BATHING. Took a sea-bath, that Lethe to a troubled mind, and best of all corporeal renovators.' So says BYRON, in a paragraph of his journal; and if our readers were thoroughly aware of the luxury of salt-water bathing—if they knew how much it conduces to health-how agreeably it acts upon the mind, through the medium of a renovated body they would echo the opinions of the noble bard, and avail themselves, without prompting, of a 'creature comfort' in all respects so salutary and delightful. The annual anchoring of the 'NEW-YORK FLOATING BATHS,' opposite the Battery, near Castle-Garden, affords an appropriate occasion to remind our citizens - our literary and professional friends, especially — that they have within convenient reach a most pleasant resort, where salt-water bathing may be enjoyed in perfection; and if even one of our many metropolitan readers shall say, after having luxuriated, of a warm day, in these safe reservoirs of pure ocean brine, enjoyed the ever-springing breeze and the unmatched view of our glorious bay, with its picturesque shores, which may be commanded from the roof of the bath, if he (or she, for the ladies are also well provided for,) shall say that we have at all overrated this healthful luxury, the error shall stand publicly corrected, in our own pages!

We have seen it stated, that an attempt is to be made, by the capable and enterprising proprietor of the baths in question, to obtain permission from the mayor and city councils to secure a location for a more spacious establishment, with enlarged accommodations, to be placed upon permanent piers, between Castle-Garden and Whitehall, and another, of a kindred description, at some point of convenient access in the East River. We cannot doubt that the proposition will be received with favor at the hands of our public-spirited authorities. Such establishments, while they may be made ornaments to a city, with the increase and improvement of which they have hitherto scarcely kept pace, and the admiration of strangers, are also rendered a perpetual source of the purest enjoyment that which springs from health.

A CORRESPONDENT modestly requests us to 'change the name' of our beloved KNICKERBOCKER. What a Goth he must be! A more renowned cognomen is not contained in the language. Why, man, look at the effect of our name. Since the establishment of this Magazine, how the days of history have come back upon us! What a number of 'Knickerbocker stages'-beautiful omnibii- have been started, and 'Knickerbocker barges' launched! The boys slide, in winter, on gaily-painted Knickerbocker sleds; 'Knickerbocker Halls,' and places of various entertainment, have arisen and multiplied; 'Knickerbocker Circulating Libraries' abound; whoso wishes to attract particular attention to a communication in a public journal, always adopts our ever-memorable patronymic as a signature; and half our letters, from abroad as well as at home, come directed to DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER, Jr.' Change the name! Surely, sapient 'M. B. S.,' your intellectuals cannot be in a healthful state. 'Does your anxious mother know you are out?' 'Change the name! We appreciate now the emotions of the parish work-house overseer, when Oliver Twist 'asked for more.' Change the name, indeed! Marry come up! We should as soon think of doing it, however, as of adopting our correspondent's suggestion in another particular — namely, to 'give more solid articles.' Our aim is to amuse and entertain, as well as to instruct and inform. Hence, variety, and attractive light reading — but not too light-enter largely into our plan. In giving, occasionally, substantial articles, we aim to avoid those which make the reader feel the weight of the matter too sensibly in a heavy style, and present those, rather, which bring down knowledge to the level of ordinary understanding, serving as a medium of communication between the profound mind, on the one hand, and the practical man of business, and the industrious mechanic or artizan, on the other; removing

prejudice, and increasing the aggregate of general intelligence, on which national happiness and improvement depend. These are our plans; and the substantial evidences that our course is acceptable, liberal as they have ever been, yet greatly increase with every issue. For all which we shall labor to be duly and practically grateful.

MR. GEORGE H. HILL. This gentleman leaves us soon, for Europe; and we cannot permit the occasion to pass, without saying a few words in relation to his merits, both as an actor and as a man. Touching the former, we but echo public opinion, when we affirm, that in the exhibition of the quiet, dry humor, peculiar to the yankee, par excel. lence, he stands unrivalled. His acting is nature itself. As a gentleman, Mr. HILL is deservedly esteemed, in private life, for his correct deportment, and his entire freedom from those draw-backs which sometimes attach to gifted members of the histrionic corps. We cordially wish him a repetition of the favor which he has already met with abroad, and a timely return to his native country.

