Old Field. By HUGH MILLER, From the fourth London edi1851. 12mo. pp. 288. New Haven: S. The Old Red Sandstone; or New Walks in an WE remember when, a few years since, a copy of this work was shown to us by a friend recently returned from England, who described it as a book which had produced a strong impression. It is the work by which Hugh Miller created for himself his well-deserved fame. It is more popular in its character than the "Footprints of the Creator"-and will be eagerly sought for, not only by devotees of the Natural Sciences, but by all intelligent men. The Footprints of the Creator; or the Asterolepis of Stromness. By HUGH MILLER, author of "the Old Red Sandstone," &c. With a memoir of the author, by Louis Agassiz. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1850. 12mo. pp. 337. New Haven: T. H. Pease. THE theme of this fascinating volume is indicated by its title. Its design is to show that the fact of creative interposition is not only indicated by the facts of Geology, but that the footprints of the Creator can be traced in the strata long ago deposited. Taking the arguments from fossil remains, as undisputed and indisputable, following the line of gradation in the ascending scale of animal and vegetable life, he finds strange interruptions and occasional degradations, which show conclusively that the Deity has not simply developed all animal and vegetable existence, by the accretion of certain potent and self-organizing particles, but has now and then stepped forth as a present and necessary Creator. The contrast between the style of reasoning adopted in this book and that of the Vestiges of Creation is as striking as that between the conclusions to which the two methods of reasoning conduct. We cannot recommend this book too highly, to all our readers. The Poetry of Science; or Studies of the Physical Phenomena of Nature. By ROBERT HUNT. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. 1850. 12mo. pp. 388. New Haven: T. H. Pease. THIS book is readable and popular, but the number of facts which it presents, and the lucid method in which they are exhibited are fitted to secure to it the confidence of men of science. To every such work as this, we give our cordial good wishes. Principles of Zoology. By L. AGASSIZ and A. A. GOULD. New Edition. Bos ton. 1851. As it was to be expected, this book has excited a good deal of attention among the students of Natural History, not only on account of the source from which it emanated, but also from its intrinsic value. In this respect, we concur entirely with the views which an able writer and competent judge expressed in the Massachusetts Quarterly Review (Vol. I. p. 456, &c.), when the first edition was published. Unlike most of our scientific text-books, this is not a mere repertory of facts which are more or less interesting in themselves; it is written in that philosophical spirit which, for some time past, has distinguished the investigations of modern science, and especially in Germany. The design is not so much to give a description of the various animals in their adaptation to the condition in which they live, as to represent the animal kingdom as a whole, intimately connected in all its parts, as the realization of one great plan, which is to be traced in various directions in the development of the individuum, as well as in the successive appearances of the different tribes during the geological ages, and their actual distribution on the surface of the earth. In this respect, the work is highly suggestive, and has no doubt done much good, and we cannot but congratulate the community that has patronized the work. But while we acknowledge its great merits, we cannot help noticing some of its defects, the more so, as we have been somewhat familiar with its history. The work, as it stands, was written in a foreign language, according to a plan proposed by Professor Agassiz. Any one who has read it attentively must have seen marks of its foreign origin. Besides, it was written in a manner somewhat hasty, and all parts were not treated with the same care, for the actual authors of the work were not equally conversant with all the subjects treated of therein. In both respects, the new edition has been materially improved. The physiological part, which treats of the functions of vegetative life, has received various additions, and the chapter on the secretions of the animal body has been entirely re-cast. On the contrary, the new part, which treats of the embryology and metamorphosis of the animal, and which is by far the most interesting and the best written, has undergone but few modifications. Yet in this department, there was need of some corrections growing out of the recent investigations, and the rapid progress of science. Thus, for instance, it is now proved beyond doubt, by the investigations of Sir T. Dalyell and others, that the jelly-fishes originate by budding from little Polyps like the Hydra; whereas, they are here still represented as transferring themselves from an infusoria-like animalcule into a jelly-fish. The Hydroids are left as an order in the class of Polyps, although it has been proved and admitted by Professor Agassiz himself, that they belong to the jellyfishes. We find a still graver error in the geological part (p. 218), where the Permian formation is placed below the coal measures. It would hardly be a greater mistake to put the period of Cæsar before that of Alexander. The corrections have not always been made with the necessary care, and in consequence, there are discrepancies which must puzzle the student. Thus, in the introduction (p. 23), the class of Polyps is represented as composed of two orders the Hydroids and the Actinoids-while in the frontispiece, the same class numbers three orders-the Rhizopods, the Actinoids, and the Hydroids. Again, the class of