The breath of a southern gale. A dancing, glittering sea, And a ruffle of surf between. The barley is glossy as silk, The bird's rattle sounds so loud. The wind-mill there on the hill Is tossing its arms about; Signalling To the ships on the wing, And the waves below that shout. Glitter and dance, ye waves, I love him where'er he roam. Who knows but those broad brown sails, Rounding the Foreland there, Bring him to me From over the sea, Safe from the cruel gales? No! for they tack again, Straight, straight would go The poppies are fluttering red And then to the sea, The wild geranium, too, He is far on the rolling Sound. Then as I wandered free In every field, for me Its thousand flowers were blowing! A veil through which I did not see, In every bud a mystery; Magic in everything unknown: The fields, the grove, the air was haunted, Yes! give me-give me back the days of youth, BELLS BY NIGHT. -Faustus. "TIS Sabbath-eve: from the old kirk tower Children of darkness waken to light"- "The good are gathered like ripened grainWhy should we weep when angels delight?" Solemnly echo the bells by night. Lone do I list to a curfew-bell That wofully throbs within me to-night! Of waning life its pulsations tell ; SONNET. DIE down, O dismal day! and let me live, Now it is death in life-a vapor dense The far snow-shining mountains, and the glens Creeps round my window till I cannot see Shagging the mountain-tops. O God! make free This barren, shackled earth, so deadly coldBreathe gently forth thy spring, till winter flies In rude amazement, fearful and yet bold, While she performs her customed charities. I weigh the loaded hours till life is bareO God! for one clear day, a snowdrop, and sweet air! -David Gray's Poems. TWO. Two buds plucked from the tree; From a fond mother's breast; Two little drooping flowers, Flown far from fear and harm; Singing with voices sweet, Pure from all earthly stainOh, who could wish them back In this drear world again? -Chambers's. ONE NOTE WRONG. BLUE bends the sky above- On all the green hill-side; BRIEF LITERARY NOTICES. The Histoire de la Société Française sous le Directoire, like the previous book of MM. d Goncourt, will be eagerly read, but the impression which it leaves is painful in the extreme. We here have to deal with one of the most corrupt epochs of French history, and the sketch presented to our view is, moreover, painted in colors which dazzle us by their brilliancy, whilst at the same time they are ill assorted and spoiled by want of taste. It is no easy task to give an adequate description of the style which MM. de Goncourt have thought fit to adopt; all we can say is that the volume is made up chiefly of extracts taken from the newspapers, the pamphlets, and the correspondence of the day. The title Histoire is scarcely applicable to such a work, for where we expected seriousness and dignity we find nothing but anecdotes and comparatively trivial details. The mass of information brought together by MM. de Goncourt is wonderful, but it is ill digested, and leaves no distinct trace upon the memory. The chaos presented by French society immediately after the Reign of Terror, when a certain degree of quiet seemed to be restored, is reflected in the work before us; and in that dazzling panorama where Madame Tallien, Madame Récamier, and Madame Hamelin move about like the presiding deities of dissipation and pleasure, we regret both the more serious pages of M. Thiers and the lively souvenirs of the Duchess d'Abrantès. The Histoire de la Société sous le Directoire belongs neither to the class of historical compositions nor to that of memoirs; it is a cross between the two, and as such it is not pleasing.-Saturday Review. WE remember reading, in one of M. SainteBeuve's Causeries du Lundi, an interesting article which made us wish that we could, like the critic, have access to privately printed books, and to literary treasures reserved for a limited circle of friends. The article in question referred to Madame de Tracy, who was evidently a person of no ordinary merit, and who, without aspiring to the dignity of blue-stockingism, had given proof of high intellectual as well as moral qualities. We are happy to say that the restrictions imposed by the delicacy of Madame de Tracy's intimes are now removed, and the public at large is allowed to read and enjoy the three volumes left by her under the title of Essais Divers, Let * Histoire de la Société Française sous le Directoire. Par MM. DE GONCOURT. Paris: Didier. tres et Pensies.