this extraordinary statement may be implicitly relied on; it is confirmed by the testimony of respectable travellers, and the result of various experiments; to which Professor Fabricius adds the testimony of having seen, in the possession of Sir Joseph Banks, several Chinese Chamæ, in the shells of which were contained bits of iron wire, covered with a substance of a pearly nature. These wires had evidently once been sharp, and it seemed | as if the sagacious muscles, anxious to secure themselves against the intrusion of such unwelcome visitors, had incrusted, and thus rendered blunt, the points with which they came in contact. May not, therefore, the process employed by the ancients be still practised? And are we not authorised in conjecturing, that these bits of iron, which probably had slipped from the hands of the Chinese workmen, and remained in the animals, resembled the spikes noticed by Philostratus as being used by the ancient people who inhabited the banks of the Red Sea for the purpose of pricking muscles.

BIZARRE AMONG THE NEW BOOKS.

AMERICAN MISSIONARY MEMORIAL.The Harpers have recently published a royal octavo of 504 pages, with this title. It contains biographical and historical sketches, and is very beautifully illustrated. The heroes and heroines of the book are truly heroes and heroines; those who have devoted their lives, and, in many instances, given themselves up willing sacrifices to the best of all causes; the cause of the Cross. Then they are confined to no particular church; Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians, they struggled for one cause; and this record of their lives and services may be read with equal interest by all denominations. In other words, this is no sectarian book, but a book in which all christians can and should feel an interest. The engravings-by Lossing and Barrett-consist of thirty-three, and are executed in a truly masterly style of art.There are also twenty-five fac-similes of

letters, &c., which constitute a very interesting feature. The volume was prepared by Rev. H. W. Pierson, while, as he states, detained at home by ill health from an African mission, to which he had been appointed. He well and prettily says, "I have gathered a nosegay of culled flowers, and brought nothing of my own but the thread that ties them." Truly must his work have been delightful, at the same time it was, without a question, laborious. We could wish to say much more about this volume, but our limits forbid. Possibly we shall hereafter return to it again, when we will indulge in many thoughts which it has generated in our mind.

ALISON'S HISTORY OF EUROPE, from the Fall of Napoleon to the accession of Louis Napoleon-part one-just published by the Harpers, lies before us in a pretty pea-green cover, and exhibits altogether a very handsome ensemble. It is the first portion of a large work intended to form a continuation of the "History of Europe" already before the world. As at present projected, it is to consist of five volumes, and will conduct the general history of Europe from 1815 down to the present year. This period is divided into five portions, each of which is to occupy a volume. The first commences with the entry of the Allies into Paris after the Fall of Napoleon, and terminates with the passing of the Currency Act in England, in 1819, and the great creation of peers in the democratic interest during the same year in France.The second is to extend from 1819 to the French Revolution of 1830;—the third to embrace the Reform Bill agitation in England, and ending with the overthrow of the Whig Ministry in 1841;-the fourth to reach from 1841 to the great revolutionary movement of 1848;—and the fifth, to comprehend the developement of that movement to the present year. The volume now published, treating of the period from 1815 to 1819, is composed of six chapters:-Chap. i. being a general and introductory "Sketch of the whole period from the Fall of Napoleon to the Accession of Louis Napoleon;"-Chap. ii., an account of the "History of England from the Peace of 1815 to the end of the year 1816;”—Chap. iii., an account of the "History of France from the Second Restoration of Louis the Eighteenth to the coup-d'etat of September, 1816;"-Chap. iv., a continuation of English History "from the commencement of 1817 to the repeal of the Bank Restriction Act in 1819;"-Chap. v., a critical account of the "Progress of Literature, Science, the Arts, and Manners in Great Britain" since the Peace of 1815;-and Chap. vi., a continuation of French History "from the coup-d'etat of September, 1816 to the Creation of Peers in 1819." Sir Archibald writes like a partizan as he is, and a partizan of the most

