Popular Lectures on Science and Art, delivered in the cities and towns of the United States. By DIONYSIUS LARDNER, Doctor of Civil Law, Fellow of the Royal Societies of London, of the Royal Irish Academy, Member of the principal European Societies for the advancement of Science, and formerly Professor of Astronomy and Natural Philosophy in the University of London. New York: Greely & McElrath, Tribune Buildings. These Lectures, of which we have receiv. ed six numbers, are unquestionably the most valuable contribution to popular knowledge ever made in this country. The usual books on Science and Art are altogether unsuited to impress the mass, even of intelligent people. We do not ask that a scientific work shall amuse; but certainly, if a book does not interest, it can make no impression on the general reader. The best treatises, however, that we have been accustomed to see on these subjects-those really freighted with knowledge-have commonly been set forth so much in abstract and technical terms, as to render them readable, often understandable, only by the few; while those apparently designed for very popular use-saying as much, indeed, on their covers-have been as commonly found quite free, from abstractions not only, but in truth, of any information. It is the singular merit of these essays-for they now, in fact, appear under that form that they really present, not in general the processes, but the whole immense results of all science and practical art, from the ages of the intellectual old Greek philosophers down to the amazing discoveries of modern times, and that in a form and guise which cannot fail to make them both intelligible and deeply interesting to any class of readers. Dr. Lardner's style for such subjects is incomparable. We do not, at least, conceive it to be surpassed by that of any other English writer. It is wonderfully concise and exact, yet so flowing and luminous as of itself to lead the reader's mind through many pages before he becomes aware of it-an excellence to which the ori ginal presentation of the subjects in public

lectures has, no doubt, greatly contributed. Besides this remarkable merit, there is a constant employment of illustration, by anecdotes and references to distinguished inventors and scientific men in different ages, that adds exceedingly to the attractiveness of the work. Though the series will consist of fifteen or sixteen numbers, containing each about eighty pages, the variety, importance, and popular interest of the topics treated of, would hardly be sussix numbers comprise the " pected, without enumeration. The first Plurality of Worlds," "The Sun," "Eclipses," rora Borealis," "Electricity," "The Minor Planets," ""Weather Almanacs," " Halley's Comet," "The New Planets," "The Atmosphere," "The Tides," "Light," "The Major Planets," "Reflection of Light,” "The Atlantic Steam Question," "The Barometer," "The Moon," "Heat," "Galvanism," ," "The Moon and the Weather," "Periodic Comets," "Radiation of Heat," "Meteoric Stones and Shooting Stars," "The Earth," "Lunar Influences," "Physical Constitution of Comets."

"Au

We earnestly recommend to the "young men and maidens," and even staid elderly people-intellectual faces, many of them

who are seen in every steamboat and railcar devouring trashy novels by the hour, to make a substitute of these, or works like them, with a reasonable prospect of getting

some benefit.

A Chaunt of Life and other Poems, with Sketches and Essays. By REV. RALPH HOYT. In six parts. Part II. New York: Le Roy & Hoyt, 269 Grand street.

The principal poem in this second little collection of Mr. Hoyt's, is a continuation of one intended to run through the six parts. We have before expressed our opinion, that the author does not succeed in that kind of grave and weighty measure and subject so well, as in those of a briefer and more novel style. It demands great compass of thought and height of imagination, to make so heavy an order of verse effective. Many passages,

however, possess much merit, and when the whole shall have appeared, it will doubtless be found an interesting and impressive poem. The following, meanwhile, may be cited as a beautiful and striking simile: "As some poor mariner adrift at sea, When ruthless storms have driven his bark a-wreck,

Climbing his riven mast in agony,

The sole survivor of a crowded deck,

Sees, as he clambers upward, sad and slow, The dark horizon widening on his woe; So, as I climb my splinter'd spar of life,

The dreary desolation still expands; Float by, betokening the mighty strife, Rude fragments from all ages and all lands; And mournful voices answer to my soul, As far along the roaring surge they roll." The little poem, "Old," was published in our Magazine for May. It is on very familiar ground, but it is quite original, though somewhat quaintly treated. Many of the stanzas, our readers will agree, are beautiful; some of them exceedingly pic turesque and touching. The piece that stands next, entitled "New," is also out of the usual order of the poetry, that is scattered around us in such melancholy profusion. It is simple and striking. We doubt, however, if by the regular repetition of a particular line in both of those pieces, the poems do not lose as much by an appearance of affectedness, as they may gain by novelty. Nothing in this collection is, on the whole, equal to 66 Snow," or "The World for Sale," which were altogether new and striking, and very felicitous. We might, on further thoughts, except "Old," which is of that simple rural order, curiously set forth, that lives in the memory; and we are glad to perceive that it has been widely appreciated, seeing it frequently copied in our exchange papers.

