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institutions. The peculiar features of the mammoth institution of Great Britain, of the numerous joint-stock and private banks, and of the banks of Scotland and Ireland, and there are many peculiarities in each, are all enumerated and explained with the same laborious completeness. The work is as comprehensive and exact as the system which it elucidates. It offers proof enough that the disasters sometimes experienced by banks are not the fruits of ignorance or inevitable misfortune, but result from wilful infractions of a system of principles and a code of procedure which, when strictly adhered to, offer no more occasion for casualties than the business of an accounting clerk. Violations of the rules are unfortunately too common; but their frequency does not lessen their heinousness. Mr. Gilbart takes a high view of the moral responsibility of a banker, but not too high, considering the magnitude of the interests at stake, and the widely spread ruin that is often caused by disastrous management. The chapter on "the moral and religious duties of banking companies" was first printed as a separate tract, and attained considerable circulation. From its simplicity and directness, and the large range of Scripture illustrations with which its precepts. are enforced, it is well calculated to advance the high end which its author had in view. We can heartily commend the whole work to the attention of those who are immediately interested in banks, and of the commercial classes generally, throughout our country. A second edition has been called for within three months from the time of its first publication.

3. History and Geography of the Middle Ages, for Colleges and Schools. (Chiefly from the French.) By GEORGE WASHINGTON GREENE, Author of "Life of Gen. Greene," "Historical Studies," etc. Part I. History. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1851. 12mo. pp. 454.

THIS work is the first of a series, in which the author proposes to embody the last results of historical research in the form of text-books suitable for the purposes of study in colleges and schools, and useful, as manuals of reference, to scholars and general readers. It is taken chiefly from a popular French work, which in its turn was prepared from the best German authorities; but it seems to be singularly free from any marks of a foreign origin, and is, indeed, characterized by the ease and freedom of an original English work. It was the aim of the author to pre

sent a correct idea of European society during that great period of transition from ancient to modern times, so well designated by the title of the Middle Ages. To accomplish such an object within the limits of a compendious text-book is obviously a task of great difficulty, requiring, along with an extended study and a thorough knowledge of the subject, a nice judgment and a rare tact and power of combination, to seize and take out from the mass of details belonging to so many countries, nations, and governments, only such as are essential, and to form these into a consistent and symmetrical whole. It seems to us, after a careful examination of the book, that the author has executed this difficult task with unusual success; and has presented, in clear outline, a satisfactory exposition of all the important facts of mediæval history, and of the great influences which mingled with and controlled them. As an introduction to the study of the Middle Ages, it is all that can be desired; and as a manual of reference for advanced students in history, and even for those who have traversed the whole ground in detail, it cannot be otherwise than a most useful book. For readers of every class, the usefulness of the book is greatly increased by the felicitous and scholarlike manner in which it is written. It is refreshing and delightful to meet with a historical compend, treating so complex and difficult a subject as the Middle Ages, which wins and keeps your attention, and aids your memory, and helps you on through all the rugged task, by the proprieties and amenities of good writing. It is so in this little book. Its style is always natural and perspicuous, and always in good taste; and in some descriptive passages, it is marked by that beautiful and highly finished diction, which characterizes the historical papers of Mr. Greene formerly published in this Review, and recently collected and republished under the title of "Historical Studies."

The plan of the work seems to be well-conceived, and wellexecuted through all its parts. In a brief introduction, the author, after touching upon the two leading facts of the Middle Ages, the introduction into the European world of that new element, the barbaric race, and the influence of the Roman See, divides the whole epoch into four periods: "1st. from the final division of the empire to Charlemagne, the period of permanent invasion, (395-800); 2d. from Charlemagne to Gregory VII., period of the second invasion, and of the feudal system, (800-1073); 3rd. from Gregory VII. to Boniface VIII., period of pontifical influence, (1073-1294); 4th. from Boniface VIII. to the fall of Constantinople, period of the restoration of royal power, (1294-1453.)"

The various countries and important institutions belonging to these periods are then treated in distinct chapters. Thus, one

chapter is devoted to the Barbarians, another to the AngloSaxons, a third to Mahometanism, a fourth to the Crusades; and so on. Thus, while the reader's attention is never diverted from those great movements which form the dividing lines of the whole epoch, the separate treatment of each subject in the period gains for it that unity and consecutiveness, and that independent character, so essential to create interest and produce clear and lasting impressions. With the accounts of political and religious movements are combined those general views of literature and manners which are needful to exhibit the condition of society, and to illustrate the passage from ancient to modern history. Chapter sixth presents a rapid sketch of Letters and Art from the invasion to the time of Charlemagne; and the twentieth, the last in the book, completes the view, from Charlemagne's time down to the taking of Constantinople.

The minor arrangements are admirably suited to the uses of the class-room. A clear, analytical summary is given at the head of each chapter, and its divisions and subdivisions form the headings of the sections and the paragraphs. This method faci litates the assignment of lessons, and is of great service both in preparation and review; on all accounts, it is preferable to the method of printed Questions and Answers.

The last fifty pages of the book are occupied by Historical Tables, most elaborately prepared, and conveniently arranged. The first is a Synchronitic (Synchronical, or Synchronous?) Table of the Middle Ages, containing the principal events, with their dates, pertaining to the History of Religion, to France and England, and to Europe, Asia, and Africa. There are full genealogical Tables of the ruling races and royal families, as for instance, the Merovingian Race, the Capetian Dynasty, the kings of England, and others. There are, besides, tabular views of certain historical subjects, of which it is very difficult to present or to get a clear conception in any other manner. For instance, the subject of the Three Caliphates, which every student of history finds involved in confusion and difficulty, is here given in a tabular view, which puts before you, in a form simple and definite, and easy of survey, all the essential facts. So too, the study of the Crusades is greatly facilitated by another tabular view, which compasses the whole ground, and mentions the leading persons and events.

