30 JUNE 1866, Page 22

The Gentle Philosopher; or, Home Thoughts for Home Thinkers. (James

Blackwood.)—Our author describes herself very fairly as "a

person of some culture and knowledge of the world," who delights much in nature, but more in human nature. He can discourse on 4' Trees" or "Friendship," propound an estimate of Heinrich Heine, or turn one of Michael Angelo's sonnets with considerable taste and judgment. But there is very little novelty or depth in his observations, his humour is the reverse of fresh, and "the satirical vein without malice that he indulges in" has been struck before. However, the age is not exacting in the matter of social philosophy, and has swallowed with apparent avidity much that is nearer akin to twaddle than the contents of the present volume.