formed as early as the sixteenth century. The first association of the kind was organized by Sigismond de Dietrichstein, under the auspices of St. Christopher, as early as 1517. Eighty-three years afterwards, Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse, formed an association which was called the Order of Temperance;" but its rules were somewhat liberal, and a knight being a member was permitted to use at each meal, twice a day, seven bocaur or glasses of wine. A third institution, of the same character, was established by Count Palatine Frederick the Fifth. These were, however, narrow in their influence, and short in their duration. The recent efforts which have been made in the same cause in our own country and Europe, by the es tablishment of periodical journals and newspapers devoted to that object, and especially by the zealous labors of Mr. Delavan, the Rev. John Pier. pont, and the Rev. Lyman Beecher, through whose agency the American Temperance Society was founded in this country, and by Father Matthew, in Ireland, have all doubtless sprung from a desire to do good, and have met with a considerable measure of success. The present work is comparatively calm in its tone, and may be con. sidered able. It takes up the subject from its earliest recorded origin, traces its history, its connection with religion, its influence upon nations, its effect upon the moral and intellectual powers, the moral and physical causes of intemperance, and points out all those facts which should lead us to avoid it. The last chapter is devoted to a consideration of intemperance in a legal point of view, and in the relation which it bears to the civil rights of society. An appendix to the work is added, which embodies a large mass of facts connected with the subject. We subjoin the following table, which is of commercial value, as exhibiting the amount of the importation of ardent spirits into the United States, from 1790 to 1839: In 1838, the imports amounted to 3,092,776, and in 1839 to 3,802,718 gallons. 4. The Works of THOMAS CHALMERS, D. D. and LL. D., Professor of Theology in the University of Edinburgh, and corresponding member of the Royal Institute of France. 6 vols. 12mo. New York: Robert Carter. 1840. Dr. Chalmers is well known to the people of this country, as a learned and eloquent divine of the dissenting church of Scotland. Certain new grounds which he has recently taken respecting the English Church Estab lishment, appears to have placed him in a peculiar light towards the friends of that hierarchy. His efforts, continued for a long series of years in the pulpit, have given him a rank not inferior to any clergyman of the British empire, for the depth, compass, and brilliancy of his written productions. The work, whose title we have here prefixed, is embraced in seven duodecimo volumes, each comprising about four hundred pages, which treat of "Natural Theology," the "Christian Revelation," "Moral Philosophy," and "Astronomy." There is also embodied, a volume of Commercial Discourses, that is designed to be applicable to the mercantile community. The style of Dr. Chalmers is full, swelling, and bold; frequently diffuse, with sufficient precision of thought, however, to make his arguments clear; and of a wide sweep of expression, which serves to make them popular. From so large a range of topics it would of course be difficult, within a brief space, to give a general view of the character of the work. We cannot forbear, however, quoting a portion of his remarks upon the mercantile virtues, which may be found in the volume of "Commercial Discourses." In speaking of the influ ence of British mercantile integrity, he says: 'It might tempt one to be proud of his species, when he looks upon the faith that is put in him by a distant correspondent, who, without one other hold of him than his honor, consigns to him the wealth of a whole flotilla, and sleeps in the confidence that it is safe. It is indeed an animating thought, amid the gloom of this world's depravity, when we behold the credit which one man puts in another, though separated by oceans and by continents, when he fixes the anchor of a sure and steady dependence on the reported honesty of one whom he never saw; when, with all his fears for the treachery of the varied ele ments through which his property has to pass, he knows that should it only arrive at the door of its destined agent, all his fears and all his suspense may be at an end. We know nothing finer than such an act of homage from one human being to another, when perhaps the diameter of the globe is between them, nor do we think that even the renown of her victories or the wisdom of her counsels so signalizes the country in which we live, as does the honorable dealing of her merchants; that all the glories of British policy and British valor are far eclipsed by the moral splendor which British faith has thrown over the name and the character of our nation; nor has she gathered so proud a distinction from all the tributaries of her power, as she has done from the awarded confidence of those men of all tribes, and colors, and languages, who look to our agency for the most faithful of all management, and to our keeping for the most inviolable of all custody." The mechanical execution of the work is handsome, and it will form a valuable accession to the library. 