LITERARY RECORD.

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THE PASSION FOR Riches. - A pamphlet has been sent us--and we regret that it did not reach us in season for more extended notice - entitled, 'The Passion for Riches, and its Influence upon our Social, Literary, and Political Character,' being a Lecture delivered by J. W. WILLIAMS, ESQ., before the Young Men's Association of the City of Utica, in February last. We should be glad to see this lecture widely disseminated, for the evil which it so forcibly exposes, in its various forms, has long been, and justly, a reproach to our country, and a fruitful theme for the derision of foreigners. An effect of this baneful passion upon our literary interests is thus set forth: 'We are apt, in this country, to think of a man who addicts himself to science and literature, that his time might be turned to more profitable account, were he engaged in some calling that would tend more directly to the increase of his fortune. We are all for the practical; by which we mean, that which has little to do with mental advancement, and every thing with gain. We appear to consider the modicum of knowledge which enables one to pursue business with profit, as all abundant in the way of education; and that whatever exceeds that, weakens the capacity for the affairs of every-day life. The consequence is, that shrewdness in turning a penny or driving a bargain has become a sort of national characteristic. Our enterprise, which is distinguished, is directed rather to the increase of our opulence, than to the elevation of our minds. We so much magnify the one, that we almost overlook the other. We seem to estimate the possession of riches as the chief good, and the want of them as a crime.' All this is undeniable; but the ridicule of other nations, and a growing self-respect, has somewhat lessened, and we trust will still farther diminish, this national reproach.

MEDICAL ADVISER. We need do nothing more than announce the comprehensive title of the following work, recently published by Messrs. CAREY, LEA AND BLANCHARD. The name of the author is a sufficient warrant for the character of the volume: 'Popular Medicine, or Family Adviser; consisting of Outlines of Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene, with such hints on the practice of Physic, Surgery, and the Diseases of Women and Children, as may prove useful in families, when regular physicians cannot be procured; being a companion and guide for intelligent principals of manufactories, plantations, and boarding-schools, heads of families, masters of vessels, missionaries, or travellers; and a useful sketch for young men about commencing the study of medicine. By REYNELL COATES, M. D., Fellow of the College of Physicians, etc.'

'HUMBUGS OF NEW-YORK: being a Remonstrance against Popular Delusion, whether in Science, Philosophy, or Religion. By DAVID MEREDITH REESE, M. D.' Such of our readers as remember the exposé awarded to Dr. REESE, in these pages, soon after his ridiculous attack of a valuable work by Dr. BRIGHAM, will agree with us, that no one could be better qualified to write upon humbug, than our author. He understands the matter perfectly; and has turned his practical knowledge and long experience to tolerable account, in exposing some of the humbugs of the day, and to poor account, as heretofore, in including other matters, which have nothing in common with 'popular delusions.' Our author's reputation, as an honest exponent of phrenology, has been pretty thoroughly established. 'Silence were best,' we should think, in this regard. But in discussing ultra-temperance, ultra-abolitionism, and ultra-sectarianism, he has done the public good service, the meed of which may be some atonement for the mortification attendant upon the 'making a Judy of himself' some twelvemonth or so since. But King Humbug will always rule, in provinces, notwithstanding the rebellion of his prime ministers. He was born to have sway, somewhere, in all time. 'Mighty ancient' is his family. His mother, we are told, was

'Eden's madam,

For Satan he did humbug her,
And she did humbug Adam.'

'THE DESERTED BRIDE, AND OTHER POEMS,' is the title of a volume recently given to the public, by COL. GEORGE P. MORRIS, of the 'New-York Mirror.' The poem occupying the place of honor in, and which gives the name to, the work, was originally communicated to the KNICKERBOCKER, by the author, and subsequently attained a wide circulation in the journals of the day. The other minor poems, including several theatrical addresses, and songs set to music, have also been made familiar to American newspaper-readers, having been proclaimed, as our persevering and indefatigable friend felicitously expresses it, 'from the house-tops of the press.' Not having been favored by the publishers with a copy of the volume- and 'wherefore we know not' - we are unable to speak of the book in detail; yet we may confidently predict, 'unsight, unseen,' as commercial juveniles have it, that there is not an objectionable sentiment in the work, nor the merest literary trifle without its agreeable characteristic, in a social, moral, or religious point of view. The volume is spoken of, we perceive, on all hands, as a very finished production, in its typography, and externals of paper and binding. New-York: ADLARD AND Saunders.

THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW for April, has been published. It reaches us late, and we have but glanced through its fair, clear pages. It has nine articles proper, and twelve brief critical notices. The reviews are, Original Italian Historical Romances, by our correspondent, G. W. GREENE, Esq., American Consul at Rome; Periodical Essays of the Age of ANNE; VARGAS DE BEDEMAR'S Madeira and the Azores; Last years of MARIA LOUISA; Early History of Canada, (M'GREGOR'S 'British America,' and SCHOOLCRAFT'S Mississippi 'Expedition;') LOCKHART's Memoirs of SCOTT, CLARK'S Documentary History of the American Revolution, and Roy's Hebrew Lexicon.

'THE ALBION.'- Our readers are aware of the preeminent rank in which we place this most capacious of our literary weekly journals. It has very naturally acquired an unsurpassed circulation. A plate, we are informed, exceeding in size and beauty any of the frequent fine engravings hitherto given in the work, will soon be issued, and subsequently a superb portrait of QUEEN VICTORIA. To its embellishments, and rare literary contents, are added, weekly, the most choice musical attractions. We hesitate not, therefore, to pronounce the ALBION the best, as, all things considered, it is certainly the cheapest, literary weekly journal in the United States; and this fact seems to have been thoroughly established.

NEW-YORK REVIEW. - The early issue of this work, for the April quarter, enables us to advert briefly to a portion of its contents. From a cursory perusal, we judge it to be a rich number. Chancellor KENT has a sound, and in some parts eloquent, article upon the Supreme Court of the United States; there is an interesting review of the Antiquitates Americanæ, illustrating the discovery of America by the Northmen; a very capital paper upon the history and writings of the poet CHATTERTON; another upon the poetry of Giles Fletcher, and another on Lamartine's 'Jocelyn.' 'The Present State of the Church of England,' 'Prescott's History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella,' Williams' South-Sea-Islands, with numerous briefer notices, are among the remaining articles. The Quarterly List of New Publications, native and foreign, by Mr. PUTNAM, is an important addition to this now well-established periodical. Thus far, we have been in type since last month. We can only add, even now, that our favorable impressions of the number have been fully confirmed.

ETIQUETTE FOR LADIES. Messrs. CAREY, LEA and BLANCHARD, Philadelphia, have published a small volume, entitled 'Etiquette for Ladies, with Hints on the Preservation, Improvement, and Display of Female Beauty.' The merits of the book, in a literary point of view, are sufficiently small. It is possible that our friends the publishers have two kinds of authors, at two different prices-namely, those who do, and those who do not, write grammatically- and that they did n't choose to put any of their best hands upon this work. Certain it is, that old Priscian's skull is so frequently fractured in its pages, that we are compelled to 'complain of his action of battery.' For the rest, there is much that may be made useful, and many things which are useless, in the volume. While some females may derive benefit from 'etiquette by the card,' others, more fortunate in the possession of innate delicacy of feeling, and propriety of the heart for this, after all, is the true secret-can derive little from its pages in aid of their personal deportment. All, however, will find in them valuable hints upon the preservation and improvement of beauty.

་

NEW-YORK MIRROR. This well-established periodical, whose typographical, pictorial, and literary merits have been too frequently 'flaunted in the public eye,' to require the repeated blazon of this Magazine, has received a valuable addition to its literary resources, in the person of EPES SARGEANT, Jr., Esq., of Boston, who will hereafter, as we learn, have control of the editorial department. He will worthily supply the place so well filled by Mr. HOFFMAN, who has won deserved applause, in this field, as in that of more elaborate authorship. Mr. SARGEANT is a young gentleman of fine talents, who has acquired a good repute with his pen, in a variety of intellectual efforts. We cordially welcome him among us, as a capable co-laborer in the good cause of national periodical literature.

