BOOK NOTICES. THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPEDIA. A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. Volume I. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1858. This is a formidable work, the first volume of which does not finish the letter A itself, contains over 750 large double-column pages, and about 2,500 words. This may give the reader some idea of the extent and completeness of the work, which is of course one important element in its value. In such a work, above all we desire completeness, as nothing is more vexatious than to have a work of reference on the shelf, when ten to one the very word to which you would refer to is not found in it. Still, the principal thing in a Cyclopedia is correctness, since many who use such a work have not the means always at hand whereby they may verify names, dates, and other facts. This work seems to have been deliberatly prepared. Previous Encyclopedias have been examined, and the assistance of nearly a hundred scholars," as the preface informs us, has been had in the preparation of the first volume. We have carefully examined many of its articles, and must give praise to the taste, learning, and care therein displayed. The mechanical execution is all that can be desired. The great progress made in all departments of knowledge within the last two or three decades, sets all the other works of this kind fairly behind the age. Those who possess them, find that those events to which they wish to refer, are not mentioned, because they are later in origin; nor can they be found conveniently elsewhere, since they have not as yet taken their place in permanent works, on history, art, or science. In this view, the work before us must satisfy an important want; and we are, therefore, not surprised at the general favor with which it is received. To persons who cannot afford a large library, a good Cyclopedia is indispensable. He may get along without it, but how we cannot well conceive. He must often spend hours in search of a fact, chasing it in fragments through many volumes which he could find in a minute, by the aid of a faithful Cyclopedia. Of course, a scholar in any important investigation will not be satisfied to rely wholly on such secondary sources, but even he may need to refresh his mem ony on certain points for temporary use, which he can do in this way with a great gain of time. Every intelligent citizen should have the means within reach to book up his mind and memory, whenever circumstances turn his attention to a particular point. We are inclined to think that many persons do not know how much they lose by not providing themselves with just such works as the Cyclopedia. The copy before us has been politely furnished us by Elias Barr & Co., who have lately opened a very fine Book Store and general News Depot, in East King-st., Lancaster, and who have the agency for this work for Lancaster, York, and other counties. Through them the work can be promptly procured at publisher's prices. THE STUDENT'S HOME VISITOR. This is the title of a new monthly in quarto form of three-columned pages, published by the "Excelsior Literary Society" of Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio. The first number has reached us, and we are much pleased with its contents. It contains much original matter besides selections of a high order. Its tone is literary, moral, and religious. All success to it, and may it long live and labor in the spirit which animates this first number, for the improvement of the young and the purity of family life. Terms, fifty cents per year. WE must not become tedious. Nor is it necessary that we should write a commentary on every Table in our Spelling Book. But it is difficult to resist the temptation to expand on these beautiful lessons. See, for instance, the first one that follows; how execllently well it hits off the politics of our country. "Aristotle informs us, that the following Fable was spoken by Esop to the Samians, on a debate upon changing their ministers, who were accused of plundering the commonwealth. "A Fox swimming across a river, happened to be entangled in some weeds that grew near the bank, from which he was unable to extricate himself. As he lay thus exposed to whole swarms of flies, which were galling him and sucking his blood, a Swallow, observing his distress, kindly offered to drive them away. By no means, said the Fox; for if these should be chased away, which are already sufficiently gorged, another more hungry swarm would succeed, and I should be robbed of every remaining drop of blood in my veins." The next Fable shows us how we may learn by experience. If we mistake not it has a national bearing. Brother Jonathan is not a little given to just such tricks. The old cat is not a bad representative of the genius of the "everlasting yankee nation." FABLE IV. THE CAT AND THE RAT. "A certain Cat had made such unmerciful havoc among the vermin of her neighborhood, that not a single Rat or Mouse dared venture to appear abroad. Puss was soon convinced, that if affairs remained in their present situation, she must be totally unsupplied with provision. After mature deliberation, therefore, she resolved to have recourse to stratagem. For this purpose, she suspended herself from a hook with her head downwards, pretending to be dead. The Rats and Mice, as they peeped from their holes, observing her in this dangling attitude, concluded she was hanging for some misdemeanor: and with great joy immediately sallied forth in quest of their prey. Puss, as soon as a sufficient number were collected together, quitting her hold, dropped into the midst of them; and very few had the fortune to make good their retreat. This artifice having succeeded so well, she was encouraged to try the event of a second. Accordingly she whitened her coat all over, by rolling herself in a heap of flour, and in this disguise lay concealed in the bottom of a meal tub. This stratagem was executed in general with the same effect as the former. But an old experienced Rat, altogether as cunning as his adversary, was not so easily ensnared. I don't much like. said he, that white heap yonder: Something whispers me there is mischief concealed under it. 