2. BICKERTON; OR THE IMMIGRANT'S DAUGHTER. New York: P. O'Shea. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. This book attempts to portray the trials and hardships endured by many of those who seek on our shores an asylum and a home. Around the name emigrant cluster a thousand endearing associations. The thoughts of his being a stranger, an exile, in our midst, far from his native soil, far from home and kindred and the scenes of youth, which are still bright in his memory and. linger in his affections, touch the cords of the heart and call up sympathies in the breast of every man whose heart is not callous to the nobler feelings of humanity. No subject is more fertile, none that affords ampler grounds for a noble work of fiction, than the one which the author of "Bickerton" has selected. When we received the book and glanced at its title, we opened it eagerly, anticipating a feast from its pages, but we regret to say that we were disappointed. The plot, if it may be said to have one at all, is ill conceived and badly carried out. With the peculiarities of style, or the particular words that writers may use, we are not disposed to find fault; nevertheless the propriety of language and style are things which should not be overlooked by those who claim to be authors. But the feature in the work to which we take the greatest exception is the unbecoming, if not uncharitable epithets indulged in by the author, when speaking of our dissenting fellow-citizens. Who would expect to find in a work, professing to speak of the trials of the emigrant, the following child-like nonsense, in alluding to those who differ from us in faith: "The High Church Simmer and the Low Church Trimmer; and the Old School Blinker and the New School Skinker; and the Primitive Higgins and Wesleyan Spriggins, and Whitfieldian Wiggins; and Trinitarian Riddle and Unitarian Twiddle," and such like unmeaning epithets. We have heretofore recorded our disapprobation of every thing that might in the remotest degree wound the religious sensibility of our neighbor, and again we reiterate it. Catholic writers sometimes seem to lose sight of the important fact, that their works are not written, or at least should not be written, exclusively for the members of their own Church. While Catholic in spirit, in tendency and in religion, they should be written in a style that would at once attract and allure, and not offend and repulse those who wander from the fold of truth. A Catholic work written in any other spirit, will prove an injury rather than a benefit to the cause it was intended to subserve. As Catholics we would cast from our presence the book that would insult our religion, and we cannot expect that our Protestant neighbors are less sensitive on this point than ourselves. 3. FIRST CLASS READER, for the use of schools. By G. S. Hillard. Boston: Hickling, Swan & Brown. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. As a reading book for the more advanced classes in our schools and academies, we know of no work that we could more cordially recommend than the one before us. It is a compilation made up of choice selections, in prose and verse, from the best English and American authors. Extracts are taken from more than one hundred authors, and a biographical sketch of each is prefixed to the extract. This feature commends the work not only to the favorable notice of teachers, but also to the general reader. These sketches, while they impart to the work a peculiar interest, are given with a candor and impartiality, that commands our highest admiration. Speaking of Lingard, the great historian of England, Mr. Hillard uses the following truthful language: "Dr. Lingard was a sincere and conscientious Catholic; his temperament was calm and judicial; and if he betrays any bias in favor of his own faith, it is, perhaps, no more than that unconscious bias which always attends genuine conviction. His History, at all events, should be carefully read by every one, who is not content with the cheap task of deciding before he hears." But apart, however, from every other consideration, the name of the distinguished author is quite sufficient to give currency to the work wherever the English language is read. But the name of Mr. Hillard is too well known to the literary world, to require any endorsement at our hands. Wherever it is found, it is always in connection with some noble effort tending to the moral and intellectual improvement of his fellow man, and to the elevation of the standard of literature. 4. THE SHAKESPEARE PAPERS OF THE LATE WILLIAM MAGINN, LL.D. Annotated by Dr. Shelton Mackenzie. New York: Redfield. The study of the writings of the "Poet of the world" has of late been conducted in an increasingly reverential spirit. As each age adds to the crowd of poets, who force themselves upon our attention, the immense distance between this one mighty bard and all his successors, becomes more and more apparent. Indeed, for ourselves, we feel disposed to challenge antiquity as well as modern times to match him, and, on surveying the entire field of literature, to exclaim: "Nec viget quicquam simile aut secundum." The wonderful command of language, the almost superhuman insight into character, the intimate acquaintance with all the springs of human thought and action, the perfect familiarity with all phases of life, the extensive and varied information, the lofty conceptions, the delicate fancy, the creative imagination, and above all, the commanding genius which manages so imperially this unbounded intellectual wealth, render these plays the perennial wonder of the world. Some of the most vigorous minds of England and Germany have employed their best efforts in expounding and elucidating them. Poets, critics and essayists, from Goethe and Dr. Johnson down to the feeblest scribbler of Grubb street, have brought each his tribute of praise. The book before us is a collection of papers originally published in Fraser's Magazine and Bentley's Miscellany. At the time of their first appearance they attracted great attention by their bold "slashing" style, their numerous paradoxes, and their opposition to commonly received