NEW YORK DURING THE LAST HALF-CENTURY. A Discourse in Commemoration of the Fifty-Third Anniversary of the New York Historical Society, and of the Dedication of their new edifice. (November 17, 1857.) By JOHN W. FRANCIS, M.D. LL.D. New York: John F. Trow, Printer. 1857. Dr. Francis is one of the brightest links that connect the present generation with that noble race of men who inaugurated the administration of our National Government, and he is held in affectionate esteem and veneration by the friends of literature, science and art, not only in the proud city of his residence but throughout the country. The discourse now before us, for the perusal of which we have been indebted to the courtesy of a friend, is a charming review of the literary, scientific and artistic progress of New York during fifty eventful years: it is much more than this, it is a contribution to the history of the age which will have a high and permanent value. Long may the kindly old gentleman yet live, to enliven the deliberations of the Society before which this discourse was pronounced, and to witness the triumphs which he has been so largely instrumental in accomplishing. HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. as traced in the writings of Alexander Hamilton and his contemporaries. By JOHN C. HAMILTON. Vol. I. New York: D. Appleton & Co., Broadway. 1857. [From A. Morris, 97 Main Street. We fully concur in the general opinion which has been freely and widely given in the daily press concerning this remarkable volume. Had it been issued anonymously we should have suspected that it was designed as an attempt upon public credulity, and we should have warmly resented such a freedom taken with the pure and lofty fame of Alexander Hamilton as that of making him, from his grave, lay claim to all the honour and glory of the American Revolution. But it is published under the authority of his son, and we can only deplore the vanity and fatuity which seeks to magnify the reputation of the great Federalist at the expense of all the Fathers of the Republic, and especially of the grandest of them all, our venerated Washington. According to Mr. John C. Hamilton, the revolt of the Colonies was due entirely to the happy circumstance that his father removed from the West Indies to New York in the beginning of our troubles, and the majestic part which George Washington played in that swelling drama arose out of the fortunate selection of the gallant stripling as his military Secretary. Not only did Hamilton prepare the Farewell Address, says the filial John C., but he wrote all the most important documents of the campaign for Washington to sign-indeed the PATER PATRIÆ was but a puppet in the hands of his amanuensis, which he worked to suit his own purposes. It is matter of congratulation to Virginia that our author has not claimed for his sire the authorship of the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, and thus with iconoclastic zeal smashed the images of George Mason and Thomas Jefferson, which we have been taught to revere. There can be no apology for such a perAlexander version of history as this Hamilton was a man of lofty stature, who stands forth in the full proportions of assured greatness on the canvass of the Revolution for the admiration of the world. The effort to make him the central figure can only result in causing him to seem ridicu lous. But for this, we might not object to the prosecution of Mr. John C. Hamilton's labours as an innocent amusement. But we cannot regard such tampering with the just reputation of the illustrious dead with indifference, and if we had any influence with Mr. John C. Hamilton, we should implore him to desist. He is covering himself with ridicule, which is of small consequence indeed, but he is also belittling his father, which is a very serious affair. CONSEQUENCES OF ABOLITION AGITATION. BY EDMUND RUFFIN, of Virginia. From De Bow's Review. Washington: Lemuel Towers. 