THE BOOK TRADE.

1-Essay on the Progress of Nations in Productive Industry, Civilization, Population, and Wealth, illustrated by Statistics of Mining, Agriculture, Manufactures. Commerce, Banking, Revenues, Internal Improvements, Emigration, Mortality, and Population. By EZRA C. SEAMAN. Detroit: M. Geiger & Co. New York: Baker & Scribner.

We have here a volume of nearly five hundred pages, written, as we are informed by the author, at intervals, during the last fifteen years, when he was not occupied with professional business, and without any definite object in view. It covers a wide range of subjects, and embodies a large amount of statistics, which are brought down to the present time, and introduced with a view of illustrating the author's speculations. The volume is divided into seventeen chapters. The two first are devoted to a consideration of the "Laws of Nature;" four more to Civilization, in its history and progress; which are followed by several chapters on metals, paper money, foreign commerce, manufactures, population-in short, to all the principal departments and products of human industry. The author has, in the course of his inquiries, discussed the influence of the laws of nature, of education, of climate, and of government, civil, military, and ecclesiastical, upon the human mind, and upon the destiny and progress of man. His object has been to connect political economy with statistics; to bring the rules and principles of the former to the text and established facts of the latter; and to try them, as far as practicable, by the severe test and certain standard of the principles of mathematics. The volume contains much information on the subjects discussed; and, although we should be far from assenting to all the conclusions and deductions of the author, we can find much that is suggestive and useful; and, whatever may be the opinion entertained of the soundness of the views which he has presented in the work, no one will refuse to credit the author for the pains-taking research and industry evinced in its production.

2.-The Water-Cure in Chronic Disease. An Exposition of the Cause, Progress, and Terminations of Various Chronic Diseases of the Digestive Organs, Lungs, Nerves, Limbs, and Skin, and of their Treatment by Water, and other Hygienic Means. By JAMES MANLEY GULLY, M. D., Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Fellow of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh; Fellow of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, London, etc. New York: Wiley & Putnam. This work is divided into three parts. In the first, the origin, progress, and terminations of chronic diseases in general, are delineated and explained, and the deduction made, that no disease becomes chronic, unless the central organs of nutrition are affected. In the second part, this is further developed in the history of individual chronic diseases, the explanation of the pathology of each of which is given, and also the reasons for the water treatment applicable to each. Part third treats of the mode in which the water-cure operates in producing its beneficial results; and in bringing forward the details of the water-cure, the rationale of each process is given, and the circumstances which regulate their application stated. The statements are drawn from the experience of the author, in an extensive field of practical observation, during four years' residence at Malvern. The whole work bears the impress of a highly cultivated mind; and all the statements appear to be made with a frankness and candor well calculated to elicit the credence of unbiassed minds, and, indeed, all who are not dogmatically wedded to old prejudices. It is the ablest and best written work touching the "water-cure" that we have met with; and it does not appear to be written so much to catch the hopeful invalid, as to enlighten him as to the nature of his disease, or the mode in which the water plan is to relieve it.

3.-The Early Jesuit Missions in North America; Compiled and Translated from the Letters of the French Jesuits, with Notes. By Rev. WILLIAM INGRAHAM KIP, M. A., Corresponding Member of the New York Historical Society. New York: Wiley & Putnam's Library of American Books. It is truly said, by the author of these interesting volumes, that no page of our country's history is more touching and romantic, than that which records the labors and sufferings of the Jesuit missionaries. Marquette, Joilet, Brebeuf, Joques, Lallemand, Rosles, and Marest, are names the West should ever hold in remembrance. Most of them were martyrs to their faith-but few "died the common death of all men," or slept in church-consecrated grounds. The editor and translator has made a valuable contribution to the historic literature of the country, and the publishers have very judiciously added it to their valuable collection of American books. The narrative of facts it contains are full of romantic interest, and fully illustrate the trite but just remark, that "truth is stranger than fiction." 4.-Owen Gladin's Wanderings in the Isle of Wight. By OLD HUMPHREY, author of " Addresses," "Observations," "Thoughts for the Thoughtful," "Homely Hints," "Old Sea Captain," etc., etc. New York: Robert Carter.

