The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido Part 28

AUTHOR OF "HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE INDUCTIVE SCIENCES," &c.

2 vols. 12mo, Muslin, extra gilt, $1 00.

Dr. Whewell's work ought to be read, because it can not be read without advantage: the age requires such books.--_London Athenaeum._

A text-book of simple truths, from which, by induction, a complete system of morality is constructed, applicable to all the relations and circ.u.mstances of life, and embracing every department of human action. The reader who shall carefully study these volumes--and a more inviting page, clear and legible, the eye does not often rest upon--will find his labor more than rewarded.--_New York Commercial Advertiser._

Professor Whewell's "Elements of Morality" have been universally received in England as a contribution of rare value to the department of moral and political science.--_Baltimore American._

A splendid production by one of the most distinguished of the scientific men of the age. This is a book, not to be read merely, but to be re-perused and patiently studied, we have heard it p.r.o.nounced by no mean critic the most complete and lucid work on ethical philosophy ever produced. We commend this work to the especial notice of thinkers and readers, to scholars and schools generally, as a most admirable text-book--_Sun._

The style of the work, though simple, is extremely clear, strong, and eloquent. It is a book to be _studied_ rather than superficially read, and can not fail to be of the very highest importance in instructing and disciplining the public mind.--_American Patriot._

This is beyond all comparison the most complete, comprehensive, and luminous treatise on the important subjects it discusses, that is to be found in the language, and its careful study is indispensable to every one who would obtain true and definite notions in regard to the principles of public and private morals. It is profoundly learned and philosophical, but the writer thinks logically and clearly, and is therefore at all times lucid and comprehensible.--_Buffalo Commercial Advertiser._

III.

The Philosophy of Mystery.

BY WALTER COOPER DENDY.

12mo, Muslin, extra gilt, 50 cents.

This is a learned and elaborate work, in which the writer goes into the investigation of all the phenomena of mind in the erratic operations and phantasies of ghost seeing and spectral hallucinations, and aims to give the true philosophy of all such delusions. He is a medical man of considerable eminence, and has spared no pains in his researches, giving a great number of facts and cases to ill.u.s.trate his philosophy. The volume will be much sought for, as it is really a desideratum in the world of literature. We know of no work on this subject which lays the same just claim to public attention, or the study of the philosopher.--_Christian Advocate and Journal._

The volume before us is both instructive and amusing, and at this particular time, when the extremes of superst.i.tion and philosophy have shaken hands, it will be likely to effect an inconceivable amount of good, if properly studied. It is one of the most remarkable productions of the day, and must create an extraordinary degree of interest in the public mind.--_Merchant's Magazine._

It belongs to that cla.s.s of writings which you can take up and put down at pleasure, and which may be subjected to repeated readings. The work is pleasant, however, in spite of this--pleasant because of its facts, its numerous details of mystery, its vast collection of anecdote, its developments of _diablerie_, its tidings from the spiritual world, and the many cases which it brings together of the curious and the wonderful in nature and art, which former ages, and ignorance and superst.i.tion, have concluded to consider supernatural. Where science and modern speculation furnish the solution to the mystery, Mr. Dendy couples it with the statements, and the book is thus equally valuable and amusing.--_Charleston Transcript._

Here lies a remarkable work; beautiful in its style, and wondrous in its matter. The work is strictly philosophical in its tendency, yet more amusing than a novel.--_True American._

This is a book for the lovers of marvels and of mysteries. It contains an immense collection of anecdotes of spectral apparitions, of illusions of vision or of hearing, of striking phenomena exhibited in dreams, in insanity, in trance, or in magnetism, and furnishes many very valuable hints to aid in the solution of these mysteries, by which so many have been bewildered or affrighted. It is written in a style of great ease and elegance, and can not fail to find a very wide circle of welcoming readers.--_Albion._

This unique and remarkable book has just been placed on our table; we know its reputation of old; it is an admirable discourse on the subject of supernaturalisms, such as mental illusions, dreams, ghosts, mesmeric phenomena, &c. If any one will but read the first half dozen pages, we will vouch for it he will not neglect the rest of the volume: it is one of the best written books on one of the most curious range of topics that could engage the pen of a writer, or the attention of a reader. It is, in fact, one of the most curious volumes ever perused, upon a series of the most singular subjects, and, in this new and neat form, it will command a vast number of readers.--_Sunday Times._

"The Philosophy of Mystery" is an exceedingly able work; far better, we think, than the "Natural Magic" of Brewster, a book of identical purpose, carried out in a totally different way. The "Natural Magic"

is the more ratiocinative, Mr. Dendy's essay the more poetical, the more imaginative, and to us the more interesting.--_National Press._

IV.

