sequence. This tracing of cause and effect may, we think, be carried through all events, since nothing can take place in the universe without a cause, and accident or chance in the general acceptation of the terms are impossibilities. The unbroken links of this chain we may often follow through ages, until they are finally lost in the bosom of the great First Cause.

The Art-Union will this year scatter more than ten thousand dollars among our artists and some really fine paintings among our citizens, besides a medal of Washington Allston, by C. C. Cushing, which they have had struck, and the two engravings which are to be issued to the subscribers of 1847. The subscription to the Art-Union for the present year already amounts to 14,000 dollars. This is a very large sum, contrasted with the small beginning of the Association. . . . . The great event of the month in our City chronicles was the parade of laying the Corner Stone of the Washington Monument. It was an immense ado about nothing. The corner stone has been laid, however, with an inscription, setting forth that it is the corner stone of a Washington Monument. There it lies, in the sense that was said of another monument-

"Where London's columu pointing to the skies,
Like a tall bully lifts its head and lies."

The corner stone lies out there in Sixty-fifth street; the imposing pageant that was conjured up by a few men of strong imagination, who thought it an easy matter to collect 3 or 400,000 dollars from the people and expend it in building a Gothic tower four hundred and fifty feet high in honor of Washington, has passed away; the necessary funds have not and cannot be collected, and the monument will never be built. The truth is, we are too utilitarian in our notions to make such an expenditure for a monument which, when completed, can yield no dividends; but let us be ever so much inclined to madness on the subject of monumental demonstrations of gratitude to Washington, we are not mad enough to tolerate the idea of perpetuating such an absurdity as building a church tower to commemorate the father of his country. The directors of the Monument Association inform us in their advertisement, that they have already received about twenty thousand dollars in materials and money, and that they require thirty thousand more before they can commence building. Perhaps they will get it. The Harbinger made a dead set at us for our remarks last month on the associationists, and accused us of a good many things we were never guilty of. But a little spleen in that quarter is quite excusable. The Fourierites who were living so delightfully at Brook Farm, in their associated homes, have been compelled to abandon their social paradise; it has passed into the hands of lawyers; it didn't pay, and wouldn't, although it was conducted on the most approved theory of the sect. They have been forced to abandon it, and we are extremely sorry for them. The Harbinger is to be published in New-York hereafter, at least as long as funds can be had to keep it in motion, and Mr. Ripley, the Patriarch of the Brook-Farm community, is to be its Editor.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

Dr. Webster's Dictionary of the English Language: exhibiting the origin, orthography, pronunciation, and definition of words, etc., etc., thoroughly revised and considerably enlarged. By PROF. CHAUNCEY A. GOODRICH, of Yale College. Assisted by a number of gentlemen distinguished for their high attainments in the various departments of learning, whose names will be found in the preface. Harper & Brothers, New-York, have recently published it, in one handsome octavo volume, of nearly 1400 pages, sheep, extra, price $3,50.

The Dictionary of Dr. Webster has been justly celebrated as the Dictionary of the English language; and America has the honor of having furnished the best work of the kind. The noble volume before us, contains all the words embraced in the quarto edition.

The Synopsis and Walker's Key to the classical pronunciation of Greek, Latin, and Scripture proper names, have been revised with much care and greatly improved. A Vocabulary, giving the pronunciation of modern geographical names, has been added to this edition.

Great attention has been given in the revision to the pronunciation, so as to make a complete pronouncing Dictionary.

It has also been made a Synonymous Dictionary. This new, and as the publishers believe, very important feature, is not to be found incorporated in the same form into any other dictionary ever before published.

The chief value of a dictionary consists in its definitions,-in giving a clear, full, and accurate exhibition of all the various shades of meaning which belong, by established usage, to the words of a language. It is in this respect especially, that Dr. Webster's Dictionary has been generally considered superior to every other, both of this country and of Eug

land.

By successive revisions a very great amount of valuable matter has been added. It is now made, in all important respects, consistent with the larger work, and presents, on a reduced scale, a clear, accurate, and full exhibition of the American Dictionary in all its parts.

