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other professional men, and thus every community o>ijoy within itself a Faculty of Teachers—not illy nullified to impart instruction in such themes as we have named. With these evident materials for oral instruction in the reach of all, how, we are led to enquire, can there be so little improvement of them 1 Why are there not such Lectnres as we describe, in every town in the South 1 The answer would be too humiliating for our pen; and we leave the question Avith every reader for solution. We propose, then, that those who desire to have their sphere of knowl edge enlarged —their field of observation extended, ; .iid their sources of happiness increased —unite in c ime manner, according with their wishes and con venience, for the purpose of enjoying oral instruction ii the Physical Sciences, or in any of the afore-men tioned departments of knowledge. We know that wherever such organizations have been effected, the result has been happy—and we believe that they are preeminently adapted to dif fuse that knowledge which, from its very essence, is the natural antagonist of idle superstitions and pop ular fallacies. If the objection should be urged, that professional men have not the leisure to prepare such lectures as we suggest —an objection certainly not always of force —we would meet it by proposing that the teachers —for there are frequently several in a town —shall be encouraged to deliver courses of lectures iu their school-rooms—open to the public for a mod erate fee —sufficient, however, to provide them with the appliances of successful instruction, and to com pensate them, in some degree, for the valuable time expended in this public service. We arc not advocating an impracticable scheme. ()n the contrary, it is one eminently available, and still more eminently needed, throughout the South. We have no disposition to hide the truth from our people, that there is a woful lack of such intelligence among us —that we are far, very far, in the rear of our Northern brethren in matters of mind! It is not pleasant, certainly, to remind them of their defi ciencies, but we were unjust to them and untrue to ourself, as a Literary Journalist, if we failed to de clare the fact, and to reiterate it in their hearing ’until they are aroused to a sense of the evil, and to active measures of Reform! We have faith to believe that a brighter day is rvbout to dawn upon the Southern mental horizon. The conviction of our deficiencies is fastening itself upon the minds, and finding utterance in the ad dresses of our public speakers and writers. As our people are impulsive and ardent, we may bope that when they are moved to action, it will not be in vain. We desire —most fervently desire —to see the South asserting her intellectual freedom —shaking off her literary vassalship, and standing forth in all the pride and glory of her native mental resources. When shall this picture be realized 1 When shall we have our own literary organs—our own books — our own poets —our own teachers — our oivn mind! — When 1 Upon you, young men of the South, it de volves to bring about this “ consummation most de voutly to be wished.” Yon must stamp upon the age a character of intellectuality! or it will be like the present and the past —a blank! The South de mands of her sons intellectual regeneration. As one means to effect it, wo urge the establishment of Pop ular Lectures, in every place where the population will justify it. Try it, dear readers, and let us know the result! €fje Slntcrtcau s3criotrtcal s3r*ss. Blackwood’s Magazine. L. Scott & Co.’s Re print for November. This is a capital number of Maga, and we have hngered over its pages with more than common in terest. First, we have a spirited sketch of the Ger man Parliament, which is followed by a very pleas ant notice of a work on the “ Satires and Caricatures of the Eighteenth Century,” in which much amu cing correlative information is embraced. We were deeply interested in looking over the “ Parcel from Paris”— a title under which Professor Wilson has given us one of bis inimitable papers—the subject of Nvhich is French novelists and feuilletonists of the present day. It affords us graphic descriptions and vivid portraitures of the wordy Dumas —the daring Madame George Sand—the amiable and unexcep tionable M. Karr—with glimpses of the insufferable Paul de Koek, and several others. The latest issues tho Paris press are dissected with a rapid and F '>ilful hand, and agreeable passages quoted there from. “ Life in the Far West,” a capital series of pa P e VB, i3 concluded in this number by the lamented (loath of its author, Lieut. George F. Ruxton, who died recently at St. Louis. The other papers are, one on the Naval War of the French Revolution — the Memoirs of Castlcreagh—What is Spain About! ftnd “ Conservative Union.” Blackwood deals but sparingly in verse—the present number containing omy two pieces, one of which is afervent“ Call” on t P°°r of England to emigrate, both for their own fr'ood and for tho good of the mother-land. §©®lfa S& S3 &> Uiur SIB A & £f)c 2Lfter;ir eiiorltr. On Dit. —Mr. Ilallam, tho distinguished author, is to fill tho Chair of Modern History at Oxford. Mr. Dickens’ next Christinas Story is entitled, “ Tho Haunted Man and tho Ghost’s Bargain.” Lamartine is preparing a History of the Revolu tion of 1848, which will be a work of extraordinary interest. Strauss, the eminent musical composer, is to visit this country with his artistes. The Literary World humorously tells us that Strauss “has been ejected from his A iennoise (very nice, is it!) Gardens, by that rough old officer, Sheriff Revolution.” Ihe Parisian papers announce Madamoiselle Ra chels’ purpose of visiting this country. The fine arts and the drama do not like the revolutionary at mosphere of Europe! The Smithsonian Institution. —Tho National Intelligencer reports the rapid progress of the build ing, and also the arrival of Dr. Hare’s extensive and splendid Chemical Apparatus. The Bible vs. Infidelity.— We learn from the Literary World, that in Gibbons’ house, which is now a Hotel, 4000 Bibles were sold last year by an Agent of the Bible Society. It is also stated, in an English journal, that the first meeting for the organization of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was held in the house of the infidel Hume! New Books Published.— The Appletons have issued “Acton, or the Circle of Life,” by Dr. Bett ner. Little & Brown have ready their invaluable “ American Almanac” for 1849. Picknor & Cos., of Boston, have published anew and enlarged edition of the Poetical Works of Dr. O. W. Holmes, the Tom Hood of America. A Magnificent Dictionary.— We mentioned, recently, that Messrs. J. B. Lippincott & Cos., of Philadelphia, were binding a copy of Webster’s New Quarto Dictionary for presentation to the Queen of Great Britain. We have recently had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. W., of that house, who gave us a description of the volume as comple ted. It is bound in heavily and richly panelled boards, covered with the finest morocco—the sides, backs, and edges of which are ornamented with the most exquisite tool-work. In the centre of one side, in a hexagonal space formed by the panels, the initials Y. R., with the crown, are wrought in gold, crim son, and blue figures. The opposite ends of the book are illuminated by anew and curious process, with the national devices and mottoes of the United States and Great Britain—while the front of it ex hibits, in the same manner, the flags of the two na tions gracefully intertwined, and in the very centre of it stretches the olive-branch of Peace. This work is of the most brilliant and novel kind. The devices are all in t?ie richest colors upon a ground of gold. Tho two sides are united by a massive gold clasp, elaborately ornamented. The interior is as splendid as faultless typography on fine hot-pressed paper can make it. The dedica tion is printed in gold and colors in the finest style of this recherche art. It is probably the most splen did book of the age, and a proud specimen of Ame rican skill. It was bound for the publishers, Messrs. Merriam, of Springfield, Mass., who will have it conveyed immediately to England, and duly tender ed as an American gift to Her Majesty, Queen Vic toria. <Dttr CSossiji Column. At this time, our State University is in recess, and the members of the Faculty are, like the stu dents, “ scattered abroad.” The excellent and re vered President, Dr. Church, is passing the vaca tion in Florida.at the residence of his son-in-law,near Quincy. Recent letters convey tho gratifying in telligence that his health is improving rapidly. We only give utterance to the wishes of thousands, when we express tho hope that he may realize permanent benefit from his visit to tho “ Land of Flowers.”— Professor Jackson is in Alabama, enjoying tho so ciety of his children, with all the zest of his warm heart. Professor Brantly is at the North. He was recently at Hamilton College, N. Y., on a visit to Dr. Mandeville, the popular author of a series of works on Reading and Oratory. The Radiator, published at Clinton, says, in a late number —“The Rev. Mr. Brantly, (Baptist.) Professor of History, Moral Philosophy, and Belles Lettre3, in tho Uni versity of Georgia, preached an able and interesting sermon in the College Chapel last Sabbath morn ing. It was delivered entirely extempore ; and was throughout characterized by deep thought, purity, elegance, and force of diction, and fervent religious sentiment.” Dr. Le Conte is on the sea board, invigorating himself for the exacting labors of his important professorship. Professor McCay is seek ing, in change of scene and air, to renew the failing health of his amiable wife—and many kind wishes follow them in their wanderings. Professor Wad- j del is with his family at home, and in tho absence of Professor Jackson, presides over the department of Flora. lie has recently secured, in the Green house of the Botanical Garden, a collection of rare plants from that, prince of horticulturists, Buist, of Philadelphia. Professor Wood and Mr. Fulton are both, we believe, hither and thither, as fancy leads. And thus have we glanced at tho “ wherea bouts” of our College Faculty. Six weeks hence they will, we trust, be all at their posts, to resume their duties with their wonted fidelity Our correspondent, “ Flit,” gives us this week a very graphic sketch of Boarding Houses in New York.