of the incidents, and in the catastrophe. There is a want, too, of originality of strong and distinct individuality, in the personages. In the development of character, action, and passion, by the situations and dialogue of the piece, we do not recognise the presence of that peculiar creative and life-giving imagination, upon which the proper effect of a drama depends. Hence, we read the piece without any deep interest in the progress of the action, and come to its conclusion with something of dissatisfaction. Of particular portions, we should say, however, that the concluding scene of Ophira's madness is well managed; and that the encounter between the mob and the cynical Lucretius, is a genuine creation-a particular living embodying of actual human nature, though at its close, with a shade too much of satire, for perfect reality and truth. The enraged mob, in search of Calöus, fall in with Lucretius:

FIRST CITIZEN.

Here is a fellow of the same fine trim,

A rank aristocrat.

SECOND CITIZEN.

Look ye, my hearty!

Where have ye snugged away that clean-faced scoundrel?

And speak the truth with boldness, instantly
Ye cry, aristocrat,' 'oppressor,' 'tyrant!'
Ye are yourselves your only true oppressors;
Ye are yourselves the true aristocrats;
Ye are the kind of tyrants, who, stark mad,
Blind and bewildered, grope among themselves,
And sacrifice each other. Get ye home,
And purge away the dulness of your eyes,
To see your true condition. Gracious Heaven!
Will the time ever come, when man shall learn
There's such a thing as too much liberty?

MANY VOICES.

Down with this rank aristocrat, down with him.

LUCRETIUS.

Ye dare not lay a finger on my head,
Unworthy Syrians! I defy your rage!
Where is your leader? let him show his face.
Ye are a pack of cowards, every one,
Scared even at each other. Do ye come
To seek out Calous? Why look ye, sirs!
Were Calous here, he'd frown you to submission.
Here is some money for you; get some drink,
And pledge us your good wishes-do, I pray ye!
MANY PEOPLE, (all scrambling for the money.)
Huzza for Calous! long live Lucretius!

Huzza! huzza! huzza!

LUCRETIUS.

[Exeunt tumultuously.

I'd buy a million of ye, had I money,

For any act rebellious. God have mercy!
If our deliverance rests on such as these!"

On the whole, entertaining great respect for the character and genius of Mr. Dawes, we should say his talents were less suited to the drama, than to some of the other forms of poetic creation. As a philosophical poet, he might produce a work more worthy to take a high place in his country's literature.

5. The Gentle Boy. A Thrice-Told Tale. By NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, with an original illustration. Boston: 1839. Weeks, Jordan & Co.

Or this exquisite story, so generally and deservedly admired, we need say nothing more than that this edition is put out to accompany an etching after the manner of Retzsch, by Miss Sophia A. Peabody, which for beauty and grace well merits the approbation it has received from our greatest painter, and which might well excite the gratification Mr. Hawthorne has expressed in his charming preface.

6. Sketches of Married Life. By Mrs. FOLLEN. Boston: 1838. Hilliard, Gray, & Co. pp. 304.

THIS is a good book, full of interest as a story, written with much and diversified talent, and impressively teaching a most important lesson the necessity of perfect confidence and frankness to the happiness of married life. With occasional instances, in which the limits of the truth of nature are slightly exaggerated, it is yet a work doing equal credit to the head and to the heart of the author; and we feel it our duty to recommend it strongly, as likely to do good to the heads and hearts of all that read it.

7. Considerations in Favor of Classical Studies. A Lecture delivered in the Irving Institute. By CHARLES H. LYON, A. M. one of the Principals. New York: 1839. p. 19.

A SENSIBLE and well written performance-containing a fervent, yet judicious exposition of the benefits of classical studies, by one who is apparently qualified to speak on the subject. In this age, so marked by low utilitarian views in education, we feel bound to make honorable mention of all contributions in defence of the thorough, old-fashioned doctrines.

8. An Elementary Treatise on Optics, designed for the use of the Cadets of the U. S. Military Academy. By WM. C. BARTLETT, A. M. Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, in the Academy. New York: 1839. Wiley & Putnam. Svo. pp. 232.