Appleton's Railroad and Steamboat Companion. D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. This is a very valuable guide book to the traveller, through the middle and eastern states. It contains maps of the leading routes, and much valuable matter, to enable the wayfarer to avail himself of the advantages and comfort of all localities.

The Great Secret, or How to be Happy: By EMILY CHUBBUCK, Author of " Charles Linn,” &c. L. Colby & Co., 122 Nassau street.

Miss Chubbuck is well known as a popular writer in the branch of tales that she produces, and the present is such as to sustain that deserved reputation.

The Child's Book in Greek: being a series of elementary exercises in the Greek Language. By ASAHEL C. KENDRICK, Professor in Madison University. Mark H. Newman & Co, New-York.

This seems to be an admirably planned little book to impart instruction in the noble language of ancient Greece. It is designed to introduce very young learners to some knowledge of Greek, and the author promises an enlargement of the plan, should the present be favorably received.

An Introduction to the Greek Language: containing an outline of the Grammar, with appropriate exercises. By ASAHEL C. KENDRICK, Professor at Madison University. Mark H. Newman & Co., 199 Broadway.

This excellent work has been through one large edition, and the present is revised and enlarged with such improvement a ample experience in its use has indicated. The principles of the language are presented in a clear and concise manner, and the importance of elaborate and close attention to elements is strongly set forth.

The Life of Henry the Fourth, King of France and Navarre: By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq., author of "The History of Charlemagne," &c. Harper & Brothers.

The reputation of Mr. James as a romance writer, is wide-spread, and acknowledged as the best of the numerous tribe of the imitators of Scott, as must necessarily be the case with one who has written upwards of thirty successful works. He does little of the labor of writing himself, and his thoughts, committed to paper by an amanuensis, are not so well considered as might have been the case had he subjected himself to the labor of penmanship. As an historian, he excels in the clearness and animation of his story, and the skill with which the characters are drawn. The difference between romance writing, and what is called history, is by no means so great as at first sight would be imagined. If the latter imposes a greater degree of labor, it is by endeavoring to adhere to those leading facts which are received as history; and so far may be rather the attempt to write according to the ideas of others, than as in professed romance, to follow the unrestrained bent of one's own imagination. All writers of history have been too much disposed to take things for granted and fill up with the suggestions of their own sagacity, than laboriously to search out for the facts. Mr. James himself, gives the opinion in his preface, that "the history of England yet remains to be written, and it never will be written with that degree of accuracy necessary to instruction, till at least a judicious selection of the despatches and correspondence of the principal persons who figure in our annals, has been published under the superintendence and authority of government." This is doubtless true; yet how many professed histories have been written without the author's having deigned to disturb those materials out of which history alone can be formed. Herein consists, perhaps, the great excellence of the history of the "Consulate and Empire," by M. Theirs. Myriads of socalled histories of that memorable epoch, have been written by people of all countries, none of whom had any access to facts, and like the tory historians of England, were interested in suppressing them if they had. M. Theirs had diligently had recourse at the fountain head to extant documents, and in so far has operated a great change upon public opinion. Mr. James seems fully impressed with the importance of such a mode of writing "history," and if his work has less of the brilliancy that marks those of some other historians, it is perhaps of a more reliable character.

Miscellaneous Works of Henry Mackenzie, Esq.: comprising "Memoir of the Author, by Sir Walter Scott," "The Mau of Feeling," "Papers from the Lounger," "The Man of the World," "Julia de Roubigne," "Papers from the Mirror." Third edition. Harper & Brothers.

These standard English works are presented by the Messrs. Harpers, in a uniform and exceedingly neat, as well as cheap style. The whole is comprised in three parts, of 25

cents each.

Rory O'More: A national romance. By SAMUEL LOVER, Esq., author of "Legends and Stories of Ireland. Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia.

