RECENT BRITISH PUBLICATIONS. R. LARDNER'S Railway Economy, published in don by TAYLOR & Co., and republished in a neat o. vol. by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York, is characterized by the Railway Times: o work has as yet appeared-(certainly not in land)-which has so thoroughly and compreheny investigated the elements of the railway em. he Athenæum speaks of it thus: informs the student of all that is at present vn of the general outlines of the subject. It s him of the difficulties that remain to be over experiences amongst the curiously mixed population of Barbary; with many important facts and much useful intelligence. In acquainting herself with domestic life and habits as they exist in the states of Barbary, from the marble palace of the "Sultan of the Camp" to the hovel of the most impoverished Morisco, our fair voyageuse has exhibited extraordinary zeal, courage, and perseverance. Her descriptions of the inner penetralia of the luxurious Harem bring very close to reality the gorgeous pictures of the Arabian Nights. Ripley's History of the War with Mexico, origi e-indicates the truths which appear to be al-nally published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New y established, and, at all events, places before a comprehensive and frequently a minute chart he entire field of inquiry. he Builder thus: great compendium of interesting and impormatter written in a style excellently well adapt-o a miscellaneous public perusal, and ought to the possession of every shareholder, and of all ed in any way interested in railways. ait's Magazine thus: he most elaborate work on railways-their teney, their origin, progress, advantages, defects, prospects of amendment-that we have yet ife of H. R. H. the Duke of Kent, by Rev. Ers= Neale, M. A., published by BENTLEY, London, is xen of as a very interesting work. The Spectasays: he author has given us a clear narrative of the cipal features of the Duke's Life. He appears ave had access to the Papers and Corresponce of the personal friends of the Duke. For his ant conduct in the West Indies the Prince ived the thanks of both Houses of Parliat,-the only member of his family who earned compliment for services actually rendered in field. The Britannia remarks: The interest attaching to this work is unbounded. biography and vindication of the father of - Majesty cannot but command attention. All st acknowledge the ability, earnestness, and deCon with which it is written. The biography is to overflowing with interesting details. Leaves from a Lady's Diary of her Travels in -ica. 2 volumes, published by COLBURN, London. The Chronicle says of the work: These exceedingly interesting volumes contain a v lively and groobie narrative of the author York, and republished in London by Low, the Athenæum speaks well of it: The vindication of the American policy is asserted in Mr. Ripley's volumes. The author is a brevetmajor in the United States Army, and first lieutenant of the second regiment of Artillery; and appears in many respects to be sufficiently well qualified for giving a professional analysis of the international conflict which he has undertaken to record. It was after thirty years of peaceful government that his own republic found itself engaged in war with a neighboring one. The real cause of the contest, however, was much older than its immediate occasion. Mr. Ripley traces it to the difference in origin of the two Republics:-to their differences in character and in religion. Reginald Hastings, a new historical Romance, by BROTHERS. Eliot Warburton, has been reprinted by HARPER & The press generally lauds the work. The Literary Gazette says: As a historical romancist, Mr. Warburton takes a first rank. The present romance possesses all the value of a history. It is replete with power and interest. The work must be read with the vivid feeling created by powerful descriptions of events which no invention could surpass, and exhibitions of character excited to the highest pitch of which human nature is susceptible by the most extraordinary circumstances of national crises and individual perils. The John Bull says: Mr. Warburton's "Reginald Hastings" belongs to a high order of historical romance. The story is told with great dramatic effect, the characters are delineated with admirable distinctness, society in those troublous times is depicted with no less fidelity to truth than artistic power. The contrast be tween the high-toned cavalier and the fanatical puritan is admirably drawn. The Morning Herald says: We do not hesitate to predict for this work a pop f the events therein so truly and so charmingly portrayed. Never have the Civil Wars of England been invested with greater fascination or interest. Few works of fiction could present us with more tartling incidents or more striking contrasts. In Reginald Hastings" we have the high-minded and hivalric cavalier communicating to us his own dash ng and dangerous career, and making us familiar with the social life and manners of the eventful eriod in which he lived, and bringing vividly before s the leading distinguished personages who had so arge a share in the military and