a very interesting manner. Some remarks are here made about Dr Jer. Van Rensselaer's Lectures on Geology, accompanied by a criticism upon its title page. For an opinion of that work, we refer our readers to the second review in the last number of our Gazette.

We have now gone through with every article in the present number of this deservedly popular work. We have remarked freely upon the different articles, because we think fair criticism is as wholesome when applied to this work as any other. If there appears in the spirit of our remarks a captiousness and propensity to faultûnding, it certainly is not our habitual feeling towards this work, and has arisen probably in this instance from observing the extravagant praise (if praise of the N. A. can be extravagant) which is periodically lavished upon it, by some among us (we excuse all editors of course), whose zeal is greater than their judgment. These unqualified puffs carry on their face something, which defeats their own object. The most dignified-the most popular-and the most extensively circulated journal printed on this continent does not need such means to make its merits known. However ingenious or well got up they may have been, they have done, and can do, no good. They only make those stare at the caricature, who do not understand them; and make those chuckle at the joke who do. To some even here they look silly, and strangely out of place in journals remarkable for good judgment, and we think they must look particularly so to reflecting people at a distance.

An Oration in Honour of General Lafayette, delivered in his Presence at Nashville, May 4, 1825. At the Request of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. By William Gibbes Hunt. Nashville. 1825. 8vo. pp. 12.

Neither the size of this pamphlet, nor its literary merit merely, though that is far enough from being ordinary, would entitle it to a notice in this place. But the addresses drawn out in times of popular excitement, indicate more accurately than any thing else the state of public opinion in those quarters from whence they proceed. It is on this account as well as to express our cordial approbation of the liberal sentiments advanced in this oration, that we have determined to give our readers a few sentences of it. The whole is full of good sense, and is written in a plain and perspicuous style, which we think is the more to be commended, as speakers on similar occasions, frequently consider themselves called upon to take such bold flights of imagination as to leave common sense quite confounded.

After the expression of a hearty welcome to the Guest before whom he spoke, and a just tribute to the philanthropic spirit of the institution, at the request of a branch of which he spoke, Mr Hunt observes;

"Fortunately, the present occasion neither requires nor would permit the indulgence of any of those asperities of feeling, those hostile emotions, with which perhaps, in former times, the names of our revolutionary heroes were commonly associated. We have outlived, I trust, this unpleasant association. We wish now to call forth no sentiments but those of an enlarged, liberal, magnanimous character. We come not here to indulge any little national jealousy, to revive any old, longsettled controversy, to cherish any narrow prejudice, or even to rehearse the catalogue of former injuries. Our country is happily at

peace with all the world, and would cultivate no other feelings towards any nation, than those of amity and good fellowship. As Americans indeed, we will ever maintain with firmness the principles of our government and the rights of our country; but we would exercise towards others the same candour and liberality, which we expect from them. With the land of our forefathers, the country of Shakspeare, and Milton, and Locke, and Sidney, and Hampden, we have many sympathies in common; and far be it from us to seek or create a cause of difference, or unnecessarily to interrupt the harmony, which now so happily prevails between us. Even our literary jealousies and commercial rivalships appear to be losing their asperity, and we have reason to hope they may soon be converted into a generous and honourable competition."

The following paragraph gives a fine picture of the happy and flourishing condition of the Western states, compared with the situation in which they were fifty years ago. "Even in these remote western regions where at the time of his (Lafayette's) first arrival on our continent, the voice of civilization had scarcely been heard; where the Indian warwhoop was then the only music that could greet the ear; where even the rudest form of agriculture had then scarcely commenced its inroads upon the native forest, and not a step could be taken by civilized man, except at the imminent risk of destruction by beasts of prey or merciless savages of the wilderness-he now finds richly cultivated fields, thriving villages, and even populous cities, adorned with art, and science, and taste, and all that can render life comfortable and delightful. Here, where not many years since the traveller could not reach us from abroad, except after a tedious journey from the Atlantic coast over roads scarcely passable, or by an inland voyage of nearly half a year's duration, he now pursues his way, by the aid of our widely-branching rivers and majestic steam-boats, with a rapidity scarcely to be surpassed in the oldest and most improved countries of Europe. Here, where half a century ago letters had scarcely found their way, and to read and write was the highest object of literary ambition, he beholds not only schools of the most respectable character and academies in which the female mind is richly cultivated and adorned, but even colleges and universities proudly rearing their heads, vieing with each other in the march of usefulness and honour, and boldly claiming a rank, if not equal, at least not far below the oldest and most richly endowed institutions of our sisters on the Atlantic."

