OUR BOSTON LETTER.

THE lecture season has fairly opened upon us, and the supply of speakers seems to be fully equal to the extraordinary demand. Modest men, through the kind offices of their friends, are announcing themselves as the proprietors of instructive and entertaining discourses, and ready to serve the eager public for a suitable consideration. No course of lectures excites more attention in its announcement than the Anti-Slavery series, to be opened by Honorable Charles Sumner, and to include within its number eminent speakers. The tickets to the course were nearly exhausted long before the first lecture. Dr. Felton's course before the Lowell Institute, upon the "Downfall and Resurrection of Greece," is fully attended by a large and appreciating audience; containing, as these lectures do, so much new and valuable matter, and illustrated as they are by so many interesting personal incidents, derived from a late tour through this storied land, they will, undoubtedly, be published, and obtain a still wider hearing from the public. Overflowing congregations attend upon the public services held on Sabbath evenings in the Tremont Temple, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association. The sermons are delivered by the pastors of the vicinity, and are eminently practical. Such seed as is sown on these occasions, falling upon soil so promising, can but produce an abundant harvest of good.

The two courses of the Mercantile Library Lectures are to be opened, the first by Honorable Charles Sumner, and the second by Honorable George P. Marsh, to be followed by Colonel Fremont, Cassius M. Clay, E. H. Chapin, H. W. Beecher, and other names of note in the literary and political world. Mr. Clay, of Kentucky, proposes to remain some considerable time at the north, and to address our Lyceums as he may secure opportunities.

The executors of the late Honorable Samuel Appleton, who have in trust the munificent sum of two hundred thousand dollars, to be distributed, as directed by the will, for "scientific, literary, religious, or charitable purposes," have transferred stocks to the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars to the Boston Athenæum. The interest is to be applied to the annual increase of the library.

It was supposed, and generally announced through the public prints, that the well-known and honored name of Charlestown had been effaced from the list of municipalities-it being merged into Boston, swelling its population and bringing renown to its history. But the regret felt by many and the rejoicing of others was premature. The Supreme Court has declared the act of annexation unconstitutional, and, for the present at least, Bunker Hill will remain in Charlestown. Honorable George W. Warren, ex-mayor of Charlestown, was employed as one of the counsel by the annexationists, and after the unfavorable decision was announced, a legal wit, present on the occasion, remarked, that "the British and the Bostonians had both attempted to take Charlestown, and in each case a Warren had fallen."

The movement in favor of a Reform School for girls has resulted successfully. The state offered twenty thousand dollars, provided the same amount should be subscribed by individuals. The latter amount has been obtained, principally in Boston, and the governor of the state has appointed a judicious commission to obtain a site and arrange the details of the institution.

In the literary world our publishers are keeping their presses active upon new editions of established works, and not a few forthcoming volumes of general interest are announced. Honorable Lorenzo Sabine, of Framingham, whose articles in the public prints and speeches in Congress upon the Newfoundland fishery question have accomplished more than any other means to bring about the present happy adjustment of this matter, has in the press of Crosby, Nichols & Co., a volume upon dueling. It will be an encyclopædia of duels, coinprising sketches of all the principal personal combats, with full accounts of the most important, especially those of historical interest in our country. It is stated in the English Athenæum that a literary man in the heart of Russia is engaged upon the translation of "The House of Seven Gables" into Russian. "This," well remarks the editor, "is something like fame."

The executors of Mr. Webster are now engaged in the preparation of several volumes of his correspondence, to be published uniform with the edition of his works. Little, Brown & Co., who issued the latter from their press, will publish the new volumes. As

Mr. Webster's correspondents were the most distinguished public men of the last half-century, both in this country and in Europe, the correspondence must possess extraordinary interest. From the same house has already appeared the sixth volume of Bancroft's great work. It treats upon the immediate causes of the Revolution, covering in its records the pregnant period of eight years between the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, and the forcible efforts to subdue the obstinacy of Boston in 1774. Interesting in its subject, it is invested with a magical charm by the splendid rhetoric of its author.

Crocker & Brewster, the publishers of Neander's noble Church History, have issued the fifth and final volume of this work. The amiable and learned author went quietly to his rest-working upon it till the last, and dying with the harness on-before the manuscript of this volume was even corrected. But the devoted and pains-taking labors of an accomplished pupil have secured the completion of the work. Professor Terrey has accomplished an invaluable service for the Church in his excellent translation of this great history. The present volume is one of peculiar interest, recording, as it does, the history of Papacy to the Council of Basle, the Life and Times of Wiclif, and the Persecutions and Martyrdom of Huss in Bohemia. The five volumes will form a perpetual monument of the diligence, eloquence, and piety of this devoted Jewish

Christian.