political events of he time. We have the courtly and crafty Digby, he court wit and beauty Lady Carlisle, the gallant Cupert, and the high-minded Falkland; Charles, ith his crowd of fawning, selfish favorites; Cromwell, Pym, Holles, and Felton; and along with the more stirring incidents of the war is skilfully interoven as tangled a maze of love as ever tried the onstancy of gallant knight. Leigh Hunt's Autobiography, a most interesting ork, about to be issued from the press of the HARERS, in this city, is pleasantly viewed by the urnals. The New Monthly Magazine introduces critique in the following way: Everything that comes from the pen of Leigh unt is pleasant reading. However desultory and anting in method and continuity, however redolent the perversities and idiosyncracies of the indidual, there is an agreeable naïveté, a love of all at is simple, good, unaffected, and a charm of style nd language, which never fails to win the reader's tention and interest. Mr. Bayard Taylor's Eldorado, originally publishby MR. PUTNAM, of New York, and reprinted by ENTLEY, London, is highly spoken of. The Athe um says: | humble origin, he, by his own exertions, attained high distinction among his countrymen. His life was, "in great part, that of a student. His youthful days were passed in preparation for his profession. His manhood was engrossed by forensic labors. Old age found him crowned with the honors of a faithfully earned judicial renown." Yet, amidst all the engrossing avocations of his active career, he neglected none of the amenities of life. His intercourse with a wide circle of friends, seems to have been "embellished with all the graces which a benevolent heart, a playful temperament, and a happy facility of discourse, were able to impart ;" and as a natural consequence, he was beloved by all who had the advantage of being acquainted with him. From the fragment of an autobiography extending over ten years of Wirt's childhood, are given some interesting extracts, in the form of reminiscenses of that period of the future Attorney-General's life. These are written with great spirit, and in a pleasing style, and serve to awaken regret that the autobiography was not continued. It must, however, be allowed that the numerous letters which are given afford no mean substitute for a regular narrative, since they afford much insight into the mind of the amiable writer, and relate to persons of note and events of great interest at the time they were written; penned, as they were, without the most distant view to publication, they exhibit the writer in his moments of free and unreserved communion with those whom he held in the highest esteem; in the dicate the character of his manners;" and they as words of his biographer, "his letters sufficiently infully illustrate "his affection toward his family, his attachment to his friends, his charity and benevolence toward mankind, his courage, his self-respect, and his integrity." Tennyson's New Poem, In Memoriam, about to be republished by TICKNOR, FIELD, & Co., is enthusiastically praised by the London literary journals. The Athenæum has a fine critique. The Westminster Review thus speaks of it: This is a capital book :-in whichever way it is nsidered, brimful of instruction. What a coment on and illustration of the times we are living is the fact that the new Eldorado is already an story! Not only have its towns, churches, courtuses, theatres, burst up from the earth so rapidly Of a surety there is but one known poet, now at, like the grass in Wordsworth's ballad, you living, who could have produced this exquisite n almost hear them growing,"-but we distant volume. David and Jonathan, Damon and Pythias ople have already been treated to a golden libra- -all that old tradition has given us of devoted, almost voluminous enough to satisiy Miss Kil. loving friendship between man and man-highinsegg herself. The marvel has not lost its bright-souled man-is here embodied. No mere sense of ss, but the shining thereof has lost its wonder by son of its plenteousness. This premised, we ast add that, among the hundred volumes already ued on the subject, Mr. Bayard Taylor's seem to us together the best and liveliest. Not merely does possess an open mind, he has also a discerning e (as a pilgrim to Eldorado should have), and a at hand at description. An entire early chapter the discovery, for instance, is conveyed in the umbling complaints of a woman with whom Mr. yard Taylor fell in while sheltering from the rain e evening near the Sacramento. Memoirs of William Wirt, by John P. Kennedy, d originally published by LEA & BLANCHARD, attachment, which may exist among the commonest of mankind, but the perfect perception of all that is highest and finest-all that is true, and beautiful, and religious, in the noblest sense, linked these two great hearts together. Alas, that they should have been separated! "Death put our lives so far apart, Not now can this volume be dwelt on, for it is not of the ephemera. Suggestive of all high and holy thoughts, we leave its sympathetic appreciation to be dealt with in a future number. Meanwhile, we bid all weary-laden spirits receive it for a hymn |