thor of "New Themes," could better be at- | of humor is introduced now and then, which tained, we think, by warm and frequent pro- is the more effective from its naturalness, testation in the church, or by urging pastors especially where it developes itself in diato warn their flocks in the premises. We logue. The moral of the story is likewise know that Christianity is effecting much good good; indeed, as the production of one of the for man; and if all the benefits that could be lady fiction writers of the present day, it may wished be not achieved, we doubt if any rem- be said to be a "rara avis" on the score of edy can be found in the course taken by the an accumulation of wickedness. author of "New Themes." "New Themes THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY.-A neatly printed book with this title, bearing the imprint of G. P. Putnam & Co., came to us some weeks since, through T. B. Peterson of this city. It is a kind of an essay, in prose and poetry, on matters and things in general. The author is William Giles Dix, clearly a man of ability, and a very am Condemned" is well done, certainly as to the entire accomplishment of the author's design, viz: to reiterate opinions already advanced by him, and to offer certain substantial backings of these opinions from various distinguished sources. It is written in a pleasing, off-hand style, and with an amount of good humor, which indicate both the sincer-bitious one, we suspect. The larger part ity of the writer and the entire confidence which he has, in the truth of his positions. The closing passages of the volume are beautiful; they come from a heart all alive to goodness, and speak volumes in behalf of him who pens them, both as a man and a Christian. We would gladly quote some of these passages, but our limits forbid. of his volume was printed nearlya year ago, but was thrown aside from dissatisfaction. Had this dissatisfaction continued, the "Deck of the Crescent City," of course, would have been in the deep bosom of the ocean buried; and that it will not still find an eternal home under the waves of oblivion does not appear to us so very certain. THE MISERIES OF HUMAN LIFE.-This is the title of the first volume of G. P. Putnam & Co's. new series Popular Library. It is a very clever book, full of original thoughts, and funny hits at men and things; an old acquaintance, too, which comes to us in a new dress. The miseries of life are recorded, and after the drollest possible fashion. The table of contents, itself, is rich reading; we forsooth, some of the puns are rather severe. are sure we laughed over it heartily, though But then, a pun to be right down funny, COLERIDGE'S WORKS.-An elegant volume, the first of a complete edition of the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, has been sent to us by the Harpers. The series will contain all the productions of the eminent author, with the exception of his newspaper articles, lately republished under the title of Essays on his own Times. The volume before us contains Aids to Reflection and the Statesman's Manual, with an introductory essay upon the author's philosophical and theological opinions, by Professor Shedd. The collection will embrace seven volumes, and must unquestionably find a place in American libra-must be right down bad. A good pun is, ries. THE CURSE OF CLIFTON, is the title of a generally speaking, received with an excla- tale which Mr. A. Hart, of our city, has just issued in two volumes. It is from the pen of Mrs. Emma D. N. Southworth; and as it is a story of "Expiation and Redemption," written for the marvellous bumps of the readers of a paper like the Saturday Evening Post, it of course is seasoned after the most approved modern fashion. It is well for the aforesaid readers of the Post that its leaded We have several new books lying on our editorials are relieved, now and then, by a table, particular notice of which we are comstory from such a pen as that of Mrs. South-pelled to defer until our next number. worth. They might otherwise find their minds in a state of hopeless paralysis. LIGHT AND SHADE.-Appleton & Co. have published a tale with this title. It is from the pen of Anne Harriet Drury, whose "Friends and Fortune" and "Eastbury" when published, commanded considerable favor. The characters are well drawn; while the incidents are conceived and arranged for the best effect. The style is generally easy and chaste; while at times there are passages of great beauty. A vein LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC GOSSIP. Among them is a continuation of the series of State histories lately commenced by Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo & Co., of our city, embracing the History of New York. We have also from the same publishers, the concluding parts of their excellent edition of Waverly, containing "Count Robert of Paris" and "Castle Dangerous." T. P. Peterson sends us The "Two Merchants," a popular tale, by Arthur. "The Adopted Child," by Mrs. Jewsbury, we shall also notice hereaf ter. It comes to us from the IIarpers, with another interesting story from Mrs. Marsh, called "Castle Avon." The London Atheneum says of Mr. Jared Sparks' late letter addressed to Lord Mahon: "We will not enter further into the details of this apparently interminable controversy. The real cause of quarrel seems to be this: Lord Mahon misunderstood the conditionsthe necessary and reasonable conditions, for the most part-on which Washington's writings were edited by Mr. Sparks; and in virtue of his own misapprehension, he made a series of charges, only some of which, and those not the most important, can be sustained by evidence and fact. Of course, under his own showing, Mr. Sparks' case looks better than it did in the hands of Lord Mahon. But it does not appear that any substantial good can arise from a further prosecution of the dispute. Mr. Sparks did alter and suppress passages in Washington's correspondence-but he had avowed and explained this course in the work itself and literature must acquit him of intentional and clandestine perversion of the sense. Lord Mahon acknowledges that he was wrong in his serious accusation, that the editor had added to the text:-and here, we think, the matter might very conveniently end." We have in type a correspondence which recently took place between Mr. J. B. Jones, of our city, and certain publishers at Auburn, wherein exception is taken by the former to the appropriation by the latter of a popular work. It will appear in our next. Harper's Magazine, for March, is an admirable number; about the best we have seen of that truly agreeable miscellany. We had received a copy direct from the publishers, while another has been handed to us by our publishers, Messrs. Getz, Buck & Co. Mr. William Brewster has removed his periodical agency to BIZARRE Office. We call attention to his announcements in our advertising pages. It will be seen he offers some fine inducements to clubs. Mr. B. is a very worthy gentleman, and merits encouragument. He is exclusive agent of the New York Review. Correa & Ruehl, 232 Chestnut Street, have an immence assortment of rare and curious engravings, from Albert Durer's Burin down. Their stock of French and German books consist of the most interesting variety. A German case, opened this week, contained the first No. of der Bibel in Bildern, (the bible in pictures.) It will be completed in 30 numbers, at one dollar each. Each number will contain 8 large plates, expressly designed for this work by Julius Schnore von Carolsfeld, a distinguished German artist. There is no text except a few lines in explanation of the plates. An edition, with the plates reduced in size, at 37 cts. a number, is also to be had. EDITOR'S SANS-SOUCI. -We publish in our present number, another very interesting real-life romance, written by our old friend Grant Thornburn, or, to give him his hero-title in Galt's popular novel, "Laurie Todd," who was, as he says, "privy to all the facts." Laurie accompanies his communication with two letters, in one of which, dated New York, Feb. 18th, 1853, he says: day. I am not sensible of decay, spectacles "With this sun I look on my 81st birthexcepted. For the last thirty years only one day have I been confined to the house by sickness, and for the last fifty years God has given me a sound constitution, and common sense to take care of it. I never was drunk in my life; I never ate enough. You see I owe the Giver of all Good a large debt; and I think it's my duty that the world should know it. If you are of the same mind, give these lines a place; the sceptic may sneer, and the fool may laugh—it's but the crackling of thorns under a pot." Our old friend says, in his other note: "Now, friend Church, (you have a good name, any how, provided it's not of Rome,) when you open your Chatter-Box next week, please define the meaning (in broad Scotch or plain English) of the word Bizarre.* The amount of my education has been to read the Bible, and write my own name; and you may be assured it is a sore evil, under the sun, when reading an American book, getting involved in some horrible massacre or tremendous earthquake, I am wondering where the scene will end, to fall upon a string of High or Low Dutch, Greek, Hebrew or Latin-or, may be, some other dead or living tongueI am swamped, and frequently throw the book on the floor; and if the printer was here I would lay him by its side. I suppose you doctors of Law, Physic and Divinity, stick in those little words to inform the gaping throng that you have once been inside of the fence of a college.' Pretty severe that, honest Laurie, or gude man Grant, upon the literati. However, as to the meaning