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A Few Days in Athens; being the Translation of a Greek Manuscript, discovered in Herculaneum. By Frances Wright, author of Views of Society and Manners in America." New York. 1825. 12mo. pp. 130.

This author deserves attention on the score of former merit, or we should not notice this effusion at all. The amount of it is, that a prejudiced man is not always the fairest judge; and that he, who regulates his opinions by such a man, is very likely to have false ones. There is certainly no novelty in the text, and the commentary possesses but little interest. The history of the book is a fiction; and, as the book itself is a mere allegory, it was hardly necessary to resort to fiction at all, especially to so hackneyed a one. The whole is an uninterrupted conversation, on a very few topics, principally doctrines of the old philosophers, and remarkably remote from any thing, that could border on an application. It fails, of course, in one of the objects of allegory. We regret that the author should not have been more fortunate in the choice of a subject. One less attractive to the mass of readers could hardly have been selected, than the whimsical and absurd doctrines of the old philosophers. Few understand the distinctions and peculiarities among them at all. Those who do, may, perhaps, be amused with a fiction, which puts them in their most agreeable form, and teaches them again. Those, who do not understand them, will hardly give themselves the trouble to learn them, for the sake of understanding and enjoying a fiction, founded upon them. Readers may well begin to be fastidious in the choice of their books, and if they are, they will certainly find enough of a much more practical and interesting character than “A Few Days in Athens." We have no more faults to find with the book, and it does not furnish any occasion for praise. It will do no good, and we are not aware, that it can do any harm. This is some praise, and it may

be the author asks for no more.

American Mechanics' Magazine; containing Selections from the most valuable Foreign Journals, as well as Useful Original Matter. Conducted by Associated Mechanics. New York. 1825. 8vo. pp. 16.

A periodical publication has lately been commenced at New York under the above title. We have scen but one number, and therefore can form no decided opinion of the ability, with which the work will be conducted. It is intended to contain statements of the principles most frequently applied in practical mechanics, and also easy and familiar illustrations of them, drawn from the experience with which every me. chanic is familiar. This will induce young mechanics to refer their experience to general principles as fast as they have it; and in order to do this, they must observe more accurately what is passing before them, and think and reason more philosophically upon the phenomena which they cannot but see. The design of the work we think a laudable one; and if intelligent mechanics are interested in its support, it cannot fail of extensive usefulness in a community like our own, where so large a proportion are devoted to mechanical pursuits.

A New Spanish Grammar, adapted to every class of learners. By Mariano Cubi y Soler. Second edition. Baltimore. 1825. 12mo. pp. 464.

About two years since Mr Sales, instructer in French and Spanish in Harvard University, translated, revised, and very much improved the Spanish and French Grammar of M. Jossé. Previously it had been a very difficult matter to procure a good grammar of the Spanish language. Those who were unacquainted with the French, were obliged to make use of the imperfect "Introductions," " Keys," and "Synopses," which were accidently found amidst the litter and lumber of our bookstores. Mr Cubi's Grammar does not differ essentially from that revised by Mr Sales. They are both valuable works, and both far superior to any other introduction to the Spanish language, that we have ever seen.

Mr Cubi has made many important additions and improvements in his second edition, which give evidence of much care and exertion; and we cheerfully recommend it to all, who are desirous of obtaining a thorough knowledge of the Spanish language,—a language which, from our connection with the South American nations, has already become as useful to the merchant and the statesman, as it has always been interesting and delightful to the man of letters.

INTELLIGENCE.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN MASSACHUSETTS.

The num

There were in the district of Massachusetts, according to the census of 1820, five hundred and twenty-three thousand one hundred and fifty-nine souls. Of this number, two hundred and forty-one thousand seven hundred and eleven were under the age of eighteen years. ber is now, probably, somewhat increased. If the population has increased only as fast since the last census, as it did between the census of 1810 and that of 1820, there are now, in round numbers, about two hundred and fifty thousand children and youth under the age of eighteen, in Massachusetts. This number, it will be perceived, amounts to almost one half of our whole population. If we take from the older part, those between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, and add them to the younger part of the population, we shall find at least half, and probably more than half of the whole under twenty-one years.

