Ed. Mess.

now awakens in me so many delightful hopes, is to which were edited by Mr. Ripley and were disconme another proof how much better it often is to let tinued two or three years ago. chance have its own way, than to forestall it by too much officiousness. However strong my desire has always been to enter into a closer relation with you, than is possible between the spirit of a writer and his most attentive writer, yet now I perceive clearly that the very different paths in which you and I moved, could not have brought us together with advantage sooner than just at this time. But now, I can hope that we shall travel together the rest of our way, and with the greater profit, inasmuch as the last travellers who join company on a long journey, have always the most to say to one another.

THE NARRATIVE OF THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION. Messrs. Lea and Blanchard have issued two very handsome editions of this voluminous work. The first, of 5 vols., with an Atlas, and richly illustrated, price $25, was reviewed at length in our last number; and the merits of the work and of its publishers both fairly presented. The second edition is intended for more extended circulation, and is "Do not look for any great store of ideas in me : this is what I shall find in you. My need and en-issued at the reduced price of $10-$2 per voldeavor is, to make much out of little; and when, ume. Of course, there are some changes in the on a closer acquaintance, you shall discover my work corresponding to such a great reduction in poverty in all that is called acquired knowledge, price. The steel engravings and vignettes are you will perhaps find that I have sometimes been omitted, and the maps diminished; but the matter successful in doing it. Because my circle of ideas is small, I can the more rapidly and oftener run and type, with numerous illustrations on wood, are through it, and on that very account use my little the same as in the costly edition. store with more effect, and produce through outward form the variety which is wanting in materials. You strive to simpilfy your great world of ideas; I seek variety for my little possessions. You have a kingdom to govern: I only a tolerably numerous family of ideas which I would very gladly

enlarge to a little world.

A work may be viewed in respect of its matter, its Literary workmanship and the style of its publication.

The materials for the Narrative of the Ex

ploring Expedition were magnificent;-of old things, the most select, and new discoveries and "The working of your mind is intuitive in an advances, in the various countries and departments, extraordinary degree, and all your thinking powers which it was intended to Explore. It would be seem to have, as it were, agreed to refer to your an utter impossibility, for an officer to go the rounds imagination as their common representative. At

ment entitling him to the honor and respect of all nations, without obtaining materials the rarest and most important, for a Literary and Scientific work. On the score of materials, for they must afford an immense mass of valuable and interesting knowledge to be wrought up, there is no ground of faultfinding. Whether they are as rich as they ought to have been and might have been, we are not prepared to say.

bottom, this is the highest that a man can do for of the world, for five years, in command of Nahimself, if he can succeed in generalizing through tional vessels, and with a high honorary appointhis perceptions and in reaching principles through his feeling. To do this is your endeavor, and to what a degree have you already attained this end! My understanding works more symbolically, and thus I float, like one with two natures, between ideas and perceptions, between the technical head and Genius. This it is which, particularly in my early years, gave me sometimes an awkward appearance, as well in the field of speculation as in poetry; for commonly the Poet overtook me when I philosophized, and the philosophic spirit, when 1 How, then, has the work of arranging, sewished to be poetical. Even now, it often happens to me, that imagination intrudes upon my ab- lecting, embodying and gracing them been perstractions, and cold understanding upon my poetical formed? To say the least, not creditably, in refmoods. If I can obtain such mastery over these erence to all the circumstances. Having heard two powers, as to be able in my freedom to assign Lieutenant Wilkes' account of his Expedition, to each its limits, there is yet in store for me a delivered before the National Institute, soon after beautiful lot; but, alas! just as I have begun prop- his return, we were utterly mortified and disaperly to know and use my moral powers, a disease

threatens to undermine my physical. I can scarcely pointed, and from that time distrusted his ability to hope to have time to complete a great and general do justice to the work entrusted to him. The ocmental revolution in myself, but I will do what I casion was all that could have been desired, and can; and when at last the building falls, I shall, any man qualified, if not to be the commander of perhaps, stil! have snatched from the ruin what is such an Expedition, at least to be its Historian, worthy to be preserved.