The second edition of Dr. Wayland's Mental Philosophy has been published by Phillips, Sampson & Co. This work is enjoying an unprecedented popularity for a philosophical treatise, and is securing a rapid introduction into the higher grades of instruction. This firm have fortified themselves against the expected demand of the approaching holidays, by preparing a large and beautiful variety of annuals. They have published four splendid quarto volumes, illustrated with fine steel engravings, and bound in the highest styles of the art, and nearly a score of juvenile volumes by our best writers, adorned with illustrations, and every way calculated to please and instruct the young recipients of these handsome annual benefactions.

It rarely occurs that an old periodical renews its age, and resumes a forfeited place in the estimation of the community; but this is the fortune of the North American. Under the administration of Dr. Peabody, it has recovered all its pristine vigor and popularity. It is sufficiently progressive, full of wholesome truth and just criticism; and altogether is a worthy representation of American literature. It deserves all the credit it has won, and even a larger circulation than it has obtained. Its publishers, Crosby, Nichols & Co., announce a new and revised edition of Miss Chandler's "Elements of Character "-a little volume which has already been favorably noticed and received high praise from the press in general. The first edition of the work was exhausted in a few weeks. A second series of "Thoughts to Help and to Cheer," furnishing, with the first series, a text of Scripture, a meditation and appropriate verse of poetry for each day in the year.

The Edinburgh and London publishers are beginning to compete a little with our booksellers in the sale of their own works. Blackee & Son, in addition to their well-known depot in Fulton-street, New-York, offer their valuable catalogue of standard and illustrated works to our reading community through Russell & Brothers of our city. While the Harpers are busily republishing the noble "Imperial Gazetteer" of this firm, they offer the original edition, with its fine engravings, beautiful print, and heavy paper, in numbers, or parts, at a greatly reduced price. It is an invaluable encyclopædia of geography--physical, political, statistical, and descriptive.

Wordsworth's Works, complete, with prefaces and annotations, on fine paper, in generous type, have been issued from the active press of Little, Brown & Co., in seven volumes. Captain Sleeper, the late excellent and accomplished editor of the Boston Journal, having retired from active editorial service, is devoting himself to the publication of the Sea Incidents and Tales, which from time to time he has written for his own paper, and which were well received in this form. The first volume, handsomely illustrated and printed, has been published by Reynolds & Co., entitled "Sea Bubbles," and will be followed by others. The same publishers propose to issue, from the pen of a popular writer, a series of juvenile volumes upon the noted men, civil and military, of our own country, especially of revolutionary times; something after the style of Abbott's series of Ancient Kings and Warriors. В. К. Р.

Duncan's Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons-Hester Ann Rogers-Simms's Works-Memories of a Grand

mother-The World as it is-Abbott's Juvenile Works-Stories from the History of Italy and France -Loring's Hundred Boston Orators-The City-Side -Elements of Character-The Bible Reading Book -Children's Trials-Popular Tales-Gratitude: An Exposition of the Hundred and Third PsalmForrester's Magazine-Synonyms of the New Testament-The Seven Wonders of the World-The Inebriate's Hut-Kansas and Nebraska-May Dundas -Spirit-Rapping-The Tables Turned.

DUNCAN'S Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons has been reissued by Carter & Brothers, New-York, in two substantial duodecimos. It is the best work of the kind in our language, and supersedes the translation of Sturm by embodying the later discoveries of natural science.

Heater Ann Rogers.-This famous Methodist biography lies on our table in the Swedish language-a really beautiful book, got out by Carlton & Phillips, under the auspices of the new Methodist Tract Society. It has had great influence on the Methodist world, and will now go forth, on its message of usefulness, in Sweden and among our Scandinavian immigrants. There are many small defects in it, but it has the power of a genuine spiritual life. Redfield continues the issue of Simms's works, in very elegant style. The last of the series received by us is Woodcraft; or, Hawks about the Dove-cot. It is founded upon southern life at the close of the Revolution. Simms has done more than any other American fictitious writer to bring into literary use the early history of the country. He maintains the historical integrity of his subjects with unusual scrupulosity. His characters are bold and sharply delineated, and his incidents abundant. We regret, however, that he deems it necessary to the accuracy of his characters, that they should be allowed to utter so freely their usual profanity.

