their deeds, have illustrated, whether for good or for evil, the world's progress from the remotest ages. In pursuance of this design, the author first presents us with the series of Scripture characters from Cain and Moses to Solomon and Daniel. He then summons the troop of military heroes, distinguishing, as is fitting, between those, on the one hand, whom reckless ambition, sanguinary temper, or insatiable thirst for glory, impelled to war, as Xerxes, Alexander, Alaric, Charles XII., and Napoleon; and those who, on the other, fully sensible of, and lamenting, the miseries and horror inseparable from warfare, engaged in it solely from the highest motives of patriotism, or in vindication of some great moral principle, as Leonidas, Scipio Africanus, Washington, and Wolfe. But how is it that, among these latter, our author refers only in a single line to him, the most illustrious hero of them all? The cannon of Waterloo resounds, but the name of Wellington is heard not above it. Notwith standing, then, the testimony of the title-page, which bears date 1853, we conclude that at the time of the composition of this poem England did not mourn over the greatest of warriors and statesmen as one of the "Spirits of the Past." In delineating the leading features of the Scripture characters and the military heroes, our author shews himself to be at once a poet and a philosopher, and to be well-versed in the historical knowledge requisite for vivid painting, as the notes to the poem also evince. In the third part he assumes a wholly different tone. There, in his portraitures of "celebrated women," enthusiasm breaks forth. The beauty and feminine fascinations of some of his heroines, and the lofty spirit of others, fill him with a fervour worthy of the subject. He throws down the gauntlet for, and gracefully defends, the peerless Helen, and sees more to admire in the intellectual strength of Aspasia, which drew around her, in her Attic feasts, the sages and the statesmen of Greece, than to condemn in the errors which envy, rather than justice, imputed to her. The lament over the body of Pericles, and that of Polla over Lucan, are equally characterized by genuine pathos; nor less impressive is the picture of the devoted Paulina, resolutely bleeding to death with Seneca. The same power prevails in Agrippina's bold denunciation of Piso, as the murderer of her husband Germanicus, and her constancy under the pangs of starvation decreed against her by Nero. We would also instance Lucretia, Dante, Beatrice, Petrarch, Laura, and Lady Jane Grey, as highly-wrought and touching pictures. Upon the whole, Mr. Michell is entitled to take high rank among the poets of the day; but, since we are nothing if not critical, we must observe that he frequently dete riorates from the strength of his stanzas, by imposing upon himself the unnecessary burden of making the second and fourth lines of both quatrains rhyme together. The four consonances of the Spencerian and Childe Harold stanza impart to it great majesty; but in the stanza chosen by our author they are labour thrown away, adding nothing to the effect, but often materially damaging it by platitudes and forced expressions. Beyond this defect we have no exception to take to Mr. Michell as a poet. Among his other merits, he has an eye for the picturesque, as the following stanza will shew. It is a description of the Lake of Thrasymene, à propos of Hannibal's descent into Italy. The sweetest time that silver lake to see Is just when sunset casts its hallowing glow, The circling heights, are richly sped below; Echo o'er mount and valley swinging slow; When flowers, ere fairies come to close their eyes, Breathe all their odours to the sleepy skies. The marring of this placid scene by the carnage of the battle of Thrasymene is thus depicted But sweetest scenes man's passions oft have made When victory bade awhile pale Rome farewell: For rills of crystal, blood in torrents fell. The Violin. By G. DUBOURG. Cocks and Co. WE are right glad to welcome a fourth edition of this very interesting and amusing work, devoted to the prince of instruments, for such is the violin admitted to be; and we congratulate the ever-increasing tribe of violinists on possessing so clever a chronicler of the history, character, capabilities, and eminent professors of il violino. After a general sketch of the "fiddle family," we are introduced to the Italian, the German, the French, and the English schools, the characteristics of each of which are treated con amore, and in the true cognoscente spirit, and illustrated by notices of those who have obtained most celebrity in each. By way of addendum, we are indulged with a highly entertaining and edifying chapter on female violinists, and amateurs in general. The School of Musical Composition, Practical and Theoretical. By DR. ADOLPH BERNHARD MARZ. Cocks and Co. In an age when music is in so much vogue, when musical taste has made such rapid strides among us, and not to be musically disposed is reckoned about the same thing as not to be civilized, a work so comprehensive as the present, devoted to the study of music, cannot but be hailed with hearty satisfaction by multitudes. As