LITERARY NOTICES.

"AMERICAN COMMON PLACE BOOK OF PROSE."-The selections that form this interesting volume, are from the pens of our most popular and patriotic writers; and, generally speaking, the articles are highly creditable, not only to their respective authors, but to American taste and literature.

Mr. Goodrich is unwearied in his exertions, to introduce a relish and regard for the productions of our own writers, and we sincerely hope his efforts will not be in vain. It is the best means of stimulating our writers of talent to persevere in their attempts. While English works are republished, and read, and praised, and paid for exclusively, what can tempt our people to write at all, would be matter of astonishment, did we not know, that those who feel the scribbling mania, are not usually, even allowing them to be Yankees, very careful to calculate consequences, or, sagacious in guessing what would be the result and reward of their own labours.

We hope that, though the various authors, from whose works the selections that have contributed to make the Common Place Book a very respectable volume, have never been adequately rewarded, that the enterprising publisher of these extracts will not suffer such discouragement. However, there is not much reason to fear such a result; the work will, undoubtedly, be extensively patronised.

"THE COURSE OF TIME.-A Poem-by Robert Pollok." This book is a very singular production, whether we regard the character of the age, or the age of the author. At a period of life, when to sport among the roses of literature, and gather a wreath from the bright gardens of fiction, would have seemed a congenial pursuit, the writer has resolutely relinquished the flowery path, and sought through nature and revelation, to find "severely sifting out the essential truth." To impress on the minds of his readers the truth, as it appeared to him, was his grand object; and wonderfully has he succeeded.

No person can read the poem, without being struck by the power which the simple truth possesses, when breathed from the soul of one who feels its importance, to awe, agitate, and interest the human mind. We would not be understood as speaking with any sectarian reference. The images, descriptions, and characteristics, with which the work abounds, are of a kind that must come home to the heart and feelings of every individual who bears, whether from birth or profession, the name of Christian.

That the aim of the author was to do good by his exhibitions of the "naked human heart," no reader will doubt. His solemn invocation at once reveals the pre

dominant passion of the bard ;

"Hold my right hand, Almighty! and me teach To strike the lyre, but seldom struck, to notes Harmonious with the morning stars, and pure

As those of sainted bards, and angels sung,
Which wake the echoes of eternity-

That fools may hear and tremble, and the wise
Instructed listen, of ages yet to come."

We shall say nothing of the plan of this poem; that may be applauded, or censured, by different sects; but the beauties and sublimities of this masterly production, must and will be admired by all who have taste and feeling.

We should like to quote many specimens of his peculiar manner of delineating characters; but our limits will not permit it. We select childhood, as being of that class, which cannot fail to interest our own sex.

"No tongue shall tell what bliss o'erflowed
The mother's tender heart, while round her hung
The offspring of her love, and lisped her name;
As living jewels dropt unstained from heaven,
That made her fairer far, and sweeter seem,
Than every ornament of costliest hue.
And who hath not been ravished, as she passed
With all her playful band of little ones,
Like Luna, with her daughters of the sky,
Walking with matron majesty and grace?

All who had hearts, here pleasure found: and oft
Have I, when tired with heavy task, for tasks,
Were heavy in the world below, relaxed

My weary thoughts among their guiltless sports;

And led them by their little hands afield;

And watched them run and crop the tempting flower,-
Which oft, unasked, they brought me, and bestow'd

With smiling face, that waited for a look

Of praise, and answered curious questions, put

In much simplicity, but ill to solve;

And heard their observations strange and new,
And settled whiles their little quarrels, soon
Ending in peace, and soon forgot in love.
And still I looked upon their loveliness;
And sought through nature for similitudes
Of perfect beauty, innocence, and bliss.

And fairest imagery around me thronged :-
Dew-drops at day-spring on a seraph's locks;

Roses that bathe about the well of life;

Young Loves, young Hopes, dancing on Morning's cheek;
Gems leaping in the coronet of love:

So beautiful, so full of life, they seemed

As made entire of beams of angels eyes.

Gay, guileless, sportive, lovely, little things!

Playing around the den of sorrow, clad

In smiles; believing in their fairy hopes;
And thinking man and woman true: all joy:
Happy all day, and happy all the night.'