The Memories of a Grandmother is the forbidding title of a really interesting little volume from the press of Gould & Lincoln, Boston. It consists of sketches of New-England life, evidently "from life."- -one of the best NewEngland domestic portraitures that we remember. Magee, Boston.

Lippincott, Grambo & Co., Philadelphia, have published, under the general title of The World as it is, two elegant little volumes from the pen of F. C. Woodworth, the author of several popular juvenile works. The first volume relates to England and Wales, the second to Scotland and Ireland. They are well-prepared descriptions of localities and life, and are attractively illustrated.

Among the juvenile works of the season, we must also enumerate a batch of volumes from the pen of Jacob Abbott, and got out in fine style by Reynolds & Co., Boston. They are the tireless and ever interesting Rollo's Tour in Europe-"Rollo on the Atlantic," "Rollo in Paris," and " Rollo in Switzerland." Rollo dogs Abbott everywhere, and there is no

youngster that likes good reading who is not happy to follow in his footsteps. The illustra tions are well done-a sine qua non with us, as our readers know, in juvenile publications.

We must not omit from our record of the juvenile literature of the season two fine little volumes from the press of Carlton & Phillips, New-York. The first is entitled Stories from the History of Italy; the second, Stories from the History of France. They are reprints from the editions of the London Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge-a good guarantee of their excellence. The selection of incidents and the style of execution are judicious and attractive, and the illustrative engravings are among the very best wood cuts we have yet seen from the American press. This house is unequaled in its artistic work.

Jewett & Co., Boston, have published the third edition of Mr. Loring's Hundred Boston Orators. This work is already known to the public; but we may refer again to two of its capital excellences: first, it presents some of the finest specimens of American eloquence; Quincy, Otis, Austin, Ames, Everett, Webster, Sumner, Cushing, Story, Choate, Horace Mann, Winthrop, Whipple, Star King, &c., are among its orators. Secondly, it comprises historical comments, gleanings, &c., illustrative of the progress of our republican principles. This last edition has an improved index of names.

We are indebted to Magee, Boston, for a copy of The City-Side. These "side" books have become very numerous lately, and threaten to surfeit us, like the "Bible Mountains," Bible Lakes," and "Bible Birds;" which, we suppose, are yet to be followed by Bible Giants, Bible Babies, and Bible Frogs - until the good old simple and beautiful Bible narratives are buried under the excess of such rhetorical rubbage. The present is, however, a decidedly clever production-the incidents from clerical life are striking, and they are related with vivacity and tact. We would, nevertheless, suggest to our young authors that it is time to leave these "side" walks, and turn boldly out into the open road.

Crosby, Nichols & Co., Boston, have sent us a copy of the second edition of Mary G. Chandler's Elements of Character—a book of grave character and style, but solid in its instructions and excellent in its moral tone. We except to particular views of the author, but can commend the general character of her book as of unusual merit.

Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, the well-known authoress, has prepared a volume of Scriptural lessons, entitled The Bible Reading Book. If it be desirable at all to present literal Scriptural instruction in any other form than the common Bible itself, Mrs. Hale has unquestionably hit upon the best method. Her volume contains such portions of the Old and New Testaments as form a connected narrative, in the real words of the text and in the order of the sacred books,

of God's dealing with men and men's duties to God. The most essential portions of divine truth are happily woven into the plan-the promises, precepts, miracles are carefully retained, God's attributes are fully exhibited, all the prophecies respecting Christ are related. The volume cannot fail to give such systematic instruction in the scope of the whole Bible as will secure the interest of children especially, for the entire Scriptures, much more effectually than the way of consulting them to which the young are generally trained. It has special adaptations as a reading book in schools. Lippincott, Grambo & Co., Philadelphia.

Crosby, Nichols & Co., Boston, have issued an exceedingly beautiful little volume for children, entitled Children's Trials, &c. It is a translation from the German of Linden. The illustrations are colored, and cannot fail to be attractive to the little folks.

The same publishers have sent out a new version of Madame Guizot's Popular Tales.

Those of our readers who recollect the articles we gave some months ago, on the character and writings of this excellent lady, will be gratified at this announcement. The book is beautifully embellished with engravings.