no man of ordinary intellectual ambition is content to be carried at the rate of thirty miles an hour on a railway without making himself acquainted with the reason why, so we may fairly suppose that a considerable proportion of those who crowd our concertrooms and musical-festivals are desirous of ascertaining something at least of those scientific principles, by the application of which their ears are delighted. To all such, this elaborate yet lucid work of Dr. Marz will prove a real treasure. The German mind is peculiarly qualified for diving deeply into the profundities of any science to which it applies itself, and such is the characteristic of the work before us; but let not the would-be learner be thereby alarmed, since the rules laid down, and the principles upon which they proceed, are of a clearness and definite character, which will enable the least, as well as the most ambitious to profit by them. A diligent student of these carefully-digested instructions will, after a short time, be surprised to find himself, unawares, and, and as it were, per saltum, capable of imparting that pleasure which tasteful and correct compositions have hitherto conveyed to him. The very elegant musical types by which the instructions are profusely illustrated, give to this volume a very attractive appearance; nor must we forget to award to Mr. Augustus Wehrman the credit due to him as the translator; nor to Messrs. Cocks that of having rendered good service to the musical world by undertaking its publication. A Dictionary of Scientific Terms. By RICHARD D. HOBLYN, A.M., Oxon: 8vo. Whittaker & Co., Ave Maria Lane. Or this work, it is only necessary to say, that in a compendious form, it gives a lucid interpretation of all the principal scientific terms pertaining to Geology, Mineralogy, Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Natural History, Botany, Logic, &c. The plan is precisely the same as that adopted in Mr. Hoblyn's previous work, the "Dictionary of Medical Terms;" and we are promised a third, to comprise the terms employed in the Arts, Manufactures, Commerce, &c. Having tested the value of the Dictionary before us, by reference to some of the principal as well the less important headings, we are enabled to affirm, that in every case we found the explanations given sufficiently copious and intelligible for the general reader,-comprehensive, and, indeed, far more copious than we could have anticipated from the external dimensions of the volume. As a book of reference, no one should be without it. What am I? Where am I? What ought I to do? London: Smith, Elder, and Co. THESE are not, as some might be tempted to suppose, the terrified ejaculations of the unprotected "female homo-that screaming, parturient, interjectional animal"-on finding herself abandoned by the world on the platform of a foreign railway-station; but they constitute a portion of the title of a shilling pamphlet, the production of an anonymous author, who has in view the benevolent object of elevating and ameliorating the condition of his fellow-men. He desires the increased and wider diffusion of knowledge through all classes; and certainly the startling fact, which he adduces from the Thirteenth Annual Report of the RegistrarGeneral, furnishes very strong evidence of the need of the energetic exertions of " the school master" throughout the length and breadth of the land. of That report discloses that, in the year grace 1850, there were 152,738 marriages in England and Wales; and that the register was signed with marks by 47,570 men, and by 70,601 women! Let our fair readers contemplate for a moment the position and prospects of these 70,000 brides, all unable to sign their own names. This little work is written in an earnest spirit, by one who is zealously desirous of urging others to exert themselves in the noble cause of suffering humanity. Viola, or, 'Tis an old Tale, and often told. By MISS ISABEL GOLDSMID, Authoress of "Shadows and Sunshine." Routledge. WE observe with satisfaction a reprint of this favourite little story, which has now assumed a new form, and has found its way into the "Railway Library." Notwithstanding the extensive circulation it must already have received, it is conceived with so much power, and penned with so much grace, that, however old the tale, no one, we think, will object to its being told once more. We only hope soon to meet "Shadows and Sunshine" wearing the same verdant mantle. AMERICAN LITERATURE.* www Austria in 1848-49: being a History of the late Political Movements in Vienna, Milan, Venice, and Prague; with details of the Campaigns of Lombardy and Novara; a full account of the Revolution in Hungary; and Historical Sketches of the Austrian Government and the Provinces of the Empire. By WILLIAM H. STILES, late Chargé d'Affaires of the United States at the Court of Vienna. 