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stance of the things unseen, are almost buried with the nature of the child. They scarce survive the age of manhood, when Reason lights her fickle lamp, and leads the steps astray. Of all things else we miss that loveliest of infantile graces, that guileless confidence, which soon alas! experience will change to sad mistrust. Dead is the ear which will then listen to the story of a giant, though you should tell of one who burst the bars of the sepulchre asunder, and trampled Death and Hell beneath his feet. The eyes which glistened with delight, and drank in pictures of a fairy land, can see no heaven through the misty veil, and they who revelled in ALADDIN's groves, whose limbs were laden down with sparkling jewelry, refuse to glance at all the amaranthine bloom and beauty where eternal summer reigns.'

Aside from those portions of the work to which we have already alluded, or from which we have quoted, we would call especial attention to the affecting sketch, The Heart of Adamant,' and the quaint, old-style story of 'Ye Two Neighbours,' both perfect gems after their kind.

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SANDERS' YOUNG LADIES' READER: Embracing a comprehensive course of instruction in the principles of Rhetorical Reading; with a choice collection of Exercises in Reading, both in Prose and Poetry. For the use of the Higher Female Seminaries, and also the Higher Classes in Female Schools generally. By CHARLES W. SANDERS, A.M., Author of A Series of School Readers,' 'Speller, Definer, and Analyzer,' Elocutionary Chart,' Young Choir,' Young Vocalist,' etc. New-York: IvISON AND PHINNEY.

WHAT Wonderful changes have been wrought in school-books within the last quarter of a century! Who has forgotten the miserable little things, composed of poor print, poor paper, and no binding at all, that just for a sort of stereotyped joke, they called books? Take up any old reader or -old enough to have such an inscription as this on the fly-leaf:

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Jo Boggs: His Book.

'STEAL not this book, my honest friend,
For fear the gallus will be your end,'

and see if our description is not correct. Look at the illustrations in the old spelling-books, and tell us if you think a man with the toothache would be likely to dream any thing much worse.

True, the arts of printing and paper-making have been much improved, but there has been a more remarkable change still. Men have begun to think, and to act upon the thought, that the young are entitled to the best works of the book-making fraternity, from author to engraver; and so they are; and where, we should like to know, should their skill be brought more fully into requisition than in the production of school-books, rendering these vade mecums of school-days as beautiful and attractive as possible.

The volume before us is a perfect work of the new and enlightened doctrine; and it is the highest pleasure to read such clear impressions upon such fair white paper. The pages are of a good liberal size, the binding neat and substantial, and the character of the selections most admirable. In the old husky dissertations, there was no more danger of the pupils comprehending either the language or thought, than there was of their being taken up to heaven in a water-spout. Here we have something varied, something

useful, something pure, something that will elevate them, but not out of the very shoes they stand in, as was the case aforetime. We commend this Reader to the attention of young ladies, for whom it was especially prepared, and who may consider themselves complimented by this tribute paid to

their innate love of the beautiful.

HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE: in SUBURB AND COUNTRY: The Villa, the Mansion, and the Cottage: Adapted to American Climate and Wants. With Examples, showing how to Alter and Remodel Old Buildings. In a series of One Hundred Original Designs. By GERVASE WHEELER, Architect, Author of Rural Homes,' etc. In one volume: pp. 443. New-York: CHARLES SCRIBNER.

In our judgment, this work will supply an important desideratum. In truth, just such a work was needed, at a time when there is a growing taste for that mingled beauty and utility in the construction of American dwellings, which has not been too common heretofore in this country. 'In the attempt,' says Mr. WHEELER in his 'preface' that the following pages indicate, I have endeavored steadily to keep in view the fact that Homes are needed, and that the urgency of the want must not be met by the offering of whimsical and unreal fancies, suited neither to habitancy nor durability, and yet although honestly of opinion that any one design selected can be made exactly what it claims to be a good common-sense house for a man to live in, replete with conveniences and domestic comforts all have been cast in forms of simple beauty, and the laws of architectural propriety have been respected.' After a thorough examination of the work before us, we can bear testimony to the justice of this assumption. Throughout the work, constant reference is made to certain well-known principles of design upon which material beauty depends. These are interspersed with illustrations, in preference to occupying a position where they may be read as a collected whole, the writer very correctly inferring, that a 'general reader cares little for essays, and would be apt to turn only to the pictures,' and so perhaps leave unread what is claimed to be of at least equal value.' The contents of the book consist of a short description of the peculiarities of those architectural styles of past ages which are of practical use in domestic buildings now, and a series of carefully-digested plans of residences, adapted to every want of home-seekers, from the country mansion to the simplest cottage. Many of these designs are in the best possible taste. The 'Villa Mansion,' which fronts the title-page, would be our beau-ideal of a princely country residence. We quote a few remarks in relation to country mansions, which will commend themselves to the reader's good sense:

