Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, April 1850

EDITOR'S BOOK TABLE.

THE CHRISTIAN MINSTREL. A New System of Musical Notation. With a Collection of Psalm Tunes, Anthems, and Chants. By J. B. Aikin. Philadelphia, T. K. & P. G. Collins; New York, Long & Brother. A work for the million. One of the most choice, comprehensive, and tasteful selections of church music we have ever seen. The theory of the able and ingenious author, so philosophical, and yet so simple, is here chastely and beautifully exemplified.

AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. We have here the twentyfifth Report -of one of the most efficient benevolent institutions in the world. The history and progress of the plan are given in a manner to interest every heart that desires the improvement of mankind. To give one glance at its operations—in the States of Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Iowa, there have been organized, during the last three years, one thousand and twelve Sunday Schools, where fiftyeight thousand children -have been taught, and books to the amount of $17,350, equal to 173,500 volumes, at ten cents each, have been distributed in libraries! What an amount of good has been done! Yet the Society cannot answer half the demands made, for want of funds. Missionaries to go forth and establish the schools, and books for the children—these are wanted. One hundred and fifty dollars is all the pay a missionary requires to work the whole year in this cause, and ten dollars will furnish a library. Why will not all who can, give something in aid?

ANNE BOLEYN. A Tragedy. By Geo. H. Boker. A. Hart, Philadelphia. In the author of this volume, we have an instance of one who jumped at once with a single leap, to a height seldom attained by authors. Still young, he already occupies a position of extreme popularity. His "Calaynos," a work of great merit, well as it was appreciated here, was destined to still greater transatlantic honors. We regard "Anne Boleyn" as fits superior, not only in literary merit, but as a dramatic composition. The subject was by no means an easy one; but Mr. Boker has managed it admirably. We cannot conceive of a pleasanter or more honorable life than that led by its author, who, placed above the necessities of daily occupation, instead of wasting his time in the inane amusements of society, devotes it to his own improvement and the edification of his fellows. May his fame equal that of Shakespeare!

SIR EDWARD GRAHAM: OR, RAILWAY SPECULATORS. By Catherine Sinclair. Harper & Brothers, New York; Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. This lady has founded a long, animated, and interesting novel on every-day affairs; and has handled her subject and disposed of her characters with much skill. We like it much better than any of her works since "Holiday House."

CONSTANCE LYNDSAY: OR, THE PROGRESS OF ERROR. Same publishers. This is unquestionably the best production of "C. G. N.," the author of several novels of high character and great celebrity. The tale is delightful, and the moral unexceptionable.

HISTORY OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. By Jacob Abbot. Same publishers. A new volume of the series of "Abbott's Histories." it is, of course, delightfully written; and is handsomely illustrated and bound.

THE NUN: OR, THE INSIDE OF A CONVENT. By C. Spindler. Dewitt & Davenport, New York; T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. This is a companion novel to "The Jew," by the same author, and should be read by every one who remembers that thrilling work. It is quite as interesting.

DARK SCENES OF HISTORY. By G. P. R. James. Harper & Brothers, New York; Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. Mr. James has made an exceedingly interesting volume from various historical scenes of different countries. We are not sure but he succeeds better in such a field as this than he does in that of novel writing, where he seems to pursue a beaten track. At all events, this is a volume worth reading and preserving.

THE WORKS OF THE LATE EDGAR ALLEN POE; WITH NOTICES OF HIS LIFE AND GENIUS. J. S. Redfield, New York. N. P. Willis, J. R. Lowell, and R. W. Griswold combine to do honor to one who is better appreciated since his death than he was while living. Two handsome volumes embrace the best articles of the gifted dead. It is too late to aid the writer by fulsome praise or merited commendation. One half the interest now displayed might have kept him amongst us, and made him an ornament to society and an increasing honor to literature. Praise from us requires no posthumous honors at our hands.

MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF WM. WIRT. By John P. Kennedy. Len & Blanchard, Philadelphia. The original edition of this splendid biography met with so rapid a sale that a new and revised one was called for. It is dedicated to the young men of the United States, and presents a model for their study. The two volumes also embrace a number of Mr. Wirt's literary productions.

CHRISTMAS SHADOWS: A TALE OF THE POOR NEEDLE-WOMEN. Stringer & Townsend, New York. One of the most delightful little books published for many a year. Its author is a serious rival of Dickens. The story is admirable, and the moral faultless. It is profusely embellished with exquisite steel engravings, from designs by Ashley. Its mechanical execution reflects the greatest credit on the enterprising publishers. It equals, if not excels, the handsomest English books of the same character.

THE PEER'S DAUGHTERS. By Lady Lytton Bulwer. Same publishers. Those who recollect "Cheveley"—and who does not?—will read this volume with the deepest interest. It excels that work in all respects, and proves the author a lady of talent of a high order. The publishers have got it out in very neat and cheap style; and it will doubtless have an extensive sale.

