The third book on our list deserves very great praise. Bryant's noble "Forest Hymn" winds like a river through edging and overhanging greenery. Frequently the designs are rather ornaments to the page than illustrations of the poem, and in this we think the artist is to be commended. There is no Birket Foster-ism in the groups of trees, but honest drawing from Nature, and American Nature. The volume, we think, marks the highest point that native Art has reached in this direction, and may challenge comparison with that of any other country. Many of the drawings are of great and decided merit, graceful and truthful at the same time.
The Works of Lord Bacon, etc., etc. Vols. XI. and XII. Boston: Brown & Taggard. 1860.
We have already spoken of the peculiar merits which make the edition of Messrs. Heath and Spedding by far the best that exists of Lord Bacon's Works. It only remains to say, that the American reprint has not only the advantage of some additional notes contributed by Mr. Spedding, but that it is more convenient in form, and a much more beautiful specimen of printing than the English. A better edition could not be desired. The two volumes thus far published are chiefly filled with the "Life of Henry VII." and the "Essays"; and readers who are more familiar with these (as most are) than with the philosophical works will see at once how much the editors have done in the way of illustration and correction.
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Poems. By Sarah Gould. New York. Rudd & Carleton. 32mo. Blue and gold. pp. 180. 75 cts.
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Curiosities of Natural History. Second Series. By Francis T. Buckland, M.A. New York. Rudd & Carleton, 12mo. pp. 441. $1.25.
A Course of Six Lectures on the Various Forces of Matter, and their Relations to each other. By Michael Faraday, D.C.L., F.R.S. Edited by William Crookes, F.C.S. New York. Harper & Brothers. 18mo. pp. 198. 60 cts.
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