human nature, the opposite case has but too often occurred. And the inference we consider to be most plain, that if either party in the married state should be punished more than the other, for a domestic murder, it ought to be, not the wife, as by the common law, but the misguided wretch, who raises his hand to take away the life of his defenceless companion. It is the wife, and not the husband, who needs the protection of the law."

We have neither space nor leisure for more on this subject. The whole article is fraught with interest to those who consider the privileges and importance and happiness of women as connected with social improvement, refinement of manners and the moral and political character of our country. Of one thing we feel certain, that, however the laws may be penned or interpreted, public opinion is in our favor. The proof, if any were wanted, might be drawn from the fact that the ablest writers and most popular journals in our land are, in our cause, voluntary advocates.

FAME AND LOVE.

THE memory of the mighty dead,
The marble holds in trust;
While low beneath the grass green turf
Reposes humble dust.

To trace the sculptured eulogy,

The wondering crowd repair ;

One mourner to the green grave comes,
And weeps in silence there.

The minstrel's harp in lofty halls,

The glorious name pours forth

With sighs the cherished name is breathed
Beside the lonely hearth.

Wonder and song to Fame belong,
Sighs, tears by love are given;
The lowly grave, the tear of love,
Grant me when ripe for heaven.

CORNELIA.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

"ELIA." This volume is composed of a series of essays, first printed in the London Magazine, chiefly presenting local and domestic scenes, youthful recollections, and characteristic sketches. The Author, Hon. Charles Lamb, may not perhaps be ranked among the high order of men of genius, but is truly a man of refinement, and a pleasant and fluent writer. He has been long before the public, as a poet, a critic and essayest; and among the present collection, may be found some of his happiest

efforts.

The style in which these Essays are written, is often careless, and sometimes too parenthetical, but never heavy; their pleasantries now and then idle, but never dull or pointless. They all abound in good humour, many are fraught with good sense; and we unhesitatingly recommend the volume to our readers, as one well calculated to induce cheerfulness, and to promote moral and benevolent feelings.

"ALMACKS REVISITED, OR HERBERT MILTON," is, of its class, a good novel : bearing but little resemblance to its predecessor, Almacks, either in style or material. Without equal vivacity of dialogue, perhaps, it has more continuous interest; and without the same sketchy brilliance, the characters are quite as well sustained, their traits as deeply marked, and as finely developed. On the whole, we think Herbert Milton the better and more pleasing book of the two; for, while the gilt vices of high life, are stripped of their false dazzle, and its grave follies arrayed in their proper caps and bells, the reader is at the same time regaled with pleasant scenes and worthy characters, in truly "Good Society." The work is easily and agreeably written. One fault in the plot, which would seem the fault of a first attempt, is that too many personages are crowded into it; so that they have not room to display themselves to our satisfaction. The authorship is attributed to Col. Leach.'

"THE CHILD'S BOTANY.-S. G. Goodrich, Boston." We have looked over the pages and plates of this little book, with much pleasure. We have long thought Botany a study in which children would be much interested, could it be simplified, and adapted to their capacities. It is a study congenial, in many respects, to their habits and feelings. The delight with which they roam the fields, and pluck beautiful flowers, would be enhanced by knowing there was some importance attached to the objects they were pursuing. Though the restraints of school are often irksome, yet it is a positive pleasure to children to acquire ideas, to learn-and the book that furnishes hints by which a walk in the garden may be made a lesson, is not only adding to their knowledge but their happiness. The study of Botany, at an early age, will also have an excellent effect in familiarizing children to the terms of that science; the hard names, that often appear so formidable to older persons, would be acquired by them, if not with facility, at least without disgust.

The little work at the head of this article appears to be written and arranged in a manner well calculated to answer its design-that of pleasing and instructing children.

"SAYINGS AND DOINGS; THIRD SERIES." We speak of this work only to condemn it. There is scarcely a redeeming excellence in the whole two volumes, to be arrayed against their numerous and glaring faults. The style indeed is vigorous, as that of Mr. Hook's former works, but equally unpolished; rapid and brilliant in some instances, but exceedingly incorrect, (a manner which the novelists of the latest fashion are sadly addicted to.) The stories are both of them disagreeable and immoral. The first, Cousin William, in which the pathetic is intended to predominate, exhibits little else than unnatural depravity; and that so glossed over as to take the air of slight and common aberrancy. Both hero and heroine, are unfortunately base, and unhappily guilty of the foulest crimes. The second story, which is meant to be humorous, is so at the expense of all delicacy and true wit. The characters are in V general coarse and detestable; the incidents low, and the scenes vulgar. There is one passage particularly bad, showing at once the absence of good taste, and good feeling in the author. We mean the mad-house scenes, in which that most solemn and fearful of human maladies, madness, is made the subject of incipient wit and bold humor.