The "Wanderings in the Isle of Wight" are written in the same sententious, homely, and agreeable style that characterises everything from the prolific pen of Old Humphrey. There is an individuality, and kindness of heart, running through the old man, that interests all readers, and inspires one with a desire of shaking him by the hand. Although deeply tinctured with a religious spirit, for the most part cheerful, there are few that will not read these sketches with pleasure.

5.-The Rainbow, for 1847. Edited by A. J. McDONALD. Albany: A. L. Harrison. New York: Wiley & Putnam.

The plan of this new annual is unique, happily conceived, and, on the whole, well carried out. The design for its composition was, to imagine each State of the Union to be a garden, from which some flowers would be culled, and the whole be formed into a bouquet. After much labor, the flowers have been gathered from nineteen States, and, as the contributors are so wide-spread, so different in their styles, and yet, like a bed of tulips, each possessing such peculiar beauty of color-their combined tints are called the "Rainbow." To drop the editor's metaphor, the volume consists of poems, tales, and sketches, of varied interest and merit, from "dwellers" in nineteen of the States. The articles are mostly original. Several of the engravings are pretty, and the volume is handsomely printed on a firm, snow-white paper, and bound most superbly. The few faults of the work will, doubtless, be corrected in a future volume, which we hope will be induced by the success of the present. It is, emphatically, a national work, and, on that account, as its influence must be for good, we earnestly hope that it may be successful.

6.-On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History. Six Lectures. Reported with Emendations and Additions. By THOMAS CARLYLE. New York: Wiley & Putnam.

The publishers have done well to introduce this comparatively new, but well-known work, into their series of "Choice Reading." It appears, from a characteristic note of Carlyle, that he has "read over, and revised into a correct state, for Messrs. Wiley & Putnam, of New York," the present work; "who are hereby authorized, they, and they only, so far as he can authorize them, to print and vend the same in the United States." The book is "Carlyle all over."

7.-The Poetical Works of Thomas Moore. Complete in one Volume. Illustrated with Engravings from Drawings by eminent Artists. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton.

It would be a work of supererogation on our part, were we capable, to attempt anything like a criticism on the poetical works of Moore, "that matchless compeer of song." But we may be permitted to speak of the present edition in its material composition, as a specimen of "book-making." We had supposed that the APPLETONS had done all that could well be done to improve the typographic art in this country, and give form and beauty to their publications, during the last four or five years; but we were mistaken, as this volume will convince any one who will take the trouble-we mean enjoy the pleasure-of examining it, as it must ever be a pleasure to persons of taste to look upon works of art which so nearly approach the highest ideal of material perfection. It is our deliberate opinion that this is the most perfect book that has ever been produced by "the trade" in the United States; and it deserves a high rank as a model for the profession. The paper is of the finest texture, and the type of the most perfect cast. The steel plate illustrations equal, if not surpass, the best that have adorned the most popular English or American annuals. The publishers seem to have spared no expense to reach a degree of excellence equal, to say the least, to that attained by the leading publishers of London. In this volume of seven hundred and fifty-seven royal octavo pages, we have the complete poetical works of Moore, embracing the English edition of ten volumes, with the ten prefaces which accompany them. No one, however fastidious, will ever think of purchasing any other for a library.

8.-The Rose: or, Affection's Gift, for 1847. Edited by EMILY MARSHALL. Illustrated with ten elegant Steel Engravings. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This unpretending little annual has made its annual appearance for a long time. The tales possess an interest independent of that which is derived from startling incidents and striking characters. The moral influence which poetry and fiction always exert when produced by real genius, will be recognized as one of the chief recommendations of the collection impressed upon the snowy white leaves of this handsomely bound volume. "The embellishments," says the editor," have all been engraved by first-rate artists, and exhibit an unusual degree of novelty and variety in the subjects." It is, on the whole, a neat and pretty gift-book."

