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PRESIDENT WAYLAND'S MEMOIR OF DR. CHALMERS.*--The simple object of President Wayland in this little Memoir, is to make a connected exhibition of the "parochial and philanthropic labors" for which the great Scotch Divine found time in the midst of his other multifarious duties;-"his modes of doing good," and the "general principles by which all his efforts were directed." There was danger that the story of the great work done by Dr. Chalmers, in his own parish, and for the neglected masses of Scotland, might be in a great measure forgotten, and its influence lost, if it could be studied only in the extended Memoir of Dr. Hanna. President Wayland has done a valuable service for many of our American pastors, by furnishing us in this convenient form with a well digested account of his labors and success as a pastor and visitor among the poor and degraded.

LIFE OF NATHAN BANGS.-Our limits will allow us to give only the title of this life of an eminent Methodist Clergyman, which has been prepared by Dr. Abel Stevens, and is a very valuuable contribution to the history of Methodism in this country.

POLITICAL AND LEGAL.

POMEROY'S INTRODUCTION TO MUNICIPAL LAW.-This elegantly printed volume is a very valuable contribution to American literature, and ought to find a place in the library of every well educated citizen. After an introductory chapter, the author considers, first, the law in its modal character; its means, methods, and laws of development. Here in successive chapters he discusses, first, statute law; next, unwritten law,-under which latter head comes in the separation of fact from law in judicial trials; the origin, history, and jurisdiction of the English and American courts, compared with those of other countries; the manner of bringing a controversy before the courts and of deciding it there;

* A Memoir of the Christian Labors, Pastoral and Philanthropic, of Thomas Chalmers, D. D., LL. D. By FRANCIS WAYLAND. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1864. 16mo. pp. 218. New Haven: Judd & White. Price 90 cents.

† Life and Times of Nathan Bangs, D. D. By ABEL STEVENS, D. D. New York: Carlton & Porter. 12mo. pp. 426.

An Introduction to Municipal Law, designed for general readers, and for students of colleges and higher schools. By JoHN MORTON POMEROY. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 8vo. pp. 544. New Haven: H. C. Peck. Price $3.

and finally, the law-evolving power of the judges, or the doctrine of precedent. The second part is devoted to the sources of Angli can law, and here the Anglo-Saxon law and institutions, the feudal system, and the Roman law, pass successively under review. The third part embraces outlines of municipal law, which fall into the natural divisions of person, property, and contract, with a short chapter on legal maxims following at the close.

We have examined this work with care and interest. It is written by an accomplished man, and a lawyer who shows not only a judgment improved by professional practice and study, but also familiarity with the best sources. It is well fitted for the purpose for which it is designed, which is not the superficial one of making every one a lawyer for himself, but that of revealing to the reader what the principles of the law of our race are, what is the course which we have taken in order to apply these principles to the questions that arise in human life, and from what source our system of laws has been gathered. In a country like ours, where any man of education may be called on to perform the work of a legislator, such a book cannot fail to be of great use. We commend especially the second or historical part, and the somewhat extended remarks on the development of law through the decisions of judges in the first part, as favorable specimens of the work.

REVOLUTION NOT A RIGHT BUT A CRIME.*-These times are fruitful in discussions and speculations concerning all the great principles on which society and government rest. Not a small portion of the rich harvest which will be reaped in our country, after the time of labor shall be over, will be the corrected opinions of thoughtful men in respect to all these most important topics, concerning which vague traditions have hitherto held the place of well considered principles. In respect to no one subject, have the notions of thinking been more loosely and carelessly formed and held, than in respect to the right of revolution.

Dr. Thompson has attempted in the address before us to subject these doctrines to a thorough examination, and has conducted this

* Revolution against Free Government not a Right but a Crime. An Address by JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, D. D. Delivered before the Union League Club, and published at their request. Club-House, Union Square, New York. 8vo. pp. 46.

examination with great ability, as well as stated and defended his conclusions with more than his usual eloquence and force. These conclusions are indicated in the motto of the address. They may be thus expanded;-given what is properly called a free government, i. e. a government which is organized to defend the rights of men as distinguished from the interests of classeslet it be organized with free institutions, as distinguished from conceded privileges-let it also represent the interests of the whole people as contrasted with those of separate races and nationalitieslet it, moreover, be provided with a free constitution which can itself be amended,-and it can never be a rightful act, but must always be a crime to inaugurate a revolution against such a govIn other words, revolution is not to be regarded as an occasional necessity, and a periodical returning necessity, but when revolution has attained the end to which it points, it must then forever after forego the right to be.

