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references, to a considerable extent, have been verified anew; and several topics have been subjected to further investigation.

3.-HARPERS' SCHOOL-DISTRICT LIBRARY; THIRD SERIES. NewYork: Harper and Brothers. 1840. 50 volumes, 12mo.

The two preceding series of this Library, the first of 50, and the second of 45 volumes, were noticed with commendation in the Repository for January, 1840. At the same date, we announced the third series as in the progress of publication. It has since been completed and submitted to our examination. It is truly a choice selection of books. Fifty volumes, the works of authors of established reputation, prepared under the eye of competent revisers and readers, printed in the most economical manner and bound in an attractive and uniform style, are no trifling possession for a family or a neighborhood. Added to the preceding series they constitute a library of 145 volumes, most of which are among the best books to be found on the same or similar subjects, for popular reading and instruction; embracing History, Voyages and Travels, Biography, Natural History, the Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Manufactures, Arts, Commerce, Poetry, Belles-Lettres, Philosophy, etc., etc. In respect to some of these volumes, different opinions may be formed by the best judges, and some of them might doubtless be exchanged for better works; but, as a whole, the collection is admirably adapted to its object. The enterprising publishers, aided by the counsel of the Superintendent of Common Schools of the State of New-York, and other able advisers, have thus provided, for all who will avail themselves of this selection, what the organs of no single school district could have procured without their aid, a well arranged and uniform library of the most approved works on so large a variety of the topics of useful knowledge.

The Third Series contains several works which we have already noticed in the Repository, viz. Keightley's History of England, 5 vols. ; Murray's British America, 2 vols.; Upham's Outlines of Imperfect and Disordered Mental Action; and Dick's Sidereal Heavens Illustrated. The following are the remaining volumes of the series:-Hale's History of the United States, 2 vols.; Renwick's Life of Dewitt Clinton; Renwick's Practical Mechanics; Parry's Voyages for the Discovery of a Northwest Passage, 2 vols.; Mackenzie's Life of Commodore Perry, 2 vols.; Irving's Life and Writings of Goldsmith, 2 vols.; Bryant's Selections from American Poets; Halleck's Selections from the British Poets, 2 vols.; History

of the Moors of Spain, translated from the French of M. Florian; Lives of Distinguished Men of Modern Times, 2 vols. ; Dr. Nott's Counsels to Young Men; Head's Life and Travels of Bruce; Page's Life and Writings of Dr. Johnson, 2 vols. ; Potter's Political Economy; Life and Travels of Mungo Park; Brougham, Sedgwick and Verplanck on the Advantages of Science and Literature; Dana's Life before the Mast; History of Lost Greenland; American Husbandry, 2 vols.; History of Massachusetts, 2 vols.; History of New Hampshire, 2 vols.; Renwick's First Principles of Chemistry; Renwick's Lives of Jay and Hamilton; A manual of the Duties of Domestic Life; Dwight's History of Connecticut; Miss Sedgwick's Stories for the Young; Crowe's History of France, 3 vols.; Walter Scott's History of Scotland, 2 vols.

The influence of such a library, owned and read in the school districts of our country, would be beyond the bounds of calculation, in elevating the thoughts and promoting the intelligence and refinement of the nation. A plan so well devised cannot be too highly commended to the favor of the rising and spreading population of our great republic. It will be well if books, thus selected with care, shall be so appreciated as to take the place of much of the indiscriminate and light reading which now everywhere obtrudes itself upon the attention of the young, to dissipate and enfeeble the mind and corrupt the

taste.

Several of the works embraced in this series are worthy of separate notices. Among these we would name the volumes on Chemistry and Mechanics by Prof. Renwick. But our space will only allow us to add, that we regard them as excellent elementary works, well worthy of a place in a select District or Family Library.

4.-Essays on the Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character :

by Gardiner Spring, D. D. Sixth Edition, Revised by the Author. New-York: J. A. Hoisington. 1840. pp.

123.

This little book, we presume, is the familiar acquaintance of many of our readers. It was first published in 1813, and, as the present title-page indicates, has passed through several editions. We have read it in former years with profit, and have known it to be blessed of God in guiding inquiring minds to the knowledge of the Saviour, as well as in detecting the false dependences of the deceived. It now appears in an improved form, but with no change, as the author assures us, "except in a single page in the last Essay."

5.-The Principles of Physiology, applied to the Preservation of Health and the Improvement of Physical and Mental Education: by Andrew Combe, M. D., Physician Extraordinary to the Queen in Scotland, and Consulting Phy sician to the King and Queen of the Belgians. From the Seventh Edinburgh Edition. New-York: Harper and Brothers. 1840. pp. 360.

The writings of Dr. Combe are too well known and too highly appreciated, to need a formal commendation from us. The work here named is perhaps the most popular and useful of his publications. More than twelve thousand copies of it have been sold in Great Britain, and a translation, in Germany, has met with a favorable reception. In this country several large editions have been disposed of. The present edition is prepared with questions and answers, at the end of the chapters, to fit it for the use of schools. In this form it has been successfully introduced into several of our best academies and other seminaries of instruction. It is gratifying to perceive the evidence afforded, by the reception of this book, that the great importance and usefulness of physiological knowledge is beginning to be properly appreciated, as an indispensable branch of general instruction.

