The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter, is the title of a novel illustrative of the revolutionary history of Vermont, by the author of "The Green Mountain Boys," published by B. B. Mussy and Co., Boston. It gives many agreeable descriptions of Vermont scenery, with sketches of its social life during the war of the Revolution, and shows considerable skill in combining the prominent historical facts of that day with the fictitious incidents of a lively and exciting plot.
The Ballads and Songs of William Pembroke Mulchinoch (published by T. W. Strong), is a collection of fugitive poetry, inspired with the genuine breathings of Irish patriotism, frequently displaying great facility and sweetness of versification, and pervaded throughout with a winning sentiment of tenderness and human sympathy.
Harper and Brothers have published a neat volume, entitled Nature and Blessedness of Christian Purity, by Rev. R. S. Foster, with an Introduction by Edmund S. Janes, D.D., one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Without aiming at any rivalry with other writers on the subject, the author devotes his work to the maintenance of the views which are set forth by the standard Wesleyan authorities. Avoiding all considerations of a purely speculative character, he presents the practical aspects of his theme, with discrimination, earnestness, and force. His style, which is always animated and effective, betrays the influence of profound and accurate thought, and is equally adapted to make a favorable impression on the understanding and on the heart of the attentive reader. The well-written Preface by Bishop Janes, gives a lucid summary of the contents of the volume, with a warm commendation of the manner in which it is executed.
Lyra Catholica (published by E. Dunigan and Brother), is a collection of the Hymns of the Roman Breviary and Missal, with others adapted for every day in the week, and the Festivals and Saints' Days throughout the year. The translation of the Breviary, by Mr. Caswell, is adopted without change, and forms the first part of the present work, while the second part consists of hymns and anthems from various sources, especially from the contributions of Rev. F. W. Faber, Matthew Brydges, Esq., and Rev. William Young. The third part is devoted to sacred poetry of a less strictly devotional cast. In addition to a few pieces from modern poets, it contains a selection from the compositions of Catholic writers belonging to an earlier age of English literature, including "the simple and earnest strains of Southwell, a poet, priest, and martyr, whose unshaken soul passed away in song from the fires of persecution; Crashaw, whose tender fancy and graceful zeal have extorted the highest praises of unfriendly judges; the manly virtue of Habington, pure in an age of license; the later compositions of Dryden, the atonements laid by his repentant muse on the altar of religion."
The Soldier of the Cross, by the Rev. John Leyburn, D.D. (published by Carter and Brothers), is a popular and attractive exposition of Ephesians vi. 10-18, consisting of a series of discourses delivered from the pulpit, but recast into the form of plain and practical essays, written with considerable force. The talents of the author and the taste of the publishers have made an addition to our religious literature, of which the public estimation is indicated by the early call for a second edition.
The Irish Confederates, and the Rebellion of 1798, by Henry M. Field (published by Harper and Brothers), is a lively historical sketch of the movements of the Irish patriots in behalf of the freedom of their nation toward the close of the last century. The volume opens with a rapid survey of Irish history, traces the love of liberty among the people, describes the causes of their national characteristics, and minutely portrays the events of the fruitless struggle, which terminated in the complete subjection of their beautiful island to the British crown. Among the biographical sketches, those of Curran, Tone, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, the Emmets, McNevin, and Sampson of course occupy a prominent place, and are drawn with an affectionate sympathy, which delights to linger around every memorial of their noble and chivalrous characters. Mr. Field has enjoyed peculiar facilities for the composition of this volume. A visit to Ireland some four years since awakened a strong interest in the fortunes of her people. At a subsequent period, he formed an intimate acquaintance with several of the families of the Irish exiles in New York, and from the narratives thus obtained, was furnished with some of the most valuable materials for his story. Nor has he neglected the study of the different historians of the time. His work, accordingly, combines the vivacity of a personal narrative, with the accuracy of thorough research. It is deeply imbued with a love of Ireland, with a sense of indignation at the outrages which she has endured, and with admiration of the valor and devotion of her gallant sons; though in no case, do the evident partialities of the writer appear to have interfered with his strict historical fidelity, or to have tempted him to an uncritical use of the facts at his command. His style is simple and unaffected, warmed with a persuasive earnestness, and animated with a chaste enthusiasm, but owing none of its interest to the allurements of rhetoric. Indeed, a more elaborate construction would often have been in better keeping with the dignity of the subject, while the almost exclusive use of short sentences at length overcomes the reader with a painful feeling of monotony. There are also occasional instances of careless and unauthorized expression, which, in a writer of such real ability and cultivation as Mr. Field, excite the surprise of the fastidious reader.
Harper and Brothers have issued an edition of the History of Greece, by Dr. Leonhard Schmitz, which forms an appropriate companion to the History of Rome, published by the accomplished author four years since. The purpose of Dr. Schmitz in each of these Histories is to give, in a popular form, the result of the researches by modern scholars which have placed the subject in a new light. In the composition of this volume, the author has availed himself of the erudite labors of Bishop Thirlwall, abridging his great work in some portions, and interweaving his masterly views into the texture of his narrative, where a free style was more suitable to the subject. As a manual for young students in Grecian history, and a work for general and family reading, this volume is not surpassed by any production of the present day. The experience of the author as a practical educator, his admirable classical attainments, and the caution and soundness of his historical judgments, give him peculiar qualifications for the task he has undertaken. His style is simple and condensed; his illustrations are singularly apposite; and his grouping of topics is picturesque and forcible. For popular use, we have no doubt, that both the Grecian and Roman Histories of Dr. Schmitz will speedily take the precedence of all others in this country, as they have done, to a very considerable degree, in Great Britain.
The popular series of Franconia Stories, by Jacob Abbott (published by Harper and Brothers), is completed by the publication of Mary Bell and Beechnut. The excellent author has placed the whole juvenile community under new obligations by the issue of these delightful stories. He is so perfectly at home in every phase of country life, and so ingenious in working up its daily occurrences into a charming narrative, that he can never fail of a listening audience. Few American authors have the power of so impressing themselves on the memory and the heart of their readers. The present series will doubtless add to his beautiful influence and to his fame.
The Third Number of London Labor and The London Poor, by Henry Mayhew, is issued by Harper and Brothers, and will be found to increase the interest with which that remarkable series has been received by the public. His pictures of the condition of the laboring classes in London have a minuteness and vividness of detail which would not disgrace a Dutch painting.
The Roman Republic of 1849, by Theodore Dwight (published by R. Van Dien), is a brief historical view of the recent revolutionary movements in Italy, with biographical sketches of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Avezzana, Filopanti, Foresti, and other leading Italian Republicans.