The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 66, April, 1863

RECEIVED BY THE EDITORS OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

The Pentateuch and Book of Joshua critically Examined. By the Right Rev. John William Colenso, D.D., Bishop of Natal. New York. D. Appleton & Co. 12mo. pp. 229. $1.25.

The Spiritual Point of View: or, The Glass Reversed, An Answer to Bishop Colenso. By M. Mahan, D.D., St.-Mark's-in-the-Bowery Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the General Theological Seminary. New York. D.

Appleton & Co. 12mo. pp. 114. 75 cts.

Biographical Sketches of Illinois Officers engaged in the War against the Rebellion of 1881. By James Grant Wilson. Chicago. James Barnet. 8vo. paper. pp. 110. 50 cts.

Walter's Tour in the East. By Daniel C. Eddy, D.D., Author of "The Percy Family," "Walter in Egypt." New York. Sheldon & Co. 16mo. pp. 222. 60 cts.

Answers to Ever-Recurring Questions from the People. (A Sequel to the Penetralia.) By Andrew Jackson Davis, Author of Several Volumes on the Harmonial Philosophy. New York. A.J. Davis & Co. 12mo. pp. 417. $1.25.

Seven Little People and their Friends. Illustrated by F.A. Chapman. New York. A.D.F. Randolph. 16mo. pp. 240. 75 cts.

The Pirates of the Prairies; or, Adventures in the American Desert. By Gustave Aimard. Philadelphia. T.B. Peterson & Brothers. 8vo. paper, pp. 152. 50 cts.

The Siege of Richmond: a Narrative of the Military Operations of Major-General George B. McClellan during the Months of May and June, 1862. By Joel Cook, Special Correspondent of the Philadelphia Press with the Army of the Potomac. Philadelphia. George W. Childs. 12mo. pp. viii., 358. $1.25.

The Phantom Bouquet; a Popular Treatise on the Art of skeletonizing Leaves and Seed-Vessels, and adapting them to embellish the Home of Taste. By Edward Parrish, Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, etc. Philadelphia. J.B. Lippincott & Co. 12mo. pp. 47. 75 cts.

Manual of Geology: treating of the Principles of the Science with Especial Reference to American Geological History, for the Use of Colleges, Academies, and Schools of Science. By James D. Dana, M.A., LL.D., Silliman Professor of Geology and Natural History in Yale College, Author of "A System of Mineralogy," of Reports of Wilkes's Exploring Expedition, on Geology, on Zoöphytes, and on Crustacea, etc.

Illustrated by a Chart of the World, and over a Thousand Figures, mostly from American Sources. Philadelphia. Theodore Bliss & Co. 8vo. pp. xvi., 798. $5.00.

The Old Merchants of New York. By Walter Barrett, Clerk. New York. G.W.

Carleton. 12mo. pp. 472. $1.50.

Miriam. By Marion Harland. New York. Sheldon & Co. 12mo. pp. 549. $1.25.

notes

1

Whilst this was passing at Rome, another scene of the tragedy was enacting in London. The violence of the Tory party in attacking Keats had increased after his leaving England, but he had found able defenders, and amongst them Mr. John Scott, the editor of the "Champion," who published a powerful vindication of Keats, with a denunciation of the party-spirit of his critics. This led to a challenge from Mr. Scott to Mr. Lockhart, who was then one of the editors of "Blackwood." The challenge was shifted over to a Mr. Christie, and he and Mr. Scott fought at Chalk Farm, with the tragic result of the death of Keats's defender,—and this within a few days of the poet's death at Rome. The deplorable catastrophe was not without its compensations, for ever after there was a more chastened feeling in both parties.

2

Flaxman's Illustrations of "Works and Days," Plate I.

3

Elton's translation, I think. I do not vouch for its correctness.

4

XLIII. "Sulcos, si locus aquosus erit, alveatos esse oportet," etc.

5

This mention, of course, excludes the Senator's formulae for unguents, aperients, cattle-nostrums, and pickled pork.

6

CXXXIV. Cato, De Re Rusticâ.

7

"Locus ad hanc rem desideratur maxime calidus, et minimi luminis, in quo singulae caveis angustioribus vel sportis inclusae pendeant aves, sed ita coarctatae, ne versari posslnt."—Columella, Lib. VIII. cap. vii.

8

See Methods of Study in Natural History, Atlantic Monthly, No. LVII., July, 1862.

9

Starry regions.

10

It is fair to say that an examination of the chapter on the causes of the French Revolution, in several editions of Alison's History, including the first, gives this story no support.

11

In this memoir it is stated that Mr. Buckle was born at Lee, November 24,1822. If this date be correct, his age, at the time of his death at Damascus, May 29, 1862, fell short of forty years by five days less than six months. In conversation, however, at this time, February, 1862, he spoke of his age as thirty-eight, notwithstanding the surprise that was expressed, for he appeared several years older. Mr. Glennie, in his letter describing the circumstances of Mr. Buckle's death, mentions his age as thirty-nine.

12

The words he uses are,—"To the memory of my mother I consecrate this volume."

13

Richmond Examiner, January 20th, 1863.

14

The opposition to the employment of negro regiments, if made by traitors North or South, can be easily comprehended,—if made by loyal men, is wholly inexplicable. Your neighbor's house takes fire at night. The flames, long smouldering, make rapid progress, and threaten the comfort, certainly, if not the lives of his household, and the total destruction of his property. The alarm is given. An engine comes promptly to the rescue. It is just in season to save his dwelling. The firemen spring with ready alacrity to their places. But stop! He suddenly discovers the appalling fact that they are negroes! True, there is not a moment to be lost. No other engine is, or can be, within helping distance. The least delay means poverty and a houseless family. And yet he rudely dismisses the dusky firemen, folds his arms with Spartan stoicism, and, looking complacently on the burning building, says, "Better this than to rely on the assistance of niggers!"Is it Spartan stoicism? Is it not rather stark lunacy? And would you not take immediate measures to provide such a man with permanent quarters in a mad-house?