the former. The narrative is not so interesting, but the characterization is of a higher order, or rather of greater power. The writer in this book has wisely avoided a plot involving difficult questions of moral casuistry, but she has not succeeded in making a very interesting one. There is, however, ample compensation for the narrative, in the remarkable power with which the numerous characters are drawn. So much is this faculty the forte of the author, that she draws characters, as it were, on a separate canvass, and pastes them on her picture; for, surely, the "three curates" are of no more earthly use to the plot than they are of heavenly to their parishes; and so, if not otherwise, from their not blending with the perspective of the painting, they appear as mere caricatures. They come like spirits to depart." 66 American Historical Tales for Youth. New York D. Appleton & Co. This is a very happily designed little book, and we can highly commend the execution. It is a commendable thing to blend amusement with instruction, when it can be so legitimately done. Saroni's Musical Times. New York: Saroni & Co., 251 Broadway. The thirteenth weekly number of this excellent musical journal is before us. The enterprise is conducted by the editor, Mr. Herman S. Saroni, with a becoming spirit and independence. The criticisms of concerts and new music are clear and free from pedantry, and show a thorough knowledge of the subject, and a taste equally cultivated and suited to the age and the day. Without any scientific knowledge of music, we are able to speak well of this publication, and to say what we have said of it with confidence. Although it is not always necessary to be a musician to judge whether another person is so or not, (the arts being not merely for those who cultivate them scientifically, but for those also who only enjoy their effects,) it must we think, be conceded that a public critic of music ought to have a thorough knowledge of it. Alfred the Great. By JACOB ABBOT. New Mr. Saroni's qualifications in this respect are York: Harper & Brothers. 1850. These popular Biographies of the great historical characters, we have on several occasions spoken highly of. They are as beautiful in this form of "fitting up," as they are admirable in the literary execution. Fairy Tales from all Nations. BY ANTHONY R. MONTALBA. With twenty-four illustrations by RICHARD DOYLE. Harper & Broth ers. We confess to laying hold of a book of this kind with almost as much interest as a child, and to have thus brought together the strange imaginings of so many nations, gives a philosophical excuse for the indulgence of our fancy that would lead us into a disquisition had we time and room. understood to be of a high order. În other respects the Musical Times is creditably, not to say skillfully conducted. Each number, besides the editorial and critical department, which is always entertaining to persons interested in the movements of the musical world, contains a diversity of matter, tales, anecdotes, essays, and notices of pictures and picture galleries, &c., selected, not at random, but with a view always to the interests of art and artists. In addition to the letter press, itself well worth the subscription ($2 per annum), the subscribers receive a selection of the best music of the great composers, printed for the journal. These sheets bound up together at the end of the year will make a volume of choice music, a great deal of it not to be found published elsewhere. The Musical Times has already become popular in New York and elsewhere. Its patronage is rapidly increasing. We wish every success to the enterprise. OF THE AMERICAN REVIEW: JAMES D. WHELPLEY, EDITOR; WITH THE ASSISTANCE, IN THE POLITICAL In the original Prospectus of the AMERICAN REVIEW, issued at Washington by Mr. Colton, its former proprietor and Editor, a number of the leading Whig Members of the Twentyseventh Congress (1845-6,) subscribed their names to the following resolution: "Earnestly approving the plan of such a National organ, long needed and of manifest importance, the undersigned agree to contribute for its pages, from time to time, such communications as may be necessary to set forth and defend the doctrines held by the united Whig Party of the Union. Signed by Geo. P. Marsh, Daniel D. Bernard, J. McPherson Berrien, J. R. Ingersoll, E. Joy Morris, T. L. Clingman, Daniel Webster, R. C. Winthrop, Thos. Butler King, Hamilton Fish, J. P. Kennedy, J. Collamer, Wm. S. Archer, Rufus Choate, Alexander H. Stephens." By an agreement with the present proprietors, Mr. Barnard continues his political tion with the Review as an adviser and regular contributor. nec An engraved portrait of some distinguished person will be found in every number of ae Review. These will usually be portraits of living American Statesmen, and whenever that is possible, will be accompanied with an authentic Memoir of the person represented. The first objects of the Review are of course political: it is designed to set forth and defend the principles, the measures, and the men, of the UNITED WHIG PARTY of the Union. It has been a matter of just reproach to that Party, that, though it embraces in great part the intelligence and learning of the country, it has had no Quarterly or Monthly organ devoted to the expression and defence of its opinions and measures. The conductors of the American Review have done what in them lies to remove this reproach by securing contributions from sources of undoubted ability and truth. It is their intention, if possible, that no Whig in the Nation shall want either Arguments to defend, or Authorities to support his opinions. The literary department of the Review will agree in spirit with the political. The conductors believe that there is learning and originality enough in this country to sustain their enterprise to the full. The Foreign Miscellany of each number will be as authentic as the best foreign papers can make it, and may be referred back to as an accurate chronicle of the times. TERMS.-$5 00 a-year. Payment to be called for in advance, or early in the year. AGENTS FOR THE REVIEW CHARLES W. HUBBARD, GENERAL AUNT, CHARLES W.HUBBARD is our travelling agent for the State of New York. HENRY J. ADAMS for the South and West. Mr. ISRAEL E. JAMES for the Southern and Southwestern States, assisted by James K. Whipple, William H. Weld, O. H. P. Stem, John B. Weld, T. S. Waterman, John Collins, James Deering, Isaac T. Guyer, and R. S. James. Mr. C. W. JAMES for the Western States, Iowa and Wisconsin, assisted by James R. Smith, J. T. Dent, T. Gardiner Smith and F. J. Hawes, John W. Armstrong, Jassen Tayler, E. M. Stevenson, and W. Ramsey. John W. Moore, Safford & Park, Thomas H. Pease, LOCAL AGENTS. Philadelphia. | W. Wilson, 97 Washington st., Boston.J. L. Agens, C. Theodore Vénnigerholz, N. A. Halburt, D. M. Dewey, W. E. Hewson & Co., Young & Hart, W. C. Little & Co., Daniel Bradbury, Robert Morris & Co., Rochester, " Kingston. 66 Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Newark, N. J. Trenton, 66 New Brunswick. Baltimore, Md. Wilmington, Del. Savannah, Ga. New OrlenNS. Mobile, Ala. Memphis, Tenn. Cincinnati, Ohio. Indianapolis, la. Michigan. St. Louis, Mo. So. Middleton, Ñ. Y. Dayton, Ala Postage on this Review (five ounces) to all parts of the Union, 7 1-2 cents. Printed by E. N. Grossman. |