* It has often been remarked that several English writers have conquered a place amongst the purest and most idiomatic French littérateurs. Madame de Tracy is a case in point; for her maiden name, Sarah Newton, sufficiently denotes her extraction, and, if we may believe her biographer, she was of the same family with the immortal author of the Principia. Taken to France at an early age, she soon became completely French in her tastes, her feelings, and her opinions; but she combined with the feminine accomplishments of her adopted compatriotes a seriousness of character which seems more distinctively English. The Essais Divers, consisting of three volumes, are an unpretending work, well-written, and calculated to leave the most favorable impression of the authoress. We have, first, the journal of an excursion to Plombières, in company with Madame de Coigny, which, according to M. Sainte-Beuve, is the gem of the collection. Then come abridged translations of two English tales; and, finally, a biographical éloge of Madame de Tracy's father-in-law, the celebrated idéologue Destutt de Tracy. The second volume is entirely taken up with essays on Saint Athanasius, Saint Ambrose, and Tertullian, illustrated by extracts from their writings; and the third contains detached thoughts, letters, passages from journals, and an account of the lady herself, composed by one of the most distinguished contributors to the Journal des Débats, M. Cuvillier-Fleury.-Ditto. The Conversion of the Holy Roman Empire: the Boyle Lectures for the Year 1864. Delivered at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall. By Charles MERIVALE, B.D. Longman. Eight lectures are con tained in this volume, with an appendix of illustra tive and explanatory notes. Mr. Merivale attrib utes the conversion of the empire to the following influences: First, the conviction wrought by the external evidences of Christianity-that is, by the apparent fulfilment of recorded prophecy, and by the historical testimony to the miracles on which its claims to some extent rested. These evidences he admits, however, owed much of their weight to the uncritical and credulous character of the age in which they were first adduced, and, to avoid discussion, does not dwell on them. Second, the internal evidence- that is, the appeal made by Christianity to the intelligence and moral sensibilities of men-a species of testimony so markedly distinctive of the true religion, yet bearing a mysterious affinity to some of the highest aspirations of the heathen philosophy. By this evidence the most refined and intelligent of the heathen were actually converted, and no other possesses equal importance. Third, the godly examples of the Christians throughout the trials of life, and especially in the crowning trial of martyrdom, which produced millions of conversions. Fourth, the temporal success with which Christianity was eventually crowned. This decided the multitude.-The Reader. An American Dictionary of the English Language. By NOAH WEBSTER, LL.D. Thoroughly revised and greatly enlarged and improved by Č. Essais Divers, Lettres et Pensées de Madame de Tracy. Paris: Plon. A. GOODRICH, D.D., LL.D., and NOAH PORTER, D.D. Springfield, Mass.: G. C. Merriam. 1864. 4to. Pp. xxii. 1768. With 3000 Engravings. In the preparation of this new edition of Webster's Dictionary, no pains have been spared to make it the most complete and useful Dictionary of the English language. It is about thirty years since Dr. Webster completed his great labors, and English lexicography has since advanced at an unprecedented rate. This edition has been in the course of preparation for more than five years; and full thirty years of literary labor, by highly competent scholars, have been devoted to it. The Vocabulary has been enlarged, so that it now contains upwards of 114,000 words, being 10,000 more than are found in any other lexicon. Rejecting self-explaining compound words, and words so obsolete or technical that they are seldom or never used, all terms are retained which can fairly claim a place. As the English is still a growing language, there must be in every new lexicon some new words or new significations of old terms. The Etymology has been thoroughly revised, under the charge of Dr. C. A. F. Mahn, of Berlin; so that, though much remains to be done in this direction, it is here presented more carefully and fully than in any previous work. Able scholars in this country and Europe are now at work in this field, and before many years we shall doubtless have a tolerably complete etymological dictionary of our language; but for the present this edition of Webster must take the lead. ones. The Definitions of Dr. Webster have always had the highest reputation; and the present edition improves in this respect upon the previous The order of the definitions is, in many instances, changed so as to give the literal sense first and then the derived. Numerous extracts have also been added from the best writers. No one can consult the work without profit on this score; though there is here, too, an endless field, and, of course, a great variety of usage. Hamilton, we see, is largely used, and rightly too, for philosophical terms. But Mansel's definition of Personality ("as we can conceive it, it is essentially a limitation and a relation") represents the view of a special philosophical tendency, and is, on the face of it, inconsistent with the ascription of personality to God. A learned friend has pointed out to us the definition of Temeration as temerity-Jeremy Taylor being cited as authority; but he uses the word in the sense of stained, polluted, (derived from temero.) The same friend criticises the definition of citizen-"one who has the privilege of voting," etc.