A CHAPTER FOR THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE.

MR. HECKER, a German by birth, who was at one time connected with the Associationists at Brook Farm, but for some years has been a Catholic priest, has lately published a book on Catholicism and Transcendentalism, in which he endeavors to show first, that there is no middle ground tenable between his present and his former ultra-Transcendental position; and, second, that his present position (in the bosom of the Roman Church) is the only true and safe one. We do not mean to review Mr. Hecker's book, but we take occasion of its appearance to say a few words of those Transcendentalists whom he so zealously attacks, and of The Dial, which was for a time a sort of exponent of the Transcendental movement in New England. But before going farther, it may be worth while to define Transcendentalism. There is no term which has been more abused for the last twenty years than this same word, - none whose meaning has been so misconceived and perverted. Judging from the common tone of the newspapers and of society, a Transcendentalist is a sort of chaos of obscurity, nonsense, and atheism. To hear the talk of many well-meaning clergymen, one would sup

Catholicism and Transcendentalism. By I. T. HECKER. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1855.

The Dial. A Magazine for Literature, Philosophy, and Religion. To be continued Quarterly. Boston. July, 1840, to July, 1844.