9.-Poems. By AMELIA. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This is the second edition of these poems, somewhat enlarged by the addition of several of the author's more recent productions. The first edition was published in one of the Western States; but the more than ordinary merit of the poems soon attracted the notice of the discriminating everywhere, and secured at once for the Western poetess a place among the "poets and poetry of America." Many of the pieces are really beautiful, and all evince that purity of thought, mingled with a depth and delicacy of feeling, which are the general accompaniments of true poetical inspiration. The publishers have lent the volume, what it so well deserves, the aid of a handsome material dress, in every particular.

10.-Sacred Meditations. By P. L. U. Boston: Waite, Pierce & Co.

11.-Lonest Thou Me? or, The Believer's Companion in his Hours of Self-Examination. By the Rev. DANIEL WISE. Boston: Waite. Pierce & Co.

Two pretty volumes, of a religious and devotional character, and designed as tokens of remembrance between pious friends.

12.-Two Lives, or To Seem and To Be. By MARIA J. MCINTOSH, author of "Conquest and Self Conquest," “Praise and Principle," "Woman an Egma," &c. New York: D. Appleton & Co. We should have no hesitation in employing the strongest language of commendation in regard to this book. It is a good one in every sense of the word. The interest of the narrative is sustained throughout, and it is written in an elegant and graceful style-but after all, its chief excellence consists in its moral and social teachings, which will call forth a response from the "holy place" in every human heart. The writer of such a book requires no copy-right law to protect her from foreign authorship.

13.-Lectures on Anatomy and Physiology, with an Appendix on Water-Cure. By MARY S. Gore. New York: Harper & Brothers.

The lectures of Mrs. Gore, delivered from time to time, have been listened to with interest, and not, we presume, without profit, to her countrywomen. They are, she states, the fruits of carnest study and inquiry, pursued through many difficulties. She commenced the study of water-cure in cases of female weakness in 1832, and, ten years later, its use in fevers, and continued her efforts till she obtained a knowledge of the practice of Priessnitz. Since then, she has practised water-cure with remarkable success. She is desirous, and pledges herself to do all in her power to educate women to prevent and cure disease. She says "Several brave and true women have already determined to qualify themselves for water-cure physicians, and the writer has reason to hope that she shall live to see at least one woman practising water-cure in each city in the Union." Although we are not converts, or wedded to any "universal panacea," we hope she may live to see many; for we believe that one kind and intelligent woman, in sickness, is worth a dozen M. D.'s; and that water, in its various applications to the system, both as a preventative and a cure, is far more efficacious than the pernicious system of drugging, which, thank Heaven, is rapidly giving place to a larger experience, and the more liberal views of the Eclectic. We sincerely commend these lectures to the attention of women; as we feel quite sure that a careful study of them will be attended with the most important benefits to the race.

14.-Altorian; or, Incidents of Life and Adventure in the Rocky Mountains. By an Amateur. Edited by JAMES WATSON WEBB. 2 vols., 12mo. New York: Harper & Brothers.

The reading public are indebted to Colonel Webb, of the Courier and Enquirer, for these highly interesting sketches of Indian habits, incidents of the chase, and descriptions of the regions where the scene of the narrative is laid. In the introductory "Dedication," from the pen of the editor, we are informed that they were written by a British officer, who visited the United States in 1832, between whom and Colonel W. a similarity of tastes and pursuits produced an intimacy, that gradually ripened into an enduring friendship. The dedicatory remarks of Colonel Webb are interesting, and should not be passed over; and the work "will be found, on perusal, one of the very few which exhibits the native of our forests as he was, and still is, where he roams uncontaminated by his intercourse with civilized man, in the boundless regions of the northwest."

