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Charles W. Dußose will continue to teach French
and Music, in which departments she will doubtless
maintain the distinguished reputation she has hith
erto possessed.
Sparta is a pretty village, where pupils may enjoy
a salubrious climate and excellent society, with the
best scholastio advantages.
The Schoolfellow,
It is not a little encouraging to find that our plan
of issuing a Magazine for the boys and girls of the
South, meets with approbation in every quarter —
leading us to anticipate a wide-spread circulation
for the work. We are “ devising liberal things” for
the embellishment of the work, and have already
secured a large number of beautiful wood cuts. Sev
eral of these will appear in the first volume—which
is now in press, and will be ready by Christmas. —
Our little readers, therefore, who wish to secure a
copy of it, should prevail upon their parents to send
on their subscriptions immediately, lest they should
be disappointed at a later day. We are promised
the aid of several distinguished writers, and hope to
obtain tho services of many more. The following
note is just received from Mrs. Joseph C. Neal, the
graceful and popular authoress, and the Editress of
Neal’s Saturday Gazette. She will pardon us, we
feci sure, for putting it in print:
My Dear Sir, —I have received, with great plea
sure, the Prospectus of the “ Schoolfellow,” as for
warded by you, and cheerfully comply with your re
quest to become a contributor to its pages—the
more so, that I am sure it will become, in your
bands, just what Is needed at the present—a lively,
entertaining, and, withal, instructive Juvenile Mag
azine. For myself, I never write with more plea
sure than when “ sketching” for children. They
are tho best, and certainly the most generous critics
in the world.
Wishing you every success,
Respectfully, ALICE B. NEAL.
We would remind those of our subscribers whose
subscriptions have passed the six months’ limit, that
we offer to such The Gazette for the j'ear and the
Schoolfellow for the same period, for Three Dollars,
remitted to us, free of expense, by the first of Janu
ary ensuing. This will enable them to secure the
Juvenile Magazine at the extremely low cost o
Fifty Cents. Who will hesitate to accept our pro
position I Our friends will, we trust, immediately
send in all the names they have obtained.
<Dur CSosstji Column.
Avery numerous class of our readers—wc mean
the verse-writers —will be particularly interested in
the sketch we publish this week, entitled “ Rhyme
and Reason.” We doubt not every one of them has
stumbled over some obstinate word that wouldn’t
rhyme no how they could twist it; and who of them
will not envy the rhyming facility of the amiable
and excellent Hood, as exhibited in his “ Double
Knocks.” We sympathize with his “ ingenious
medical friend,” who failed to be “an eminent
poet,” because he could n’t discover a rhyme to ipe
cacuanha, the unfortunate word which “ happened”
at the end of his first verse ; but we think that if he
had lived in our day, he would not have been so ea
sily defeated in his poetical aspirations —as witness
the following:
Let doctors speak the praises
Os ipecacuanha—
The farmer greater products raises
With genuine guano!
A friend of ours has been trying his hand, more,
over, at the “Double Knocks,” and has granted us
permission to print his effort. Here it is:
No go, I greatly fear my task will prove,
Though so before me wrote the witty Hood.
Yet let me try, for he who tries may do—
Set net for game, if you on game would dine.
Reason, they say, is innocent of rhyme:
Treason, to me this sentiment appears—
Clearer shines reason in the poet’s strain,
Dearer the truth that is in numbers sung.
Poets are earth’s true prophets, priests aad kings,
So its my boast to bear the honored name.
Better I wish my humble muse could be
Let her at least have credit for the wish:
Pardon her failings now, and do not be
Hard on this trifle, written just for fun!
• . . . We have been politely favored with a copy
of the satirical Poem entitled “ Charleston,” the re
ply to which we alluded to in our last week’s gossip.
We have our doubts that the Poem is the produc
tion of a lady, as it purports to be —doubts which
are due to our high appreciation of the delicacy
essential to the female character, and which we can
d idly think is not always exhibited in the satire. —
W e can readily perceive how Charleston, or any
other city, may offer admirable points for the at.
tacks of the satirist; but it does appear strange to
us that a young and modest maiden should be tho
first to make the onset. This is a question cf taste*
B©(DiriaiS[Eij!l MTF[£[£/ft&Y BASBTFTTB*
however, and we waive it. Os the wit of the satire
we have nothing to say, except that it appears to us
to be attenuated—even threadbare —and its poetry
is even more questionable than the wit. The ‘ ‘Vin
dication” is decidedly the more spirited production
ot the two, and though often defective in versifica
tion, is not unfrequently pointed and justly severe.
