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LITERARY NOTICES.

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The history of England by Dr. Lingard has passed through several editions since its first appearance seventeen years ago, and has obtained a deservedly wide circulation, super. seding in a great measure the other histories of England. It is admitted by all unprejudiced men to be the most accurate and impartial narrative of events in that country, a character which it is impossible for the unbiased reader not to concede to the author. The style of Dr. Lingard is chaste and digni fied, worthy of the grave subject which he treats, and pleasing by the elegance of his diction. The present edition has been considerably improved and enlarged by the author; several important parts have been nearly rewritten. It is also printed on fine paper and is embellished with a well executed portrait of the able historian. The work will be completed in thirteen volumes, one of which will appear every month.

History of England from the invasion of Julius Casar to the reign of Victoria. By Mrs. Markham, &c. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton. 12mo. Pp. 387.

The author of this work was the wife of a Protestant clergyman, and this circumstance alone would lead us to suspect, though would not itself establish its inaccuracy. An examination of its contents, however, will easily show that the history is pretty much a onesided story, containing many misstatements, and strongly marked by sectarian views. The following extract will serve to exhibit the writer's ignorance or bad faith. After having alluded to the penances performed by Elfrida, who had murdered her step-son in order to place her own offspring on the throne, the writer says:

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him to do penance, &c. To do penance, was often to go barefoot, or to sleep on a hard board instead of a bed, or to do something else which should vex the body; but which would not make the heart or temper, from which the fault arose, at all the better. It was then common for priests to exhort rich sinners to leave their money at their deaths to build churches and monasteries. ences were privileges that were to be bought, allowing people to do things which were forbidden; but which still they had a mind to do. For instance, it was against the rules of the church to eat butter during lent: but by paying a priest for liberty to eat butter, any person was permitted to eat it in lent."

"In those superstitious times, when any one had committed a crime, instead of making amends for it in a proper way by sincere repentance, and by repairing to the utmost the harm he had done, the monks used to persuade

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The misrepresentation both of doctrine and fact in this passage, is quite sufficient to show that the lady authoress would have been much better employed in churning butter than in writing a history for her children.

Rose of Tannenbourg; a moral tale. Translated from the French. Philadelphia: W. J. Cunningham. Baltimore: John Murphy. 18mo. Pp. 214.

This is one of the most beautiful and entertaining stories that we have met with for years. The plot is well conceived, natural, and happily sustained throughout, which imparts a lively interest to the narrative, and gives a relish for the excellent instruction it conveys. Though it is intended chiefly for young persons, it will be read with pleasure and profit even by those of maturer years. Rose of Tannenbourg displays a beautiful example of filial piety and docility, and her parents are models for all who have been called to the responsible guardianship and training of youth.

Preparation for Death; or Considerations on the Eternal Maxims; useful for all as a book of meditations, &c. By St. Alphonsus M. Liguori. Boston: Thomas Sweeney. Baltimore: J. Murphy. 18mo. pp. 396.

This work consists of a series of meditations, which have for their object to establish the Christian in the solid practice of virtue, and it is sufficient to know that they are from the pen of St. Liguori to be convinced of their high character, and the great utility that may be derived from their use. They have been

so arranged by their distinguished author, that they will serve either for the purposes of private devotion, or to supply clergymen with matter for their instructions to the faithful. Tales explanatory of the Sacraments. By the authoress of Geraldine, &c. Philadelphia: W. J. Cunningham. Baltimore: J. Murphy. 18mo. pp. 252.

On former occasions we bore testimony to the value of this work, when it appeared in separate parts. We again recommend it to our readers, as an entertaining and useful book. It is embellished with a handsome frontispiece representing the administration of baptism.

Euclid's Elements, or Second Lessons in Geometry. By D. McCurdy. New York: Collins, Brother & Co. 12mo. pp. 156. The compiler of this book has rendered good service to mathematical science, by presenting the elements of Euclid, without the perplexing repetitions which encumber other editions of that great work.