A few of this mass of children and youth have left the schools and all direct means of education, and entered upon the active business of life. And a portion of the younger part are yet subjects only for domestic education. But, after these deductions, it will not be extravagant to state, that one third of the whole population are of a suitable age,-have opportunity, and do actually attend school at least some portion of the year. In Massachusetts, we have not the means of knowing accurately the number of those who attend our schools; because we have no system of returns to any authority, by which such facts can be ascertained. But we are confirmed in the belief, that the above is not an extravagant estimate, by two facts. One is, several towns have been

carefully examined, and this is about the proportion of the population found in the schools. The other is, official documents and acknowledged authorities, from a neighbouring state, inform us, that one third of their population attend school some portion of the year. And probably the same would be true of all the New England states.

FRENCH PROJECTS.

The following Prospectus was submitted to an English gentleman, residing in Paris, with the author's hope that he would be both a contributor and subscriber: "Tomorrow in the fifteen days will be publish, one brand new work of the Litterature and the Science, the Spectacle and the Mode, to be call the Miroir of the Day; compile by a series of litterary gentlemans of France and the Grand Britain, famous for their savoir and their talents." The prospectus states that half the work is to be in French and balf in English; that it is to appear three times a week, and that learned professors are to superintend the articles in each language. Terms twelve francs for three months; twenty-four for six months; and forty-eight francs a year,-to be paid in advance; the money to be returned in three months if the work does not appear.

LEHIGH RIVER AND COAL MINE.

Since the qualities and uses of the Lehigh coal have been understood, it has become a very considerable article of commerce. In a late Number we gave some account, taken from Professor J. Griscom, of the extent of this coal mine, and the purposes to which its products could be applied. When an easy communication, either by canals or otherwise, shall be opened between the Hudson, the Delaware, and the Susquehannah, there is a probability that this coal may be transported, at least to the cities on the borders of the Atlantic, with such facility, and in such quantities, as to affect materially the price of fuel. And that, in a climate like our own, must affect, materially, the condition of a large portion of the community. It may have other uses, or be converted to other purposes than that of furnishing a cheaper and more convenient fuel. In conjunction with the modern discoveries in the application of steam power, and the internal improvements by means of canals and railways, this new development of the resources of a large and already powerful state [Pennsylvania], cannot fail to become a subject of deep and increasing interest to the whole country. We are led to these remarks, by seeing, a short time since, a letter, in which the Lehigh river, the mine, and the manner of conveying off the coal, were described. From those descriptions we select such parts, as will give our readers some account of the river, and the manner by which it is made passable for the arks, as they are called, in which the coal is floated down. The construction of the sluice gates was to us new, extremely interesting, and ingenious.

"The Lehigh river, near its source, is a mountain torrent, having a fall of 360 feet in the distance of 46 miles. The navigation is attained by the kind of improvement, called, by engineers, flashing. But the greatest curiosity consists in the locks or sluice gates. These locks require but little strength, and no skill for their management. A gate,

which extends the whole breadth of the sluice, is fastened by hinges along its lower edge, so that it moves like the lid of a box. It is of such breadth, that when raised nearly perpendicular, it will entirely stop the opening of the sluice, and when suffered to lie flat on the bottom, leaves it entirely open. Another gate, of about double the breadth (measuring up and down the stream), and extending across the sluice, is fixed in a similar manner lower down; but the upper small gate opens down stream, and the lower large gate opens up stream, so that they resemble two folding doors, with the exception, that one overlaps the other three or four feet. Under these gates is a chamber, into which water may be introduced from the dam above by a small gate. When this is open, the hydrostatic pressure of the water above, forces the gates upwards, and the space under them forming always a close chamber, they rise until they stand like the roof of a house, and thus close the opening in the sluice. When required to be lowered, all that is necessary is, to let off the water from the chamber, and the gates sink with their own weight, one overlapping the other, to the bottom."

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

AGRICULTURE.

Address delivered before the Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture, at its annual meeting, on the 18th January, 1825. By Roberts Vaux. Published by order of the Society. 8vo. pp. 28. Philadelphia.

ARTS, SCIENCES, AND PHILOSOPHY.

The Boston Journal of Philosophy and the Arts, No. X.
The American Journal of Science and Arts, Vol. 9, No. 1.

