LITERARY NOTICES.

THE SKETCHES-THREE TALES: I. WALTER LORIMER; II. THE EMBLEMS OF LIFE; III. THE LOST INHERITANCE. By the authors of Amy Herbert, The Old Man's Home, and Hawkstone. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This work is certainly somewhat curious in its origin, as well as highly in teresting in the manner of its execution. Its history is thus given in the advertisement prefixed to it: "It was suggested as a Christmas amusement, that one of a party should draw a series of sketches which the rest should severally interweave into some short story or description. Subsequently a proposal was made that a volume, so framed, should be published, with a view to increasing the funds for the erection of a church and schools at Bonchurch, in which all the contributors felt a common interest. The original plan has been faithfully adhered to: the engravings therefore are not illustrations of the letter press, but the letter press of the engravings." In this, so far as we know, unprece dented way, they have contrived to make up several tales of no inconsiderable spirit and beauty. The history of the book will procure for it readers; and of those who read most will approve, and many will admire.

NOTES ON THE GOSPELS, CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY, &c. By Melancthon N. Jacobus. New York: Robert Carter.

This work is specially designed as an auxiliary in the work of sabbath school instruction; being adapted alike for the benefit of teachers and of pupils. Its author has discovered equal good judgment and taste, and enough of critical skill for the successful accomplishment of the object which he has undertaken. The work is designed as an accompaniment of the questions for Sunday schools prepared by the American Sunday School Union, and it can hardly fail to find a ready patronage wherever those questions are used. It will not be limited in its circulation to sabbath schools, as it will be found a highly valuable work for every general reader of the scriptures.

A JOURNEY OVER THE REGION OF FULFILLED PROPHECY. By the Rev. J. A. Wylie. Dolear: Scotland. New York: Robert Carter.

This is a most taking little work, fitted to accomplish great good especially by confirming the faith of many in the divinity of the scriptures. The writer conducts us, as by a magic influence, through all those countries in whose history prophecy has had the most signal fulfilment; and his descriptions, though perfectly true to nature and life, have the bewitching charm of a romance. It requires but a couple of hours to go through the book; but simple and element.

ary as it is, it is hardly possible that the most mature Christian should read it without feeling a new degree of confidence that the religion in which he trusts stands on a basis that is impregnable.

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS. By Samuel L. Southard. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

These discourses are founded on the text-" Without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness," &c.; each clause of the entire verse forming the subject of a discourse. They are written in an animated and interesting style, well adapted to the pulpit; and the views of scripture truth which they contain will be cordially responded to by most Christian denominations. They are evidently the production of a superior mind, acting under the influence of an earnest and all-pervading piety. The style of typographical execution is admirable.

THE BIBLE HISTORY OF PRAYER; WITH PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. By Charles A. Goodrich. Hartford: Printed for the Author.

Mr. Goodrich is well known to the public as the author of many excellent works, but we have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that this last will prove the best and the most enduring witness for him. It is just what its title imports a history of all the devotions of God's people of which there is any inspired record. It is in the highest degree both an experimental and practical work; and is fitted to render the exercise at once more intelligent, earnest, frequent, delightful, and profitable. It is a book on which all Christians may well afford to unite, and to the circulation of which every minister of the gospel will find the strongest inducements to contribute as being adapted to aid the effects of his own ministrations.

IDA NORMAN: by Mrs. Lincoln Phelps. Baltimore, 1848.

The authoress of this interesting little volume, is well known to the American public by the valuable additions she has made to the number of text books for the use of schools and academies. In the work before us, she conveys, in a familiar conversational style, much useful instruction, in the form of a novel, specially adapted to the use of boarding school misses, and not unworthy the attention of all who would learn to bear, with fortitude, the ills of life, and be taught good morals and elegance of manners.