powerful than in "the Cottar's Saturday Night." "Let who may have the making of the laws give me the making of the ballads of a people," is a profound saying; and the truth it somewhat paradoxically expresses is in much as applicable to a cultivated and intellectual as to a rude and imaginative age. From our old traditional ballads we know what was dearest to the hearts and souls of the people. How much deeper must be the power over them of the poems and songs of such a man as Burns, of himself alone superior in genius to all those nameless minstrels, and of a nobler nature; and yet more endeared to them by pity for the sorrows that clouded the close of his life.

THE END.

WILEY & PUTNAM'S

LIBRARY OF AMERICAN BOOKS.

JUST READY.

JOURNAL OF AN AFRICAN CRUIZER.

JOURNAL OF AN AFRICAN CRUIZER; comprising Sketches of the Canaries, the Cape de Verdes, Liberia, Madeira, Sierra Leone, and other places of interest on the West Coast of Africa. By an Officer of the U. S. Navy. Edited by NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. 1 Vol. beautifully printed, in large clear type, on fine paper, 50 cts.

"This is the title of a book just issued by Wiley and Putnam, as No. 1 of their proposed LIBRARY OF AMERICAN Books, a series intended to embrace original works of merit and interest from the pens of American authors. The design can scarcely fail to be successful. We have a firm faith that books well worth reading, as well worth it as English books of the same class,-can be produced in this country; and such books, and such only, we presume Messrs. Wiley & Putnam intend to publish in their series. This first number is well worthy its place. It is the jourual of an officer on board an American cruiser on the coast of Africa,-and relates to a field hitherto almost entirely unnoticed by travelling authors. It is written in a plain, straight-forward, unambitious style, and evinces a very keen talent for observation and sound judgment and enlightened discrimination. The book is edited by NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, one of the most gifted writers in this country, whose works we trust will find a place in this series. The volume is very handsomely printed, and sold at fifty cents."N. Y. Courier.

"This is a pleasantly written Journal of a cruise to the western coast of Africa, and embodies a good amount of valuable information. The author spent some time at Liberia, and gives quite a flattering account of the colony. We like the spirit of the work, and especially admire the simplicity and grace of its style."-N. Y. Evangelist.

"This series promises to be interesting It is an attempt to get valua ble original works, by American authors, into wide circulation, by publishing them in a form at once elegant and cheap. We particularly recommend this to all Colonizationists and Abolitionists, as containing much new information on subjects in which they are particularly interested. And as an account of countries and people but little known to the civilized world, it contains matter for all readers who are curious students of the varieties of human nature and natural scenery."-Boston Courier.

"This interesting work supplies us with vigorously written sketches of the settlements and people of the west coast of Africa, and especially

“WILEY & PUTNAM'S LIBRARY OF CHOICE LITERATURE.—We infer from the regularity with which this series of works is issued, that the tasteful enterprise of the publishers is generally sustained by the community. The plan of this library is admirably adapted to the times, as well as to the higher demands of readers. It combines economy with elegance, and convenience with sterling value. The volumes are beautifully printed, and bound in paper covers-a mode long prevalent in France, which renders books more portable, and, at the same time, leaves purchasers at liberty to adopt any style of binding they may choose. As to price, that of each number varies from two to four shillings, and this outlay, be it remembered, is not for flimsy romances which once perused are thrown aside for ever, but for literature, in the genuine meaning of the term- books which are books'-as the motto of the Library sets forth, that once read become friends, and will be again and again resorted to, for information and refreshment. Thus far the series has been admirable, and we only hope a similar felicity of judgment will attend all future selections. In the first place we had Eōthen, decidedly the most brilliant volume of Eastern Travels recently produced. Indeed, we know of no similar work to compare with it except Anastasius.

"It is graphic, witty, scholar-like and poetical, free from egotism, yet full of individuality—in a word, the genial commentary of a man of education, refinement and enthusiasm, as he wandered over that mysterious region so eloquent in all its associations, alike to Christian, poet and philosopher. Of the Amber Witch and Undine, it is unnecessary to speak. Each had taken its rank as a standard exemplar of its class, before the present elegant re-prints. These were much wanted, as the existing editions were either disposed of or executed in a manner that rendered them unworthy of preservation. Leigh Hunt's Imagination and Fancy, followed next. This is one of those delightful productions of which we can never weary. It is a poet's talk of his own art and its great professors.

"The effect of such reading is like that of the best society, awakening and satisfactory. In this volume are collected some of the choicest gems from the whole range of English poetry-interspersed with delicious criticism, anecdote, speculation and glowing commentary. Hunt is one of the most spontaneous and cordial writers of the day. He makes us relish anew the good things both of literature and life by his own sincere and hearty appreciation of them. He can be sensible without losing his cheerfulness, and exhibit very positive tastes without a particle of dogmatism. We are gratified to perceive that his 'Indicator' and 'Seer' will be re-published in the Library.

"American readers who have yet to make the acquaintance of these delightful essays, have a rare treat in prospect. They will find them the most agreeable papers that have appeared, in their peculiar vein, since the days of Steele; and acknowledge that the author fully redeems the promise of his title-page, and gives us Common Places Refreshed.'