We have read many descriptions attempting to portray the appearance of men in that great day, " for which all other days were made," but we never saw any thing that could compare with the one in the book before us. There is no artificial heightening of circumstance; no attempt to impose horrors on the fancy, at which the understanding would revolt; it seems a "plain, unvarnished tale" of what will

assuredly be; and yet the person who can read it unmoved, must have strong nerves, or a stout heart.

Take one picture more, and would it might influence the women of this fair land to strive carnestly to realize the vision of the poet.

"Her house

Was ordered well; her children taught the way
Of life-who, rising up in honour, called
Her blest. Best pleased to be admired at home,
And hear reflected from her husband's praise,
Her own, she sought no gaze of foreign eye.
His praise alone, and faithful love, and trust
Reposed, was happiness enough for her.
Yet who that saw her pass, and heard the poor
With earnest benedictions on her steps
Attend, could from obeisance keep his eye,
Or tongue, from due applause. In virtue fair,
Adorned with modesty, and matron grace
Unspeakable, and love-her face was like
The light, most welcome to the eye of man;
Refreshing most, most honored, most desired
Of all he saw in the dim world below.
As Morning when she shed her golden locks,
And on the dewy top of Hermon walked,
Or Zion hill-so glorious was her path:
Old men beheld, and did her reverence,

And bade their daughters look, and take from her
Example of their future life: the young
Admired, and new resolve of virtue made.
And none who was her husband asked: his air
Serene, and countenance of joy, the sign
Of inward satisfaction, as he passed

The crowd, or sat among the elders, told.

In holiness complete, and in the robes

Of saving righteousness, arrayed for heaven,
How fair, that day, among the fair, she stood!
How lovely on the eternal hills her steps!

We recommend the perusal of The Course of Time to all who admire the truth in sentiment and description; beautiful, sublime, yet, we must confess, at times, awful and appalling truth.

"THE STORM."-JOHN WILLIAMS."-" MARION WILDER."-Bowles & Dearborn. It is not probable that the mere novel reader, will deem the little books named above, as of sufficient importance to merit a niche among "literary notices." But it is particularly cur intention to encourage useful literature; and, when we find young ladies, who might, perhaps, would they attempt it, write a novel that would merit a labored review, devoting their time and talents, to the humble, yet, nevertheless, important task, of preparing books suitable for children, and thus aiding the grand, and to Americans, the sacred cause of education, we deem such a proceeding worthy of notice and praise.

Miss Dix, the author of "The Storm, &c." has written several books, whose titles we have not mentioned, but from examination, recommend her writings to the patronage of parents-to children they will need no recommendation.

"THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER'S MANUAL."-This little work, to be published monthly, is designed for families and Sunday Schools. The plan we think good, and the execution, thus far, deserving of much praise. The establishment of Sabbath Schools, is a remarkable feature in modern instruction. Its effects on the moral world, cannot yet be fully realised, but, judging from appearances, we may hope great and glorious results. The system, however, though pursued with zeal, has not, as yet, in our country, been productive of such sensible benefits, as among the uneducated populace of Europe. This difference has, undoubtedly, arisen in consequence of the better previous education of our children. They needed not to be taught to read, and in imparting religious instruction, too much time has been devoted to recitations from the bible. The memory has thus been loaded, without improving the mind, or deducing those practical lessons that, by affecting the heart, influence the conduct of children. We are glad to see that a different method is becoming popular; and we think the publication before us, will have an excellent effect in disseminating improved and liberal views on the subject of religious instruction, and in promoting harmony and concert among the friends of "little children." We would particularly recommend the plan and operation of the Franklin Sabbath School, to the consideration of teachers, and parents. The book is worthy of the patronage it will doubtless receive from the Christian community, and we take pleasure in adding, it is worthy the talents and character of the amiable lady by whom it is conducted.

"EARLY IMPRESSIONS."-" TEMPTATION, or Henry Morland.”—“ THE DAINTY BOY."-" THE SHOWER."-Bowles & Dearborn. These little books are, we learn, the productions of Mrs. Cleaveland, and, truly, they do her much credit. We hardly recollect to have read a book, designed for children and youth, with which we were better pleased, than with that placed at the head of this list. The others are also well written, and will prove useful auxiliaries to those mothers, who are seriously engaged in the important task of educating their children.

