less at originality than impression. Yet it is quite as original as works of this kind usually are. The subjects selected are not treated in any dry, formal way, but a few incidents are related and the words of the Saviour are given, when required, in an easy and flowing narrative. The style is occasionally a little ambitious, but it is lively and graceful, and the volume is pervaded by pure sentiment and a serious and devout spirit. The writer, in a few instances, puts little speeches into the mouths of some of her personages, as those of Joseph and Mary, perhaps once or twice in questionable taste, but the character of the Saviour himself is everywhere allowed to stand out in its original, simple truth, majesty and loveliness, and the book may with safety, and we think, with advantage, be put into the hands of the young, as one combining the qualities of attractiveness and utility.

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1. Memoir of Miss Elizabeth Carter: illustrating the Union of Learning and Piety. By the AUTHOR OF MIRIAM" and "JOANNA OF NAPLES." Boston: T. H. Carter & Co. 1844.

12mo. pp. 63.

2. The Cross and Anchor; written for the Fair in aid of the Mariners' Church, Providence, R. I., April, 1844. By Mrs. EDWARD B. HALL. Providence. 1844. 32mo. pp. 31.

As these publications are both by the same author, we shall notice them together, though the subjects to which they relate are somewhat different. The smaller of the two, which contains what the writer modestly calls "trifles," is well adapted to the purpose for which it was written, - to aid the cause of temperance, and the reformation of seamen. We cannot say that all the pieces, which compose the volume, possess any high order of poetic merit. Nor did the occasion require it. There are, however, two pieces which are an exception to this remark. We refer to the "Pearl Diver's Song," and the concluding piece entitled "On, forever."

The pleasure afforded us by the delightful little biography of Miss Carter is diminished only by the regret, awakened by the fact stated in the preface, that the writer, having originally intended it to be one of a series to be entitled "Biographical Sketches of six distinguished English ladies of the last century," has found herself compelled to relinquish her plan. Of these Sketches, that now before us is the only one which has been executed, and this was prepared some years ago. The name of Miss Carter, we suppose, is not very familiar to the readers of the fashionable literature of the day; yet she was one of the little constellation of female writers of the last century, who merited all the praise she ever received, and that was not

slight; one to whom Johnson, whose society she enjoyed, was never rude; who associated with Butler, and Richardson, Mrs. Montague, and "others of the wisest and best whom England could produce;" the translator of Epictetus; the mistress of we know not how many different languages, Latin, Greek, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, and Arabic, - at a time, too, when to acquire a knowledge of some of them was far more difficult and implied much greater distinction than at present; and what is more important than all, a devout and humble Christian, amiable, pure-minded, attentive to common cares, to the duties of friendship, and the claims of the domestic circle. A contemporary of the writers of the old school of fiction and poetry, of the days of Mrs. Radcliffe, of Richardson, and Pope, she lived to witness the change which came over the spirit of literature early in the present century, and bore testimony to its pure tendency. She died in 1806, in the 89th year of her age. Mrs. Hall's sketch professes to be only a slight one. It is well executed however, in good taste, and without lavish praise; and at the present day, when so many books of a worthless character, and worse than worthless, are thrown out upon the public and read, we cannot but regard such a volume, small and unpretending as it is, as a most welcome gift.

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The Scenery-Shower, with Word-Paintings of the Beautiful, the Picturesque, and the Grand in Nature. By WARREN BURTON, Author of "The District School as it was." ton: Wm. D. Ticknor & Co. 1844. 12mo. pp. 119.

Bos

THERE is a little tinge of romance in this volume, without doubt. Some persons may pronounce the expressions occasionally rather too high-flown, and think that the author deals quite enough in exclamation, and throws about his fine epithets with a sufficiently lavish hand; but we can easily pardon his raptures, in which there really seems to be nothing of affectation, but all is true, genuine feeling. The tendency of his mind, perhaps, is to dwell on mere material beauty rather than on associated qualities and emotions. Yet if his book has the effect, as we think it must have, of leading to a habit of observation, it will accomplish a valuable object. Mr. Burton does not attempt to reason, but so to paint nature as to awaken attention and excite to observation. From what we have said, it will be inferred that so far as he accomplishes this, we believe him to be a benefactor to the public, and especially to the youth of our land. And such is our opinion; and notwithstanding some little peculiarities, and especially some quaintnesses of expression found in the volume and a slight ambiguity in part of its title, which, after

all, will prove no great drawback to the pleasure of its perusal, we cordially recommend it as well worthy of being read. L.

Sweet Auburn, and Mount Auburn, with other Poems. By CAROLINE F. ORNE. Cambridge: John Owen. 1844.

