Indeed, whatever the subject of the tournament had been, the lists were never closed until a solemn course had been made in honour of the ladies.

There were knights yet more adventurous, who sought to distinguish themselves by singular and uncommon feats of arms in honour of their mistresses; and such was usually the cause of the whimsical and extravagant vows of arms which we have to notice. To combat with extravagant odds, to fight amid the press of armed knights without some essential part of their armour, to do some deed of audacious valour in face of friend and foe, were the services by which the knights strove to recommend themselves, or which their mistresses (very justly so called) imposed on them as proofs of their affection."

MEMOIRS OF MRS. HUNTINGTON.

Boston, Crocker & Brewster.

The fact that this work has reached the third edition in America, besides being reprinted in Scotland several times, is sufficient testimony of its popularity. That its effect on society, and especially on the minds of the writer's own sex has been good, few who read the book will feel inclined to doubt. One of the most striking characteristics of the excellent example Mrs. Huntington has bequeathed the world, is that it may be followed. Her piety was not elicited by singular circumstance, or strange situation. There is little or no excitement attendant on her story, and yet for abiding interest, we hardly know the biography of a woman superior. This edition has an 66 Introductory Essay, and a Poem" written by James Montgomery, a Scotch poet. The Essay is finely written, the influence of the "mighty dead" strikingly delineated, and the quiet, unassuming virtues of the amiable woman to whom the tribute of the poet's pen is paid, well described.

PALEY'S THEOLOGY ILLUSTRATED. Boston, Lincoln & Edmands. The edition of this invaluable work now presented to the public, is intended particularly for Colleges and High Schools. It is ornamented with a series of plates, thirty-nine in number, which, with the notes of Paxton, selections from Charles Bell, and some original explanations by a gentleman of Boston, seem to supply every facility for comprehending the book which illustrations should furnish. The arguments of Dr. Paley are usually stated with uncommon clearness; it seems almost impossible any person can read them without feeling convinced that the conclusion to which the writer arrives, is the truth-still these visible declinations will carry home the conviction in a manner which may be seen as well as understood; and it will be remembered too, much more distinctly than from mere descriptions. The lasting effect such representations have on the memory, especially in youth, is sufficient to stamp their excellence. The plates were executed in this city, and are very cleverly done. The book should be read by every one who bears the name of christian.

PERIODICALS.

NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.-The last number contains thirteen articles, mostly on interesting subjects, and written with the ability which usually characterises the work.

"The New Theory of the Earth," in particular, we think deserving of attention, probably, because it treats of subjects which have often employed our

imagination, if not our reason. The idea of "a central fire," and that our solid globe has once been a moving meteor of flame, and is even now only case-hardened, as it were, the inside being filled with a mass of boiling lava, is, we confess rather fearful ;—but then the reasons in favour of this hypothesis are, in the reviewer's opinion, very satisfactory, or at least, the present appearance of the earth is better explained by this theory than by that of any other. And we feel quite inclined to be of the same opinion. The History of the Louisiana Treaty, must interest American readers much.

JOURNAL OF EDUCATION.-This journal is henceforth to be published every two months, that interval being found most convenient to the arrangement of the original contributions, which will form a prominent portion of the work. The subjects treated of in this publication are of such immediate and obvious utility, that it seems hardly possible it can fail of being liberally supported. Among the articles in the present number, we may name Infant Schools-Mechanics and Natural Philosophy-Maternal Instruction and Geology for Schools, as being very good, and calculated to be extensively useful.

AMERICAN MONTHLY MAGAZINE. Boston, Pierce & Wlliams. We regret that Mr. Willis invited for his work a comparison with the New Monthly. It is almost, if not altogether impossible to support a periodical here, as the British magazines are sustained, namely, by purchasing the talent of the nation. We lack the golden key by which the treasures of intellect can only be unlocked for constant circulation. Setting aside this comparison, which was injudiciously made, we see no cause why the public should be disappointed in the American Monthly Magazine. Mr. Willis has written some beautiful poems, but in prose his success has never been eminent. He is not sufficiently manly in his style; his reminiscences are too often of his college life, and his descriptions of "Lady's love," are seldom happily done. We do not make these remarks in the spirit of fault-finding, but of friendship; we sincerely wish success to his literary efforts, and are anxious he should earnestly improve the fine genius he possesses.

Unwritten Music has some exquisite touches, but as a whole, is not much to be commended. The Review of Neale's Literary Remains, is happily and kindly done, and the Shunamite is very fine. But the best article in the work, is, in our opinion, The Republic of Letters. Aborigines of America is quite respectable, and the Poems of Lunt and Rockwell good. The Letters of Fritz and Fitz Flirt, do no credit to the work. An unsuccessful attempt at wit is worse than dulness. The latter may weary, the former disgusts.

On the whole, we think no definite opinion of the work should be formed from this number, prepared, as it doubtless was, under many disadvantages. We are inclined to think there will be an improvement, because we believe Mr. Willis can improve it.

