The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review

11. The Token, and Atlantic Souvenir: a Christmas and New Year's Present. Edited by S. G. GOODRICH. Boston: W. D. Ticknor. New York: J. P. Giffing. 1841.

This beautiful annual, for eighteen hundred and forty-one, comes to our hand as regularly as the fragrant flowers of spring, and it is scarcely less grateful. The matter from the pens of some of our popular writers, both in prose and poetry, is judiciously selected, being designed to amuse in our lighter hours, and is illustrated by several clever engravings. It contains, however, one article, entitled "Ireland and the Irish," by the editor, the substance of a lecture which was originally delivered in Boston, at the Temple, by the request of the committee of the Franklin Lectures, a paper abounding with much valuable information, and more solid in its cast than those which are usually found in this class of works. The engravings furnish gratifying evidence of the improved state of that art which may be considered the offspring of modern times, and the book itself constitutes a desirable ornament for the centre-table, and a convenient token of regard, proper to be circulated among mutual friends.

12. Two Hundred Pictorial Illustrations of the Holy Bible: consisting of Views in the Holy Land, together with many af the remarkable objects mentioned in the Old and New Testaments; representing sacred historical events, copied from celebrated pictures, principally by the old masters; the landscape scenes made from original sketches taken on the spot, with interesting letter-press descriptions, chiefly explanatory of the engravings, and of numerous passages connected with the history, geography, natural history, and antiquities of the Sacred Scriptures. By ROBERT SEARS. New York: Robert Sears. pp. 206. 1841.

The copious title at the head of this notice, well expresses the general character and design of the work. It is an interesting volume, embodying many curious facts concerning past history, and conveys much scriptural information in a comprehensive and intelligible form. The materials, drawn principally from European publications of repute, appear to be selected with good taste and judgment. The illustrations of some of the sculptured works of the ancient masters are sublime and touching, even in their impressions taken from wood. We commend its general scope and execution to that portion of the public who are not in the possession of more finished works, illustrating the same subjects.

13. Selections from the American Poets. By WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. Family Library, No. III. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 18mo. pp. 316. 1840.

Mr. Bryant, standing, as he does, in the first rank of American poets, would seem to be the best fitted, by his taste and habitudes, to make a judicious selection of their best specimens. In this task, he has well succeeded. It must, doubtless, be a difficult matter to glean from this wide field, where so many flowers of various hues are spread around, those that are the most admirable; and probably many have been left out of this boquet which might have adorned it, and some may bloom amid its fragrant blossoms that ought, perchance, to have been

"Born to blush unseen,

And waste their sweetness on the desert air."

The publishers have, however, done their duty, and have given us, perhaps, the best selection that could, under all circumstances, have been made. The present compilation shows us, at all events, that our American soil is prolific in poetical genius; and surely it has, in the physical grandeur of the country, and the new and striking political and moral associations connected with our institutions, a magnificent field of future labor.

14. The Centennial Celebration at Cherry Valley, Otsego County, N. Y., July 4th, 1840. The Addresses of William W. Campbell, Esq., and Governor W. H. Seward: with Letters, Toasts, &c. New York: Taylor & Clement. 12mo. pp. 59. 1840.

These addresses were delivered on the centennial celebration of the settlement of that interesting section of the state known by the name of Cherry Valley, long an outpost of civilization in the western forest. The first, by Mr. Campbell, which was the principal oration delivered on that occasion, is cer, tainly an eloquent production. Mr. Campbell sketches an interesting historical account of the settlement and progress of that point, and intermingles with it many patriotic reflections, suited to the audience and to the age. Several allusions which he makes to the early settlers, who have deceased, show him to be a gentleman of heart as well as of mind. The speech by Gov. Seward also abounds with fervid and patriotic thought, and served to give animation and interest to the celebration,

15. Physiology for Schools. By Reynell Coates, M. D. Philadelphia: Marshall, Williams, & Butler. 12mo. pp. 333. 1840.

This volume is devoted to schools, and it appears to be executed with good success. It develops, in philosophic order, the general principles of vital growth, arranged with questions for young learners. The rules which govern our animal frame, we think, should be understood by all, and there is no book within our knowledge that present the matter in a more intelligible form. It abounds in plates, which show the different parts of the human system, and tending to illustrate the text.

16. Selections from the British Poets, By FITZGREENE HALLECK. Family Library, Nos. 112 and 113, New York: Harper & Brothers. 2 vols. 18mo. pp. 359-360. 1840.

Mr. Halleck, himself a distinguished poet, has prepared two choice volumes, embracing apt morceaux from the vast and rich mine of British poetry. Great difficulty inust have occurred in the performance of his task, for amid so large a mass of that which is exquisite, it seemed to require no little judgment to select the efforts which are the best. This labor has, however, been performed with taste and discrimination; and we have, in his compilation, a grateful source of amusement and instruction.

17. Heroines of Sacred History. By Mrs. STEELE. New York: John S. Taylor, and M. W. Dodd. 1 vol. pp. 238. 1841.

This handsomely printed volume describes, in a clear and impressive manner, the female characters most distinguished for their heroism, who have figured in sacred history, and they certainly exhibit a series of beautiful examples, which may furnish proper models of imitation even in our own day.

18. The Young Lady's Companion: in a series of Letters. By MARGARET COXE, author of Botany of the Scriptures, Wonders of the Deep, &c. Columbus : N. Whiting. New York: Charles Henry.

This volume is devoted to the welfare of that interesting class, the young ladies of the country. It embraces all those facts which would seem best calculated to advance the intelligence of this portion of our population, and those maxims of virtuous conduct so necessary to their well-being in the community.

EXCHANGE TABLES.

EXCHANGE BETWEEN LONDON AND THE UNITED STATES. PARIS remitted to London for negotiation, compared with a direct remittance at 60 days sight, exclusive of commission.

United States quotation of Paris at 60 days sight.

fs. 4.80 4.821 4.85 4.871 4.90 4.921 4.95

4.971

Paris sold at London.

PER £ f. 25.20 25.25

EQUAL TO A DRAFT ON LONDON AT

$5 21.1