106 New Books of the Month. to a work as author, is a sure guarantee Much of thy praise, in story and in song, To be a child of thine." Mrs. Sigourney's plan is, on approaching the object of her pilgrimage, to greet it, him, or her—as it is a place, a man or a woman-with a poem or a sonnet, and then to accompany it with a plain prose account of what most interested her mind or her heart. Her prose is never prolix or tiresome, and we have read it with interest and profit. Of the poetical part, we cannot say quite so much. Fifty-two poems, chiefly descriptive of persons, places, and events, written as one writes a diary, must needs be of unequal merit, and somewhat more than anybody can be expected to read at one sitting, and more than anybody can relish in one mood of mind, and more than any poet ought even to give us in succession. Those that we have read, we have found superior to what could have been looked for under the circumis simple, stances; the versification unaffected, and easy; the imagery is delicate and appropriate; and the thoughts, if not always new or striking, if such as lie near at hand, they are, at least, for the most part, true, moral, and religious; such as become a good Christian woman, and a republican wife and mother. Indeed, the moral and religious tone, the free, simple republican spirit of the book, constitute in our eyes its principal charms; whoso reads it, will find himself holding communion with one who will quieken his finer and better feelings, and therefore make him a wiser and better man. The general influence of the book will be to hush what is boisterous or tempes- The portion of the book which has Of the poetical pieces, none have "TO MISS EDGEWORTH. And lock the transcript in their loving mind i Of her who held them oft times from their play, And closer press, as if to share a part Of the pure joy thy smile enkindled in my heart." With this we must take our leave of the volume, with many thanks to its accomplished author, who, by her simple, chaste, and devout spirit, can exert none but a pure and purifying influence on the sons and daughters of her native land. Poetry. A Satire pronounced before the A capital thing-in its typography worthy of its contents, and in the latter well justifying to the more deliberate judgment of perusal in print, the applause that its oral delivery, with the happiest elocation, drew down from the audience which heard it on the occasion referred to in the title. Though written "at a month's notice, and in the midst of engagements which distracted the attention of the author," and though not entirely free from the marks of the rapid haste of its preparation, it is in general as admirable for the keen and bright polish of its wit, as for the justness of its criticism and the wholesomeness of its satire. This vein is the undoubted forte of the vigorous and sharp-pointed pen of its accomplished author. Is there nothing else for him to satirize in this ever-varying infinity of cant, humbug, vice, and nonsense, by which we are surrounded and beset? We strain several points to make room for a part of the quotations instinctively marked by our pencil for insertion. The first is a fine manly tribute to the noble language of which it is itself a worthy specimen : "Yet let me pay a tribute to the tongue, That o'er our infant sleep our mothers sung. Oh, that our tongue were limpid as at first, Like a swift stream, that sparkles cool and clear; The other presents a contrast-" look here, upon this picture, and on this!"whose moral is not the less useful that the author leaves it to be seen through the transparency of his verse: "The common objects in our paths supply Contrast this portrait, not in fond conceit What can be nobler than our lives to give What can be worthier of immortal man And every turn bring comfort to your soul: So shall your wife in coach and Cashmere shawl Drive down Broadway, the wonderment of all: Hirsutely horrid, fright the gaping boor: So shall your daughter come from boarding school, So shall you live, without a grief or care, And die and go-1 need not mention where." The History of the Loco-Foco or Equal Rights Party, its Movements, Conventions and Proceedings, with short Characteristic Sketches of its Prominent Men. By F. BYRDSALL. New York: published by Clement & Packard, 180 Pearl street. 1842. 12mo. pp. 192. The author of this volume is well entitled to say of the events of which he now appears as the historian "All which I saw, and part of which I was." Mr. Byrdsall was in the movement of the Loco-Foco party revolution in the city of New York from its outset, and the Recording Secretary of the "Equal Rights Party," its own proper name, during nearly all the time of its independent existence. It embodies a great deal of minute detail of information which no other individual probably could have furnished, and which will be found of more than a mere local and temporary party interest. To the New York politician it is a book scarcely needing a recommendation. Whatever allowances may perhaps have to be made for the individual feelings, and sometimes prejudices of the writer, in his sketches of the characters of the various persons who figure more or less conspicuously on his pages, they are always honest, and-so far as we have read-possess the means of verification-in the main correct and just. "By such estimable men," says Mr. Byrdsall," as Moses Jaques, Pascal B. Smith, James L. Stratton, John M. Ferrier, A. D. Wilson, Robert Townsend, Jr., John Hecker, and many others described in these pages, was the Equal Rights Party encouraged to have a deeper love for Christian Democratic principles, to seek more knowledge of them, and to find a more abiding faith in them." Mr. Byrdsall does not seem to aim to go very deeply into either the philosophy or the poetry of the movement of which he writes; but he does what we like better, and what will be much more useful, in giving us facts, names, dates and documents in abundance and detail, with a general liveliness of style, not deficient in force and energy, though of no high degree of elegance. The following narrative of the memorable meeting