NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO. By R. S. Ripley, Brevet-Major in the United States Army, First-Lieutenant of the 2d Regiment of Artillery, etc. 2 vols. oct. Harper Brothers. It is, perhaps, a fortunate circumstance, that a hero of the Mexican war was elevated so soon after the triumphs of our arms, to the highest office in the gift of the people, inasmuch as that the error of acting upon impulse becomes more painfully manifest, as the excitement and exultation that attended the complete success of our first foreign war subsides, and the calmer judgment of the people weighs more accurately the real amount of merit due to each actor in those glorious scenes. The lesson is a severe one, when we find the really meritorious unrewarded, while those of less desert have been made at once a monument of erroneous national judgment, and a stumbling-block in our own civil progress. It is, perhaps, already too soon to expect an entirely calm and unprejudiced account of that singular war, that burst upon us like a tropical storm, startling but not surprising the nation; that crushed its foe like the angry lion, with one fierce leap; but as lapse of time softens asperities, lulls party passions, and removes individual prejudices, so does it sweep to oblivion many incidents and facts, important to a correct understanding of the whole matter. Under these circumstances, it was with much pleasure-not without some distrust, however-that we learned an elaborate work was in preparation by Major Ripley, of the 2d artillery, a most gallant corps, with the officers of which, fortune has at times heretofore brought us in contact, although with the author of the present work we have no acquaintance, Without disparagement to our gallant volunteers, the glory of our American system, to the training, science, determined bravery and genius of our artillery arm of the regular service, much if not all the credit of a speedy peace may, with truth, be ascribed. All Europe regarded with astonishment the hardy march of a small army three hundred miles through an enemy's country of unparalleled difficulty, to the attack of strongly manned works of almost unexampled magnitude, diversity and strength. Taking the existence of these latter into consideration, the numbers of the enemy, and their long training of a quarter of a century in actual war, the expedition of Cortez was mere child's play, compared with that of Scott. The artillery corps were the soul of that enterprise, and it is with pleasure that we welcome an account of the whole war by one of its officers. Notwithstanding all the difficulties which surround such an undertaking, amidst the duties of his profession, by a subordinate officer in service, the task has been well and truly performed. The narrative is given with great fidelity, and the comments evince great judgment, military skill, and fearless independence, where the conduct of the campaign is called in question. In military science and judgment the work contrasts very favorably with that on the battle of Buena Vista, by Capt. Carleton of the Dragoons, and may be read with much interest and instruction by military men, as well as by civilians. We promise ourselves and readers the pleasure of a more extended notice in a future number.

HISTORY OF SPANISH LITERATURE. By George Ticknor. Harper Brothers.

Of all countries of Europe, certainly Spain has cause to recognise the "great fact," that there is an American literature. The story of her early adventures has been pre served and graced by the pen of Washington Irving; the histories of her mighty Sovereigns, and her immortal conquests of Mexico and Peru, made familiar to the new world by the fascinating pen of Prescott, second to no historian of the present century; and now the history of her literature illustrated by the no less attractive style and profound research of Ticknor, may well establish the character of American writers as well as of publishers, as national and pre-eminent in their kiud. Mr. Ticknor, justly celebrated as one of our very first and best belles-lettres scholars, during a residence in Madrid, in 1813, enjoyed rare opportunities for gratifying his desire to extend his knowledge of the Spanish language and literature; and under the guidance of his friend, Don José Condé, a profound scholar, and enthusiastic student of the ancient writers of his country, Mr. Ticknor sought out and digested those rich and rare materials, then fast fading from existence through political and religious jealousies, that have enabled him to give to the world the most complete and invaluable history of the literature of Spain, around whose former glories will ever linger a balo, however fallen and degraded may be her preseut position. Mr. Ticknor informs us in his

preface, that he had originally designed to form, into a regular book, the lectures which he had from time to time delivered before successive classes of Harvard College; but ultimately cast them aside, and, commencing anew, produced the present work, which has long been looked for with eager expectations by students and scholars, for it has long been believed, though not surely known, that such a work was in embryo. It is one that will create quite a sensation among the literary of all nations, and which will receive its full share of high commendation, for such it fully deserves, from the literary journals both at home and abroad.

SIDONIA THE SORCERESS: The supposed destroyer of the whole reigning Ducal house of Pomerania. By William Mainhold, author of the "Amber Witch." Harper Brothers.

This tale of extraordinary interest, is founded upon the story of the Lady canoness of Pomerania, Sidonia Van Bork, who was executed in 1628, on the public scaffold of Stettin, for the crime of witchcraft, by which it was alleged she had induced sterility in many noble families, particularly in that of the ancient ducal house of Pomerania. The facts are wrought up with great skill and effect, although the circumstances were not more singular than those which attended the execution of Anne Hibbins, thirty years later, in the colony of Massachusetts.

THE FELON'S TRACK: or, History of the late attempted Outbreak in Ireland-embra cing the leading events in the Irish struggle, from the year 1843 to the close of 1849. By Michael Doheny, author of the American Revolution. N. W. Holbrook, 180 Fulton street.

This volume, as its title imports, is an account of the proceedings and the principal actors therein, which took place in Ireland, as a part of that great popular drama which had all Europe for its stage in the last two years. The causes and collateral influences which prevented the part of Ireland from being as well sustained as that of some less practised actors, are in some degree explained; and the portraits of twelve of the most active men are presented to the reader, The volume dedicated to Gen. James Shields, whose Irish breast has been so bravely bared in defence of his adopted country. It is of much interest, and will, doubtless, meet with an extended sale. We shall notice it more fully in our next.

