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The Conquest of Peru was undertaken at nearly the same time-only a very few years afterward, and becomes, therefore, another episode in Spanish history; not less instructive, however, than a continuous account of the home life of the empire. There is less unity in this story than in the last, simply because the action is less regular and simple; but the same high qualities are in constant exercise, and the valuable information communicated is scarcely less. After the Incas are subdued, the quarrels of the conquerors among themselves are traced out step by step, until the imperial sceptre of Spain subdues the whole land to quietness, and the people to colonial vassalage.

The History of Philip II., noticed in our last issue, is a resumption of the thread of Spanish history nearly where these volumes leave it, and will serve to show us the steps by which the Spanish empire went down from its height of glory to its station of political inferiority. Two vols. only of this last work are as yet issued.

These histories are a triumph of American genius, learning, and labor, at which we may point with an honest pride. Their intrinsic worth is not at all to be estimated by the value or interest attaching to the naked facts thus brought to light. They teach great lessons of social and political philosophy; they illustrate and enforce the great principles which enter every where into life, and bind one's sympathies more strongly to the welfare of his race. They dignify the whole subject of history, and will give an impulse to our literary spirit as needful as it is strong. Whoever it be that is making a collection of books, may most appropriately put these ten volumes of Prescott into a prominent position on the central shelf. The volumes present a beautiful picture to the eye; and illustrate the high degree of perfection which has been attained in the art of book-making. The author has found in Messrs. Phillips & Sampson some most enterprising, appreciative and generous publishers. These new editions are far superior to any which have been heretofore issued.

THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from the Accession of James II. By Thomas Babington
Macaulay. Vols. III. and IV. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co. 1856.

Two more of Macaulay's volumes are here before us, numbering some 600 pp. each, and sold at the astonishingly low price of 40 cts. per vol.

Of the work there is little to be said. History, in Macaulay's hands, becomes like an eastern palace, called into magnificence by the magic flash of Aladdin's lamp. These chapters are a series of essays, whose erudition and brilliance nothing in the pages of the Edinburg Review ever surpassed. He moves among the events of the past a literary monarch, whose coronet and sceptre are significant of the native might of the possessor. His march is almost terrible in its stateliness; and every man, and institution, and dynasty may well tremble when he rises from the seat of literary judgment to pronounce the verdict. Independent, fearless, penetrating, a hater of all pretence, paying no deference to merely great names and venerated titles, catholic in his sympathies, and yet having no reverence for the amiable weaknesses of character, he cuts and slashes on either side without regard to the lenity

with which his predecessors have passed by sinners of distinction. He will find readers in every circle; and they who complain of him most bitterly, will be held captive by his magic skill, and be awed into silence by the array of his learning and his proofs. As a reliable historian, no one, perhaps, would like always to confide in Macaulay. He shows us almost every object in an attitude similar to what would be occupied by a statue standing among the cross-lights from the stained windows of a Cathedral. He intensifies almost every character, and sets us to look at events through a kaleidoscope. And yet every one will refer to him in the settlement of any historical question of which he has treated. These volumes are just as necessary to every library as Uncle Tom's Cabin. He who does not read them will lose a most rare literary luxury, which the publishers have made accessible to all classes of readers. Only eight or ten years of English history are crowded into these 1200 pages. At this rate of progress, Macaulay will need the antediluvian longevity to carry out his expressed purpose of bringing English history down to the present time. It will not materially effect the estimate to be put upon him or his work, whether he completes his proposed task

or not.

THE HEATHEN RELIGION, in its Popular and Symbolic Development. By Rev. Joseph B. Grass. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co., &c. 1856.

This treatise indicates considerable study of the ancient mythology, and exhibits the philosophical tendencies and catholic spirit of the author. It is ingenious in many of its theories and expositions, and will invest the systems of religion of which it treats with new meaning to many minds. To all who have a fondness for the study of the religious sentiment in its progressive development without the aid of special revelation, we commend this volume, as offering them many valuable suggestions. Its style seems to us somewhat faulty. It is too scholastic, and considerably wanting in flexibility and vigor.

SABBATH EVENING READINGS ON THE NEW TESTAMENT. St. John. By the Rev. John Cumming, D. D. F. R. S. E., &c. Boston John P. Jewett & Co., etc. 1856.

