made, as much as possible, to tell his own tale of himself. A full account is also given of his compositions, from an inspection of the original MSS.

It will be perceived that Mozart was born to music, and that at the age of four he already composed pieces, which his father wrote down in a book. This book was preserved by his only sister to the end of her life, and a specimen from it, composed at the age of four, is found in this volume. Connoisseurs and amateurs will, of course, be greatly gratified with this record of the development of the great musical genius.

6.-Aids to English Composition, prepared for Students of all Grades; embracing Specimens and Examples of School and College Exercises, and most of the higher departments of English Composition, both in Prose and Poetry. By RICHARD Green PARKER. A new edition, with additions and improvements. NewYork: Harper & Brothers. 1845. pp. 429, 12mo.

We wish there were more attention paid to composition in our schools than there is; and we, therefore, rejoice in any well-constructed aids prepared for teachers and scholars. Mr. Parker's work has been before the public for some time, and has been pronounced useful by those who are practically acquainted with its details. We find in it many admirable rules and appropriate examples, and doubt not that much benefit may be derived from the study and practice of its inculcations.

7.-The Pilgrim's Progress; with a Life of John Bunyan. By ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq., LL.D. Illustrated with fifty cuts, by Adams, after designs by Chapman, Harvey, and others. NewYork: Harper & Brothers. 1845. pp. 348, 12mo.

This edition of the Pilgrim's Progress will meet a want of the community. Whilst the wealthy can afford to buy more elegantly illustrated editions, here is one adorned with beautiful wood-cuts, which will come within the means of the humbler classes of society; and to such is it an interesting and useful book.

8.-The Vigil of Faith, and other Poems. By CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN. Fourth edition. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1845. pp. 164, 18mo.

A neat little volume, too well known to require any special notice from us. Mr. Hoffman possesses a poetic vein, not of the purest order, yet yielding occasionally some golden threads.

9.-Conquest and Self-Conquest-Woman an Enigma. New-York Harper & Brothers.

We notice these small volumes rather out of time; but we do it chiefly to remind our readers that they emanated from the same source from which came "Praise and Principle," noticed in our last number. Whoever has read the latter will be glad, we are sure, to obtain the former. To the young, the doctrine of self-mastery, so beautifully inculcated in Conquest and Self-Conquest, is of the last importance.

With

10.-The History of Silk, Cotton, Linen, Wool, and other Fibrous Substances; including Observations on Spinning, Dyeing, and Wearing. Also an Account of the Pastoral Life of the Ancients, their Social State, and Attainments in the Domestic Arts. Appendices on Pliny's Natural History; on the Origin and Manufacture of Linen and Cotton Paper; on Felting, Netting, etc. Deduced from copious and authentic sources. Illustrated by steel engravings. New-York: Harper and Brothers. 1845. pp. 464, 8vo.

We are much pleased with the style in which this volume is "got up." The subject matter is of great interest and value; and the work is manifestly one of great research, and evincing scholarship. It is a book which would be read with pleasure by all; they would meet in its pages very much in respect to the social life and manufactures of the ancients, which is probably new to most. To the classical scholar also, it is a useful illustration of many passages of his favorite authors of antiquity; and it throws not a little light on portions of the word of God.

The first part treats of the Ancient History of Silk-the second of the Sheep-the third of the Cotton Manufacture-the fourth of the Linen Manufacture. Under the second chapter is introduced the history of the Goat, Beaver's Wool, Camel's Wool, and Camel's Hair.

11.-Ollendorf's New Method of learning to Read, Write and Speak the German Language; to which is added a systematic outline of the Different Parts of Speech, their inflection and use, with full Paradigms, and a complete Table of the Irregular Verbs. By G. J. ADLER, A. B. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1845. pp. 510, 12mo.

The German language is becoming so much an object of attention in this country, that every facility afforded for its acquisition ought to be hailed as a valuable contribution toward the cultivation of the intellect. We have had several new Grammars of the German language, within a few years, and among the best, that of Noehden, by

Prof. Sears, of Newton Seminary. Ollendorf's is on a different plan, much the same as that of Manesca, in French. The pupil is led on, through a series of exercises, inducting him gradually into a knowledge of the words, inflections, and idioms of the language. Such a method of acquisition requires to be used with caution, and is better for those somewhat advanced in acquaintance with the principles of language in general, than for young persons.

There is, however, an "Outline," in other words, a condensed Grammar, occupying 136 pages of this work, which will be of great utility, if properly used in connection with the lessons for practice.

This Grammar of Ollendorf's has gained great reputation in Europe, and is pronounced by many who have used it, the most effective aid yet afforded to the public, for attaining a knowledge of the German tongue.

There is accompanying the Grammar a Key to the Lessons, which may be of service judiciously used. but almost necessarily of disservice in the hands of a youthful learner.

12.-APPLETON'S LITERARY MISCELLANY.-1 Promessi Sposi. The Bethrothed. By ALESSANDRO MANZONI. A new translation, reprinted entire from the last English Edition. In two volumes.Memoirs of an American Lady, with Sketches of Manners and Living prior to the Revolution. By Mrs. GRANT.-The Life of Frederick Schiller, comprehending an Examination of his Works. By THOMAS CARLYLE.-Sketches of Modern Literature and Eminent Literary men. By GEORGE GILFILLAN.

room.