We understand that the present volume is soon to be followed by a smaller one, containing Part Second, on the Geography of the Middle Ages; and that with this will be published a series of maps, prepared for the work on the basis of the admirable Atlas of Spruner.

NEW PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Lives of the Chief Justices of England, from the Norman Conquest till the Death of Lord Mansfield. By John Lord Campbell, LL. D., F. R. S. E., Author of "the Lives of the Lord Chancellors of England." Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea. 1851. 2 vols. 8vo.

The War of Races in Hungary; written by Professor Bowen, an American; diligently Revised, Corrected, and Published by Dr. S. Massoch, an Aboriginal Hungarian, who, having been a Spectator and Eye-Witness to all the Events and Facts in his Native Country, gives it as the Most Exact Account of the Population, and of the Spirit in Hungary. New York: 1851. 8vo. pp. 81.

Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels. From the German of Goethe. In Two Volumes. A New Edition, revised. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, & Fields. 1851. 12mo.

Characteristics of Literature, illustrated by the Genius of Distinguished Writers. By Henry T. Tuckerman. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. 1851. 12mo. pp. 282.

The Spirit of Prayer: The Saint's Privilege and Profit: The Desire of the Righteous Granted: The Unsearchable Riches of Christ: and Paul's Departure and Crown. By John Bunyan, Author of the Pilgrim's Progress, and the Holy War. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society. 1851. 12mo. pp. 356.

The Conquest of Florida by Hernando De Soto. By Theodore Irving, M. A. New York: George P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo. PP. 457.

The House of the Seven Gables, a Romance. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, & Fields. 1851. 12mo. pp. 344. Elfin Land, and other Poems. By Benjamin West Ball. Boston: James Munroe & Co. 1851. 12mo. pp. 150.

Travels in America: The Poetry of Pope. Two Lectures delivered to the Leeds Mechanics' Institution and Literary Society, December 5th and 6th, 1850. By the Right Honorable the Earl of Carlisle, (Lord Morpeth.) New York: G. P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo. pp. 135. The Serpent Symbol, and the Worship of the Reciprocal Principles of Nature in America. By E. G. Squier, A. M. New York: George P. Putnam. 1851. 8vo. pp. 254.

Society without Veil, and the National Behest. By One of the People. New York: Printed by John P. Prall. 1851. 12mo. pp. 218. The English Language. By Robert Gordon Latham, M. D., F. R. S. Third Edition, revised and greatly enlarged. London: Taylor, Walton, & Maberly. 1850. 8vo. pp. 609.

The Works of J. Fennimore Cooper. Revised and corrected, with a New Introduction, Notes, &c., by the Author. The Wing-and-Wing; or Le Fen Follet, a Tale. The Two Admirals, a Tale. The WaterWitch; or the Skimmer of the Seas, a Tale. New York: George P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo.

Stratagems: A Story for Young People. By Mrs. Newton Crosland, (Late Camilla Toulman.) London: Arthur Hall, Virtue, & Co. 1849. 16mo. pp. 188.

Dealings with the Inquisition; or Papal Rome, her Priests and her Jesuits, with Important Disclosures. By the Rev. Giacinto Achilli D. D., Late Prior and Visitor of the Dominican Order, Head Professor of Theology, and Vicar of the Master of the Apostolic Palace, &c. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1851. 12mo. pp. 351.

A Treatise on Political Economy. By George Opdyke. New York: G. P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo. pp. 339.

Romance Dust, from the Historic Placer. By William Starbuck Mayo, M. D. New York: Geo. P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo. pp. 278. Bulwer and Forbes on the Water Treatment: A Compilation of Papers on the Subjects of Hygiene and Rational Hydropathy; edited, with Additional Matter, by Roland S. Houghton, A. M., M. D. New and revised Edition. New York: Fowlers & Wells. 1851. 12mo. pp. 258.

Ida. Boston: James Munroe & Co. 1851. 12mo. pp. 68. The Alhambra. By Washington Irving. Author's revised Edition. New York: George P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo. pp. 425.

History of Greece. By George Grote, Esq. Volumes III. and IV. Reprinted from the Second London Edition. Boston: John P. Jewett. 1851. 12mo. pp. 425.

Annual Report of the Progress of Chemistry, and the Allied Sciences, Physics, Mineralogy, and Geology. By Justus Liebig, M. D. and H. Kopp. With the Cooperation of the Professors in the University of Giessen. Edited by A. W. Hoffman, Ph. D. and W. De La Rue. 1847-1848. 2 vols. London: Taylor, Walton, & Maberly. 8vo. History of the Protestants of France, from the Commencement of the Revolution to the Present Time. By G. De Félice. Translated, with an Introduction, by Henry Lobdell, M. D. New York: Edward Walker. 1851. 8vo. pp. 624.

By

Memoirs of William Wordsworth, Poet-Laureate, D. C. L. Christopher Wordsworth, D. D. In Two Volumes. Edited by Henry Reed. Vol. I. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, & Fields. 1851. 12mo. PP. 472.

A School Dictionary of the Latin Language. By Dr. J. H. Kaltschmidt. In Two Parts. Part II. English-Latin. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea. 1851. 12mo. pp. 365.

The Rangers, or the Tory's Daughter; a Tale illustrative of the Revolutionary History of Vermont, and the Northern Campaign of 1777. By the Author of "The Green Mountain Boys." Boston: Benjamin B. Mussey & Co. 1851. 2 vols. 12mo.

Para; or Scenes and Adventures on the Banks of the Amazon. By John Esaias Warren. New York: G. P. Putnam. 1851. 12mo. PP. 271.

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