Gasteropods or snail-like Mollusks, in the introduction (p. 22), is composed of four orders; in the frontispiece, of three. There are other mistakes in the frontispiece, which ought to have been corrected. Thus, the oldest reptiles are represented as not reaching further back than the Trias, while it is well known to all geologists, that reptiles occur in the coal measures. On the other hand, the ganoid fishes are carried to the bottom of the Lower Silurian, while in reality they are not known below the Devonian. The new edition is enriched with a list of important authors to be consulted in the subjects of the work. This might have proved a valuable addition, if it had been anything like complete and impartial. But authors who have very small claim, if any at all in Zoology, as for example M. Guyot, are ranked among the first authorities, while some of the masters of the science, and leading minds of the age, are omitted. Thus we have in vain looked for the name of Lamarck among the zoologists, and of Quatrefages, Dujardin, and Professor C. Vogt, among the embryologists. The omission of the latter is the more surprising, as the authors have made abundant use of his labors. We understand that fourteen of the most conspicuous diagrams of the text-book are copied from one of Mr. Vogt's works. Finally, we would only allude to the inadequate credit which is given to Messrs. E. Desor and J. Elliot Cabot for their share in the undertaking. The name of the latter gentleman is not mentioned at all, although he translated the whole of the embryological and geological part from M. Desor's French manuscript. The wrong done to M. Desor has already been stated in the Massachusetts Quarterly Review, and it was then ascribed to an oversight, and the hope expressed that the error might be corrected in a new edition. We are sorry to see this has not been done. History and Geography of the Middle Ages, For Colleges and Schools (chiefly from the French). By GEORGE WASHINGTON GREENE, author of "Life of Gen. Greene," "Historical Studies," etc. Part I. History. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1851. pp. 454. THIS is the first volume of a series, which will comprise a History of Rome in one volume; Ancient and Grecian History, one volume; Ancient Historical Geography, one volume; Geography of the Middle Ages, with maps showing the state of Europe at the great epochs of medieval history, one volume; and Modern History, one volume. The present volume is chiefly taken from a French text-book of approved reputation. It is distinguished for its analytic clearness of method, and its precision and perspicuity of style. Each chapter is preceded by a condensed summary of its contents, and of the smaller sections, even, each one has its subject placed at the beginning. The author does not confine himself to history in the narrowest sense, the mere narrative of public transactions; he traces the progress of legislation and political institutions; and presents general views of art, literature, society and manners. The chronological and genealogical tables at the end are numerous and well arranged: they add much to the value of the work. The second part, containing the Geography of the Middle Ages, is understood to be in course of preparation. The parts which are to follow will resemble the present volume in their arrangement, but will be composed expressly for the series. The Works of Horace: with English notes. For the use of Schools and Colleges. By J. L. LINCOLN, Professor of the Latin Language and Literature in Brown University. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 12mo. pp. 575. New Haven: S. Babcock. We have not had the time to secure to this work a critical examination, but so far as we have examined, it seems to us to deserve to be considered the best edition of Horace prepared in this country for the use of our schools and colleges. The text is that of Orelli-the notes are prepared on the right principles-the indexes are ample-the type and paper are very superior. There is nothing to which we except, but the slight awkwardness of the volume, which may arise from the thickness of the paper. If this can be, we hope it will be corrected. The Devotional Sacred Music of America; Arranged for Four Voices, with an Accompaniment for the Piano-Forte, Organ, Seraphine, Melodeon or Æolian Attachment. New York: For sale by Waters & Berry, 333 and 447 Broadway. We recommend to the attention of our readers the above valuable collection of music. It seems well adapted to family and social worship. Whatever shall serve to facilitate the diffusion of a musical taste, and to introduce more extensively into the household the worship of God by psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, should be welcomed. 66 Reveries of a Bachelor: or a Book of the Heart. By IK. MARVEL, Author of Fresh Gleanings." New York: Charles Scribner. 1850. 12mo. pp. 298. THE author of this volume is one in whom we acknowledge a personal interest, and for whose works we are inclined to a favorable judgment. We do not need to guard ourselves, in the present instance, against a flattering estimate of his success. With somewhat of the tenderness of Mackenzie, he has the strong common sense of the New Englander who has been country bred. He has cherished the love for out of door scenes and for indoor affections, which are so natural to New England life. His pictures and scenes are drawn from a personal contact with living men, and a quiet yet strong interest in the workings of a reflecting yet affectionate nature. Hence the peculiar charm of naturalness in all his portraitures, whether of himself or of others. The style, too, is easy, showing patient study of the powers of the English tongue, and a taste that is exquisitely sensitive to its rarer and more delicate beauties and its finer harmonies. There