An Oration, delivered on Monday, Fourth of July, 1825, in commemoration of American Independence, before the Supreme Executive of the Commonwealth, and the City Council and Inhabitants of the City of Boston. By Charles Sprague. Printed by Order of the City Council. Boston. 1825. Svo. pp. 34.

We think the public will hardly expect us often to notice productions so ephemeral and abundant as orations for the 4th of July. We remark upon the one before us, because it is of a nature somewhat different from those that have been usually delivered in Boston. One great end of these and other similar celebrations is to excite and enliven a national and American feeling throughout the Union; and an oration may produce much effect in this way, without possessing great claims on the score of literary execution or original thinking. We consider Mr Sprague's oration

as an eloquent performance, and one, that, if tolerably well delivered, would produce great effect; and such, we are informed, was really the case. Now the effect at the time is the only proper test of the kind of merit required, and this oration must therefore be considered a good one, better indeed for the purpose, than many that have fewer faults. It indicates talent and imagination, and it is agreeable to perceive these, even though they are not sufficiently disciplined. The language is occasionally extravagant, and the metaphors sometimes scarcely in good taste. These matters however are easily corrected where the foundation is good. We repeat, that we were pleased with the performance, and felt some regret, on the perusal, that accident prevented us from hearing it, a sensation which has not often happened to us in regard to occasions of this kind.

INTELLIGENCE.

WORCESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

An association, under this name, has been formed for the purpose of collecting and preserving materials for a complete and minute history of the county of Worcester, Mass. For the accomplishment of these objects, circulars have been addressed to gentlemen in different parts of the county, and to others, who are supposed to be capable of aiding in the advancement of the interests of the institution; requesting communications upon various subjects, but particularly upon the six following: 1st. Such facts as relate to the Indians formerly inhabiting this part of the country.

2d. The settlement of the several towns.

3d. The ecclesiastical history of the several towns.

4th. Biographical notices and anecdotes of distinguished men.

5th. A view of the statistics of the county at different periods in its history.

6th. Descriptions of remarkable scenery; of hills and caverns; accounts of the sources and courses of streams, the divisions and boundaries of towns, and such other interesting particulars of topographical information as can be collected.

Under these general heads numerous specific topics are methodically arranged, with a view to direct the inquiries of gentlemen, and give order to the several communications, which would, probably, otherwise contain much confusion. The early history of our country, and of New England particularly, is in many respects peculiar. And although several have gone over the ground with a tolerable degree of accuracy, yet many important facts, illustrating the character of the natives, and of our ancestors and their institutions, still remain with the individuals who alone are acquainted with them, or among the records of private families. These facts should be collected, and then records or copies of them should be given up to the public, and preserved. They are a part, and an important part, of our history; and if an effort is not soon made to rescue and preserve them, they will be beyond our reach. Societies, which, like the Worcester Historical Society, limit their inquiries to a small section of the country, will collect much that would escape

more general inquirers. And these "minute" facts will not only be highly interesting and valuable to those who are more immediately connected with them, but perhaps still more valuable as authentic materials for a correct general history of our country.

BOOKS IN RUSSIA.

Previously to the year 1817, the number of works printed in Russia did not exceed 4000, about the same number as is annually contained in the catalogues of the fair at Leipsic. This number is now augmented to about 8000. There are, at Moscow, nine literary and ten printing establishments; at St Petersburg, nine of the former, and fifteen of the latter; and in various other towns, one of each. In the whole empire there are nine letter foundries. There are, at present, fifteen periodical papers in the four provinces of the Baltic.

MILTON.

