tion in their pages always overlays a thorough acquaintance with the details of the events that are described; but there is some occasion now for critics to pronounce deliberately, in the court of taste, for Thucydides, against Weems. A comparison of Mr. Frothingham's account of the Battle of Bunker Hill with others that have been published, will betray the looseness with which scenes are often portrayed, and, by the striking contrast, will increase our reverence for strict integrity of the pen, by showing how difficult it is, in any narrative, to hit the truth in the white. The manner, too, in which the disputed point as to the command on Bunker Hill, and the rightful hero of the field, is treated by Mr. F., presents a model of thoroughness and historical impartiality. We have undoubtedly, in these pages, a picture of that day, as correct as it is vivid, in the elaborate Mosaic work of facts.

A worthy narrative of the Siege of Boston, has never before been written. It is a most entertaining, instructive, and stirring story. A better idea of the causes and the spirit of the Revolution can be obtained from Mr. Frothingham's account of it, than from any of the larger and more ambitious histories. We venture to say that not one in a hundred readers is aware of the nature and method of the tyranny which, at last, made the gulf between the Colonies and England impassable, as this volume unfolds it, pp. 8-13. Throughout the book, we see proofs of the clear insight of the author into the life and manners of our ancestors, an insight which, as the "History of Charlestown" bears witness, pierces to the domestic life of the first Puritan settlers. Every writer should thank Mr. Frothingham for his vindication, in this volume, of the dignity and responsibility of authorship. Every student should thank him for the light his patient toil has thrown upon a period, about which our talk and eloquence have been almost in an inverse proportion to the scantiness of our knowledge. Every American should thank him, that his pages will inspire such healthy veneration "for the memory of the men who sacrificed so much, and who struggled so nobly, in behalf of American liberty." We commend the volume to all our readers. May it return to the author as much profit as fame.

K.

7. Philo: an Evangeliad. By the author of "Margaret; a Tale of the Real and Ideal." Boston: Phillips, Sampson, & Co. 1850. 12mo. pp. 244.

"Charles. You are no dotard, Philo, yet methinks Your words the dotard play." (p. 4.)

We think so, too.

10. Poems by Robert Browning. In two volumes. A New Edition. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields. 1850.

It is a somewhat hazardous enterprise to publish in this country a complete edition of Browning; for the merits of his poetry do not lie on the surface, and to appreciate, or understand them, requires careful reading, disciplined taste, and a meditative habit of mind. This is the first complete edition that has been published, and the volumes will ornament a library. Some of the author's earlier and sphynx-inspired pieces have been cancelled, and we advise all who stagger in "Paracelsus," to refresh their brain, and enlarge their heart, by a careful perusal of "Pippa Passes."

K.

11. The Excursion: a Poem. By William Wordsworth. New York: C. S. Francis & Co., &c. Boston: J. H. Francis, &c. 1849. 12mo. pp. 340.

A very neat edition of Wordsworth's great poem,-on excellent paper, type large enough for any one's eyes, and at a moderate price. All who know how much more pleasant it is to read a fair, open page, than to weary the sight over a diminutive and careless print, will bless the publishers for this volume.

12. The Second Advent: or, What do the Scriptures teach respecting the Second Coming of Christ, the End of the World, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the General Judgement? By Alpheus Crosby. Boston: Phillips, Sampson, & Co. 1850. 12mo. pp. 173.

Our readers are probably aware that Professor Crosby, late of Dartmouth College, was the editor of John Foster's Letter on Endless Punishment, recently published in Boston, with an Introduction, Notes, &c. The body of his present work consists, for the most part, of Scripture passages on the Second Advent, arranged under the following propositions:-1. The Scriptures often speak of a Second, but never of a Third, Coming of Christ. 2. With the Second Coming of Christ the Scriptures associate the End of the World, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the General Judgement, with its awards. 3. Our Saviour intimated in various ways, and even expressly declared, that his Second Coming, (with its associate events,) would take place before the death of some who were then living. 4. The apostles evidently expected that the Second Coming of Christ, with its associate events, would take place before the death of some who were living. 5. The Second Coming of Christ, with its associate events, the End of the World, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the General Judgement, must have already taken place; and all expectation of

these events as still future is forbidden by the Scriptures. 6. The predictions in the Scriptures of the Second Coming of Christ, the End of the World, and the General Judgement with its awards, must be explained in a figurative or spiritual, rather than a literal, sense; and in such a sense as admits an application to what has already taken place. These propositions sufficiently define the author's view of this very important subject.. He treats the whole question with remarkable simplicity and candor, and appears to have adhered throughout to the principle which he states in the beginning: "It is my wish, so far as possible, to shut myself up alone with the Bible." We are by no means prepared to go the full length of his propositions; yet our present impression is, that if the first of them is true, the other five must be admitted. If the phrase, Coming of the Lord, &c. is used in the Scriptures as a strictly specific designation,-if it has not rather the latitude of a general designation applicable to any remarkable manifestation of Christ's agency in the affairs of the world,-somewhat analogous to our phrase, Visitation of God,-then we confess we do not see how our author's conclusion can be evaded, consistently with the evidence of the Scriptures. As we have had but a few hours, however, to examine the work, it would be premature to say more at present. We hope that some of our contributors will furnish a critical review of it, in season for our next No.

A valuable Appendix is added, consisting of Extracts, from Orthodox writers and commentators, on the principles of Biblical Interpretation which belong to this subject; and explanations of some of the passages in question are given from the same quarter.

13. A System of Ancient Medieval Geography, for the use of Schools and Colleges. By Charles Anthon, L. L. D., Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages, in Columbia College, &c. New York: Harper & Brothers, &c. 1850. 8vo. pp. 769.

As this work did not reach us, till our present number was almost out of press, we can say little of it from personal examination. We see enough, however, on turning over the leaves, to satisfy us that it will prove a valuable contribution to the purposes it is designed to answer. The notices of Mediæval Geography seem to be few; those of Ancient Geography, ample. A great excellence in its plan, is, that it is so constructed, throughout, as to unite the two studies which ought ever to be inseparable,-history and geography.

ART. VIII.

A Course of Historical Reading.

[Prepared exclusively with reference to American Books, or American editions.]

PART II. MODERN HISTORY.

THE first part of this article closed with the last days of the old Roman Empire, glancing at the influence of Christianity on the religion, laws and social life of the people, and on the political relations of the government. In entering on Modern History, the same course is advised as before the reading some general sketch of the whole field of inquiry. The following seem to be the best:

1. History of Modern Europe. By Russell & Jones. 3 vols. 8vo. $5.00. Harpers.

2. Smyth's Lectures on Modern History. 1 vol. 8vo. $2.50. B. B. Mussey & Co.

The first of these works covers the whole period of Modern History. The treatment of different portions is very unequal, and in some cases very imperfect. The letters on the earlier centuries are too few and brief for the importance of the subjects discussed. The authors are also too much disposed to yield to the amor patria where their own country is a party. Witness their account of American affairs. With these deductions, this work is a valuable compend of modern history, especially in Europe. Indeed it is quite full and complete on some points. Its occasional reviews of the progress of society, manners, literature, &c., though necessarily brief, are a desirable feature in the work. The moral tone of it is worthy of high commendation. If the student hesitate at the expense of the local histories hereafter named, these volumes are the best substitute he can have, for the price.

Smyth's Lectures, a noble example of manly, impartial historical writing, should be read for their many just and profound observations on the uses and teachings of history, and on the proper method of studying it; and also VOL. VII. 11