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picture of Governor Winslow, then in his fifty-seventh year, painted in London, in 1651; the only portrait now extant of any one of the Pilgrims. The volume cannot fail to be received with welcome, as an exceedingly praiseworthy and important addition to the historical library of America.

11. The Works of LORD BOLINGBROKE; with a Life prepared expressly for this Edition, containing Additional Information relative to his Personal and Public Character, selected from the best Authorities. In Four Volumes. Philadelphia Carey & Hart. 1841. 8vo.

The

AN American edition of Lord Bolingbroke's writings, in four substantial and richly executed volumes, is an undertaking which merits all encouragement and support. For those who wish to store their libraries with the elegant volumes, that the press is now sending forth in such profusion, it is gratifying to find the writings of a standard English author, whose entire works it was formerly difficult, if not impossible, to procure, now placed within their reach at a very moderate cost. numerous public collections of books which are springing up in every part of the country, in connexion with colleges and other institutions of learning, poorly provided and with slender means, at present, yet supplying a basis for rich aggregations of literary materials in future, receive invaluable assistance from such bold attempts of the booksellers. There was some danger, that the reading of our countrymen, except of the few much favored by fortune, would be confined to the productions, ephemeral in great part, of writers of the present day, since the facilities for obtaining old authors and old editions, which abound in Europe, hardly exist at all on this side of the ocean. This risk will be obviated, if the taste and appetite of the buyers of books prove to be so far matured, as to recompense publishers for issuing cheap but correct editions of the time-hallowed contributions to English literature.

There are some reasons why we could wish, that Bolingbroke had not been one of the first authors selected for an undertaking of this character. His philosophy, if it can be called such, is not at all to our taste, and the political controversies, which gave occasion for the bulk of his writings, require, in order to be fully understood, a minute acquaintance with the characters and incidents of Queen Anne's reign. But the great merits of his style must secure to his works a lasting enjoyment of the high place which they at once attained among the classics of

our language. He who aspires to a thorough knowledge of history must study these volumes, not only for the light they throw on an important period in the annals of Great Britain, but also for the profound political maxims, which were struck out by a mind of no ordinary powers of reflection and generalization, but unluckily more capable of tracing out the theory of wise and upright statesmanship, than of exemplifying it in action. The classical scholar will also be gratified with the productions of an intellect, which, though not richly stored with Grecian lore, was thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Roman literature, and in some lighter essays exhibited no mean or feeble imitation of the manner of Seneca and Cicero. In the hope that purchasers, capable of appreciating both the good and bad qualities of such a writer, may be found in sufficient number to compensate the publishers for their spirited enterprise, we commend this edition to public notice.

12. A Discourse on the Importance of the Study of Political Science, as a Branch of Academic Education in the United States. Read before the Literary Societies of Randolph-Macon College, June 16, 1840. By N. BEVERLEY TUCKER, Professor of Law and the Philosophy of Government in the University of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. Richmond: Peter D. Barnard. 1840. Svo. pp. 28.

PROFESSOR TUCKER writes with the freedom and elegance of a scholar, to whom long practice and a correct taste have given sufficient command over the resources of language, and whose intellect, well disciplined with study and reflection, supplies sufficient matter and thought, wherewith to fill out the framework of his subject. If any fault occasionally appears, it is, that perfect facility of expression sometimes betrays him into loose and discursive talk, which postpone too long the effectual treatment of the argument, and then sometimes plays round its surface, instead of tracing out its intricacies, or piercing into its depths. He shows, at times, sufficient vigor and penetration to handle worthily a difficult theme, and if his style were rather more tightly braced, he might instruct and convince, instead of merely entertaining his reader. Pride of country and strong attachment to our political institutions appear natural and graceful in one, whose office has required him for years to study and expound the theory and principles of our laws and government. But such feelings go too far, when they tempt

him to institute invidious comparisons, and to speak with contempt of technical phrases, that have become constitutional forms in other countries, and which, though there may not be much meaning in them, are there hallowed by time and pleasing associations. Gallantry, if not good taste, should have tempered Judge Tucker's rather caustic notice of the youthful Queen of England, who may be a very innocent and even lovely personage, although, by no fault or merit of her own, she has inherited the crown of three kingdoms. "Unfortunate young woman," quotha! It would require some philosophy to refuse or resign such a position as hers, though it may expose her to the censure or pity of some graybeards. Our writer goes on to sin still further against good manners as well as good taste, when he stoops to call Prince Albert " a boy, a singing, rhyming coxcomb." Such expressions are peculiarly out of place in a grave discourse, though anywhere they would appear pointless, ill-natured, and absurd.

We gladly turn to hear Judge Tucker speak on a home subject, to which he brings the weight of much experience and laborious meditation. The nature of constitutional restrictions, the importance of studying them with care, and their paramount obligation even to the expressed will of the people, are points which he treats at some length and with great ability. The latitude and longitude of his residence, and the scene of his labors, will enable most readers to infer the general tenor and bearing of his remarks with tolerable correctness. Local schools of politics exist everywhere in this country, but circumstances occasion their being more strongly marked at the South, than in other regions, and Virginia is perhaps preeminent for their cultivation. We do not mean, that peculiarities arising from this source are offensively apparent in the discourse, but they tinge the writer's speculations to a sufficient extent to indicate his birthplace.