1 he defence of Southern Chivalry is in keeping with
the theme—and we have quoted it entire in another
column, these satirical brochures , when controlled
by the spirit of courtesy, arc well calculated to dc
velope poetic taste ; and we are glad to see in “The
\ indication ’ tho germ of excellence. Its author
writes currents calatno, but wo would remind him
that it is the labor limes, which produces tho pol
ished and effective verse The Boston Dai
ly Bee, one of our raciest exchanges, is now un
der the editorial care of Mr. Ben Perly Poore,
the author of “The llise and Fall of Louis Phil
lipe,” and recently the clever correspondent, in
France, of the Boston Atlas. Mr. Poore was for
merly connected with tho weekly press in this place,
and is doubtless known to many of our readers. —lie
is a man of decided talent, and we doubt not that lie
will distinguish himself in his new and important
position We shall, next week, resume the
publication of “All About.” Tho first of the
Southern series came just too late for the present
number. We are sure our intelligent readers will
be pleased to accompany the author of these papers
in his lively ramblings Our correspondent,
Alton, sends the following clever epigram, which he
styles
THE AUTHOR’S RETORT ON HIS ‘FRIEND.’
Pray, sir, and is your Poem out,
And yet you do not send,
As is the custom, ‘with respects,’
A copy to your friend?
Nay, pardon, sir, but he’s my friend,
And proves it with good will,
Who buys my book, and thus assists
To pay my printer’s bill!
Notices to Correspondents.
&enex. —Your letter was duly received, but has
been since very unintentionally overlooked. We
hope to find a place for it in our next.
T. L.—Your “ Stanzas to a Cat-Bird that perch
es itself every morning upon my father’s garden
gate, and tries to sing,” are respectfully declined.
Cui Bono I —We agree with you, in the main, in
your estimate of “ the value of a College education
to two-thirds of those who graduate but, for spe
cial reasons, we must at least defer the publication
of your paper. You will, we doubt not, discover the
chief cause of our unwillingness to print it—though
we must suggest that its length is forbidding.
A Paying Subscriber. —We have the highest
possible respect for the opinions of that remarkable
character, “A Paying Subscriber;” hut in all
conscience, dear sir, you cannot expect us to obey
the dictates of any one of our patrons, where our
best judgment teaches us it would be at the expense
of all the rest, or even a large number of them. The
most we can do is to weigh carefully the suggestions
of yourself or any other, and then —decide for ourself
what we ought or ought not to do. When we adopt
any other course than this, farewell the merit, the
independence of our Journal! Are you answered 1
T. P. F.—When your subscription is paid, we
will comply with your very gentlemanly request,
and not till then.
CTJje JJerlo&teal press.
Sartain’s Union Magazine. January, 1849.
Philadelphia : John Sartain & Cos.
The ‘Union Magazine,’ heretofore published at
New York, and of which wc have frequently spoken
in terms of praise, has been transferred to new hands
and to anew place. It is now the property Os
Messrs. Sartain & Sloanaker, of Philadelphia—the
former of whom is so well known as the best engra
ver in mezzotint this side the Atlantic. We doubt
not that this change will be beneficial to the artistic
reputation of the work ; and, as Mrs. Kirkland will
still edit it, with the aid of Professor Hart, it will
lose none of its merit in the Literary Department.
Two of Sartain’s fine mezzotints embellish the ini
tial number for the coming year, which has reached
us before the number for the current month —which
may, however, he the result of an oversight.
We find it difficult to pronounce on the compara
tive merits of the Union and its older Philadelphia
rivals. They are all beautiful, and each one is stri
ving to outstrip the others. We cordially wish
them all success. There is room enough for them in
our vast territory.
The ‘ Union’ has papers from many distinguished
authors —among whom we may mention several
prominent clergymen, the Rev. Drs. Bethune, Todd,
Furness and Barnes—a goodly company, truly—
who, with Messieurs Street, Tuckerman, Neal,
Chandler, Peterson and Hosmer, and Mesdames
Kirkland, Sigourney, Osgood, Ellet and others —
must lend unusual interest to its pages.
©ur 3300 u
Publishers and Authors who desire to have their
Books noticed in this Gazette are requested to send cop.
ies to Editor through Stringer k Townsend, New-York
or Carey k Hart, Philadelphia.
Alderbrook — A Collection of Fanny Forrester’s
Village Sketches, Poems, &c. By Miss Emily
('hubbuek. In 2 vols, 12m0., pp. 276, 262.
Sixth Edition. Boston : Win. D. Ticknor & Cos.
