and deeply loving the truth for its own sake, may become warped and perverted by political prejudices and the bigotry of party.

But, after all the objections to the Table-Talk' have been stated and exhausted, there remains a large amount of excellent and delightful matter-of striking thoughts and brilliant expressions, of sound wisdom, profound reflections, playful wit, and admirable criticism. His high and spiritual views, in philosophy, are occasionally explained and illustrated in a felicitous manner; and the book will serve as a bridge, by means of which common readers may pass over to his more abstruse and elaborate works. We have been particularly pleased with the critical remarks, especially those upon Shakspeare and the early English dramatists. They are at once original, just and discriminating; evincing an unerring tact in the perception of the most delicate beauties, and an unequalled acquaintance with the philosophy of literature. Were all criticism like this, it would indeed be a noble art, worthy of the best labors of the highest mind. There are many beautiful and striking reflections on common, every-day things, which shew the accuracy and extent of his observation. He speaks of our own country and its institutions, with great liberality and good-feeling; and rebukes the illnatured and disparaging tone of English travelers and reviewers; though, in his remarks upon the tariff, (vol. 2, p. 79) he betrays the dense ignorance of his countrymen generally, upon our history and politics.*

We had marked many passages for extraction; but we found that they were fast growing under our hands; and had we copied all that pleased us, we should have taken the greater part of the book.

The editor—who is the nephew and son-in-law of Coleridge - has performed his task with zeal and ability. He has, of course, the most unbounded reverence for his illustrious kinsman, and subscribes implicitly to every opinion and sentiment uttered by him. Some of his notes might have been spared without any injury to his book. The preface is beautifully written; but we do not think that his defence of Coleridge, against the charge of plagiarism, brought against him by the English opium-eater, is a very triumphant one.

In concluding, we cannot but indulge a hope, that a more sightly edition of this book will be issued from the American press. The present is hardly worthy of its merits.

The Gipsy; a Tale. By the Author of Richelieu,'' Mary of Burgundy,' &c. Harper and Brothers.

Mr. James's new novel will be passed from hand to hand, and read with great interest-greater, perhaps, than has been inspired by any work of fiction since Mr. Bulwer's Last Days of Pompeii.' We cannot say that the Gipsy' has inereased our admiration of this author's powers. It exhibits the same fertility of

* We are here reminded of a curious instance of the inconsistency between preaching and practice. Coleridge, in one place, (vol. 2, p. 34) scolds about the use of the word talented, and says, 'Why not shillinged, tenpenced, farthinged, &c.; and adds, Most of these pieces of slang come from America,' which opinion the editor endorses in a flippant note. And yet, (vol. 2, p. 64) we find this expression: In Massinger, the style is differenced-but differenced, in the smallest degree possible, from animated conversation, by the vein of poetry.'

invention, copiousness of thought, and exuberance of language, which surprise us in his former works; but it lacks that lofty and chivalrous tone- - which, from the different nature of its subject, could not be imparted in the present story. 'Darnley,' and 'Philip Augustus,' are the best better, in our estimation, than 'Henry Masterton,' or 'Mary of Burgundy,' though by many the latter are preferred. Indeed, 'Henry Masterton' seems to have excited from the critics, on this side of the water at least, the highest eulogium. To our view, our author appears to greatest advantage, helmed and spurred, mounted on his milk-white charger, with his lance in rest. The field upon which he seems most noble, is The Field of the Cloth of Gold,' His figure is better suited to the joust and tournament than to the hall and drawing-room. His brilliant are more effective than his tender points; though there are many exquisite touches of feeling and sentiment in his works. Nothing can be finer than his description of the feasts and gorgeous paraphernalia and lavish display of the two most magnificent princes of the world, meeting to vie in splendor and a waste of wealth, on that Field of the Cloth of Gold,' so celebrated in history and by Shakspeare:

Men might say,

Till this time, pomp was single; but now married
To one above itself. Each following day
Became the next day's master, till the last
Made former wonders its: To-day, the French,

All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,
Shone down the English; and, to-morrow, they
Made Britain, India; every man, that stood,
Show'd like a mine.'

We have not read Mr. James's History of Chivalry; but, since Scott is dead, there lives no man who can write a superior- and we shall read it, not thinking, however, that his style is at all adapted to historical or biographical composition. It has been pronounced excellent, and so has the 'Life of Charlemagne.' Such works should be performed in a clear and succinct manner. Redundancy and diffuseness are tolerable in a novel, but unpardonable in a plain relation of truths to be firmly set in the mind. From his success, however, in chivalrous scenes, and in delineating the character and manners of the middle ages, an admirer of the author of 'Darnley' may, we think, take up these two works without fear of disappointment.