— It will afford to some of our readers, donbtless, new ideas as to tho manner in which thousands live in our great cities “Punch” has a picture of the great Sea Serpent unfolding its horrid length and appearing in the form of Liberty to a boat load of royal personages, who look aghast at the spectre. Tho boat sails under the name of “L’Ancien Re gime.” Louis Phillipe is at one extremity of the boat, discrowned and looking uncomfortable, while other European Sovereigns appear to be little more at ease. . . , . Our exchanges arc certainly wel come to copy our items under the title of “The Lit erary World,” some of which we denominate “ Gleanings.” For others, however, we respectful ly represent that they cost us pains and labor to pre pare them, and surely it is cheap enough for our contemporaries to have them on credit As our pen is moving, dear reader, wo are conscious of a smile of pleasure stealing over our features, while the dulcet harmonies of “ the viol and the lute” are falling on our car like the refreshing summer rain upon tho heavy-eyed flowers. Ilow full of beauty tho language of Shakspeare— “ Oh, it came over me like the sweet South That breathes upon a bank of violets Stealing and giving odor.” VVe are speaking of a serenade, for it is nigh “tho witching hour,” and our lamp burns low. ’Tiscer tainly a beautiful tribute to pay to a friend, or, it may be, to “ A nearer one yet, and a dearer one”— the offering of melody—the music of tho heart poured out in audible sounds that -woo for entrance into the scarce reluctant ear. Now, do not suppose, reader, that we are vain enough to imagine the compliment paid to ourself. Oh no ! wo are well aware that were we not happily in the vicinity of that sex which Dryden calls “the porcelain clay of human nature,” no music would have greeted our ear, but the “voices of the night” so graphically and categorically described in a recent Poc-um ! We do not the less, however, appreciate the harmo ny, that it was not wakened for us especially. Like the poor dervish who thanked tho Cadi for a sight of the magnificent jewels he wore upon his person, which he enjoyed, as he said, without the trouble of taking care of them—we, in like spirit, thank tho serenaders for a treat which it costs us nothing to en joy. May they live long, and pursue the gentle tenor of their way to the end of Life’s measure! €>uc 3300 ft (Eafcle, Publishers and Authors who desire to have thei Books noticed in this Gazette are requested to send cop ies to Editor through Stringer Townsend, New-York’ or Carey &c Hart, Philadelphia. The Works of Washington Irving. New Edi tion, rewised. Vol. I—Knickerbocker’s New York —l2mo. pp. 462. Vol. 2—Sketch-Book— pp. 462. Filiform edition—to be completed in 12 vols. N. York: Geo. P. Putnam. We have little more to do, at this time, than to announce the appearance of these two volumes of Mr. Putnam’s handsome edition of our American Goldsmith, the graceful and delightful Irving. No more acceptable service, wo are persuaded, could have been rendered to tho public than that underta ken by Mr. Putnam ; and we have no doubt the sale of thi3 series of volumes will be unexampled in the history of American hooks, thus handsomely re warding his enterprize. Need wo say aught to our readers to commend to them Irving’s inimitable History of New York, under the old Knickerbock er—a work abounding with pleasant satire, spark ling wit, and imagination of the highest order, and one which cannot be read without sincere pleasure 1 What shall wo say of the Sketch Book ! What need we say, when its exquisite delineations and charming pictures are so familiar to readers of taste 1 We sincerely think, that for beauty, fidelity, pure feeling, and chastened humor, the Sketches of Geof fy Crayon are unsurpassed, if not really inimitable. Irving’s style is a model of taste and elegance. We have afforded our readers a specimen of the Sketch Book on our first page. Mr. Putnam has published of the Sketch Book an edition deluxe, which we commend to those who are choosing appropriate books for their pa rlor book cases or tables. It is printed in octavo, on beaati- ! ful paper, and is illustrated by Parley, whose name is a guarantee of the fitness and elegance of the ! plates. We especially admire tho picture of Rip Van Winkle waking from his famous sleep! Hi bewilderment is eminently amusing. Such editions of such books are welcome evidences