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concerned, there must we be found, ready armed for the contest. literary undertaking, only, we dare notice the book before us. far may we go.

As a

Thus

Dr. Curtis, it will be seen by his title-page, has entered the lists in the warfare which has been waging for and against English Episcopacy. The arms of that warfare have of late been burnished up, and the most vigorous and powerful strokes been levelled from every quarter. The ablest controversial works have appeared,—the noblest accessions to our libraries. The parties have kept their tempers, are calm and apparently in search of truth. Society cannot but be benefited by their efforts. Dr. Smyth, of our city, whose work we some time ago noticed, opened the field here. With singular ability does Dr. Curtis maintain the ground, and according to those more knowing than ourselves, with singular success. He even takes a higher position. "He has found no one to occupy the ground which he has ventured; or so strictly congregational,"-p. vi. This is his apology for the work. In another place, "Men of candor will not require an explanation of the use of the term 'bishop' on the title-page. The author can honestly disclaim the silly vanity of assuming it as a mere title, or as a claim to honor above any the humblest minister of the Gospel,"―p. v. Dr. Curtis is one of the first order of our theologians. With a mind trained to analysis and deduction, an intellect vigorous and highly cultivated,—a command of resources almost inexhaustible, -none can be better qualified than himself for the work he has assumed,-none can advance and maintain positions with greater clearness, logical precision and force. The work is only defective in style,-in argument the Doctor is at home.

5.-The Charleston Book, a Miscellany in Prose and Verse. Charleston: Published by S. Hart, Sen., King-st. 1845.

THIS is an experiment, and we hope has proved a successful one. It remains to be seen whether "Charleston Book" will not look as well and sound as well and be as well all over as "Boston," "Philadelphia," or any other book of like genus. Writers we have, among us, with every essential element of excellence. Not so much writers by profession, as amateurs. They have cultivated the graces of style, language, sentiment, and have thrown around their fugitive efforts some of the softest tints of beauty. Hearts they have, and these pour out their passion and their tenderness in warmest strains; fancy they have, and this touches its pictures with the richest colouring; intelligence they have, how chaste and perfect some of its creations. Why should these fugitive efforts be doomed to pass away with the moments that gave thein birth? To gather up these pearls wherever they are strewn, to arrange and preserve them, to present them where they must have an inapprecia

ble value, is the object of the present undertaking. Whether it shall be repeated, must depend upon the popular encouragement. We have looked into the collection. We find names with which we are all familiar, those who have distinguished themselves in every department, from the tender youth touching his harp to love and song, to the erudite scholar discoursing of Greek and Roman of olden time. The magic influence of the softer sex is acknowledged too.

There are some things to which we could object. Names left out which should have had a place; productions selected not always the author's happiest; binding not the most suitable for a parlor annual; execution in New-York, which makes it to this extent a New-York and not a Charleston Book. But let these pass. We wish the work no worse success than to find it on every table. There let it lie.

6.-Americanism in Literature. An Oration, before the Phi Kappa and Demosthenian Societies of the University of Georgia, at Athens, August 8, 1844. By ALEXANDER B. MEEK, of Ala. Charleston: Burges & James.

"It is quite a matter of course that the influence of America upon the mind, (to borrow a convenient though somewhat pedantic phrase,) should become first and chiefly, if not exclusively, perceptible in the department of politics and law." It is Mr. Legaré that says this. Our author, the Hon. A. B. Meek, finds this influence every where; and he has so warmed us up with his subject, and his beautiful method of treating it, that we really have no heart to dissent. From the soil, the climate, the grand physical developments, the constitution and the laws, the republicanism,-from all of these emanate, converge and concentrate the rays of American literature. On every hand he determines the action of America. It moves onward to perfection the great moral and religious worlds. It strikes out higher paths for literatures, philosophies and laws. Poetry must burn with softer lustre here,-higher, purer, more etherial; Metaphysics receive the finishing touches; History commence its true mission, to hold up, strengthen, establish the immutability of popular rights; Arts, Sciences, all must share in the grand progression. Thus the Oration. These are truths, not entirely new, perhaps, but truths; and they have, in this instance, all the novelty of a glowing style, which seems to burn as it goes along, a high-reaching, aspiring fancy, touching with light and colour every object in its path. There is boldness, nerve, originality, passion,--too much, perhaps, for cold criticism to tolerate. A warm temperament will err,-err in the strained, the confused, the mixed metaphor, and there are instances of the error in the Oration. An instance on the tenth page,-"Radically wrong in their whole philosophies of man and life, they led upward to no gloVOL. VII-NO. 13.

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rious zenith, but lay like stagnant oceans, weltering in rottenness and error, breathing pestilence, wo and degradation." There is a redundancy of language, now and then a bold liberty,—a little obscurity:-but we pass by all of this. The Oration is an admirable one. A single extract will speak for it:

CC Already the names of Bancroft, Prescott and Irving, are uttered by the genuine lovers of the literature of humanity, with deeper regard than those of Tacitus, Livy, Hume or Gibbon. When American genius shall, in a similar spirit, have encircled the whole field of the past; drawn out from eras, governments and occurrences, their proper lessons of instruction; weighed in an equal balance emperors and peasants, conquerors and captives; and tried all by that great test of merit,-what have they done for human progress? then, and not till then, can history assert any claim to the attributes of philosophy. Oh! ever be the past brought to us in its truth, that it may guide us aright in our wanderings through the future."

p. 36.

