pearance by the classical scholars of our country; and their learned labors were not long unacknowledged in England. The lexicon was published in 1826, and in a little more than two years a second and improved edition was made necessary by the increasing demand for the work, and in 1830 it was reprinted at Edinburgh. Donnegan's Greek-English Lexicon, founded on the admirable "Handwörterbuch der Griechischen Sprache of Passow, constituted the next important step taken in Greek lexicography in English. This volume was speedily republished in the United States, and for several years almost excluded other works from the schools. Donnegan's work labored under important defects, and was any thing but a safe guide for the Greek scholar. A few years before Mr. Pickering's death he resumed his lexicographical labors, and gave the leisure which the duties of an arduous profession left him to the preparation of a new edition, which may very properly be called a new work. The last sheet was finished and ready for the press only a few days before his death; the preparation of it being the final task which his dying hand performed.

The Lexicon, in its present form, is in every respect an excellent one. It does great honor to the ability, unwearied industry, and vast attainments of its author. It is particularly adapted to the range of Greek works studied in the schools and colleges of the United States; and American editions of the classics have been specially referred to. It is well suited to the younger scholars, inasmuch as it contains, in alphabetical order, the oblique cases and the principal dialectical or unusual forms of anomalous nouns, adjectives, and pronouns, and the principal tenses of anomalous verbs. But Mr. Pickering did not limit his task to this special object. He used all the aids which the recent works in philology and lexicography published in Europe, particularly in Germany, furnished him. Besides the contributions of Dunbar, and Liddell and Scott, Mr. Pickering diligently consulted the work of Passow, both in the original German edition, and in the new one edited by Rost and Palm, the lexicon of Jacobitz and Seidler, the excellent one of Pape, those of Schneider and Riemer, besides numerous lexicons and verbal indexes to particular authors, and the new Paris edition, not yet completed, of Stephens's "Thesaurus." Besides these lexicographical works, Mr. Pickering availed himself of special treatises on the various branches of Hellenic antiquities. It is suffi cient to mention Boeckh on the "Public Economy of Athens," and Platner on the "Attic Process," both of which, while explaining the financial, political, judicial, and other problems growing out of the history of the Athenian commonwealth, have at the same time supplied important materials for the lexicogra

pher. Mr. Pickering's professional learning has been of great assistance to him in that portion of the lexicon which contains the technical terms of Athenian law and the administration of justice. We have found his lexicon excellent for the Attic orators. Indeed, we have sometimes found words in it which are wanting in the larger work of Liddell and Scott. Mr. Pickering's definitions are concise and exact; and though his plan did not admit of a full historical development of every word, upon the principles partially carried into effect by Passow, yet the reader of Greek literature will rarely turn away unsatisfied.

The work is very handsomely and accurately printed. It extends to 1456 pages, with three columns on a page, containing thus a vast amount of matter, with a remarkable economy of space. It is in every respect a very convenient and desirable book.

F.

An Essay on Primeval History. By JOHN KENRICK, M. A.

London. 1846. 12mo. pp. 162.

66

It would hardly be doing justice to this Essay to pronounce a critical judgment upon it without reference to the fact stated in the Preface, that it was "intended to form an introduction to a larger work on the ancient history of Egypt, Assyria, Phoeni cia, and the other Oriental countries whose civilization constitutes the earliest series of connected historical facts which has come down to us." Parts of it, as the author observes, “bear traces of its original destination"; but being more controversial than suited the character of historical writing," he was led to give it to the public as a separate work. On the whole, we think that he has done wisely. The volume discusses questions on which many readers of pure history may not care to enter. The result, according to the author, is, that there is no such thing as "primeval history"; even the mythologies of ancient nations rest on no historical basis, though they may lead to "historical inferences." The Essay indicates a familiar acquaintance with the researches of modern science in the departments of geology, physiology, and ethnography; and in discussing their bearing on the antediluvian history contained in the Jewish Scriptures, so far especially as chronology is concerned, the writer does not hesitate to express his conviction that this chronology, whether we follow the Greek Pentateuch, the Samaritan, or the Hebrew, cannot claim the " accuracy which belongs to a history founded on documentary or monumental evidence," and ought no longer to be made the Procrustes' bed by which all ancient historical documents are to be measured. The "traditions

of the deluge are rather," he thinks, "a very ancient hypothesis, than the reminiscence of a primeval fact." He has various remarks on ancient theologies, on mythical relations, early civ. ilization and its seats, the origin of language, polytheism, and other topics more or less intimately connected with his general subject. We are not prepared to yield our entire assent to all his views and positions, and think that some of his generalizations are a little hasty; yet we commend his openness and honesty, and discover in the volume ample evidence of a devout, as well as acute and well informed, mind. It is written in an accurate and agreeable style, and brings together many useful materials of thought.

L.

Papers on Literature and Art. By S. MARGARET FULLER, AUthor of "A Summer on the Lakes," "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," etc. Two Parts. New York: Wiley & Putnam. 1846. 12mo. pp. 164, 183.