2 vols. 1852. SUCH an ample title leaves nothing to be added by way of further indicating the subjects treated of in this work. As representative of the American government at Vienna, the author witnessed the rise, progress, and final catastrophe of the revolution. He embraced the means which his official residence in the Austrian capital afforded, to collect materials from all sources to illustrate the general history of the times. He has had access to official documents, some of which were only to be found in the imperial archives; he has conversed with several of the principal actors in the events recorded, as well as with public authorities well informed on the subject; and has, in addition, made diligent use of the ample opportunities of personal observation which fell in his way. Indeed, Mr. Stiles was an actor, to some extent, himself in the crisis of the revolution. At M. Kossuth's request, he made an attempt to mediate between the Austrian government and the Hungarian Diet, but without effect. M. Kossuth's letter was conveyed to him by a heroic lady, who had passed, in the disguise of a peasant, through the midst of the Austrian army on her way to Vienna. This intrepid female was the Baroness Von Beck, whose mysterious fate lately excited so much interest in this country. There can be no doubt, then, of the author's qualifications for writing a full and faithful history of a series of events, which, though of recent occurrence, are involved in sufficient perplexity to render it exceedingly desirable to have them investigated in a calm, candid, and impartial spirit, such as that displayed in the present work. It is divided into two books; the first containing an Historical Introduction, embracing the ante-revolutionary period of We have been reluctantly, though unavoidably, compelled to defer until our next Number, notices of several other American works of considerable interest, reviews of which are indeed already in type; but we cannot give this brief and imperfect critique of recent Transatlantic publications, without making favorable mention of a periodical, which appears to be very creditably conducted at New York. That city gave birth, in March last, to a "New Quarterly." Not designed to be merely a review, it contains papers discussing whatever is most interesting in Science, Politics, and Art, together with "whatever is most valuable in facts, as Statistics; whatever conduces to human culture, whether it relate to painting, music, or poetry, will be found within its pages." The title-page gives the name of Mr. A. G. Remington as superintending the editorial department. Austrian history; the second being occupied with the revolution itself. From the condensed nature of the first part of the work, it is more instructive than interesting. It is of great value, however, to those who wish to form an intelligent estimate of the circumstances of Austria as it was, and as it is. The reader will learn how the empire grew, and how its affairs were administered. He will be initiated into the Austrian system of education, which was intended, not to educate, but to inducate-not to develope the mind, but to drill soul and body into docile subjection to the will of a tyrant. He will pick up, also, some amusing facts connected with the system of espionage and censorship of the press, under which Austrian liberty and Austrian literature have flourished so admirably. The function of the censorship was partly expurgational and partly hermeneutical-suppressing such terms as pular opinion" and "nationality," and translating such phrases as "heroic champions" into "brave soldiers," and "a band of youthful heroes" into "a considerable number of young men." This was both the ante-revolutionary and anti-revolutionary policy of Austria; but the revolution burst forth notwithstanding. po Into the second part of his work we cannot follow our author, though on many transactions, about which conflicting opinions have been entertained, his views, had we room for them, would have been an interesting subject for a résumé. We must restrict ourselves to one or two sketches, or rather estimates, of the following contemporary characters: METTERNICH. Prince Metternich in person is rather below the ordinary size, has a well-formed head, nose large and aristocratic, eyes blue and expressive, and mouth well shaped, and with a smile ever at command. His whole person, countenance, and demeanour, are indicative of high station, superior intellect, and finished elegance. He was not remarkable for his native genius or subsequent acquirements; but his distinguishing traits were his knowledge and perception of character, and the arts by which he bent them to his own purpose. He could entertain a circle of fifty persons with ease and amiability, without resorting to ordinary resources. He would participate in the dissipation and the follies of his superiors and equals ; but he would at the same time be searching the means by which he could turn them to profit. It was impossible to know better than he how to discover the weak sides of those around him, and, what is still more difficult, to render himself necessary to their frailties. The mode of execution which Metternich employs is truly singular. To a perfect knowledge of the principal persons with whom he has transactions, he joins an ad dress not less astonishing in the choice of his instruments. He has formed for himself a gallery of living Metternichs, from whence he draws forth his ambassadors and agents. With