"You wished that I should speak of myself, and would have made Fame for himself, and have filled I have made use of the permission. With frank-every eager listener with wonder and delight: ness I entrust to you these confessions, and may they who were accustomed to give Law and Light hope that you will receive them with cordiality." to the nation, might have been made to take the The volume before us contains one half of the position of pupils before him. Heads of Departoriginal German work ;-the remainder to be issued ments, Senators, Ambassadors, an Ex-president, in a second volume of the same size. It is a con- Congressmen, Members of the National Institute tinuation of "Specimens of Foreign Literature," and numerous Distingués sat around him, in ear

nest expectation; and among all these, there was hands upon the Journals of the other officers of not one, perhaps, more proud or hopeful, than our- the expedition, in the name of the U. S.,) agreed to selves. But all we can say is, that the failure was lend the Matter to the Government, to publish its worthy of the audience : it was very great. A100 copies, for the use of the plates and other emdull, dry detail of voyages, accompanied by a hand-bellishments, executed at the expense of the govling of charts, and the mention, by way of allusion, ernment ! A sort of " bargain,” if not “ intrigue,” of a few incidents, made up the lecture. It re- which we are sorry to see associated with a great minded us of the long programmes of "Routes, National work. The U. S. "in Congress assemwith their distances," to be found in "Travellers' bled," and "Charles Wilkes, commander," partGuides;" with an occasional marginal note of ners in a National ? book concern !!! some object of interest, en passant.

Notwithstanding it is every where proclaimed Now, it does not seem to us, that there is any "the great National work," from the lights and facts necessary connection between commanding an Ex- before us, we think the following should be the pedition and writing its History; and unless Lieut. title,—of the "Commander's" editions at least: Wilkes had been known to be fully competent, "Narrative of WILKES' Exploring Expedition, even to adorn the work, some one who was com-fitted out at the expense of the U. S. Beautifully petent might have been selected, whether in the published, in great part, at the expense of the Navy or out of it. But this "commander," like U. S., for the benefit of Charles Wilkes, coma spongy-monopolist, must absorb every thing! mander." Distrust and displease his coadjutors in the Expedition, and then appropriate all the fame and the pecuniary profits of its exploits!

The author seems to have felt bound to put in his book every thing he saw, heard, or did, from the time of leaving home; whether, or not, travellers, missionaries and others had set these same things before the world, in a thousand popular forms. Hence the materials were not sifted and carefully selected. The author was not worthy of the materials; nor are the auspices under which it goes forth to foreign nations, worthy of the work.

The publishers deserve the highest praise, for their part of the work. They had nothing to do with the considerations given above.

The U. S. also deserve the highest praise for having conceived and sent forth an Exploring Expedition.

But then comes a to be filled; and that can best be filled by fitting out another, under better auspices. Proud and glad as we were on account of the first, we would exult still more in a second. The double hope of further accomplishing what was so brightly dazzling to the former, Forcing ourselves to stop with these brief re- and of retrieving the failures and unfortunate dismarks on the authorship, let us say a word about turbances of the last, would give increased delight. the ownership of this work. The U. S. published Of those disturbances, we will not now speak; in quarto form, only one hundred copies, for gra- though reminded of them by the "Defence of taitous distribution : intending that the work should Lieut. R. F. Pinkney, before the Court Martial be rare and NATIONAL! This, then, should have on board the North Carolina," which lies before made them extremely careful of the high literary us. In his preface, Lieut. Wilkes professes to character of a work, to be the gift of the Nation avoid reference to these personal matters, saying to her sister nations. How comes it, then, that that "those who caused them are now desirous Capt. Wilkes can be selling, at the rate of $25 that they should be forgotten." He could not per copy, the same work, of equal elegance, in the | forbear, however, to say a little farther on, “ when public markets of the country?

they [the country and the world] become aware of We have said of "equal elegance;" because, all the facts, they will be able to see the injustice the same plates, illustrations and embellishments that has been done it,-will wonder at the extraorwere used in both. If the right of publication dinary reception that awaited its return, and the were in the U. S., how has the "Commander" persecutions I met with, as the reward of the arduprocured it? We love the honor of the country too dearly, and think too highly of her dignity, for her great National enterprises to be prostituted to individual emolument or aggrandisement. If the Rulers of the Land have consented knowingly to such a use being made of this, then we would not hesitate to censure them; but we are not informed that they have done so.