A DISCOURSE ON THE GENIUS AND CHARACTER OF THE REV. HORACE HOLLEY-With an Appendix. Whatever dissimilarity of opinion may exist relative to the correctness of the peculiar religious tenets of Dr. Holley, no doubts of the power and brilliancy of his mind, of his superior talents and genius, will be entertained by any person who peruses attentively his "Memoirs." Neither will it be questioned that he possessed, with his transcendent abilities, the inclination, the ardent wish to be extensively useful. These conclusions will not be drawn from the opinion of his eulogist, though Doctor Caldwell has ably peformed that very delicate, and in this case, important office. We see at once in the beginning of Doctor Holley's career, the stirrings of that enterprising, energetic, original and lofty spirit which "gives the world assurance of a man." But we have no intention of giving even a brief abstract of the life of this eminent individual-whoever feels a deep interest in the display of American talent, genius and character, for the subject of these "memoirs," in his predilections and exertions was truly American, will not fail to read the work. It is the part which the wife of the deceased has performed, that engages our attention and must chiefly occupy our notice.

Mrs. Holley assisted in preparing the Appendix; indeed it was mostly written or selected by her, and it certainly may be matter of triumph to those who are engaged in promoting female education, and showing the utility of the intellectual influence of woman, to observe how well she has performed her part. Neither does it at all derogate from her merit as a writer, to assert that she must have learned of him whom she attempted to portray. Intimate acquaintance with a superior mind may awaken the energies, elevate the thoughts, direct the pursuits, but it cannot impart intellect. The woman who exhibits superior talents must have inherited them from nature. She may be indebted to the superior education of her husband, (men always have the advantage there,) for the improvement of her taste; she would undoubtedly with pride and pleasure acknowledged his assistance; but nevertheless she must have received from nature the inspiration of genius-and that in no stinted measure.

In adverting to the characteristic traits of the deceased, those peculiar exhibitions of talent, which he early displayed, it is acknowledged that Dr. Holley, in mind, resembled his father. But there are some observations and notes on the subject, which we think will be interesting to our readers. These we shali quote, only remarking, that if the opinion, that eminent men usually derive their superior genius from the mother, should, after due investigation, be found to be sufficiently supported by circumstances, to warrant a belief in its general correctness, the question respecting the mental equality of the sexes will be, at once, decided. Or, if there be a difference, the balance will be in favor of the women. Those who transmit genius, must possess it.

But natural brilliancy of talents is but of little avail, without strict and judicious cultivation. Perhaps the mental superiority, evinced by the men who are named as illustrious examples, was more the effect of this early judicious training, than any inherent, uncommon capacity of mind. Would it not be wise for every mother so to consider it, and adopt such a method of instruction with her child, and persevere in it too, as shall give her the praise of eliciting his talents, and directing his energies to the pursuit of excellence? Should her son become eminent in consequence of her instruction, and virtuous example, she will deserve a higher compliment, than if he merely derived his genius from her superior abilities.

"It is an interesting question, and one that has given rise to much curious speculation, How does an individual inherit his genius? That it is an inheritance, though greatly modified by the circumstances which repress or foster its growth, all must allow. Some very intelligent persons earnestly contend that every superior man must have had a superior mother. However that may be-the author would choose to exemplify rather than contradict it—it is certain that the example, which to us is illustrious in all things, is an eminent instance in point. All know the mother of Washington. Fisher Ames, also, had a distinguished mother, and Mrs. Adams, the mother of our present chief magistrate, was remarkable for strong powers of mind. Would that all intelligent mothers and intelligent fathers had such sons!

From a number of facts, a few of which we shall select for the purpose of illustration, it will appear remarkably striking, that such an inheritance is more generally derived from the maternal than the paternal side. In the examples to be adduced, a selection has been made with a view to the different varieties of mental superiority, and the following comprehends philosophers, poets, historians, and orators :

LORD BACON.-His mother was daughter to Sir Anthony Cooke. She was skilled in many languages, and translated and wrote several works, which displayed learning, acuteness, and taste.