which gave rise to the nickname since so widely spread, and so gloriously raised on high, we quote both as a favorable specimen, and for the sake of the historical interest of the occasion: "The memorable 29th of October, 1835, was drawing near, yet the encampment of the two democracies, that of monopoly, and that of Equal Rights, appeared to be undisturbed. But where was he, the fearless knight-errant of humanity? Where was William Leggett, the herald of truth? He had been beset on all sides, until the overtasked man was exhausted by superhuman exertion, and he lay prostrate on the bed of disease. The Evening Post was bereft of the mighty spirit which gave it power over men's minds, and it seemed as if the sun was standing still in the political world. So deep and intense was the interest felt by the friends of Equal Rights in behalf of the champion of the cause, that it threw an aspect of solemnity over their councils, which perhaps induced more caution in their preparations, and the more necessity for reliance on themselves in the approaching contest. Even the scheme of going to the county meeting at Tammany Hall with Loco Foco matches, and candles, which in other circumstances would have excited merriment, was resolved on in serious earnestness of mind and somewhat of solemn mystery. How "At length the evening of the 29th October is come, on which the Democratic Republican Electors of the city of New York are to assem ble in Tammany Hall, to decide on the nomination of their agents, into whose hands they have foolishly confided their political right of conscience, as regards the right of suffrage. There is a dense throng collecting in front of the hall, and the leading passage and great stairway to the large room, is crowded to a perfect jam, as if human beings were wedged together and bound fast. Already those at the head of the stairs, hear the tramp of persons in the room. comes that? Know you not, questioner, that there are back stairs, and that up those back stairs the caucussed officers with the caucussed proceedings, (for the democracy must not be left to do its duty to itself), have ascended into the room? But in order that you may have a clear knowledge of the mode of doing business under the regime of the time-honored usages in times gone by, the following is quoted from a sagacious politician-On every political occasion, a caucus composed of the "oldest and wisest" is convened in anticipation of any announcement to the people. These obliging and immaculate sages, with the most paternal and disinterested motives, consult and exchange opinions with each other on the course necessary to be pursued for the good of the whole. Once decided upon, the wires are put in motion. If in New York, the Tammany Society, a secret and select one by the by, commences its operations; the Ward leaders have a private interview, and decide upon the chairman, the secretary and the retiring committee; the officeholders receive their instructions to be present with their dependents, and a call is finally pubMished for the Independent Democratic Republican electors to meet and transact the business. On the allotted evening the people assemble; the trained troops, punctual to the minute, nominate and elect the officers; the trained chairman cannot hear any names but those of the trained committee; who in turn make a trained 1eport: the trained secretary is ordered to publish the trained proceedings in the official trained newspapers, and the untrained people are then permitted to go home.' "So much for the Ward meetings; we shall quote from the same author on county meetings: Everything being arranged, the sovereign people are again called upon to approve or disapprove the acts of their nominating (appointing) comgreat room are opened from the inside, to the congregated hundreds on the outside ;-when lo! the actors by some secret passage are already on the stage and perfect in their parts. Order being partially obtained, the tickets are read, the vote is taken and declared in the affirmative; the farce is over, the meeting is adjourned, and the "regular ticket" is announced next day to those who always submit to the majority, and never vote any other.' mittee. At the hour named, the doors of the "The clock has just struck seven, and the doors of Tammany Hall are opening for the democracy. What a mass of human beings rush forward into the room! Yet they are late, for George D. Strong, who came up the back stairs, has already nominated Isaac L. Varian, who also ascended the same way, for the chair, and the latter is hastening towards it before the question is heard by a fifth part of the crowd. Joel Curtis is nominated as the room is tilling up, and the loud 'aye' of the Equal Rights Democracy calls him to the chair. The honest workingman approaches it, and now begins the contest between monopoly and its opponents. There is a struggle of gladiators on the platform around the chair;the loudest vociferations are heard, and Tammany trembles with intestine war. The contest at length becomes more furious; men are struggling with each other as if for empire, while the multitude in the body of the room are like the waves of a tempestuous sea. But who is he, that man of slender form and youthful appearance, the foremost in the struggle? Equal Rights men, your chief should be a man of stalwart frame; but there is hope, for your cause is good, and the indomitable spirit of equality is in that slender man. Cheers for MingWhat is that the office-holder? He who is always up with every rising of the people? He openly dares the majesty of monopoly, even in its temple-he disregards the tenure of his office, for the elevating principle of Equality of Rights-the honest war-cry of opposition to all monopolies' has aroused the democratic enthusiasm of his heart, and he counts not the cost. It is so he is unconsciously, for the occasion, and the time being, the natural hero of humanity, striving with all his energy of character to place Joel Curtis in the chair, as the representative of the masses. Unquestionably it is a contest for empire between man and monopoly. "Behold! a broad banner is spread before