Notices of Books.

333

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

HINTS FOR THE YOUNG, on a subject relating to the health of body and mind. Boston: Weeks, Jordan & Co., 1838. pp. 60.

Some portions of this work have already appeared in the form of essays, in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. The author, however, the worthy Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane at Worcester- at the request of many friends of education, has at length consented to present them in a more popular form, for the benefit of parents, teachers and youth,

In consenting to the publication of this little manual, Dr Woodward has rendered a great public service. The evil to which he alludes is far more common and destructive than is generally supposed. Thousands believe, or feign to believe, that Mr Graham and others, have either unintentionally or with design, exaggerated it. We hope the work before us will serve to convince if aught can do it,' — the most skeptical, that it is high time to understand this matter, as it is; and to take such measures in reference to its prevention, as the nature of the case and the circumstances may admit.

The closing remarks of Dr W. may give the reader some idea of the general character of the work.

'I have purposely selected a class of most respectable individuals who have been the victims of this vice, because I believe that in our High Schools, Academies and Colleges, the evil is as alarming, or more so, than amongst an equal number of young men in the humble walks in life. I am confident that the sedentary and inactive are more commonly its victims than the laborious and active. The idle, sedentary, and those who pursue light employments, have more frequently come under my observation, and are most likely to suffer serious injury, -young men who congregate together, more than those who labor secluded from associates; students, merchant's clerks, printers and shoemakers, more than those young men who labor at agricultural employments, or active mechanical trades.

'Labor in the open air conduces to sound sleep, and invigorates the physical powers; in this way tends to prevent the practice, and in some measure fortify the constitution against its effects;—at least, the same indulgence will produce less perceptible influence;-but no means will secure any person from danger, for no class of the young is exempt from the most melancholy and fatal results, who are to any extent in the habit of this secret vice.

'I am aware that full credence is not given by all to the extent of the evil which results from this cause. My own knowledge is almost ex

clusively derived from observation. I was not sensible of the extent and universality of the practice, nor of the disastrous effects which followed from it, till circumstances placed me in the way of extensive experience. 'For the last four years, it has fallen my lot to witness, examine and mark the progress of from ten to twenty five cases daily, who have been the victims of this debasing habit, and I aver, that no cause whatever, which operates upon the human system, prostrates all its energies, mental, moral and physical to an equal extent. I have seen more cases of idiocy from this cause alone, than from all the other causes of insanity. If insanity and idiocy do not result, other diseases, irremediable and hopeless, follow in its train, or such a degree of imbecility marks its ravages upon body and mind, as to destroy all the happiness of life, and make existence itself wretched and miserable in the extreme.'

THE HAWAIIAN SPECTATOR, Vol. I., No. 1. Conducted by an Association of gentlemen. Jan. 1838. Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich Islands. 8vo. pp. 112.

Who could have thought, twenty years ago, that a handsome quarterly of 112 pages, would soon spring up in the far distant isles of the sea?' And yet such a quarterly is before us.

The following is a list of its principal articles. 1. Introductory Observations; 2. A sketch of Marquesian character; 3. Marquesian and Hawaiian dialects compared; 4. The Oahu Charity School; 5. Female Education at the Sandwich Islands; 6. Account of the Russians in Kauai; 7. Decrease of Population; 8. Sketches of Kauai; 9. Foreign Correspondence; 10. Phenomena of the tides.

The fourth and fifth articles embrace many important facts in relation to the education of both sexes at the Sandwich Islands, and much valuable information in regard to the condition and character of females there. We should be glad, had we room, to transfer several paragraphs from the Spectator to our own pages. It would not be necessary to go farther than Hawaii, if human testimony can ever be relied on, to show that the sins of parents-the physical sins at least-are visited upon children through many subsequent generations; and that no permanent introduction of christianity can be effected, which does not contemplate physical as well as moral and intellectual improvement and elevation; in other words, that we must attend closely to the physical frame and its laws and relations, in every effort at human improvement, renovation, or redemption.

