LITERARY NOTICES.

GIRLHOOD AND WOMANHOOD.-By Mrs. A. J. Graves. Boston: T. H. Carter & Co., and Benj. B. Mussey.

The object of this work is 'to exhibit different varieties of female character, as seen in girlhood, and to follow them to their full development in womanhood, for the purpose of proving the natural connection between these two important periods.'

The portraits are drawn from the inmates of a boarding-school, as it is easier to study human nature as it presents itself unchecked in its tendencies in youth.

The principle maintained by the author is, that the great responsibility of making man or woman what they should be, rests not upon teachers, but upon parents, and upon them alone, and that God will hold them thus responsible.

We cordially recommend this work to all classes of our readers.

CALDWELL'S MANUAL OF ELOCUTION.- Gould, Kendall, & Lincoln. Boston. This work is a practical manual of elocution, embracing voice and gesture, and is designed for schools, academies, and colleges, and also for private learners. The author is Merritt Caldwell, A. M., professor of metaphysics and political economy, and teacher of elocution in Dickinson College. In his preface he says, 'It is not, perhaps, too much to say, that the time will come, when the power to criticise a speech will be considered as essential to the scholar, as is now the ability to criticise a written composition.'

We hope to see this time soon come; for, in the same proportion as this ability increases, will attention to the cultivation of elocution increase.

We have examined this work with much satisfaction, and feel pleased to say that it bears marks of deep study, and of a thorough acquaintance with the subject. True eloquence has its seat in the heart, but, without some such aid as this book affords, it cannot be brought out, except in an uncouth and ill-adapted dress.

HINTS FOR MOTHERS.- By a Lady. New York City. John S. Taylor & Co.
A series of practical letters addressed to a young lady who was about to become
a step-mother. The advice and instructions given are sound and judicious..
For sale by Charles Tappan, Boston.

BURKE ON TASTE.- New York City. Harper & Brothers.

The author of this work, which is a philosophical inquiry into the origin of our ideas of the sublime and beautiful, with an introductory discourse concerning taste, is the Right Honorable Edmund Burke. It has been adapted to popular use by Abraham Mills, M. A.

This work is uniformly held in high estimation. Its utility and importance in forming the taste of the scholar, and in giving a proper direction to his mind, are universally admitted.'

For sale by Waite, Peirce, & Co.

THE BOSTON ALMANAC.

This beautiful and useful annual, for 1845, is out. It is prepared by S. N. Dickinson, and published by Thomas Groom & Co., State St.

Beside the usual astronomical calender, it contains a vast amount of intelligence, of which our 1200 subscribers in Boston will do well to avail themselves. It is embellished with a new and costly map of the city of Boston.

COMMON SCHOOL READER.-Boston: Published by Charles Tappan.

This compilation is made by John Goldsbury, teacher of the high school, Cambridgeport, and Wm. Russell, teacher of elocution. The selections are in prose and verse, and it contains rules for reading and speaking.

The preparation of a reading book for schools is a work, the importance of which is rarely properly considered. How much are the taste, habits, sentiments, and even principles, of children, formed from their school-books. They should, therefore, be unexceptionable in all the points in which they exert an influence in the formation of character.

From the examination we have been able to give this book, we think it admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is intended.

MORSE'S SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. Harper & Brothers, New York City.

This alone

A prominent improvement in this geography is, ' that the Map, Questions on the Map, and Description of each country, are on the same page, or on pages directly opposite, so that the learner can readily refer from one to the other, without the inconvenience of two books, or even the necessity of turning the leaf.' is sufficient to recommend the work to the patronage of the public. other improvements of an important character, making it, in our opinion, the best school geography ever published.

For sale by Waite, Peirce, & Co., No. 1, Cornhill.

There are

ALISON ON TASTE.-Essays on the Nature and Principles of Taste. By Archibald Alison. With Corrections and Improvements by Abraham Mills, A. M. New York City. Harper & Brothers.

It is hardly necessary for us to say a word in commendation of Alison's beautiful and valuable Essays on the Nature and Principles of Taste. It is sufficient for us to say that the present edition is materially improved by the American author. For the use of schools, questions are inserted at the bottom of each page. LIFE ON THE OCEAN. Boston: Waite, Peirce, & Co.

This deeply interesting narrative was written by George Little, for many years captain in the merchant service. He is now entirely blind. It is the personal adventures of the author, during twenty years spent at sea, and exhibits a true picture of life on the ocean.

It is finely printed, embellished with numerous engravings, and has a complete dictionary of nautical terms.

MCCULLOCH'S UNIVERSAL GAZETTEER.

This work is probably the most thorough exposition of geographical and statistical knowledge ever published. The whole number of pages is 1109, and there are seven large maps on steel.

Harper & Brothers, New York City.