It may be that the following, as we have been told, by good anthority, is the arrangement. The author, laying claim to the MS., as his private property, (though every thing was collected by and for the U. S., and though rumor says, that he laid

ous labors of four years." Here, then, we have him both as a Hero and a Martyr. Much injured commander! Certainly Congress will pay the fine recently imposed in behalf of his two persecuting seamen.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE.

THIRD BULLETIN of the Proceedings of the National Institute, at the April Meeting of 1845. Washington, D. C., 1845, 8 vo.

The first portion of this work presents an abstract of the Proceedings of the National Institute,

for three years, from February, 1842, to February, meet the current expenses of freight, preserving 1845; and the members and friends of the Institu- and keeping the collections, books, &e.; but as no tion have good cause to congratulate themselves, fund exists out of which these expenses can be upon the exhibition made in the pages of the pub-paid, the liberality of individual members becomes lication now before us. A large portion is occu- taxed to furnish the means to prevent valuable arpied by an abridged statement of donations of books, ticles from being lost to the Government, which engravings, maps, minerals, birds, shells, fossils, owns them. antiquities, and curious and interesting objects of art and nature from all parts of the world, as well as a compend of a very extensive foreign and domestic correspondence, much of which embraces the most eminent names in science and literature, on both sides of the Atlantic. The following portions of the book deserve special mention:

One or two new scientific institutions are much wanted at the seat of the Federal Government, and as these would, from this great central point, extend their influence throughout the land, the benefits to be derived from them would not long continue local. The admirable union of a scientific and a popular character, which distinguishes the Memorial of the National Institute to Congress. plan of the National Institute, renders it precisely Memorial of the friends of science to Congress, conformable to the spirit of our republican instituon behalf of the Institute. tions. Much has already been done in Washing

Letter from the Hon. Levi WOODBURY, the dis-ton, the great political centre of the country. The tinguished President of the Institute.

Address of the Hon. R. J. WALKER to the meeting of the friends of science, held in Washington, in April last, under the auspices of the Institute, &c. Mr. WALKER's address displays a profound acquaintance with science, and contains a full and lucid review of American science, from the time of Franklin's discoveries to the present day; the names of many of our countrymen, who have aided in elucidating and promoting science and the arts, receiving honorable mention.

Exploring Expedition was a brilliant conception, honorable to its projectors, and reflecting the highest credit upon all concerned in it. The coast survey is conducted with great efficiency and scientific accuracy, by the distinguished and indefatigable Bache; the National Observatory, under Lieat. Maury, is nearly completed; in sight of which the well-furnished Observatory of Georgetown College, under the Rev. James Curley, presents its dome against the sky in friendly rivalry.

It will be readily admitted, that such a National The second portion of the work embraces a very establishment as the Institute, would become a succinct account of the great meeting in April source of advantage and of pride to our country, last, with a sketch of the proceedings of the Insti- but it now struggles against difficulties and various tute on that occasion. The friends of the Insti- disheartening circumstances, and will continue to tute must deeply regret, that the very low state of do so until the representatives of the people can its funds has prevented the possibility of publish- be induced to open a channel, by means of which ing a tithe of the important and valuable essays the general, and too frequently dormant talent and furnished on that occasion. Indeed, the entire energy, admitted to exist among us, may be fosBulletin, and the proceedings of the April meeting, tered and well-directed. for the reason just adverted to, have been necessarily so much condensed as to afford but an imperfect idea of the interest, which, under more favorable circumstances, would have characterized this publication.