WESTERN MONTHLY REVIEW. Cincinnati. There are two excellent articles in the March number of this work-"Universal Geography," and

"Philosophy of Human Knowledge." If it be now true, as Mr. Flint asserts that the " literary men of the West look over the mountains to the Atlantic country" for their models, it will not long continue thus. Such a critic as the editor of the Western Review, will soon awaken the people among whom he resides to a knowledge of their mental powers, and to the pride of "knowing, and consequently valuing their own writers." And then their literary improvements will probably move on with the celerity of their social progress. The West is a grand and beautiful portion of our country, and it is with pride and pleasure we hail their efforts at intellectual eminence. The culture of the mind and of the heart are so essential to Americans, that a rivalry among the different States to be the foremost in encouraging talents and providing for education, if managed in that spirit which "provokes to good works,”would be highly beneficial. How long, in such a case, would the North maintain its ascendency?

EDINBURGH REVIEW, No. 96. Boston, Wells & Lilly. The first artiele in this number, review of the Life of Robert Burns, is one of the very best things of the kind we have ever read. The character of the rustic Bard is portrayed in such a masterly manner, that the heart which is not agitated by the picture of suffering genius, even though the misery was, in part, self-incurred, should claim no sympathy with the spirit of the poet. There is one trait in particular, the literary patriotism of Burns finely described. We have always thought that one of his brightest excellencies. Perhaps it was that in his poems no other characteristic made so deep an impression on our own mind. We never could, when a tiny child, never can, even now, read those passages in his poems, in which is expressed his enthusiastic love for his own dear land, without tears. And we are glad to see the Reviewer allows him much praise for "his fearless adoption of domestic subjects." Bishop Heber's Journal is also a very attractive article. Of the remaining articles, seven in number, the American Tariff, and North West Passage, will probably be most interesting to Americans.

QUARTERLY REVIEW, No. 87. London, Murray. Boston, Wells and Lilly. Of the seven articles in this number, Hajji Baba in England, is the most amusing. De Granville's Travels in Russia is too laboured to be witty, and as that is the aim of the paper it must be called a failure. Elementary Teaching is a sound and serious exposition of some of the faults, we should say iniquities, which have been perpetrated under the name of education. The children of this age, especially the children of America, have much reason to be thankful that their lot has placed them in the age of mild reason, not in that of savage punishment.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

Several books and communications are on hand, which will be attended to next month.

LADIES' MAGAZINE.

Vol. II.

JUNE.

No. VI.

THE COUNTRY AND THE COMMON.

""Tis born with all the love of nature's works
Is an ingredient in the compound man,
Infused at the creation of the kind,

And though the Almighty maker has throughout
Discriminated each from each, by strokes,
And touches of his hand, with so much art
Diversified, that two were never found
Twins at all points, yet this obtains in all,

That all discern a beauty in his works,

And all can taste them: minds that have been formed

And tutored, with a relish more exact,

But none without some relish-none unmoved.

It is a flame that dies not even there

Where nothing feeds it; neither business, crowds,
Nor habits of luxurious city life,

Whatever else they smother of true worth
In human bosoms, quench it, or abate."

COWPER.

THERE is something in the color of green that always awakens, in my mind, or heart, pleasant associations ;-with one exception. I do not like to recollect that Shakespeare gave his monster Jealousy green eyes. I wish they had been yellow or red. In all the old romances the green knight always proves a hero, and the page in green is sure to manage his master's suit successfully. It is true that ladies fair have not often been represented in green colored costumes. More's the pity-it argues, I fear, that ladies are not in their charms, so much like flowers, as the poets would lead us to believe; for are not flowers always contrasted by green?

The milkmaid had a taste true to nature. 'Green,' she said, became her complexion-which was doubtless that of the rose. But there is a time when every person admires the hue of green. What is so beautiful in nature as the green grass and leaves in the spring! The flowers of summer, are not; nor do they ever draw forth such spontaneous and universal admiration. Every one talks with rapture of the spring-but those who own and cultivate the earth, enjoy that season the most. It is their privilege, and a rich reward for their labor.

I like to see the hard-handed farmer, who has passed all his life in tilling the earth, pause as he goes forth at this season, to his daily task, and gaze on the change which a few weeks have wrought on his domain. He feels a pride, a joy, which none of our dwellers in cities know-he feels as if the beauty and richness, nature is so profusely pouring forth, was a boon expressly for him. This pleasure of ownership in the soil he has cultivated does not arise merely from a sordid calculation of the profits he shall gain. It proceeds from the principle implanted in the human bosom by Him who ordained that men should subdue the earth, and have dominion over it. Your farmer is the only legitimate sovereign in the world; he received his patent of power from the Creator himself.

I have just returned from an excursion into the country; but I have no intention of risking a plagiary by a rural description. Would not every reader anticipate that my theme would be of budding trees, smiling fields, and dimpled streams, and singing birds-all rejoicing that the winter was over and gone? Now, though the contemplation of nature in her varied forms never can, except to a frivolous mind, or a base heart, be insipid or disgusting, (those two emotions of soul are only raised by something which created beings have done or attempted,) yet descriptions of natural scenery are exceedingly apt to weary even the most refined admirers of waving woods, and moonlit lakes. Words are never more impotent to express our thoughts and feelings, than when we endeavor to convey to others the impressions which the sublime or picturesque in nature has awakened within us.

It is different with regard to those objects which arouse men's passions. Place a heap of gold before a crowd of