—as too narrow: it is not the American sense or usage. But these are slight points compared with the general fulness and accuracy of the definitions. Among the other points that give preeminence to this work are the careful revision of the Pro Places is a novel attempt, and very successful. Besides this, we have a Pronouncing Vocabulary of Scripture Names, of Greek and Latin Names, of Modern Geographical and Biographical Names, of English Christian Names; a select list of Quotations and Phrases from various languages; Abbreviations and Contractions; Arbitrary Signs in Writing and Printing; and Ancient, Foreign, and Remarkable Alphabets. Nor must we omit to commend Professor Hadley's excellent Brief History of the English Language. This great work is an honor to American scholarship. It is a monument of careful and protracted labor. On the whole it is now the inost complete Dictionary of the English Language. Those engaged in it, and foremost among them that accomplished scholar, Professor Noah Porter, are to be congratulated for their high success in a laborious undertaking. And the publishers have shown great efficiency and a laudable ambition, in producing a work which, on the score of typographical clearness and compression, and whatever goes to make a convenient and elegant book, stands foremost among the productions of modern book-making.—Presb. and Theol. Review for Jan. The Autumn Holidays of a Country Parson. Parson." London: Longman & Co. By the author of "The Recreations of a Country A vein of sly humor runs through the book, making it very pleasant to read. We scarcely know which chapters to point to specially where all are good in their way; but the reader will get, perhaps, as fair an estimate of the author's powers in the chapter Concerning the Estimate of Human Beings" as in any. "Concerning Ugly Ducks; or, Some Thoughts on Misplaced Men;" "Concerning the Right Tack, with some Thoughts on the Wrong Tack;" "Concerning Needless Fears,” should also be read by those who like this class of gossip. Ticknor & Fields, Boston, have also brought out an American edition in good style. Real and Ideal. By J. W. MONTCLAIR, Philadelphia: Frederick Leopoldt. New-York: Hurd nunciation, with a full list of words differently & Houghton. 1865. A small book of poetry, pronounced, and Dr. Goodrich's able paper on elegantly printed. The poems are short, some of the Principles of Pronunciation; a Table of dif- them only tolerable, while others possess confering Orthographies, with Mr. Wright's Rules siderable poetic merit. Several of them are transfor spelling certain classes of words; and the ad-lations from the German. We extract one poem dition of a list of Synonymes to the most impor- in our Poetry department. tant words. Some 3000 pictorial illustrations are incorporated in the work, and are much bet ter than verbal descriptions. Mr. Wheeler's Vocabulary of Names of Fictitious Persons and History of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America. By ABEL STEVENS, LL.D. New-York: Carleton & Porter. 1864. 2 vols. Dr. Stevens has already won a high meed of praise for his previous history of Methodism. No better man could have been found to write the history of this great and growing de nomination. The task thus far has been executed with taste, judgment, and candor. The history will undoubtedly be a standard one in the Methodist church, and adds another to the growing list of noble American histories. The first volume is occupied with "The Planting of American Methodism," and the second with "The Planting and Training" of it. The work of Dr. Stevens, we observe, has been very favorably received abroad. JOIN FOSTER ON FUTURE PUNISHMENT is a thoughtful and impressive review of this well-known Letter by President Wayland, in the form of a letter addressed to Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, D.D. V. GIBBON AND COLENSO, by Dr. William Adams, is a striking and brilliant paper which none can read without interest. VI. CHRISTIANITY AND CIVILIZATION, by Dr. C. P. Wing, does justice to the subject. VII. THE COVENANTERS AND THE STUARTS is a racy historical article. VIII. WHEDON ON THE WILL, by Prof. H. B. Smith, is written with that acumen and masterly ability for which he is so distinguished. In addition, a large space is devoted to CRITICISMS ON BOOKS, THEOLOGICAL AND LITERARY INTELLIGENCE, and a COLLEGE RECORD for the year 1864. On the whole, we think this the best number of this Review which has yet been issued. Man and Nature; or, Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action. By GEORGE P. MARSH. New York: Scribner. 