'Tis true it may be meal; but it may likewise be something that I should not relish quite so well. There can be no harm at least in keeping at a proper distance; for caution, I am sure, is the parent of safety." The Fox in Fable V., is a true philosopher; and manifests a more amiable spirit of meekness and patience than many who bear the sacred name of christian. However, we must say that in "making a virtue of necessity"he is not quite evangelical. He seems after all a Fox, a good deal of the pagan school. "FABLE V. "THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE. "A Fox, closely pursued by a pack of Dogs, took shelter under the covert of a Bramble. He rejoiced in this asylum; and for a while, was very happy; but soon found that if he attempted to stir, he was wounded by thorns and prickles on every side. However, making a virtue of necessity, he forbore to complain; and comforted himself with reflecting that no bliss is perfect; that good and evil are mixed, and flow from the same fountain. These Briars, indeed, said he, will tear my skin a little, yet they keep off the dogs. For the sake of the good then let me bear the evil with patience; each bitter has its sweet; and these Brambles, though they wound my flesh, preserve my life from danger." Next comes one which may serve as a mirror for a large class to see themselves in. We like the good humor with which the man in danger makes the bear whisper a most cutting rebuke to his cowardly companion. "Two Friends, setting out together upon a journey, which led through a dangerous forest, mutually promised to assist each other, if they should happen to be assaulted. They had not proceeded far, before they perceived a Bear making towards them with great rage. "There were no hopes in flight; but one of them, being very active, sprung up into a tree; upon which the other, throwing himself flat on the ground, held his breath and pretended to be dead; remembering to have heard it asserted, that this creature will not prey upon a dead carcase. The bear came up, and after smelling at him some time, left him and went on. When he was fairly out of sight and hearing, the hero from the tree called out: Well, my friend, what said the bear? he seemed to whisper you very closely. He did so, replied the other, and gave me this good piece of advice, never to associate with a wretch, who, in the hour of danger, will desert his friend." How often have we preached to our young readers of the Guardian the lesson taught by the "Two Dogs." We hope they have profited by it long ago. Least any one should have forgotten our warnings against the keeping of evil company, we now earnestly commend to them 1858.] My Spelling Book. 131 "FABLE VII. 66 THE TWO DOGS. "Hasty and inconsiderate connections are generally attended with great disadvantages; and much of every man's good or ill fortune, depends upon the choice he makes of his friends. "A good-natured Spaniel overtook a surly Mastiff, as he was traveling upon the high road. Tray, although an entire stranger to Tiger, very civilly accosted him and if it would be no interruption, he said, he should be glad to bear him company on his way. Tiger, who happened not to be altogether in so growling a mood as usual, accepted the proposal; and they very amicably pursued their journey together. In the midst of their conversation, they arrived at the next village, where Tiger began to display his malignant disposition, by an unprovoked attack upon every dog he met. The villagers immediately sallied forth with great indignation, to rescue their respective favorites; and falling upon our two friends without distinction or mercy, poor Tray was most cruelly treated, for no other reason, but his being found in bad company." Good Noah Webster no doubt desired to keep the best for the last, and thus closes his Fables with an illustration of how "circumstances alter cases." There is a dry kind of genuine wit and wisdom in the Farmer which is not at all uncommon among that class of useful and honest men to which he belongs. It pleaseth us vastly to observe how he steals a march on the learned "legal gentleman," and also how he shutteth him up promptly when he proposeth scientifically to "enquire into the affair" with a view of helping himself by a quibble in the law. "FABLE VIII. "THE PARTIAL JUDGE. "A Farmer came to a neighboring Lawyer, expressing great concern for an accident which he said had just happened. One of your Oxen, continued he, has been gored by an unlucky Bull of mine, and I should be glad to know how I am to make you reparation. Thou art a very honest fellow, replied the Lawyer, and wilt not think it unreasonable that I expect one of thy Oxen in return. It is no more than justice, quoth the Farmer, to be sure; but what did I say?—I mistake-It is your Bull that has killed one of my Oxen. Indeed! says the Lawyer, that alters the case: I must enquire into the affair; and if-And if! said the Farmer-the business I find would have been concluded without an if, had you been as ready to do justice to others, as to exact it from them." To these Fables we must yet add the tale of poor Jack. How often have we felt for him. The tale may teach the boys how well it is to be good, and how bad it is to be rogues. It may also teach the men how nice it is to use Saxon words when they wish to tell a thing in a plain and clear style. Of what use are big words when small ones will do as well. All the words in the tale of poor Jack are small words. It is not hard to write with small words, if we only try to do it. The fact is there are few things that can not be told just as well in small words, as in big ones. But pride once in awhile gets hold of us, and we are apt to think that it sounds wise and great to use big words. Much of God's word, and those parts too which teach deep truths, is put down in small words. Thus we have: "And God said, Let there be light and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good." The same we find to be the case in the words of Christ. When he speaks of his own, He says: "I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou has given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name." You will find that John speaks much more in the same kind of plain style in the place where this stands. We find, too, that our best hymns are for the most part made up of small words. We will give a verse from each one of four hymns to show that what we say is true. Thus we have in the hymn, "Oh, where shall rest be found," this verse: The world can never give The bliss for which we sigh; How fine is this, and yet how plain in style. Here is one from an old and well known hymn, which is just as good. Thou, O Christ, art all I want; All in all in Thee I find! Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Here is the third verse of a hymn dear to all saints who know what it is to fight with sin, and to meet its dread foes in us and out of us. Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace Take yet one verse more, which is from the Psalms. The verses are all fine and plain in that Psalm; but we give the last verse. Hast thou not given Thy word To save my soul from death! Nor fear to die, This we think will do to show that big words are not of much use in a fine style. To use them as much as some do, is a mere waste of ink, and pen, and nerve, and voice, and time. Such as do not read much are often at a loss to know what these huge words mean; and the poor man of the types must pick till his hands are sore and his eyes half blind that he may print the sense thus spun out in the threads of words that seem to have no end. It is a strange taste which some men have for the use of words that are not of right our own, but are brought in from the speech of other lands. Just as if that were best which is strange and new. So some men think that what they steal is best, as the wise man says in one place. The Jews, too, were most fond of strange gods, and would leave the true God for those that were made of "stocks and stones," which "had eyes but saw not, ears but heard not," and were in |