5. The New England Gazetteer, containing descriptions of all the States, Counties, and Towns in New England; also, descriptions of the principal Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Capes, Bays, Harbors, Islands, and fashionable resorts within that territory, alphabetically arranged. By JOHN HAYWARD, author of the Columbian Traveller. Boston: Otis, Broaders & Co. pp. 336. 1840. It is but little more than a twelvemonth since the first edition of this work made its appearance, and it has already passed through nine editions; ten thousand copies, we are assured by the publishers, were sold in the state of New Hampshire alone. Its success certainly argues something for the popularity of the work, and affords substantial evidence that the editor is in a fair way to obtain a remuneration for his devotion to this branch of useful literature. The labor of preparing a gazetteer of New England, worthy the patronage of its enlightened citizens, is no easy task; those only who have attempted it, or any work of the class, can form a just esti. mate of its difficulties. Besides the consultation of numerous volumes and local histories, and the writing of hundreds of letters, Mr. Hayward found it necessary, in order to give accuracy and authenticity to his work, to visit almost every section of the New England states. 6. The History of Greece. By THOMAS KEIGHTLY; to which is added, a These three bulky works are the offspring of a single mind, and evince great industry. After the masterly works of Hume, Gibbon, and Rollin, it would seem that the field of ancient history had been so thoroughly explored and cultivated, that but little could be left for the gleaner in our own time. Yet, with these standards before us, there are occasional new works required, embracing subjects which have heretofore occupied splendid talents, in order to suit the constantly changing tastes of the public. In the pompous volumes of Gibbon, we perceive great deficiencies, although much to admire. Rollin, in his fragmentary and somewhat quaint work, is more valuable as a book of reference, than for continuous and satisfactory read. ing; and in that beautiful history of Hume, whose simple style flows along like a transparent stream, a work which in our judgment stands at the head of all history, ancient and modern, topics are omitted, or if touched, are merely alluded to, which, if enlarged upon, might especially suit the tendencies of the present age. We think that a marked improvement should be impressed upon historic writing. What is its object? Not merely to give dry data of prominent political events, the bombardment of a city, or the execution of a treaty, but an accurate, full, and glowing picture of the times of which it treats, running down from the leading political events that control the destinies of nations, to those nicer shades of circumstances which give a form and coloring to society. If history were to blend these pictures with chronological data, we think that it would be invested with greater value, inasmuch as it would then present all the authority of accredited statement, and all the interest of romance. The volumes above-named are written in a pure and popular style, adapted to the existing public taste, and, as the author remarks, suited to the reading of the schools. The ancient republics of Greece and Rome, now become a trite theme of reference, are exhibited not only in their progress, but also in their geographical features, so that we are impressed with all the interest derived from a knowledge of the physical traits of the two empires, as well as the nature of the causes that have marked their rise and fall. Then we have the history of England, prepared upon the same plan, that carries us along from the first invasion of the Island of Great Britain, through the splendid succession of its monarchs down to the coronation of Queen Victoria. These volumes cover a long tract of time, and embrace information which, if carefully digested by the reader, will be of great value, relating, as it does, to the history of three of the most imposing countries that the world has ever seen. We doubt not that they will be of standard reputation. 7. Around the World. A narrative of a voyage in the East India squadron, under Commodore George C. Read. By an officer of the U. S. Navy. In two volumes. New York: Charles S. Francis. Boston: Joseph H. Francis. 