The Gipsy' is a tale of domestic life; all the incidents occur within a circle of a few miles, in one county in England, where lie the large estates of one noble family. As may be conjectured from the title, the story has much to do with that strange class of beings, who trace their genealogy from king Pharaoh's host — pretending to have preserved their dark ancient blood unmingled with that of a lighter hue- who shun the dwellings of civilized men, and rove about, from place to place, living in tents,' and as free as the migrating birds beneath the firmament of Heaven. The opening scene of the novel reminds us strongly of The Disowned.' It is the view of a Gipsy encampment, seen by two strangers, who approach 'slowly winding their way on horseback' - after the most approved style of introductions to modern novels. The commencement seems commonplace enough; but as you proceed, the plot thickens, the interest deepens, and you are held down to the story so closely, that you are tempted to skip many beautiful passages of description, and very many fine philosophical observations, with which the work

abounds. The author has a provoking way of throwing these into the midst of the most attractive parts of the narrative, when you are all in a fluster to know what happens next. We ran over the volumes very swiftly; but with a pleasurable anticipation of perusing any omitted passage or page after being released from the irresistible fascination of the story. We have said that Mr. James excelled in the chivalrous and splendid, rather than the domestic and tender. Though tempted, as we call to mind many capital scenes in the Gipsy,' to retract the opinion, we let it stand; because we did not say that he was not eminently successful in the latter. As a delineator of character, this author, in our opinion, ranks next to the great master.' Let any one study Col. Manners, for instance, and point us to a more elevated example of what a gentleman and a man of true honor should be. Let him find, if he can, a more charming creature

than Isadore Falkland. We like her better than Marian- the rose of loveliness that she is with all her true thought and fond devotion. Every trait of the former must have been drawn from life-though from twenty different persons, to have made one so delightful; while the latter is evidently a being of the imagination. There may be such, and we not had the good fortune to meet them; but we have the happiness to read a character like Isadore's-full of vivacity and wit and ardent feeling-in one or two whom we have been permitted to look upon. It is pleasant to recognize one's acquaintance in such new scenes, and under such agreeable circumstances. It seems like a privilege to see her (them, we mean) as often as we please, without the apprehension of becoming tiresome, or of the remarks that will be made, by the world, on our attentions and intentions. Among the greatest charms of a work of fiction, is that of tracing resemblances between the persons introduced and those whom we may have encountered in real life. If our readers have, as we hope, been more fortunate than ourselves, they may have seen the archetypes of Marian de Vaux, as well as of Isadore Falkland. There are some cabinet pictures in this book, which are delightful to contemplate. We would transfer one or two in this place, did we not think our friends would prefer them in the original setting. They are unsurpassed. There is a truth of coloring and a distinctness that make them as present as life to the mind's eye. We called them pictures; but the characters are more real-moving, living, talking, acting. One is positive that they must exist or have had existence somewhere.

We have called Mr. James's style redundant. It is diffuse. He shows a careless expenditure of thought and language, that speaks a confidence in the wealth of his own resources. He is too prodigal. Four hundred modern novels might be easily manufactured out of the ideas in one of his volumes.

We trust we have said enough to induce those who have not seen 'The Gipsy' to set about verifying the prediction with which we commenced this notice, and go after it directly. We had much rather confess not having read Mr. Bulwer's novels than those of Mr. James. Commence with 'The Gipsy,' reader! and if you can believe, with us, that it is possible for others to be better, get them all — not from a circulating library, but in your own; for, in spite of the multiplication of new books, you will seek to read these again and again- · our critical word for it!

Progressive Education. Translated from the French of Madame Neckar de Saussure; by Mesdames Willard and Phelps. Boston: W. D. Ticknor.

The style of this work is easy and perspicuous, and therefore well suited to its subject. Though a translation, it seems more like the production of an English author; and the lady editresses have acquitted their task with credit. We offer a few thoughts suggested by the perusal of their volume.