Of the general characteristics of Dr. C.'s style we have heretofore spoken freely. It is re-produced here, as in all his productions. We are better pleased with this than with any previous volume of his "Readings." He catches the peculiar spirit of this evangelist with great readiness, and puts his reader in contact with it in a high degree. He is happy in seizing upon the salient points of the text, and in bringing out the significance of the various incidents given by the writer. It is well adapted to its purpose, and will be likely to invest the reading of the gospel with more interest. The religious tone is admirable-full of fervor, and free from cant.

THE COMMUNION SABBATH. By Nehemiah Adams, D. D. Same Publishers. We wish Dr. A. would confine himself to the writing of such works as this, where evidently his head and heart are at home. It is a series of brief discourses that is here presented to us, taking up, one after another, the inci

dents connected with the death of Christ in significance and time. There is a most appropriate simplicity in the manner of treating these subduing themes, and the influence received by the heart is a most grateful one. Few Christians could read it without profit.

THE ISLAND OF CUBA. By Alexander Humboldt. Translated from the Spanish, with Notes and a Preliminary Essay. By J. S. Thrasher. New York: Derby & Jackson. 1856.

Who is J. S. Thrasher? He would seem by the dedication of his volume to be a "member of the American press ;" but the name is a new one to us. The translator's essay covers nearly a hundred pages, and is rather a peculiar production. While professing to accept the accounts of Humboldt as reliable, and his work on Cuba as far better than any other extant, he still seems to us to be seeking by an adroit method to prejudice his reader against many of the legitimate inferences of the volume, and to tell him beforehand how to interpret the statistics which are yet to appear. It is a covert plea in defence of the fillibustering for the conquest and annexation of Cuba to the United States, which has turned out so sadly, and a miserable attempt to show that the abolition of slavery in Cuba would doom the whole West Indies to destruction, and provoke the virtuous American spirit of the Southern States to an uncontrollable and fearful activity. He adds, "The result would be the utter annihilation of the black race in Cuba, which might lead to a war against them in all the larger Antilles. Who can contemplate such a result without shuddering? What philanthropy can advocate a policy which must attain such terrible results!" It needs no words of ours to exhibit the standpoint of the author, and it is not necessary to quote his repeated sneers at what he calls "the baseless social theories of Europe"-meaning thereby, the theory that freedom is the right and the interest of the whole human race. His statistics often show in their arrangement the point they are meant to sustain, and his logic is the index to the warp of his sympathies. The treatise of Humboldt is very valuable; and one cannot see any grounds for the opinion that he would feel particularly honored by having Mr. Thrasher introduce him to the American public as he has done.

A JOURNEY IN THE SEABOARD SLAVE STATES, with remarks on their economy. By Frederic Law Olmstead, Author of "Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England." New York: Dix & Edwards, etc. 1856.

Against the statistics and reasonings of the essay mentioned above, we would be satisfied to put this thick 12mo of 723 pages, without a word of comment-as an antidote to the bone. The author made two tours at the South at different periods, taking in his course Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. He is obviously no fanatic, no mere theorizer, but a solid man of large common sense, who looks at every thing in a very practical way. He has no case to make out, no pre-formed theory to illustrate and defend. He goes to see and learn facts for his own profit chiefly, and communicates them with scarcely a comment to his readers. He sees slavery in almost every phase, and Southern life in all its degrees of grandeur and degradation. But these facts tell most powerfully against the

slave system. No one can read it without feeling sad over the wasted energies which are seen every where as an attendant on the system. Looked at from the simple point of economy, the slavery of the South appears an unpardonable blunder. The book is valuable as a Thesaurus for frequent reference.

EDITH HALE: A Village Story. By Horace Tolman. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co. 1856.

WOLFSDEN: An authentic account of things there and thereunto pertaining, as they are and have been. By J. B. Same Publishers.

The first of these is a charming story; chaste, fresh, sparkling and healthy —a model in its plot, its portraitures and its denouement, as well as in its episodes and its moral tone.

Wolfsden is of a peculiar character, and the different portions of very unequal merit. It shows ability of a high order; but its style is sometimes artificial, sometimes heavy, sometimes transcendental, and sometimes pedantic. The plan lacks unity, and the impression it leaves is indistinct. The author may hope for improvement.

