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chiefly regret the necessity which compels them thus to profane some of the most graceful traceries which the genius of poetry ever conceived. It is the entire spirit of the poem which cannot be expressed on the stage, and which must cause the judicious to grieve that it has ever been attempted. Shakspeare's most delicate fancies have been sometimes desecrated by a stage performance, but seldom so foully as this poetry of TALFOURD'S. The play of 'Ion,' although of a totally different character from 'The Midsummer Night's Dream,' is no more fit for representation than even this most fairy-like vision of the great dramatist; and we should as soon expect to see 'Moonshine' faithfully portrayed by the palpable substance of a stout-comedian, as to find the poetry and sentiment of 'Ion' justly conveyed through the medium of stage representation. 'Ion' has been played, and we are forced to believe in the words of Clemanthe, that

Austere remembrance of the deed will hang
Upon its delicate spirit like a cloud,
And tinge its world of happy images
With hues of horror.'

AMERICAN THEATRE, BOWERY. All who have read BYRON's 'Mazeppa,' should attend its representation at this Theatre. Beyond question, it is the finest spectacle of the kind ever produced in this country; and hence it is not surprising that this large and well-regulated establishment is nightly filled to overflowing with delighted auditors. Lacking both room and time for a notice of the play, in detail, we avail ourselves of the annexed brief description, from the Evening Star: 'The whole is truly magnificent. What seem to produce the most effect, are the chariots drawn by six superb Arab steeds; the long procession of Tartar horsemen winding up the distant mountains -the minarets, and mosques, and towers, seen in the distance — the combats of knights - the sword and shield dance of the ladies of Mr. COOKE's Circus - a pas de deux by Miss COOKE and Mr. JACKSON, and a wreath-dance by the beautiful little grand-children of Mr. Cooke: all these excite prodigious applause. Then we have the white horse of Mazeppa, flying from mountain to mountain, or swimming the Dnieper, with the unfortunate victim on his back, until victory crowns him a king, amidst the terrific combat and melée of armored knights on horseback, troops on foot, thunders of artillery, and the conflagration of the castle. This spectacle should run at least a hundred nights.'

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ENGLISH WORKS ON THE FINE ARTS. A rich treat may be enjoyed in looking over the various publications which are temptingly displayed on the centre-table of Messrs. WILEY AND PUTNAM. Among those lately received from 'the great metropolis,' we have had great pleasure in examining Harding's Port-Folio, with twenty-four artist-like sketches, executed in a novel style, in imitation of the original drawings; 'The Andalusian Annual,' 'comprising,' as the book-sellers say, twelve richly-colored prints of Spanish costume, with several pieces of music; 'Finden's Tableaux,' a truly superb work, eclipsing all its rivals in the finish of its illustrations; The 'Gallery of the Graces,' and the Gallery of Byron Beauties,' with those of SCOTT and SHAKSPEARE, an array of most lovely faces; Spanish Sketches, and 'The Alhambra,' by LEWIS ; 'Coast Scenery, by STANFIELD; 'North Wales, by Roscoe; Illustrations of Shakspeare, by the celebrated RETSCH, etc. Next to travelling, is the pleasure of seeing foreign scenes of interest well depicted by eminent artists, and next to gazing upon the facc of a lovely woman, commend us to her counterfeit presentment.'

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TAXES ON LITERATURE — IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN BOOKS. Now that the subject of international copy-right law is fairly before the American Congress, a word or two respecting the heavy and unreasonable restrictions imposed by our government upon English publications, imported into the United States, may not be irrelevant or out of place. The present duty twenty-six cents per pound weight on books in boards, and thirty cents per pound on those in leather binding — generally enhances the cost from twenty-five to fifty per cent. The duty on a set of the Encyclopædia Britannica, for instance, is not less than thirty-five dollars. This enormous tax is paid by our literary men and reading community, whenever they require any of the valuable and important foreign works which have never been, and are not likely to be, re-published in this country particularly scientific works, necessary for our practical mechanics and civil engineers, and the classics, etc., for students, to whom many foreign works are very desirable, but from which they are often precluded, by the expense thus largely increased. We do not advocate the interests of any one party or class, in opposition to those of another. On the contrary, we think that the very spirit of our system of legislation ought to be with reference to the rights of the many of the majority. What, then, is the other side of this question? Who are benefitted by the present system? If any, they are, in our opinion, two or three publishing houses only; and we believe that even these are not so much so as they may perhaps suppose. What, we may ask, would be the effect of a reduction or abolition of this duty? Would it curtail the business of American publishers? We answer confidently in the negative. The same class of books which have been heretofore re-printed, would continue to be re-produced in the same abundance, if there were no restrictions on foreign editions, for the obvious reason that most of them, at least, can be published here for one half or one fourth the English price, while at the same time those voluminous and heavy works which, however desirable, are too costly to be re-printed, might be furnished here at a very material reduction from the present prices,