16mo. pp.

THE YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER, or Thoughts on Food and Cookery. By Wm. A. Alcott. Boston: George W. Light. 1838. 424.

This the author claims to be a work on education, in two respects:

Notices of Books.

335 first, because both food and cookery have much direct influence in the formation of human character; and secondly, because the principles of the author, could they be carried out judiciously, would give the mother, who is supposed to be for the most part the housekeeper, a large amount of valuable time and means for direct instruction. The work is based on the principle that the family school is the true school, for which all other schools are only substitutes.

THE LIBRARY OF HEALTH, AND TEACHER ON THE HUMAN CONGeo. W. Light, Boston, Publisher.

STITUTION.

In January 1835, a periodical was established in this city, by the present editor of the Annals of Education, under the name of the Moral Reformer, and Teacher on the Human Constitution. Its object was to improve the public morals by promoting the public health; and this last, by correct physical education. As the name of the work, however, that of "Moral Reformer,"-for the secondary title seemed to be overlooked-led to a wrong impression respecting its character, it was changed to the name which now stands at the head of this article. With this title it has now been issued a year and a half longer.

The character of this work-the Library of Health-has not been essentially changed with the name. It is still, in substance, a work on health and early physical education in schools and families. The whole series of volumes-four in number, when this year's volume is completed-is believed to contain more on the subject of physical education, than any other series of books which can be obtained for the sum of five dollars any where in this country or in the world. If this seems like commending ourselves, our only apology is what seems to us to be the necessity of the case. It is but the merest act of justice, that the work should be better known as a work of physical education than it is, since more than two thirds of the articles-perhaps three fourths-have that bearing, and are of that description.

Nothing more would be necessary, in order to substantiate the claim we have made in regard to the character of the Library of Health and its predecessor, than to present the list of contents found at the beginning of each volume. For this, however, we have not room, nor can it in a journal like this, be necessary. The following, as a specimen, will be abundantly sufficient. It is from the contents for the volume of last year, and is taken at random. Rational Apothecaries; Reforın in Schools; Reformation; Reformers, fate of; Rich enough; Right use of Physicians; Rising Early; Rosy Cheeks.'

THE YOUTH'S PENNY PAPER.

This little paper is published weekly at New York, by E. French, No. 146 Nas au Street. The price is fifty cents a year, twentyfive cents for

six months, twelve and half cents for three months, in advance; or one cent a week. The paper consists of four pages about the size of large octavo pages, and is edited by Theodore Dwight, Jr.

The Youth's Penny Paper, says the prospectus, is designed to afford entertainment and instruction for the young; to aid them in their studies; to acquaint them with important passing events, as well as the elements of science; to inculcate religious and moral principles, to cultivate taste, and to prepare them for happiness and usefulness as members of society; also, to assist parents and teachers in training the young. Each number, continues the prospectus, will contain one or more engravings; true tales or anecdotes, designed to improve the mind or character; sketches of real travel at home or abroad; a hymn or song, often with music; or short lessons on various departments of knowledge appropriate to different ages; with brief familiar notices of the news of the day.

We are glad to see such a paper, and from such a source; for what the tact, talent, and perseverance of anybody can do towards sustaining such a paper, we are sure will be done by its untiring editor and zealous publisher. And if they can find men of like spirit with themselves— men we mean who care for something besides money, and who labor, in part at least, for a higher and nobler reward-to act as agents, all over the country, we doubt not their labors will do much good. We do not say we dare not hope it-that their paper will be popular; for what paper or journal whose main object was to do good, has ever been popular, in this country or in any other? What does not touch our consciences or invade our liberty-our liberty to do as we please with our time faculties and money, without regard to God—may be popular; at least if it espouses some party or sect.