This is one of thoso charming books which well
deserve a plaee in every family library, and which
has already won a place in thousands of hearts.—
The Sketches comprised in these beautiful volumes
are so full of grace and tenderness —so pure in their
style, and so elevated in their tone, that none can
read them without delight and profit. We hazard
little in saying that tho touching story of “ Grace
Linden,” which properly leads the collection, is
scarcely surpassed in beauty by anything in the
works of Maria Edgeworth or Mary Russel Mitford.
There are a great many other Sketches in the vol
umes that deserve special praise, but we will not
deal in particulars, when all arc so admirable,
Tho authoress of “ Alderbrook” is now a self-de
nying, zealous missionary of the Cross, in Asia, and
as Mrs. Judson, has written many very charming
things. She is best known, however, under her
nomme deplume— and however honored may bo the
revered name she now bears, that of “ Fanny For
rester” will bo cherished Avith pride and pleasure by
her friends and readers.
History of Charles the First, of England.—
By Jacob Abbott. One vol. New York: Harper
& Brothers.
The young people of the present day will scarcely
need to be urged to study History, when it is pre
sented to them in such attractive guise as this and
the kindred volumes by Mr. Abbott. The little
work under notice is as beautiful as any dainty Sou
venir—type, paper, engravings and the binding, all
lending their aid to increase its attraction.
The narrative is in tho usual graphic style of the
author, adapted by its simplicity and elegance to
win the attention of the reader. The subject of the
book —if indeed a king can be called a subject —was
one of England’s most remarkable monarchs, and
the period of his reign—lasting about twenty-four
years —was marked by many great events, llis trial
and execution constitute one of the most thrilling
episodes in English history.
We earnestly recommend Mr. Abbott’s historical
Series to the attention of the parents and to our
young readers who make their own selections.
The Thousand and One Nights, or the Arabian
Nights’ Entertainments: Translated and Abridg
ed for Family Reading. With Explanatory
Notes. By E. W. Lane, Esq. In 2 vols. 12tn0.,
pp. 587 and 572. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Oh, ye happy children, to whose lot it shall fall to
become possessors of this magnificent copy of a book
which, in the power to fascinate and delight the
youthful imagination, never has been, and probably
never will be, surpassed! Have you counted as a
treasure some abridged and sadly mutilated copy of
the Arabian Nights, printed on dingy paper, and
disfigured by a few miserable wood cuts 1 What
will be your happiness when you can call your own
this perfect copy, in two volumes, with an exquisite
engraving on almost every page!
The “Arabian Nights” is a work that belongs to
the world. Wherever humanity exists, there will
this great and many-colored panorama of Fancy
find thousands of eager admirers. The gorgeous
scenes —the daring exploits—the magical metamor
phoses which are detailed therein, are but exagge
rated pictures of human life, to the intelligent mind.
Most sincerely do wo thank the publishers for
these charming volumes. With somewhat of the
zest of boyhood have we turned their treasure-laden
pages, and gazed, now upon the wonderful Tower of
Brass, with the gates of gold, or the terrible Genie
issuing from one of Solomon’s bottles —and anon,
upon the Afritc carrying off the beautiful Bedred
din —or the golden lamp of Aladdin. There, also, is
the good old woman with the crate —the wag, Abon
Ilassan, seated at the table and attended by the ten
beautiful slaves—and the lazy Abon Mohammed
falling headlong from the sky into the sea!
Oh! ye days of happy, careless childhood —when
even our wonted meals could scarcely draw us away I
from the mountain of loadstone —when we thought i
no music could possibly equal the melody of the lute ,
of Enis Eljelis—and when, above all, we trembled
with an indefinable apprehension, lest, after all the !
beautiful stories which the lovely Shcherazade re
lated to King Shahriar, she should yet fall a victim
to the custom of her cruel husband. We have lived
over again hours of happiness in these reminiscences, j
and many a time and oft shall we recur to the illus
trated “ Arabian Nights” with thankfulness that
we have not lost our youthful relish for their charm- j
ing extravagancies.
It would be superfluous, perhaps, to add that the
translation by Mr. Lane is in every respect admira
ble, and his occasional notes contribute much to the
value of the work.
The Life and Voyages of Christot’Tie'R Colitm
bus : 1 o which are added those of his Companion*.
By Washington Irving. Vol. I, 12ma, pp. 487-
New York: Leo. I*. l’utnam.
This is the third volumo of Putnam’s admirable
edition of Irving’s complete works, revised by the au
thor, and issued in a style worthy of their excellence.
