southern divine of such high eminence as Dr. | researches in a province of literature with which Smyth, to the primitive equality in the intel- her name has become, to a great degree, idenlectual faculties of the negro and European tified. races, is not a little remarkable, and speaks well for his candor and breadth of comprehension. The discussion of the origin of the varieties in the human race is conducted with great ingenuity and copious erudition, but it must be admitted, hardly succeeds in making out a case to the satisfaction of the inquirer, who regards the subject only in the light of history and philosophy. The influence of the theory which he opposes, on the relations of the Southern States, is considered by Dr. Smyth to be of a different character from that set forth by many writers. He believes that it would be suicidal to the South in the maintenance of her true position toward her colored population. The diversity of the Black and White races was never admitted by the fathers of the country. They always recognized the colored race which had been providentially among them for two centuries and a half as fellow-beings with the same original attributes, the same essential character, and the same immortal destiny. The introduction of a novel theory on the subject, Dr. Smyth maintains, would be in the highest degree impolitic and dangerous, removing from both master and servant the strongest bonds which now unite them, and by which they are restrained from licentious, immoral, and cruel purposes. Without reference to many statements, which will produce the widest latitude of opinion in regard both to their soundness and their accuracy, the work of Dr. Smyth may be commended as a treatise of the highest importance in the scientific discussion to which it is devoted, abounding in materials of inestimable value to the student, filled with the proofs of rare cultivation and scholar-like refinement, and every way creditable to the attainments and the ability of the author and to the literature of the South. HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE LANGUAGES AND The volume now published is characterized by the extent and thoroughness of its investigations, its acute and judicious criticisms, its warmhearted recognition of true poetry, even in an humble garb, and the force and facility of its style. The last trait is quite remarkable, considering the writer is using a foreign language. There is little, either in the translations or the original portion of the work, to remind us that it is the production of one to whom the language is not native. After describing the old, ecclesiastical Slavic Literature, the authoress proceeds to the literary monuments of the Eastern and Western Slavi, giving an elaborate account of the Russian, Servian, Bohemian, and Polish literatures, with glances at the achievements of several less important branches of the great Slavic race. In the course of this discussion, a great variety of rare and curious information is presented, of high importance to the student of ethnography and history, and accompanied with complete and lucid references to the original sources. most attractive feature of the work to the general reader will doubtless be the sketch of the popular poetry of the Slavic nations, illustrated with abundant specimens of songs and ballads, many of which are marked with a strong natural pathos and tenderness, and all of them possessing a certain rustic simplicity, which is usually of a very pleasing character, and seldom offensive. The HINTS TOWARD REFORMS, in Lectures, Addresses, and other Writings. By Horace Greeley. New York: Harper and Brothers. 12mo, pp. 400. A HANDSOME Volume, consisting principally of Lectures delivered before popular Lyceums and Young Men's Associations, with several brief Essays on subjects of popular interest. The distinguished author presents his views on the various topics which come under discussion with inimitable frankness and good humor, and in the fresh, flowing, unaffected style, which gives such a charm to the productions of his pen, even with readers who most strongly dissent from his conclusions. Among the questions conIr is rarely that a subject is treated with the sidered in this volume are The Emancipation of profound investigation, vigorous analysis, and Labor, The Ideal and the Actual of Life, The intelligent comprehensiveness which are exhib- Formation of Character, The Social Architects, ited in the discussion of the interesting literary Alcoholic Liquors, Tobacco, The Trade Reform, topics to which the present work is devoted. The Church and the Age, Humanity, and several The authoress, whose name is concealed in the others of perhaps still more general interest. mystic word Talvi, is understood to be the lady The admirers of the author, as well as all who of Rev. Professor Robinson, and her rare ac- are interested in the question of Social Reform, complishments in various departments of learn- whether