'He that builds a country mansion should remember that he takes upon himself a responsibility. He not only is about to erect a house that he may enjoy with his family, and which he may not unreasonably hope his children will be able to maintain after his death; but he is about to do what may for years affect the taste of the rustic community that will naturally take their tone from him. Common-sense would lead him to require a house neither too costly nor too large; and a consideration that the wealth he has reaped was only given him for a proper bestowal, should urge him to be careful that he erects what shall be a lesson in art to his neighbors. The retired merchant

from the busy city, is apt to have all his proceedings watched, and it is not unnatural for those who know that his wealth has been gained by shrewdness of judgment in business matters, to suppose that the same maturity of thinking will be developed in his house and all his country undertakings- so that he will be sure to find plenty of imitators who will modestly believe that in following his example they can scarcely err.

Therefore I say, a man building a country mansion has, if he rightly views it, grave responsibility, and his act may retard or advance the progress of truthful influences in art more than he may perhaps at first thought admit.

'A well-designed and truthful building in a country place is a perpetual lesson, and the wealthy man that erects one does a good to the community that books and teaching cannot equal. Whilst the erection of such a building is a benefit, the construction of one in bad taste is an injury, and it may take a generation to obliterate its effects; in this untrammelled country, it seems to me a man has no right, however widely he may own the land that surrounds it, to rear an unsightly building to mar the common enjoyment of a beautiful landscape.'

'Life in the great world has enlarged the ideas, and made liberal the feelings of the home-founder-refinements of the city, and improvements of travel, have made him careful, not only for the country life he is to lead, but for the comforts of the town manners he has left. If of literary tastes, his library will be a favorite feature in the plan he contemplates, and his leisure hours for its enjoyment more accurately defined, and less interrupted than in the busy city. If fond of social life, and the gathering together of friendly faces about him, the cheerful parlors and many bed-rooms of his hospitable mansion are thought of first. Or his travel or his natural tastes may have led to the gradual accumulation of paintings and other works of art, which, when gathered together, perhaps assume a bulk so large as to render a room for their proper bestowal necessary. In almost every such house that I have been called upon to design, the provision of some such room has been thought of; and either the halls have been made large, or the various rooms have contributed wall and table space for the reception of such matters, or a separate room has been incorporated in the plan.'

We should remark of the execution of this volume, both in its numerous engravings and its typography, that it is in all respects creditable to the popular house whence it proceeds.

STAR PAPERS: OR EXPERIENCES OF ART AND NATURE. BY HENRY WARD BEECHER. In one volume: pp. 359. New-York: J. C. DERBY, Nassau-street.

ONE of the most attractive features, for a long time past, in the columns of The Independent' weekly religious, semi-literary, and semi-secular journal, has been the 'bright particular' star which indicated the especial contributions of Mr. HENRY WARD BEECHER, one of the editors, also, in a less distinctive way, if we are rightly informed. These 'Star Papers' are here collected in a handsome volume, and they will be cordially welcomed, in this form, by very many readers who 'would n't touch with a pair of tongs' his occasional sermons and eloquent discourses upon certain irregular and morbidly-exciting topics of the day. We shall hope to have something to say hereafter, and soon, touching portions of this volume, which we have read with the greatest pleasure; so natural and simple are they so far removed from any thing like a pumped-up feeling, or extemporized enthusiasm. Ad interim,we indorse every word of the following from an able contemporary: The author comes forward as a man of contemplation and sentiment. He displays an equal passion for nature and love of art. His pages finely alternate between humor, pathos, and æsthetic discussion. Flashes of fun suddenly gleam out from exquisite descriptions of rural scenery or passages

of pensive reflection. An air of absolute reality pervades the volume. This, perhaps, is its most remarkable distinction. The author is perfectly at home with Nature, and takes no knowledge of her second-hand. He not only looks at nature with his own eyes, but looks minutely, fondly, reverently, and hence his sketches have a matter-of-fact character, blended with purely ideal associations, which is not common with many would-be descriptive writers. Indeed several of his word-pictures have the effect of a good landscape-painting, presenting the enchantment of an actual scene, though without the aid of color or perspective.' Pending a notice which shall do more elaborate justice to the volume before us, we cannot help even now calling the reader's attention to the Experiences of Nature,' and 'thereabout especially' of them, wherein the writer speaks of 'Death in the Country,' 'Snow-Storm Travelling,' 'New-England Grave-Yards,' and 'Trouting.' A 'lunch' from these will impart 'the appetite of an anaconda' for the book in its entirety. We subjoin the preface of the work, which succinctly indicates the character of its contents:

THE author has been saved the trouble of searching for a title to his book from the simple circumstance that the articles of which the work is made up appeared in the columns of the New-York Independent' with the signature of a STAR, and, having been familiarly called the 'Star Articles,' by way of designation, they now become, in a book form, STAR PAPERS.'

Only such papers as related to Art and to rural affairs have been published in this volume. It was thought best to put all controversial articles in another and subsequent volume.

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The Letters from Europe' were written to home-friends, during a visit of only four weeks -a period too short to allow the subsidence of that enthusiasm which every person must needs experience who, for the first time, stands in the historic places of the Old World. An attempt to exclude from these letters any excess of personal feeling, to reduce them to a more moderate tone, to correct their judgments, or to extract from them the fiery particles of enthusiasm, would have taken away their very life.

The other papers in this volume, for the most part, were written from the solitudes of the country, during the vacations of three summers. I can express no kinder wish for those who may read them, than that they may be one half as happy in the reading as I have been in the scenes which gave them birth.'

THE VIRGINIA MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. Four Numbers: Richmond, Virginia.

THE perusal of this medical monthly has afforded us much satisfaction and pleasure. A medical journal, so entirely devoted to the interests of the profession, should be possessed by every medical practitioner; and as most of the advancement and finding out of things new in the profession -medicine and surgery are given to the world by works of this kind, they are not to be dispensed with by the profession. That it has merit, none will deny in fact we think it will compare, or not suffer by comparison, with any work of the kind published in the United States. Article Second, Number Nineteen, on the 'Pathology and Treatment' of one of the most terrible diseases to which human flesh is heir, should be read by every practising physician. We would ask of our medical readers a faithful perusal of the article above specified.

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LEAVES FROM OUR CAMP-COMFORT' AND GREEN-MOUNTAIN CORRESPONDENT. OUR readers will be glad to hear again from our fair correspondent, 'J. K. L.' Her letters arrived too late for insertion in our last number:

'MOST sincerely do I wish, my dear Mr. KNICKERBOCKER, that I had a talent for description, (or any description of talent,) for there are so many things I should like to tell you about, if I could only do it decently. In the first place, there are the pretty pictures which JACK FROST paints on my window-panes every night, and which I lie in bed and admire in the morning, when I ought to be up and dressing for breakfast. When it is very cold, they stay there all day, in spite of warm fires within, and warm sunshine without, and afford me amusement for many an idle moment, and foundation for a thousand vague speculations and wild fancies. Oh! he's a capital painter that JACK FROST, there's such a delicacy and finish, and so much freshness about his style, and so much imagination about his pictures! One pane represents a quiet little hamlet, pretty cottages snuggled in among the mountains, a church-spire, evergreens, a flock of sheep, and a peasant reclining in the fore-ground. Another seems to be an ancient castle, with banners waving from the battlements, a train of knights and men-at-arms issuing from the postern; the artist has evidently bestowed great pains on their plumes and armor. Dear me! it was all so natural and life-like that I fancied I heard the sound of their clarions this morning; but it turned out to be only the breakfast-bell! Another appears to be a mountain-torrent, sweeping bridges and mill-dams and every thing else before it. A fourth is a ship under full sail; while others seem to be 'very much mixed up,' like the story of our friend DOESTICKS' visit to Niagara Falls! Well, as I said before, I am a great admirer of JACK FROST'S talents, so long as he confines himself to night-work upon my window-panes; but I do not like to have him try his skill on my physiognomy, for none of his efforts have yet succeeded in improving the original, poor as it may be, though it does not seem to proceed from any want of penetration on his part; yet he certainly has an erroneous idea of coloring that is quite distressing, leaving lines of green and blue round the mouth, and a purpleish tinge under the eyes, while the nose he invariably decks with a brilliant shade of vermilion, which is particularly annoying to one who, like myself, is decidedly proud of that feature. In short, he imparts to the whole face the effect of a stationary kaleidoscope !

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