Such is the doctrine of this very able and eloquent discourse, which, as applied to the present revolt, against, such a government as our own, shows, in a novel and most convincing manner, that so far from resting on any ground of right, it deserves only to be judged and condemned as an enormous crime.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE NEW PATH.-The editors of the "NEW PATH," (a monthly 8vo. Magazine published in New York, and devoted to the advancement of truth in art), by their fearless criticism, manifest earnestness, and fresh, untrammeled comments on the Fine Arts, are doing much to awaken the attention of the public to the principles which should guide all departments of artistic study. As lovers of the Real, as students of Nature in her various forms, and as advocates of the True, they are of course at continual variance with what is hackneyed and conventional. They often disparage the works of men, departed as well as living, whose names are held in high honor by the lovers of the beautiful. Their principles are sometimes enunciated with a dogmatic tone which tends to awaken opposition. But notwithstanding this, they show so much honest endeavor to establish the true principles of art, such persistent and enthusiastic devotion to the study of the natural world, even in its most minute phases, such praiseworthy advocacy of labor and care, and such hatred of the sham arts, the artifice of

the day, that we are confident good will flow from their discussions. A more detailed criticism would be necessary to show how we agree with and how we differ from them. At the present we are only desirous of calling attention to their journal, and of expressing the hope that the number of their readers may constantly in

crease.

TEN ACRES ENOUGH.*-This little book has much of the charm about it of the best works of Defoe,-though it is a story of real life. It contains the results of an experience of "life in the country;"-that fruitful subject of day dreams! The author introduces himself as a small manufacturer with a large family living in his native city of Philadelphia; able to command, at the age of forty, only a few hundred dollars as the pecuniary results of years of hard work. He buys a farm of ten acres in New Jersey-and, after a few years' trial, he finds himself in better health than ever before; in better spirits; and better able to provide for his family all the necessaries and even luxuries of life ;— and, above all, he finds that he is actually laying up money, every year! The account is given very much in the style in which Robinson Crusoe is made to tell his strange story, and has had very much the same effect upon every one of the half dozen readers of whom we had the testimony. It is a book that the reader is not likely to lay down till the last page is reached. There can be no better book for hot weather for those who have a taste for the country.

ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, 1864.t-The general student

* Ten Acres Enough; A Practical experience, showing how a very small farm may be made to keep a very large family. With extensive and profitable experience in the cultivation of the smaller fruits. New York: James Miller. 1864. 16mo. pp. 255. For sale by Judd & White. Price $1.25.

Annual of Scientific Discovery; or Year Book of Facts in Science and Art for 1864. Exhibiting the most important Discoveries and Improvements in Mechanics, Useful Arts, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology, Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Meteorology, Geography, Antiquities, &c. Together with notes of the Progress of Science during the year 1863; a list of recent scientific publications, obituaries of eminent scientific men, etc. Edited by DAVID A. WELLS, A. M., M. D. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1864. 12mo. pp. 351. New Haven: Judd & White. Price $1.50.

who wishes to be kept informed of the progress of scientific discovery, and the new applications of science to the practical affairs of life, will find this " Year Book," edited by Dr. David A. Wells, and published by Messrs. Gould & Lincoln, of very great service. The present volume is embellished with a portrait of General Gillmore.

PROF. HACKETT'S MEMORIALS OF THE WAR.*-The design of the compiler of this book has been to illustrate, by the simple narration of facts which have come to his knowledge, the "Christian principle and heroism" which have been displayed by the men who have made up our armies. The incidents narrated are nearly one hundred and fifty in number; and none have been inserted which have not with reason been supposed to be "strictly true." The book is one of deep interest, which is enhanced by the fact that it marks the sympathy in the objects of the war of one of the first of our American biblical scholars.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SECESSION.t-This very fruitful theme is treated by the author with great boldness of speech and with no little force of conception. The Principle of Secession, Slavery, The Democratic Party, The Romish Church, and other topics, are all discussed in the most energetic fashion. If it were possible for any deliverances to be too strongly expressed-perhaps exception might be taken to some in this volume, especially to the free use of personalities. But the sincerity of the author, and the truthfulness of the most of his representations, are fitted to reconcile the loyal reader to what would otherwise be deemed offenses against good taste. The author writes in a religious spirit, and with the earnestness and energy of strong convictions.

* Christian Memorials of the War; or, scenes and incidents illustrative of Religious Faith and Principle, Patriotism and Bravery, in our Army. With Historical Notes. By HORATIO B. HACKETT. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1864. 12mo. pp. 252. New Haven: Judd & White. Price $1.25.

The Natural History of Secession; or Despotism and Democracy at Necessary, Eternal, Exterminating War. By THOMAS SHEPARD GOODWIN, A., M. New York: John Bradburn. 1864. pp. 328.

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