opinions. It was hardly possible for a writer who maintained, not only that Falstaff was no coward or buffoon, but also that he was in heart oppressed by a wasting melancholy, while at the same time he insisted that "the melancholy Jacques" was in reality a gay and sprightly nobleman, who amused himself by being sad, to fail in his effort to create a sensation. Dr. Maginn declares these singular opinions to be honest convictions, and he certainly defends them with much spirit and ability. The weakest part of the performance seems to us to be the defence of lady Macbeth. Mrs. Siddons took a truer view of her character, and the terrible power with which she portrayed that dark and ambitious spirit, is the best commentary on the accuracy of her conception. The ability of the author, in our opinion, is most brilliantly displayed in the sharp criticism of Dr. Farmer's well-known "Essay on the Learning of Shakespeare." The arguments of Farmer are unsparingly anatomized, and his ridicule is turned back upon himself with tenfold force. The annotations of Dr. Mackenzie are not obtrusive, and are conceived in good taste. Indeed, the volume cannot fail to prove a most welcome addition to the library of the lovers of Shakespeare. 5. RAVELLINGS FROM THE WEB OF LIFE. By Grandfather Greenway. We are indebted to the politeness of the author for a copy of this book, which we cheerfully recommend. It is an entertaining series of well written stories, of admirable moral tendency. The great object which should be kept in view by authors, is to present to the public books that will be read, and at the same time instruct the mind and strengthen the heart against the assaults of vice. Hence we cordially welcome the book before us, as we believe it will prove beneficial in these particulars. Of the author we need not speak; he is long and favorably known to the public, having often appeared in various phases of literary composition, and so long as he presents us with nothing inferior to the "Ravellings from the Web of Life," he shall be a welcome visitor. 6. THE LANCE OF LYNWOOD. By the author of "The Little Duke," &c. N. York: D. Appleton & Co.. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. This is an interesting and well written tale. The martial deeds of Edward III, in whose reign the scene is cast, affords ample material for romance, of which the author has availed himself and wrought out a pleasing and attractive volume, which we take pleasure in recommending. 24 VOL. IV. No. 3, 7. ANNALS OF THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, for January, 1856.-No. 100. Published and sold for the benefit of the Institution. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. The periodical visits of these excellent Annals are always welcome. They come to us as the silent messenger from those heroic men, who have forsaken home, friends and kindred to carry the light of faith to pagan lands, and to plant the cross in regions where the empire of Satan has been so long established. They recount to us the noble deeds of these holy missionaries; they speak to us of the trials and dangers they endure, and of the happy fruits that attend their labors. The present number contains interesting details of the missions in China, Corea, Madagascar, and other Oriental countries, and should be read by all who take an interest in the missionary cause. 8. A TREATISE ON ENGLISH PUNCTUATION. Nichols & Co. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. By John Wilson. Boston: Crosby, If the man who reads and studies this book, shall afterwards be unacquainted with punctuation, it is not Mr. Wilson's fault. Like the man who wrote a large volume on "laughter," he has exhausted the subject. Correct punctuation is exceedingly important in composition; this we freely admit, but we must protest against the necessity of a book of three hundred and thirty-eight pages, with rules innumerable, to explain it. To our mind, so many rules, observations and distinctions, throw mist rather than light upon the subject. With the exception of the size, we are otherwise pleased with the work. The author deserves much credit for the labor he has bestowed on the subject. The book will be found useful to many, especially to teachers, and should find a place in every English library. 9. JUNO CLIFFORD. A Tale. By A Lady. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. This book appears to be an off-shoot of Thackeray's Henry Esmond. Like the great majority of imitators, our authoress is more successful in retaining the fault than the beauties of her original. The great defect of that novel is repeated in this. A dashing, fashionable heroine finds a handsome little boy, and adopts him. As he grows up to manhood, she falls violently in love with him, and we are treated to one or two scenes rather too warmly colored, too much in the style of a French romance, to proceed from the chaste imagination of a lady. The heroine gets heartily tired out with her prosaic lord, and longs for the time when death may deliver her from her hated bonds, and leave her free to enjoy her new passion. Death does release her, she courts the handsome protege, and is flatly refused. There are one or two other little love episodes which revolve around this, the main bulk of the story, and which are more in keeping with the feminine character of the writer, but this principal portion is so repulsive that it takes away from the pleasure with which we should peruse the truly genial passages which are scattered through the work. 10. VILLAGE AND FARM COTTAGES. The requirements of American village homes considered and suggested; with designs for such houses of moderate cost. By Henry W. Cleaveland, William Backus and Samuel D. Backus. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. We have recited the title of this book in full, because it expresses more clearly the object and design of the work than any language that we could use. We do not pretend to be judges of the subject of which it treats, but we believe it will be found exceedingly useful to the builder, and even to those who take any interest in rural architecture. The work, however, is not confined exclusively to architecture; it contains many excellent directions for laying out gardens and orchards; planting shrubbery and flowers, and the best means for preserving them. On the whole, the general reader will gather from its pages many lessons of interest and practical utility. BOOKS RECEIVED:-Conscience, or the Trials of May. By Mrs. Anna_H. Dorsey. New York: Dunigan & Brother.