a gigantic mind he spreads his toils over the whole continent-had his spies in all the capitals of Europe in Portugal he was with the Miguels; in Spain, France, and in Italy, with the aristocrats and priests; and at Constantinople most intimate with the Sultan. It was by these means that he held for so long a time the destines of Europe in his hands. GÖRGEY. Görgey was neither patriot nor traitor, but a mere professional soldier: he was possessed in a remarkable degree both of skill and courage, but not one spark of nationality glowed within his bosom. His own illustration, his own success, was evidently his first thought, and his country's safety or freedom a secondary consideration. Not to be beaten, or, when beaten, to take a speedy revenge; to keep his army together, not as constituting the defence and security of the country, but as illustrating the importance of the general; such were Gorgey's aims. He cared not where he retreated or what he abandoned, provided he yielded not a flag and lost not a gun. And his last celebrated march (if not accomplished through the connivance of the enemy), a bold and martial achievement, seemed directed with infinite skill to the one great aim of surrendering, en masse, with all his guns, troops and arms, so as, even if he thereby lost his country, he would gain credit with his enemies for the importance of his submission, and retain, in the face of the world, the reputation of a still unconquered general. KOSSUTH. The early parliamentary labours of Kossuth entitle him to an eminent place among the legislators of Europe. His temper, habits, and education, seem, indeed, to have fitted him for parliamentary life; and, under a more free and enlightened government, he would doubtless have acquired the distinction of a great orator and politician. He seems, indeed, during all the early part of his career, to have been actuated by no other ideas than those of a parliamentary and constitutional opposition to the Austrian government, and only to have been driven into revolution by the faithlessness and treachery mind, exhibited themselves in his efforts in rare and striking union. He aroused and armed the people, and, Nor does there seem in this portion of his public life any ground for the attempt of inimical writers to identify his character with that of the demagogue, or fix upon him the motives of an unscrupulous ambition. If the testimony that history has thus furnished leads to the conclusion that his highly nervous, sensitive, and poetical temperament has led him into conduct that a firmer heart and more deliberate judgment would have avoided; that his extraordinary powers of expression were not combined with a corresponding executive ability; and that his vivid imagination is better calculated to arouse the passions and kindle the aspirations of others, than to obtain for himself a dispassionate and practical view of events around him; still there remains more than enough of superiority in his character to justify the warm admiration of every lover of human freedom. His consummate oratory, his poetical fancy, his capacity for labour, his struggles and his sufferings in the great cause of civil liberty, will for ever keep his name in the first rank of those who have magnanimously devoted their lives to extend the blessings of progress and equal rights, which are only the legitimate results of a free government. Life of Franklin Pierce. By NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. Boston, 1852. FRANKLIN PIERCE is now President of the United States, having been elected to that office by an overwhelming majority of his fellow-citizens, who, by their votes on that occasion, are supposed to have annihilated the Whig or Conservative party in the Union, and to have inaugurated a new commercial era in the history of that great and growing republic. The triumph of the Democrats was virtually the triumph of Free Trade, which will now supersede the American system of Protection, and have an opportunity of shewing what it can accomplish on the vast experimental field given to its action. The recent Presidental election was clearly a contest of principles, not of persons. General Pierce is not a man of remarkable ability or distinction. He is, in fact, just an average specimen of a go-a-head American his warmest admirers estimate him no higher than this, and adhere to him just because he is this. There is no individuality about him; he was not a recognised leader even of his own party, but he was a serviceable representative of the party; and being less exposed to the jealousy of contending candidates, stood the best chance of securing a unanimous vote. Cass was satisfied because it kept out Buchanan, and Buchanan was satisfied because it kept out Cass. No other reason can be assigned for his nomination It is a singular fact, that, under the most favourable conditions for freedom of individual development, America has produced few men distinguished for individuality of character or action. Clay and Webster were stout defenders of the constitution, but they were not men of intuitive sagacity or prolific genius in states manship. An absolute democracy seems to lead to the