The Life of Mozart:

INCLUDING HIS CORRESPONDENCE.

BY EDWARD HOLMES,

AUTHOR OF "A RAMBLE AMONG THE MUSICIANS Of GERMANY," &c.

12mo, Muslin, extra gilt, 50 cents.

It is written in a beautiful, narrative style, and can not but be every where acceptable. To all who appreciate the extraordinary genius of Mozart, the delicate structure of his mind, the incidents of his life, and his romantic death, this volume will indeed be a treasure.--_Boston Gazette_.

It contains, in addition to much of his interesting correspondence, and other papers, a detailed account of his life, adventures, and rise as an artist, and a discriminating sketch of his character, the peculiarities of which are happily ill.u.s.trated by anecdotes. Many things of him, unknown even to his admirers, are here given to the world, and his biographer, fully appreciating the artist, has yet, not like a flatterer, but with true independence, spoken candidly of the faults of the man.--_Merchant's Magazine_.

Of this far-famed life of Mozart it is scarcely necessary for us to say a word; the foreign reviews have been so unanimous in their encomiums, that we suppose few will be found insensible to the strong inducement of its perusal, especially as the work may be obtained at the trifling cost of half a dollar, and in so beautiful a guise. We have looked into the biography but slightly, yet find it redolent with interest, and fully sustaining the high estimate placed upon the work by the _London Athenaeum_ and _Blackwood_. If the Harpers continue to fill their new library with sterling works like the present, it will present the most truly valuable series, yet the cheapest, ever attempted in any age or country.--_Evening Gazette_.

The only authentic biography of the great composer that is extant in the English language, and the events of his career are replete with useful admonitions and warning to the sons of genius, and they whisper to those whose present claims are not allowed that there is a future full of promise. In his life Mozart was neglected and impoverished, and he went to his grave with more than the bitterness of death crowding on his thoughts, but fame has taken possession of his memory, and among those who move as G.o.ds in musical art, few are equal to him, none are superior. This biography possesses an interest for all who feel interested in the great men of the earth. It is not only remarkably well written, but has a completeness about it we have never found before in any life of Mozart.--_Louisville Journal_.

There is such a charm in this narrative, that the lovers of good biography can not hear of it too soon. We can not conceive a more fascinating story of genius. To a style which would alone have sufficed to the production of an interesting and striking narrative, Mr. Holmes unites a depth of knowledge and musical appreciation very rare and remarkable. We thank him cordially for a most pleasing addition to our standard biographical literature.--_Examiner_.

The book is one of extraordinary interest, not merely to the lovers of music and appreciators of the great composer, but to the general reader, as a vivid picture of the life of a man of genius, who encountered all the difficulties, trials, and sufferings usually the lot of genius when it comes before a world incapable of appreciating it, and indifferent to its welfare. The domestic portions of the book are invaluable; his relations to his father and his wife are very beautiful. The work is admirably executed, as well in the scientific as anecdotical pa.s.sages, and is worthy of the widest sale.--_News_.

III.

_The Philosophy of Mystery._

BY WALTER COOPER DENDY.

12mo, Muslin, extra gilt, 50 cents.

This is a learned and elaborate work, in which the writer goes into the investigation of all the phenomena of mind in the erratic operations and phantasies of ghost seeing and spectral hallucinations, and aims to give the true philosophy of all such delusions. He is a medical man of considerable eminence, and has spared no pains in his researches, giving a great number of facts and cases to ill.u.s.trate his philosophy. The volume will be much sought for, as it is really a desideratum in the world of literature. We know of no work on this subject which lays the same just claim to public attention, or the study of the philosopher.--_Christian Advocate and Journal._

The volume before us is both instructive and amusing, and at this particular time, when the extremes of superst.i.tion and philosophy have shaken hands, it will be likely to effect an inconceivable amount of good, if properly studied. It is one of the most remarkable productions of the day, and must create an extraordinary degree of interest in the public mind.--_Merchant's Magazine._

It belongs to that cla.s.s of writings which you can take up and put down at pleasure, and which may be subjected to repeated readings. The work is pleasant, however, in spite of this--pleasant because of its facts, its numerous details of mystery, its vast collection of anecdote, its developments of _diablerie_, its tidings from the spiritual world, and the many cases which it brings together of the curious and the wonderful in nature and art, which former ages, and ignorance and superst.i.tion, have concluded to consider supernatural. Where science and modern speculation furnish the solution to the mystery, Mr. Dendy couples it with the statements, and the book is thus equally valuable and amusing.--_Charleston Transcript_.