of the Port of Boston from 1838 to 1847. 213 Foreign Commerce of Philadelphia for the years 1845, 1846, and 1847..... 213 American and Foreign Vessels entered Philadelphia from 1845 to 1847......... 213 Measurement of Grain, Seeds, Salt, Coal, etc., at Philadelphia from 1838 to 1847. 213 Weighable Foreign Merchandise imported into Philadelphia in 1846 and 1847.................... ... 213 ...... 214 Arrivals, Foreign and Coastwise, annually, at the Port of Philadelphia from 1787 to 1847........ COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS. Law of New York relating to Passengers arriving at Ports of Entry in New York.. Tare of the German Customs Union upon Tobacco, Rice, Coffee, etc.......... Modification of the Mexican Tariff.... Postal Regulations between England and the United States......... ..... 217 ... 218 ..... 219 ... 219 ...... RAILROAD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS. Baltimore and Susquehannah Railroad...... Tolls adopted by the Schuylkill Navigation Company....... Voyages made by the British Mail Steamers during the year 1847.. New York Railroad Companies authorized by Law to Borrow Money... Closing of the Hudson River in each year from 1830 to 1847....... Breadstuff's passing the New York Canals in each year from 1834 to 1847.. Opening and Closing of the New York Canals in each year from 1824 to 1847. Statistics of the Columbia Railroad... Tolls Collected on the New York State Canals from 1820 to 1847. JOURNAL OF MINING AND MANUFACTURES. Minerals and Mines in Missouri and Illinois. By Dr. LEWIS FEUCHTWANGER...... Progress of Manufactures in South Carolina... Lake Superior Copper Mines.-Invention for File Cutting by Machinery.. 219 220 221 222 222 223 ....... 224 .4.... 224 224 925 226 227 228 229 Mercantile Library Association of New York.-Banvard's Panorama of the Mississippi River........ 232 On the Adulteration of Wheat Flour.-A Fraudulent Bankrupt in Hamburgh.. 233 THE BOOK TRADE. Short Notices of 36 New Works, or New Editions...... 234-240 |