bor required of him, however, is not usually severe. He has also the privilege of changing his master, provided he can find some one to take that place, by paying the debt due from him to his present master. Though it would seem that by the payment of the debt, in the stipulated manner, the peon might regain his freedom, this is said seldom to take place. The low value of wages and produce, together with his real wants and the extravagance which characterizes his disposition, operate to keep him in perpetual bondage. A portion of each week is indeed allowed him to labor for himself; but he has to provide clothing for himself and his family, and a part of his sustenance— as half a bushel of corn per week is all that his master is required to provide. Whatever else he receives of his master goes to increase his indebtedness. His children, however, remain free, and are not liable for the father's debts; nor is it considered a disgrace to have been the son of a peon.

VATTEMARE'S SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY LEAGUE.-We are happy to understand that Mr. Alexandre de Vattemare, the distinguished Frenchman, who last summer paid his second visit to the United States, in the prosecution of his plan of international exchanges of scientific and literary productions, between France and this country, has met with the most cordial reception, and received the most liberal encouragement, among us. He has come laden with a store of the choicest works of science, art and literature, as donations from the French Government, and from various scientific bodies, and distinguished public and private individuals in France, to several of the states and cities of the Union, and to various scientific institutions in this country. The exchange of interesting statistical and other useful information, also forms a part of Mr. Vattemare's plan.

It is gratifying to observe the growing spirit of friendship between nations, which distinguishes the present age. Few things, probably, would have a more direct and effectual tendency to promote a spirit of true brotherhood between nations, than intercourse of the kind Mr. Vattemare is endeavoring to establish. And when we see philanthropists, like him, laboring so disinterestedly to awaken and keep alive such a spirit, we are the more encouraged to look forward to a day when the revenues

ofnations shall be consecrated to the promotion of kindly intercourse, and the doing of real good, instead of the support of hostile armies.

FIFTH EXHIBITION OF THE MECHANICS' CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION. This exhibition, like those which have preceded it, presented abundant proof of the activity and productiveness of mechanical genius among us. Several new and important inventions, besides numerous improvements on previous workmanship, were exhibited, detailed accounts of which have been given in the Newspapers. Mr. J. M. Wightman, the superintendent, deserves much credit for the ability with which he performed his responsible duties.

PROGRESSIST SOCIETY-A society exists in Edinburgh, with this title, whose object is the dissemination of correct political principles. It maintains the doctrines, that all men are born equal, and with an inalienable right to freedom; that the sole duty of government is the protection of life and property; that nothing can be politically right which is morally wrong; and finally, that the Christian maxims of love to God and the neighbor, should lie at the foundation of all legislation.

ASSOCIATION FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF INVENTORS.-There is in Cincinnati an Association having for its object the promotion of the arts and sciences, and the encouragement of inventive genius, by assisting in the bringing forward of useful inventions and discoveries. Its plan is that of a joint stock company, with a large capital, to be held in shares of ten dollars each.

ANOTHER FOREIGN EXAMPLE OF ABOLITION.-We are glad to be able to record the fact that the King of Denmark has decreed that all persons who shall hereafter be born in his dominions shall be free; and that all others remaining in servitude shall be absolutely free, without compensation to their owners, in 1859.

EDUCATION IN TURKEY.-The corner stone of a building intended for a Normal School has been laid at Constantinople. The institution is to be furnished with native Turkish professors, who have received a competent education in Europe. Committees have been appointed as superintendents of schools in the empire. And finally, the translation of standard European works into the Turkish language, by native linguists, has been ordered by the government.

A Mechanics' Institute, which has been founded in Constantinople, by some English residents, and which includes some Armenian and American members, will undoubtedly have a useful effect upon the Turkish mind. Three pachas have already become honorary members of the Institute.

CAXTON MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.-A prospectus has been published for establishing a society by this name, in London, for the literary instruction of Printers. Its plan embraces discussions, and lectures on science and art.

