Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, February 1850

EDITORS' BOOK TABLE.

REDBURN: HIS FIRST VOYAGE. By Herman Melville. Harper &. Brothers, New York. Being the sailor-boy confessions and reminiscences of the son-of-a-gentleman in the merchant service. A sensible book, and one that will do more for the author's reputation than ten thousand such as "Mardi." Without becoming Munchausenish, it tells some wonderful stories, and the interest is admirably sustained to the last page.

CAPRICES. Robert Carter & Brothers, New York: Wm. S. Martien, Philadelphia. A collection of poems, the very title of which is a caprice. The author is anonymous. We have read far worse poetry than is in this volume, and seldom better than is to be found in some of the articles. The author must not hope to retain his incognito long.

THE WESTERN WORLD. By Alex. Mackay. Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia. A two-volume book of travels in the United States, in 1846-7, by a London Barrister–-at-law, who had better saved his money and stayed at home. It is one of those harmless torpedoes that fall at one's feet and make a noise in exploding, without even ruffling the sole of the boot that treads on it. Oh, for the time when a Yankee book-writer will give us his travels in England in the same vein!

MAZELLI, AND OTHER POEMS. By George W. Sands. Lindsay & Blakiston. A very clever book – far above mediocrity – but not evincing talent or genius enough to warrant the author in pursuing a literary career. It is the worst kind of n life to lead. If he can make a living otherwise, and will use his poetic talents merely for recreation, well and good; otherwise, so, as Jack Bunsby says. The book is very neatly got up, as are all the works of these publishers.

POEMS, BY ALICE AND PHOEBE CAREY. Moss & Brother, Philadelphia. This work will receive an enthusiastic welcome from all who love sweet poetry, and especially from those who are the friends of the "twin birds of the west," by whom its songs were warbled. While there is nothing upon any of its pages to startle with its stupendousness, or awe with its majesty, yet is there something upon all of them to touch and captivate every one. It is a simple collection of verbal heart-impulses, with imagery as chaste as the fleecy clouds in a summer's heaven, and rhyme as easy and graceful as the flow of a river – enriched with the pure and generous sentiments of Woman – and embellished with the delicate hues which she alone has the skill to employ. We are sure that it will be the means by which its fair authors will add many to their already legion list of friends. We deem this n place peculiarly appropriate to scatter this handful of rhyme-grains gleaned from the good old fields of quaintness: –

" Who write such sweet and pleasant songs as these,
Do often bring the reader's heart such ease,
That when he sits and sees what they 'do note –
Well fare their hearts,' he says, these lines who
wrote.' "

The publishers have issued this volume in a style which its internal excellence merits. The paper, printing, and binding are superb, and will match with any of the issues of the English press. All in all, it is one of the daintiest gift-books of the season, and whoever purchases and presents it, pays a compliment to his own good taste, and that of the friend to whom it is given.

THE EXCURSION: A POEM. By William Wordsworth. C. S. Francis k Co., New York: Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. It is a pleasure to possess this charming poem in its present beautiful form. Of the poem itself, it is unnecessary to speak; but the paper, printing, binding, &c., will rank it among the handsomest of English books. We trust that the publishers will give us the rest of Wordsworth's works in the same style.

TEN THOUSAND A-YEAR. T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. A new edition of this deservedly popular work, too well known to require any particular notice. Those who have not yet read it, have a rich treat before them.

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS. By Mrs. Gore. H. Long &, Brother, New York. Another novel by a writer almost as prolific as James himself. The present story, though not equal to some of Mrs. Gore's, is well written and full of interest

SHIRLEY. A Tale. By Currer Bell. The new novel, by the acknowledged author of "Jane Eyre.' We doubt if it will be as popular as that work was, or if it deserves to be. It has less of the horrible, but is, nevertheless, in many parts forced and unnatural. It will be read extensively, of course.

ANCIENT EGYPT. By George R. Gliddon. T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. We are glad to see that a new edition of this valuable work is called for. It is got up in a very neat end convenient style, and, withal, so cheap, that any one can become its possessor. It is full of interesting matter.