1864. Our Minister to Turin is an eminent example of the facility with which a man of philosophical cul- Diary of Mrs. Kitty Trevylyan. A Story of ture and enlarged acquisitions can turn to various the Times of Whitefield and the Wesleys. With a departments of literary production, and in each Preface by the Author. New-York: M. W. Dodd. show himself to be a master. The bibliographi-1865. The author of this work has achieved a cal list of works prefixed to this volume indicates reputation as sudden and great as it is deserved. the most thorough preparation for the projected It is only a year since she first became known task, which is of a high order of importance, in this country through The Schönberg-Cotta comprising the amount of changes produced in Family, published first by M. W. Dodd, and the physical condition of our globe through afterwards by T. Nelson & Son. No book of its human agency; the dangers arising from waste kind was ever a greater success. Combining the of materials; the practicability of restoring ex- dramatic interest and excitement of a romance hausted regions; and the various projects now on with the solid worth of history, it has been read foot, on a large scale, in relation to these objects. and admired by a very large number. That was We need not say that the work, though hitherto followed some months since by The Early Dawn, unattempted with much comprehensiveness, is and now we have the third volume from this well done, and will be of the greatest aid and gifted pen. The other works by the same need to future inquirers. In this country the author, republished here, are her earlier productendency is to waste rather than thrift, since tions. We need only add, that the last work nature is here so prodigal, and our resources are strikingly resembles the Cotta-Family in its esas yet so imperfectly developed. Many of the sential features, and we doubt not will be as author's suggestions are worthy of the serious eagerly read in ten thousand households. study of our statesmen. The work, besides an introductory chapter on the general aspect of the subject, discusses the Transfer, Modification, and Extirpation of Vegetable and of Animal Species, (chapter II. ;) the Woods, (chapter III., one of the most valuable;) the Waters, (chapter IV.;) the Sands, (chapter V.;) and Projected or Possible Geographical Changes by Man, (chapter VI.,) such as the various larger canals, seas, Darien, the Dead Sea, etc., etc. Though devoted to physical researches, yet this volume bears constant testimony to the true position and power of man, as having a higher nature and capacities than the brutes, and thus sharply distinguished from them, and made to rule over this lower world, in subjection to his Maker.-Presb, and Theol. Review. American Presbyterian and Theological Review. Edited by Prof. HENRY B. SMITH and Rev. J. M. SHERWOOD. New-York: J. M. Sherwood. The January number of this quarterly presents a list of articles of unusual ability. I. CHRISTIAN MIRACLES AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE, by Rev. J. Q. Bittinger, is a sensible and timely discussion of a most important subject. II. DELIVERY IN PREACHING, by the venerable Dr. Skinner, is on the whole the richest and most suggestive essay on this vital theme that we remember to have read. III. ORIGIN OF HOMER'S PURER RELIGIOUS IDEAS, by Frederick Köster, is from the German. IV. SCIENCE. Roman Discovery.-Righetti, a wealthy commoner of this city, has lately purchased an old palace for an old song, being in one of the dirtiest parts of Rome, called the Biscione; it is close to the Piazza Campo dei Fiori, and not far from the Farnese Palace. Extensive repairs were indispensable, for the building was in a most rickety state, and, on setting people to work to dig for a foundation, they came upon a pavement composed of large slabs of that marble called "Porta Santa," which is a dull, veined marble, of a reddish hue, which comes from the Island of Iasus, in the Archipelago, and is properly called “Marmor Jasseuse;" it is, however, better known by its modern name, which it derives from its forming the jambs of the jubilee door at St. Peter's. This pavement was found thirty feet below the present level of this part of Rome; and here, likewise, they came upon a massive wall, near which they found a piece of building somewhat resembling a Noah's Ark without the boat; the sides were of brick and the roof was formed of large blocks of travertine resting upon these walls, and uniting with bevelled edges at the top ("rigging" as they call it in Scotland). There were two gable ends, each formed of one large block of travertine; on |