7.-The Beechen Tree: A Tale told in Rhyme. By F. W. THOMAS, author of Clinton Bradshaw, etc. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1844.

THIS is a beautiful poem. There is a simplicity about it which touches the heart, and the artist has sketched his pictures with so light a hand, and thrown around them so much grace and sprightliness, that we cannot but award the meed of highest praise. At present, we can only give this hasty notice, and a specimen, at random, of the taste and beauty of the performance:

"How beautiful the beechen tree!

A beechen tree of giant mould,
Whose roots did many a rock unfold,
Entwining them as you might see,-
For, branching from the parent stem,
A velvet moss just covered them:
They sought the nurture of the brook
That from the shade a deep green took,
And murmured like the lullaby
Of cradle watchers, when they look
Upon the infant's closing eye.

Forth stepping, like the timid deer,
And hearing her own step with fear,
On came a gentle maid;
She crosses o'er the rivulet,—
Her silken slipper is not wet,-
Why should she be afraid?

If fearful thus, why seek the spot?
She seems spell-bound, and yet seems not:
Why stops she by the tree?"

8.-History of Marion, Sketches of Life, etc., in Perry County, Alabama.

By S. A. TOWNES.

THIS is a work of local attraction, and will be read no doubt with great interest, by those interested in the section of country about which it is conversant. The general reader will find, however, many lively and spirited sketches of life and manners in the earlier time and in the wild border country, which cannot fail to afford amusement. Much humour is displayed in the production, and an enumeration of what otherwise would be considered as dry facts, is frequently made to assume the garb and semblance of romance.

9.-The Carolina Planter; a Monthly Register for the State and Local Societies. Columbia.

The Southern Agriculturist, Horticulturist, and Register of Rural Affairs; adapted to the Southern section of the United States, Dec. 1844. A. E. Miller, Charleston.

THE interests of Agriculture are coming to be more regarded in our State. We must not be agriculturists merely in name, and the support of works of this kind ought to be specially attended to; and strange as it may appear, the projectors of these before us are complaining of a want of patronage. Let the agriculturists look to it.

10.- Southern Literary Messenger. B. B. MINOR, Editor and Proprietor. Dec. 1844. Richmond, Va.

WE receive, as usual, our numbers of this sprightly and well conducted periodical, and are always willing to give it a warm welcome and God-speed in the sunny fields of Southern literature.

11.-Floral Wreath and Ladies Monthly Magazine, Dec. 1844. EDWIN HERIOT, Editor. Charleston: B. Jenkins.

MR. HERIOT is a young man, and seems to possess the requisites for a work of this kind. He has succeeded, thus far, in giving it an interest with the class of readers for which it is intended. We wish him success. Southern periodicals of this kind are said to be ephemeral. They are born, live and die in an hour. And why is this? Is it fair that the reproach should exist, when there are so many means of preventing it?

12.-Editorial Notes.

I.-E. B. Bellinger, Esq., of Barnwell, has taken exception to part of the article on "Education in Europe"-the first in this number. He complains of the language used in connexion with his name (pp. 56-57).

The language, however, is not personal. It looks to the policy and not to the individual advocating it. We did not hold Mr. B. responsible for the policy-he was the original advocate of it, to be sure, in the case alluded to, and it was unnecessary to go beyond him; but then he was sustained and sanctioned by the authority of the "very respectable committee who adopted and recommended the reports of the Commissioners." That committee were Stephen Elliott, Jr. and J. H. Thornwell. We had no motive in keeping back their names-however high and weighty they may be. We are at issue with Mr. Bellinger, committee and all. We have no qualifying language; and however much we regret this issue with such high authority, and on so important a question, it only proves the tendency to error on the subject we were discussing, and the necessity for a more general understanding of it. We open our work to the discussion.

Mr. B. corrects another error. On p. 56, we make him give $40 to each poor scholar; whereas on comparing other passages of his report, he says $10, would be more correct. This is of little consequence.

II. The subject of Education, has engrossed a large portion of this number. All admit its importance-we do not apologise. Apropos to the first article, is a movement in the 2d Municipality of New Orleans; a movement in the right direction and in the proper spirit. A circular has been lately sent us, which although we cannot publish, we condense in a note. The Municipality have, by an ordinance, established "A Lyceum Library for the public schools." This is to be effected, for the most part, by the efforts of the scholars, in small monthly subscriptions, which constitute them life members. Annual subscriptions from other sources may be received, and also donations. When $5,000 are raised, the directors shall invest in books. When $15,000, the Municipality are to build a hall in a central position. After $10,000 are invested in books, philosophical aparatus, etc., will be purchased; and lecturers provided, during part of the year, on the natural sciences. This is sufficiently munificent.

III. We have given the initials of some of our writers, in this number, by permission; the others, we had not a chance to consult. We do not bind ourselves, always to give these, but would like our contributors to give us the power, to do it or not at our pleasure. We are always willing to give the authors of our articles, when called upon to do so. This is always understood, unless the contrary be desired. The reader, in general, must be satisfied with an initial letter in the work, which will give him a clue.

IV. We have on hand several interesting articles, excluded from this number from want of space; and in commencing our fourth year, cannot but congratulate ourselves on the success, with which, the work has been attended.

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