Gratitude: an Exposition of the Hundred and Third Psalm. By Rev. John Stevenson. 12mo., pp. 324. New-York: Robert Carter & Brothers. This volume consists of a continuous series of pious meditations, founded on the expressions of the Psalm, of which it professes to be an exposition. It is a work better suited for occasional reading, with the design to excite pious sentiments in the heart, than for study, to give clearer views of the meaning of the text. For this purpose it may doubtless be used with profit; for though its theology is the superorthodoxy of the Scotch Kirk, yet it is confessedly full of the marrow of the gospel. Our friends, the Carters, are doing a good work by their republications of this kind; and we are happy to be assured that there are yet readers of sober Christian literature, in sufficient numbers, to justify, commercially, their enterprise.

Forrester's Magazine, published by Rand, Boston, we have repeatedly recommended as one of the very best juvenile periodicals of the day. It is characterized by the good sense as well as the attractiveness of its articles; its moral tone is unexceptionable, and its illustrations abundant and "taking." It is the magazine to excite a love of reading where that taste does not exist, and to guide it aright where it does. We commend it to all families, not only unreservedly but most warmly.

Synonyms of the New Testament; being the substance of a course of lectures addressed to the theological students of King's College, London. By Richard Chenevix Trench, B. D. Redfield, 110 and 112 Nassau-street, New-York. 12mo., pp. 250. The publication in this country of a number of valuable works by the author of this volume has introduced him to the favorable notice of our reading public, and prepared for this new comer a ready access to our libraries and firesides. Trench is a writer of real nerve and of clear powers of discrimina

tion. These properties, so forcibly exhibited in the "Study of Words," are brought fully into use in this work; and though only a small portion of the field contemplated in the title is occupied by him, yet the portion traversed is well chosen, and ably discussed. We commend this little volume to the favor of all real Biblical students-those who wish to be aided to think for themselves, rather than to have their thinking done to their hand by "notes" and "comments," as venerable for their antiquity, though often rejuvenated, as they are destitute of all other claims to our

reverence.

The Seven Wonders of the World is the title of an excellent though small volume from the press of Carlton & Phillips, New-York. Its design is to present what interesting traditions remain of "the seven wonders," which have made so much of the entertainment of almost every man's childhood. The sketches are well prepared, and the engravings exceedingly fine."

The Inebriate's Hut is the title of a new volume from the pen of Mrs. Southworth. It is a very interesting illustration of the effects of the Maine Law, and its circulation would do much to promote the success of that great legislative reform. Phillips, Sampson & Co., Boston.

A very valuable work on Kansas and Nebras ka has been prepared by E. C. Hale, Esq., and published by Phillips, Sampson & Co., Boston— a good manual for all who wish to immigrate thither. It sketches the history, geography, physical characteristics, political position, &c., of the country, and gives directions to emigrants, accounts of emigrant societies, &c.

Carter & Brothers have issued an edition of May Dundas, or Passages in Young Life, by Mrs. Thomas Geldart, illustrated. It is a domestic story, well narrated, and suggestive of the best lessons-the principal one being the inadequacy of the best education and associations to sustain the young soul in "the battle-fields of life." Spirit Rapping-Necromancy-a Discourse by Rev. Mr. Butler, has been published by Carlton & Phillips, New-York, for the Methodist Tract Society. It treats this new phenomenon theologically-showing that whatever may be its alleged solution, the intermeddling with it now, so extensive and so mischievous, is unscriptural and criminal. It is the very thing to put into the hands of considerate people, and especially of Christians, who may have been beguiled into the new mania. Mr. Butler reasons most im

pressively and conclusively, and few who read him with candor will be disposed to plunge into the evil.

We

The Tables Turned is the title of a rejoinder to Mr. Butler's discourse, written by S. P. Britton, Esq., and published by Partridge & Britton, New-York. Mr. Britton shows no little logical skill and rhetorical tact in this critique. are taken somewhat by surprise by it, for we know not how to admit that a man of such evident shrewdness and ability can be duped by such manifest nonsense as the preternatural pretensions of the Spirit Rappers. He fails in the issue, but we give him credit for having written the best work we have yet met in favor of the Rappists.

Arago's Manuscripts-The Warnerville Union Seminary-Schools in England-Notable Deaths-NewYork Conference Seminary-Postage on BooksReligious Papers - The British Census returnsDickinson Seminary-Death of Bartlett-Committee of French History-Newark Wesleyan InstituteNew Works-Education in Poland-Fort Edward Institute-Education in the United States-Carlyle -Wesleyan Female College.