15.-An Inductive and Practical System of Double Entry Book-Keeping, on an Entirely New Plan; having a General Rule, deduced from the Definition of Debtor and Creditor, applied to the Journalizing of all Transactions: containing Twelve Sets of Books for imparting a General Knowledge of the Science, with Namerous and Varied Entries, and Illustrating Single and Partnership Business, both Prosperous and Adverse; also, Approved Forms of Auxiliary Books; a Set of Steamboat Books; a Vocabulary of Commercial Terms; Practical Forms for Keeping Books in Different Branches of Business; Commercial Calculations; a Table of Foreign Coins and Moneys, of Accounts, etc. Designed for the Use of Private Students, Schools, and Practical Accountants. By A. F. & S. W. CRITTENDEN, Accountants. Philadelphia: E. C. & J. Biddle.

The contents and design of this work are fully explained in the title-page, quoted above; which leaves us nothing further to say on that head. There have been many excellent books of this class published during the last five or six years; and it is, perhaps, fair to presume that the last is the best. The execution of the present work is highly creditable to all concerned; and, as far as we can judge, it seems to be well adapted to the purposes of imparting a thorough knowledge of the principles and practice of book-keeping, in all its varieties. The commercial tables, in the latter part of the volume, will add to its value as a reference-book for the counting-house.

16.-Prince's Manual of Roses, comprising the most Complete History of the Rose, including every class, and all the most admirable varieties that have appeared in Europe and America; together with ample information on their Culture and Propagation. By WILLIAM ROBERT PRINCE, Proprietor of the Linnæan Botanic Garden and Nurseries at Flushing, and author of the Treatises on Horticulture, on Fruits, and on the Vine. New York: Clark & Austin.

The author of this book has enjoyed rare advantages of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the subjects discussed in this treatise. William Prince, the grandfather of the author, we are told, was the first American amateur who formed an extensive collection of roses by making importations; and his son, the father of the present Mr. Prince, continued to enlarge the collection annually, with the finest varieties obtainable from foreign climes; and formed, in connection with the author, a most perfect collection of our native species and varieties. Almost every variety of the rose is described, and all the necessary information for their culture and propagation is imparted in a clear and comprehensive manner.

17.-An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists by the Rules of Evidence administered in Courts of Justice. With an Account of the Trial of Jesus. By SIMON GREENLEAF, LL. D., Royal Professor of Law in Harvard University. Boston: C. C. Little and James Brown. The well-known and high reputation of the author of this volume, as an acute, profound, and learned jurist, will insure for it a careful and respectful study. It has been prepared with the design of applying those severe tests of legal evidence which are used in courts of law, in order to establish the truth of the narratives of the four Evangelists; and it is, perhaps, unnecessary to state that he has executed the task with decided ability and success. The importance of the subject will scarcely be denied, and it is appropriately dedicated to the members of the legal profession. The North American Review for October, 1846, has an article of some twenty or thirty pages, based on Greenleaf's work, in connection with Strauss's "Life of Jesus," which the writer opens with a very just comparison of these eminent scholars. Of the former, the Review says " It is the production of an able and profound lawyer-a man who has grown grey in the halls of justice and the schools of jurisprudence-a writer of the highest authority on legal subjects, whose life has been spent in weighing testimony and sifting evidence, and whose published opinions on the rules of evidence are received as authoritative in all the English and American tribunals-for fourteen years the highly-respected colleague of the late Mr. Justice Story, and now the honored head of the most distinguished and prosperous school of English law in the world."

18.-The Opal; a Pure Gift for the Holidays, for 1847. Edited by JOHN KEESE. With illustrations by J. G. Chapman. New York: J. C. Riker.

