places or unsound; and as to the language in which they are conveyed, it is so bad, that whether the views are really unsound or only commonplaces ill expressed, we cannot quite make out. In fact, Mr. Bacon has failed to acquire, or at least has neglected to employ, the very first and simplest instruments of the art of writing, not to say the art of poetry: the grossest grammatical errors occurring not seldom throughout his book, while the violations of common metrical rules are so frequent, particularly in the pieces meant for blank verse, as almost makes us doubt whether he possesses that first and indispensable requisite to metrical success-a tolerable For example:

ear.

"Not a breath,

Or wing of bird, were heard through the wide heaven."

"live where the laws

The first great law that's written on the heart

Is disregarded every flying hour."

"And he who scribbles verses knows,

(And no one knows but him.)"

"And be to his rebellious passions, a
Worse slave than ever."

Nor can we say that the poems display an originality in their general tone and thought, such as might make up for particular faults. Here we bow to Halleck, then to Bryant, now to Byron, (no poet according to Mr. Bacon,) now to Young, presently to Talfourd, and during the intervals chiefly to Wordsworth. We must do the author the justice, however, to observe that he admits these thefts in a most gentleman-like manner, in his notes; one of which, by the by, contains his confession of faith in regard to slavery, somewhat formally, and as we think gratuitously, stated; and backed by an equally unnecessary quotation from President Wayland's Elements of Moral Science. What is chiefly commendable in the book is the amiable and correct moral spirit in which the author seems to have composed it; besides which there is a good deal of genuine feeling for nature, such as, with more cultivation, may become the basis of creative excellence; and now and then occurs a really fine line-now and then a really fine thought. The following in the "Wood Robin" is an instance of both:

"as by sure instinct led

That beautiful divinity in birds!"

There are too many single lines that are good in the same way, for us to doubt their genuineness; and therefore we conclude that Mr. Bacon is a true, though certainly as yet an uncultivated and too slightly accomplished, poet. We wish we had room for extracts, but we have not, and must refer our readers to the volume itself in justification of our view.

6. Calidore; a Legendary Poem. By WILLIAM J. PABODIE. Boston: 1839. Marsh, Capen, Lyon, and Webb. 8vo. pp. 48.

CALIDORE belongs to the class of metrical romances "that dear production of our days, the metrical novel" — the interest depending upon the successful excitement of curiosity; while we are not lured to linger, as we are by the proper charm of what is properly poetry, but to hurry on, even to the denouement, and with this to be satisfied. For a "Legendary Poem," therefore, in the title-page of this little volume, read a "Metrical Legend." What is the poetical element wanting in such a production in order to make it a poem ? In ordinary language we should say: a moral sentiment, pervading the whole, and imparting to it unity of expression; more philosophically, perhaps some would say, a living idea, present at once to the whole and to each part- as the law of the poem, the principle of its possibility, its significance, and its life. Well, nothing of this kind is in "Calidore;" but some sweet versification is in it, and here and there some sweet poetry; for poetry is to be distinguished from a poem; and the "Song of the Naiad," with which "Calidore" concludes, is (for instance) a poem, though not, we fear, of much originality. The "Addenda" (as Mr. Pabodie terms a few fugitive poems inserted at the end of the volume) are very pretty, and show, in one instance at least, what is either original and creative power, or something very like it :

"And the young wanton breeze,

With breath all odors from her blossomy chase,

In voice low whispering 'mong the embowering trees,
Woos you to her embrace."

The stanza is one of the finest our language can boast of, and his selection of it as a favorite form of versification is a proof that Mr. Pabodie possesses an ear for rhythm. It is dangerous, how"Go forth ever, to tread too closely in the steps of the Trismegisti. into the Fields," and "To the Autumn Forest," are too evidently imitated from Bryant's "Autumn Woods," to allow of their winning the praise which they intrinsically deserve, and might otherwise obtain. We protest, however, against the concluding stanza of the first mentioned minor poem :

"Pass ye the proud fane by,

The vaulted aisles, by flaunting folly trod,
And 'neath the temple of the uplifted sky,
Go forth and worship God."

It is a false sentiment that men can worship God better or more purely under the "uplifted sky" than in the "vaulted aisles ;" and it is equally false in poetry and in fact, to call a Christian cathedral a "proud fane." If any expression is written indelibly on the ecclesiastical architecture of the Gothic nations, it is that of Heaven-born and Heaven-imploring humility.

a

7. History of the Christian Church from the Ascension of Jesus Christ to the conversion of Constantine. By the Rev. EDWARD BURTON, D. D. First American edition; with a Memoir of the Author, occasional Notes, and questions adapting it to the use of schools and colleges, by the Rt. Rev. G. W. Doane, D. D. New York: 1839. Wiley & Putnam.

