The Addresses and Messages of the Presidents of the United States, from Washington to Tyler, embracing the Executive Proclamations, Recommendations, Protests and Vetoes from 1798 to 1843, together with the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States. Fourth Edition. New York: EDWARD WALKER, 112 Fulton-street. 1843. 8vo. pp. 782. This volume must of course be a sine qua non in the library, not only of every politician proper, but also of every general reader and observer of American history. Its merits are already familiar to the public, and that they are justly appreciated is sufficiently attested by the progress it has made to a fourth edition. As a book of frequent reference-as in itself a political history of the country-as a monument of national honor-and as the finest existing collection of political writings, this volume of the Messages of the American Presidents possesses a sterling and substantial value which speaks sufficiently for itself without the necessity for further recommendation of ours. Illustrated Edition of the Book of Common Prayer, &c., &c., containing upwards of 700 engravings on wood, in part from original designs, but principally taken from the English, and adapted to the present edition. Edited by Rev. J. M. WAINWRIGHT, D. D., New York. H. W. Hewet, Publisher, 1843. No. 1. The first or specimen number of this work does not, on the whole, strike us very favorably. The typography is very fine, and many of the cuts and vignettes good, but some of the latter are very inferior; nor does the idea of converting the Prayer Book into a picture-book, to divert and amuse the attention from its more proper purpose, seem a very happy one. The volume intended to accompany it, from the pen of its accomplished and judicious Editor, comprising a history of the Liturgy, with a commentary on the text and rubrics, will undoubtedly be of high interest and value to the denomination for which the whole is designed; among whom it can scarcely be doubted that a work so elegant as this promises to be will be extensively patronized. MONTHLY LITERARY BULLETIN. AMERICAN. WE hear of little doing among the publishing fraternity at this time; and ⚫ therefore our Literary announcements for the month will be few. Dr. Sweetser's book is just finished-and from a glance at its pages we predict success for the author as to fame and emolument. It is attractively entitled "Mental Hygiene;" being an examination of the intellect and passions and their influence on health and longevity. The Langleys are the publishers, who also announce the following for immediate publication-D. Pereira's new work on "Diet and Food," to be edited, (by express desire of the author), by Dr. C. A. Lee, with notes, &c. By the way, this gentleman has just completed a thoroughly revised edition of Dr. Thomson's "Conspectus of the Pharmacopeias" This first American, from the thirteenth London edition, will be greatly augmented by valuable additions from recent works on Materia Medica. The same firm are about to issue Dr. Clarke on the "Diseases of "Har Females," Dr. Copeland's "Medical Dictionary," in monthly parts, rison on the Arteries," &c., &c. Mr. Norman is, we hear, reaping a golden harvest of applause in the Great Metropolis, from his interesting work, "Rambles in Yucatan;" a large number of copies of which, it seems, have been despatched to London already; moreover, the Queen has transmitted instructions for a choice copy. We shall not be surprised to learn presently of his being presented with the honorary membership of the several learned institutions of Great Britain; as has been done by our New York Historical Society. We would again commend his book to the notice of our readers. We have been gratified to observe, in a recent number of the London Athenæum, an extended and highly complimentary notice of the new and improved edition of the "President's Messages," published by Walker, of this city. It is a volume we may justly value and should be possessed universally. Sears' "New Family Magazine," a new issue just commenced, is of very great merit; it differs from the ephemeral works of our time, its pages being of a sterling, intrinsic, and instructive character; it cannot fail therefore of eminent success. Tappan and Dennet, Boston, will publish immediately a third volume of "Speeches and Forensic Arguments of Daniel Webster." Rumor speaks highly of Jarvis's new work "History of the Sandwich Islands." It is beautifully embellished. The same firm have also just issued "Manhood, a scene from the past -a series of poems," by W. Plumer; also, a little gem entitled "Daily Food for Christians, for every day in the year." A splendid Pictorial edition of the "Common Prayer," edited by Dr. Wainwright, has just been commenced in this city, by Hewitt. It is to comprise some seven hundred illustrations, most of them from those of the London edition, but many are original, from the exquisite pencil of Chapman. The work is to be issued in numbers, the first of which is now before us, and augurs well for the splendid execution of its typographical appearance. A new and very fine edition of Fox's "Book of Martyrs," has just been issued by Moore, of this city, with frontispiece and other plates, &c. Of a work so universally known, nothing further need be said in its behalf than we have already done. Dr. Brownlee has a new work nearly ready, to be entitled "Romanism Reviewed in the light of Prophecy and History," &c., which we hear is of a very interesting character. J. S. Taylor & Co., announce " Puseyism Examined," by D'Aubigné, author of the "History of the Reformation," with an introduction by the Rev. W. Baird; also, "The Christian Citizen," by Rev. A. D. Eddy, and "A Pattern for Sunday School Teachers," by Rev. J. Angel James. ENGLISH. Mr. Theo. S. Fay's