-Republican Landmarks. By John P. Sanderson.An Essay on Liberty and Slavery. By A. T. Bledsoe, LL.D. Philadelphia: Lippincott & Co.-Beauchampe, or the Kentucky Tragedy. By W. Gilmore Simms, Esq. N. York: Redfield. Silabario Castellano para el Uso de las Niñas.—Silabario Castellano para el Uso de los Niños. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. ALONE for once! Sweet Solitude! How delightful to retreat, occasionally, from the perplexing cares of life, and to hold communion with one's self, apart from the distractions of the world without. If I were not a--an Editor, I mean, and had not a the Magazine to provide for, I would be a hermit. But alas! it is too late to repine, and of little utility, if I felt inclined. Life is, at best, but a passing drama. We have each our duties assigned us, and he will be the happiest man who "acts best his part." But too much time is lost already in cogitating; now for work. Our Table is covered with a goodly number of weighty documents. Indeed, if we are to measure the merit of some of them by their length, they are prodigiously fine. First-Gratitude-exceedingly opportune! Gratitude is proverbially the virtue of the editorial fraternity. Were it banished from every other place on earth, it would be sure to find an asylum in the breast of Editors, the most grateful class of mortals-grateful to their patrons, when they subscribe for their journals, but oh! how much more so when they pay for the same. Gratitude, by all means, must go in this number, as its title so strongly expresses our feelings towards patrons, contributors and friends. GRATITUDE. LET me bless Thee, ere the horn Let me bless Thee, ere the star, 'Mong the spears of light, is lost. Let me bless Thee, ere the sun Or the blue-eyed vi'let looks On the light which shadows Thee. Let me bless Thee, ere the dew Let me bless Thee, ere the stream Let the sun, or earlier bird In their strange unconsciousness, Shame my never-dying soul, Which Thou waitest for-to bless. Oh! I hold my heart for Thee! Let me like a beggar stand, Giving back what Thou hast given Take my heart within Thy hand! FIDELIA "Mr. O'Moore, you are a model of industry," said Father Carroll, entering with a smile on his ever cheerful countenance, and holding a scroll of paper in his hand. O'Moore at the time was deeply engaged in correcting a lengthy piece of writing which lay before him on the table, and hastily passing the compliments of the evening with his Rev. colleague, continued his labor, observing: "How extremely prodigal of their time and paper are some of our contributors. After all we have said to the contrary, they still persist in spinning out their subject, and piling verse on verse, with the evident risk of displeasing rather than edifying their readers: 'short and sweet' is the motto that should govern them in their contributions." "I agree with you, Mr. O'Moore, that lengthy poetical contributions, unless they possess rare merits, are unsuited for Magazine purposes. A piece, of a page, is preferable to one of greater length." "But while on the subject of poetry," continued Father C., "permit me to offer the following poetical journey, which I think will prove of interest to our readers. It will certainly do for a reminiscence of the colonial days of our State, and tell how the laborious Fathers, to whose zeal we owe so much for the preservation of the light of faith in Maryland, employed their leisure moments. Father Lewis, the author, came to this country in 1749, and was first stationed as a permanent missioner at Bohemia on the Eastern Shore. From several dates affixed to his sermons he seems not to have confined himself exclusively to that mission, but tɔ have visited from time to time Annapolis, Elkridge, Christine, Whitemarsh, and even the lower missions of St. Inigoes, and Newtown. It was perhaps in consequence of one of these visits that his muse was inspired to sing the piece I hold in my hand, and for which I am indebted to the researches of a friend. He was Superior of all the missions at various times, and to him the venerated Bishop Challenor addressed the brief of Pope Clement XIV, announcing the suppression of the Jesuits. His character among his brother missionaries may be gathered from the fact that in two assemblies, one particular, of those attached to the southern district, and the other general, both held at Newtown, St. Mary's county, in 1783, he was elected Superior, a manifest proof of the esteem in which he was held and of the satisfaction he had given, when he was their Superior by appointment from Rome. A considerable number of his sermons are yet preserved in manuscript in Georgetown College, D. C., and by their mildness and unction are a further proof of the sweet spirit by which he was governed. He died at Bohemia on the 24th of March, 1788, much regretted. Oliver in his Memoirs says: "Dr. John Carroll, in a letter dated 20th April of that year, movingly regrets the loss of this valuable Father." This copy is taken from a manuscript of the Rev. Father himself, which in two places is so corroded by age as to be illegible. What remains, however, is enough to show that the good missionary would have figured no less conspicuously in the literary than he has in the religious world, had he chosen to devote himself to it. THE REV. FATHER LEWIS-HIS JOURNEY FROM PATAPSCO TO ANNAPOLIS, Ar length the wintry horrors disappear, The grateful earth from frosty chains unbound Pours out its vernal treasures all around, Her face bedeckt with grass, with buds the trees are crowned. In this soft season, ere the dawn of day, I mount my horse and lonely take my way, Begins to pale her ineffectual ray. The Moon with blunted horns now shines less bright, The fleecy clouds with streaky lustre glow, |