ment. A preface, pointed and well-written, opens the volume in notice, wherein a brief sketch of the life of Macauley is given. Mr. Francis describes the personal manner of Macauley as a speaker. He says his voice is "monotonous, pitched in alto, shrill, pouring forth words with inconceivable velocity-a voice well adapted to give utterance with precision to the conclusion of the intellect, but in no way naturally formed to express feeling or passion." His face he describes as "literaly instinct with expression; the eye, above all, full of deep thought and meaning." He adds, that in statue he is short and stout. WOODWORTH'S AMERICAN MISCELLANY OF ENTERTAINING KNOWLEDGE, is the title of a handsomely printed volume for young folks, which comes to us from Phillips, Sampson & Co., of Boston. The illustrations are many, and generally speaking, rather coarsely exe

cuted; it answers well, however, we presume, to carry out the purpose of the author, which seems to be to give a little information about everybody and everything, with a picture to match, good when it may be found, and poor, if

good is not handy. He enjoys no little reputation in his peculiar line, and we trust the series of which this is understood to be an initial volume, may be widely circulated.

SHAKSPEARE AND HIS TIMES, by GUIZOT.The Harpers have published a very handsome volume, embracing 360 pages, with this title. It is an essay on the life and works of Shakspeare, which appeared for the first time as an introductton to a French edition of the great dramatist's writings, published at Paris in 1821. This edition, M. Guizot states, was based upon the translation of Shakspeare's plays, commenced in 1776, by Le Tourneur, which gave rise to so much ani

mated dispute in the literary world, particu- | larly in the correspondence of Voltaire and La Harpe. Guizot has a full and perfect appreciation of the genius of Shakspeare. In this, however, his countrymen, as a general thing at least, cannot join with him; for no man, woman or child, who does not thoroughly understand our language, can fully appreciate the immortal bard of Avon.

PUTNAM'S MAGAZINE for February, is, if possible, an improvement on the January number, certainly as to the variety of its contents; and our periodical literature may well be said to be looking up, when such a classic work as this finds favor, as we understand it does. The age is not all given over to froth; there is still some taste for substantials. A feature in Putnam, by the way, which we greatly affect, is that portion of it devoted to editorial notes of foreign and domestic literature and art. Success to Putnam, with all our heart, say we. A word more, but touching publishers, and not magazine. They are enterprising, liberal, clever, just calculated to be popular both with the editorial corps and the public. Their books are beautifully executed in all respects, while they embrace the very best quality of authorship. The Semi-Monthly Library series, commenced by them a year since, has been completed; a second, however, will shortly be commenced, and no doubt will be received quite as favorably as the first. The design of the work is an admirable one, and has been sustained to the letter throughout its whole progress.

larly in a country like ours, we all pretty well know the cares and anxieties, as well as the pleasures incident to making way in the world; and hence are well booked up as to life and its checquered scenes.

GUIDE TO KKOWLEDGE.-This is the title of a very excellent and useful little book of 408 pages, which the Appletons have just published, consisting of a collection of useful and familiar questions and answers on every day subjects, adapted to the minds of young persons. It is from the pen of Eliza Robbins, author of Popular Lessons, and is calculated to impart much very useful knowledge to the rising generation.

DAY DREAMS, a tastefully executed little volume, made up of thoughts and fancies of varied character, expressed in very chaste style, comes to us from Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo & Co., of our city. The author is Martha Allen, and this is her maiden-effort, it would seem. It promises well for the future of the author, and will be received, we doubt not, with cordial welcome by the lovers of the style of works to which it belongs. It is pretty, really very pretty, both in thought and expression; and one passes over its smooth pages, picking here and there a sentiment of the choicest quality, while all along there is something to please the heart, if not to improve the mind.

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.-This very handsome volume, from the press of Lippincott, Grambo & Co., we are happy to learn, is well received by the public. It tells the story of our glorious star-spangled banner, and in a most interesting manner. The author-Lieut. Schuyler Hamilton-hit upon a happy thought, when he conceived the idea of this beautiful little book, for it promises to become one of standard character; and his name as an author will thus be handed down to posterity in connexion with an object which all Americrns love.

THE EXPERIENCE OF LIFE, is the title of a story by Miss E. M. Sewell, author of "Amy Herbert," "Gertrude," and two or three other works of note. It is a well-told tale, and one may read it both with pleasure and profit. There are a few who, in order to obtain a knowledge of human nature, require to read experiences like the one in notice. Generally speaking, however, and particu

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THE TELL-TALE, OR HOME SECRETS, is the title of a small volume of 262 pages, which Messrs. Philips, Sampson & Co., of Boston, have lately published. It is from the pen of the author of the celebrated story entitled "Sunny Side," a fact which must in itself ensure for it a ready demand.