ENGLISH LATIN LEXICON, (copious and critical,) founded on the German Latin Dictionary of Dr. Charles Ernest Georges. By the Rev. Joseph Esmond Riddle, M.A., of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, and the Rev. Thomas Kerchever Arnold, M. A., Rector of Lyndon. First American edition, carefully revised, and containing a copious Dictionary of proper names, from the best sources. By Charles Anthon, LL. D., Professor of the Greek and Latin languages in Columbia College. Harper Brothers, 82 Cliff-street.

The appearance of this valuable work will be hailed with pleasure, as well by teachers as pupils, in the various schools and colleges in the country. All these have felt the absolute want of that which is here supplied in the most excellent manner. This edition will, doubtless, displace all those ill-prepared compilations, that have so long been alike vexatious to preceptor and unsatisfactory to the pupil. The useful ness of this Lexicon in pursuing those Greek and Latin compositions, which are so necessary to scholastic accuracy, cannot be gainsayed. The American edition has a Dictionary of proper names, not supplied by the English.

WAVERLEY NOVELS. The American illuminated Abbotsford edition. Embellished with tinted engravings. By H. W. Hewett. Hewett, Tillotson & Co., 59 Beekman-st. The long series of wonderful creations which, for seventeen years, electrified, by repeated corruscations, the reading world, and rendered their author immortal, has, up to this time, never appeared in a style corresponding to their high merits, and the influence they have justly exercised upon the literature of the age. Messrs. Hewett, Tillotson & Co. have, however, commenced an edition which will remove this reproach upon the enterprise of our American publishers. The celebrated Abbotsford edition, the standard, which was brought out, magnificently illustrated, at great cost, with the final corrections of the author, is being reproduced in the first style of typography and illustrations, under the direction of Mr. H. W. Hewett. The first of the series is Ivanhoe, embracing 280 royal octavo pages of letter press, with ten engravings in the highest style of art. The series will comprise twenty-seven volumes, at the incredibly low price of one dollar each. It is needless to say, that this edition will take precedence of all others in private libraries.

FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS. By Anthony P. Montalba, with 24 Illustrations by Richard Doyle. Harper Brothers.

This beautiful little volume contains a new and choice selection of those tales of the supernatural, so popular with the youth of all climes, translated from most languages of Europe. The illustrations are in the best style of wood engraving, and the whole forms a very appropriate souvenir for this season of remembrances and tokens of friendhip.

IGNOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE, LITERATURE AND ART, systematically arranged by G. Heck. With five hundred steel engravings, by the most distinguished artists of Germany. The text translated and edited by Spencer F. Baird, A. M., M. D., Professor of Natural Sciences in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. Rudolph Garrigue, Publisher, 2 Barclay-street, Astor House, New-York.

The Third Part of this most valuable publication made its appearance promptly, embracing plates No. 42 to 63, and text pages 161 to 240, executed in a most elegant manner. The whole work, as our readers are aware, will be comprised in 25 monthly parts, containing each 20 plates, and 80 pages letter text, with complete indices and contents tables, at the extraordinary low price of $1 each number, making for $25 a comprehensive Encyclopædia, treating of every science capable of being illustrated by diagrams. These are comprised in 500 steel engravings, by the most distinguished German artists. The work is indispensable to the library, and so favorable terms of purchase are seldom presented.

ESSAY ON CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. By Baptist W. Noel, M. A. Harper Brothers. Since Mr. Noel, following his convictions, has gone out from the established Church of England-published his reasons therefor-he has turned his attention to separate points, and given reasons why he does not subscribe to the Church doctrine. In this little work, which, he states, is the result of Bible study and the reading of such authors as defended infant Baptism, he gives his reasons why he is convinced that repentance and faith should precede Baptism, and why, in his estimation, the reasons assigned by the Anglican Church for infant Baptism, are wholly unsatisfactory. We regret to hear that Mr. Noel is in danger of losing his living, which is in the gift of some bigoted noble.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, By Mary Somerville, author of the "Connection of the Physical Sciences." Second American, from the new and revised London edition, with additions, and a Glossary prepared for this edition. Lea & Blanchard, Phila. This valuable work from the English edition, has been improved by the addition of a complete glossary of scientific and technical terms highly necessary to the aid of the general reader. The science of physical geography has of late received many valuable accessions from the publication of Baron Humboldt's "Cosmos," with learned notes by Col. Sabine, and of these Miss Somerville has availed herself to present the various phenomena of the earth's surface in a new and attractive light. The discoveries that of late years have been made in regard to the course of storms. and the laws which govern them, are matters of high importance to the whole commercial world. The whole subject of physical geography is fraught with great and ever-increasing interest, from the progress of science in the various branches of geology, hydrology, and meteorology, and the work of Miss Somerville presents it in a very agreeable and attractive shape. The execution of the work is such as to do credit to the enterprising publishers.

IRVING'S WORKS.-MAHOMET AND HIS SUCCESSORS. By Washington Irving. Two vols. Vol. 1. George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway.

This volume forms the 12th of Putnam's standard edition of Irving's Works, and the first of Mahomet and his successors. The latter will be comprised in the second volume. The author informs us, by way of apology-as if apology were necessary for any story told by Irving-for writing upon an old subject without throwing new light upon it, that the matter was originally prepared as preliminary to a series of essays. illustrative of the domination of the Moors in Spain, and was then dressed up for publication in John Murray's Family Library, in 1831. Its publication, on these two occasions, having been prevented by circumstances, it has now been elaborately revised, with additional light shed from many recent writers, and has assumed its present permanent