of refined taste. May they greatly multiply amongst us! Collections of the Georgia Historical Socie ty. Vol. 111, Parti. Bvo. pp. 88. Savannah. Printed for tho Society. We are indebted, for a copy of this work, to the courtesy of Wm. B. Hodgson, Esq., at whose ex pense and under whoso superintendance it has been published. It is ono of a number of Ms. volumes in tho possession of tho Society, prepared by Col. Benj. Hawkins, tho earliest agent of the U. S. for Indian Affairs. The Society appointed a Committee to examine these Mss., which reported their value as material for the early history of Georgia, and ro commended the immediate publication of the one under notice, which is entitled, “ A Sketch of the Creek Country in tho Years 1798 and 1799.” Tho Society have bestowed its funds in the erection of a handsomo Hall—Mr. Hodgson generously offered to defray the expense of carrying out tho recommen dation of tho Committee. In tho nine years which have elapsed sinco the Georgia Historical Society was founded, it has pub lished two large volumes of its Collections and Tran sactions, which possess no common interest, and handsomely attest tho zeal and efficiency of the So ciety. To the “Sketch of tho Creek Country,” Mr. Hodgson has prefixed a briof notice of tho author’s official career, including some of his letters—also, a brief but comprehensive view of the great “ Croek Confederacy,” which very fitly introduce the cu rious and elaborate work of Col. Hawkins. Wo congratulate tho Historical Society upon its progressive condition, and rejoice to find, in its con nection, private liberality so judiciously bestowed. The Moral Instructor ; or Culturo of tho Heart, Affections and Intellect, while Learning to Read. Parts I, IT, 111 and IV. By Thomas if. Palmer. Boston: Wm. D. Ticknor& Cos. It will bo readily conceded that this is a valuable scries of reading books, if it accomplishes what it proposes in tho titlo page—* tho cultivation of the heart, affections and intellect.’ Wo have examin ed the several parts with some care, and are pleased with the system developed—that of combining mo ral teachings with every lesson. This is done, too, in a way well calculated to win the attention of th® little reader. The parts are judiciously progressive, and in the fourth part wo have a continuous narra tive, entitled, “The Yankee Boy, or Incidents in the Life of Frank Reed making a book which a boy or girl would require but little urging to read attentively. These books aro well adapted to their aim, and we cordially commend them to parents and teachers. An Address, Delivered before tho Amosophic and Phi-Gamma Societies, Cokesbury Institute, S. C. By A. Means, A. M., M. D. Charleston. Print ed by Burgess & James. Tho design of this anniversary oration was “to enforce the importance of sanctified learning and home institutions to the South,”—a design at once noble and important. Ono of the ablest and most chaste writers of our country has written a volume to illustrate the truth that Christianity is “ theconser vative principle in our Literatureand, with this truth, the eloquent author of the Address seems to have been fully impressed. It breathes a pure and elevated spirit, which it were well for us if it perva ded to a far greater extent than it does—tho educa ted mind of the South. It bears, moreover, the unmistakeable stamp of interest in, and zeal for, tho advancement of the South in the ennobling pursuits of intellectual ex cellence. May its echoes reverberate all over our beautiful territory, and awaken its slumbering sons to a ense of their duty to themselves, their country and their generation. —— ■ i > The French Revolutions, from 1789 to 1848. ByT. W. Redhead. Vol. 1. 12mo. pp. 320. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. What an exhaustless theme is the French Revo lutions, giving rise to volumes without number! And yet a succinct and condensed history of them, in their intimate connection, prepared by an en lightened and honest writer, has been a desidera tum, which, we are well inclined to think, will b® supplied in tho work of Mr. Redhead. Had th® book come to us without premonition, tho names of ‘ Chambers’ as Publishers, and of Gould, Kendall & Lincoln, as re-publishers, would have commanded our attention for it. It was unan nounced. We were looking for its appearance with interest, and we have not been disappointed in look ing over, somewhat carefully, its beautifully printed pages. The work is unencumbered with useless details, or with mere political speculations. It is a nama tive at once connected —sufficiently excited for its exciting themes —candid, aud exceedingly graphic. The first volume brings the historical view to the close of the year 1793, embracing an eventful period of five years. We arc very sure this work will in struct ar.d gratify the intelligent reader, and we commend it to all who are desirous of obtaining ro liabl 3j;fe mat Yu c .icerning the events it records. 239