paragraphs are translated directly from him, but she gives ample proof, in those portions of her book for which she alone is responsible, of a cultivated and reflective mind, and of having thought anxiously upon the subject of which she writes. The style, though rather diffuse, is simple and unpretending. Its moral and religious tone is highly elevated; and her earnest appeals, warnings and cautions derive weight from the practical good sense with which they are accompanied. There is nothing extravagant or exaggerated in her views. She proposes no ideal or impossible standard. She would associate religion with all that is winning in manners and attractive in accomplishments. She would sacrifice none of the pure and rational impulses of womanhood at the altar of an austere creed. It is a book which no woman, young or old, can read without benefit; even those who may differ from her in the leading doctrines she maintains, cannot but assent to many of her views, and respect its elevated tone of feeling. We wish it may be generally circulated and read.

WHITE SLAVERY: A NEW EMANCIPATION CAUSE, PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. By the Author of "The District School as it was." Worcester: M. D. Phillips. Boston: C. C. Little & Co., and B. B. Mussey. 1839.

THIS title of a neat 18 mo., of about 200 pages, is well chosen for the purpose of exciting curiosity in regard to the contents of the book. The same feeling is rather increased than allayed by the perusal of a chapter of "Explanations"-as they are called-which are written in a quaint and fanciful style, and introduce the reader, in a somewhat dark and oracular manner, to the body of the work.

The mystery, however, is soon cleared up. The first paragraphs of the first chapter are occupied in giving the revelation of the author's meaning. A more explicit definition is contained in the following sentences, which we copy from the 83d page. "Freedom is the full possession and perfect security of rights. By a one-side reading, examining and thinking, by prejudice, passion and headlong party-spirit, we fearfully endanger, if not absolutely renounce our rights. We are therefore, in a greater or less degree, without our constitutional and boasted Freedom. This is WHITE SLAVERY."

The object of the author is to make his fellow-citizens understand and feel their individual concern in the affairs of government, and their duties and responsibilities in relation to the politics of their country. He considers that the American people are far too negligent and unfaithful in the exercise of their political rights, and that there is a lamentable deficiency of incorruptible principle and sound practical wisdom manifested in the selection of candidates for offices of trust, in the conduct of elections, and in the adoption and advocacy of schemes proposed by rival "political architects." He is persuaded that ignorance and prejudice with reference to the true interests of the people and to the tendency of important legislative measures prevail in our community to an alarming extent. To use his own strong language, "White Slavery, like a leprosy, penetrates the whole proud body of our nation to its very joints and marrow, and covers it all over with either open sore or concealing scab."

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For this disease he proposes a remedy which he considers to be rational, just, easy, safe, certain." It is this-that all our citizens do, henceforth, "read, and think independently, and impartially, and thoroughly on the opposite sides of political questions about which our leading men are divided." This would, indeed, be a most efficacious remedy, if partisans could be induced to take it.

Having laid down this general principle as the corner stone of his "new emancipation" measure, the author proceeds to offer a "plan of operations, a new system of tactics in politics," a scheme of organization for the abolition of "White Slavery." He proposes that an association be formed in each smaller town and in the wards of the city, whose object shall be to promote independent and impartial inquiry concerning our rights, interests and duties as citizens under an elective government. The members must be from political parties promiscuously, and every precaution be taken to prevent jealousy and ill feeling. For this purpose he would have two Presidents, one from each side, who should preside alternately, a Secretary from one party and a Librarian from the other. The great standing rule must be for each member regularly to read opposing newspapers! and an Execu tive Committee (consisting of a Democrat and a Whig), in each school district, must see that every man in the district has due access to the publications of both parties and that he does not neglect them after having had access, &c.

We confess that there is something in this beautiful scheme so Utopian in our dull and earthward view, that we could not read it. without a smile. Would that its practicability were less a matter of doubt. In order to its adoption we must presuppose a degree of wisdom and good feeling amongst our citizens, to which according to our author's opinion they have not yet arrived, and to which we are very much afraid that his counsels and admonitions will not avail to elevate them.

The book contains many valuable and timely suggestions, and is written in an enthusiastic and animated spirit. It abounds in illustration, often pertinent, but sometimes stretched so far as to amuse rather than instruct. The judicious reader will pardon the occasional hyperbole and a few offences against a correct taste, for the sake of the excellent object which the author desires to promote. We hope that his good thoughts and wise counsels will not be lost upon the great fraternity of "White Slaves."

