Miscellaneous.
NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
To such of our readers, and we believe they form neither the least numerous nor the least intelligent portion of our friends, who consider the columns which we devote to Folk Lore among the most interesting parts of our paper, we recommend an attentive perusal of a little work, which has just reached a second edition, and which is calculated to invest with fresh interest that very curious subject. We allude to Dr. Herbert Mayo's volume On the Truths contained in Popular Superstitions, with an Account of Mesmerism. Dr. Mayo's object is "to exhibit in their true light the singular natural phenomena by which old superstition and modern charlatanism have in turn profited,—to indicate their laws, and to develope their theory"—and he does this in a way to excite the reader's deepest attention, and to convince him that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in his philosophy.
Daily Steps towards Heaven, or Practical Thoughts on the Gospel History, and especially on the Life and Teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. For every Day in the Year, according to the Christian Seasons, with Titles and Characters of Christ, and a Harmony of the Four Gospels, is the ample and descriptive title of a small devotional volume, which has been received with such favour by all classes of churchmen as to have passed through two large editions in little more than a twelve-month; which is better testimony to its merits than any we could give.
Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson will sell on Monday next, and the five following days, a valuable collection of Books, from the library of a gentleman in the country, among which will be found some curious early English Tracts relating to the Church, and some scarce poetical pieces.
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, of 191. Piccadilly, will sell on Monday, and five following days, the valuable library of the late Rev. George Innes, Head Master of the King's School, Warwick; together with the library of a clergyman.
Books Received.—Dr. Pusey's Letter to the Lord Bishop of London, in explanation of some Statements contained in a Letter by the Rev. W. Dodsworth.
Directions for the Preservation of English Antiquities, especially those of the First Three Periods. By J. Y. Akerman. This little tract, which is illustrated with numerous woodcuts, has been prepared by the Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, in a cheap form (it is sold
for a penny!), that by its wide circulation, especially among agricultural labourers, it may be the means of preserving many remains of interest. Is it too much to ask those who approve of Mr. Akerman's object to assist in its circulation; and to further that object by depositing any articles which it may be the means of rescuing from destruction either in the British Museum, or the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries.
Catalogues Received.—B. Quaritch's (16. Castle Street, Leicester Square) Cheap Book Circular, and Catalogue of Books in all Languages; J. Russell Smith's (4. Old Compton Street, Soho) Catalogue of Ancient Manuscripts on Vellum and Paper; Deeds, Charters, and other Documents relating to English Families and Counties; Hebrew Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, &c.