He comes to save the world from sins, The poor, the sick, and blind shall bless Though now in swaddling-clothes He lies, Shall come to judge the quick and dead, THOU DYING YEAR, FAREWELL ! FAREWELL, thy destiny is done, Thy ebbing sands we tell, Gifts from thy hand-spring's joyous leaves, They pass with thee, and now they seem Or like some sweet remembered dream- Though frail the fair, rich things of earth, And those pure thoughts that owed their birth To thee-thus with thee fail? Not if the soul but gird her might, Her treasures guard with care, The storm swell'd stream that sweeps the height, The high resolve, the holy fear, O, take not these, thou dying year! CORNELIA. LITERARY NOTICES. "THE LEGENDARY"-VOL. 2.-S. G. Goodrich. The appearance of this book, so quaker-like, so devoid of all ornament to attract attention from external show, when contrasted with the purple and scarlet, green and gold, pictures of goddesses, and what is more grand, of godlike men, which our thousand and one annuals display, forcibly reminded us of the republican simplicity of Dr. Franklin amid the gorgeousness of the French court. Certainly, thought we, the publisher must be confident in the merits of his work, or he would not send it forth at this time, when it must encounter so fearful a comparison in point of decorations-by the way, a comparison that often decides the fate of ladies, if it does not of literature. Perhaps the decision is as wrong in the one case, as it certainly would have been in the other, had we, disgusted with the plain dress of the Legendary, pronounced it unworthy our acquaintance, and thrown it aside for the Token or Souvenir. But we have more patience, if not penetration. In the latter quality, we do indeed exceedingly doubt, whether we shall ever excel; especially in that critical acumen which can decide on a book by merely glancing at the cover. We read the book before deciding. And when the perusal gives us as much pleasure as the one before us has done, we pronounce it good. The Legendary, in point of literary excellence, need not fear a comparison with its predecessor or our annuals. The prose, as a whole, is exceedingly well executed. We cannot speak in so unqualified a manner of the poetry. There are some beautiful poems, and beautiful passages in poems not so excellent, but still there is nothing that would insure an immortality for the authors. We have not space to make a single poetic extract, though many fine passages might be selected, and will be by those who have time to spare, as well as a taste to discriminate. The prose we will mention more particularly. "The Stepmother,"-The first, and the longest article in the book, possesses all the requisites of a connected and finished piece. The development of the character of Lucius Lloyd is finely executed; the character of Mrs. Lloyd, so womanly in her virtues, so feeling yet self-denying, is a picture which none but a misanthrope can contemplate with indifference. The denoument of the story did not exactly agree with our-prejudices, shall we say? No-we do not think that exactly a proper definition of the disgust which arises in the civilized christian's mind, at the thought of a union between persons who appeared in every thing, but a tinge of blood, VOL. I.-NO. XI. 72 to be fitted for each other. We intended to have given the reason of our objections, but cannot at this time-however, if the public generally, approve the catastrophe, we may perhaps be convinced, and acknowledge hereafter, that our objections were prejudices. "The Murderer's Grave"-is merely a plain narrative, of a horrible revenge and execution. A pretty good newspaper extract it will form for those editors, who are compelled to treat their readers with such appalling articles. "Leaves from a Colleger's Album"-confirms us in our opinion, that neither wit nor wisdom can be infused into an Album. Never should the ladies be censured for the trifling character of their Albums, since that of a "Colleger's" is quite as trifling. It is unworthy the book, and the genius of N. P. Willis. The five following stories, entitled-" The Camp Meeting,"-" The Schoolmaster," "Extracts from a Sea Book,"-"The Witch"-and "The Siege of Soleure," are all excellent. We do not praise them in gross. They have each their separate, particular and characteristic beauties. And though we may not pause to discriminate, the reader will. They do honor to their authors, and we regret they are all anonymous, except the third named. Samuel Hazzard has an entertaining "Sea Book;" if it contains more "extracts" like that he has transcribed, we wish he would furnish one for the Ladies' Magazine. Of the three remaining stories Mr. Willis acknowledges" Unwritten Philosophy," and he also wrote "The Painter's Revelation." If the former bears his name, the latter has his characteristic impressions. Unwritten Philosophy is much the best, indeed, considered only as a description of the Utopia of mind it is one of the most beautiful things we ever read. The author is a poet; not one made by study, not a versifier, a mere measurer of rhymes, but the poet of nature and feeling. He has written many beautiful things, and he will yet write more excellently if he will only aim at something besides mere prettiness. The hand that strews flowers so abundantly should sometimes distribute fruits. The first is only the amusements of intellect; the other, nourishment. The fault then, with "Unwriten Philosophy" is, that as a picture or sketch of human life it is all ideal. What young student would retire to his chamber and spend years over his books, with no object in view beyond mere abstract speculation, or the teaching a girl of twelve, who" was not beautiful,” "Unwritten Philosophy!" And then after they are married, think of their domestic life, with only one chamber, where with the "window half closed" "they pass their time, he reading, or looking at her, and she " sitting hour after hour in the same chair." Ah! it is all ideal-such a picture of life as might have been realized, had the fruit of the tree of knowledge been only good. Yet the article is charming, and we recommend the closing remarks to the attention of all young ladies. There is yet one more story, "Elizabeth Latimer." anonymous-delighting no doubt to do good in secret. such a story, so powerfully and pathetically told. can fail of doing good. We would rather have written that article than any one in the Legendary. There is so much truth in the painting, the character of Elizabeth so finely conceived, so faithfully executed! Genius and intelligence when struggling with misfortune, have much to The author has chosen to be It can hardly be possible that endure which the world knows not of; which the cold and ignorant never can understand, and which the prosperous, even when warm-hearted and refined, never will comprehend, unless brought vividly before them by such sketches as Elizabeth Lati mer. On the whole, we think, that if merit can secure patronage, the Legendary will not be abandoned. "SEVENTY FIVE RECEIPTS."