15. An Historical and Critical View of the Speculative Philosophy of Europe in the Nineteenth Century. By J. D. MORELL, A. M. Complete in one volume. From the last London Edition. pp. 752. 8vo. New York. Robert Carter. 1848.

The high commendations which this portly volume has received on the other side of the water are calculated to prepossess us in its favor. Dr. Chalmers said of it, in the North British Review, "We have seldom read an author who can make such lucid conveyance of his thoughts, and these never of light or slender quality, but substantial and deep as the philosophy with which he deals. Even when not convinced by his reasoning, it is difficult to resist the impulse by which we feel ourselves carried along by the flow of his commanding and wellsustained sentences." Rev. John Angel James says, "It is impossible to deny to this gentleman the fidelity of the historian, the impartiality and candor of the true philosopher, and at the same time the excellence of a very able writer." The Edinburgh Presbyterian Review describes the work as "powerful and pregnant ”—“ done like a thinker, like a scholar, like a historian." Prof. Tholuck also commends the book for its method and perspicuity. In handling successfully a subject of such difficulty and extent, powers are required of no common order. Great philosophical acumen, industry in investigation, skill in analysis, in comparison, in generalization, a wide reach of knowledge in this particular department, and a force and grasp of intellect are indispensable to the undertaking. These qualifications the author seems to possess; and he has produced a book which will secure for him high honor among men of letters. His plan, as exhibited by himself, is briefly as follows: "First I have attempted to explain and illustrate the general idea of philosophy, and to deduce the fundamental notions from which it springs. Having grasped the idea of philosophy generally, I attempt next to point out the different views which have been entertained of its details; in other words, to classify the different systems which have been in vogue, more or less, in every age of the world. Having obtained four great generic systems as the result of this classification, I have endeavored, in the first part of my plan, to trace their history from the revival of letters to the opening of the nineteenth century; in the second part, to follow up that history more minutely to the present age; and in the third part, to discover their tendencies as it respects the future."

The four generic systems to which the author alludes, he denominates sensationalism, idealism, skepticism and mysticism. After the introduction, he commences the development of the philosophical systems of distinguished writers, showing their influence on the world, and the influence of the times on them. In chapter 1,-on the Progress of Sensationalism,-he gives a criticism of the system of Locke, with his influence in England, France and Germany, as it appears in the various prominent philosophers. In the remaining chapters of Part I, he pursues a similar method in respect to idealism, skepticism and mysticism. Part II gives the characteristics of the philosophies of the nineteenth century, including the Eclectic school, and gives interesting and thorough views of the various writers who have swayed a commanding influence, or whose names have become identified with VOL. XIII.NO. L.

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systems that have secured for themselves a foothold among the learned. Part III exhibits briefly the tendencies of these four systems, in respect to science, legislation and religion. The work is elaborated with great care. The style is pleasing and well adapted to the subject. The filling up of the plan is quite equal to the clearness of the outline. And any person, interested in philosophical studies, who will take the time to go through the work, thoroughly and faithfully, will find himself richly repaid.

16. Notes Critical, Explanatory and Practical, on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. By ALBERT BARNES. Second edition, revised and corrected. In two vols. pp. 536, 458. 12mo. New York. Leavitt, Trow & Co. 1847.

The method and style of Dr. Barnes as a commentator are too well known to require, at this late period, particular notice. The praise of great industry must certainly be awarded to him. Few men find time to publish so much as he has done, and at the same time to perform properly the various duties of the theological profession. It is understood that his commentaries are written chiefly in the early hours of the morning. The work on Isaiah was first printed nine years ago, in three volumes, octavo. Since that time, it has been twice revised, and the author has enjoyed the benefits of all the criticisms called forth by the first edition, as well as the additional information accumulated during that period by the researches of travellers, and the observations of biblical critics. These advantages must have had an important influence in modifying and improving the work. Dr. B. remarks that he has stricken out about 120 octavo pages of the original Notes, and inserted fifty pages of new matter. For the new matter he is specially indebted to Dr. Robinson's Biblical Researches, and Wilkinson's Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians. He has also made free use of all the important works on Isaiah. Many illustrations of scenes and customs, in the form of wood cuts, make the observations more truly graphic and useful. The Doctor is still excessively diffuse, though less so than in his Notes on the books of the New Testament. A rigid critic of English style at his elbow might have aided him in dispensing with scores of pages, without diminishing in the least the value of the books. But for the purposes of common readers, who have access to little of the important apparatus for the study of this sublime prophet, we conceive that these volumes will be very valuable and very useful. The compilation of the opinions of the learned from every quarter serves to render the volumes a brief thesaurus on the subject of which they treat.

ARTICLE X.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE, ETC.

AMERICA.

Gould, Kendall & Lincoln announce the following works, as ready for publication::

A volume of Recent Discourses, by Rev. Dr. Wayland, delivered in the Chapel of Brown University, on many of the leading moral and religious topics of the day. In one volume, 12mo.

Proverbs for the People. A series of discussions on the book of Proverbs, in which are graphically delineated the great doctrines and duties which relate to man's temporal and eternal weal. By Rev. E. L. Magoon, of Cincinnati. In one volume, 12mo.

The Silent Comforter. A companion for the sick room. By Louisa Payson Hopkins. A miniature volume.

The same publishers have in press a work on the "Person and Glory of Christ," by Dr. Sartorius; translated from the German, by Rev. O. S. Stearns.