KATE IN SEARCH OF A HUSBAND. By a Lady Chrysalis. Same publishers. This is a new and revised edition of a novel that was exceedingly popular on its first publication a few years ago. It will doubtless be received again with cordiality, and meet with the success it deserves.

[The above three volumes we received through Messrs. Getz & Buck, No. 3 Hart's Building, Sixth Street above Chestnut—two enterprising young men, who have our best wishes for their success.]

THE MATCHMAKER: OR, FAMILY MANEUVERS. H. Long & Brother, New York. A new novel by the author of "The Marrying Man," &c.; and fully equal, if not superior, to the previous works from the same pen. It forms one of Long's Library of Select Novels—a series selected with great taste and judgment, and selling rapidly.

THE MERCY SEAT: THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY THE LORD'S PRAYER. By Gardiner Spring. D.D. M. W. Dodd, New York. Any work by this eminent divine must be received with great satisfaction, for he is not so prolific as many of his contemporaries. This volume is beautifully got up, and its contents sufficiently indicated by the title-page. The printing of the Lord's Prayer, in old German text, instead of a common hackneyed dedication, is a beautiful thing in itself.

FRANK FORREST: OR, THE LIFE OF AN ORPHAN BOY. By David M. Stone. Same publisher. A beautiful story for the young, by an author destined (himself willing) to no common eminence in the ranks of literature. We are pleased to see him appear in a dress worthy of his efforts. The story itself, as well as its moral teachings, is unexceptionable. It is handsomely illustrated from designs by the author. We bespeak for it a rapid sale here, not only on account of its intrinsic worth, but also because its author was whilom a resident of our beautiful city

Both the above volumes were received through Mr. Wm. S. Martien, No. 142 Chestnut Street.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO REVIEWED. By Abiel Abbot Livermore. Crosby & Nichols, Boston; Hazard & Mitchell, Philadelphia. This volume is the one accepted by the committee appointed by the American Peace Society to award a premium of five hundred dollars to the author of "the best review of the Mexican war on the principles of Christianity and an enlightened statesmanship." The author has accomplished his task admirably, and we have no doubt his work will be productive of much good.

A GREAT NATIONAL WORK—THE GALLERY OF ILLUSTRIOUS AMERICANS. Daguerreotypes by Brady. Engraved by D'Avignon. Edited by an Association of Literary Men. We have seen the first number of this work, which contains a beautifully executed likeness of General Taylor. If the other numbers are got up in the same handsome style, it will, indeed, be a valuable work. The price for a year's subscription will be, for twenty-four numbers, $20. Single numbers, which will be sold separately, $1. The publishers are Brady, D'Avignon, & Co., 205 Broadway, New York.

CON CREGAN. By Lever. Stringer & Townsend, New York; T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. Is not this announcement enough? Need any more be said of a work by the author of "Charles O'Malley" and "Harry Lorrequer?" Of this work, the Westminster Review says—"A very clever and amusing story, written in the lively, dashing style of 'Charley O'Malley' and 'Harry Lorrequer,' and now understood to be from the pen of the same author. Why he should withhold his name, except as an experiment, we know not, seeing that his latest son, Con—sad scapegrace as he is—will do him no discredit in the long run."

NEW YORK BY GAS-LIGHT. Dewitt & Davenport, New York. The above is the title of a new work from the pen of the author of those world-renowned sketches, "New York in Slices;" and, if we are to believe the assertions of the metropolitan press, the "Gas-Light" glimpses are even more vivid, graphic, and picturesque than the "Slices."

SIXTEEN EASY LESSONS IN LANDSCAPE DRAWING. Appleton's, corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. We have noticed this work before, and have only to repeat that we think it the best work ever published for beginners.

JAMES MONTJOY: OR, I'VE BEEN THINKING. By A. S. Roe. Same publisher. This is a new American story, and we believe that it is the first acquaintance we have with Mr. Roe, the author. If there was nothing to praise in Mr. Roe's book, his preface, at least, is deserving of it. It is a happy idea, and to the point. "James Montjoy" is an excellent work, inasmuch as it touches upon all sorts of life, and gives a vivid picture of each. It is one of the most delightful books we have read for a long time. Mr. Roe has no reason to fear the "kicks and cuffs" he refers to in his preface. His success we deem to be certain.

THE KNIGHT OF GWYNNE—A TALE OF THE TIME OF THE UNION. By Charles Lever. T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia. "There is no accounting for tastes," somebody says; and we confess our taste to be for Lever's works. Peterson has brought this out in good style, and it is accompanied with illustrations. "The Knight of Gwynne," we believe, is pronounced one of the best works by the author of "Charles O'Malley."

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