ranking themselves among the Conserving have long since established her intellectual atives or Progressives, will welcome this work reputation in the most cultivated European as the only compact and systematic expression circles. Usually written in her native German of his peculiar theories, now before the public, language, her productions are perhaps not so and as a valuable manual for reference on many extensively known in this country, although few points which engage a large share of attention of our educated scholars are ignorant of her at the present day. ANTONINA; OR, THE FALL OF ROME. A Romance | statistical, and practical details, and which will of the Fifth Century. By W. Wilkie Collins. be considered as essential to all who wish to New York: Harper and Brothers. 8vo, pp. 160. It is long since the English press has sent forth a more truly classical and magnificent romance, than the present narrative of some of the thrilling scenes which attended the downfall of the Roman Empire. The author has been known heretofore by the biography of his father, the celebrated historical and landscape painter, the friend of Coleridge and Allston; but that work gives no promise of the splendor of imagination, and the rare constructive power which are shown in the composition of Antonina. It is one of those rich and gorgeous portraitures, glowing with life and radiant with beauty, which make a profound impression on their first exhibition, and long continue to haunt the memory with their images of mingled loveliness and terror. D. and J. Sadlier have issued a translation of the Abbe Martinet's celebrated Solution of Great Problems placed within the Reach of every Mind, with a preface by the Rt. Rev. Bishop of New York, Dr. Hughes. This work holds a high rank in modern Catholic literature, and is brought before the American public by Bishop Hughes in a warm introductory encomium. It discusses many of the leading religious questions of the day in a racy and pointed style, and while opposing what the author deems the errors of Protestantism in general, reserves its hottest fire for modern Pantheism, Socialism, Rationalism, and other kindred innovations, which he regards as gaseous exhalations from the bottomless pit, taking a visible form in these latter days. From the well-known ability of the author, and the spicy relish of his pen, the work is adapted to make a sensation beyond the pale of the Catholic Church, without taking in account the high-toned sarcasm of the preface, in which department of composition the talents of Bishop Hughes are unquestionable. Harper and Brothers have issued the second number of Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, a work, which from the novelty of its plan and the ability of its execution, has already proved a general favorite with the reading public. It combines the authenticity of history with the freshness of personal narrative, and in the richness and beauty of its embellishments is hardly surpassed by any of the serials of the day. The same house have published an original translation of Lamartine's Past, Present, and Future of the French Republic, which will be read with interest on account of the character of the author, and the light it throws on the practical workings of Democracy in France, though it has little of the fiery rhetoric of most of his former writings. Harper and Brothers have issued a reprint of Dr. Lardner's Railway Economy in Europe and America, a work overflowing with scientific, comprehend the subject, in its various bearings whether engineers, stockholders, or travelers, as fire and water to the locomotive. Dr. Lard ner has brought together the results of long and laborious research, and many portions of his descriptive narrative are as entertaining as a novel, and more so. Mezzofanti's Method applied to the Study of the French Language, by J. Romer, published by the same house, is a work of great philological interest, on account of the curious analogies which it describes, and contains an excellent collection of specimens from French poets and prose writers, but its value as a practical manual for the teacher can be determined only by use. The Ojibway Conquest, by Kah-ge-gah-gahbowh, or George Copway, issued by G. Putnam, will find a place among the curiosities of literature as the production of a native Indian Chief, whose muse has been inspired by the forest and stream of his original haunts, without having incurred a large debt to the influence of civilization. Copway is an exemplary Christian and an intelligent man, but he will get less fame from his poetry than from his descent. Six Months in the Gold Mines, by E. Gould Buffum, from the press of Lea and Blanchard, is one of the most readable books which have sprung up under the California excitement, the author having been familiar with the country before the gold fever had broken out. His style is straight-forward and pleasant, showing more of the soldier and adventurer than the