We go along with him entirely in the reverence he expresses for the Constitution, and the gratitude due to the eminent men, who were its founders and supporters. That this important instrument presents a study of no little complexity and toil for its proper interpretation, and that it is no less a privilege than a duty of every citizen to apply himself to this labor, which is also properly rendered a branch of academic education, are truths which are clearly and successfully presented in the Address. The title of the Institution where it was delivered, which was designed to do honor to two eminent statesmen, gives occasion to the speaker to pay a feeling and eloquent tribute to the memory of one of them, who was his own relative by blood, and one whom, during his lifetime, the parent State delighted

to honor. Different opinions may exist respecting the wisdom of Mr. Randolph's political principles, and the discretion which he evinced in his public career; but there can be no doubt of his eminent abilities, and his sincere devotion of them to the interests of Virginia, from whom, therefore, his memory deserves all the eulogies which her gratitude can bestow.

13..

- The Rhode-Island Book; Selections in Prose and Verse from the Writings of Rhode Island Citizens. By ANNE C. LYNCH. Providence: H. Fuller. 1841. 12mo. pp. 352.

THIS Volume has, we think, uncommon merit among works of its class. Rhode Island, though a small State, has produced its full share of distinguished writers, both in prose and poetry. In the list of contributors to the present work, we find many names already known to fame, in the walks of literature or public life; we find the sound sense and vigorous eloquence of a Wayland, the lively imagination of a Rockwell, the humor of a Green (the author of "Old Grimes "), the copious and vehement and forcible style of a Burges, and the polished and classical composition of Professor Goddard. Besides these, many other names, to us heretofore unknown, but destined to shine in American letters, adorn its pages. We are glad to see some pieces of that suffering child of song, Miss Taggart, inserted here. Her extraordinary case excited the public sympathy several years ago, and the little volume of poems, composed by her under the most severe and incessant physical pains, was justly regarded as a remarkable literary phenomenon. We notice several very poetical pieces by Miss Jacobs, the best of which is that "suggested by Alston's Picture of Jeremiah and Baruch in the prison"; and two or three by Mr. Brooks the able translator of Schiller's "William Tell." Among the pieces by Green we select "The Baron's Last Banquet as a very successful essay in the ballad style.

"O'ER a low couch the setting sun had thrown its latest ray,
Where in his last strong agony a dying warrior lay,
The stern old Baron Rudiger, whose frame had ne'er been bent
By wasting pain, till time and toil its iron strength had spent.

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"They come around me here, and say my days of life are o’er, That I shall mount my noble steed and lead my band no more; They come, and to my beard they dare to tell me now, that I, Their own liege lord and master born, that I, ha! ha! must die.

"And what is death? I've dared him oft before the Paynim spear,
Think ye he 's entered at my gate, has come to seek me here?
I've met him, faced him, scorned him, when the fight was raging hot,—
I'll try his might, — I'll brave his power; defy, and fear him not.

"Ho! sound the tocsin from my tower, - and fire the culverin, -
Bid each retainer arın with specd,— call every vassal in,
Up with my banner on the wall, the banquet board prepare,
Throw wide the portal of my hall, and bring my armour there!'

"A hundred hands were busy then, the banquet forth was spread,— And rung the heavy oaken floor with many a martial tread, While from the rich, dark tracery along the vaulted wall,

Lights gleamed on harness, plumne, and spear, o'er the proud old Gothic hall.

"Fast hurrying through the outer gate the mailed retainers poured,
On through the portal's frowning arch, and thronged around the board
While at its head, within his dark, carved oaken chair of state,
Armed cap-a-pie, stern Rudiger, with girded falchion, sate.

"Fill every beaker up, my men, pour forth the cheering wine,
There's life and strength in every drop, — thanksgiving to the vine!
Are ye all there, my vassals true? mine eyes are waxing dim;-
Fill round, my tried and fearless ones, each goblet to the brim.

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"Ye 're there, but yet I see ye not. Draw forth each trusty sword, And let me hear your faithful steel clash once around my board: I hear it faintly: — Louder yet! What clogs my heavy breath?

Up all, and shout for Rudiger, 'Defiance unto Death!'

-

"Bowl rang to bowl,-steel clanged to steel, and rose a deafening cry That made the torches flare around, and shook the flags on high: 'Ho! cravens, do ye fear him?-Slaves, traitors! bave ye flown? Ho! cowards, have ye left me to meet him here alone!

"But I defy him:- let him come!' Down rang the massy cup, While from its sheath the ready blade came flashing halfway up; And with the black and heavy plumes scarce trembling on his head, There, in his dark, carved, oaken chair, Old Rudiger sat, dead.”

pp. 66-68.

But we are sorry to find nothing here from the pen of George W. Green, the present Consul of the United States at Rome. Rhode Island has not sent forth a better scholar, or a more graceful writer than this gentleman; and his literary abilities are now doing great honor, not only to his native State, but to his country, in the position which he at present occupies.

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