BISHOP DOANE has done the Church a service by bringing out this valuable work, the last production of its lamented author. A few notes by the editor, reinforcing some of the terms in the text by a brief explanation of their ecclesiastical meaning, and a series of judicious notes inserted at the end of the volume, have done all that was needed to make it a useful school book. The memoir of the author gives us little more than the few incidents of a scholar's uneventful life; and we should have been glad to see in it a passing allusion, if no more, to the advantages accruing to the church from those University and Cathedral institutions to which she is indebted under God, for so many masterly defences of her doctrine and authority, such as this work of Dr. Burton's eminently is-to say nothing of the other more extensive and elaborate productions of the same learned and excellent author.

8. Boy's Reading Book. By Mrs. SIGOURNEY. Girl's Reading Book. By Mrs. SIGOURNEY. New York: 1839. J. Orville

Taylor.

VERY good reading, we should say, for boy or girl. A little too much of the "useful knowledge" perhaps; but even this more interpenetrated than is usual with the imaginative interest which can alone bring knowledge of any kind home to the apprehensions and hearts of children so as to profit both. For the chief danger now seems to be, that the dear little folks shall be crammed with more than a sufficiency of an aliment in itself needful, and the best rule is to let all such matters be "seasoned with salt," with the stimulating and antiseptic power of imagination.

9. The Character of Thomas Jefferson, as exhibited in his own writings. BY THEODORE DWIGHT. Boston: 1839. Weeks, Jordan & Co.

THE character of Mr. Jefferson has already been fully discussed in this Review; and we need therefore only say, that Mr. Dwight

has adopted the true principle in the method of his book. Actions are for the most part capable of diverse interpretations, but when a man is judged by his words and by these as deliberately recorded by himself, there is an end to dispute as to the facts in the case, and the decision every man may make up for himself. The friends of truth, order and righteousness, have therefore, in a certain sense, reason to rejoice when the "enemy" of what they love has "written a book," so that from his own showing he may be condemned.Mr. Dwight, from his position and intimate familiarity with the leading actors, the events and controversies of the period to which his work relates, is in some respects eminently qualified to be the commentator of Mr. Jefferson's writings for the instruction of the present generation.

10. A General Biographical Dictionary. By Rev. J. L. BLAKE, D. D. Third Edition, Royal 8vo. pp. 1096. Philadelphia: 1840. James Kay, Jr. and Brother. New York: A. V. Blake.

A VERY useful book of reference this must be, if compiled with the fidelity we have reason to suppose. We have had time to examine only a few of the articles, but these we have found correct and sufficiently full for all the purposes that can well be answered by any work of the kind. The number of notices of American Biography must render it especially valuable. The industry displayed in procuring and preparing these, is, we observe, generally appreciated by the public, and the less requires any commendation from us.

11. The Life and Times of Martin Luther. By the author of "Three Experiments of Living." Boston: 1839. Hilliard, Gray and Company. 16mo. pp. 324.

For those who have not Michelet's delightful book on Luther, this may be safely recommended as a most lively and agreeable sketch of the life and character of the German Reformer. The story is rendered more graphic and animated by the form of the work; though occasionally there are little incongruities from confounding the different conditions of a purely narrative and an historico-dramatic form. It is very gracefully written, in a clear and simple style; and we have noticed scarcely a point in which our views as Churchmen would lead us to modify the representations

of the author.

NO. XI.-VOL. VI.

32

12. A New Home-Who'll Follow? or Glimpses of Western Life. By Mrs. MARY CLAVERS, an actual settler. New York: 1389. C. S. Francis. 12mo. pp. 317.

ners.

ONE of the cleverest productions of the season; containing very interesting and lively pictures of western life, character, and man"Mrs. Mary Clavers" (the nom de guerre of the author) shows that she has the taste to be a warm admirer of the delightful sketches of Miss Mitford; and that she has all Miss Mitford's cheerful and good humored way of looking the homely realities of every day life in the face, and finding there the soul of goodness and the sources of picturesque grace and beauty. Bating some difference in the nature of the materials, and some want of delicate tact, Mrs. Clavers "Glimpses" will be found nearly as agreeable as the sketches of the charming writer whom she has taken as her model.

13. Woman's Mission.

First American Edition. New York: 1839. Wiley and Putnam. 18mo. pp. 149.

AN excellent little work. Though we were not particularly impressed with any thing very new or practically important in the first three or four chapters, yet the rest of the volume, on the sphere and nature of female influence, on the education of woman and the special principles which should regulate it, is so admirable, that we feel no disposition to detract any thing from the seemingly extravagant eulogium bestowed upon the work in the Introductory Letter of the Bishop of New Jersey.

14. The Poets of America illustrated by one of her Painters. Edited by JOHN KEESE. New York: 1840. S. Coleman. 12mo. pp. 284.

THIS pretty book is got up we suppose for the holidays. The selections appear to have been made with good taste, and the illustrations (by Chapman we take it) are for the most part appropriate. To this remark, however, we must make one exception; the illustrations of Bryant's "Green River" are really ludicrous. The "Idle Dreamer," for instance, is doing precisely the reverse in every respect of what is indicated in the poem, which indeed is not capable of being illustrated at all without caricature. The illustrations of Drake's "American Flag," and of "Passing Away," by Pierpont, are the best upon the whole. The letter-press deserves every commendation.