THE WORD GENTLEMANHOOD."-The Northampton Courier thinks we were incorrect in using this word, in our last number. It says there is no such word in our language; and observes that "childhood and manhood have reference to age, not to character." We were indebted for the word to the "Literary World," from an article in which our paper on the subject was made up; but we have no objection to assuming the "responsibility." Though it is not in the dictionaries, it is evidently such a word as may properly be invented. Worcester, in his dictionary, gives to the word hood, as used in composition, the definitions of "quality" and "character "-adducing, as an example, the word childhood. That the words childhood and manhood imply not merely the age, but the character and disposition of the child and man, seems not only in agreement with the explanations of the dictionaries, but with the common understanding and employment of those words.

THE BOOK WORLD.

THE LITERARY WORLD.-This excellent literary newspaper has now been established some eight months, and promises a long and useful career. It is the only weekly sheet published in the United States, devoted exclusively to Literature and the Fine Arts, and it is perhaps equalled by no periodical in the amount of information it gives respecting new publications, both foreign and domestic. It not only contains reviews of new books, but gives a complete list of all the works published in France, Germany, Italy, England and the United States, with the names of the publishers, and the price. It also contains choice extracts from new books, not republished in America. Music, painting and the drama also claim its attention, and its criticism on these subjects is profound and sympathetic.

The editor is CHARLES F. HOFFMAN, Esq., a gentleman of fine talents and large acquirements, the author of various excellent works, and who is well known as a contributor to the periodical literature of the day. His name is a guaranty that the work will be conducted on principles of the strictest honor; that it will neither be the vehicle of puffing nor slander. He is supported by a large band of contributors, well trained in critical composition. The publishers are Osgood & Co., of New-York, and subscriptions are received by all periodical agents.

LOUIS THE FOURTEENTH AND THE COURT OF FRANCE in the Seventeenth Century. By Miss Pardoe. New York: Harper & Brothers. Six Parts. 12mo.

This is a cheap and elegant reprint of one of the most attractive books lately issued from the London press. It is embellished by numerous engravings and portraits, and its mechanical execution is very good. Miss Pardoe has detailed in a style half historical, half gossiping, the numberless intrigues and events of the period she has chosen, and introduces a large number of interesting

characters, comprehending statesmen, warriors, authors, artists, and above all, women. The work, while it gives much historical information, not included in most histories, is as fascinating as a novel.

CHAMBERS' CYCLOPEDIA OF ENGLISH LITERATURE. Boston: Gould Kendall & Lincoln.

The republication of this work is now completed, in sixteen numbers. Its compilation was one of the most judicious literary projects of the day; and we are glad to find it meeting with so extensive favor. Every one who inherits the English language as his mother tongue, ought to have at least as much knowledge of the invaluable stores of English literature as a study of this work will give him. The biographical sketches of authors, and the history of our literature, interwoven with the other contents of the work, are alone worth the price of the volumes. If heads of families, and others whose example is influential upon the young, were to cultivate and manifest a taste for solid and instructive reading of this kind, instead of the fascinating but dangerous light literature with which the book-world teems, the effect would be most salutary.

The publishers of the Cyclopædia will furnish all back numbers to complete sets; and hereafter supply the work in two volumes, in neat cloth binding, for five dollars.

THE ORATORS OF FRANCE. By Viscount de Cormenin.
York: Baker & Scribner.

New

It con

This is an excellent translation of a truly French book. tains sketches of all the French orators from Mirabeau to Guizot, including those of the Revolution, the Restoration and the Revolution of July. The author is a radical politician, and his judgments are warped and colored by his politics. He hardly makes any pretension to impartiality. The style is generally sharp and snapping, and when not epigrammatic is declamatory. With all its faults, and they are many, the book is not without interest and value. By those interested in French politics and French statesmen, it will be read with pleasure. Mr. George H. Colton, the editor, has supplied an appendix, giving biographical sketches of the most celebrated orators criticised in the book, and correcting the author when necessary.