new novel just issued in London is entitled "The Double Duel, or Hoboken;"-the latter, we presume, is to form its American patronymic. We are happy to observe another new production from the favorite pen of Mrs. Ellis, to be entitled "The Wives of England;" also still another by Charlotte Elizabeth to be called "Second Causes, or Up and be Doing." A new work for the young, has just appeared, entitled "True Stories from the history of the Church," by Rev. J. King. Bentley has just commenced the experiment of cheap prices for his publications-reducing them about one half-this is a safe and will doubtless prove a popular, and therefore profitable expedient. We observe a new work of fiction is about to appear from the pen of Mrs. Thomson, authoress of "Widows and Widowers," &c. A new work on Egyptian researches, entitled "Arts, Antiquities, and Chronology of Ancient Egypt," from Personal Observations in 1839. With numerous Illustrations, from the author's own Sketches, By G. H. Wathen. Also, "Report on the Geology of the County of Londonderry, and of parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh." Examined and described under the authority of the Board of Ordnance. By J. E. Portlock, F.R.S., &c., with a large colored Map, 45 Plates of Fossils, and 26 Illustrations on wood. "Icones Piscium," by Dr. Richardson, part 1, 4to., large colored plates, is just Also, "A Life of Robert Pollok," author of "The Course of Time." A new serial work has just been commenced, the first part of which includes "The Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarolo, including notices of Italy during the progress of the Reformation of the 15th century," to be followed by "the Life and Times of John Reuchlin, the father of the German Reformation," &c. out. A new Periodical issue is to be commenced on the 1st of this month, entitled "The National Gallery of Pictures by the Great Masters." Each number to contain three subjects. Price one shilling. "The Monkish Historians of Britain," is the title of another serial in course of publication. "Report of the South Shields Committee, appointed to investigate the Causes of Accidents in Coal Mines. With Plans and Appendix. "An Efficient Remedy for the Distress of Nations." By John Gray. "Eighteen Treatises from the Mishna." Translated by the Rev. D. A. De Sola, and the Rev. M. J. Raphall. Handsome present for the Nursery. Just published, price 3s. "The New Chapter of Kings; or, the History of England in Miniature, for the Use of Children, with 40 Illustrations, including a complete series of Portraits from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria. "The Schoolmaster at Home." By the Rev. W. Gresley. NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Ar the regular monthly meeting of this institution, on the 7th February, the chair was taken by the Hon. Albert Gallatin, LL.D., the new President, supported by Chancellor Kent, and Vice Presidents De Witt and Lawrence. About one hundred members and invited guests were present. The venerable President, on being conducted to the chair, read an inaugural address, which was listened to with profound attention, and, at its close, received the loud applause of the audience. The subject was the peculiar characteristics of the American Revolution, which were treated in an original and graphic manner, in language remarkable for its precision and force. As this discourse is already before the public in a pamphlet form, we forbear making extracts, recommending to our readers the perusal of the whole, which cannot fail to afford them the highest gratification for the sound views it contains, and the respected source from which it proceeds. Mr. Gallatin is now eighty-two years of age, having survived nearly all the prominent politicians and statesmen with whom he was conspicuously associated more than forty years ago. Although apparently feeble in a physical point of view, his health is good, and his mind retains its surprising acuteness, strength, and activity. He is constantly employed in studies of an abstruse nature, being at present chiefly occupied with the astronomy and arithmetical science of the ancient Mexicans, and with the dialects of the Maya or Yucatan Indians, and of other Mexican nations. At his suggestion Mr. Stephens collected specimens of the Maya language, showing its verbal forms and. constructive character, during his recent visit to Yuca tan. A letter from Sir James Edward Alexander, returning his thanks to the Society for electing him an honorary member, was read by Mr. De Peyster, the Corresponding Secretary. The Librarian, Mr. Gibbs, presented an interesting and valuable Report on the state of the Library. General James Tallmadge related an interesting and curious Revolutionary incident, relative to the capture of a British spy sent by Sir Henry Clinton to General Burgoyne, after the capture of Fort Montgomery, by a large force under Sir Henry's command. The man pretending to be a cattle-dealer, in search of provisions for the army, was gradually working his way to the north unsuspected; when, reaching Red Hook, near Rhinebeck Flats, he stopped at a small tavern where several of the neighbors were assembled. Suspicion chanced to fall on him, and, according to the fashion of the times, they proceeded to search him, and took from his pocket several bullets. The light weight of one of them was immediately remarked; and, at the exclamation, "why, that is no bullet; it is too light;" the spy snatched it from the hand of the examiner, and, turning round, instantly swallowed it. He was immediately taken across the river to Hurley, near Kingston, where Governor Clinton, with a detachment of militia, was encamped; and, on the relation of the facts, he was turned over to the medical department, with orders that they should