to such a feeble figure as represents the maxima Juno on page 105!

But our readers must not suppose that all such richness of illustration is wasted. The coins, although they are left without much explanation, are adapted to stimulate inquiry, and familiarize the learner with some of the material of a very interesting science, and he will also find instruction in the representations of the implements of war and of religion, and of the emblems which distinguish the various divinities. We only wish that the editor had rejected all that seems to have been introduced merely to multiply ornament and had used instead more of the really instructive material which classical archæology so abundantly furnishes. Such illustrations, presented in an unambitious style, would have added much to the real value, and no less to the attractiveness of the volume.

We had it in mind to notice some other points which have attracted our attention, but will only add that the book is beautifully printed on tinted paper, and is withal of very attractive appearance.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON'S "SOCIETY AND SOLITUDE " ETC., needs no word of ours to extol its many excellencies or to bespeak a welcome from our readers. The other topics, besides that which is the title of this volume of Essays, are Civilization, Art, Eloquence, Domestic Life, Farming, Works and Days, Books, Clubs, Courage, Success, and Old Age. Some, if not all of these Essays, have been already published. They all have a famil iar look and sound, perhaps because of a mannerism which Mr. Emerson, with all his resources of illustration, and with all his freshness of genius, cannot avoid. This mannerism sometimes becomes monotonous, perhaps from the very tension which it indicates in the writer and requires in the reader. For Mr. Emerson, with all his apparent directness and simplicity, is anything rather than a natural thinker and writer. His thoughts seem to fall from his mind like easy and almost unconscious utterances, whereas they are in fact jerked out with an ill-concealed violence and effort. His comparisons and metaphors, though always exciting, and full of interest, are sometimes so extravagant as to be sensational. Mr

Society and Solitude. Twelve Chapters. By RALPH WALDO EMERSON. Boston: Fields, Osgood, & Co.

1870.

Emerson is not above certain tricks of thought and expression, notwithstanding his apparent Yankee directness and simplicity. Indeed, the Yankee shrewdness is eminent in his quaint remarks on common things, and Yankee humor often twinkles in his eye, especially when he quietly strives to take down characters or opinions for which most people cherish a high esteem, as for example, Moses, and Jesus, and the Bible. Indeed we are not certain, but considering the country in which he lives, and that the people for whom he writes, are somewhat generally reputed to be ChristianConcord, perhaps, being an exception-Mr. Emerson carries this tendency a little too far, and sometimes beyond the limit which good manners, to say nothing of good morals, would perhaps prescribe. We are of course disposed to take into consideration the fact that he has become so satisfied with his own position of philosophie orthodoxy, as to be somewhat pharisaic in respect to the poor publicans who do not so much as lift their eyes to Heaven in the confident manner which he would recommend. We do not suppose he intends to wound the feelings of his unilluminated fellow-countrymen, and would therefore suggest that it is by this time pretty well understood in the most enlightened circleswhich of course are the circles which read his Essays-what he thinks about Jesus and the various scriptural worthies, and that he might as well spare their feelings and be considerate of their prejudices. It seems to us that as a matter of taste, even if the affair does not come under the statute concerning cruelty to imbeciles, he would consult his own influence and reputation as a writer, should he less obtrusively and less frequently, hoist his theological flag. We might cull out from this volume a score perhaps of passages which can serve no purpose whatever, except to illustrate his own ineffectual protest against popular faith, and to awaken towards himself feelings of neither honor nor respect, because they seem to be so thoroughly gratuitous and uncalled for.

With these abatements, which are no more applicable to this than to his other writings, this volume seems to indicate no falling off in the charm of thinking and writing which always attracts and holds multitudes of admiring readers.

PRINCIPLES OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE.*-This treatise is prompted by the conviction that womankind need special culture for home duties, and that higher honors, larger remuneration, and greater usefulness will surely follow, when women are thoroughly taught the principles of domestic economy, and trained with reference to their profession as "house-keepers and health-keepers." How far the work may prove serviceable as a text book, we will not predict, though twenty pages of questions and suggestive hints for the use of teachers and scholars, vindicate the desire of the authors that it should be studied and recited in schools; but we are confident that its wide circulation would promote comfort, convenience, economy, and health, especially among people of moderate circumstances, living in small houses, with little or no "help," and in a frugal way. Its hints on various departments of domestic economy, its suggestions about the necessities of the body and the mind, and its advice about the care of the aged, the sick, the ignorant, the homeless, the helpless, and the vicious, will prove salutary in thousands of families. This, however, is incidental to the design of the authors. They desire to magnify the calling of woman, and to convince or reassure intelligent, reflecting Christian women that it is a noble work which falls to their lot in training the whole race to the highest possible virtue and happiness with chief reference to the future world; and in this aim they have our most cordial sympathy.