HESTER SOMERSET, a reprint of an Eng

Hart, of this city. We have not had time to read it ourselves, but those who have done so, speak of it most favorably. The scene is laid in London, and the incidents are of a stirring and varied character.

LITERARY GOSSIP.

Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo & Co., of our city, have issued the 20th part of the excellent Abbotsford edition of Waverly, containing the "Chronicles of Cannongate." They have also published, in beautiful style,

Mr. Moran's " Footpaths and Highways," extracts from which we have given in our pages while passing through the press. This work is destined to be received with the warmest favor. The author is a gentleman of fine talents, and the views he gives were gathered from the closest personal observation of all he talks about. We shall notice his book more at length hereafter. The Illustrated News states that Mr. Geo. Tucker, of Virginia, but now living in our city, and best known since his retirement from the University of Virginia by his "Life of Thomas Jefferson," is engaged in the composition of a History of the United States. The same paper gives the following rather spicy hit at a humbug which we have also noticed as it deserved; not, however, without receiving evidences of the "distinguished consideration of the publishers," in the shape of highly complimentary messages, &c.

"The National Portrait Gallery, first published some eighteen years ago in this city, is being reissued in Philadelphia, under the editorship of a person without any capacity for his duties, and with little honesty. The biographical sketches, which were written in the first place by men of high character, are altered without judgment, and a shameless system of literary thieving leaves the reader in continual doubt as to the authorities upon which he is expected to receive the statements of events, and the opinions which the book contains in its present shape. Some ridiculous additions are also made to the subjects of the biographies. It is to be regretted that the reputation of such a work should be thus ruined."

second payment as copy-right on Uncle Tom's Cabin, making upwards of $20,000 received by her in nine months! That Uncle Tom has been worth a whole plantation of negroes to his mistress.

The gentleman to replace Mr. Empson in the editorship of the Edinburgh Review, is Mr. George Cornewall Lewis-long the Whig Financial Secretary at the Treasuryand on three occasions the unsuccessful candidate for election into the present Parliament.

A. Hart, of this city, sends to our table, numbers eight, nine and ten of his cheap republication of the "Waverly Novels." We publish in our pages a spirited extract from a new revolutionary story which this worthy publisher has in press, and which we think is destined to make a noise.

"Fun and Earnest," lately published by John S. Taylor & Co., New York, from the pen of the writer of the admirable series of Spiritual Dialogues in our pages, is very favorably noticed by the press, in all parts of the country. The North American of this city highly commends it.

Graham and Godey for February are superb numbers. The former contains an article on Uncle Tom, literature by the editor, entitled "Black Letters," which is remarkably spirited. We thank the latter for its very kind notice of BIZARRE.

G. P. Putnam & Co. of New York, are to publish an Illustrated Catologue of the Great Exhibition of Industry of all Nations, shortly to be opened in New York.

A new work, by the author of "Jane Eyre," is announced in London. It will be caught up with great greediness.

The gentleman who reviewed New Themes for the Protestant Clergy, and who was answered by its author, is preparing a review of that review, which will shortly be issued from the press of Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo & Co. New Themes has brought out a vast deal of talent in its defence, as well as in its condemnation. Uncle Tom himself will be outdone, at least so far as our own atmosphere is concerned, if the fever excited by New Themes continues.

Mrs. H. B. Stowe has lately received, from her publishers, Messrs. Jewett & Co., of Boston, the sum of $10,000, this being her

MULE TRACKS IN SOUTH AMERICA.

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No country in the world is at present more interesting, whether in a political, geographical or commercial point of view, than this same South America, whose history is all modern like our own, and unlike our own, in that its destiny is yet to be revealed. As a nation we are more interested in it than most people may imagine. The eventful crisis when we shall tell upon the conformationso to speak of its government and its people, has yet scarcely arrived. All political conjecture is involved in uncertainty; but for obvious reasons we are entitled to entertain