THE BIBLE HISTORY OF PRAYER, with Practical Reflections. By Charles A. Goodrich. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co. 1856.

The title suggests the character of this volume. The work is skilfully and happily executed; and the reflections fitting, suggestive, and practical. It is a good companion for the closet.

SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE. Three Prize Essays. The Great Reform. By Abel Stevens. The Great Question. By Lorenzo White. Property Consecrated. By Benjamin St. James Frye. New York: Carlton & Phillips. 1856.

This volume is the result of a prize offered for the best essay or essays on the subject here discussed. Thirty-three essays were presented; from them these were selected. They possess individuality and merit. The first is a plain, direct, and effective presentation of the facts, the law, and the duty. The second is a mere philosophical discussion, able, but somewhat weakened by its verbiage, and the rhetorical ambition evinced by its style. The third is mostly a scriptural discussion, where the divine example and authority and love are made to furnish nearly all the terms in the argument. It is a valuable treatise.

DANIEL, VERIFIED IN HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY. Showing the complete fulfilment of all his prophecies relating to civil affairs, before the close of the fifth century. By A. M. Osborn, D. D., etc. Same Publishers."

Among the many attempts to expound this much belabored book of prophecy, this little volume richly merits attention. Its views are clearly stated, and defended with fairness, learning and ability. Even where his readers differ from him, they must accord him the merit of courtesy and consistency.

SELECTION FROM THE BRITISH POETS. By Eliza Woodworth. With twelve Illustrations. Same publishers as above.

This is as well, perhaps, as any one could do in an attempt to tell us some

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thing of fifty poetical authors, (beginning with Chaucer and ending with E. B. Browning,) and give us an idea of their poetry by means of selections. It would be impossible to give very full satisfaction in such a work; as each person will have his favorite authors, and his favorite passages; and the diversities of taste would produce a difference of opinion as to the skill exhibited in the selections. It is a good introduction to English poetry; and perhaps adequate to give a tolerable idea of the leading qualities of the various poetic authors, to those who lack the time and means to go up to the fountains of song, and follow the stream onward in all its flowings.

HUMOROUS POEMS OF THOMAS HOOD, including Love and Lunacy, Ballads, Tales and Legends, Odes and Addresses to great people, and Miscellaneous Poems, now first collected. Edited by Epes Sargent. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co. 1856. To those who are familiar with the poetic humor of Hood, this title will tell them sufficient to prompt them to get the volume forthwith; if any of our readers have not the pleasure of an acquaintance, we commend this and the volume issued a year since to their attention; and shall be sure of getting the thanks of every one who is hence induced to purchase.

THE ELEMENTS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY; Copiously illustrated with familiar experiments, and containing descriptions of instruments, with directions for using. Designed for the use of Schools and Academies. By A. W. Sprague, A. M. With two hundred and eighty engravings. Same Publishers. 1856.

The specific aim of this book is to teach the student how to illustrate and verify by experiment the principles evolved in the treatise; and the attempt promises a rich success.

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY: Or a Tour among the Planters. By C. G. Parsons, M. D., &c. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co., &c. 1855.

A NORTH SIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY, THE REFUGEE or the Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada. Related by themselves, with an account of the history and condition of the colored population of Upper Canada. By Benjamin Drew. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co. 1856.

Dr. Adams' "South Side View " suggests both these titles doubtless. They are very well chosen, both for their appropriateness and significance. The work of Dr. Parsons is mostly a record of what he saw and heard during a tour of two years in the South-principally in the State of Georgia, where he supposes the system of slavery is to be found in its medium phases -being severer than in the States bordering on the line of Mason & Dixon, and milder than in the States lying to the South-west. There is much valuable and evidently reliable information found here. The volume will easily enable the reader to understand how different observers obtain such different views of the system, and will aid in reconciling not a few apparent contradictions in the reports of honest and credible witnesses. We would especially commend it to the attention of the author of the "South Side View," and to all who are inclined to make a quotation from his pages the end of an argu

ment.

The work of Mr. Drew is of surpassing interest, as might be easily inferred from its title. The fugitives here become autobiographers. More than one

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