ROSANNA; OR SCENES IN BOSTON. A STORY. By the Author of "Three Experiments of Living," "The Contrast or Modes of Education," &c. Cambridge: John Owen. 1839. pp. 134. 18 mo.

A NATURAL, judicious, temperance tale, we regard as one of the truest blessings that can now be given to the community. It may not be proper to call this a temperance tale precisely, and it is not exclusively such; but it is virtually. Yet call it what you will, so that you read and circulate it. It is "written and sold for the benefit of the Infant School in Broad street, Boston." And it is a picture of scenes that occurred in that vicinity, actual scenes, we infer, falling under the eye or personal knowledge of the narrator. They are not remarkable scenes. Probably the same or similar may be witnessed at any time, in any large city. And this is their value. They are reality-and a part of that wide-spread, dark, terrible reality, which makes the heart ache. Oh, it is sad. And how any can look upon it unmoved, how any can wish or dare to utter a single word of possible encouragement to that which is the deadly cause of all-intemperance,

we cannot, cannot understand. If there is no power, moral or political, that can purify or even check this fountain of iniquity and misery, wo to our land and our race!

We thank the writer for the power here put forth. It will not be in vain. Let every one read the story of Rosanna, the innocent Irish girl, coming in all confidence and brightness to marry one of her countrymen, who neglected her through two miserable years and then died a drunkard, leaving her at the age of twentytwo a widow with two children, utterly destitute, and she herself already under the influence of the fatal spell that had bound and destroyed her husband. Her only friend now is a countryman in the same condition, and yet more a slave to the same habit, whose kindness constantly supplies and tempts her with the means of indulgence. Her ruin advances rapidly. Want of strength, from this same indulgence, want of employment, a diseased and helpless child, poverty, beggary, shame, despair, all fed and inflamed by the "dear friend," hurry her on and down. A true friend, also a country woman and poor, steps in and endeavors to turn the current, and save the wretched sufferer, explaining to her the real trouble. It is in vain. Rosanna drinks on, against all her convictions and purposes, becomes half delirious, wanders out, and is committed to the House of Correction; her children and friends supposing her drowned. By the influence of a benevolent lady and her husband, she is at last found and released, and with the help of the true friend, Dora, the "poor wise woman," she is reclaimed.

It may not be the design, but it is one of the effects of this little book, to bring into favorable notice an institution, which, in many places and minds, seems to have quite disappeared-the Infant School. The story being written and sold for the benefit of such a school, we hope it will prove an additional recommendation. For whatever doubts may exist, and have just influence, in ordinary cases, there can be no doubt of the utility of Infant Schools in such circumstances as are here presented. We have only to say further, that the book is suited to children of common intelligence, as well as to adult readers.

PICTURES OF EARLY LIFE; OR, SKETCHES OF YOUTH.

By Mrs.

Emma C. Embury. Boston: Marsh, Capen, Lyon, and Webb. 1839. pp. 310. 18 mo.

WE have taken pleasure in reading this book, yet hesitate how to order our words in speaking of it. It has decided faults and great excellencies. It claims more attention than most juvenile books, as being more extended and solid in itself, and as making the first of the Juvenile Series of the SCHOOL LIBRARY, prepared and recommended by the Board of Education in this state. This Board, it is probably known, intend issuing two series of fifty volumes each, a larger, or 12mo. series, for advanced scholars, teachers and parents, and a smaller, 18mo., for children of twelve years and under,—not as school books properly, but reading books for leisure hours out of school. The enterprise is a great one, and we are not sure that this smaller part of it is not the larger in importance. It is easier to furnish good reading for adults, than for children.

And such a

Of

mixture is there in our juvenile collections now, such a conflict between good and evil, raising a sober question as to the preponderance of strength and the final victory, that we look with solicitude upon the motions of the Board of Education as they come to the rescue. their Juvenile Series, there are five numbers nearly ready to be issued, we understand, as regular parts of the Library. Of these, some idea may now be formed by the two that have been sent out first and sold separately-viz: Means and Ends, by Miss Sedgwick, and Pictures of Early Life, by Mrs. Embury. One of these has been already received, and approved by the public. The other we are now noticing.

It comes from a lady not before known to us, but judging by this specimen of her powers, neither a new writer nor a common one. And yet there is nothing very uncommon here. The book contains more than 300 close pages, made up of eighteen independent stories. And this is one objection we make to it—that there are too many separate stories, having no common object, and some of them amounting to very little. Another objection is, that they are too romantic. They are not only fictitious, in which of itself we see less