The third Bulletin terminates with a copious index, embracing the names of all who have been in correspondence with the Institute, or who have made contributions, donations, and deposites to its cabinet and library, comprising upwards of Very large editions of the first and second Bul- seven hundred names, alphabetically arranged. It letins of the Institute were circulated gratuitously; also contains a list of societies at home and abroad but, in the case of the present volume, it has been in correspondence with the National Institute. found absolutely necessary, in consequence of pe- Editors throughout the United States friendly to cuniary embarrassments, to solicit subscriptions the National Institute, are respectfully requested and donations. With this view, resolutions were to give publicity to this notice. adopted by the Institute for its distribution in the following manner:

One copy to be furnished to every subscriber who has paid, or who shall pay, the sum of five dollars.

One copy to every society and institution in the United States and foreign countries, in correspondence with the National Institute.

One copy to every College in the United States, &c.

The remainder to be sold on account of the Institute, and under its directions, with the exception of a certain number of copies to be reserved for future use. It is hoped that the corresponding members and the friends of the Institute will send in their subscriptions to this work, in aid of the National Institute.

Letter from Commodore Kearny, U. S. Navy, lately returned from the command of the squadron on the East India station, WASHINGTON, March, 27, 1845.

Sir: I have the pleasure to bring you herewith sundry Chinese documents, for the National Institute, namely, one large map of China, (Chinese.) one parcel of State Papers; one Chrestomathy; six volumes of the Red Book or National Register, and some other trifles as curiosities.

You will also find originals or certified translations of the first letters that passed direct, between a high imperial or provincial officer of China and an officer of the United States Government.

It is well known that all former communications were forwarded through the hands of the Hong By the constitution all the property of the Insti- merchants, and, our citizens in China having extute is vested in the Government of the United perienced heretofore much delay and inconvenience, States, which thus becomes the bona fide owner; in obtaining justice through this old and indirect and it was confidently expected, that Congress would channel, the period of this important change in our have made an appropriation at least sufficient to intercourse with that interesting country is worthy

"The legend indicated at the conclusion of the informa. tion respecting Sintram, of the terrific stories of the North, transformed into Southern splendor and mirthful dreams, HISTORY OF GERMANY," from the earliest period to the would really then have been executed, and arose more present time. BY FREDERICK KOHLRAUSCH, Chief of the clearly from the fantastic tones of a congenial harpsichord. board of Education for the Kingdom of Hanover, and late player, who accidentally met the poet. Partly, however, Professor of History in the Polytechnic School. TRANSother avocations, partly interruptions from without, have LATED from the last German edition, BY JAMES D. HAAS. hitherto driven the project into the back ground. But it The commendation which we have previously bestowed still lives within me; and now again, from the powerful, upon the scheme of Appletons' Historical Library, may and yet child-like barmonies of the Northman Ole Bull, seems to stir more vigorously and brightly than before. Who knows what yet may happen? Meanwhile, here gushes from me a song of salutation to one who, honored by me as

It will be followed by the "HISTORY OF THE ROMAN RE- Jas the construction of domestic edifices, with the modes of
PUBLIC. BY M. MICHELET. Translated by Victor G. warming, ventilating and lighting them; a description of
Benne, A. B.; and that, by Guizot's "HISTORY OF MOD- the various articles of furniture; the preservation of health;
ERN CIVILIZATION."
domestic medicines, &c. This last branch, they are also

NEVER TOO LATE. By Charles Burdett, Author of " Em-filling up by issuing, at the same time, their extensive
Dictionary of Practical Medicine."
ma," "The Adopted Child," &c., &c. Inscribed to J. W.
Webb, Esq.

THE GOLDMAKERS' VILLAGE. Translated from the German of H. Zschokke. As we have before said, our readers have been well prepared for a favorable reception of the works of Zschokke, by the excellent tales of his which we have already published.

Both of these beautiful little volumes belong to the second series of "Tales for the people and their children." Joseph Gill has them for sale.

Appletons' "Cabinet Library of the Poets" deserves the attention of the Public, for its elegance, completeness and convenience. It already embraces the best editions of Burns, Cowper, Milton, Scott and Mrs. Hemans, all beautifully illustrated.

HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK, 1845, Are still vigorously sending forth their two Libraries of Select Novels, and their numerous publications in serial and other forms. Among their late issues, we have received from Drinker and Morris, the following.

Among the Literary and Scientific works also recently published, by the same enterprising and extensive house,

are

A new edition of PRESCOTT'S FERDINAND AND ISABELLA, 3 volumes.