of BIZARRE: it is a French word signifying something quaint, peculiar, eccentric, droll, fantastical; and if it does not entirely convey an idea of what we strive to make our journal, it certainly gives us a disWe wanted tinctiveness as to the name. something fresher than the hacknied catalogue of titles, embracing your Mercurys, Athenæums, Mirrors, Minervas, Literary *I asked Sherman, your Agent. He can't tell. Journals, Gazettes, Chronicles, Times', &c., | afforded; so after thinking the matter over a long time ourselves, we counselled with two valued friends, both clergymen, and one lately a greatly esteemed editor, as he is now a highly-valued contributor to the magazines. It was this last who suggested to us BIZARRE, and BIZARRE it is. Are you satisfied? -"Sturdy March, with brows full sternly bent, And armed strongly, rode upon a ram, The same which over Hellespontus swam.": has blustered in upon us. It was on the first of this month, the fire of the altar of Vesta at Rome, was renewed by the sun's rays reflected by a concave steel. The month was under the auspices of Minerva. From Numa until the first Punic war, public offices were entered on, on March first; from that period they were commenced on the first of January. March was reckoned the first month in France until 1564, when the commencement of the year was changed to January by Charles the Ninth. In Scotland it was the first month till 1598; and in England partially till 1752. In Saxon, March was called Rethe or Roagh Monath, and Lenet or Length Monath, from the lengthening of the days. Thence the name of Lent, it is said. But reader, March the present year, will unfold a great many events to the world, yet none of them can surpass in magnitude the inauguration of a new President of the United States. The United States! It is long and broad in extent now. Who shall say that it will not be twice as long and twice as broad before ten more Marches bluster in upon us? So long as there is a single spot of earth on this continent unoccupied by "Uncle Sam," he is bound to think his coat and pantaloons are not large enough to allow for his growing. When there is not a tuck left to let down, then will this individual "calculate" that he has got his growth; not till then, be assured, reader. man-and few pitied him. His offence was drunkenness. As he was being tied up, a lovely girl, contrary to all rules, rushed through the officers, and, falling on her knees, clasped Nelson's hand, in which were the articles of war, exclaiming, "Pray forgive him, your honor, and he shall never offend again." "Your face," said Nelson, "is a security for his good behaviour. Let him go; the fellow cannot be bad who has such a lovely creature in his care.' This man rose to be lieutenant; his name was William Pye. -Poetry is said to be based on feelings common to humanity. We propose to test this assumption by the appeal to "universal nature," furnished in the following translation served up in a Latin legend, and ascribed to Father Cuddy:* Oh! tis eggs are a treat, When so white and so sweet, Just like daisies all spread In the sunbeams so beautifully shining, In stabulo scite leguntur; Quae festiva puella! Pinguis lardi cum frustris coquuntur. Ut belles in prato Sub sole tam loete renident, Ova tosta in mensa Shall we gossip a little about musical matters? Yes. Well then, to begin, the American pianist, Gottschalk, as we write, is An English writer tells several en- in the city, and before this number appears, tertaining anecdotes of Lord Nelson, among will have given the public a taste of his gewhich are the following:-He was loth to innius at Musical Fund Hall. He certainly is flict punishment, and when he was obliged, a genius, and a genius of rare quality. We as he called it, "to endure the torture of seecare not for the furor which his biographer ing men flogged," he came out of his cabin in inflated style, declares he excited in France, with a hurried step, ran into the gangway, in Italy, in Switzerland, in Germany; we made his bow to the officers, and, reading the care not for the unrepublican orders which articles of war the culprit had infringed, said, were attached to his button-hole by the Queen "Boatswain, do your duty." The lash was of Spain; we care not, indeed, for the extravainstantly applied, and, consequently the suf- gant puffs of this young man, which were ferer exclaimed, "Forgive me, admiral, for- published in our papers before and after he give me." On such an occasion Lord Nelson came home. All these easily-obtained and would look round with wild anxiety, and as generally undeserved appliances, have no efall his officers kept silence, he would say, fect upon us. We had the pleasure of being "What! none of you speak for him? Avast! one of a party of ladies and gentlemen at cast him off!" And then added to the cul-Jones' Hotel, on