Is it just, then, that the whole reading community should be thus heavily taxed, to subserve the interests, real or imaginary, of a very few individuals? With all due deference to the rights of the very respectable and enterprising gentlemen engaged in re-publishing foreign books, we are confident that if this matter were placed before congress in its true light, the duty on books would at least be modified, if not entirely repealed. Even in Great Britain, where these restrictions and taxes are notoriously great, the duty on foreign books is but sixpence sterling, or eleven cents per pound, Now that the excess of revenue warrants a material alteration in our tariff, we hope that literature, at least, will be the first article freed from its shackles.

While on the subject of foreign literature, we would refer the reader to the advertisement of Messrs. WILEY AND PUTNAM, in reference to importing books from abroad. The last-named gentleman has recently returned from a bibliographical tour through GreatBritain, France, and Germany, during which he made arrangements for executing orders for private libraries, as well as for universities and literary institutions, which receive their importations free of duty. The library of Columbia College and the Mercantile Library have lately been enriched by many rare and valuable works imported by this house; and we deem ourselves performing an acceptable service to the public, by a reference to the advantages and facilities at their command.

LITHOGRAPHY. Mr. HENRI HEIDEMANS, an artist of fine powers, lately arrived in this country, has recently produced two beautiful specimens of the lithographic art, in the portraits of FORREST and AUGUSTA, just published by COLMAN. In the first there are several very marked improvements upon the London copy; and in the second, the painter has portrayed the attitude and expression of the fair original, with great faithfulness.

We present the following from an esteemed contributor. It may prove of interest to the scientific reader:

TO DR. ANDERSON, PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS IN COLUMBIA COLLEGE, NEW-YORK.

MY DEAR SIR: In the progress of a work which I am preparing for the press, it falls in with my plan to discuss the subject of a vacuum and a plenum, with which the schools have been so long perplexed. Now, beside the argument derived from motion, which seems to me very strong, if not conclusive, there is one stated by Sir Isaac Newton, in his Principia, which would set the question entirely at rest, could it be relieved from some slight difficulties that present themselves, and cast a shade of doubt over the whole course of reasoning. Sir Isaac, in Book 11., Section vI., and Proposition xxiv., of his Principia, says: 'By experiments made with the greatest accuracy, I have always found the quantity of matter in bodies to be proportioned to their weight.' These experiments, it appears, were made with pendulums, vibrating in fluids of different densities, and would be perfectly conclusive, were it not for the following considerations, which throw our minds into some embarrassment. If Newton had proved that the quantity of matter in bodies is proportioned to their weight, of course, there being so much more matter in a square foot of iron than of cork, there must be more vacant spaces in the cork than in the iron. But Newton's reasoning upon this subject is liable to this exception. May not the materia subtilis of Descartes, or his subtile matter, be so thin as to render any pendulums which could be used, insensible of its action? That there is such a thin ether pervading the material world, is proved by many facts; but particularly by an experiment made by Newton himself. That philosopher found that animals would die, and light be immediately extinguished, in an exhausted receiver; yet, if a thermometer was placed in it, the mercury would rise and fall according to the changes of temperature in the circumambient air. Hence he justly concluded, that after the air was extracted from the receiver, there must remain in it a still more aërial fluid, which, as a medium, conveyed heat to the thermometer, and affected the mercury within the tube. May not this thin ether be supposed to pervade all the different fluids in which the pendulums of Newton moved, without any sensible effect upon them, when he was making his experiments in demonstration of a vacuum? Or, in other words, is there any course of reasoning by which a vacuum may be proved, that is liable to no exception, drawn from the infinitesimal minuteness in the particles of matter?