We can hardly find it in our hearts, and yet our consciences require us, to do the duty of an "Examiner" to these Poems. Poems we call them, though really almost their only claim to the title, mar, consists in their being made. We are sorry to have to speak thus. We are confident that we opened this beautifully printed volume with the kindest prepossessions toward the writer; but we must say that she seems to us to take a low place, in point of poetry, in that class of which Alonzo Lewis, perhaps, stands at the head. It appears to us that she labors under a radical error as to the difference between poetry and prose. Sometimes we seem to be looking at Wordsworth's carpet, wrong side upward, and then, ever and anon, we seem to catch a glimpse, through some accidental rent, of a patch of the true side. The "Mount Auburn," in many parts, strikes us as a feeble translation of the rhythmical prose of Judge Story's beautiful Consecration Address, into prosy blank rhythm. The snatches of eulogy on the distinguished dead, and on some whom it had been more delicate for the author not to have paraded thus, (to say nothing of the notices of the living,) are, most of them, seriously defective and in bad taste. We are faintly comforted by having to except from our sweeping severity three pieces, "The Lady Arabella," "The Removal of Napoleon's Remains," and "Time, the Hunter." The last of these, though it reminds us vividly of a German song, "The Mightiest Hunter of all is Death," is, we suppose, original, and has a good deal of the spirit and style of Barry Cornwall. We beg the author to forgive us for saying, in conclusion, that we cannot encourage with our approval, (so far as it may go,) the publication of such feeble strains as these. We fear that the lyre which "Mount Auburn" and "Sweet Auburn" cannot awaken, must hang awhile longer on the willows. We shall be as ready as any to catch the first murmur of the poetic breeze through its strings.

B.

Stories for Children, intended as Hints to Parents. By Mrs. R. J. CLEVELAND. Boston: William Crosby. 1844. 12mo. Pp. 191.

THIS is in part a republication, six of the eight "stories," of which the volume is composed, having been already before the public. They have however been long out of print. They

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are here collected into one volume, and two new pieces are added. They now," says the advertisement prefixed to the volume, "constitute a series of stories for children from two or three to ten or twelve years of age." Their republication will be hailed with gratitude by those who are acquainted with their merits. They were universally regarded at the time as among the best books for children, and in truth, simplicity, correctness of sentiment, and pleasant and impressive method, they are surpassed by few, if any, which have been published since. Little Wentworth's Morning Lesson; Little Susan taught to Pray; Week Days and Sunday; Little Emery's Sunday Lesson; The Little Boy who minded Trifles; Little John convinced of the uses of Learning; True Parental Love; and Fruits and Flowers, are the titles of the stories, some of which will call up pleasant remembrances of other days, and constitute a sufficient letter of recommendation to the volume.

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Two Sermons, delivered before the Second Church and Society, Sunday, March 10, 1844, on the Occasion of taking down their Ancient Place of Worship. By their Minister, CHANDLER ROBBINS. Boston. 1844. 8vo. pp. 77.

IT is a melancholy business - the taking down of these old edifices which link the mind with the past, and Mr. Robbins has done full justice to the feelings with which the work of demolition must be commenced. The venerable pile had stood a hundred and twenty-three years, and was the oldest temple of worship in the city of Boston. The difficulties which led to the building of the house, and the circumstances of its erection are related by Mr. Robbins; its original appearance, and the mode then prevalent of conducting the services of public worship, very different from the present, are described; the history and character of its Pastors are given, Waldron, Welsteed, Gray, Pemberton, Lathrop, Ware; changes and improvements which from time to time took place are noticed, and the history of the society is brought down to the present day. The copious notes appended to the Sermons contain a body of interesting facts and anecdotes illustrative of the ecclesiastical history of the times. Mr. Robbins labored under the disadvantage of being compelled, during a great portion of the period to which his discourses relate, to glean after the late Rev. Henry Ware Jr., whose two Sermons commemorative of the hundredth anniversary of the dedication of the house were given to the public at the time; but his industry has enabled him to collect much which is worth preserving, and any church may be well satisfied to have two such faithful chroniclers. The parting service was not less beautiful than appropriate.

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A Discourse on the Principles involved in the Pusey Controversy. By GEORGE W. BURNAP. Baltimore. 1844. 8vo. pp. 24.

LIKE most of Mr. Burnap's performances, this discourse is marked by strong and independent thought. The topics are old and hackneyed, yet he succeeds in investing them with freshness and interest, and into the compass of a few pages has crowded a great deal of solid argument. The discourse contains a clear statement of the nature of the ministry, and a good defence of the freedom of the churches as they were originally constituted. It may not please a Puseyite, nor satisfy those who would exalt sectarian differences above the great essential principles of the Gospel of Jesus, but as the world grows wiser and more thoroughly Christian, these differences will sink in its esteem, and he will be honored as the true disciple of Christ who is led by his spirit.

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The Annexation of Texas. A Sermon, delivered in the Masonic Temple, on Fast Day. By JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE. Boston. 1844. 32mo. pp. 42.

THIS is an earnest, free, and plain discourse on a subject fraught with interest, — the " Annexation of Texas," - a subject on which we believe many of our pulpits uttered their sentiments on the day of the last annual Fast. After stating, at some length, his views of the duty of ministers of the Gospel to speak on "public questions," Mr. Clarke considers the causes which will induce the South to insist on Annexation. These are pecuniary and political advantages, and advantages to the cause of Slavery. He then treats of the evils of Annexation, among which are the strengthening and perpetuating of Slavery, violation of the Constitution, injustice to Mexico, probable war, and a dangerous extension of our territory. The discourse is timely, and we hope will obtain the circulation, to which its merit, the importance of its subject, and the cheap form in which it is issued, fully entitle it.

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The Position and Prospects of the Medical Student. An Address delivered before the Boylston Medical Society of Harvard University, January 12, 1844. By OLIVER W. HOLMES, M. D. Boston. 1844. 8vo. pp. 28.

THIS Address bears the impress of a well furnished and vigorous mind, deeply imbued, we should say, with the love of science, and attentive especially to its practical applications. It comes from the member of a profession, few of the publications of which have been recorded on our pages, but in the ranks of