multitudes. The attention of the nation has been arrested, and although the laws still prohibit the reading of the Bible, and prayer to God, and the penalty is torture and death, yet it is supposed that there are a large number who still treasure in their hearts the precepts of our religion, which have been handed down to them from the lips of the martyrs; and whenever it is possible, there are those who even now meet together in secret places to commemorate that ordinance whereby the disciples of the Lord Jesus do show forth His death till He come. Within a few years the fires of persecution seem to have slackened somewhat. This may possibly be owing to the influence of the Prince Royal, the heir apparent to the throne. It is known that his sympathies are with the Christians; and it is thought that he has often of late interfered in their behalf, though thereby imperiling his prospects of the crown. Still, all the old laws are in force, and may yet be strictly enforced at any moment. Mr. Ellis had frequent interviews with the prince, and expresses himself as much gratified to find him possessing many estimable qualities. His love of justice and fair and open dealing appears to be constant and strong. He seems to have an intuitive repugnance to deception, treachery, and cruelty. All this, too, is not mere theory. He has displayed great moral courage in carrying out his views;-in interposing to settle disputes, to insure justice, to reconcile differences, to save life, and prevent suffering.

According to the latest accounts from Madagascar, the health of the Reigning Queen is very precarious, and there seems every prospect that she will soon be succeeded by this young prince, who has long done all in his power to protect the Christians. Should this event soon occur, Madagascar will present one of the most promising fields for missionary labor to be found in the whole world.

SUMMER PICTURES-FROM COPENHAGEN TO VENICE.*-Years ago the writer of this pleasant book, the Rev. H. M. Field, made the acquaintance of the great cities of Europe, and saw all that is most attractive to the American who visits the old world for the first time. In a summer tour just a year ago, "from Copenhagen to Venice," he had the advantage of knowing beforehand what to see and how to see it. His book, therefore, is not a mere detail of the common places of travel,

*Summer Pictures. From Copenhagen to Venice. By Rev. H. M. FIELD. New York: Sheldon & Co. 1859. 12mo. pp. 291. Price $1.

F. T. Jarman.

For sale by

nor a description of the ordinary "sights" which are catalogued in professed itineraries. His aim has been to give fresh impressions of the men and things that are now attracting the attention of the public there and here. For example, in London he introduces us to Dickens's "public readings," and makes us almost feel that we have ourselves enjoyed the new pleasure of beholding the rare dramatic skill with which as a reader the author of the "Christmas Carol" gives form and voice to those creations of his genius with which we have been so long familiar. He tells us that Dickens's renderings of the child-scenes which he has so much loved to depict are particularly delicate, tender, and affecting. Mr. Field, also, describes a sermon of Mr. Spurgeon. He went with many misgivings, but after having heard him he came away admiring the simplicity of his language, and his hearty earnestness; and he says, "the critic who can deride Mr. Spurgeon as a charlatan, must be insensible to any demonstrations of oratorical power." He concludes with the avowal of his love and admiration of the man, and the expression of his belief that "God has raised him up to be a great blessing to England."

A chapter on English manners, and another on French domestic life, we could wish might be read by very many of our countrymen who after a six months "run" through Europe talk oracularly about society abroad. Mr. Field will satisfy them that they are as little capable of forming a correct opinion on these subjects as a Mexican who should undertake to judge of American home life after spending six months at the fashionable hotels of our cities. He claims that true domestic affection and happiness exist in France as really as in the United States; that in French families there is even closer sympathy between parents and children than is usual with us; that devotedness to others and constancy and truth are the light there of tens of thousands of happy homes-the prevalent opinion that they have no homes, to the contrary notwithstanding.

There are interesting chapters devoted to men and things in Holland, Denmark, Prussia, Saxony, and Austria, which we have not space to mention. What will generally be esteemed the most valuable part of the book, is, perhaps, those chapters which relate to the great struggle going on now in Northern Italy. There is a great deal of information, historical and topographical, grouped together so as to throw light on the probable tactics of the armies there opposed to one another.

Parts of some of these chapters have appeared in the form of editorial letters in the New York Evangelist. Now, as a whole, with additional

chapters, they make a volume of rare interest. We have thought that perhaps a portion of the freshness and joyousness with which the book abounds throughout, and which the reader finds quite contagious, may be accounted for by a reference to the dedication, which is to the companion who accompanied the author in the tour, "whose familiar knowledge of Europe," he says, "and quick observation of life and manners, made every day one of instruction; and whose ever buoyant spirit gave to these months of travel all their brightness and sunshine."

HISTORY.