ASTRONOMY.

Elements of Astronomy, illustrated by Plates, for the use of Schools and Academies, with Questions. By John H. Wilkins, A. M. Third edition. 12mo. Boston. Cummings, Hilliard, & Co.

DRAMA.

Montgomery; or, The Falls Drama. Written by Henry J. Finn. Hadad; a Dramatic Poem. By James A. Hillhouse, Author of "Percy's Masque" and "The Judgment."

of Montmorency. A New National Boston. Wells and Lilly.

EDUCATION.

An Abridgment of Murray's English Grammar, revised, enlarged, and improved; comprising rules and exercises in orthography, parsing, and punctuation; with Practical Notes; arranged in natural order, and suited to the capacities of children and youth in elementary schools. Compiled for the junior classes in Union Hall Academy. By A. M. Merchant. 18mo. pp. 216. New York.

A New Spanish Grammar, adapted to every class of learners. By Mariano Cubi y Soler. Second edition, revised, corrected, enlarged, and greatly improved. 12mo. pp. 464. Baltimore. F. Lucas, jr.

Fourth Annual School Report, made in the year 1825, to the Legislature of New York. By J. V. N. Yates, Secretary of the State, and Acting Superintendent of Common Schools. Folio. pp. 44. Albany.

GEOLOGY.

History of Massachusetts, from July, 1775, when General Washing-

ton took Command of the American Army at Cambridge, to the year 1782, (inclu-
sive), when the Federal Government was established under the present Consti-
tution. By Alden Bradford. 3vo. Boston. Wells & Lilly.

History, Manners, and Customs of the North American Indians,
with a Plan for their Melioration. By James Buchanan, Esq. His Majesty's Consul
for the State of New York. 2 Vols. 12mo.

An Authentic Report of a Trial before the Supreme Judicial Court
of Maine, for the County of Washington, June Term, 1824. Charles Lowell vs.
John Faxon and Micajah Hawks, Surgeons and Physicians, in an Action of Tres-
pass on the Case, &c. 8vo. pp. 29. Portland.

A Treatise on the Law of Pennsylvania relating to the Estate of
Decedents, the Constitution, Powers, and Practice of the Orphans' Court. By Tho-
mas F. Gordon. Carey & Lea. Philadelphia.

A Digest of the Cases decided in the Supreme Judicial Court of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from March, 1816, to October, 1823, inclusive.
To which is added, a Digested Index of the names of Cases in the 18 Vols. of
Massachusetts Reports. By Theron Metcalf. 8vo. Boston. Richardson & Lord.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Speech delivered before the Overseers of Harvard College, Febru-
ary 3, 1325, in Behalf of the Resident Instructers of the College. With an Intro-
duction. By Andrews Norton. 8vo. pp. 60. Boston. Cummings, Hilliard, & Co.
A Year in Europe, comprising a Journal of Observations in England,

Scotland, Ireland, France, Switzerland, the North of Italy, and Holland. By John

Griscom. Second Edition. New York. Collins and Hannay.

The Grecian Wreath of Victory. 18mo. pp. 119. New York.

An Address to the Utica Lyceum, delivered February 17, 1825. By

A. B. Johnson, Prefatory to his Course of Lectures on the Philosophy of Human

Knowledge. 8vo. pp. 16. Utica, N. Y.

An Address delivered in Nashville, January 12, 1325, at the Inaugu-
ration of the President of Cumberland College. By Philip Lindley, D. D. President
of the College. 8vo. pp. 48. Nashville.

Remarks on Washington College, and on the "Considerations" sug-

gested by its Establishment. 8vo. pp. 52. Hartford.

The Town Officer's Guide, containing a Compilation of the General
Laws of Massachusetts, relating to the whole Power and Duty of Towns, Districts,
and Parishes, with their several Officers, &c. By John Bacon, Esq. 12mo.
pp. 396. Haverhill, Mass.

Considerations suggested by the Establishment of a Second College

in Connecticut. Svo.

Hartford.

The Refugee; A Romance. By Captain Matthew Murgatroyd, of

the Ninth Continentals in the Revolutionary War. 2 Vols. 12mo. New York.

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