B.

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THE CHINESE. We have a peculiar kind of pleasure, whenever there chances an arrival from the celestial empire, in looking over the doings of the rulers of that country, as manifested in their numerous edicts and special orders. We 'barbarians' are greatly misled in the opinions we form of the Chinese character from the figures sitting in idealess abstraction on porcelain and tea-chests, or standing at full length as acting cologne-bottles. The Chinese are not the men we take them for, and they are not remiss of late in their endeavors to convince 'foreign traders' of the erroneous impressions extant concerning them. The public officers are remarkable for a certain unvarnished delivery of their sentiments. They indulge in no bastard sentimentalities, venture no dim postulates, and sport no inept sentences nor gingerly terms. One of the recent 'special orders' complains that the 'outside barbarians' have sent divers Christian missionaries into China, with engraved books, setting forth and enforcing the 'creed of their chief, named JESUS.' They are ordered to desist altogether; and six months are given them to withdraw from the empire. If after that period they are found in the imperial kingdom, they are to be severely punished. 'Let the guilty tremble fearfully hereat! Another despatch protests against the acts of sundry English

'barbarian-traders' who, in opposition to certain prohibitions of the celestial dynasty, have, 'in the midst of the vast expanse of the great ocean,' received ships at anchor, and clandestinely stored up opium-'conduct which is most detestable.' 'This is on recorda prepared report' - and the owners of these receiving-vessels are ordered 'instantly to make them all spread their sails, and return at once to their countries.' If they do not 'immediately sail away,' they are to be forcibly expelled. 'A special order. Respect this.' Foreign traders, remonstrating against grievances connected with the tariff of duties on imported goods, are informed that the tariff has been approved by the great emperor, and 'is to be reverently and forever obeyed and followed.' How could the outside barbarians presume to hope they would be changed? The requests are flimsy and absurd, and not to be allowed.' Such is a brief sketch of the latest news from the imperial kingdom; and our readers must content themselves with these imperfect records, until we receive regular advices from our American correspondent at Canton, who will doubtless become a great favorite with the celestial rulers, and be privileged early to receive all important or interesting intelligence. These are the expectations. Rejoice considerably hereat!

LEGAL PLEASANTRIES. They originate more than half the current wit of the day, in the Great West. There is a racy freshness, moreover, about the pleasantries of that region, that is quite delightful. From a late Missouri journal we have clipped the following anecdote of an eminent legal gentleman of that state. If it be as new to the reader as to us, we will guarantee his favorable suffrages: 'Being once opposed to Mr. S-, late member of congress, he remarked as follows to the jury, upon a point of disagreement between them: 'Here my brother S- and I differ. Now this is very natural. Men seldom see things in the same light; and they may disagree in opinion upon the simplest principles of the law, and that very honestly; while, at the same time, neither can see any earthly reason why they should. And this is merely because they look at different sides of the subject, and do not view it in all its bearings. Suppose, for illustration, a man should come in here, and boldly assert that my brother S-'s head (here he laid his hand very familiarly upou the large chuckle-head of his opponent) is a squash! I, on the other hand, should maintain, and perhaps with equal confidence, that it is a head. Now, here would be a difference- undoubtedly an honest difference of opinion. We might argue about it till doomsday, and never agree. You often see men arguing upon subjects as empty and trifling as this! But a third person coming in, and looking at the neck and shoulders that support it, would say at once, that I had reason on my side; for if it was not a head, it at least occupied the place of one, and stood where a head ought to be.' All this was uttered in the gravest and most solemn manner imaginable, and the effect was irresistibly ludicrous.'