66 6

6

'Lady Willoughby's Diary' has charmed every one for its simplicity, quaintness and nature. It represents with a truly Flemish fidelity, the two extremes of public and private life, of civil war and domestic seclusion. The thoughts of a true woman absorbed in her home duties, and the cares of a statesman involved in the turmoil of political dissensions. We have read of the times portrayed both in novels and histories, but the glimpse afforded by the unpretending pages of this little diary, has brought us infinitely nearer the scenes and the persons of that extraordinary era, by intimately associating them with the person and feelings of an affectionate and

pious woman, such as we have known and loved. Such books make us familiar with the past, not merely cognizant of it. There is the same difference between them and statelier records, as between Macready's Coriolanus and Placide's Grandfather Whitehead.

"Another capital feature in this series of books, is the bringing out of Hazlitt's writings in a style such as their merits deserve. William Hazlitt possessed one of the acutest minds of his day. He lived upon literature and art. He was one of those men who seem born to make others appreciate genius. His perceptions were singularly keen and observant, and his powers of reflection of a high order. In many respects he is an excellent guide to truth, setting an example by his vigorous independence of thought, his earnestness of sympathy, and refined definitions of artistic excellence and personal character. At the same time he was a man of strong prejudices and perverted feelings. He is not to be implicitly followed, but to be read with constant discrimination. In his Table-Talk,' which forms two numbers of the 'Library,' there are innumerable attractive reminiscences of books and men, and suggestions of rare value both for the writer, the artist, and the man who desires to improve the advantages which nature bestows. We know of few writers who, with all his defects, are so alive as Hazlitt. He had that mental activity which is contagious, and has done no little good by setting minds of more equanimity upon the track of progress. It appears this collection of essays is to be followed by his other works. They will be a valuable accession to the current literature of the day.

"It is obvious from this hasty survey, that there are two particulars in which these books deserve the name of Choice Literature, and which honorably distinguish them from the mass of reprints that has deluged the land with cheap reading. They contain ideas, and they have a style. The former will furnish the hungry mind, and the latter will refine the crude taste, so that an actual benefit, independent of the diversion attending such reading, will certainly accrue. We have dwelt at unusual length upon this series of books, because we regard their appearance and popularity as the best sign of the times, as far as literature is concerned, which we can now discern. The apathy of our publishers, in regard to all compositions offered them, except fiction, and that of the most vapid kind; the apparent success of the cheap system, and the angels' visits' of works of real merit, seemed to indicate a fatal lapse of wholesome taste.

"The Library of Choice Literature,' was started on a different principle. It appealed to good sense and the love of beauty, rather than to a morbid appetite for excitement. We therefore regard the favorable reception it has met with, as evidence that the public in the end, will, after trying all things, hold fast that which is good. We shall look for the American series, advertised by the publishers, with great interest While we have criticism like that which occasionally redeems our periodical literature, such a prose poet as Hawthorne, such a speculative essayist as Emerson, such a brilliant tale writer as Willis, to say nothing of adepts in other de partments, surely there is no difficulty in making a very respectable Ameri, can Library of Choice Literature.”—N. Y. Evening Post.

I.

EOTHEN.

EOTHEN; OR TRACES OF TRAVEL BROUGHT HOME FROM THE EAST Price 50 cents.

"One of the most delightful and brilliant works, ever published-independent of its prepossessing externals, a convenient book form, good paper and legible type."-N. Y. Mirror.

"An agreeable and instructive work."- Albion.

"We have read this work with great pleasure, for it is indeed lively and sparkling throughout; it will not only please the careless skimmer of light literature, but the ripe scholar must be delighted with it."-Richmond

Times.

"This is one of the cleverest books of travels ever written."-N. Y. Post "Eothen is one of the most attractive books of travels that have been given to the public, and has been received in England with high commendations."-Newark Advertiser.

II.

THE AMBER WITCH.

Mary Schweidler, the Amber Witch, the most interesting trial for Witchcraft ever known, printed from an imperfect manuscript by her father, Abraham Schweidler, the pastor of Coserow, in the island of Usedom. Edited by W. Meinhold, Doctor of Theology, Pastor, &c., translated from the German by Lady Duff Gordon. Price 37 cents.

The London Quarterly Review describes this as one of the most remarkable productions of the day. It seems that a certain sect of German Philosophers (the school of Tubingen) had declared themselves such adepts of criticism that they could tell the authenticity of everything from the style. This work was written by Dr. Meinhold, when one of their students; and he subsequently published it to test their theory. It was published as a matter of fact, in its present form. All Germany was non-plussed. It was finally determined by the critics (especially the infallible critics of Tubingen) that it was truth and reality. Finally Dr. Meinhold, in a German paper, acknowledged himself the author, and that it was purely fictitious. The German critics, however, will hardly believe him on his word.

"The work is written, say the reviewers, with admirable skill, so much o that it rivals the Robinson Crusoe of De Foe. This is saying enough ". Cincin. Chron.

III.

UNDINE AND SINTRAM.

Undine, translated from the German of La Motte Fouqué, by Rev. homas Tracy, with Sintram and his Companions. Price 50 cents.