"The

The work of Prof. Agassiz and Dr. Gould, on Zoology, announced some months since, has at length appeared. It is entitled, Principles of Zoology, touching the Structure, Development, Distribution and Natural Arrangement of the Races of Animals, Living and Extinct; with numerous illustrations. For the use of Schools and Colleges." The object of the work, as the title indicates, is "to furnish an epitome of the leading principles of the science of Zoology, as deduced from the present state of knowledge, so illustrated as to be intelligible to the beginning student." Part first is devoted to Comparative Physiology as the basis of classification; part second, to Systematic Zoology, in which the principles of classification are applied. The work is on a subject which possesses in itself great interest and utility, and on a plan unlike that of any other volume in this country. Coming from so high scientific authority, we trust it will add essentially to our natural-history apparatus, and contribute to a higher enthusiasm and deeper knowledge in that interesting and extensive department.

The same firm have in press Modern French Literature. By L. Raymond De Vericour. American edition, brought down to the present day, and revised with notes by William S. Chase. With a finely

engraved portrait of Lamartine. This treatise has received the highest praise as a comprehensive and thorough survey of the various departments of Modern French Literature. It contains biographical and critical notes of all the prominent names in Philosophy, Criticism, History, Romance, Poetry, and the Drama; and presents a full and impartial consideration of the Political Tendencies of France, as they may be traced in the writings of authors equally conspicuous as scholars and as statesmen. The original treatise of De Vericour has been highly praised as a comprehensive and thorough survey of the various branches of modern French literature. Mr. Chase has resided in Paris, and for some time was the Paris correspondent of some of our leading journals. He has given zealous attention to modern French literature, and will unquestionably present an interesting and valuable volume.

Ticknor & Co., of Boston, propose to issue, the present month, the narrative of the "Rise and Fall of Louis Phillipe," by Mr. Ben Perley Poore.

B. H. Greene, of Boston, is about to publish another volume of Sermons by the late Rev. W. B. O. Peabody, of Springfield, Mass.

A volume of great interest is announced, to be published in August, simultaneously in New York and Cincinnati. It is the long expected work entitled, " Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley; comprising the results of Extensive Original Surveys and Explorations. By E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis, M. D. This work constitutes the first volume of the "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," published under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institute. It is to be printed in imperial quarto, comprising 500 pages of letter-press, upwards of 50 plates, and more than 200 wood-engravings. It will be sold only to subscribers, and at ten dollars a copy.

MISCELLANEOUS.

From an article in the London Atheneum, we gather the following interesting statistics of European Libraries. "The number of public libraries in Europe is 383; of these, 107 are in France, 41 in the Austrian States and in the kingdom of Lombardy and Venice, 30 in the Prussian States, 28 in Great Britain and Ireland, including Malta, 17 in Spain, 15 in the Papal States, 14 in Belgium, 13 in Switzerland, 12 in the Russian empire, 11 in Bavaria, 9 in Tuscany, 9 in Sardinia, 8 in Sweden, 7 in Naples, 7 in Portugal, 5 in Holland, 5 in Denmark, 5 in Saxony, 4 in Baden, 4 in Hesse, 3 in Wurtemburg, and 3 in Hanover. Comparing the aggregate number of volumes in these libraries with the aggregate population of the cities which contain them,

we have in Great Britain and Ireland 43 volumes to every 100 inhabitants; in Russia, 80 to every 100; in Spain, 106; in France, 125; in the Austrian Empire, 159; in the Prussian States, 196; in Parma, 204; in Mecklenburg, 238; in Hesse, 256; in the Papal States, 266; in Nassau, 267; in Tuscany, 268; in Modena, 333; in Switzerland, 340; in Bavaria, 347; in Saxony, 379; in Saxe-Meiningen, 400; in Denmark, 412; in Baden, 480; in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, 551; in Hesse Darmstadt, 660; in Wurtemburg, 716; in Saxe-Weimar, 881; in Hanover, 972; in Oldenburg, 1,078; and in Brunswick, 2,353 volumes to every 100 inhabitants of the cities containing libraries (of 10,000 volumes and upwards). Comparing the number of volumes in the libraries of the chief European capitals with their respective populations, there are, in Weimer, 803 volumes to every 100 inhabitants; in Munich, 750; in Darmstadt, 652; in Copenhagen, 465; in Stuttgard, 452; in Dresden, 432; in Hanover, 335; in Florence, 313; in Rome, 306; in Parma, 278; in Prague, 168; in Berlin, 162; in Madrid, 153; in Paris, 143; in Venice, 142; in Milan, 135; in Vienna, 119; in Edinburgh, 116; in Petersburgh, 108; in Brussels, 100; in Stockholm, 98; in Naples, 69; in Dublin, 49; in Lisbon, 39; in London, 20. We see, therefore, that Brussels is 5 times better provided in this respect than London; Paris, 7 times; Dresden, 21 times; Copenhagen, 23 times; Munich, 37 times; and the little city of Weimar, 40 times. The average annual sum allotted to the support of the Royal Library at Paris, is 16,5751.; of the Arsenal Library, 1,7907. ; of St. Geneviève, 3,4007.; of the Mazarine, 1,7901.; of the Royal Library of Brussels, 2,7001.; of Munich, about 2,000l.; of Vienna, 1,9007.; of Berlin, 1,4607.; of Copenhagen, 1,2501.; of Dresden, 500l.; of the Grand Ducal Library of Darmstadt, 2,000l.; of the Library of the British Museum, 26,5521. The present average number of volumes annually added to the Royal Library at Paris, is stated to be 12,000; to that of Munich, 10,000; to that of Berlin, 5,000; to that of Vienna, 5,000; to that of Petersburgh, 2,000; to the Ducal Library of Parma, 1,800; to the Royal Library of Copenhagen, 1,000; to the Library of the British Museum, 30,000."

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

As a matter of record we present the following statistics of benevolent societies.

The American Baptist Missionary Union held its annual meeting at Troy, N. Y., May 18, 1848. The whole number of Missions in connection with the Missionary Union is 16; of stations 52, and out-sta27*

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