'ELEMENTS OF CHEMISTRY: Illustrated by more than one hundred Engravings on Wood. Designed for the use of Schools and Academies By L. D. GALE, M. D., Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, in the University of the City of New-York, and Lecturer on Chemistry.' The study of Chemistry, one of the most important and practically useful of the sciences, is in this little volume rendered particularly attractive to young persons, by numerous illustrations and entertaining experiments. The fundamental principles of the science are stated in a perspicuous, comprehensive, and at the same time forcible style, admirably adapted to its purpose. The first edition, as we learn, was very soon exhausted: the present issue is materially improved, and is very neatly printed. New-York: WILEY AND Putnam.

LITERARY RECORD.

'WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ORATOR?' Some attentive friend in Ohio has transmitted us a small pamphlet, entitled 'An Address delivered by Rev. L. L. HAMLINE, A. M., of the Ohio Conference, before the Jefferson and Union Literary Societies of Augusta College, August, 1836.' It is ably written, and in its views of the qualities necessary to form a successful orator, is sound and discriminating. We subjoin an extract, enforcing the importance of familiarity with the power of language:

"Language may be considered the tool of his trade. By this he works up the materials of thought, and prepares them for the public mind. He must therefore ascertain the structure, the force, and the most effectual use of this instrument. There are two ways to do it. One is by reading. There are many productions of the pen which display most forcibly the power of words, in their various combinations of taste and beauty. By a critical perusal of these writings, one may learn what the power of language is, and by what construction it acquires the utmost harmony and strength.

"And here, we conceive, is the value of Roman and Grecian literature. The ancient classics are said to contain an inimitable beauty and fire, which cannot be infused into their translations, nor exhibited in modern composition. If this be so, then let the orator (if possible) approach them, and inspire his genius with their utmost charms and ardors. But let him not overlook the beauties of our vernacular classics, in his enthusiastic devotion to those of buried tongues. Let him study our own orators and poets with at least half the zeal of his soul, and let him learn to admire them. Should he, in his juvenile admiration of Homer and Virgil, or Demosthenes and Cicero, learn to despise Milton and Burke; should he come to believe that the beauties of song and the charms of eloquence are exotics of other climes, which cannot grow upon our poor soil, his classic lore will prove his misfortune. It will serve merely to expose mental weaknesses, which otherwise might have remained concealed. We should wander through fields of ancient literature, as Peter of Russia visited other kingdoms; not blindly to admire every thing foreign, but to examine impartially, select what is excellent, and transfer it to enrich and embellish our own domains."

The Address is subdivided into appropriate heads, each of which is separately treated, in a plain and well-digested style, evincing, on the part of the writer, a due acquaintance with his theme.

PRINTING IN OIL COLORS. We have before us a copy of a beautiful volume recently imported from London by Messrs. WILEY AND PUTNAM, entitled 'The Pictorial Album, or Cabinet of Paintings.' It contains eleven designs, executed in oil colors, by BAXTER, an English artist, who first introduced the art, a few years since. When it is considered that each color is put on separately, and that some of the plates must consequently pass through the press no less than twenty-two different times, the accuracy and brilliancy of the execution are truly astonishing. The landscapes in this volume, particularly the 'View of Lugano,' are charming pictures, and would not suffer in comparison with the finest oil paintings.

GOETZ VON BERLICHINGEN. Messrs. CAREY, LEA AND BLANCHARD deserve the thanks of every lover of German literature, for the very handsome edition which they have recently issued of Goëthe's five-act drama, entitled Goetz Von Berlichingen, with the Iron Hand. Sir WALTER SCOTT's translation, so much commended, was accounted very defective by the German critics. At a late period of his life, Goëthe employed himself in correcting and improving this drama; and hence the present translation, which contains these emendations, comes before the English reader with added attractions.

THE AMERICAN MONTHLY MAGAZINE has received a valuable accession to its editorial strength, in Dr. R. M. BIRD, who will hereafter assist in conducting the work. Dr. BIRD has won a high reputation as an author, and is thoroughly imbued with that national spirit, which it has been the constant aim of this Magazine to inculcate and enhance, in our country. We cordially welcome him as a co-laborer-satisfied, that in the transfer of the efforts of a valued contributor to another medium, the noble cause of American literature will still find in him an able and zealous supporter.

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