the occasion of a matinée prit, "Jack, in the day of battle, remember given by the young Creole; we heard him me;" and he became a good fellow in future. perform on that occasion; and we speak of him A poor man was about to be flogged-a lands * For original see Keightley's Mythology. -entirely from the knowledge then gathered of him. He is, we repeat, a genius of rare quality. The Pleyel piano which he uses, responds to his touch with an emphasis which only great artistes achieve. His taste is as fine as his skill is great; there is, too, all sincerity in the emotion he shows while performing; he has not the look and action which De Meyer has; or no strainings for effect. When performing, he is intensely engaged with his piano; he does not seem to think there is anything else in the room. At the close of a piece, however, when the hearty applause of many hands strike his ear, he again comes into the little world he has about him, and indicates an appreciation of the praises bestowed, by the most expressive smiles. Gottschalk's concert will no doubt be a brilliant one, but going to press on the morning of the very day it was given, we cannot speak from observation.-Mr. Perrelli's last soirée, which took place on Saturday evening, the 26th inst, was unquestionably the finest of the season. The efforts of the young lady who executed the Bird Song, were received with hearty satisfaction, as many a hand testified, while another who sang the Echo Song obtained no less applause. Well might a foreigner present, assure us that he had heard but few prime donne who achieved artistic musical effects with greater success, who sang indeed, generally more beautifully. There were other ladies who sang very charmingly; while among the gentlemen, Messrs. D., S., R., H., indicated decided advancement. The duett from the Puritans was generally very impressive. The opening quartette, beautifully rendered as it was, gave fine promise of what followed. We should add, that the company was as usual, select and recherché. Perelli's soirées are a decided feature among fashion's doings.-Let us say a word of the "Soirees de Qutuor," a series of which is now being given at Sansom Street Hall. They well merit encouragement, though being a little in advance of the times, we fear they will hardly obtain enough to reward the gentleman under whose direction they are given. There are people in town who do not think it a bore to hear a solo from Waldteufel or Bailey, while a quartette of Mozart, the various parts executed by Reinhart, Cross, Waldteufel and Meignen, and there will be sure to attend the Chamber Concerts. Mercadante's new comic opera was lately given at Naples, for the first time. The Gazzetta Musicale assures its readers, that both works gained "un luminosissimo successo:" but, says the Athenæum, the moral of a public assurance so widely different from private information may perhaps lie on the seventh page of the same Gazzetta,-which announces a uniform edition of forty-eight out of the fifty-two operas composed by Mercadante, as about to be published by the publishers, and (it may be presumed) proprietors of the journal. The new opera written by Signor Verdi for Venice is entitled “La Traviata," and is founded, we are told, on "La Dame aux Camélias." A word or two about correspondents, &c:-"Sketches of Newport," the second of which we publish in the present number of BIZARRE, are very neatly done. They are from the pen of a very accomplished lady of Philadelphia. We are deeply grateful to our fair correspondent, as we doubt not our readers are also. "Mule Tracks in South America" will be continued in our next.— "The Romance of Blockley" is constantly improving. These papers are attracting great attention. All our readers will welcome Mrs. Mary A. Eastman to our pages. She is the author of "Aunt Phillis' Cabin," and other popular works. A wish has been expressed that the brilliant author of "Spiritual Dailogues" should try his hand in some other field. What does he say? The "Dialogues" have been greatly admired. The publishers of the Daily Register in our city have greatly enlarged their sheet, while they have also secured the services, as principal editor, of Professor Birney, a gentleman of decided ability, and one, too, who has large experience as a newspaper writer. We wish all parties, as the play bills say, "the most unbounded success.' Our highly valued friend, Mr. B. Moran, continues his connection with the Register, as we hope he will do. We understand that Miss Richings sang very sweetly last Saturday evening at the new hall, on the occasion of a concert given by one of our fire companies. A beautiful Panorama of California and the voyage thither and back again, has been for a few weeks exhibiting at the new Assembly Buildings. It is under the management of Mr. Perham, a most competent person. An Italian journal, called Il Pirata, gives the following account of a new tenor voice which has just been heard at Genoa in the "Rigoletto" of Signor Verdi:-"Signor Mongini who is almost new to the stage, exhibits a voice surprising by its extent, its quality, and the manner in which it tells; to this may be added, the by no means common gift of a vocalization so neat and clear that the listener does not lose a single word." The Philharmonic Society, doubtless, had a fine concert on Wednesday evening. Going to press as we did before that time, we can say nothing more in the present number. The weather for the few days past has been very disagreeable. "BIZARRE, BIZARRE, WHAT SAY YOU, MADCAP?"