PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Noble Traits of Kingly Men.—This is a well-written little volume, composed according to the latest views of European history and civiliza- tion. The young reader will get very clear notions of different eras in the progress of the Western nations towards their present condition. One of the best chapters is the second, "On the Original Elements of European Life," in which the reader is made to see the effect produced on Europe by the migrations of races from the North-east, the various qualities inherited by each modern nation from its various ancestors, and how these qualities have helped or hindered their development as civi- lized communities. Some of the theories put forward on the authority of recent writers are a little too broadly and absolutely laid down, and will be found inconsistent with experience; but in the main the book is yery good for young minds, as it presents and suggests new thoughts on the most interesting studies. The illustrations are cleverly drawn.

The Castes of Edinburgh. Third Edition, much enlarged. By John Horton of Darwich Tower.—This book is deservedly a favourite with the inhabitants of Edinburgh, or with those who have over sojourned there long enough to know its various cliques and societies. Mr. Herton tells nothing, he says, that every observer in his position might not have seen and heard and understood if he had eyes of the discerning kind. This may be true, but it is just the discerning eye and the expressive tongue that were wanting in others which he has used for their amuse- ment, and occasionally for their enlightenment. The new matter in this third edition gives it the character of a new book. A practised book- maker would have made another volume out of it.

Voices of Christmas. A Tale, by Louis gand.—An elegant-looking little volume, with a welcome inside for all—young and old, rich and poor. The tale is neither striking in style, nor remarkable for any originality of plot or thought, yet it is pleasing, and will find many readers among the young and happy.

Oberon's Horn. A book of Fairy Tales, by Henry Morley. Illustrated by Charles H. Bennett.—There is a certain cleverness about everything that Mr. Morley writes, and, we may add, a certain want of felicity. This want of happiness of exposition is more felt in his fanciful tales for old and young. They do not seem to us calculated to please children at all. The author has always got his eye on some semi-satirical reader like himself; who will be pleased at a droll allusion to something not comprehended by the simple-minded reader young or old, who wants his tale of the supernatural to be unleavened with any thing like worldly smartness. Unsophisticated lovers of fairy lore will be puzzled by acme of the clever things in Mr. Morley's tales. This we remarked in his Christmas book last year. The same objection, though balanced by greater attractiveness, will be found in " Oberon's Horn." The pre- liminary rhymes about the little boy learning a grammar lesson under tree in the snow, are quite unworthy to be printed at all—they are so silly. Of the twelve tales in the book, all show inventive fancy—but they all attempt too much. A fairy tale should carry us away to the places and times where and when belief in their existence was possible. No one could be carried away to fairy land, (not even Thomas the Rhymer, or the Countess D'Aulnoix,) on a stream of smart and epi- grammatic remarks. We fear Mr. Morley is not grave and sober enough to make believe that the things he tells are quite true. If he would only cease to let his Fancy be controlled by the grinning monster, Fun, his tales would produce far more impression on the most worthy readers. After this qualification, we are bound to say that these twelve tales contain much originality of construction, and show that Mr. Morley is one of our most versatile, popular writers. The illustrations are like the tales, clever and queer, but not truly artistic and harmonious.

Studies of Christian Character. By Bertha Fos, Author of "Pictures of Heroes," "The Jews," &c.—All biographies that are fairly written will interest a large class of readers. This elegant little volume is a col- lection of lives of eminent Christians. The first is that of the venerable Bede, under the symbolical title of the "Lamp in the Cell." The last story is that of Madame Guyon. Perhaps the most interesting stories as they are told here are those of Hans Sachs, Olympia Morata, Rodrigo de Valero, and Juan de Valdes. The collection is a very good one, and the style is agreeable and sufficiently forcible to awaken and to fix the mind of the reader. It is a suitable Christmas present for sincere believers in the doctrines for which these great and famous persons lived and died.

The Autobiography of Frank, the Happiest Little .Dog that ever lived. By the Author of " The Gipsy'a Daughter."—The adventures of donkeys, dogs, and other domesticated animals rank next to fairy tales and fables in the favour of young children, and are always read with interest if they be written with the slightest attention to the fitness of things. Our new acquaintance, Frank, is an amiable sort of dog, whose experience in life has been sufficiently varied to justify him in offering his autobiography to a juvenile public, almost blase on the subject of story books. Frank tells his fortunes, good and bad, with liveliness, and as much modesty as is consistent with puppyism. We recommend his narrative to our young readers as that of a creature who has seen the world, and has not been spoiled by it.