ISABEL OF BAVARIA. By Alexander Dumas. Same publisher. A historical novel, and one of the best of this author's works. It would seem that he works from an exhaustless mine, so numerous are his volumes, and so frequent their appearance.

HEARTS AND HOMES; OR, SOCIAL DISTINCTION. By Mrs. Ellis. D. Appleton & Co., New York: G. S. Appleton, Philadelphia. We have received the second and last part of this admirable work, destined, we believe, to be the most popular of the lighter productions of this author. We have heretofore spoken of it in terms of the highest praise.

THE CARAVAN. By G. P. Quackenbos. Same publishers. A collection of popular tales, translated from the German of Wilhelm Hauff. It is very handsomely illustrated by J. W. Orr, and is in the style so charming to the young, that of the Arabian Nights, or the Fairy Tales. The stories have excellent morale.

ESSAY ON CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. By Baptist W. Noel. Harper & Brothers, New York: Lindsay k Blakiston, Philadelphia. The recent history of this eloquent divine will render this work unusually popular. It is written in an easy and convincing style.

SIDONIA, THE SORCERESS. By William Meinhold. Same publishers. The author of the "Amber-Witch" has given us a thrilling narrative, founded on the history of the supposed destroyer of the whole reign-in ducal house of Pomerania. Some portions are absolutely terrific.

THE CARDINAL'S DAUGHTER. By Robert Mackenzie Daniel. H. Long k Brother. New York. It is heralded by the London press with the sound of many trumpets, and is deservedly popular.

THE MYSTERIES OF BEDLAM; OR, ANNALS OF THE MADHOUSE. T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. A work purporting to have been written by an officer of twenty years experience. It is well worth a perusal.

A COPIOUS AND CRITICAL ENGLISH-LATIN LEXICON. Harper & Brothers, New York: Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. Another magnificent work, for which we are indebted to these publishers. It is founded on the German-Latin Dictionary of Dr. Charles Ernest Georges, by the Rev. Messrs. Riddle and Arnold, of the English Universities. This is the first American edition, and is produced under the supervision of Professor Charles Anthon, whose name is a sufficient guarantee for its excellence and correctness. It is a splendid octavo, of nearly 800 pages.

GREENWOOD LEAVES: A COLLECTION OF SKETCHES AND LETTERS. By Grace Greenwood. Ticknor, Reed, & Fields, Boston: Hazard & Mitchell, Philadelphia. Long looked for, come at last; and a beautiful book have our friend and her publishers made of it. If we miss anything from its pages, it is some of those vivid and thrilling poetical sketches, that have rendered her so popular an author. We are delighted to see her writings gathered into so pleasing a form, and to recognize old friends as well as new faces among their number.

SACRED SCENES AND CHARACTERS. By J. T. Headley. Baker & Scribner, New York. Mr. Headley has selected a number of interesting scenes from the Bible, and dressed them up in his usual elegant style; and I,hey are illustrated with exquisite designs by Darnley. The title-page is enchanting. As a gift-book, it is surpassed by none in the beauty of its inner and external appearance; and is far worthier of adorning the tables of the library or parlor, than most of the numerous annuals of the season.

A SYSTEM OF ANCIENT AND MEDIAEVAL GEOGRAPHY. By Charles Anthon, LL.D. Harper & Brothers, New York: Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. This magnificent octavo, of 800 pages, is intended for the use of higher schools and, colleges. It strikes us as being one of the most learned works of the age, An immense amount of labor must have been expended in its compilation and arrangement. We trust the author will give us a second volume.

HISTORY OF SPANISH LITERATURE. By George Ticknor. Same publishers. We have received the first volume. The work will be completed in three. The rare taste of the author, and the facilities he enjoyed during a residence in Spain, have enabled him to make an exceedingly interesting and valuable addition to literature. The typography of the work is in the ,very handsomest style,

THE WHALE AND HIS CAPTORS. By Rev. H. T. Cheever. Same publishers. An interesting account of the whaleman's adventures and the whale's biography, as gathered on the homeward cruise of the "Commodore Preble." It is illustrated with numerous engravings, and is full of instruction both to old and young.