Alnwick Castle and other poems. By Fitz Greene Halleck. 8vo. A choice American work. Small 8 vo.

The illustrated book of Common Prayer. Edited by the Rev. Dr. Wainwright. Illustrated by 700 engravings on wood, by Hewet. In No.'s.

Memoirs of the Statesmen of the Commonwealth of England. By John Forster. Edited by J. O. Choules. With five steel engravings.

A New Greek and English Lexicon, including Liddell and Scott's enlarged translation of Passow's Greek and German Lexicon, with Additions and Improvements. By Henry Drisler, A. M., under the supervision of Professor Anthon.

The Travels of Marco Polo, greatly amended and enlar

Mount Sorel; or the Heiress of the De Veres. By the ged, &c. With copious Notes. By H. Murray, F.R.S. E. author of "Two Old Men's Tales." Part 2.

St. Patrick's Eve. By Charles Lever, who is too well known to all.

The Wandering Jew. By Eugene Sue. No. 11. Charles Tyrrell; or the Bitter Blood. By G. P. R. James, Esq. Being No. 8 of the pocket edition of Select Novels. 2 vols. in one.

The Life of Paul Jones. By A. Slidell Mackenzie, U.S.N. A System of Latin Versification; The Eclogues and Geargies of Virgil; and the Anabasis of Xenophon. With English Notes. By Professor Anthon.

Memoir, by Dr. Gregory; Reminiscences, by John Greene,
The works of the Rev. Robert Hall, A. M. With a
Esq, and his character as a Preacher, by the Rev. John
Foster. Published under the superintendence of Olin-

Zoe. The History of Two Lives. By Geraldine Endsor thus Gregory, LL. D., and Joseph Belcher, D. D. 4 vols. Jewsberry.

The Ancient Régime. A Tale. By G. P. R. James, Esq. No. 6 of "Select Novels"-pocket edition. 2 vols in one.

The Man-at-Arms; or Henry De Cerons. By G. P. R. James, Esq. No. 7. Pocket edition of Select Novels. vols. in one.

2

Veronica; or the Free Court of Aarau. Translated from the German of Zschokke. By the author of "Giaffar Al Barmeki," &c.

8 vo. Price $6.

Kane's Elements of Chemistry. Edited by Dr. Draper of New York.

A Treatise on the Forces which produce the Organization of Plants. With an appendix containing several Memoirs on Capillary Attraction, Electricity, and the chemical action of Light. By J. William Draper, M. D., Professor of Chemistry in the University of New York. Quarto.

Professor Draper is entitled to the honor of having made some valuable discoveries in his department of Science. Having had our own interest and curiosity excited by his finished paper on the "Tithonic Rays" of Light, read before the National Institute, and by a subsequent conversation with him, we think we can safely promise something beautiful and original in the above Treatise.

We have no difficulty in recommending, the writings of Zschokke. He is now one of the Favorites; and, though so many of his Tales have been already published, in every THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from possible form, from the newspaper to the tasteful volume the, Accession of Henry VII., to the death of George II. of the Appletons, an edition of his works will soon be BY HENRY HALLAM. 8 Vo. issued in the North. We shall take pleasure in welcoming them and announcing their appearance.

The Illuminated Shakespeare. By Hewet and Verplanck. No.'s 47 and 48, containing "Love's Labour's Lost." Sed quere? Mr. Mason thinks it should be "Love's Labours Lost," and very correctly, as we suppose.

PICTORIAL BIBLE. No. 24. Rich as usual.

An Encyclopædia of Domestic Economy, comprising such subjects as are immediately connected with house keeping,

"A NEW WESTERN NOVEL.-We are pleased to learn that Miss ELIZA A. DUPUY, of Augusta, Ky., has a new novel in the press, to be called 'The Pirate's Daughter,' which, it is expected, will appear during the present month. Miss Dupuy is the authoress of many popular tales in the magazines of the day, and of The Conspirator, a tale of Blannerhassett's Island,' a novel issued from the New World press, two years ago, and which had extensive cir'culation and general praise from the critica."