The French Revolution of 1848. Its causes, actors, events and influences. By G. G. Foster and Thos. D. English, with illustrations. Phila.: G. B. Zieber & Co. 8vo. Pp. 222. The precocity of a work, which professes to exhibit the causes, actors, events and influences of the revolution just accomplished in France, would naturally lead a reflecting person to suspect that it cannot be a very well digested narrative. It has been got up too hastily to possess that solidity and authority which will elevate it above the ephemeral productions of the day. With the exception however of a few extravagant opinions, the book contains a good deal of interesting matter relative to the subject of which it treats, though it has been thrown together too carelessly. This circumstance will account for the narrative being frequently superficial and obscure. The account of the recent revolutions in France and other European countries is made up chiefly from the reports which have appeared in various public journals, to which other information has been added throwing light upon the state of different parts of Europe, prior to the late political changes.

Popular Library of Instruction and Amusement, illustrated. By J. G. Chapman. N. York: E. Dunigan & Bro. Balt.: J. Murphy. 18mo. We have received from Mr. Dunigan two numbers of his popular library, the first entitled the Redbreast, from the German of Schmid, and the second the Forget me not, from the same author. The reputation of Canon Von Schmid, as a writer of instructive and amusing stories for young persons, is unsurpassed, if indeed it is equalled, and the publication of his tales, in addition to the many others which we possess of a similar character, though less skilfully executed, will afford parents every opportunity of providing their children with reading of the most entertaining and useful description. The popular library is beautifully printed, and is embellished with numerous illustrations that render it very attractive.

Pamphlets. 1. Developments of Protestantism; from the Dublin Review. Cincinnati: Conahan and Brother.

2. Lectures on Religious subjects, chiefly doctrinal. By the Rt. Rev. N. Wiseman, D. D. bishop of Melipotamus and pro-vicar apostolic L. D. New York: E. Dunigan and Brother. London: C. Dolman.

8. A Sermon preached on behalf of the aged poor society of London, at St. Patrick's chapel, Soho, Dec. 12th, 1847. By the Rt. Rev. N. Wiseman. London: C. Dolman.

4. A few remarks on the Social and Political condition of British Catholics. By the Earl of Arundel and Surrey. London: C. Dol

man.

5. Diplomatic Relations with Rome, in a letter from the Earl of Shrewsbury to the Earl of Arundel and Surrey. London: C. Dolman. 6. Fourteenth Anniversary Address before the St. Peter's Benevolent Society of Cincinnati : Dec. 30th, 1847. By Charles Anderson, Esq. Cincinnati: Conahan and Brother. The first of these pamphlets, from the Dublin Review, is an admirable summary of Protestant history, than which nothing more is requisite for the candid inquirer after truth, to convince him that the reformation was an imposture, a miserable delusion, and the very antagonism of Christianity as it was estab lished by its Divine Founder. This is a valuable document for distribution among Protestants. No. 2. is the first of a series of lectures delivered by Dr. Wiseman during the lent of the present year, for the instruction both of Catholics and others not members of the true church. It contains some reflections on the general character of Christian truth as obnoxious to the world. No. 3 is an appeal of the same distinguished prelate in behalf of the aged poor, whose peculiar claims to the charity of the faithful he exposes with great force. No. 4 is rather a superficial essay on three points of great importance, the doctrine of the Catholic church respecting obedience to the civil power, the duties of its pastors to the people, and the political obligations mutually of Catholics and those who differ from them in faith. No. 5 is a refutation of the objections made in the British legislature against admitting an ecclesiastic as an envoy from the court of Rome. This restrictive clause in the bill is clearly proved to be unjust. No. 6 is an able discourse on the subject of benevolence to the orphan. The author views it philosophically, religiously, and in reference to St. Peter's society historically. In the third part of the address, which is excellent in matter, we find the following inaccuracies of expression which it may be well to indicate. "It was my desire..... to have pursued quite a different course."-"That purpose was to have given a succinct, yet regular account, &c.""I had also intended to have devoted, &c." Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus.

We have received The Italian Sketch Book, by Henry T. Tuckerman, and shall pay our respects to the author next month.

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