AT the close of a sultry day in the latter part of the month of August, when scarcely a breath of air could be felt amid the dense population of a crowded city, I put on my bonnet to enjoy a solitary ramble along the banks of the Connecticut. I never look at this noble stream, as it silently pursues its way through a fertile country, without emotions of gratitude to the Author of all our mercies, for the endless variety with which he has strewed our earth. On this occasion, the scenery was unusually delightful; Nature appeared in her loveliest dress. On either side the river, the snow-white cottages of the humble villagers (around the windows of which the woodbine and myrtle gracefully hung) were beautifully contrasted with the rich green foliage which every where met my eye. As I walked slowly along, admiring the works of creation, as well as the skill and ingenuity of man, my eye rested upon an interesting group of children, neatly attired, each one with a book in his hand, seated under an elm tree, in front of a small dwelling. I had been employed in the instruction of children for several years, and had become extremely fond of them. Being at this time in rather feeble health, I wished to rest myself awhile before my return; so, having an excuse for obtruding myself into their little circle, I entered the yard, and, taking a seat beside them, inquired of them what books they were reading, in which they appeared to be so much interested? 'We are learning our lessons,' said a little rosy-cheeked fellow, whose name I afterward learned was George; and if we get them well through the week, sister Ellen has promised us a walk with her into the city on Saturday; beside, she is going to buy each of us a new book.'

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'And what lesson are you able to learn?' said I, for I thought he could not be much more than three years of age.

'I am learning to spell,' he replied; and sister thinks I get along very well in words of two syllables, for such a little boy as I. She says that if I try hard, I shall soon get up with brother and sisters, and then she will be so pleased.'

'Is sister Ellen your only instructor? Have you no mother living?'

'Our dear mother is dead,' replied Mary, a sweet girl of about ten years of age, while, as she spoke, an air of sadness passed over her countenance.

'Do you see, ma'am,' said little George, 'that pretty willow tree, in the corner of that yard,' pointing to a burying-place a few rods distant. Under that tree my mother is buried, and sister Ellen often takes us there at the close of the day, and talks to us about her, and tells us how much she loved us, and how much she wanted us to be good, that we might live with her in heaven, when we die; and then she tells us about that happy place, and about the blessed Jesus who died to save us. I do not remember any thing about my mother, for I was a little baby when she died. Sister has been my mother since.'

I was pleased with the simplicity of the little boy, and was about to reply, when an interesting female, apparently about eighteen years of age, made her appearance.

'Our lessons are all ready for you,' said George, running to meet her, and taking her by the hand; but, as if recollecting himself, he turned to me, saying, 'this is our sister Ellen, whom we all love so dearly, and when you get acquainted with her I guess you will love her too.'

A slight tinge suffused her cheek, at this allusion to her, and, apologizing for his familiarity, she very politely asked me if I would walk into the house. I replied that I hoped my presence would not interfere with her regular plan of instruction, and, that I should be happy to listen while she proceeded as usual.

We were again seated, and Edward, a tall, stout boy, about twelve years of age, in whose manly countenance decision of character was strikingly manifest, commenced a lesson in astronomy. His correct and ready replies, to some very difficult questions, evinced not only his studious habits, but the competency of his sister as a teacher;

the next was a lesson in geography from Mary, which was also well recited; then followed a lesson in arithmetic by Sarah, who was seven years of age; she was just commencing this study, but her answers to some questions which I took the liberty to ask her, showed that she had learned to practise upon what she had studied. Last, but not of less importance, was little George's spelling lesson. I had been pleased before, but was equally so now, as he distinctly pronounced, and then spelled, without the omission of a single letter, the task which had been given him.

'That will do very well,' said Ellen, at the same time pushing aside his hair, which fell in ringlets over a beautiful forehead.

The children having finished their lessons, and put away their books, Edward began to loosen the earth around some beautiful geraniums and rose-bushes in the yard, George amused himself by rolling about his hoop, and the little girls, with their cape-bonnets on, came to Ellen, saying, 'with your leave, sister, we will go into the garden, and gather some choice flowers to make a nosegay for the lady.' Having obtained permission, away they ran, happy from the consciousness of having faithfully studied their lessons, and gained their sister's approbation, which to them was more than all the world beside.

I could not but contrast in my own mind many of the youth whom I knew, with this lovely female, tasking her energies, and devoting all her leisure hours to instruct and rear the precious charge which by a painful dispensation had been left to her care. Happy, thought I, would it be, for the eldest daughters in large families, if, instead of spending so much time as many now do, in fancy work, or other fashionable amusements, they would assist their mothers in the education of the younger children; and how much better qualified would they be for the important station of wife and mother, which they may at some time be called to fill.

During the absence of the children, I entered into conversation with Ellen.

'You have a great care for one so young.'

'Yes, I feel that a great responsibility rests upon me. I tremble when I reflect that the happiness of these dear children in this life, and that which is to come, depends in a great measure upon the instruction which I may give them, and the example which I set before them.'