This is the third year of the publication of this beautiful annual. The original plan of a work combining the highest order of excellence with the purest thoughts and sentiments, has been faithfully adhered to by the editor and publisher. And each new issue has afforded evidence of improvement, where there was room for it. The success which has marked the progress of this work, confirms the remark of a recent English critic, that a great change has occurred in the spirit of belles lettres writing of late years; and that to be popular, it must be adorned with moral grace, or dignified with just sentiments. The illustrations, nine in number, though of varied merit, are all creditable to the skill of the artist, who is scarcely excelled in his line. "Nature's Pet," on the illustrated title, is charmingly executed, in the countenances of the figures. "The Wasted Fountains," graphically delineates the emotions of the soul, under the circumstances, and happily portrayed in the spiritual and poetical letter-press illustration of Miss Ann C. Lynch. “The Summer Stream" and "The Sentinel" are capital. "The Widow," which is rather stiff, is accompanied by a poem on "Worship," however, that makes us forget any defect in the picture. It breathes, in the manly verse of Whittier, the great thoughts of a "pure and undefiled religion." We regret that we have not space to speak more at length of the different articles in prose and verse, none of which are below mediocrity, and many of them are equal to the best efforts of the best writers. Among the list of contributors, we may name Mrs. E. Oakes Smith, Ann C. Lynch, Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Mrs. Francis S. Osgood, and Longfellow, Tuckerman, Pierpont, Whittier, C. Edwards Lester, Rev. James Shroeder, Sprague, Olin, and Stone, all well-known and favorite authors, besides others of undoubted merit, whose articles have previously given so much satisfaction,-and we have no hesitation in adopting the remark of the editor, "that they are equal, in point of literary excellence, to the best efforts of foreign writers in a similar vein, and in many instances exhibiting a rare ingenuity of style and conception." On the whole, we consider it the Gift-Book of the season.

19.-The Memorabilia of Swedenborg; or, the Spiritual World Laid Open. New York: John Allen. It is well known, we believe, that Prof. Bush, an able theologian and learned scholar, has become a convert to the doctrines of the "New Church," and a believer in the alleged revelations of Emanuel Sweden borg. Dr. Wood admits, what few have ever denied, that Swedenborg was an honest man; and however much we may consider him mistaken, all who have the least knowledge of Dr. Bush, will not for a mo meat entertain a doubt as to the entire sincerity and honesty of his purpose in advocating the claims of this remarkable man. The "Memorabilia" consists of selections from the writings of Swedenborg, with notes and annotations by his learned disciple. These writings are published in numbers, under the general title of "the Swedenborg Library." We have read several of the numbers, and we confess that we have been deeply interested in them, and we have no doubt that many who are not prepared to embrace his system, will find much that accords with their highest intuitions.

20.-Thoughts, Selected from the Writings of the Rev. William Ellery Channing. Boston: William Crosby & H. P. Nichols.

The writings of the late Dr. Channing are full of the aphoristic style of expression, in which he both delighted and excelled. One of Dr. Channing's thoughts, which the compiler has selected as the motto, is happily illustrated in these "apples of gold in pictures of silver:"-" Sometimes a single word, spoken by the voice of genius, goes far into the heart. A hint, a suggestion, an undefined delicacy of expression, teaches more than we gather from volumes of less-gifted men." Every one has experienced the truth of this remark; and no one can read these detached thoughts without acquiring purer aspirations and higher hopes; and we earnestly trust it may "introduce some to an acquaintance with this great benefactor to our minds, who, through sectarian fears, might be repelled from the larger work."

21.-The Mayflower, for 1847. Edited by Mrs. E. OAKES SMITH, author of "Riches Without Wings," "Sinless Child,” Western Captive,' True Child," etc., etc. Boston: Saxton & Kelt.