So few, so very few reflect on the importance of education, during the first years of life, that it has often been made a subject of ridicule to speak or write, philosophically, about babies. Though it appears to us much wiser to write philosophically and scientifically about babies, than to affect to teach them either the sciences or the arts, much as it has been the fashion of the present day to attempt it. Madame de Saussure thinks — correctly, too—that education begins at birth; for what is education, but that forming and training of the mind and body, which is best calculated to aid, to strengthen, and to support both? Though the mind of an infant is as a sealed book to us, the example we set, the habits we fix upon them, are plainly seen-and are important. Oh, how important !—a look, a word, a kiss, or a frown, may have an influence of incalculable importance. Mothers lay the foundation; let them, then, have all the light that can be obtained. Too much cannot be done, if it be rightly done; for education is a subject of as great importance as can be brought before a rational mind. But-as Madame de Saussure says—in early life example is everything. Her views of religion are generally just and elevating. Her Chapter on the Will' is admirable. Why is it that we see so little of the true spirit of Christ among his followers? Is it not because we are not in early life impressed with the belief that religion is or should be the great concern?—that it is to the soul what the sun is to the universe? Do not parents-even Christian parents-pay more attention to anything and everything else? Do they educate their children as if religion was the only true foundation for happiness? Do they make it the governing principle? Madame de Saussure considers religion the only power that can subdue without crushing the spirit or cramping the energies. But there is much to admire and reflect upon, through the whole work; and we hope young mothers, generally, will read it. And if, among the excellent things she suggests and advises, they find some things merely speculative, let them not cast it aside for that—but reflect that, in the infancy of all science, there must be speculative suggestion and alteration. The inductive philosophy had never been thought of, but for speculative suggestion, thought and reflection-not only on truth, but on error. And we are sure, if there was more time bestowed on thought and reflection, there would not be half so much discord and dissension-half so much quarrelling about terms and trifles. The chapter on dispositions to be cultivated the first year, is worthy all attention. The motto is "To love is the beginning of morality.' She says that, at all ages, the best means of overcoming, or at least of enfeebling bad inclinations, is to give continual exercise to others. 'Overcome evil by good,' is the admirable precept of the Gospel, and comprises the whole secret of education. Mothers, who enjoy the advantage of this work, will find that a child, educated on the principles which it recommends, would become a good son, a good father, a good husband, a good citizen. We should not have so much party-spirit—so much railing about tem

perance, by men who are intoxicated with passion - so much reviling of slave-holders, by men who are slaves to party and to will - - so much disputing about the nature of Christ, by those who have yet to learn, not only his nature but his spirit, and their own duty. Why will not the world learn moderation? Is it because there is no one to teach it? Each party declares it possesses the philosopher's stone of patient endurance; while each rails at the other for want of charity and moderation. They look not in the clear, plain, undeceiving glass of self-examination; but in the magnifier of vanity and conceit. Could children be early taught humility, and that love is the fulfilling of the law, surely they would not, could not feel, when they advanced towards manhood, so much bitterness of spirit; nor so much party-rancor when they become men. Party-spirit spreads everywhere - even among women in some places-and is by no means confined to politicians. How delightful it would be, if the bland spirit of serenity,' so strongly recommended by Madame de Saussure, could be infused, not only into children, but into the minds of all classes.

The chapter on truth deserves particular attention; and we sincerely hope the work will be attentively perused by parents- for there is certainly some defect in our system of education; and I am inclined to believe we do not begin early enough with example-do not feel half the importance of our own conduct, and daily and hourly regulate ourselves by the divine precepts of our holy religion.

The Student's Manual.

This is the title of a work By the Rev. John Todd, Pastor of the Edwards Church, Northampton, Author of Lectures to Children, &c.' We must confess that, until this work was laid before us, by the politeness of its publishers,' (we believe this is the most approved manner of commencing a puff) we were ignorant of the fact of the reverend author's existence; for we had never met with his 'Lectures to Children' — and his rural retirement,

'Like to a Tod in ivy bush,'

had precluded the possibility of a rencontre. On being made acquainted with his work, we felt almost as much joy as a man may be supposed to feel, who, on being cured of an obstinate deafness, is suddenly serenaded on a moonlight evening. Really, we were poetically inspired; but the few first lines of our address to the reverend author, cured the fit. They ran something thus:

'Oh, Mr. Todd,

How very odd

A book you've kindly given us.'

But our readers may be impatient to know the nature of this production, which is to float down the stream of time, admired by the Lord knows how many gener ations of mankind like Shakspeare's plays and Scott's novels. But hold! we must not talk of plays or novels, or of genius itself— because the Rev. Mr. Todd holds such vanities in abhorrence. What is the design of the work? Stay a moment, till we have glanced at the title-page for an answer. Here we have it: it is designed, by Specific Directions, to aid in forming and strengthening the Intellectual and Moral Characters and Habits of the Student.' Excellent, profound,