Mr. Lover is a genuine Irish writer as well as musician, and his strong nationality imparts to his works the peculiar liveliness and humor by which Ireland is characterized. This is among the most interesting of the scenes of adventure which he has depicted. The Ancient World, or, Picturesque Sketches of Creation. By D. T. ANSTEAD, Professor of Geology in the King's College, London. Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia.

Not more than a quarter of a century since the study of Geology consisted of a limited collection of unimportant facts. Within the period indicated, it has taken its rank among the exact sciences, and requires for its successful exposition, an intimate acquaintance with the mineralogical history of the earth's crust, and invokes investigation into the physical and chemical influence, that produce evident changes. It also embraces a profound and interesting research connected with the discovery of organic remains, aided by zoological and botanical science. It is, independently of its abstract nature, becoming indispensable as an acquirement for the farmer, the miner, the mineralogist and the architect. The object of the volume before us, professes to be merely to communicate the chief results of geological investigation; it does not therefore enter into the details of local peculiarities, and is pruned of technicalities in order to interest more directly the general reader. It draws very successfully the broad outlines of the science, and embodies matter of vast interest.

ENGRAVING

OF THE

United States Senate Chamber.

THE design of this great National work of art was first conceived, and preparations for its execution commenced, in the winter of 1842. In the midst of very many difficulties, and at very great expense, the work was steadily carried forward to its completion, and was first presented to the public in the autumn of 1846.

A few copies were then struck off, but the demand that sprung up immediately on its appearance was so great, that it was evident that the plate would not supply it, unless the charac ter of the engraving were changed from simple mezzotint to a composition of line and mezzotint. The printing was accordingly immediately stopped, and the plate put again into the hands of the Engraver, to add to its beauty and national interest the character of durability. After the lapse of nearly a year, the printing has again commenced, and the subscriber now calls the attention of the public to the work, with the confidence that he can supply their orders with clear and beautiful impressions.

November 1, 1817.

E. ANTHONY,

Late Anthony, Clark & Co., 247 Broadway, N. Y.

Nature of the Work.

It will be perceived that the peculiar nature of the subject gave rise to very many difficulties, which are not experienced in ordinary works of art. The grouping of so many figures in a manner where a reference to favorable positions for likenesses necessarily interfered with those which would have produced a more pleasing general effect, formed a serious obstacle in the way of the Artists who were engaged upon the work, but one which it is thought they have happily surmounted-at least to a very great extent.

The magnitude of the task will be still better appreciated when it is borne in mind that all the heads have been accurately copied from Daguerreotype Likenesses, which in many instances were not to be procured without great difficulty and expense.

The details of the engraving were also copied from Photographic pictures, so that it is hazarding little to say that the fidelity of the entire work admits of no question.

The scene intended to be represented as far as it was practicable, is that which took place on the occasion of the retirement of Mr. Clay from public life in 1842. Very nearly all the members of that session are represented in their appropriate seats; while in the lobbies and gallery are many persons of distinction, ex-Senators, Members of the Cabinet, prominent Representatives from the Lower House, and others introduced as spectators.

A few slight anachronisms have been intentionally committed, which contribute to the interest of the scene, without materially detracting from its historical accuracy.

The Steel Plate, which is engraved in the Mezzotint style, measures thirty-two by forty inches, and is one of the largest ever executed.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

The numerous and unqualified encomiums with which the first appearance of the print was greeted by the press, was in the highest degree gratifying to all who had been concerned in the execution of the work. Among those journals-the high-toned character of which rendered their praise peculiarly valuable-was the National Intelligencer of Washington, from whose columns the following article is extracted:

"A SPLENDID MONUMENT OF AMERICAN ART.-We have rarely experienced so much pleasure as we received in looking upon the proof copy of the magnificent engraving of the United States Senate, in which are represented about one hundred eminent persons of our country. We have been aware for several years that such a work was in progress, but we had no idea that the result would be so satisfactory, so admirable. It marks an era in American art, and reflects the highest credit upon every one connected with its production. In delicacy and strength this engraving rivals the finest mezzotints of Europe, while in size and in number of accurate likenesses, it has never been equalled. Indeed, the precision with which the fea