SOME of the MSS. of Arago, containing 2,956 pages of writing, of which 2,599 are by his own hand, have lately been presented to the French Academy of Sciences. They contain observations upon magnetism, and the results of 73,000 experiments in that science. A committee has been appointed to examine these papers, with a view to their publication in the Mémoires of the Academy.

The Warnerville (N. Y.) Union Seminary, under the superintendence of Rev. A. J. Jutkins, offers gratuitous instruction to twenty young men contemplating the ministry. This institution reports one hundred and twenty-six students during its last term-its faculty is able, and its prospects bright.

Respecting schools in England, a correspondent of The Church gives the following summary of the census returns. It appears that of 1,413,170 scholars receiving education in public day schools, 1,188,786 are in schools receiving support from religious bodies; and that of this number the Church of England educates 929,474 children; while all other religious bodies (comprising all the dissenting sects, Scotch Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Jews, German and French Protestants) educate, by their united efforts, only 194,673. For every 1,000 educated by the Church of England, the Independents educate 54, the Roman Catholics and Methodists each 44, and all the others combined only 66.

Among the notable deaths in Europe, lately,

is recorded that of the once famous Ladvocat, the bookseller and publisher-a man who was at the head of the publishing trade in France from 1815 to 1830-who was a veritable Mæcenas to authors-who had the honor of presenting to the world, or publishing for, Lamartine, Chateaubriand, Hugo, Dumas, and other of the great literary celebrities of modern France-who was the friend of ministers and ambassadors who at one time counted his wealth by millions, (francs,) and who rioted in more than princely luxury-who finally, by imprudent speculations, lost all he had, and after living for years in profound obscurity, died in a hospital, leaving his widow penniless and friendless, and compelled to make an appeal to the public for charity!-In Germany, death has carried off Canon Schmidt, who is so widely known by his writings for children; and at Rome, Cardinal Angelo Mai, distinguished by his discovery in the library of the Vatican of some palimpsests, containing the lost portions of Cicero's famous Treatise on the Commonwealth,' a loss which had always been deplored by classical scholars, and of which Scipio's

'Dream,' and the other fragments that remained, showed the immense importance. But what, for the renown of the cardinal, was equal to the discovery, or rather recovery, of this magnificent work, was the skill with which he deciphered it a task of exceeding difficulty, and one which, in other manuscripts of equal antiquity, of Sir Humphrey Davy. had baffled the scientific means and appliances

The New-York Conference Seminary at Charlotteville, N. Y., under the Rev. A. Flack and a numerous faculty, is prospering remarkably. Its last catalogue reports more than twelve hundred students for the year.

Books not weighing over four pounds may be sent by mail, prepaid, at one cent an ounce any distance in the United States not exceeding three thousand miles; and at two cents an ounce over three thousand miles, provided they are put up without a cover or wrapper, or in a cover or wrapper open at the ends or sides, so that their character may be determined without removing the wrapper. If not prepaid, the postage under three thousand miles is one cent and a half; and over three thousand miles in the United States, three cents an ounce.

The number and circulation of English religious papers, says a foreign correspondent of the Pitteburg Advocate, will bear no comparison with those of the United States. The Church of England has two papers-the Record, published twice a week, with a circulation of 3,639 each number; and the Ecclesiastical Gazette, weekly, with a circulation of 2,750. The Baptists have no paper, but they patronize the papers of the Independent denomination. These are the Patriot, edited by Joseph Conder and J. M. Hare, Esq., issued twice a week, with 1,268 subscribers; The British Banner, with a weekly circulation of 3,888; and the Non-Conformist, with a weekly circulation of 3,211, edited by E. Miall, Esq., M. P. The Wesleyan Conference has only one paper, the Watchman, edited most ably by J. C. Rigg, Esq., with a subscription list of between 3,000 and 4,000. The Wesleyan Times, the organ of the agitators, is rapidly declining, its circulation having diminished one half since the year 1851.

From the population tables of the recent British census we glean the following items:The return of authors, writers, and literary men, comprises 2,866 persons, to whom are added 8,600 artists, architects, &c., (doubtless including many drawing-masters and builders ;) 496 professors of science, 34,378 male teachers, and 71,966 school-mistresses and governesses-the latter returned as 21,373.

Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., under the care of Rev. Dr. Bowman, is represented by its last catalogue as in a flourishing condition. It has an effective faculty and a thor ough classification of studies. The aggregate of its students, for the last academic year, was two hundred and fifty-five.