6. A Greek Grammar, for the use of Learners: by E. A. Sophocles, A. M. Third Edition. Hartford: H. Huntington, Jun. 1840. pp. 284.

7.-A Greek Reader, for the Use of Schools, containing Selections in Prose and Poetry, with English Notes and a Lexicon ; adapted particularly to the Greek Grammar of E. A. Sophocles: by C. C. Felton, A. M., Eliot Prof. of Greek Literature in Harvard University. Hartford: H. Huntington, Jun. 1840. pp. 453.

We are glad to perceive, in the department of classical education in this country, many signs of encouragement and promise. We have scholars whose merits are acknowledged in the high places of learning in other lands: we have books which are inferior to none of their kind: we have teachers who are laying the broad and sure foundation of a thorough and finished scholarship.

These volumes we regard as among the signs of better things to come. The work of Mr. Sophocles has been placed, by the most competent judges, at the head of the numerous grammars which are now used in this country. Those who

examine it with care will be satisfied that this estimate is not rashly made. The author is a native of Greece, and has obtained a mastery over the niceties of the language, which is hardly to be expected from others. In addition to this, he has applied to the best sources for assistance, and has successfully wrought the materials which he found into his own plan. The arrangement of the book is excellent; his rules are laid down with clearness and precision; and his illustra tions are happy.

In the preparation of the Reader, Prof. Felton has departed somewhat from the usual method. He has confined his selections, and we think wisely, to a few authors; and these are made with a view to excite a lively interest in those masterpieces of composition, which are the best teachers of simple and refined literary taste. He has drawn most copiously from Xenophon and Lucian. Extracts of considerable length are given from Herodotus, Thucydides, Lysias, Homer, Euripides and Aristophanes. The Notes and Lexicon, which occupy more than one half of the volume, are the fruit of a careful and matured scholarship. Prof. F. explains only those passa ges which need explanation. His aim is to encourage and di rect the industry of the student-not to supersede it. The difficulties of the language, in general, he does not profess to solve; but he performs a more valuable service, by showing where the solution may be found.

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8.-The Dew of Israel and the Lily of God, or a Glimpse of the Kingdom of Grace: by Dr. F. W. Krummacher, Author of Elijah the Tishbite,' Elisha," etc. From the Second London Edition. New-York: Robert Carter. 1840. pp. 262.

This volume is characterized by many of the peculiarities of the author's previous works. There is the same rapid succession of novel and striking conceptions, the same beauty and aptness of illustration, the same sweet and tender spirit pervading the whole. It is made up of a series of discourses, addressed, more particularly, to Christians; and no one who loves the truth, in its simple and earnest presentations, can read them without manifest advantage. The name is taken from the text of the first discourse: "I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily."-Krummacher is uncommonly felicitous in his expositions and illustrations of Scripture. For this reason, his writings, we think, deserve the attention and the study of those who are called to preach the gospel.

9.-Life and Death of the Rev. Joseph Alleine, A. B., Author of An Alarm to the Unconverted," etc.: written by the Rev. Richard Baxter, his widow, Mrs. Theodosia Alleine, and others. To which are added his Christian Letters; with a recommendatory Preface by Alexander Duff, D.D., one of the Church of Scotland's Missionaries to India. From the last Edinburgh Edition. New-York: Robert Carter. 1840. pp. 275.

The plan of this "Life" is altogether unique. It is the joint production of nine different writers. The largest and the most interesting of these fragments was prepared by the widow of Mr. Alleine. Such a biography must, of necessity, be very defective in method and unity: indeed it is not so much a continuous life as a series of sketches. Still the book may be read with great profit. It makes us acquainted with an eminently holy man. In the midst of trials, such as few have been called to encounter, his course was a lovely illustration of the quiet and humble temper of the gospel. Strongly as we sympathize with him, in his persecutions and his protracted bodily pains, a deeper feeling is excited by the contemplation of his life-that of veneration for his piety.

His "Christian Letters" occupy about one half of the volume. We know of nothing which breathes a better spirit. In the language of John Wesley, "he seems to excel in bowels of mercy, meekness, gentleness, in tenderness, mildness and sweetness of spirit, even to his bitterest enemies." Mr. Wesley does not "scruple to give these letters the preference, even to Mr. Rutherford's, as expressing, in a still higher degree, the love that is long-suffering and kind, which is not provoked, which thinketh no evil, and which hopeth, believeth and endureth all things."

10.-A Book for the Sabbath: by J. B. Waterbury, Author of "Advice to a Young Christian," and "Happy Christian." Andover: Gould, Newman and Saxton. 1840. pp. 230. 11.—The Sabbath: a brief History of Laws, Petitions, Remonstrances and Reports, with facts and arguments relating to the Christian Sabbath: by Harmon Kingsbury. NewYork: Robert Carter. 1840. pp. 391.

These volumes are valuable and timely. The Sabbath is vigorously assailed from many points: its enemies are bold and resolute. Our noble system of internal improvements has become a mighty engine to effect its overthrow. Our canals

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