the eyes of the vast assemblage, and all can read its inscription: Joel Curtis, the Anti-Monopolist chairman' "The efforts of Isaac L. Varian and the monopoly democracy are futile to obtain order, or to read their ticket of nominations so as to be heard, or any decision had thereon. They are struck with amazement at the sight of another banner with the inscription, Anti-Monopolist Democrats are opposed to Gideon Lee, Ringgold, West, and Conner; and another with We go all gold but Ringgold. What a desecration of the usages! "But behold-there is the broadest banner of all, and it is greeted with cheers. It is the whole of the anti-monopoly ticket for Congress and the Legislature, so that all can see and read where none can distinctly hear. The shouts of the Equal Rights Democracy are still more deafening. But heartfelt cheers are given to that ban ner which declares for Leggett: The Times must change ere we desert our Post.' The struggle is drawing towards a close, Isaac L. Varian believes the evidence presented to his senses, and in attempting to leave the chair, to which he is forcibly held down by George D. Strong and a member of the Common Council since dead, he exclaims, 'Let me get out, gentlemen, we are in the minority here! They held him fast;-but there! the chair is upset, and Isaac L. Varian is thrown from it. Instantly Joel Curtis, the true-hearted workingman is in it, both by right and fact, while two banners speak to the Democracy, 'Don't adjourn'--'Sustain the chair. There is clapping of hands and triumphant cheers. What can the discomfited do? "They have done it. When they got down stairs they turned off the gas. It is half-past seven, and the darkness of midnight is in Tammany Hall. Nothing but the demon spirit of monopoly, in its war upon humanity, could have been wicked enough to involve such an excited throng in total darkness. Let there be light, and there is light" A host of fire-fly lights are in the room-loco-foco matches are ignited, candles are lit, and they are held up by living and breathing chandeliers. It is a glorious illumination! There are loud and long plaudits and huzzas, such as Tammany never before echoed from its foundations. Reader, if this were not a victory over Monopoly, a blow, at least, was struck upon the hydraheaded monster, from which it never recovered." The Seasons. By JAMES THOMSON; Gems from American Poets; A Collection of the Promises of Scripture, under their proper heads, &c. By SAMUEL CLARKE, D.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. These pretty little 18mo. volumes are the commencement of a series which the same publishers have in progress, entitled Appleton's Miniature Classical Library, comprising chiefly works and selections whose sterling merit is attested by their wide and long established popularity. The Gems from American Poets appear to be in general tastefully selected. Of Dr. Clarke's "Promises," a book of which the circulation has been probably second to no other of the various manuals of devotion that have been prepared by many a pious hand, we are induced to quote the following from the recommendation to the original edition, by Dr. Watts, in 1750: "The materials which are collected here are all divine, and the disposition of them is elegant and regular; so that it is an easy matter to find something suited to the frame of our souls, or our present wants, upon every occasion. . Those who have little leisure for reading, may find their account in keeping this book always near them, and with the glance of an eye they may take in the riches of grace and glory, and derive many a sweet refreshment from hence, amidst their labors and travels through this wilderness. It is of excellent use to lie on the table in a chamber of illness, and now and then to take a sip of the river of life, which runs through it in a thousand little rills of peace and joy." Historical Tales and Illustrations. By AGNES STRICKLAND, authoress of "The Rival Crusoes," &c., &c. With Engravings. 12mo. pp. 276. Boston: Munroe & Francis, J. H. Francis, 128 Washington street, Boston. New York: C. S. Francis. It is needless to add to the recommendation contained in the name of the authoress of this entertaining little volume. Combining the instruction of history with the pleasure of amusing story-telling, it is a sort of juvenile application of the principle of the historical romance. Well conceived, well executed, well printed, it will also be very welcome to the class of readers for whom it is destined. Tales from the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, as related by a Mother for the amusement of her children. With Forty Engravings by BUTLER, from designs by J. GILBERT. Third Edition. New York: J. & H. G. Langley, 57 Chatham street. 1843. Robin Hood and his Merry Foresters. By STEPHEN PERCY, author of "Tales of the Kings of England." With ten finely colored plates. Fourth Edition, improved. New York: J. & H. G. 1843. Langley, 57 Chatham street. The popularity of these really very pretty perennials, calling forth repeated editions, is not likely to diminish at the present season, when they will be found among the most appropriate presents of this kind which the crowded tables of the bookstores presen!. The Young Islanders, a Tale of the Last Century. By JEFFERYS TAYLOR. 12mo. pp. 306. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. Work and Wages, a Tale. By MARY HOWITT. 12mo. pp. 178. Same. The first of these little volumes is a Robinson Crusoe sort of story, of a company of lads cast away on a desert island, illustrated by pretty wood cutsa never failing source of interest to that class of readers for which it is designed. The other is another number of the publishers' series of "Tales for the People and their children"-a continuation of Mary Howitt's former story of "Little Coin, Much Care." MONTHLY LITERARY BULLETIN. AMERICAN. LITERARY CURIOSITY.-One of the small- SCOTSMEN IN THE REVOLUTION.-The New editions are now ready of those po- the celebrated" Clinical Lectures on The following are among the new Christ- by J. S. Redfield announces a translation of Ure's Dictionary of the Arts has just ar |