ECCE FEMINA.-Mr. Carlos White's discussion of "the woman question" is very able and effective. The only objection which we make to his book is its title. The Latin in it, we mean for the epexegesis of the title, is sufficiently explicit and intelligible. Mr. White writes with great honesty, great candor, great patience of analysis, with a certain simple-hearted dispassionateness that is eminently refreshing-and a Yankee-like homeliness which makes

Principles of Domestic Science; as applied to the Duties and Pleasures of Home. A text book for the use of young ladies in schools, seminaries, and colleges. By CATHARINE E. BEECHER and HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. New York: J. B. Ford & Co. 1870. pp. 390.

* Ecce Femina. An attempt to solve the woman question. Being an examination of arguments in favor of female suffrage by John Stuart Mill, and a presentation of arguments agaiust the proposed change in the constitution of society. By CARLOS WHITE, Hanover, N. H. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1870.

1

his arguments home-thrusts against his antagonists. He is evidently a thoroughly honest and earnest man, to whom a joke would be as foreign as to a Scotchman, to whom anything like banter would be an amazing piece of impertinence. He takes up the subject with the confession that for certain solid and substantial reasons he was at first more than half inclined to accept the reform; but on a careful consideration of certain other reasons, which he finds more solid and substantial, he has been compelled to withdraw from all participation in it. The potent name of Mr. John Stuart Mill does not appal him His arguments do not convince our imperturbable and honest New Englander. He even turns Mr. Mill's own logic against himself, and then proceeds to set forth certain cogent arguments which all the advocates of the opposite opinion would do well to consider, and will find it somewhat difficult to answer. To this contest we must come at last, and we hope Mr. White will find "his mission" in seeing that the republic of the male sex, as well as the republic of collective humanity and our Christian civilization, shall suffer no detriment.

COMMUNION WINE AND BIBLE TEMPERANCE.*—This work has been pretty widely and gratuitously circulated for the sake of convincing the public that the churches are bound to exclude all fermented wine from the Lord's Table. A good cause may be damaged by bad logic. It has been so with the temperance reformation. This book is an illustration. A book so full of misrepresentations, misprints, sophistry, and inconclusive reasoning, we have not lately read. We notice it only to disavow its fallacies. The money of a temperance society might be better spent than in perpetuating a work so weak as this.

* Communion Wine and Bible Temperance. By Rev. WILLIAM M. THAYER. New York: National Temperance Society and Publication House. 1869. paper. pp. 90.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS.

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, with Notes, critical, explanatory, and practical, designed for both pastors and people. By Rev. Henry Cowles, D. D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1870. 12mo. pp. 363.

The Ministry in Galilee. By Rev. William Hanna, D. D., LL. D. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870. 12mo. pp. 360

Beginning Life; Chapters for Young Men on Religion, Study, and Business. By John Tulloch, D. D., Principal and Primarius Professor, St. Mary's College, St. Andrews. American Tract Society, New York. 12mo. pp. 263.

Crowned and Discrowned; or, the Rebel King and the Prophet of Ramah. By Rev. S. W. Culver, A. M. With an Introduction by Rev. G. W. Eaton, D. D.; Pres. of the Theological Department of Madison University. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1870. 16mo. pp. 149.

Removing Mountains; Life Lessons from the Gospels. By John S. Hart. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870. 16mo. pp. 306.

Questions on the Epistle to the Romans, with a theme from each verse. For Bible Classes and Sabbath School Teachers. By John A. Paine, M. D. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co. 1870. 12mo. pp. 228.

A Manual of the Doctrines and Usages of Congregational Churches. Compiled by Rev. J. E. Roy, D. D. Chicago: 1870. 12mo. pp. 48.

Pearls of Wisdom. A Text of Scripture, with an appropriate selection from various authors. For every day in the year. By Rev. Samuel Hutchings. American Tract Society, 150 Nassau street, New York.

Fables of Infidelity and Tracts of Faith. A series of Tracts on the absurdity of Atheism, Pantheism, and Rationalism. By Robert Patterson. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 12mo. pp. 316.

BELLES LETTRES.

Mauprat. A Novel. By George Sand. Translated from the French, by Virginia Vaughan. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1870. 16mo. pp. 324.

The Spanish Barber. A Tale of the Bible in Spain. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1870. 16mo. pp. 309. [This is a new book by the author of "The Maiden and Married Life of Mary Powell, afterwards Mistress Milton."]

Stepping Heavenward. By E. Prentiss, author of the "Susy Books." New York: A. D. F. Randolph. 1870. 12mo. pp. 426.

Hedged In. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, author of "The Gates Ajar." Boston; Fields, Osgood & Co. 1870. 16mo. pp. 295.

Wonder Stories told for Children. By Hans Christian Andersen. With illustrations by V. Pedersen and M. L. Stone. Author's edition. New York: Hurd & Houghton. 1870. 12mo. pp. 555.