1840. Here is the narrative of another voyage around the world, in a squadron of the United States. The improved state of naval architecture and navigation, combined with the skill and enterprise of our seamen, is one of the distinguishing features of the present age; and voyages around the globe have become almost as facile and common as were journeys from the Atlantic seaboard to the borders of the lakes, a quarter of a century ago. The commercial adventures of our own country, as well as those of the prominent nations of Europe, now encircle the globe, thus displaying the triumphs of the mind over the elements of nature. An important branch of our commerce, it is well known, has been long extended to the East Indies. In the spices of Java, Sumatra, and Ceylon, the sugar of Siam, and the teas of China, our merchants have found ample sources of profit, and more than a hundred ships are annually employed in the commercial expeditions connected with those regions. No protection had been furnished to these enterprises until the loss of the Friendship, by the natives of Sumatra, under peculiarly aggravating circumstances, induced the government in 1832 to despatch the Potomac, assisted by the Peacock and the Boxer, to redress these grievances. This expedition was successfully accomplished; and, through the agency of Mr. Roberts, the American. minister, new and important avenues of trade were opened, and the neces sity of establishing a naval station in the east, fully demonstrated. Prior to the outrage at Sumatra, the Essex and the Congress, two frigates, and six years afterwards, the Vincennes, were the only American war ships that had adventured into that region; and although American traders were known upon its coast, they possessed no ostensible means of protection. In 1835 the Peacock and the Enterprise, under Commodore Kennedy, bearing Mr. Roberts as our diplomatic agent to the east, sailed as the first regular squadron for the station; and in 1837 the Columbia, with her consort the John Adams, was commissioned to follow in the same round, and to touch at all the ports which time would permit. The volumes before us contain a narrative of this expedition. They are written in a clear and fascinating style, indicating the author to be a gentleman of acute observation, as well as of taste, talent, and enlarged literary acquisitions. The engraving of Muscat, as well as that of Muckie, with which the work is prefaced, are beautiful; and the former derives additional interest from the fact of the arrival of a ship, during the past season, from that port into the harbor of New York, and our improving commercial relations with the people of that country. 8. Beauty Illustrated, chiefly by an analysis and classification of beauty in woman. By ALEXANDER WALKER. Edited by an American Physician. New York: J. & H. G. Langley. 8vo. pp. 390. 1840. This work is designed to exhibit the elements of that beauty which we admire in woman; and, indeed, its power is felt and acknowledged every. where. In the essay of Edmund Burke, and other writers, we have had displayed to us in an analytical form, the causes of that mysterious power of the beautiful which so much affects the taste, but these discussions have not been confined to the consideration of mere beauty in the female sex. We doubt, indeed, whether the elements of mere beauty in the female, are founded upon those general principles which regulate inanimate matter. Women interest us not merely on account of their beauty of color or form, but as their features or action shadow forth the qualities of the mind, or the affections of the soul. How many countenances, faultless from their regu larity and color, we pass by without a second thought, because the soul is there wanting; and how many faces, not remarkable for beauty, inspire us with deep and permanent interest, because they reflect qualities in no wise connected with color or form! Still we admit that female beauty, combined with accomplishments, possesses great influence, and has even effected impor tant political revolutions. But it may be said that the beauty of the countenance bespeaks the moral beauty of the soul. This we do not think is true, for it is within the observation of almost every person, that they may reckon among characters distinguished for their amiability, as many that are not distinguished for their comeliness as those that are beautiful. The volume before us presents a large mass of facts, historical and speculative, respecting the subject, and furnishes much matter for reflection, if not for unqualified belief. 9. Female Beauty: as preserved and improved by Regimen, Cleanliness, and Dress; and especially by the adaptation, color, and arrangement of dress, as variously influencing the forms, complexion, and expression of each individual, and rendering cosmetic impositions unnecessary. By Mrs. A. WALKER. New York: Scofield and Voorhees. 12mo. pp. 390. 1840. This work is designed to address itself particularly to the interest of ladies. Embracing a consideration of all those facts which would seem to exercise an influence upon personal comeliness, it appeals to that class, who, while they are acknowledged to be the arbiters of taste, also possess the largest motive to exercise it. By nature they are formed to please, and an attention to those innocent arts of personal adornment, which, while they add to their own attractions, inspire in others a deeper interest, should be deemed not less a pleasure than a duty. There are doubtless certain principles of taste existing in dress, and it appears to be the design of this volume in some measure to exhibit them. It is embellished by numerous highly colored plates, which illustrate the doctrines set forth, by showing the influence of the various modes of dress upon different features and forms. We think that it must prove peculiarly interesting to those for whom it was designed. |