CHALMERS' POSTHUMOUS WORKS. Vol. viii. Same publishers. This volume forms the second of the "Institutes of Theology." We have so often commended this handsome edition, that it is unnecessary to say more.

A WHEAT SHEAF GATHERED FROM OUR OWN FIELDS. By F. C. Woodworth and T. S. Arthur. M. W. Dodd, New York: Hazard & Mitchell, 178 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. A gem of a book far the young folks, by our two favorite authors. It embraces an alternate tale or poem, is beautifully illustrated, and cannot fail to meet with favor. The binding is exquisite.

CHAPMAN'S AMERICAN DRAWING-BOOK. No. 3. Perspective. J. S. Redfield, New York. Mr. Chapman is too well known as an artist of the highest standing, to need eulogium from us.

ROLAND CASHEL. Part III., and the conclusion. By Charlie Lever. Harper & Brothers and Lindsay & Blakiston. This volume far exceeds in interest either of the preceding. Same of the incidents and sudden alteration of the characters are a little astonishing, but it is a volume of intense interest. The change in Lord Kilgoif's character is not more remarkable than that of the elder Dombey.

FAIRY TALES OF ALL NATIONS. Same publishers. Another gift-book of the season – one well calculated to please the younger members of a family.

LITTLE ROBINSON OF PARIS, and THE WORLD AND ITS WONDERS, are the titles of two beautiful little gift-books, sent us by J. k J. L. Gihon, 98 Chestnut Street. We can recommend them to all families; they are deserving of a place in every house where there are children. They are profusely illustrated.

THE BOOK OF THE MARTYRS. No. 1. This is another work we have received from the same publishers. It is printed from fine large type, on excellent paper, and is well illustrated. A very valuable book for every library.

SHAKSPEARE'S DRAMATIC WORKS. T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. We have received No. 4 of this splendid edition, containing a fine line engraving of " Olivia."

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE BIBLE. By the Rev. Dr. Coleman. E. H. Butler &, Co. One of the beet school-books of the day. Independent of that use, we recommend it to the perusal of every lover of Bible literature.

The following is a list of some of the publications to be had at George S. Appleton's, southeast corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets: –

SACRED POETS OF ENGLAND AND AMERICA. A large and beautiful book, with splendid line engravings. pp. 552.

HOLIDAY HOUSE. By Catharine Sinclair. Beautiful colored engravings. An excellent book for children.

HOME RECREATIONS. A collection of tales of peril and adventure; voyages and travels; biography; manners and customs; poetry. A new gift-book for young readers, by Grandfather Merryman.

AMERICAN HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUTH. Commencing with Voyages of Henry Hudson; Adventures of Daniel Boone, the first settler of Kentucky; Captain Smith and Pocahontas, &c. With engravings.

LITTLE FRANK AND OTHER TALES. Chiefly in words of one syllable.

BOOK OF BIRDS. Intended for the amusement and instruction of young people. Beautifully got up, with sixteen elegant colored illustrative plates.

THE CHILD'S PRESENT. A new story book, to please the fancy and improve the hearts of young children. Edited by Grandfather Merryman. With colored engravings.

LIVES OF ILLUSTRIOUS MEN. Adapted for the amusement and instruction of youth. Comprising Oliver Cromwell, Hernando Cortez, Sir J. Reynolds, Dr. Adam Clarke, Sir H. Davy, Lindley Murray, Baron Cuvier, and Rev. Geo. Crabbe. Call at Appleton's, and sea his variety.

Another of Abbott's celebrated edition –" ALFRED" – has been sent us. We have heretofore spoken of these volumes. Lindsay & Blakiston have it.

Godey's Lady's Book is brought to you by