Os the historical merits of the work before us, the
very best evidence that can be adduced is the testi
mony of Navarette, the Spanish Biographer of Co
lumbus, who says : “Ho has been enabled to give
bis history that fullness, impartiality and exactness,
which mnko it much superior to those of the writer*
who preceded him. To this ho adds his regular
method and convenient distribution—his style ani
mated, pure and elegant.”
Tho distinguishing characteristic of Irving’s wri
tings, is purity of style, llis language is always
chaste and appropriate, and when the interest of his
themes belongs to the real rather than to the idotil,
there is, yet, such a charm of elegance and beauty
thrown around them, that they delight the reader
scarcely less than tho purely imaginative works of
his pen, while their actual historical value addsvast
ly to their dignity as exhibitions of their author’s
genius. When tho second volume of the work ap
pears [in January next] wo shall have something
more to say of its biographical merits.
The Psalmist, anew Collection of Hymns for the
use ot Baptist Churches. With a Supplement by
Rev. Richard Fuller and Rev. J. B. Jeter, pp.
768. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln.
A frequent use of this collection of Ilymns for up
wards of three years, entitles us to speak confidently
of its character, and wo do not hesitate to pronounce
it, without exception, tho most admirable compila
tion in use. This, wo are aware, is saying much
for it, when tho excellence of such books as “ Psalm*
and Hymns,” “ Watts and Rippon” and others is
considered, but we arc satisfied that nono of thoso
equal, in all the requisites of a good Ilyran Book,
the Psalmist. It has been compiled by men of poet
ical taste—the most beautiful Ilymns have been
carefully selected—errors of versification avoided,
and above all, obscurity of meaning, bad taste, and
false sentiment, have been jealously excluded. It iw
a delightful collection of Ilymns for public and for
social worship, and richly merits the unexampled
favor it has already met with.
Modern Geography, for the use of Schools, upon
anew Plan —Illustrated with Maps and Engra
vings. By R. M. Smith. One vol. 4to. Phila
delphia: Grigg, Elliott & Cos.
Wc have such a profusion of new text books, in
all departments of knowledge, that it is a difficult
matter to keep pace with them. To improvement,
however, we certainly cannot object, and tho author
of this work claims to have made some in his plan
of teaching Geography. The text, with tho maps
and engravings, are on the same pages, and compre
hensive questions arc placed in side columns—by
which plan, space is saved, and the subject brought
into greater compactness. The work appears to
have been carefully compiled, and its cheapness com
mends it to the public favor.
Orthofiiony ; or tho Cultivation of the Voice, in
Elocution: A Manual of Elementary Exercises,
adapted to Dr. Rush’s “ Philosophy of the Human
Voice” and the system of vocal culture introduced
by Mr. James E. Murdoch. Compiled by Wil
liam Russell, with Supplement on Purity of Tone
bv G. J. Webb, Professor Boston Academy of
Music. Improved edition, one vol. 12mo. Bos
ton: Wm, L). Ticknor k Cos.
We have quoted the title-page of this work, in
full, as tho best exponent of its peculiar claims upon
the teacher and the student. Its merits arc decided
—and we know ot no more thoroughly philosophical
and, at tho same time, practical treatise on Elocu
tion. It is admirably adapted, we conceive, to im
part a knowledge of the principles of Orthofiiont,
or right speaking , to tho student, without the aid of
a teacher—though this, by no means, diminishes its
value as a text-book in high Schools and Colleges.
Count De la Porte’s Text Books —L A French
Grammar, upon a New and Improved Plan.—
Third Edition. 2. A Self-Teaching Reader, for
the Study of tho Pronunciation of the French
Language —Second Edition. 3. Speaking Exer
cises, for the Illustration of the Rules and Idioms
of the French Language—Third Edition. Each
one vol. 12mo. Boston: Wm. D. Ticknor & Cos.
The Count De la Porte is a Teacher of the French
Language in Harvard University, where his book*
are used as the manuals of instruction. A baro an
nouncement of this fact ought to be sufficient guar
antee of the excellence of the system they unfold.—
Tho “ Grammar” is very copious and perspicuous.
The “ Reader” is particularly valuable for the aid it
affords the tyro in pronunciation. The “ Speaking
Exercises” are novel, and, we think, exceedingly
well calculated to impart to the student a happy fa
cility in translating tho French into English, or
vice versa. The exercises are given in English and
French both, the latter, in its idiomatic construction,
by the side of the former—leaving it for the pupil to
arrange the French words by the rules of the Gram
mar. A “ Key” to the Exercises adds complete t
to the work.
247