THE Holidays are certainly coming. Our table is covered with beautiful books, many of them intended for gifts, tokens of affection; and what more suitable gift for one who has a virtuous and cultivated mind, than a handsome volume, breathing pure thoughts clothed in language elevated and refined? Many of the volumes now before us are in miniature, gems of books, that are as rich in their exterior, as they are attractive in their contents.

"The Family Circle," is the gathering of many of the sweetest productions of our modern writers, whose pens have been dipped in the wells of domestic love. Among them we observe "The Wife's Welcome," from our Magazine, an article that certainly meets a response in many hearts, as it has been travelling the land over, and is now incorporated among the gems of Longfellow, Mrs. Hemans and Schiller.

Songs for the Sabbath," by various authors-a collection of poetry that will be loved by all the admirers of sacred verse. With the most of these songs we are all familiar, but good poetry improves in keeping; the oftener it is read, the more it is prized. Read this "Emblem of a Departing Saint."

"A cloud lay cradled near the setting sun,

A gleam of crimson tinged its braided snow; Long had I watched the glory moving on,

O'er the still radiance of the lake below: Tranquil its spirit seemed, and floated slow, E'en in its very motion there was rest, While every breath of eve that chanced to blow, Wafted the traveller to the beauteous west. Emblem methought of the departed soul,

To whose white robe the gleam of bliss is given,

And by the breath of mercy made to roll

Right onward to the golden gates of heaven; Where to the eye of faith it peaceful lies,

And tells to man his glorious destinies."

Another miniature volume is called " Scripture Marks of Salvation," prepared as a help to Christians to know the true state of their souls. If the popularity of a book is a test of its value, this must be a good one, for it professes to be the third American, from the sixty-second Edinburgh edition. Fenelon's Pious Reflections for every day in the month, are added to the Marks, and are such thoughts as all who love truth in the quaint style of other days, will duly prize.

"Thoughts among Flowers," is the title of a book that our young readers will admire. It will awaken and cherish in them a taste for one of the most innocent and pleasing pursuits of

youth, the cultivation of flowers, emblems of purity and joy.

In still another volume of the same style, we have short passages from a great variety of eminent evangelical writers, whose choice thoughts are here reset under the title of " Religious Lacon;" it is a good book for the pocket, a "vade mecum," such an one as we love to have at hand, that we may select a passage for meditation when walking, or on a journey. Here is a sentence more than a hundred years old, and as true now, and as seldom illustrated:

"It is a greater virtue to forgive one injury than to do many courtesies, because it is harder. Many a man will do for another that will not suffer for him."

And again: "Let us dare to be guilty of the great singularity of doing well, and of acting like men and Christians; and then, if we can have the liking and approbation of the world, well; if not, the comfort is we shall not much want it."

"The Old Sea Captain," is the latest of Old Humphrey's productions, and one of his most entertaining. He is telling some boys all manner of stories about the sea, and with his stories he mingles shrewd and striking moral thoughts well calculated to make a deep impression on the youthful mind.

"The Rev. Dr. Sprague's Discourse" before the literary societies of Middlebury College and Brown University, is an elegant and instructive performance, inculcating those sound, conservative principles, which are the only safeguard of the Church or the State, in these days of restlessness and love of change. It is written in that chaste and polished style which is so characteristic of the productions of one, whose writings are not less distinguished for the correctness of their sentiment, than the rhetorical finish with which they are given to the world.

"The Reformers before the Reformation,” is the name of a work of great interest just out, containing minute historical statements of the life and times of John Huss, bringing to view a period worthy of the careful investigation of the philosophic student. This volume is prepared by Emile De Bonnechose, Librarian to the king of France, and it is translated from the French by Campbell Mackenzie, of Trinity College, Dublin.

ERRATUM. In the October number, from page 199 to 203, for the name "Moncy" read “ Money."