By the persevering exertions of Mr Lemon, deputy keeper of state papers, (the gentleman to whom the learned world are indebted for the discovery of the work of Milton, about to appear,) several very curious and interesting papers have been rescued from oblivion. They make us acquainted with facts, hitherto unknown, relative to the official situation of the poet; and also communicate several particulars relative to his family affairs. They give some account of the property of his brother Christopher, and his father-in-law, Mr Richard Powell, of Forest Hill, Oxfordshire. The whole of these papers, communicated by Mr Lemon to his superiors in office, have by them been laid before Mr Todd; and a life of the poet by that eminent scholar, incorporating the documents, &c. may be expected in the course of the ensuing autumn, prefixed to a new edition of Milton's poetical works. Among these papers will be found the orders of Cromwell's council to Milton, addressed to him as Secretary for Foreign Languages, with notes of the salary paid to him, from time to time, for his services in that capacity.

UNIVERSITY IN LONDON.

Mr Campbell, in the London New Monthly Magazine, has been strenuously advocating the establishment of a University in London; and we perceive that Mr Brougham, who is always at hand when subjects of education are discussed, was about to submit to Parliament the proposition for incorporating the institution.

NEW EDITION OF THE WORKS OF LESSING.

Voss, a German bookseller, published at Berlin between the years 1771 and 1794 a complete collection of Lessing's writings, in 30 vols. 8vo. The same man, or one of the same name, is now about to publish another complete edition of the same author's works, on the plan of those of Wieland, Schiller and Klopstock, in 34 vols. Lessing is said, in a short biographical notice of him found in Joerden's Dictionary of German Authors, attached to the "Memoirs of Göthe," to be the real founder of the modern German language and literature, and the true model of the classic style in Germany. He was born at Kamenz in Lusitania, in January 1729, and died at Wolfenbüttel, February 15, 1781.

PRACTICABILITY OF JOINING THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC.

A succinct view and analysis of authentic information extant in original works on the practicability of joining the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, by a ship-canal across the Isthmus of America (Darien); by Robert Birks Pitman. A work is in press in London with the above title. As it probably will contain much valuable information upon the subject, and as the question of practicability, seems to be preliminary in its nature, it might be well for those companies formed or forming for this great purpose to have the book before them, at least as soon as they begin to make excavations.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

AGRICULTURE.

Memoirs of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society; with Selections from the most approved Authors, adapted to the Use of the Practical Farmers in the United States. Philadelphia. 8vo. pp. 322.

Although this volume has been some months before the public, we have never before had an opportunity to read it with that attention which was necessary, in order to give even a summary account of what it contains. The Memoirs are composed of original communications from scientific and intelligent practical farmers, residing in different parts of our country, chiefly upon topics exclusively interesting to agriculturists. There are many descriptions of fine animals, accompanied with plates, exhibiting their forms and proportions. The communications also discuss the peculiar excellences and qualities of different breeds of sheep and cattle for different purposes-the best means of supporting and breeding them, &c. &c. Among these communications are some from distinguished gentlemen interested in agriculture in this vicinity. We notice one from His Excellency Gov. Lincoln "on the Breaking, Feeding, and Working of oxen," and "on the Cultivation of Indian corn.' Besides these original communications, the volume contains extracts from various English authors upon the qualities of the different breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, &c. Many of these extracts, as well as the original communications, describe the adaptation of certain soils to the growing of certain vegetables, and the comparative degree of nourishment afforded by these same vegetables to certain classes of animals. The value of the volume is also enhanced by the addition of several plates, representing models of machines for different agricultural purposes. Many of the original pieces are from J. H. Powel, Esq. of Powelton, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania. And most of the others seem to have been elicited from gentlemen in different parts of the country by his inquiries; and were chiefly addressed to him as Corresponding Secretary of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society. This gentleman has devoted himself with great zeal to the improvement of the breeds of cattle of various kinds, and in short to whatever may be useful to the practical agriculturists throughout our country. No one, we believe, has done more, few have done so much, as Mr Powell, to improve our style of agriculture, and so far as that important branch of industry goes, to add to our national prosperity and resources.

BIOGRAPHY.

The Life and Character of the Chevalier John Paul Jones, a Captain in the Navy of the United States during their Revolutionary War. Dedicated to the Officers of the Navy of the United States. 1 vol. 8vo. with a Portrait. New York.

Memoirs of Keopuolani, late Queen of the Sandwich Islands. 12mo. pp. 48. Boston. Crocker & Brewster.