We speak rather discouragingly on this subject, because we have had some experience in these matters. We were employed by the philanthropic proprietor of the 'Juvenile Rambler,' to edit that paper for him about two years, till it was merged in Parley's Magazine. Subsequently we edited Parley's Magazine four years-we will not say with what success-we leave that to others. We will only say that had we sailed un⚫ der the flag of a sect or party, and had other people been as willing as ourselves to work for nothing and keep themselves,' we have no doubt both works would have been better supported than they were; and we might have been willing longer to bear the burden of editing the latter. We ought, perhaps, to say, that Parley's Magazine is published still, by Messrs Joseph S. Francis, of this city, and Charles H. Francis of New York; but who the editor is, we are not informed.

VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS.
BOOKS.

ABERCROMBIE'S INQUIRIES CONCERNING THE INTELLECTUAL POWERS AND THE INVESTIGATION OF TRUTH, with additions and explanations to adapt the work to the use of Schools and Academies. By Rev. Jacob Abbott, author of "The Young Christian," &c.

ABERCROMBIE'S PHILOSOPHY OF THE MORAL FEELINGS, with an Introductory Chapter, Additions and Explanations, to adapt the work to the use of Schools and Academies; and also, Analytical Questions for the Examination of Classes. By Rev Jacob Abbott, author of "The Young Christian," &c.

THE MOUNT VERNON READER, a course of Reading Lessons, selected with reference to their moral influence on the Hearts and Lives of the Young; Designed for middle classes, by the Messrs Abbott.

ThE MOUNT VERNON READER FOR JUNIOR CLASSES, on the same plan as above; by the Messrs Abbott.

BOOK OF POETRY FOR SCHOOLS, compiled from American authors. "This is a selection from the choicest specimens of American Lyric Poetry. We know of no selection of the kind which is more worthy of a place in American Libraries. It has been introduced, we understand, into several distinguished schools, as a Class Book for reading exercises.". Annals of Education.

A COMPREHENSIVE GRAMMAR, presenting some new views of the Structure of Language, by W. Felch.

WOMAN AS SHE SHOULD BE,

BY REV. HUBBARD WINSLOW;

AND

WOMAN IN HER SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC CHARACTER,

BY MRS. JOHN SANDFORD.

CONTENTS OF PART I.-CHAP. 1. The Appropriate Sphere of Woman. 2. The Influence of Christianity on Woman. 3. The Christian Education of Woman.

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE." The first chapter is designed to indicate the sphere in which Christianity instructs Woman to move and act; the second, to show what Christianity has done for her, and to exhibit the reasons why more women than men become pious; the third to illustrate what is implied in the true Christian education of Woman.

"It is well known, that as the savage and pagan state is to women one of peculiar depression, so to them the civilized and refined state is attended with some peculiar liabilities to enervation and degeneracy, and that through their degeneracy, in no small degree, comes the downfall of states and nations. There is an insatiate yawning gulf, into which indolence, luxury, extravagance, and dissipation have plunged many a nation of high hopes and attainments; and these have had their origin and countenance, in a great measure, in the false education and habits of the better sex. I have endeavored to set forth the dangers to our rising country from this source, and to show how they may be avoided; to present to the minds of "our daughters," an object worthy of their loftiest and most benevolent ambition, and to show them how they may obtain it; to convince them that the right cultivation and truest excellence of the female character lie at a much higher point than has been usually supposed, and to set before them the means and motives to become (in that elevated and holy state of society called the kingdom or reign of Christ, to which we aspire, and which we confidently expect) "as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace." If the design, is effectual to its object in any degree, the author's humble efforts will be well rewarded."

H. W.

CONTENTS OF PART II.-CHAP. 1. Causes of Female Influence. 2. Importance of Letters to Woman. 3. Importance of Religion to Woman. 4. Christianity, the Source of Female Excellence. 5. Scripture Illustrative of Female Character. 6. Female Influence on Religion. 7. Female Defects. 8. Female Romance. 9. Female Education. 10 Female Duties.