NEW HAVEN COLONIAL RECORDS, 1653-1665.*-The history of the New Haven Colony, so honorable to the colonists, has in it very much that is peculiar and distinctive. The men who here laid the foundations of government were persons of the highest respectability of character, possessed of wealth and a large experience in affairs. Their theory of government, their code of laws, their views with regard to popular education, have all had a lasting influence in the formation of our national character and our present state of society. The story of what they did, and how they prospered, will always be full of interest and instruction. We are glad to call attention, therefore, to this volume edited by Charles S. Hoadly, Esq. Every such contribution to the documentary history of our origin as a people has an importance and a value that are not generally appreciated. Two years ago Mr. Hoadly gave to the public, in a volume uniform with the one here mentioned, the Records of the Colony of New Haven, while it remained distinct; together with the Records [down to 1650] of the town, after the consolidation of the plantations of Guilford and Milford with New Haven; and the beginning of the Records of the General Courts of the Jurisdiction thus formed. The Records of the Jurisdiction from 1644 to 1653, have been lost for a hundred years. The present volume is a continuation of the work which Mr. Hoadly has proposed to himself, and comprises all the Records of the Jurisdiction of the New Haven Colony, now known to exist; with the exception of the few included in the former volume. They extend from 1653 to 1665.

*Records of the Colony, or Jurisdiction of New Haven, from May, 1653, to the Union. Together with the New Haven code of 1656. Transcribed and edited in accordance with a resolution of the General Assembly of Connecticut. By CHARLES J. HOADLY, M. A. Hartford: Case, Lockwood & Co. 1858. 8vo. pp. 626.

Mr. Hoadly has also republished in this volume the old New Haven Laws, from an original copy once owned, in all probability, by Rev. John Davenport, and now belonging to the collections of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, Mass. We doubt not there are still many respectable persons who are firm believers that the code called the Blue Laws once existed in New Haven. A slight inspection of the true code, here published in full, and of the Records of the proceedings of the different courts of the Colony given in these two volumes, will show that these famous laws never had any existence, and that all the stories about them are ridiculously false. It is evident that "nothing of any importance was transacted in the colony which was not recorded at the time, and with a detail of particulars which precludes the possibility of their having been rules of conduct enforced by any public authority, which are not there mentioned." It is, indeed, very singular that the New Haven colony "should have had so extensively the name of regulating the cut of the hair and the fashion of the dress of the inhabitants, when of the united colonies it was the only one which abstained from all laws of this description."

COLONIAL RECORDS OF CONNECTICUT, 1678-1689.*-This volume of the Colonial Records of Connecticut reflects great credit upon the editor, J. Hammond Trumbull, Esq., to whom the state is already largely indebted for his labors in unfolding our early history. The records here published are the proceedings of the General Court of the Colony from the election in May, 1678, to the close of the special session called in June, 1689, to proclaim the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England. This is a very important and interesting period in Connecticut history, as it includes the usurpation of Sir Edmund Andros, and comparatively little has been known about it. The suspension of the charter government by the royal Governor, was from October, 1687, to May, 1689, but for some years before this event, as Mr. Trumbull informs us, the proceedings of the General Court afford but little insight into the course of events in the Colony. Those subjects which most nearly concerned its welfare, and which may be supposed to

*The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, May, 1678-June, 1689: with notes and an appendix, comprising such documents from the state archives, and other sources, as illustrate the history of the colony during the administration of Sir Edmund Andros. Transcribed and edited in accordance with a resolution of the General Assembly. By J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL. Hartford: Case, Lockwood & Co. 8vo. pp. 538.

have almost exclusively engrossed the attention of the Court, are rarely mentioned in the records. There was abundant reason for this in the fact that every page was written in the expectation that it might soon be subjected to the scrutiny of an arbitrary governor.

The great value of this volume consists in the selection that the editor has made from the papers in the state archives, which throw light upon this part of our history. He has succeeded in giving a documentary history of this period which, we doubt not, is as complete as possible. He informs us that every document which is preserved in the Connecticut archives has been carefully examined, and either printed in full or a sufficient abstract given. The laws enacted for New England, by Andros and the council, are now, for the first time, printed from a copy belonging to the Library of Yale College. Extracts have been made from Gershom Bulkeley's curious narrative, entitled "Will and Doom," &c., which supply many interesting particulars with regard to the opening and closing scenes of the administration of Andros in Connecticut. Extracts have also been made from the volumes of "Usurpation" Papers, in the Secretary's office in Boston. The work of transcribing and editing seems to have been done with discrimination and in the most thorough manner, and the volume is everywhere enriched with notes which testify to the care and labor which have been bestowed upon it.

NOTES ON THE FLORIDIAN PENINSULAR.*-This unpretending little volume, evidently a labor of love, is valuable for its biblio-graphical information with regard to the history of East Florida. It furnishes a critical account of the numerous works upon that country which have come under the inspection of the author. They are grouped in six sections; works pertaining (1) to the early explorations; (2) to the French colonies; (3) to the first Spanish supremacy; (4) to the English supremacy; (5) to the second Spanish supremacy; and (6) to the supremacy of the United States. The volume contains several chapters devoted to information with regard to the different Indian tribes who have inhabited the peninsular; and there are descriptions given also of the Indian mounds and other antiquities which abound in the country. Mr. Brinton does not give us any intimation whether he intends to make further use, himself, of the abundant materials which he must have

any

*Notes on the Floridian Peninsalar, its literary History, Indian Tribes, and Antiquities. By DANIEL G. BRINTON, A. B. Philadelphia: King & Baird. 1859. 18mo. pp. 202.