the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." We do not admire Wilson's poetry as a whole; and yet some beautiful strains might be culled from it. He wrote rapidly and diffusely; throwing off everything at a first draft, without much correction or polish. His "Border Tales" are quite miscellaneous in their character, and contain much that he would doubtless have thrown out, had he lived to place them in a permanent form. They are written diffusely and carelessly. But with all their faults, they give indications of genius, humor and pathos, a keen insight into character, great descriptive powers, and a fine conception of the beautiful and true. Some of them are told with great pith and raciness; and though inferior in some respects, to Professor Wilson's "Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life," are more natural and easy, more characteristic and amusing. Upon the whole, they give a better idea of the Scottish character than the Professor's splendid, but exaggerated pictures. James Mackay Wilson died too young for his fame; but his simple tales will be read, for many a day, in the homes of "bonny Scotland." Among other things, they give a just representation of the religious character of the Scottish peasantry. While their faults and foibles are depicted with graphic power, their solemn faith, their profound enthusiasm, and their leal-hearted piety are exhibited in beautiful relief. Justice is done to the old Covenanters, whose rough patriotism and burning zeal were the salvation of their native land. Long may their martyr spirit, softened by charity, prevail in Scotland; and generations yet unborn shall "rise up and call her blessed." In this series of sketches, now brought to a close, it has been the author's aim to make a contribution to literature, which, while it might prove attractive, would yet exert a pure moral influence. Such an excursion beyond the peculiar limits of his profession, he thinks, was permitted him, at least for once, and may tend to promote the great object for which he desires to live. At all events, if he has accomplished nothing more, he has yet succeeded in calling up "a gentle vision" of "Auld Lang Syne," by which his own heart has been solaced and cheered. "Lang Syne! how doth the word come back, With magic meaning to the heart, As memory roams the sunny track, From which hope's dreams were loath to part! No joy like by-past joy appears; For what is gone we fret and pine; "Lang Syne!-ah, where are they who shared Kindly with some hath fortune fared; And some have bowed beneath the scythe Of death; while others scattered far O'er foreign lands, at fate repine, "Lang Syne !—the heart can never be Lang Syne !-the eyes no more shall see Ah, no! the rainbow hopes of youth. Lang Syne!-with thee resides a spell To raise the spirit, and refine. Farewell!-there can be no farewell To thee, loved, lost Lang Syne!" Dr. Moir. PUBLISHED BY R. CARTER, 58 CANAL STREET, N. Y. AND 56 MARKET STREET, PITTSBURG. HORNE'S INTRODUCTION. New Edition, enlarged. Illustrated with numerous Maps and Facsimiles of Biblical Manuscripts. 2 vols. imperial 8vo. Price $3 50. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF MISSIONS. Illustrated by twenty-five Engravings on steel. By the Rev. J. O. Choules and the Rev. Thomas Smith. 2 vols. in one, 4to., bound in full cloth. Price only $3 50. THE BRITISH PULPIT. Consisting of Discourses by the most eminent living divines, in England, Scotland, and Ireland; accompanied with Pulpit Sketches. By the Rev. W. Suddards. 2 vols. 8vo. Price $250. ANCIENT HISTORY, Containing the History of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians, &c., from Rollin and other ancient sources, both ancient and modern. 4 vols. 12mo. Price only $2 00. CONNECTION OF SACRED AND PROFANE HISTORY. THE ISRAEL OF GOD. A Series of Practical Sermons. By Stephen H. Tyng, D.D., 1 vol 8vo. Price $1 00. MOFFAT'S SOUTHERN AFRICA. MEMOIR OF REV. HENRY MARTIN. OF THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, With remarks on the Commentaries of Dr. McKnight, Prof. Moses Stuart, and Professor Tholuck. By Robert Haldane, Esq. 1 vol. 8vo. 1 A PASTOR'S MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY LAND. FOSTER'S ESSAYS On Decision of Character, &c. New Edition. 12mo. |