wards, under instructions which she chalked out for us, to visit some parts of the country best adapted for showing off the beauties of a New England autumn. Thus prepared, we carried this lady's books in our hands, to the tops of the mountains of the New World, as the tourists to the Highlands of Scotland used to carry the Lady of the Lake,' to aid their taste in admiring the beauties of Loch Katrine.

RELIGION AT HOME, a story founded on fact. By Mrs. Williams. Providence, 1829-pp. 322. We have been assured by the writer of this book, that the leading incidents in the tale are true, and that the sentiments which the hero of the piece, the Rev. Mr. Johnston, is made to express, were such as he was in the habit of uttering. He appears to have been a very amiable, considerate and pious man; and his unvarnished biography would, in our opinion, have made a more valuable volume than this biographical novel. There is something in this mingling of fiction, (or falsehood) with truths designed to inculcate piety and devotion, that to us it seems wrong, even revolting. We are aware, that religious novels are approved by many excellent people. They will themselves read books of fiction, and place such in their children's hands, without scruple or caution, if the writer has, either by title or preface, given a pledge of advocating religion. Their intentions are, doubtless, good; but the experiment, we think, hazardous. Is there no danger to be apprehended to the young mind, from the perusal of works that represent life and the world in deceptive and too glowing colors; and is nothing to be feared from exciting the imagination, when religion is the theme? Enthusiasts for the piety of novels, may, we grant, be thus made; but that followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, will be multiplied by such means, we greatly doubt. The knowledge that the story, avowedly inculcating religious truth, is not true, seems at once to annihilate the trust which the mind seeks to repose in all that concerns our faith.

Moreover, the interest of a religious novel, is almost necessarily of a domestic character; and love, not divine, but human, whatever may be said to the contrary, is the master passion that animates the creation of the author. Let those who doubt this, read Dunallan,' one of the most popular novels of the religious class, and then soberly say, if they can, that the interest of that work does not chiefly arise from incidents growing out of the love for each other, of the two principal personages of the story.

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These are our objections to a class of books that have lately become popular, that are introduced into sabbath schools and children's libraries; books that are only novels, and are read as novels; that is, for amusement, and which, notwithstanding the good examples or precepts they may contain, nevertheless, cannot leave those abiding good impressions on the mind which books of truth would inculcate. We make these remarks reluctantly, because we fear some may misinterpret our sentiments. Works of fiction, when well written, are, on many accounts, advantageous, and may be read, under proper restrictions, without danger; but then they should be considered and treated only as light

and amusing productions; they should not be represented as the sources, from which we may or can draw our knowledge, principles, faith.

The plot of Religion at Home,' is simply this; an Episcopal clergyman, Charles Johnston by name, was sent from England to America, to take charge of a church of that denomination, in one of the middle states. Soon after his settlement in his parish, he loved and married the daughter of a poor widow, who inhabited a small house very near the parsonage; where, of course, he had become acquainted with her. We will give a conversation which this interesting couple held soon after they were married; it displays the character of both; and is likewise, a fair sample of the style of the book.

Her happy husband beheld the change with rapture; yet there was at times a solemnity of countenance, a gravity of deportment, when listening to her lively sallies, that awed and surprised his young bride. On one of these occasions she observed, when she herself was unusually lively, he was looking at her, and the tears were starting in his eyes, Emily much affected, exclaimed, ah, my dear sir, I beg your pardon-I see my gaiety is offensive to you; and she added, drawing near to him and pressing his hand in hers-

'But you will forgive me I know; for if you had not made me so happy I should not be so gay.'

Mr. Johnston smiled through his tears, and hastily drawing her arm through his, led the way to the garden. He walked some time on the bank of the river, and then sat down beneath one of its shady willows.

Emily,' said he, I am not in the least offended with your gaiety,' as you call it -it is not that,' and he paused, it is not that, but your resemblance, at such times, to one who was once the desire of my eyes and the joy of my heart. I have never told you the story of my ill fated affection for Eliza D. We were friends from

childhood, and our affection grew with our growth and strengthened with our strength; she loved me with the most devoted affection. It was only a few months before I came to this country, that I resigned to the grave this most excellent woman. She had been drooping for some months with that fatal consumption, and during the time her whole concern seemed to be to prepare me to resign her with calmness. I did so. I knew she was beyond the reach of sickness and sorrow, when the grave closed over her mortal remains: but Emily, you will excuse me, if her image sometimes rises to disturb my joys. I always thought there was some likeness between you; but since your recovered health and vivacity, it is far more striking. In your liveliest hours you are just what she was at your age, except that you are far more beautiful in person." He stopped confused: he had never told Emily before, that he thought her beautiful, and he blamed himself exceedingly for letting the expression slip; but it was too late.