find the ball. Emetics were accordingly administered, and, these not proving effective, they were followed by medicines of an opposite character, which soon brought the ball to light. On examination it was found to be a hollow silver bullet, joined in the centre by a slight screw, and when opened contained a letter, of which the following is an exact copy: "FORT MONTGOMERY, "October 8th, 1777. "Nous voici-and nothing between us but Gates. I sincerely hope this little success of ours may facilitate your operations. In answer to your letter of the 28th of September, by C. C., I shall only say, I cannot presume to order, or even advise, for reasons obvious. I heartily wish you success. Faithfully yours, "H. CLINTON. "To General Burgoyne." A drum-head court-martial was forthwith summoned, and the bearer of the bullet was tried and condemned as a spy, and hung, in pursuance of his sentence, from the limb of a tree standing close by, bearing south and east from the present Hurley church. The important bearing of this event will be appreciated when it is remembered that Burgoyne was delaying his march toward Albany to hear of Clinton's progress, and had he learned the news communicated by the letter, that Clinton had captured, and was waiting at, Fort Montgomery, the meditated junction of the two armies might have been effected, to the great detriment of the American cause. General Tallmadge, after detailing these circumstances, produced the veritable silver ball, with the letter still contained in it, which was taken from the spy, and had come into General T.'s possession, as one of the administrators of the Clinton estate. Quite a sensation was created among those present, by so practical an illustration of this interesting historical event. Several gentlemen were proposed as resident members, and the balloting for those previously nominated was postponed to the next meeting. Mr. Folsom moved certain amendments to the constitution, which, on motion of Dr. Stevens, were also laid over. Mr. John L. Stephens presented the Society a number of valuable MSS which he had brought from Central America on completing his last exploring tour, and which he has made use of in his forthcoming work on the newly discovered antiquities of that region. Some of these MSS. are of vast importance, as determining the vexed question with regard to the date of the ruins of Urmal, and the identity of the people of whom they are the sole remains. Mr. Stephens accompanied his offer with explanatory remarks in relation to each MS. They are as follows: 1. Ancient Calendar of Yucatan, or exposition of the method used by the Aborigines of that country to compute time. MS in Spanish, by Don Juan Pio Perez, of Pito. 2. An Almanac, according to the ancient Indian system, for the year, from the 16th of July, 1841, to the 15th of July, 1842, being a key or supplement to the Calendar. MS. in Spanish, by Don Juan Pio Perez. 3. Ancient map found among the archives of Mani, the first place in Yucatan that submitted to the Spaniards, bearing date A. D. 1557, fifteen years after the conquest; Uxmal being one of the places laid down upon it. 4. Act of partition, and for settling the boundaries of lands between the caciques of various villages, endorsed on the back of the above map; Uxmal being one of the places mentioned therein, written in the Maya language, and accompanied by a translation in Spanish. 5. Record of an agreement for the partition of lands bearing date A. D. 1556, in which Urmal is again mentioned, written in the Maya language, and accompanied by a Spanish translation. 6. Fragment of a Maya manuscript, written by an Indian at some period of time not designated, and entitled "Principal Epochs of the Ancient History of Yucatan," purporting to give the series of "Katunes," or epochs of fifty-two years, "from the time of the departure of the Toltecs from their country of Tulapan until their arrival at this, as it is called, island of Chacnou-itan." 7. Verbal forms, and other illustrations of the grammar of the Maya languages, procured in Yucatan according to memoranda previously furnished by the Hon. Albert Gallatin. 8. A vocabulary, in manuscript, containing more than four thousand Maya words. 9. Table of thermometrical observations made at Merida, the capital of Yucatan, by the Cura Villamil for one year, beginning on the 1st of September, 1841, and ending on the 31st of August, 1842. On motion of Mr. George A. Ward, the thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Stephens for his donation; and, on motion of Mr. Schoolcraft, it was resolved that Mr. Hoffman be requested to deposit in their archives a copy of the lecture delivered before them several weeks since, and which embodied a good deal of interesting traditional lore. The Society then adjourned. Refreshments of a simple character were provided in an adjoining apartment, and the remainder of the evening was passed, as usual, in conversation. The presence of many distinguished gentlemen, and among others Chancellor Kent, increased the interest excited by the inauguration of the President, and the delivery of his spirited and instructive address. We understand that the petition of the Society in behalf of Mr. Brodhead's mission was favorably regarded at Albany, and that a bill has passed the Senate appropriating five thousand dollars towards its completion. We trust it will meet with no opposition in the Assembly. The object is one of such great public moment, and such universal interest, that, were other motives wanting, due regard to the wishes of their constituents, and their own reputation, ought to be sufficient to prevent the rejection of a measure, without the passage of which the history of New York cannot be written for want of the necessary materials, now actually within our grasp. |