NEW-YORK 'SPIRIT OF THE TIMES.' - This journal, as a vehicle of English and American sporting and theatrical intelligence, has acquired a wide and deserved celebrity. Every department of field and other sports, foreign and domestic, is here spread out, including important information in relation to celebrated English and American winning horses, their pedigrees, etc., and indeed all matters connected with the turf. The copious theatrical intelligence, from abroad, and at home, is another interesting feature in the 'Times;' while as a journal of light literature, it competes well with its weekly contemporaries. It is especially rich in original and selected articles, and brief paragraphs, of a humorous character. We commend it confidently to American sportsmen, and lovers of fun, every where.

THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. Messrs. WILEY AND PUTNAM have issued a volume of some two hundred pages, entitled 'An Inquiry into the Moral and Religious Character of the American Government. The objects of this work, and the importance of

its expositions, in a national point of view, demand a more elaborate notice at our hands, than we have at present either time or space to afford. We shall refer to it again, and in the mean time commend it to the reader's attention. The typographical execution of the book is of the first order of excellence. This would have been readily inferred, however, had we merely mentioned the fact, that the volume is from the wellknown press of Messrs. G. F. HOPKINS AND SON.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN.-The thirteenth annual exhibition of the National Academy of Design has recently been opened at Clinton Hall. In our next number, we shall notice the collection, which is considerably larger than that of last year, at length. Among the more prominent features, are two large landscapes, by COLE, a superb one by DURAND, which has no superior in the academy, small sketches by MOUNT, with fine heads by well-known artists—INMAN, INGHAM, CHAPMAN, C. G. THOMPSON, PAGE, HUNTINGTON, etc., etc. The collection is a fair one, and already attracts a multitude of visitors.

ST. JONATHAN, THE LAY OF A SCALD.'-A small, thin pamphlet, with a pink paper cover, enclosing a dedication, eighty-eight stanzas, in the measure of ' Don Juan,' and sundry notes—all for one-and-sixpence. There is some cleverness in our young author-we judge of his years from internal evidence — and his facility in rhyming is remarkable. Some of his terminations, howbeit, can only be pronounced 'fine,' in the sense of strained. We have no room, at so late an hour, for extracts, by which we could make the 'Scald' appear to advantage, and to disadvantage, as well, since there are not a few weeds for the exterminating hoe of criticism, in this copious, disorderly, and desultory mélange. Yet 't is far from indifferent, as a whole. Try again, Sir Scald try again.

'KATE LESLIE' is the title of a novel, in two volumes, by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLEY, who has written so many clever songs, which have been wedded to music, every where. It is pronounced an entertaining work, we perceive, by several critics who have perused it. We are not of the number, having seen quite enough of Mr. Bayley as a novel-writer, in reading 'David Dumps,' a very stupid production, in our humble judgment. The yearnings for humor, and the contemptible puns, of the first chapter, would deter the most inveterate fiction-reader from prosecuting a farther search for intellectual gratification.

'THE HESPERIAN, OR WESTERN MONTHLY MAGAZINE,' is the title of a new and handsomely-executed work, the first number of which has just come to us from Columbus, (Ohio.) It reaches us too late to say more than that it is under the able editorship of WILLIAM D. GALLAGHER and OTWAY CURRIE, Esqrs., and in truth little need be added to this fact, save that the editors are to be assisted by some of the finest minds in the west. We cordially wish success, and a generous support, to our valued con

temporary.

THE NEW VOLUME. - Our stores for the TWELFTH VOLUME, which will commence on the first of July, are accumulating. We have a secret pride in the belief that we shall not a little SURPRISE our readers by the extent and character of the literary resources which will be exhibited in that volume. We indulge the more confidently in this belief, because we are even now enabled to contrast what has been done, of which the reader can judge, with what may be done, of which we can judge. We may mention here, by way of explanation-having before alluded, in a 'promissory note,' to the subject that 'The Atlantines, a Romance of America,' by JOHN GALT., Esq., author of 'Annals of the Parish,' 'Laurie Todd,' etc., dedicated to PHILIP HONE, Esq., will be reserved for continuous publication in the numbers of the new series.

SOME of our readers are requested to peruse the 'Appeal to Unjust Subscribers,' on the third page of the cover.