Emily blushed, but said she, why do you dwell upon a subject that can only afflict you?"

Áll the reason why it afflicts me at present,' said Mr. Johnston, is the truth that it constantly brings to mind, that the most lovely and most beloved, are most obnoxious to the shaft of death.' Emily felt her courage revive.

Oh, if that is all,' said she- I don't think I am any more likely to die for looking like her but, my dear friend, is it not inviting calamity to indulge in such dismal anticipations? We ought to live in constant submission to the will of our Maker, whatever it may be; but to live in constant dread of his afflictive providences, appears to me a sin. I know, she said, you indulge the hope that I am a Christian: if I am, certainly the moment you dread would be a happy one to me; although my present happiness is far beyond what generally falls to the lot of mortals. When you began, I feared the grief of your former loss was preying on your mind; but now"

Say no more,' said Mr. Johnston, you see your pastor needs preaching to as well as his flock; and it is fortunate for him he has got one who is capable of teaching.'

I fear,' said Emily, you will think me presuming.'

By no means-on the contrary, I rejoice to find you will not flatter me, whenever you see my errors. If every minister of the gospel had such a companion, there would be more godly livers and faithful preachers than there are.'

'Say, rather,' said Emily, if there were more preachers willing to be preached

to.'

But whatever Mr. Johnston might think about those occasional fits of melancholy, Emily soon discovered they proceeded from that incurable distemper so common to the learned and the sedentary called hypochondria; and she easily discovered there was no way to relieve any one in these fits, but to rally them out of it. Her admirable prudence on this occasion, as on others far more trying, suggested how far it would do to apply such a remedy to a mind like his. Emily had, while at school, in her early years, been instructed in music; and she had availed herself of Mr. Gardner's kindness to procure her an instrument. By proper application, (although it was three years since she had received any instruction,) she succeeded in recovering her former share of knowledge; and soon improved herself very much in this delightful accomplishment. Music, she found a never failing comfort to her husband during his melancholy moods. It was sacred music she delighted in; and it was the voice of praise that there mingled with the sweet tones of the Harpsichord.

They lived, as may be conjectured, in almost perfect happiness, till the commencement of the revolutionary movements, when Mr. Johnston, who was a conscientious loyalist, was dismissed by the rebels of his charge, whose love to liberty outweighed their attachment to their pastor. However, Mr. Johnston conducted very prudently and Christian-like on the occasion; he remained in America, and finally, after he had witnessed for five years, the efforts of the British ministry to crush the people among whom he resided, he became convinced that liberty was the rightful inheritance of man, declared himself a whig, and was re-instated in his pastoral office. For the next fifteen or twenty years, his history is entirely domestic, educating and settling his children, six or seven in number, (we cannot exactly ascertain which) and a niece, daughter of his brother, who adhered to the royal cause and lost his life in the war. The manner in which Mr. Johnston and his wife discharged their duty towards this child of their adoption, is very well described, and is the most interesting part of the volume. There was a number of weddings: and among the wooings some unfortunate mistakes and romantic attachments must have occurred-however, all came right at last, in true novel style. But when every thing seemed to promise to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston an old age of peace and that tranquil enjoyment which is the enviable lot of those who can pass the evening of their life among scenes bright with happy recollections, and the living images of the beloved,-where every tree has its history and every apartment its remembered guests, the whirlwind came; embodied in the shape of a revival,' and swept the good old Rector from his people and parsonage forever.

Mr. Ichabod Tinkum, is, we conclude, a Methodist. And here we will mention, as an apology for what some may call the severity with which Mrs. Williams treats the puritan or Calvinistic faith; that we never yet read a professedly religious novel which was not sectarian. No one, therefore, who

approves that mode of inculcating piety, can complain that she endeavors throughout to sustain the superior sanctity of her own sect. She is an Episcopalian, and the following quotation will show her estimate of that order.

The little village of B is no longer a village, but the large and flourishing town of The Puritanic assembly has long since split into two parts. On the right of the church, on a little eminence, stands a new and elegant house for Unitarians, consisting of many of the most polished and fashionable persons in the town; while far below, in the valley, the gloomy Tabernacle rears its frowning portico and cumbrous steeple. Between these, distinguished by its humble moss clad Tower, the Church of olden time may still be seen, standing where Truth is always to be found -between the two extremes.'

