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THIS fine steel plate exhibits a feature peculiar to all the most lovely works of nature and art, which is, that the more carefully it is examined, the more beautiful and interesting it becomes. It has that sterling beauty which wins and grows upon acquaintance; careful examination only tends to bring out new points to admire. There is a light and life about the eyes, which make it an appropriate illustration of Moore's exquisite poem, with which most of our readers are doubtless familiar; yet it would seem an injustice to the poet and the picture, were we to omit the following truly poetical description of "Nourmahal, the Light of the Harem."

"THERE's a beauty, for ever unchangingly bright,
Like the long, sunny lapse of a summer-day's light,
Shining on, shining on, by no shadow made tender,
'Till love falls asleep in its sameness of splendor.
This was not the beauty-oh! nothing like this,
That to young NOURMAHAL gave such magic of bliss;
But that loveliness, ever in motion, which plays
Like the light upon Autumn's soft shadowy days,
Now here, and now there, giving warmth as it flies,
From the lips to the cheek, from the cheeks to the eyes,
Now melting in mist and now breaking in gleams,
Like the glimpses a saint hath of heav'n in his dreams!
When pensive it seem'd as if that very grace,

That charm of all others was born with her face; And when angry-for e'en in the tranquillest climes Light breezes will ruffle the blossoms sometimesThat short passing anger but seem'd to awaken New beauty, like flowers that are sweetest when shaken. If tenderness touch'd her, the dark of her eye At once took a darker, a heavenlier dye, From the depth of whose shadow, like holy revealings From innermost shrines, came the light of her feelings! Then her mirth-oh! 'twas sportive as ever took wing From the heart with a burst, like a wild-bird in Spring: Illum'd by a wit that would fascinate sages, Yet playful as Peris just loos'd from their cages, While her laugh, full of life, without any control But the sweet one of gracefulness, rung from her soul; And where it most sparkled no glance could discover, In lip, cheek, or eyes, for she brighten'd all overLike any fair lake that the breeze is upon, When it breaks into dimples and laughs in the sun, Such, such were the peerless enchantments that gave NOURMAHAL the proud Lord of the East, for her slave; And though bright was his Harem-a living parterre Of the flowers of this planet-though treasures were there For which SOLIMAN's self might have given all the store That the navy from OPHIR e'er wing'd to his shore, Yet dim before her were the smiles of them all, And the Light of his Harem was young NOURMAHAL !"

TO A FRIEND WITH A RING.

BY MISS M. E.

'Tis a light gift, but full of love, And if the heart that offers it could win From thy strong intellect, thy nature calm And smooth as currents undisturbed by storms, The smile that wreathed thy lips in other days, It would blot out the memory of light words Unkind and cold, forgiven, but unforgotten, That on our hours of sweeter intercourse Jar like rude notes in a low murmured song, And blend discordant melodies with all : Alas! how light a thing may break the spell Of love, and weave o'er Friendship's gentle rayForgetfulness and change.

Frail flowers no sooner bow at autumn's breath,
Soft streams no sooner chill at touch of ice,
And clouds not sooner part before the storm
Than friends, dissevered by cold words, forget
The tenderness of other days-the ties
That held their faith in golden bondage bound.
I ask not now what change is on thy heart,
I only know that thou art changed to me;
That thy sweet voice has learned less gentle tones,
That from thy sunny eye, so full of thought,
That mirrored all the beauty of thy soul
Has fled the beam of former confidence.
Did not my friendship well approve itself?

WENTWORTH.

Have I not loved thee fervently and well,
With the impetuous passion of a child-
The more 't was chidden, yet the more it loved?
O love, strange love, most tender, and most strong,
This ring so frail in tissue, yet so firm,
May well compare with thee, and I will bring
It here here to this fickle heart of thine-
That you may bear in mind how light a thing
Has broke the harmony of love so true
And tried as ours; and still that one sweet word
Of tenderness may heal the wound that words
Have made. You tell me I am changed and cold-
Go ask your heart if I alone am changed;
If my neglect estranged you from my side?
Or, if you did not rather disenthrall
Yourself that you might kneel at other shrines?
Go! faithless, fickle-false, and take my gift,
A sad memento of thy broken vows,-
Here are the offerings that you made upon
My shrine the books so full of pleasant thoughts,
The dying flowers, meet emblems of thy love;
These miscreant files of gentle words and hopes,
My heart once fed upon; take them all back,

I will not keep one token of our faith.
Go and forget;-be happy if you can,
You shall not break my peace, for from my heart
I'll blot all shadow of thy treacherous name,
And craven love

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EDITOR'S TABLE.