This beautiful annual, edited by E. O. Smith, is one of the most interesting souvenirs we have seen. It is neatly executed, and illustrated by Sartain in his best manner. The literary contents, in point of variety and interest, far surpass the average contributions to works of the kind. The articles by Mrs. Oakes Smith are distinguished by a rare union of metaphysical insight and poetic beauty. Mr. Helfenstein has also done himself more than usual credit in the Mayflower. "Knickerbocker vs. Pilgrim," by C. F. Hoffman, is in the author's happiest vein, and charmingly unfolds many truths whose significance partial historians will do well to ponder. The poems are generally of a high order. Miss Sedgwick's sweet moralizing, and Mr. M'Cracken's rare wit, agreeably diversify the work; and we commend it to our readers as a truly valuable as well as tasteful gift-book. 22-Lives of Eminent English Judges of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. Edited by W. N. WELSBY, Esq., M. A., Recorder of Chester. Philadelphia: T. & J. W. Johnson. The present work comprises a series of valuable biographical sketches of some of the most distinguished judges of Great Britain. The greater part of those sketches were prepared by the author, although a small portion was written by the late Edmund Plunkett Burke, afterwards Chief Justice of St. Lucie. The volume will commend itself to the attentive perusal of the members of the legal profession, as well as to all those who desire to become acquainted with those distinguished lights of jurisprudence, which have adorned the annals of the bench and bar of England. It is published in & handsome style, and will be found a valuable contribution to the legal, as well as the general library. It embraces memoirs of Sir Matthew Hale, Lord Keeper Whitelocke, Lord Nottingham, Sir John Holt, Lord Harcourt, Lord Macclesfield, Lord King, Lord Talbot, Lord Hardwicke, Sir William Blackstone, Lord Bathurst, Lord Mansfield, Lord Camden, Lord Thurlow, and Lord Ashburton.

23.-History of the Conquest of Peru by the Spaniards. By Don TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSIO, author of The Life of Hernan Cortez," etc. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart's "Library for the People," No. IV.

Although the days of bloody conquest are fast passing away before the lights of a truer civilization, and the "ancient divinities of Violence and Wrong are retreating to their kindred darkness," the histories and detail of events which have marked the onward steps of man through the wilderness of savage passions, will be read with interest, and not, perhaps, without profit, until long ages have created a new order of conquests and triumphs, and man be born again" to a new and a more divine humanity. The "Conquest of Peru" forms a part of the history of the race; and the account given of it in this volume exhibits many of those elements of character, as courage, heroism, devotion, etc., which shall, in the future, God-directed, shine with a lustre immeasurably transcending the pigmy conceptions of the present. Five volumes of this series of books "for the people" have been published;-twenty more, in the departments of history, biography, voyages, and travels, all of an interesting and instructive character, are announced by the publishers.

24.-The Scholar, the Jurist, the Artist, the Philanthropist. An Address before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard University at their Anniversary, August 27th, 1846. By CHARLES SUMNER. Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co.

The idea of this discourse was most happily conceived, and beautifully and eloquently has it been developed by the mind of the author. Pickering, Story, Allston, Channing-men whose days were covenanted to "Knowledge, Justice, Beauty, Love, the comprehensive attributes of God"-are here represented as the "lowly and mortal ministers of lofty and immortal truth-as the Scholar, the Jurist, the Artist, the Philanthropist." Leaving the mere biographical details, Mr. Sumner portrays with great eloquence and power the varied, but harmonious mission of these men, and exhibits to our view those elements of character that constitute true sublimity. A more fitting theme for the occasion, and a mind more capable of appreciating its lofty inspirations of wisdom and goodness, could scarcely have been conceived.

25.-The Wedding Gift; or, The Duties and Pleasures of Domestic Life. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln.

This miniature volume includes two choice compilations for the conjugal pair, and the domestic retreat one entitled "The Marriage Ring; or, How to Make Home Happy," from the writings of John Angell James, a writer esteemed for his many practical writings, and the other a collection of some of the neatest fragments of poetry and prose to be found in the language, by different authors, but all relating to the affections and pleasures of domestic life.

26.-The Mourner Consoled; containing The Cypress Wreath. By Rev. RUFUS GRISWOLD. The Mourner's Chaplet. By JOHN KEESE. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln.

Another miniature volume, embracing a collection of consolatory pieces, in prose and verse, designed for those who mourn the loss of children and friends. The "Cypress Wreath" is made up partly of short extracts in prose, with a few poems, and the "Mourner's Chaplet" entirely of poetry. The selections are generally in good taste; and the two works combined form a very appropriate offering of sympathy for bereaved friends.