Page images
PDF
EPUB

Such are the leading features of this system. Its principles are stated didactically and illustrated with great brevity. Their difference from those of other systems is only occasionally referred to, and the work is wholly free from that polemical aspect which has too much affected most philosophical discussions. On the whole we anticipate a favorable reception of this new system, as a concise, intelligible, and convenient class-book of Mental science.

2.-Travels in Europe and the East, embracing Observations made during a Tour through Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Holland, Prussia, Saxony, Bohemia, Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland, Lombardy, Tuscany, the Papal States, the Neapolitan Dominions, Malta, the Islands of the Archipelago, Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor, Turkey, Moldavia, Wallachia and Hungary, in the years 1834, 35, '36, '37, '38, '39, '40, and '41. By Valentine Mott, M. D., President of the Medical Faculty of the University of New-York, and Professor of Surgery, etc. etc. New-York: Harper & Brothers, 1842. pp. 452.

It has become fashionable, of late, to denominate a certain character of style suggestive. The above title exhibits this character in a remarkable degree. Besides its very numerous specifications, it suggests the author's high professional reputation, that he has enjoyed very peculiar advantages in his foreign travels, and has seen a great many countries and things, which he must of course be better qualified, than most tourists, to describe. We accordingly commenced the perusal of this handsome octavo volume, with raised expectations. In some respects, however, we have been disappointed.

The introductory pages, and other portions of the book which appear to be wholly original, besides containing many things of trifling interest, are written in a style which is strikingly faulty. Its sentences are unreasonably long and loaded with epithets; and, in many instances, they need to be broken up and rearranged, to become easily intelligible. There are also blunders in grammatical construction, and a use of unauthorized words, as "objectional," for objectionable, etc., indicating a defect of literary taste and discrimination, which would hardly be tolerated in a work of much lower preten

sions.

But while we feel constrained to enter these strictures, we would by no means undervalue the work before us, or dis

courage its perusal. The high professional standing of Dr. Mott, as a surgeon, gave him access to the best sources of information, on subjects relating to medical and surgical science, and his long residence and extensive travels abroad have enabled him to make some valuable remarks on the state of the healing art in the several countries which he visited. That portion of his book which relates to the European States, is confined almost exclusively to topics of this sort, and to descriptions of his interviews with distinguished individuals of the medical profession. Two thirds of the volume, however, are occupied with a narrative of his travels in Greece and Egypt, and the other Eastern countries named in the titlepage, with historical sketches of their monumental remains, notices and illustrations of the present condition and habits of the people, etc. These portions of the work are written in a better style than the introductory chapters, and will be read with interest by those who are not already familiar with the work of Mr. Pittàkys on Egypt, and other authors from whom Dr. Mott has derived the materials of his sketches.

3.-HARPERS' FAMILY LIBRARY:

No. 145. On the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature; with Notes, Commentaries, and Illustrations. By Charles Bucke, author of " Ruins of Ancient Cities," etc. Selected and Revised by William P. Page.

No. 146. Essays on Property and Labor, as connected with Natural Law and the Constitution of Society. By Francis Leiber.

No. 147. The Natural History of Selborne. By Rev. Gilbert White, A. M., Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. New-York: Harper & Brothers, 1842.

These are the last volumes of the Family Library, which have come into our hands; and as is usual in this series, they are good and useful books. The first is made up of choice selections from the larger work of Mr. Bucke, in three volumes. It comprises fifty-one distinct topics, relating to the most interesting and exciting objects and scenes in nature, and abounds in striking facts and sentiments, and in beautiful imagery. Its perusal is suited to exert a salutary moral influence upon the mind, and to excite an admiration of the works of God.

Dr. Leiber's Essay is a truly philosophical, and at the same time, a popular and very intelligible discussion of an important subject, on which there has heretofore existed great diSECOND SERIES, VOL. VII. NO. II.'

20

versity and confusion of views, both in Europe and this country. The right of property lies at the foundation of the disputes which, in an age of advancing political freedom, must ever exist between the reforming and conservative classes of society; and in a republican country should be well understood by the people, as well as the government. The publication of Dr. Leiber's work, therefore, in an economical form, may be considered seasonable for the exertion of an extensive and a salutary influence. The author maintains, and we think demonstrates, that the rights of property are connected with the earliest and most lasting necessities of our being. They are not the results of law or government, but have a being before government and independent of it. They are rights which it is the office of human legislation, not to create, but to protect.

The Natural History of Selborne, is a volume of 335 pages, containing brief sketches of the natural scenery, the soils, productions, birds, beasts, reptiles, wild and tame animals in great variety, to be found in the parish of Selborne, (England,) a hundred years ago. It is written in the form of letters, in two series, the first of which is forty-four in number, and the second, sixty-two, accompanied with fifty-two wood engravings. It is a book of peculiar character, but simple and intelligible in its style, and well adapted to entertain and instruct the young reader.