We must thus combine our notices of these volumes, for want of The design of the Miscellany, we have heretofore announced, and also noticed the first volume, Gertrude. The Betrothed is the second, from the pen of Manzoni, the Walter Scott of Italy. Its date is over two centuries, and its plot the protracted separation of the betrothed on the very eve of marriage. Its tone is high, yet is there much in it which cannot meet a hearty response from us.-Mrs. Grant's Memoirs is an authentic detail of facts, and a legacy to those who would see a vivid portraiture of our fathers and mothers previous to the days of our Revolution.-The Life of Schiller, by Carlyle, will, of course, be read, and needs no commendation. The last two volumes-the Gallery of Literary Portraits, are just fresh from the English Press, and we are truly glad to see them in the Miscellany. Most of the prominent men of the present day, in Great Britain, and a few in these United States, find a place in this Gallery. The author, of course, contemplates men from his own stand-point, and that gives coloring to his portraits. Under the head of Ralph Waldo Emerson, after portraying Edwards, Channing, Webster, and others of less note, he concludes that Emerson is the greatest of all, and so

represents him. Few, in this land, will agree with him. The portraitures are, however, generally fine, and the book exceedingly interesting.

13.—The Vision; or Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, of Dante Allighieri. Translated by the Rev. HENRY FRANCIS CAREY, A. M. with the Life of Dante, Chronological View of his age, additional Notes and Index. Illustrated with twelve Engravings, from Designs by JOHN FLAXMAN, R. A. From the last corrected London Edition. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1845. pp. 587, 12mo.

The publishers merit commendation for the style of the book; and certainly for placing within our reach this excellent translation by Mr. Carey. True, no translation can transfer the beauties and fine touches of the original, yet those who know not the Italian, will be glad to inspire some of the poetic breathings of one, whose genius awakened enthusiasm in both Michael Angelo and Milton.

Whether the Vision be denominated an epic or a satire, is of comparatively little importance. It is sufficient to know that it is magnificent in its conception, and gave color to the poetry of Europe,— that it wrought with such power on the heart in awakening pity and terror, as justly to claim for its author the possession of a superior creative faculty, and to entitle him to one of the first niches in the Temple of Fame.

We must not forget to say that the frontispiece is a copy of the portrait of Dante, discovered in 1840, in the pantry of a prison at Florence, all covered with whitewash.

14.-A Practical Treatise on Healthy Skin; with Rules for the Medical and Domestic Treatment of Cutaneous Diseases. By ERASMUS WILSON, F. R. S., Consulting Surgeon to the St. Pancras Infirmary, etc., etc. Illustrated with six Engravings. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1845. pp. 246, 12mo.

Although rather a medical work, it is one of value to every person. The knowledge it imparts of the skin, its health, and its diseases, is such as all ought to possess. And every one is so necessarily bound up in his skin, that it seems desirable he should know somewhat of its properties, maladies, remedies, etc. Well, this book is all freighted with just such knowledge of the subject, as will be of great utility to those who acquire it. If you wish to learn how the skin grows, how it is connected with the nails and the hair, how it is colored and discolored, how it becomes diseased, and how it may be cured, above all, how it may be preserved from the maladies to which it is liable, then read this book. You will find in it, observations on

soap, its proper and improper application, on ablutions, on diet, etc. of interest and value.

It is really a practical Treatise, and any one who takes it up will be likely to read it through.

15.-Sermons preached in the Chapel of the Rugby School, with an Address before Confirmation. By THOMAS ARNOLD, D. D. First American Edition. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1845. pp. 284, 12mo.

Dr. Arnold has become so much of a favorite in this country, that any thing from his pen is acceptable.

This volume contains discourses to his pupils as a minister of the gospel; and it is really delightful to mark the simplicity, appropriateness, and faithfulness of these sermons. It were well for our youth in schools and colleges to ponder them diligently. They may be marrow to their bones.

16.-The Book of the Colonies: comprising a History of the Colonies composing the United States, from the Discovery in the Tenth Century, until the commencement of the Revolutionary War. Compiled from the best authorities, by JOHN FROST, LL. D. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1846. pp. 280, 12mo.

This volume, by Dr. Frost, is intended to make our youth familiar with the settlement of the several original colonies of this new world. It begins with the Northmen, passes on to the Spaniards, French, and then to the history of the several colonies; and, like the other books of the same author, conveys much interesting knowledge to the youthful reader.

17.-The Book of Good Examples; drawn from authentic History and Biography; designed to illustrate the beneficial effects of virtuous conduct. By JOHN FROST, LL. D. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1846. pp. 288, 12mo. An excellent book in its design, and well executed. To teach virtue by example is the most impressive mode: and to bring before the minds of youth the virtuous conduct and habits of those who have obtained notoriety, is doing much toward inducing them to walk in their steps. We want more books of the same description-not mere toys of books.

18.-Chances and Changes; or Life as it is. Illustrated in the History of a Straw Hat. By CHARLES BURDETT, A. M., Author of Emma, or the Lost Found, etc., etc. New-York: D. Appleton & Co. Phila.: Geo. S. Appleton. 1847. pp. 158, 18mo.

The author has made much of a Straw Hat, and to a good pur