WE come again before our readers, with the pleasaut announcement of a new volume. In their prospectus, the publishers' have set forth the plan and scope of the work for 1846, which it will become our business, as far as the literary department is concerned, to see carried out. We are not a little gratified that this Magazine has been placed upon a more elevated plane, and that freer scope has been allowed us in its management. Aided by so strong a corps of collaborators, as have been enlisted in its favor, we shall, with half the labor heretofore imposed upon us, succeed in giving to its pages a far higher degree of interest and value than they have yet possessed. During the coming year, the greatest attention will be paid to the embellishments, and the highest order of artistic beauty characterize all the plates that are given. An earnest of what will appear may be seen in this number. "The Wayfarers," is a picture to look upon again and again, and the Lady Eveline" is purity and sweetness itself. The other embellishments, like good wine, need no bush; they have been chosen with taste and discrimination.

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To the eloquent article on "Rome" we particularly refer our readers. It is full of interest. Papers of this class give tone and stamina to a periodical. Fanny Forrester" has contributed one of her pure, sweet, sparkling sketches, that beautifully contrasts with the manly vigor of the article just named. Edgar A. Poe, Mrs. Kirkland, author of "A New Home, Who 'll Follow?" "Western Clearings," &c. H. Hastings Weld, Miss Dupuy, W. H. Carpenter, Mrs. Osgood, Mary Hemple, Kate Cleaveland, and others, have ably sustained each other in giving to this, the opening number of our volume, a character for graceful elegance and strength of character, that will be the distinguishing feature of our Magazine throughout

the year.

and painted manuscripts of the middle ages, and copied their curious designs. We have now multiplied copies of missals, prayer books, and chronicles, in all their original quaintness of coloring and gilding, such as would have gladdened the heart of old Froissart himself, who would doubtless make large eyes, if he could now return to the land of the living, and see thousands of copies distributed, (by our modern improvements in art,) of those splendid illuminations which cost the busy clerks and limners of his own days so many years of labor to produce, one at a time.

In the historical department of literature, we are happy to notice a decided awakening. Several large publishing houses are announcing each a complete series of histories, original and translated, native and foreign. Such a movement indicates a change in the public taste, which, a few years since, was openly charged with tolerating nothing but novels. Novels have now ceased to be books. They are pamphlets at two shillings each; and the man who desires to have books in his library, must either bind half a dozen of them together, or buy something of a more solid character. Such a state of things cannot fail to elevate the tone of general education and intelligence in our country. When all our school and social libraries are filled with works of solid merit and lasting interest, the national character will be elevated, and the national literature will receive its best earnest of improvement and permanence.

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Messrs. Lea and Blanchard have recently added to their invaluable series of historical works, Ranke's "History of the Reformation" in Germany, translated by Sarah Austin. For learning, fidelity, and extensive research, Ranke is unrivalled among modern historians. His "History of the Popes" has rendered his name classical in Europe. The same publishers have issued, "a History of the Huguenots, By W. S. Browning." This work we read some time since in the London edition. It is full of entertainment-the characters and incidents being developed with great ability, and the course of events, which led to the utter downfall and ruin of Protestantism in

The present season is one of great activity in every thing which concerns literature. Authors and publishers recognize the period between summer and Christmas as their harvest time. That is the season when family circles begin to draw around the cheerful fireside, and inquire for books, and magazines, and music, to enliven the long evenings, while the autumn wind is whistling round the casement. The book-France, being traced with great narrative skill. making people understand this, and accordingly send forth their choicest productions at this season. Besides the beautiful annuals, technically so called, there is an annual crop of standard books and new original works, sent forth with all the rich adornings of the pencil and the graver, as well as the other appliances of satin paper, brilliant type, and gilding and binding of the most gorgeous description. All the luxuries of the London press are added to those of our own, and every season presents us with some new and striking improvement in the embellishment of books. Not satisfied with mere novelty, the London and Parisian publishers have gone back to the beautiful illuminated

Messrs. Carey and Hart have just published, "Poems, By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, with illustrations by D. Huntingdon." It is hardly necessary to characterize the writing of one of the most popular writers of our country. Mr. Longfellow has been for near twenty years before the public as a poet; and his reputation has been steadily sustained as one of the purest and best in the country during the whole of this period. It is therefore but just that his fugitive pieces should be collected, and given to the world in this permanent and very elegant form. To be illustrated by Huntingdon, is an honor of which any

poet in the world might be proud; and the judicious publishers have taken care that the style of engraving should equal the reputation of the painter. This volume will be eagerly sought as a choice New Year's Gift and Christmas Remembrancer.

Messrs. Paine and Burgess, of New York, have published "The Songs and Ballads of George P. Morris. First complete edition," in a neat pocket volume, elegantly printed. The works of our most celebrated American lyrist, condensed into this cheap and portable form, will prove highly acceptable to the lovers of song.