-Munroe & Francis.-So appears the label of the book, and we think it a great fault for such a small work. Who can guess by reading the title on the cover, what are the subjects treated of within? Whether those receipts are for making pills or pies-preparing plasters or preserving plums? We think this ambiguity a fault, and as it happens to be the only one we have discovered in the book, we have made the most of it. Indulging too much in our natural propensity, which is that of always looking on the bright side of every object, character and performance, may, we fear, be construed into that weakness of mind which would yield indiscriminate praise, rather than take the trouble of analyzing, comparing and reflecting, in order to form a just estimate of the degree of commendation merited. Well, the criticism is over, and nothing now but the easy and congenial task of puffing. Besides, ladies, the book is intended for your benefit, and the "Seventy five Receipts," (be particular in the number,) are for making "Pastry, cakes and sweetmeats." It is but justice to the author, who is an American woman, to say, that the book is not only well written, meaning a clear, concise, readable style, which will not disgust the intelligent, and may be understood by the ig norant, but that it also displays good taste; real poetic feeling. Who but an admirer of sentiments would have thought of arranging the directions for making a pudding in such a particular and pleasing order, that the receipt should appear like a motto to some charming tale or exquisite poem. Take the following for making a COACA-NUT PUDDING. A quarter of a pound of coaca-nut, grated. A quarter of a pound of powdered white sugar. The whites of six eggs only. Half a glass of wine and brandy mixed. There, the arrangement of the receipt is really harmonious, (and we have only made one alteration) nearly as much so as the style of Southey's Thalaba. The book is well executed, and forms a volume of one hundred pages of useful information to young married ladies especially, and we think all housekeepers would find it of advantage. "REMARKS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEETH,"-By Samuel S. Fitch, Dentist. We have received a sensible, well-written pamphlet with the above title; and really think it an excellent opportunity to introduce it here, just after the notice of the cookery book. Good teeth are essentially requisite to the relishing of good cakes, and with this truth thus staring them as it were, in the face, the full importance of the "Remarks" of Dr. Fitch, will be obvious to some, on whom his reasonings and persuasion might have failed to operate. But the author is not in need of our assistance. He writes like one not only well acquainted with his subject, but also with the human mind; on which, by the way, he must operate before he will be permited to operate on human teeth. People generally, have a dislike to undergoing unnecessary pain, and they are not always willing to take even necessary trouble, to obviate a distant and uncertain danger. But Dr. Fitch shows the "importance of the teeth" in so many particulars, that whosoever reads his observations, must feel their importance; and then he points out the manner of preservation so clearly and practically, that people must be unwise who do not, at least, try to preserve them. The following extract, mentioning some of the formidable diseases to which the human frame is exposed by diseased teeth, may be useful in frightening those who are not to be flattered into a performance of their duty-namely, to attend to their own, and the teeth of those over whom they exercise control. "Defective teeth often occasion most distressing and fatal diseases, of which I will merely mention Phthisis. Pulmonalis. Consumption. Dispepsia. Indigestion. Pain in the Ear, and formation of matter in that organ. Inflammation and painful affections of the eyes, in some cases producing almost total blindness. Nervous affections. Epilepsy. Hysteria. Hypochondriasis. Rheumatic affections. Tic Doloureux. Sympathet c head-ache. Palsy, &c. I can only mention the names of these diseases in this place; those who wish to see the subject fully detailed, can be gratified by a reference to my large work upon Dental Surgery. An alarming case of consumption, produced by a diseased state of the mouth and teeth, came under my notice the last summer. The subject of it, was a gentleman of a most amiable and estimable character. He was cut off in the prime and vigour of his days. His grief and sorrow can hardly be conceived, when he learned that his disease was the consequence of bad teeth. The tears and sympathies of his friends could afford no relief, and the utmost exertion and skill of his physicians were of no avail. In the bitterness of grief, he regretted having neglected a timely application to a judicious dentist, who, by curing his teeth, might have saved him from a premature death. The other diseases I have mentioned as produced by bad teeth, have so long been a subject of remark and record, as not to be doubted by the intelligent physician, almost every form of which, I have seen in my own practice and that of my friends. I might also mention gum biles discharge of purulent matter through the cheek, and a cancerous state of the jaws and adjacent parts: of the latter, the annals of medicine record many terrible cases." "THE MIRROR-OR JUVENILE TALES"--Munroe & Francis. This little book, though not professedly designed as a "New Years Present," may be considered as belonging to the class of "Annuals." A numerous class certainly, which might with propriety be divided into several distinct orders; that is, if these beautiful books may be considered as the flowers of literature, and thus be described in botanical language. The Mirror, though not a showy or splendid flower, to continue the metaphor, well deserves a place in our literary boquet; its modest beauty and useful properties are hardly exceeded by any specimen we have seen. This book is the production of a lady of Philadelphia; the stories are designed for American children, adapted to our public institutions, habits and modes of thinking. It is not sufficient praise to say the design is well executed-we think, with few exceptions, it is worthy of much commendation. The author evidently enters, as a writer should do, with enthusiasm on her subject-she feels, and writes like an American,-and |