4.-History of the Great Reformation of the Sixteeth Century in Germany, Switzerland, &c. By J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, Pres. of the Theol. School of Geneva, and Member of the Société Evangelique. Vol. III. First American from the fifth London Edition. New York: Robert Carter, 1842. THE first and second volumes of this History were noticed in our last number. The opinion we there expressed of the rare excellency of the work is fully sustained by the present volume. While the sketch of Luther and his coadjutors in Germany has been continued with perhaps equal ability, the progress of the new opinions in Switzerland is invested with still greater interest, and the history of the Reformation in France is mainly drawn from unpublished documents, which throw much additional light on that eventful period. The printed materials for the early history of Protestantism in the latter country are few and scanty, owing to the severe and incessant trials which have harassed the Reformed Congregations. Hence the author has been led to devote much time

and labor to the examination of MSS., and the facts obtained in this way have enabled him "to reconstruct an entire phase of the Reformation in France." Beza has allotted but four pages to a period which occupies 164 pages of the volume before us.

5.-Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry and Geology. By James F. W. Johnson, M. A., F. R. SS. L. and E. Fellow of the Geological Society, etc. etc. New-York: Wiley & Putnam, 1842. pp. 300.

These lectures were addressed to a society of practical farmers in England, many of whom, as the author tells us, possessed no knowledge of scientific Chemistry or Geology. He accordingly employs no scientific terms and introduces no philosophical principles which he does not fully explain. The work is designed for the benefit of practical agriculturists in general, and is adapted to the average knowledge of that class. Any man of ordinary capacity, if he will "begin at the beginning," and read the book in its order, may easily comprehend its instructions and appropriate its principles in practice. We are much pleased with the clearness and simplicity of its statements, and do not hesitate to recommend it as admirably well adapted to direct our farmers in general to the best methods of rendering their lands, as well as their labor, productive of the most bountiful results. We advise them to read it.

6. The Biblical Cabinet, or Hermeneutical, Exegetical, and Philological Library. Vol. XXXII. Annotations on some of the Messianic Psalms; from the Commentary of Rosenmüller; with the Latin Version and Notes of Dathe. Translated by Robert Johnson. With an Introduction and Preface. Edinburgh: Thomas Clark, 1841. The character and object of the Biblical Cabinet are sufficiently known from the title, and from previous notices in the Repository. The selections and the typographical execution are usually worthy of all praise; the translations perhaps not always the best. The present volume embraces a preface, in which the religious opinions of Kant are exhibited in extracts from his works, taken from the American Biblical Repository, No. I, January, 1831. Prof. Robinson's opinion of Rosenmüller's works, as 66 unadapted to the taste of American Stu dents," is also quoted. Dr. E. W. Hengstenberg's Introduction to the Messianic Psalms, translated by the Rev. R. Keilb,

follows the preface, and will sufficiently correct any erroneous views of Rosenmüller. Next we have a general introduction to the book of Psalms of great value, then the annotations on the Messianic Psalms; and finally, Dathe's Latin version.

7.-Sermons on the Life of the Early Christians, by Dr. Chr. Ludw. Couard. Translated from the German by Leopold I. Bernays. Vol. XXXIII. Biblical Cabinet. Edinburg, 1841.

It is interesting to be made acquainted with the early Christians, as we are in this volume. We here see them in their practical life, rather than on the arena of controversy, and we rejoice to find them exhibiting so much of the evangelical spirit, so much of likeness to Christ. It is equally interesting to know that sermons of so holy a tendency are preached from the pulpits of Germany, and issued from its presses. In the sermons entitled, "Zeal in Prayer of the Early Christians;" "The Life of Early Christians a life of Love," "Earnestness of the first Christians in forsaking the World;" and "the Family Life of the Early Christians," there will be found many admirable thoughts and delightful sentiments. The views exhibited are just, and well worthy the attention of Christians in our day and in our land. The translation is good, and the book such as we can safely recommend.

8.-History of the first Planting and Training of the Christian Church by the Apostles. By Dr. Augustus Neander. Translated by J. E. Ryland. Edinburgh: Biblical Cabinet. Vols. XXXIV, XXXV. 1842.

These volumes will doubtless be welcomed by the scholars of Great Britain and the United States. They refer to an interesting period of the world's history, and come from the pen of Neander, than whom there is probably no better, no more impartial ecclesiastical historian living. We are obliged, however, to say, that the volumes are not printed with that accuracy and taste, which the matter merits, and which an Edinburgh press ought to exhibit. On the first two pages of the "Biographical Notice," there are no less than seven mistakes in the printing of German words, and throughout, an utter inattention to the accentuation of the Greek. In most words, the accents are altogether omitted, without distinction even of the aspirated and unaspirated vowels; then again, on the same page, and even in the same sentence and clause,

« PreviousContinue »