a word which must be so uttered, because the writer could roll the burden from his soul only in numbers. He might as well, perhaps better, have said what he had to say in his graceful, flowing prose. There was no need of song. We are not sure that the author can satisfactorily meet this necessity where it does exist, that his poetry can ever rise above the plane of mediocrity; and mediocre poetry may be written and printed, but should hardly be published. But it would require a high order of genius to succeed with such a topic, and a partial failure here is no evidence of the want of the faculty divine. How many persons can lay their hands upon their hearts, and say that they rejoice in "The Excursion," that they take to it with vehement desire, that they have not found it, spite of all its merits, a little dull? Now we do not mean that there are not pleasant and striking passages in Bitter Sweet, but we must confess that in this production the skill and success of the artist lag far behind the aim and spirit of the man, the aim and spirit of a high-toned and cultivated Christian scholar.

Howard and his Teacher, The Sister's Influence, and other Stories. By MRS. MADELINE LESLIE. Trying to be Useful. By the same author. Boston: Shepard, Clark, and Brown. -The latter of these two books seems to us better adapted to the young than the former, which contains many a lesson that parents would do well to ponder.

From Poor-House to Pulpit, or the Triumphs of the late Dr. John Kitto, from Boyhood to Manhood. A Book for Youth. By WILLIAM M. THAYER, Author of "The Poor Boy and Merchant Prince," &c. Boston: E. O. Libby & Co. - Mr. Thayer has made a most excellent use of a noble theme. Kitto's career is well worthy

of study in many aspects, but especially as an encouraging lesson to poor and aspiring students. It would be hard to conceive of circumstances less favorable than his to the attainment of a large and generous culture. He was not only a pauper, but a deaf pauper, and yet his name has become a household word amongst the lovers of Biblical literature, and the "people" from whom he sprung are indebted to him for most admirable illustrations of the book that is so truly a book for the people.

Lectures and Addresses on Literary and Social Topics. By the late REV. F. W. ROBERTSON, M. A., of Brighton. Boston: Tick

nor and Fields. 1859.- Sermons, lectures, and addresses, however much they may have engaged the attention of hearers, are likely to have little interest for the general reader. To this rule Robertson is a very striking exception. He spoke those living words which make a living page, and being dead he still discourses with matchless power to a great and increasing congregation of men and women, who are striving and praying for the restoration of belief and the reformation of life in a Christian world that is so ready to honor the letter and grieve away the spirit. This volume is specially interesting because it brings us so near to the heart of the man, and illustrates his wise and deep sympathy with all that is true and beautiful and noble in social enterprise. We do not know to whom we could point as a grander illustration of a conservative liberalism, — we do not know where we could find literary criticism so little scholastic, so thoroughly pervaded by a truly human spirit. Truly in his case an honorable life was not measured by number of days.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Book-keeping by Single Entry. Adapted to Payson, Dunton, and Scribner's Combined System of Penmanship, by Hanaford and Payson. Crosby, Nichols, & Co. Clearness, brevity, and copious illustrations in script must commend this book to teachers and scholars in book-keeping. Twenty-third Annual Report of the Boston Society for the Prevention of Pauperism. October, 1858. A very sensible and practical exhibition of the principles and procedures of one of our most useful societies. · - The October number of The Liberal Christian contains, besides some interesting intelligence, an earnest and clearly-written discourse by Rev. Mr. Cordner of Montreal, preached at the dedication of the Church of the Messiah, - the subject being "The Christian Idea of Sacrifice." The United States Temperance Almanac, published by Brown, Taggard, and Chase, is at once a good almanac proper and an important tract upon temperance; and since only good can overcome evil, the publishers do well in issuing at the same time the pleasant game of the Circus, an addition to those home entertainments which strengthen quiet domestic tastes and prevent the growth of evil habits. A Sermon, preached October 31, 1858, the Sunday after the Fortieth Anniversary of his Ordination, by ALVAN LAMSON, D. D., Pastor of the First Church and Parish in Dedham. This pamphlet, besides a wise, appropriate discourse, as elevated in spirit as simple in style, contains, as one might have predicted, a valuable historical appendix, and the whole will interest a large body of readers beyond the parish of the accomplished preacher.

GOULD & LINCOLN'S NEW PUBLICATIONS.

59 Washington Street, Boston, February 1, 1859.

New and Popular Series for Boys and Girls! an abundance of anecdotes. The following are the titles

A BOOK FOR GIRLS.

By WILLIAM M. THAYER,
Author of "The Poor Boy and Merchant Prince."

16mo. Cloth, gilt back, 75 cents.

This book is full of weighty instruction, enlivened by

to some of the chapters:

Sunrise and Sunset.
A Girl's Mistake.
A Girl's Mission.
A True Sister.
Politeness.

BROWN, TAGGARD & CHASE,

Successors to W. J. Reynolds & Co., at old stand of B. B. Hussey & Co.,

SCHOOL BOOKS,

Published by the following houses in New York and Philadelphia, and will be happy to supply BooKSELLERS, TEACHERS, and others, on liberal terms:

which they offer to purchasers at the lowest prices. Their stock of

STATIONERY

is probably the largest in New England, consisting of

Letter and Note Papers, Envelopes, Pens, Ink, Slates, &c., &c.,

of the best quality, and at prices that will suit the closest buyers. We keep a full supply of most of the Miscellaneous and Juvenile Books published in the United States, which, together with a good stock of

BIBLES, GIFT BOOKS, ALBUMS, &C., &C., are offered to purchasers at satisfactory prices. Orders from dealers solicited.

Terms, $3.00 per annum, payable in advance. Single Nos., 30 cts.