-Farquhar. Bizarre. FOR FIRESIDE AND WAYSIDE. FOR THE FORTNIGHT ENDING SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1853. MULE TRACKS IN SOUTH AMERICA. SECOND PART. SINGLE COPIES Will the senora give us anything else but omelettes? Hard-boiled eggs have been our fare the last fifteen leagues. Gracios Dios! As we descend from our aerial position, what is this? Arepa bread, sweetmeats and lofty forest trees begin to press us round, wheaten cakes, calabash bowls of milk, and breaks in the foliage only indicating the verge figs of the ficus gigantea. The meal over, of some neighboring precipice. Military mu- let us peep into the adjoining room, where a sic rises up. It is the first call of day, and gay cantarista touches her guitar, perhaps in attenuated by the air, is somewhat bearable. coquetry, to invite our curiosity and admiraBut now, as it becomes clearer, what tion; perhaps to the wandering thoughts of wretched dissonance! Is this the music that her own happy heart for surely she is Bolivar bequeathed to the lovers of liberty? happy! Under such a heaven, with nature, We are reminded of the mode in which Colo- a kind mother, who anticipates every care, nel Durand described it, to whom the files of yielding almost spontaneously and in abunsix in front, pacing the whole width of a dance, every fruit that, once tasted, we again street to drums and fifes at more than quick-long for; can it be otherwise? The door is time, recalled the song of Frederick I. of Prussia, "O mine Got! vot blud and tonder!" As witness: "Prelude of half ruffle and a drag-R-r-rump'm, and bump'm, blump'm, and stump'm, and thump'm, and blumb--R-r-r-and thump'm, and stump'm, and plump'm, and thump'm, and blum-Da Capo." Dull and execrable as this is, does our own prove always better? Let us go to the house of some patriot; patriotism, if no where else, ranks high here. Besides, what fun in stories of war, in ambuscades, defeats, successes! It is something to see Spanish eyes glisten under the influence of the passion next to love; to listen to splendiferous exaggerations of the event of six men who "marched up hill, and then marched down again," so calculated to entertain a credulous fancy. What a gift is that of faith! The satisfaction of certainty, what is it to the enjoyment of conjecture? A sergeant knocks at the door, laden with some beef and pork which he will be happy to give us, and delighted if we will pay him therefor. We consult with our digestion, taste and need. If we purchase it, we may make a whole regiment our friends; if we refuse it, the heat will spoil it. So this decides. Up goes a coin into the air with superscription of "Los Estados Unidos," and down it comes with Bolivar and liberty upon its face. The beef and pork are ours. half open, almost inviting us to enter. And there she reclines, in true oriental style, on a light gay ottoman. Her fingers seem to hesitate whilst she looks up from her deep glistening eyes with a kind of doubtful wonder; then, a blush suffusing her face, she bends gracefully over her pet instrument, regains the mid-stream of song, and seemingly abandoned to pleasure, leaves to us only to listen and admire. Charming and kind performer! Out of our leathern bag we are fain to hand over a few of the reals denied to far more earnest importunity. But in the place thereof, here is a laced cap worked by la Americanos. How beautifully white the bed of the river, as it flows almost beneath our windows. We must provide ourselves with lines, and so spend the sultry afternoon. Plenty of bites, but our languid spirits tempt us to let hook, bait and prey float with the stream. Attenuated already with the climate, how shall we blame the absence of extreme activity and life? The shadows of the evening gather around; softly and silently our energy revives, but sharing the instinct of the people, it is to be devoted all to pleasure. Setting out for a night's enjoyment, we crossed the Guayra to the valley of Chacao. A full moon was reflected in those swift, but smooth waters-silent because undivided within their own deepened channel. Slight, filmy clouds too, darting over the blue sky |