THIS work aspires to no other merit than that of a compilation; and viewed in this light, it is entitled to praise. As a book to be placed in the hands of a class, for the purpose of preparing recitations, it comprises as much as can possibly be required in the way of preparation. It has also the advantage of avoiding the disputed question of the theories of transmission and undulation, which occupy so large a space in some of the authorities whom he cites. If, however, it be considered as a text book, intended to be illustrated by a course of lectures, it is too meagre, and enters too little into subjects of practical utility and popular interest. We may also ob

ject to the difficulty of some of the methods which are employed, and which require a knowledge of the calculus. It is possible that some of his own class may be sufficiently advanced in mathematical knowledge to follow these investigations; but we conceive that a competent knowledge even of the theory of optics, may be obtained without them, and are sorry to see what may be successfully pursu ed as an elementary study, rendered difficult, were it only in appearance, by too free an use of even algebraic formula.

9. An Elementary Treatise on Astronomy, in four parts. By WILLIAM A. NORTON, late Professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, in the University of the City of New-York. NewYork: Wiley & Putnam. Svo. pp. 373, with appendix, pp. 112.

THIS work, intended by its author as a text book for colleges and academies, cannot fail to be of much value. It is a compilation, in most respects judicious, from authorities of the highest character; and it contains examples of the forms of calculation, for cases which have fallen within the observation of the author himself. Such a work has long been wanted and, although there are many persons who would have been qualified to execute it, publishers have not been found to undertake it, although there is no treatise in the English language applicable to the object. Professor Norton is, therefore, fortunate in having been the first to supply this want, and has performed his task in a manner so creditable, that there is little fear of his finding a rival. Still we can by no means award him unqualified praise. The attempt to found the system of practical Astronomy on the Copernican system as an hypothesis, we consider a decided failure, and a departure from the true method of proceeding in philosophical investigations. He, in fact, makes no use of his hypothesis in the early part of his treatise, recurring, in his second chapter, to the doctrines of the sphere, which can only be founded on the hypothesis of the earth being at rest. We, therefore, regret, that as he has taken Delambre for his authority in the early part of the work, he had not adhered strictly to his method, in which the facts of the Copernican system are gradually and successively deduced from the appearances. The truth of this system, with that of the additions made to it by Kepler, being thus shown analytically, the law of universal gravitation is obtained as the necessary consequence, and on it physical astronomy may be established by the inverse method.

We have, also, to object to the chapter on astronomic instruments, as far behind the knowledge of the age. The astronomic quadrant is spoken of as if it were in actual use, although a quarter

of a century has elapsed since it was discarded from all fixed observatories; the valuable properties of the circular instruments which have superseded it, are not referred to; and, in particular, the repeating instruments, by which the means of observation of the traveller are placed on a level with those formerly possessed only by the astronomers of national establishments, are not even mentioned. The part which treats of physical astronomy, is neither a popular exposition of the system of the universe, nor a full treatise on celestial mechanics. As we could have no right to look for the latter in a work of the character with that now before us, we could have wished that the author had limited his ambition to the former.

10. The Apostolical Commission: the Sermon at the Consecration of the Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, D. D., Missionary Bishop for Arkansas; in Christ Church, Cincinnati, December 9, 1838. By CHARLES PETTIT MCILVAINE, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Ohia. Gambier. G. W. Myers: Western Church Press. pp. 44. AN excellent discourse-able, eloquent, and pervaded by a truly Christian spirit. It sets forth with great clearness and precision the nature of the apostolical commission, and demonstrates that the apostolic office has been handed down in unbroken succession from the first apostles to the present time, and by Divine appointment will be perpetuated to the end of the world. The proof of the nature of the apostleship, as essentially consisting in diocesan episcopacy, of its perpetual institution by Divine appointment, and its actual recognition and existence from the earliest days, is presented with great force, and in several respects, put in a light uncommonly clear and striking. The discussion is, moreover, managed with such skill and tact, such candor and avoidance of every consideration irrelevant and calculated to excite prejudice, that we think it especially suited to produce conviction in the minds of such as may have adopted different views from those maintained in this disWe heartily commend it to their candid attention.

course.

11. Missionary Fanaticism opposed to Christian Zeal. A Discourse delivered in St. John's Church, Brooklyn, etc. By EVAN M. JOHNSON, Rector, etc. New York: 1839. Louis Sherman.

Pp. 32.

THE author of this discourse is opposed to sending Christian missionaries to foreign and pagan lands. He thinks the money and