The Farmers' Library and Monthly Journal of Agriculture. No. I. July, 1845. Edited by JOHN SKINNER. Greely & McElrath, Tribune Buildings, New York. Price $5 per annum.

We depart from our usual custom in respect to Periodicals, to notice a work just begun, which is devoted, we conceive, to incalculably the most important interests in our country; and which appeals strongly to all our own early associations, and to sentiments that will go with us through life. It is impossible for any reflecting person not to

see how vast a portion of the wealth, health, morality, and happiness of this great people-as of any other-exists in, and depends upon, the culture of the soil. In all ages from the time when the primitive husbandman drew

"The earliest furrows on the mountain-side Soft with the Deluge,"

till the breaking up of the great Western wilderness by the plough-share, the tillage

of the earth has been esteemed honorableunless by such as, gathered together in cities, have heated their dusty brains into the opinion that traffic-eternal, mercenary, changeful and treacherous traffic-is "the chief end of man." The strong intellects, the hale bodies, the simple devoted hearts, the quick-eyed, fresh and glowing imaginations, which are, in peace or war, the support and glory of a nation, are found for the most part to have had their early growth and impulse in the country, however they may have been afterwards attracted by "the hum of busy men On the city's beaten ground." It is, in fact, by the constant drawing of such hearts, minds and bodies from the country into the cities, that these crowded marts are kept from sinking finally into vast lazar-houses of corrupt, degraded, sickly, and soulless beings, for whom this life would have no hold to retain them in it except fear of that other life which must take its place. Certainly agriculture is of all modes of livelihood the most completely independent.

The farmer who owns his hundred acres of the firm earth's surface-and any one in this country, for many years yet, may, by diligence, acquire as much—can never fear entire ruin to himself and family, unless by a civil war. He only asks the Government to do its duty-and he will continue to cultivate his broad fields-hallowed, it may be, by many ancestral memories-knowing that Heaven, who sends the returning Seasons, will not fail to bestow the fruits of his labors. And we wish we could induce those, who are toiling in our cities, and fearing forever some great change in the commercial world-the fall of stocks, the convulsion of finances, a storm at sea, or a sudden and terrible fire-to have more regard for the husbandman's employment, to exchange, if possible, his anxious pursuit for this calm and secure occupation, at least

A MANUAL OF ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY: comprising, I. Ancient History, containing the political history, geographical position, and social state of the principal nations of antiquity, carefully revised from the ancient writers. II. Modern History, containing the rise and progress of the principal European nations, their political history, and the changes in their social condition, with a history of the Colonies founded by Europeans. By W. C. TAYLOR, LL. Ď., M. R. A. S., of Trinity College, Dublin. Revised, with a chapter on the history of the United States, by C. S. HENRY, D. D., Professor of Philolosophy and History in the University of the city of New York. Second edition, 8vo., pp. 785. New York: APPLETON & Co. 1845.

This is, on the whole, the most valuable historical compilation in a single volume we have ever seen. If a book of history is to leave any abiding impression upon the

student's mind, it must be more than an assemblage, however regular and clear in arrangement, of the mere data of battles, sieges, revolutions, the crowning and uncrowning of monarchs, and the myriad other "important facts" that crowd so many ages of annals. Such a volume can be of little service, except for chronological references. All history, indeed, however extensive, is little better than worthless, if it does not inform us with a certain spirit of philosophy. It must not only mark for us the steps of human progress, but show us how they were taken. It must not only point to the sudden lights that flushed the horizon at different eras, and cry "behold!" but make known the sources from which they sprung, and by what influences they were enabled to illumine portions of the world. Nearly every history that has been written, has, in fact, failed greatly in one important element. The movements of kings, courts, and armies, the intrigues of diplomatists, the contests of factions-all which are but the external circumstances of the rise and fall of empires-are imposingly arrayed; but the daily life of the people, the pulses that beat in the heart and arteries of the nation-powerful for the greatest and most lasting effects-remain concealed from view. Even commerce, which, though not the originator, has been the great agent, the rapid and constant diffuser of civilization, has fallen under the singular neglect of most historians. But what is apt to be the case with extended histories, must necessarily pertain in a far greater degree to condensed compilations. Chronological skeletons are sufficiently useful in their way-as are, indeed, the bones of the mastodon, strung together with wire, to give us some idea of creatures before the deluge. We can see the joints, the