same equiponderance of intellect and monotony of social life as an absolute despotism. Pierce is doubtless as well qualified for his office as any of his rivals, and there are a thousand others as well qualified as he. The proportion of supply and demand in the political market makes Yankee statesmanship a cheap article; and as they have to seek a foreign market for their surplus corn, they have to seek, in their peculiar plan of annexation, a convenient market for their surplus stock of politicians. Hawthorne foolishly attempts to make a great man of a merely respectable, commonplace lawyer. To be sure, he was a military hero in a small way, and a great deal is made of his services in the Mexican war. His military journals and despatches are paraded with a mighty flourish, but they testify neither of valour nor victory. Like many a raw recruit who sighed for glory in the valley of Mexico, he intended to do wonders, and unquestionably did all that was in his power. But, unfortunately, he was disabled in his first engagement. His brigade was advancing to meet the enemy, when the general "leaped his horse upon an abrupt eminence, and addressed the colonels and captains of the regiments as they passed, in a few stirring words, reminding them. of the honour of their country, of the victory their steady valour would contribute to achieve. Pressing forward to the head of the column, he had "nearly reached the practicable ground that lay beyond, when his horse slipped among the rocks, thrust his foot into a crevice, and fell, breaking his own leg, and crushing his rider heavily beneath him." This was very unlucky, as it consigned him to the care of the doctor during the fury of the first assault. He rejoined his companions before the battle was over, but he paid for his rashness on the following day at Churubusco, when again leading his troops forward to that terrible conflict. "The exhaustion of his frame," says Hawthorne, " and particularly the anguish of his knee-made more intolerable by such free use of it-was greater than any strength of nerve, or any degree of mental energy, could struggle against. He fell, faint and almost insensible, within full range of the enemy's fire." The next battle was that of Molino del Rey, but it ". was won just as he reached the field." Another chance lost, and only one more left to him. But fate was adverse. On the day which terminated the Mexican war, General Pierce "became extremely ill, and was unable to leave his bed for the thirty-six hours next ensuing. In the mean time the castle of Chepultepec was stormed by the troops under Generals Pillow and Quitman. Pierce's brigade behaved itself gallantly, and suffered severely; and that accomplished officer, Colonel Ransom, leading the ninth regiment to the attack, was shot through the head, and fell, with many other brave men, in that last battle of the war." These quotations are from Hawthorne's narrative, and they embrace all the battles in which Pierce "distinguished" himself. There can be no doubt that he intended to distinguish himself, and that he would have done so-only he did not; his bad leg prevented him! It was a misfortune; but in the matter of military glory there is no difference between misfortune and defeat. After the campaign Pierce returned to the bar. "All the dreams of his youth were now fulfilled; the military ardour that had struck in hereditary root in his breast had enjoyed its scope, and was satisfied." Hawthorne must have been hard pressed to make a hero out of such small materials; but the "glory party" had to be appeased, we presume. But there were other parties to satisfy the religious folks, for example. A praying President would surely suit them. Here then was the man for them. "General Pierce has naturally a strong endowment of religious feeling. At no period of his life, as is well known to his friends, have the sacred relations of the human soul been a matter of indifference with him." After this, a certificate of church-membership from his parson, or of a moral character from a magistrate, might have been added by way of confirmation. It is truly pitiable that a Presidential candidate should require trumpeters of this kind, and that Nathaniel Hawthorne should lend himself to the work. Essuys and Reviews, chiefly on Theology, Politics, and Socialism. By O. A. BROWNSON, LL.D. New York, 1852. DR. BROWNSON is one of the Boston celebrities, and the present volume consists of articles which have appeared in "Brownson's Quarterly Review," published in that city. The author was at first known as a Transcendentalist of the Emerson school, but has passed through several "phases of faith," and is now a Catholic of the "straitest sect." In his former capacity he started a Quarterly Review, which was remarkable for this peculiarity, that he wrote all the articles himself. His present journal is still characterized by the same feature, and well entitled, therefore, to be called "Brownson's." What degree of influence he enjoys in America we do not know; but we should suppose that he is more notorious for his changes of opinion than for his ability and power. He is not a fascinating writer. Dr. Brownson admits in |