Messrs. E. H Butler and Co. of this city have published "A New Dictionary of the English language, by Charles Richardson." We We are happy to see an American reprint of this great work, the most complete and perfect of any dictionary of the English language ever written. It fills two immense quarto volumes, and is printed with new type, on the finest paper, as a work of such merit and importance should be. The words are alphabetically and etymologically arranged, that is to say, with a combination of these two methods, the English primitives being in alphabetical order, and the derivatives arranged under them collectively, followed by exceedingly copious quotations from English writers of all periods; so that the history, as well as the meaning of every word, is taken in at a glance. The book is afforded at half the usual price demanded for works of this magnitude.

Messrs. E. Ferrett & Co. have also issued a second edition of "Stories of the American Revolution," illustrated with beautiful wood cuts. This work is designed for young people, and exhibits a graphic account of the most prominent events in the history of the Revolution, truthfully told, while the illustrations are good and calculated to impress events upon the mind of youthful readers. The book is handsomely bound, and well adapted for a Christmas present.

The same publishers have a series of T. S. Arthur's works in uniform editions- The Heiress," The Club Room," "Six Nights with the Washingtonans," The Maiden," and "The Wife," all neatly bound and well fitted for the library of a lady.

Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., of New York, and Mr. George S. Appleton, of Philadelphia, have published "The Book of the Colonies; comprising a History of the Colonies composing the United States, from the Discovery in the Tenth century, until the Commencement of the Revolutionary War. Com piled from the Best Authorities. By John Frost, L.L. D. Author of Book of the Army and Book of the Navy." This work is evidently prepared with unusual care, and will undoubtedly equal in popularity any of the numerous historical works of the author. The embellishments are very beautiful and spirited, including historical pictures of important events, and several extremely interesting portraits. That of Sebastian Cabot looks the character of the Great Seaman." Another book, by the same author, issues from the same press: "The Book of Good Exam Messrs. E. H. Butler & Co. have published « First ples; drawn from Authentic History and Biography; Lines of Natural Philosophy, divested of Mathe-designed to illustrate the beneficial effects of Virmatical Formula; being a practical and Lucid Introduction to the study of the science. Designed for the Use of Schools and Academies, and for Readers generally who have not been trained to the study of the exact sciences, and those who wish to enter understandingly upon the study of the mixed sciences. By Reynell Coates, M. D. Author of Physiology for schools. Illustrated by 264 cuts. Dr. Coates's design in this work is pretty fully set forth in the title page. The execution is characterized

by his usual ability. Striking out from the beaten track, he has exhibited a new and extremely interesting method of treating this important science. The book will undoubtedly be recognized by teachers as an improvement on its predecessors, and the style will commend it to young people, who love to be addressed familiarly by those who are replete with learning, and inspired by genius.

Messrs. E. Ferrett & Co. have published "The Expectant," and the "Quiet Husband," novels by Miss Ellen Pickering, whose popularity is still attested by the rapid sale of this cheap reprint of her works. The same publishers have issued "Three Nights in a Lifetime. A Domestic Tale, by the author of Inishairlach," a spirited novel, full of striking incidents and well drawn traits of character. Messrs. Ferrett & Co. have also issued "Agathonia, A Romance, by Mrs. Gore," well known as one of the best living writers of fiction. "The Groves of Blarney. By Mrs. S. C. Hall," the best writer on Irish subjects of the present day, has also been added to the list of cheap publications of Messrs. Ferrett & Co. They have also published Nursery Ditties, from the lips of Mrs. Lullaby, with highly spirited engravings.

tuous Conduct." The moral tendency of this work is excellent, and should especially commend it to the favor of parents, guardians, school committees and others, who may be charged with the formation of libraries for the use of young people. The same publishers have issued a very curious and rich speci

men of illuminated and colored work, entitled "Christmas Carols." It is the best imitation of the colored illuminations of the middle ages we have ever seen. The fruits, flowers, and figures, are perfectly lifelike.

Messrs. Carey & Hart have recently issued The Mysteries of the Backwoods. By T. B. Thorpe, Author of Tom Owen the Bee Hunter," with original designs by Darley. This is one of those rich and racy pictures of life in the Southwest, like the "Life of Captain Suggs," and the "Great Bear of Arkansas," so popular with all the lovers of genuine humor. They have also published "George Cruik shank's Table Book," with Twenty-two Engravings on Steel and Wood, one of the author's liveliest and most piquant productions. Also « The O'Donoghue. A Tale of Ireland Fifty Years Ago." By Charles Lever, Author of "Harry Lorrequer," "Charles O'Malley," " Arthur O'Leary," &c. &c. with Illus trations by Phiz. This publication is from the early sheets received by Carey & Hart in advance of the publication in Ireland. The public will require no prompter to inform them what to expect in this work. Rich Irish humor, fine delineations of scenery, and masterly sketches of character flow from the pen of Lever without apparent effort; and the scene and period chosen for this tale, place it in his best ele

ment.

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