1857. [From J. W. Randolph, 121 Main Street. We are indebted to the distinguished author for a copy of this admirable pamphlet, which we should feel bound to review at some length, giving copious extracts, had it not already been laid entire before the Southern people in the pages of De Bow's Review. Mr. Ruffin is one of the most vigorous thinkers in the Southern States, and he wields a very trenchant pen. We are glad to see his essay on the "Con sequences of Abolition Agitation" brought out in a form which makes it easily procurable by everybody. Mr. J. W. Randolph, of this city, will furnish it to all such as desire to obtain one or more copies. Magazine in exchange. NOW IS THE TIME TO SUBSCRIBE SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER Each containing at least 480 pages, in neat style, with fine Cover, and Advertising Sheet. THE TWO VOLUMES FURNISHED FOR ONLY THREE DOLLARS A YEAR! FOR THE YEAR 1858. Twenty-Sixth and Twenty-Seventh Volumes. In issuing the Prospectus of the Twenty-Sixth and Twenty-Seventh Volumes of the SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER, commencing with the January No., the Proprietors beg to assure the public that no exertions will be remitted on their part to maintain the high character of the work, and to challenge the patronage of all who value sterling literary merit. For Twenty-Three Years, the Messenger has endeavored to reflect faithfully the Southern mind, while disdaining all narrow and sectional views, and has been alone among the monthly periodicals of America, in defence of the Peculiar Institutions of the Southern Country. To this office it will still be devoted, and will be prompt to repel assaults upon the South, whether they come under the specious garb of fiction, or in the direct form of anti-slavery pamphlets. At this critical juncture, while our enemies are employing literature as their most potent weapon of attack, the Southern people will surely not withhold their encour agement from a work whose aim it shall be to strike blows in their defence. The MESSENGER will, as heretofore, present its readers with REVIEWS, HISTORICAL and BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, NOVELS, TALES, TRAVELS, ESSAYS, POEMS, CRITIQUES, and Papers on the ARMY, NAVY, and other National Subjects. With a view to ensure a large circulation of the MESSENGER, the Proprietors have reduced the Price of Subscription, which is now only THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE. OR FOUR DOLLARS IF NOT PAID BEFORE THE FIRST OF JULY IN ANY YEAR. CLUBS Remitting us Fifteen Dollars in one letter, will be entitled to Six Copies. The Editorial and Critical department of the MESSENGER will continue under the charge of JNO. R. THOMPSON, ESQ. And will embrace copious notes on current literature and reviews of all new American or Foreign works of general interest and value. The Editor's opinions will be always fearlessly and honestly avowed. The Business Department is conducted by the undersigned, to whom all communica tions of a business nature must be addressed. NOVEMBER, 1857. MACFARLANE, FERGUSSON & CO., Booksellers, by ordering copies of the Messenger at once, shall receive it at greatly reduced prices. Postmasters throughout the Union, are requested to act as Agents in getting sub scribers for us, for which they will be allowed 10 per cent. for all monies remitted to us 1. THE CELEBRATION OF THE TWENTY-SECOND, II. "OH! HAD I BUT THE POWER." III. "MY HOPE IS IN THE YELLOW LEAF." IV. "Coo-coo! TE WEET TU WHU!" V. SONG OF SEVENTY-SIX. VI. THE SERENADER IMPLORES HIS MISTRESS TO COME FORTH. VII. "I SEEK TO SING OF GLORY!" VIII. "ASK ME NO MORE FOR SONG." IX. "WERE I A BIRD." 241 X. "AH! LOOK NOT THUS UNKINDLY." 245 3. THE LETTERS OF MOZIS ADDUMS TO BILLY IVVINS, 251 4. POET-ORACLES, 256 5. THE MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE DE ST. SIMON. FROM THE LON 272 273 288 BY A TRAVELLER, 294 310 311 8. O FAIRY-LIKE CHILD OF MAY, 9. VERNON GROVE; OR, HEARTS AS THEY ARE, 10. UGLINESS. AN ANACHRONISM, 11. EUROPEAN LIFE IN THE EAST. Death of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Gilman, of S. C.-Charles Mackay,'Esq., 16. BOOK NOTICES: The Life of Thomas Jefferson-Portraits of my Married Friends, or a peep into Hymen's Kingdom-Biography of Elisha Kent Kane-Oriental and Western Siberia-English Grammar-The Life and Times of Aaron Burr, 314 - 316-318 Maj. J. C. SHIELDS and A. C. COLE are our authorised collectors for the State of Virginia. MACFARLANE, FERGUSSON & CO., Proprietors. BOOKS FOR FARMERS. J. W. RANDOLPH, 121 MAIN STREET, RICHMOND, OFFERS at low prices a large stock of Books in all the various departments of Literature, particularly the most valuable works on Farming, Gardening, Horticulture, Horses, Cattle, House Building, &c. AN ESSAY ON CALCAREOUS MANURES, BY EDMUND RUFFIN, a practical farmer of Virginia from 1812; President of the Virginia Agricultural Society. Fifth edition, amended and enlarged, 494 pages, $1 25. Essays and Notes by E. RUFFIN, 416 pages, $1 25. Published by J. W. RANDOLPH, and sent by mail, postpaid, to all who send the money. |