Annuals for 1845, do not seem to be as numerous nor so attractive as they have been in years past; and, in fact, they have degenerated so rapidly and far, that we wonder not that the taste of our educated people demands something more worthy of enlightened minds. As exhibitions

of the state of the arts, so far as paper, printing, engraving, &c., are concerned, some of our annuals have been eminently worthy of encouragement, but their literature has wanted that elegance and strength which should be their chief attraction. In the place of the annuals, we commend to our friends who seek in the walks of letters for holiday gifts, the works of Charlotte Elizabeth, the Memoirs of Mary Lundie Duncan, and other volumes which will be ornamental and instructive, and never, like an old almanac or annual, out of date.

The Drama of Exile, and other Poems, by ELIZABETH B. BARRETT.

A handsome edition of these poems has recently been published by the Langleys, and we are thereby enabled to enjoy by the seeing of the eye, what we have long known by the hearing of the ear. Though the works of this rare poetess have long been the property of the public, it is but a short period since they received the countersign of criticism, and began to reap that celebrity they so richly merit. They have met the rude gaze of that evil eye which confines its observation to dress and manner, and have been dismissed with the customary half-smiling, halfsneering approval, to the common-sense judgment of the sovereign people; and this sovereignty is likely to make up its verdict not upon poetical mannerism, but poetical essence-not upon the how, but the what. True poetry, like true religion, is adapted to every class of mind, for the region of its presence and power is deep within the soul, and its magic sceptre commands obedience in every heart alike, though unequally. A poet himself sings,

"As when in the north the storm-wind roars,
Man knows not whence the deluge it pours—
As the springs of the bottomless ocean-
E'en thus doth the song from the inner tides roll
And pile up on high the waves of the soul

That sleep in their lullaby motion."

And like unto this is the poetry of Miss Barrett, the creation of a fancy, which hovers around the realities of life, and looks in with sympathy upon every circle of sorrow or rejoicing, always

with charity, and always with hope: and its presence lights up the sadness or gently tempers the rejoicing with so happy success, that we feel it is neither misanthropic nor feverish, but the words of truth and soberness. With all this admirable fitness to waken the responsive chord in every breast, she has received from God the precious gifts of the fine frenzy which gazes with a kindred enthusiasm upon the good and fair about and above it, and listens with awe to the sweet voices, that are ascending and descending, while the world sleeps the sleep of sin. But we are wandering too far from our present design, which was to recommend the present volume as a substitute for any Annual we have yet seen, as a gift for the holidays; for we thus judge, that wherever it shall be found on the parlor table, there the body is in that family esteemed of more value than raiment, and the food of the soul than the lust of the eye.

History of the Reformation in Germany, by Leopold Ranke. Translated from the German by SARAH AUSTIN. Lea & Blanchard. Part 1. Price 25 cents.

The tide of cheap publications promises among its numerous evils to bring also some blessings, among which latter class may be reckoned such works as those of Ranke. Beyond all question, this is the fullest and most judicious compilation of historical materials, relating to that high and broad stand-point of social and moral progress, the Reformation in Germany. The author's deductions and theory may not always coincide with our own, but he never obscures facts nor obliterates truths with special pleading. The work is full of interest for our times, and teaches many a lesson we would do well to hold fast in our memory. It will be completed in about four parts.

Annuals for 1845, do not seem to be as numerous nor so attractive as they have been in years past; and, in fact, they have degenerated so rapidly and far, that we wonder not that the taste of our educated people demands something more worthy of enlightened minds. As exhibitions

of the state of the arts, so far as paper, printing, engraving, &c., are concerned, some of our annuals have been eminently worthy of encouragement, but their literature has wanted that elegance and strength which should be their chief attraction. In the place of the annuals, we commend to our friends who seek in the walks of letters for holiday gifts, the works of Charlotte Elizabeth, the Memoirs of Mary Lundie Duncan, and other volumes which will be ornamental and instructive, and never, like an old almanac or annual, out of date.

The Drama of Exile, and other Poems, by ELIZABETH B. BARRETT.

A handsome edition of these poems has recently been published by the Langleys, and we are thereby enabled to enjoy by the seeing of the eye, what we have long known by the hearing of the ear. Though the works of this rare poetess have long been the property of the public, it is but a short period since they received the countersign of criticism, and began to reap that celebrity they so richly merit. They have met the rude gaze of that evil eye which confines its observation to dress and manner, and have been dismissed with the customary half-smiling, halfsneering approval, to the common-sense judgment of the sovereign people; and this sovereignty is likely to make up its verdict not upon poetical mannerism, but poetical essence-not upon the how, but the what. True poetry, like true religion, is adapted to every class of mind, for the region of its presence and power is deep within the soul, and its magic sceptre commands obedience in every heart alike, though unequally. A poet himself sings,

"As when in the north the storm-wind roars,
Man knows not whence the deluge it pours-
As the springs of the bottomless ocean-
E'en thus doth the song from the inner tides roll
And pile up on high the waves of the soul
That sleep in their lullaby motion."

And like unto this is the poetry of Miss Barrett, the creation of a fancy, which hovers aroun the realities of life, and looks in with sympathy upon every circle of sorrow or rejoicing, always

with charity, and always with hope: and its presence lights up the sadness or gently tempers the rejoicing with so happy success, that we feel it is neither misanthropic nor feverish, but the words of truth and soberness. With all this admirable fitness to waken the responsive chord in every breast, she has received from God the precious gifts of the fine frenzy which gazes with a kindred enthusiasm upon the good and fair about and above it, and listens with awe to the sweet voices, that are ascending and descending, while the world sleeps the sleep of sin. But we are wandering too far from our present design, which was to recommend the present volume as a substitute for any Annual we have yet seen, as a gift for the holidays; for we thus judge, that wherever it shall be found on the parlor table, there the body is in that family esteemed of more value than raiment, and the food of the soul than the lust of the eye.

History of the Reformation in Germany, by Leopold Ranke. Translated from the German by SARAH AUSTIN. Lea & Blanchard. Part 1. Pr 25 cents.

The tide of cheap publications promises a its numerous evils to bring also some ble among which latter class may be recko works as those of Ranke. Beyond al! this is the fullest and most judicious of historical materials, relating to broad stand-point of social and 1: the Reformation in Germany. ductions and theory may not with our own, but he never obliterates truths with sp work is full of interest for many a lesson we wou1 ́ our memory. It will parts.