vertebræ, and the places where the sinews were-but what it was with the flesh and hair on, with tusks and tail-or otherwiseis beyond our knowledge. On the whole, we should prefer the animal alive; at least, let us have such a representation of him as might be given by a vivid picture: we can then fancy him moving, and making various demonstrations of his peculiar nature. Mr. T.'s "Manual of History" is in a measure free from the faults of all such abridgments of the world's annals. The style might have been better. Several errors might be noted had we space. It is not equal to Tytler's, which is remarkably compact, with a chiseled ease drawn from classic models. But it has more of the comprehensiveness that should belong to general history. It has more of the wants and interests of the people, more of the origin of great commercial and other movements in social life, which have resulted in the advancement of human progress. It thus combines, to some degree, the philosophy with the narrative of history.

With the usual ignorance or contempt of the British author, the amount of information prised in three pages-a condensation of furnished respecting this country was comthe philosophy of history with a vengeance. It was creditable, neither to the author's In its place, judgment nor his liberality. Prof. Henry has appended a succinct and instructive account of the rise and character of this Government.

The History of Oregon and California, and the other Territories on the north. west coast of North America, with maps, documents, &c. By ROBERT GREENHOW, Translator and Grammarian to the Department of State of the United States. Second Edition. Boston: Chas. C. Little and James Brown. London: John Murray. 1845.

This is a most valuable and important volume, and of especial interest at the present time. A question of great consequence is pending, between this country and England, in relation to a part of the immense region of which it treats; and the other portions farther South, and as yet under Spanish-Mexican dominion, are inevitably destined to great changes, which must as inevitably affect the future position, interests, and character of this Republic. On this question, and these territories generally, no work, as yet published, throws half as much light as is afforded by the extended and minute investigations in this volume. The style is flowing, clear, and concise, making it for the general reader a most interesting volume. We do not altogether agree with the argument. We shall have occasion to refer to it at length in a contemplated full discussion of the Oregon question.

THIS question which has been in every mouth for months past, and which, during the last week or two, has seemed so near an affirmative solution, is still-while these pages are passing through the press--unresolved."

The cloud indeed has gathered blackness, and all looks as though the bolt were about to fall, but it has not fallen.

Nevertheless, the preparations on the part of the United States for a warlike issue to the controversy pending with Mexico continue; the land and the naval forces have been concentrated on and around the Gulf of Mexico, and the public ear is daily saluted with some new fact or rumor about the war." In this way men's minds are gradually habituated to look at, and even to look for, the occurrence of so untoward and calamitous an event as war, almost as an indifferent, and altogether as an unavoidable, proceeding.

66

Entertaining far other views ourselves -and wholly persuaded that all wars are fraught with crime, are dangerous to Liberty, and necessarily tend to the subversion of those institutions upon which our political and social fabrics rest-and that no war can be justifiable which is not, in its origin, strictly defensive; we propose-ere yet the trumpets have sounded, and the battle is joined-while, indeed, there is yet a hope that the battle may not be joined-to call the attention of our readers to the course pursued by the

President of the United States in this matter.

The project of annexing Texas to the United States, when first openly avowed and propounded by the late President, was at once met on the part of Mexico, by the official declaration of her minister resident here, that such a measure, if consummated, would be regarded by his Government as tantamount to a declaration of war. The friends of Annexation, however, persisted; and they were specially zealous to show, that this menace or warning on the part of Mexico was merely idle talk, that no just cause of war could arise from Annexation, because it was an arrangement between two nations, both independent, as we ourselves had recognized Texas to be-and that. the claim of Mexico, in the face of that recognition and of like recognition by the chief nations of Europe, still, to treat Texas as a revolted colony, was too preposterous, to be admitted as a serious element in the considerations which ought to govern the course of this country.

It was on the other hand argued by those who were averse to Annexationat least in the shape, and at the time, proposed by Mr. Tyler--that Mexico, in such a matter, was the judge of her own rights and her own remedies-that her people were proverbially tenacious of territory--and that there were circumstances connected with the revolution of Texas, which rendered the Mexicans