THESE Volumes, consisting mostly of selections from Miss Fuller's writings, including, as she informs us in her Preface, some of her earliest, as well as latest, productions, form part of "Wiley and Putnam's Library of American Books." They bear marks throughout of a vigorous mind, discriminating thought, varied and ever ready power, with candid and fearless expression. In the use of language-freedom, copiousness, richness, and precision of words Miss Fuller has few superiors. By this alone one is repaid for reading these pages, differ as he may from the opinions he finds there. And besides this there is a fulness of meaning, and a kindness as well as boldness of utterance, which make us forget differences, or care not for them. Indeed, in regard to this writer, extravagant as have seemed to us some of her views and words (much less so, however, in this publication, than in the others referred to in the title-page), we are inclined to use the generous language in which she herself has summed up her remarks on the modern British poets: "For myself, I think that where there is such beauty and strength, we can afford to be silent about slight defects; and that we refine our taste more effectually by venerating the grand and lovely, than by detecting the little and mean. The last epithets have no application here; but the others are strictly appropriate.

We therefore do not stop to point out defects, or consider objections frequently heard. We have run through this collection of pieces with pleasure and profit. That which pleases us least, and the only one, perhaps, that will give much offence, is the view

of "American Literature." That she does that literature injustice, most will feel; that she is greatly unjust to one of our living historians, and several of our poets, many will earnestly say. And none, we think, will fail to notice an oracular air and magisterial decision, hardly indicative of meekness, nor helping to inspire in those ignorant of the writer entire confidence in the soundness of her judgment. But for perspicuity of style, for which she has not always been noted, for freedom and freshness of thought, for delicacy and affluence of imagination, with evident truthfulness of heart, these publications deserve to be known and read.

H.

Christianity: the Deliverance of the Soul and its Life. By WILLIAM MOUNTFORD, M. A. London: Chapman, Brothers. 1846. 16mo. pp. 117.

MR. MOUNTFORD's style, well suited to the character of a work like the "Martyria," which was commended by us in a former number,* and peculiarly rich as it is in many respects, reminding us, if we may compare things so dissimilar, of the mellow light of some old cathedral, is somewhat too diffuse, we think, for sermons. The two discourses before us (for the volume consists of two sermons, with notes), as it seems to us, want compactness and a steady, straightforward movement; the manner is occasionally a little slipshod; yet they contain many earnest and striking thoughts, and some passages of great beauty. The notes, however, - called by the author, "Comments on the foregoing Discourses," and the "Thoughts to conclude with," we must confess, have interested us quite as much as the discour ses themselves. The breathings of a devout spirit, which so enhanced the charm and value of the "Martyria," also interpene trates the present little volume; and, accompanied, as they are, with a lifelike freshness which never fails to attract, they will cause the few affectations of style which appear to be readily pardoned. An American edition has just appeared.

L.

The People's Dictionary of the Bible. London. 1846. 1846. 8vo.

THERE are few works of the present day the appearance of which ministers of religion with small libraries, Sunday-school

We are glad of this opportunity of referring to the American edition of this book, to which Rev. F. D. Huntington has prefixed a valuable Preface.

teachers, and individuals and families generally desirous of obtaining an intimate acquaintance with the Bible and the various matters of history, biography, antiquities, rites, customs, names, and the like, contained or referred to in it, have cause to hail with more sincere pleasure than this work, from the prolific pen of Dr. Beard. It is written with much care; it is full, omitting nothing, so far as we have observed, which might be expected to appear in a work of this kind; it gives the results of learning without its repulsive technicalities; it is adapted to the present "advanced state of knowledge on the subject of Biblical antiquities"; and, what constitutes a great recommendation, it is free, we believe, from all doctrinal or sectarian peculiarities, and so is suited to the use of all Christians. How Dr. Beard can find time, amid his multiplied duties, to write so many books, and write so well, it appears not easy to explain. He must be a most indefatigable student, and is putting the public under great obligation to him for the fruit thus yielded in copious measure. The work, which contains maps and numerous wood engravings, is furnished at a very reasonable price, and is to be completed in forty parts, of which twelve have been received here.

L.

Letters on Palestine: or Sketches of Travel along the Eastern Shores of the Mediterranean. By THOMAS WELLS. Second Edition. Boston: B. B. Mussey. 1846. 12mo. pp. 315.

THE title of this volume, though not an assuming one, may occasion some disappointment to the reader, by leading him to expect, not perhaps a better book, but one of a different description. It conveys the impression, that the peculiar charm of the epistolary style may be expected. The reader hopes to learn something respecting the author personally, and the friends to whom he writes; to be presented with the various incidents of travel, and share the first impressions of an eyewitness. Such expectations the book will but rarely gratify. It is arranged in the form of letters, but there is no attempt at the epistolary style. The author describes, indeed, from personal observation; but gives his impressions, not as a traveller writing to his friends amidst the excitement of adventure, but as a traveller returned home and writing for the public.

We know not but that something of the disappointment of which we have spoken has prevented us from appreciating the real merits of the work. It is a book, however, we readily admit, comprising in a small compass much valuable information with regard to the Holy Land, its present aspect, and its ancient