To sum up all, the third series of Sayings and Doings, presents but an assemblage of vicious characters, and loathsome incidents; which can as little subserve the cause of morality, as that of refinement; the perusal of which will confer no pleasure, and can be productive of no good.

Yet in the faults of matter, as well as manner, Mr. Hook's work is not alone. Too many of the writers of the late fashionable fictions, whose object is professed to be to reform society, by the exhibition of its defects, seem to have forgotten that as many are likely to be allured to the right path, by the smiles of virtue, as are driven from the wrong one, by the grimaces of folly and vice. The mother, when she saw her child on the brink of a precipice, presented her bosom, and it sprang back to the safety of her embrace.

A CARD.

The editor of the Ladies' Magazine acknowledges with gratitude and pleasure, the voluntary assistance which has been rendered her, while she was necessarily detained from a personal superintendence of the work she had engaged to conduct. That the pages of the Magazine, owe much of their interest and excellence to the contributions of some of our most gifted literary ladies and gentlemen, the editor is happy and proud to confess. She indulges the hope that their assistance will still be continued it will be needed-it will be appreciated and remembered.

To the patrons of the Ladies' Magazine, the editor returns her thanks for the unprecedented encouragement they have given her. The task which she undertook with diffidence-almost despair, is now, by their favor, pursued with that hope of success, which gives confidence and energy to the mind, and stimulates industry to exertion. To merit the patronage she has received, will be her pride and study.

LADIES' MAGAZINE.

VOL. I.

JUNE.

DRESS.

No. VI.

"The world is still deceived with ornament." So said William Shakspeare, and two centuries have made, in this respect, little alteration. There seems to be, in mankind, a propensity to display, to prize outward show, to look with favor on the wearer of a fine suit, rather than on the merit of him who deserves one.

But such remarks have been made by every cynic since the days of Antisthenes, and I did not commence with the cynical intention of railing in "good set terms" against the modes and customs of the world. I believe, with the melancholy Jaques, that

"Who cries out on fashion

That can therein tax any private party
Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea,
Till that the very, very means do ebb ?"

This ebbing of the means is one of the most disagreeable drawbacks on a life of dissipation and display. Yet it is often salutary in its operation. When the tree is bowed by the fury of the storm, if, intsead of sinking beneath the shock, the roots entwine and fix themselves more firmly during the agitation, then, when the tempest is over, that tree will rise again more healthy and vigorous. Just so the mind that has basked in the sunshine of prosperity, when the glitter is withdrawn, strengthens itself to withstand the storm of adversity, and gains in the conflict that experience and energy that qualify men and women for more extensive usefulness. But this result rarely occurs, except the person suffering reverses has in early life been

judiciously educated, or is possessed of a reflecting mind and good sense. The vain, ignorant trifler, whose whole happiness is dependent on the opinion of "the world," and that world only the fashionable one, would, by the loss of fortune, become helpless and hopeless; poverty would as effectually deprive him of all ability to maintain his rank in life, as the loss of caste would incapicitate a Bramin of India from presiding at the worship of his gods.

The temporary importance, which the advantage of appearing richly arrayed gives to the vain, and even to the vicious, is one of the most unfortunate consequences that attend the increase of wealth, and the cultivation of taste in a republic. It is unfortunate, because it prevents many, of both sexes, who have respectable talents and amiable dispositions, and who, were there no easier way to rise in the estimation of the world, would endeavour to improve in knowledge and goodness, from exertion. When a few outward adornments" may be substituted for inintelligence and virtue, or at least give a passport to "good society," those who lack strength or decision of mind, are usually found following that path to fame which seems the least laborious.

It is, however, very weak to imagine sin attached to any particular form of apparel, always premising that decency and delicacy are not violated, or any peculiar kind of ornament. It is only the methods, by which dress is obtained, and the motives for which it is worn, that makes the good or evil. Perhaps there has seldom been a more gorgeous display of ornament than the apparel of the High Priest of the Jews, presented, and the pattern was appointed by the Most High. The circumstance would seem to justify the paying of strict attention to our personal appearance, indeed impose the suitableness of wearing our best clothing when appearing in acts of public worship; yet if the only motives that govern us, while thus arrayed, are to exhibit ourselves, gratify our vanity, or make an impression on some human heart, we can hardly feel innocent, much less appear so in the eyes of Him, who "looketh not on the outward appearance, but on the heart." But though the wearing of jewels and rich ornaments by those who can afford them may be perfectly proper, perhaps laudable, yet the young and lovely would do well to recollect that