scholar, but none the worse for that. His information appears to have been collected with great care, when it was not gained by personal observation, and has the outward and inward signs of authenticity, to a very satisfactory degree. The book can not fail to be acceptable to all who have one foot in California, as well as to the few readers who are not in that condition. Crocker and Brewster, Boston, have published an admirable treatise, entitled Astronomy, or the World as It Is and as It Appears, understood to be from the pen of a highly intelligent lady of that city. It is equally excellent for the chaste beauty of its style, the clearness of its scientific expositions, and the completeness and accuracy of the information which it presents. W. B. Smith and Co., Cincinnati, have published a large Treatise on the Principal Diseases of the Interior Valley of North America, by Daniel Drake, M.D., which discusses the subject with great learning, and in a popular style. It can hardly fail to take the rank of a standard authority in the important department which it treats. FIG. . 1. CARE MARRIAGE COSTUME.-Dress of bright apple-green silk; the skirt with three deep flounces pinked at the edges. The corsage high and plain. Mantelet of very pale lilac silk, trimmed with two rows of lace de laine of the same color, and each row of FIG- 1. lace surmounted by passementerie. The lace extends merely round the back part of the mantelet, and the fronts are trimmed with passementerie only. Bonnet of white crinoline, with rows of lilac ribbon set on in bouillonnées. The bonnet is lined with white crape, and the under-trimming consists of bouquets of lilac and white flowers. Straw-colored kid gloves. White silk parasol. FIG. 2. BRIDAL DRESS FOR THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.-Robe of white poult de soie. The skirt very full, and ornamented in front with five rows of lace, finished at each end with bows of white satin. The rows of lace are of graduated lengths, the lower row being about a quarter and a half long, and the upper one not more than five or six inches. The corsage is high at the back, but open in front nearly as low as the waist, and edged round with a fall of lace, narrowing to a point in front. Within the corsage is worn a chemisette, composed of rows of lace falling downward, and finished at the throat by a band of insertion and an edging standing up. The sleeves are demi-long and loose at the lower part, and the undersleeves are composed of three broad rows of lace. The hair in waved bandeaux on the forehead, and the back hair partly plaited and partly curled, two long ringlets dropping on each side of the neck. Wreath of orange blossom, jasmine, and white roses. Long bridal vail of Brussels net. FIG. 3. The revival of an old fashion has recently excited the attention of the haut ton abroad. A specimen of the style is given in the Engraving, fig. 3. It is designed chiefly for a rich riding dress, it being too long in the skirt for the promenade, and not convenient for the drawing-room. It is called the Moldavian Style; a petite veste of dark green cloth entirely covered with an embroidery of lace imitating guipure royal, and displaying the shape to the greatest perfection. The skirt is very ample and cut in a novel manner so as to fall in long folds like an antique drapery. The front is ornamented with an apron-trimming of deep lace. The sleeves are demi-long; the hands and wrists covered by long white gloves. When in full dress for the saddle, a gray beaver hat is worn, the brim FIG. 3. NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. No. III. AUGUST, 1850.-VOL. I. ness as well as intellectual power. We first read over the memories of him preserved by PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOME OF SIR Erasmus, Hoddesdon, Roper, Aubrey, his own THOMAS MORE. BY MRS. S. C. HALL. namesake, and others. It is pleasant to muse over the past; pleasant to know that much of malice and bigotry has departed, to return no HILE living more, that the prevalence of a spirit which could in the neigh-render even Sir Thomas More unjust and, to borhood of seeming, cruel, is passing away. Though we Chelsea, we do implicitly believe there would be no lack of determined great hearts, and brave hearts, at the present to look up- day, if it were necessary to bring them to the on the few test, still there have been few men like unto broken walls him. It is a pleasant and a profitable task, so that once in- to sift through past ages, so to separate the closed the wheat from the chaff, to see, when the feelings residence of of party and prejudice sink to their proper inSir Thomas significance, how the morally great stands forth More, a man in its own dignity, bright, glorious, and everwho, despite the bitterness inseparable from a lasting. St. Evremond sets forth the firmness persecuting age, was of most wonderful good- and constancy of Petronius Arbiter in his last VOL. I.-No. 3.-T |