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The book appears to have been hurriedly written; the style, especially in the dialogues, is by no means elegant ; but there is a vividness in some of the descriptions, deserving of commendation. Should the author attempt another work, we hope she will pay more attention to the manner, and that she will have it better printed. There is scarcely a page of the book free from typographical errors.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

NATURAL HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, with engravings, on a new plan; exhibiting their comparative size: adapted to the capacities of youth; with authentic anecdotes, illustrating the habits and characters of the animals; with reflections, moral and religious. Designed for Sabbath School libraries, families and common schools. By J. Comstock, M. D. Hartford. D. F. Robinson & Co. pp. 200.

The copiousness and clearness of the above title, renders any explanation of the character or design of the book, superfluous. We have looked it carefully through and are happy to say, that it sustains its promises; that it is calculated to be useful as well as amusing, to children. We sincerely hope other works of natural history on a similar plan will be prepared for children; and that they will soon supersede the works of fiction now so overwhelming in the juvenile department of literature. It is of great importance that we give children such books to read, as we can assure them are true. A child profits little from a refined moral, but much from a striking fact. Give him facts, interesting, instructive facts, and let him draw the moral. The engravings, twenty-four, are well executed, and intelligible. They show the comparative size of the animals represented; a child will not think the only difference between a bear and elephant is in the shape-he will see the dif ference of size.

A PRACTICAL SYSTEM OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY; or a view of the present state of the World; embellished with numerous engravings of Customs, Manners, &c.; accompanied by a new and improved School Atlas. By J. Olney, Hartford. D. F. Robinson & Co.

The testimonies in favor of Mr. Olney's work, from men whose situation, character and experience, would seem to qualify them to decide on its merits, will, we think, be found amply deserved. The book is designed for young be

ginners in the indispensable, and, when rightly managed, the delightful study of Geography. The following extract will explain somewhat the manner in which the work is prepared.

In preparing this work, I have endeavored to adapt it to the natural progress of the youthful mind. Instead of introducing the beginner at once into Astronomical Geography, and requiring him to spend weeks in learning definitions, and the descriptions of the heavenly bodies, I have commenced with the town in which he lives. From the town, the sphere of his observation is extended to the county, and from the county to the state, &c. This I am confident will be found not only the natural, but the philosophical method of teaching Geography; for on all subjects, the learner must make himself master of simple things, before he can understand complex ones.'

JUVENILE MISCELLANY-VOL. III. No. 1. Boston. Putnam & Hunt. The introduction of colored plates in this popular work, will undoubtedly be very acceptable to its little readers. The anecdotes of Chinese children' and of Musical children' are excellently adapted to the taste and improvement of the young mind-infinitely more valuable than fictitious stories. The work has, and deserves an extensive encouragement.

WORKS IN PRESS. AUTOBIOGRPAHY. Messrs. Carter & Hendee have a work with the above title which will soon be issued. It promises to be a curiosity in one respect; it contains the life and adventures of a man who gives all of his history but his name. We have looked over a few pages of the work, and will make an extract showing the opinion of the author incognito respecting the ladies.'

It shews want of an independent and lofty spirit, to choose a wife chiefly from considerations of property. But this is frequently done, by those who hold their heads high in society, and look above their less opulent neighbors, who have too much spirit and too much honor to marry from such mercenary motives. The connexion must necessarily be a state of dependence, and can confer no real merit on the man who stoops to it. But the dishonor would be much greater, and render one liable to the charge of a positive immorality, who should make shipwreck of the plighted affections of a virtuous woman, to become affianced to one of wealth, even if possessed of many amiable attributes.

When a woman bestows on you her best affections, and leans on you for support, you must be destitute alike of principle and feeling to desert her for wealth or fame. You have her love and her confidence, and can you betray or forsake her; especially, when it is recollected, that your assiduities and your vows have produced her attachment? You may meet another of equal elegance, and of more beauty and wealth; but this is no excuse for violating the most sacred engagement. And it would be no greater crime in the sight of heaven to thrust a poniard into her bosom, than to wound her spirit by desertion.

My wife was discreet and frugal, as well as intelligent and refined; but was sometimes a little discontented, that I was not as successful in business as some of my neighbors. She possessed great fortitude and equanimity, however; and did not suffer her regrets to become settled repinings. She was disposed rather to underrate my judgment, than to impeach my intentions; and she readily allowed, that all proper exertions were made on my part for a competent support for the family. Whatever outward troubles I suffered, I was happily free of domestic vexations. My wife had a high sense of female delicacy and propriety, and manifested a constant regard to my feelings and my happiness. It was matter of great consolation, when I looked abroad and saw jealousies and envyings and rivalries and strife among neighbors and even in families, that my own was the abode of concord, of affection and kindness.