ART. VIII.-CRITICAL NOTICES.

1. History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic.3 vols, 8vo. New-York: Harper & Brothers.

PRESCOTT's historical writings have, in the few years they have been before the public, gained an elevated standing among works of their class. In this case it is difficult to decide whether the author is more indebted to his subject, or the subject to the author. No period, which properly belongs to history, abounds in so great a degree with the true spirit of romance as that of the reign of the Catholic sovereigns of Castile and Arragon. It was then that Spain assumed her place among the nations of Europe. By the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella their hereditary dominions were united: Navarre was presently joined to them by the joint agencies of war and negotiations, while the sword of the conqueror expelled the Moors from the fruitful fields and gilded palaces of Grenada. In viewing these subjects in the clear light of history, one seems to realize the legends of romance and the fictions of poetry. This, too, was the age of great men in Spain. The military exploits of Gonsalvo were such as to justly entitle him to the style of the "Great Captain;" the fame of Cardinal Ximenes, the editor of the Complutensian Polyglott, and the father of the Inquisition, imparts no ordinary interest to the period of his active career; and the name of Columbus alone is enough to give unusual splendor to the history of his times. But this mine of literary gold and gems lay unexplored till opened by American writers. Irving gleaned the sparkling beauties that lay upon or near the surface, and filled two caskets-his Columbus and the Alhambra-with jewels of unequaled lustre ; but Prescott has penetrated its depths, and brought forth an amount of literary wealth not unlike the acquisitions of his own heroes in Mexico and Peru. The labor of collecting the material for such a works is more than Herculean; yet strange to say, it was accomplished by him, for the most part of the time, in utter blindness. But it was well performed, as is sufficiently proved by the noble work now before us-and seldom has labor been better rewarded.

This new edition, by the Messrs. Harper-the tenth since the first issue, about eight years since—is unequaled by any recent publication of standard works. The typography is beautifully clear and correct; the paper of the very finest quality, and the binding in the publishers' best style. We commend these volumes to all who would combine pleasure with profit in reading, and heartily congratulate those who have yet to read them for the first time, on the pleasure that awaits them.

2. A Practical Manual of Elocution; embracing Voice and Gesture. Designed for Schools, Academies, and Colleges, as well as for Private Learners. By MERRITT CALDWELL, A. M., Professor of Metaphysics and Political Economy, and Teacher of Elocution in Dickinson College. 12mo., pp. 331. Philadelphia: Sorin & Ball. NewYork: Huntingdon & Savage. Boston: Gould, Kendal & Lincoln. 1845.

THIS valuable and eminently-practical work supplies a want which has long existed in the American community, and especially in literary institutions of all grades. It is the only book we have seen which treats of both branches of the speaker's art, utterance and action; and though the size of the volume is moderate, these subjects are discussed and illustrated with sufficient fullness to meet the necessities of the learner, and with a scientific precision which shows the hand of a master. It is also equally adapted to the wants of the private learner, and of the student in a public seminary; and will be found as beneficial to him who wishes to read well, as to him who aspires to be an orator.

The work consists of two parts and an appendix. Part first treats of the voice. The author begins with an analysis of the vocal sounds of our language, and then proceeds to a full and perspicuous exposition of the functions of the human voice. In this chapter the learner will find all the information he may need on articulation, on the different kinds of stress, and on the pitch, slides, waves, force, quality, and melodies of the voice. The author next applies the principles which he has established to a great variety of practical examples, and treats of accent, emphasis, drifts, expression, transition, and cadence. The section on Emphasis is a precise and clear analysis of that important subject, with appropriate examples of its several kinds. The same may be said of the section on Expression, which teaches the application of the vocal principles to the language of sentiment and feeling. This subject is new in works of this kind, and is treated with the copiousness and accuracy which its importance demands. This portion of the book will be found none the less instructive because the author was compelled, in its preparation, to draw from the resources of his own mind, and to be guided by his own experience and judgment, more exclusively than in other parts of the volume.

In part second the author treats of Gesture. His object is not only to assist the learner in correcting the awkwardness of careless habits, and in acquiring such command over his muscles that he may take easy attitudes and make graceful movements; but also to teach him how to adapt his action to the illustration, embellishment, and enforcement of his subject, and to the significant expression of every species of emotion. This portion of the work contains numerous wood-cuts designed to

illustrate those attitudes and gestures which ought to be avoided, as well as those which are appropriate.

The appendix contains some excellent hints on the elocution adapted to the pulpit, and on the action suited to the imitative representation of human passions. The minister of the gospel who desires to be "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," can hardly fail to derive benefits from the careful perusal of the first chapter of the appendix; and among these benefits, an inducement to study the entire work will not be the least valuable.

3. The History of Rome. By B. G. NIEBUHR. Translated by Julius Charles Hare, M. A., and Connop Thirlwall, M. A., Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge. Five vols. in two, 8vo., double columns. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. 1844.