are conceits, now and then, it is true; but fewer than we have observed in some of his previous volumes. There may be occasional reiteration and monotony; but as a whole, the book richly deserves the popularity which it has already received. We hope the author will work his best veins, with fidelity and the amplest reward. Are we mistaken, or is there not a series of letters from the same pen, that once appeared in the New York Spectator, on Country Life in England? If we are not mistaken as to their authorship, we would earnestly advise their publication in a volume. A New Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology, and Geography, partly based on the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. By WILLIAM SMITH, LL.D., Editor of the Dictionaries of Greek and Roman Antiquities, and of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Revised, with numerous corrections and additions, by CHARLES ANTHON, LL.D., Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages in Columbia College. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff Street. 1851. THE progress of classical studies has at last reached our classical dictionaries and geographies for schools. Lempriere is dethroned. The student has now sources of information upon which he can rely. The series prepared by Dr. William Smith, aided by the cooperation of some twenty-eight distinguished scholars in England and Germany, leaves little to be desired, at least according to our present views. This series consists, first, of a Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, in one volume of 1121 pages: secondly, of a Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, in three volumes of about 3600 pages: and thirdly, of a Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, now in preparation. The present work is an abridgment compiled from the first two of the preceding works, for the use of schools, the articles on Geography being written anew for it. It is published in this country under the supervision of Prof. Anthon, who has corrected many errors and made many additions. We hope it may be introduced into every classical school in the land. Appleton's Mechanic's Magazine and Engineer's Journal. Edited by JULIUS W. ADAMS. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton, 164 Chestnut street. Nos. 1—4. WE very much like the plan of this Magazine, and we have found ourselves unexpectedly interested in its contents. We think these enterprising publishers have entered upon a field of publication most useful to the country, in their recent issues upon Mechanics, Engine-Work, and Engineering. Such publications are much needed, and we hope may be extensively circulated. Lavengro: The Scholar-The Gipsy-The Priest. By GEORGE BORROW, author of "The Bible in Spain," and "The Gipsies of Spain." New York: G. P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. 1851. The Wide, Wide World. By ELIZABETH WETHERELL. In two volumes. New York. G. P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. 1851. WITH respect to the first of these works, we have very much the same opinion as other critics. The reader is left in a very doubtful state how far he is to regard it as an autobiography, and how far as fiction. We claim that the union of the two is incompatible, and the appearance of the union where it does not exist, injurious to a work as a work of art. If we regard it as pure fiction, and judge of it according to the laws of art as a whole, we must condemn it, as wanting in unity both in the structure of the story and in the inferiority of the last of the three prominent characters he would set forth. "The priest " is a miserable failure. On the other hand, looking at the work as merely containing a series of descriptions and characters without much connection being intended as a miscellany-we acknowledge there are scenes written with great dramatic power and effect. With regard to the other work, we have no other remark to make than that it appears to be an interesting novel. BOOKS RECEIVED. We have found it difficult to notice works which are published in successive numbers. We shall hereafter merely report the progress of such publications, after we have once informed our readers of the character of the work. There are also some books which, either from being well known, or for other reasons, do not require an extended notice; these we shall place under the present head. Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution; or, Illustrations by Pen and Pencil, of the History, Scenery, Biography, Relics and Traditions of the War for Independence. By BENSON J. LOSSING. With six hundred engravings on wood, by Lossing & Barrett, chiefly from original sketches by the author. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff street. 1851. Nos. 1-13. Farmer's Guide to Scientific and Practical Agriculture. Detailing the labors of the farmer in all their variety, and adapting them to the seasons of the year, as they successively occur. By HENRY STEVENS, F.R.S.E., Author of the "Book of the Farm," etc. Assisted by JOHN P. NORTON, Professor of Scientific Agriculture in Yale College, New Haven. New York: Leonard Scott & Co., 79 Fulton street, and 54 Gold street. 1851. New Haven: T. H. Pease. Nos. 1-16. Vol. I, pp. 673. American Ap; endix, pp. 40. Vol. II. pp. 304. OLIVER BYRNE, Dictionary of Mechanics, Engine-Work, and Engineering. We repeat, on farther acquaintance with this edition of the Bible, our recommendation of it. We think it admirably adapted for use in the family. The Conquest of Florida by Hernando De Soto. By THEODORE IRVING. 1 volume. New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. 1851. As we intend hereafter to give a full account of this very interesting and valuable work, we do no more than announce its publication in our present number. |