The Family Fr-iend for 1860.—The numerous readers of this little periodical may be glad to see it in its neat and thick overcoat for the year. Instead of a few stray leaves, it presents us with a fair 'volume.

Compendium of Universal History. Fourth edition. Edited by Mrs. P. Sinnett.—This good school book was translated from the twenty- seventh edition of the German original by Mr. C. T. Stafford, and It- fourth edition of the English version is now called for. Mrs. P. Sinned has revised and enlarged the book so as to bring it down to the present time. Like most German educational books, it is far superior to those in common use in this country, and should be studied by all schoolmasters and mistresses.

BOOKS.

Personal History of Lord Bacon. From Unpublished Papers. By William Hepworth Dixon, of the Inner Temple.

The Journal and Correspondence of William Lord Auckland. With a Pre- face and an Introduction by the Right Honourable and Right Reverend the Bishop of Bath and Wells. In two volumes.

Carthage and her Remains ; being an Account of the Excavations and Re- searches on the site of the Phoenician Metropolis in Africa, and other adja- cent Places. By Dr. N. Davis, F.R.G.S.. &c.

Paul the Pope and Paul the Friar ; a Story of an Interdict: By T. Adolphus Trollope.

Japanese Fragments, with fac-similes of Illustration by Artists of 'redo. By Captain Sherard Osborn, C.B.

Memoirs and Essays Illustrative of Art, Literature, and Social Morals. By Mrs. Jameson.

Mel usina ; a New Arabian Nights' Entertaiment. By A. A. Paton.

Year-Book of Agricultural Facts for 1860. Edited by Robert Scott Barn. Gems and Jewels; their History, Geography, Chemistry, and Ana. From the Earliest Ages down to the Present Time. By Madame de Barrera.

Not of the World, or, Lady Mary. By the Reverend Charles B. Tayler, M.A. Over the Straits; aVhit to Victoria. By Louisa Anne Meredith, &c. With Illustrations.

The Worn Wedding Ring, and other Poems. By W. C. Bennett.

The Uncommercial Trareller. By Charles Dickens.

Handbook of Astronomy. By Dionysius Lardner, D.C.L. Second edition, Revised and Edited by Edwin Dunkin, F.R.A.S.

The. British Constitution its History, Structure, and Working. By Henry Lord Brougham.

True Manhood; its Nature, Foundation, and Development. A Book for Young Men. By William Landels.

Conies de Cantorbery. Traduit en Vera Francais. Par le Chevalier de Chate- lain. Tome III.

Family Romance; or Episodes iu the Domestic Annals of the Aristocracy. By Sir Bernard Burke. Ulster King of Arms, Author of " The Peerage and Ba- ronetage," As. Third edition.

he Twickenham Tales. By A Society of Novelists. In two volumes. A Popular Abridgement of Old Testament History, for Schools, Families, and General Reading. Explained by Historical and Geographical Illustrations, and numerous Map Diagrams. By J. Talboys Wheeler, F.E.G.S. Author of the "Analyses and Summaries of Old and New Testament History," New edition, revised, with an additional chapter on the History of the As- syrian and Babylonian Empires.

The Dog Crimea. A Tale of the Western Prairies. By R. M. Ballantyne. My First Voyage to Southern Sena. By W. H. G. Kingston.

The Early Christian Anticipation of an Approaching End of the World, and its Bearing upon the Character of Christianity as a Divine Revelation. By Sara S. Ilennell.

How to Read a Book in the Beat Way. By a Wrangler.

Recollections of General Garibaldi; or Travels from Rome to Lucerne. The World's Furniture. A Novel. In three volumes.

The Tiger Slayer. A Tale of the Indian Desert. By Gustave Aimard.

PAMPHLETS.

On the Organization of the Nary. By Rear-Admiral Sir F. W. Grey, K.C.B. Bronchitic and Peptic Asthma ; their Successful Treatment. By William Macleod, M.D.

The Succession of Popes in Dr. Milner's " Apostolic Tree ;" also his Estimate of the Bible Examined. By Edward M. Hearn, M.A.

ALMANACK.

Ree's Improved Diary and Almanark for 1861.