THIS work is admitted to be one of the most successful efforts to penetrate and lay open the ancient history of Rome which has been made by the moderns. Though the daring and perseverance of the German scholars, in attempting to penetrate the mysteries of philosophy and history, are often fruitless or positively injurious, yet in other instances they are crowned with the most brilliant success and with the richest results. The present work is an instance of the latter class. The Edinburgh Review declares it to be "a work which, of all that have appeared in our age, is the best fitted to excite men of learning to intellectual activity; from which the most accomplished scholar may gather fresh stores of knowledge; to which the most experienced politician may resort for theoretical and practical instruction; and which no person can read, as it ought to be read, without feeling the better and more generous sentiments of his common human nature enlivened and strengthened." We would add, that this edition is well got up, and the first volume is ornamented with a fine map of "Ancient Italy."

4. The History of the Popes, their Church and State, in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. By LEOPOLD RANKE. Translated from the last edition of the German, by Walter Keating Kelly, Esq., B. A., of Trinity College, Dublin. 8vo., pp. 648. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. 1844.

THIS work has been so often noticed and reviewed by the periodical press in this country, that it is scarcely necessary to speak of its character particularly. The author has selected a period when the political and ecclesiastical character and aspects of Romanism were fully

developed. He who wishes to know what Popery really is, and how it will act in this country, whenever it gets the opportunity, should read Ranke.

5. History of the Reformation in Germany. By LEOPOLD RANKE, author of the History of the Popes. Translated from the last edition of the German, by SARAH AUSTIN. Complete in one volume. 8vo. Part I. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. 1844.

THIS work is "to be completed in about four parts, each part to contain one volume of the English edition." We are happy to see an American edition of this great work so promptly commenced and so well executed. The history of the Reformation, as it affected the governments of Europe—the civil causes which acted upon it, and the political results which followed it—are matters of great interest, and cannot be too well understood in this country. There are ecclesiastico-political demagogues in this land of freedom and Protestant institutions, who do not hesitate publicly to denounce the Reformation as an outbreak of fanaticism and corruption, and a disruption of all the social and moral ties by which society is held together; that it was a war against legitimate authority, against religion, against learning, and against civilization. We want such books as D'Aubigne's and Ranke's Histories scattered broadcast over the country. Their facts will "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men," and rebuke the impudence of Popish emissaries, who assume all forms and would fain "deceive the very elect."

6. The Works of the Rev. Sidney Smith. Three volumes complete in one. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart.

1844.

THIS volume is composed mostly of the author's contributions to the Edinburgh Review, between A. D. 1802 and 1819. The book contains some sound political doctrines, a small amount of literary criticism, a small spice of religion, and a great deal of wit. Having said thus much, we wish we might here leave the reverend gentleman without further notice; but this conscience forbids. His pages are everywhere marred with vulgarity, scandalous epithets, and the most melancholy evidence of recklessness, and the absence of all feelings of responsibility. We can conceive how a "Rev." of "the venerable Establishment" might write such papers in a Review in which the names of the writers do not appear; but how he could collect into a volume and father them, is to us a little singular. And how he could publish a certain series of "letters" as his, which he says he had "always denied," shows a strange obliquity of the moral sense. Perhaps this singular writer thought it a great credit to him to have

"always denied" some of his own publications. Just about as creditable are his foolish articles on "Methodism." A Rev. of the Establishment might in 1808 call the Methodists fools, Bedlamites, vermin, &c., &c., in an anonymous paper; but for the same man, after thirty years' experience and observation, not only to acknowledge the authorship of such rant, but to say gravely, as he does in his Preface, he sees very little in them to alter or repent of," shows that he has not only lost all sense of decency, but that bigotry and malice have become with him settled habits. What a melancholy evidence of a want of piety in a church is it to hear its ministers abusing a "sect" because they believe in a particular providence, oppose theatres and dancing parties, and make a difference between the righteous and the wicked! And all this our "Rev." author does with a confidence and gravity which strongly indicate that for once at least he speaks his honest sentiments!

7. Sketches of Residence and Travels in Brazil, embracing Historical and Geographical Notices of the Empire and its several Provinces. By Rev. DANIEL P. KIDDER, M. A. 2 vols., 12mo. Philadelphia: Sorin & Ball. 1845.

Ir will be known to most of our readers that Mr. Kidder was for some time a missionary in Brazil. His well-known industry, and his habits of observation, pre-eminently fit him for the task of describing the scenes in which he participated, and the country through which he traveled; and having ourselves seen the proof-sheets of a considerable portion of his " Sketches," we can the more confidently express our conviction that they will not disappoint public expectation.

Hitherto no work exclusively on Brazil has issued from the American press, and even in England information respecting that country is exceedingly limited, though the commercial relations between both countries and Brazil are of great and growing importance. Those who have written upon the subject have not, in any one instance, personally visited more than two or three of the eighteen provinces of the empire. An authentic modern history of Brazil-information obtained by personal observation of the internal government of the country, of its actual life as now existing, its morals, religion, customs, soil, products, commerce, &c.-is wanted to fill up the blank hitherto felt by all who prosecuted inquiry in relation to that portion of the world. Although Mr. Kidder faithfully and successfully discharged the duties of his high vocation, it will be found, when the work issues from the press, that he has collected a mass of facts and intelligence which will make his "Sketches" not only interesting to all who are concerned for the moral and religious welfare of the country, but of real importance and permanent value to the merchant, the politician, and the man of science. The work will, from its ample and well-arranged details, and the light now first thrown on many hitherto obscured portions of the empire and its history, necessarily