"While we rejoice with you in what has been accomplished by this association during its brief existence it must not be forgotten that much still remains

to be done. A new hospital, such a one as will reflect credit upon yourselves and the empire city of the Union, is demanded. The legislature at its last session made an appropriation of $5,000, on condition that double that amount should first be raised by private subscriptions. A portion of the specified sum, we are happy to say, has been obtained and deposited in the savings bank of this city at interest. And but for the great derangement in the finances of the city and country, it is believed the whole amount would have been raised before this time. We trust before the next annual report is issued the whole amount will have been obtained, and then the entire list of contributors to the building fund will be published, and will continue to be published in cach succeeding report, as the benefactors of the institution.

"When the claims of the Eye and Ear Infirmary, in the city of Boston, were made known to the public, seventy thousand dollars were raised in subscriptions varying from $10 to $10,000 each. Mr. Shaw, president of the institution, gave $5,000 himself; two individuals bequeathed $10,000 each; two $5,000 each; twenty gave $1,000 each; eight $500; fifty-three from $100 to 8400; fifty-six from $20 to $50.

"Here is a noble example, of which our sister city may justly be proud-let us imitate it. Why should not New-York, the London of America, in commerce, in wealth, and in population, excel it?

"The surgeons of this institution have never received one dollar as a remuneration for their services, nor do they ever expect to. All they ask is, that the public will furnish them with a suitable building to carry out the original design of its founders.

"We plead not for ourselves-it is for that lonely widow whose afflicted child seeks your charity; it is for that poor amaurotic seamstress, to whom the world has become almost a universal blank, whose aching eyes and weary fingers have known no rest until the midnight hour.

"It is for that sightless laborer, whose ceaseless efforts in behalf of his dependent offspring have been continued mid summer's fervid sun and winter's piercing cold-it is for these we extend the hand of charity.

"It was this very class of sufferers that moved with compassion Him who is emphatically styled the Great Physician, to open the eyes of one who was born blind.

"We most cordially invite our fellow-citizens to send any who are in need of this charity, and to visit the institution themselves, that they may judge of its merits. We are confident it cannot fail to awaken feelings of deep sympathy and enlarged benevolence. "MARK STEPHENSON, M. D. "JOHN P. GARRISH, M. D.

"No. 6 Stuyvesant-street, Jan. 1st., 1855."

PRIZE ESSAYS.-One of the most important perhaps the most important of this class of literary schemes has lately made its periodical announcement in England. We refer to the famous Burnett or "Aberdeen Theological Prizes," founded nearly one hundred years ago. These prizes are two in number; they are competed for every forty years; and they are for the two best essays on the Being of a God. This year, the first prize, in value $9,000, was adjudged to the Rev. Robert Anchor Thompson, M. A., Louth; and the second, value $3,000, to Rev. Professor Tulloch, Principal of St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

There were two hundred and eight treatises lodged. The adjudicators were Professor Baden Powell, Oxford, Isaac Taylor, Esq., and Professor Henry Rogers, of the Birmingham Independent Colleges. The adjudicators were unanimous in their judgment. The sealed envelops were opened in the town hall of Aberdeen, in the presence of the trustees and a large assemblage of the principal citizens. The prize fund has grown so large that parliament is to be petitioned for important changes in its use. These new books will be looked for with no little interest. The names of the adjudicators, rather more than the names of the authors, justify the hope of something valuable. The present Archbishop of Canterbury was a successful competitor on the last occasion of these prizes being contended for.

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.-How foreigners regard our quarrel about this munificent foreign benefaction, may be seen in an elaborate article which the London Athenaum gives on the subject. It says:—

"The controversy waxes warm and threatens the destruction of the institution. Should the local policy prevail, we shall have a national library and museum of the United States owing their establishment to the munificence of a foreigner-whose funds were per verted from their legitimate objects for this purpose, and whose countrymen, in common with their fellow "men," are thus cut off from the benefits he trusted American honor to secure to them. Proverbially sensitive to the opinion of other nations, the Americans can hardly, we suppose, be aware of the favorable influence the Smithsonian Institution has exerted upon the European reputation of their country, or they would pause before resigning it to the hands of its enemies. Its 'Contributions to Knowledge,' creditable as well for the character of their matter as for the beauty of their typographic dress, are distributed by a well-ordered system of exchanges to every important scientific and literary institution in Christendom, and have not been confined thus far to any special department of knowledge. They bear testimony to the zeal and ability with which all branches are being cultivated in America. No copyright in the publications is secured, and they are thus thrown freely open to all who may wish to use them as materials for more popular works.

"The latest list in our possession shows that thus far additions have been made to knowledge by the publication of researches in the departments of Astronomy, Bibliography, Botany, Chemistry, Comparative Physiology, Electricity, Entomology, Ethnology, Geology, Ichthyology, Language, Meteorology, Physique, Physical Geography and Terrestrial Magnetism. The 'contributions' on these subjects occupy, besides several octavo volumes, four imperial quartos of three hundred and fifty to five hundred and fifty-nine pages, the mechanical execution of which is unexceptionable and even luxurious. Each paper or work has been examined and approved by a commission of competent judges, and decided to be an actual addition to knowledge. We cannot but think that researches such as these, presented in such a form and with such a sanction, distributed to the men of every land best able to beneficial results which are sure eventually to flow appreciate their worth, and to draw from them those from new truth, however abstract, greatly outweigh, as agencies for increasing and diffusing knowledge among men, anything to be anticipated from the establishment at Washington of a great library and museum, useful as these might no doubt be within the narrow circle of that capital. The history of the British Museum ought to warn the friends of the latter scheme, that no limited private bequest, however magnificent, can provide adequately for such an establishment."

Now these strike us as sensible remarks, worthy of being heeded by the pugnacious regents at Washington. Our quarrels over this great project are a reproach to letters and to the nation, and should cease speedily.

Book

Bishop M'Ilvaine. — Messrs. Carters, New-York, have published, in a substantial octavo, a new work from the pen of the excellent Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Ohio, entitled The Truth and Life. It comprises twenty-two sermons. These discourses savor somewhat of the denominational sentiments of the bishop, but they will be read by Protestants, of all names, with delight. What is combative in them relates chiefly to Popery-otherwise they are devoted to the most vital topics of revealed truth-Christ, and the relations of his ministers and people to him. They are good specimens of Bishop M'Ilvaine's lucid style, close and clear thinking, and evangelical spirit.

Irving.-Wolfert's Roost, and Other Papers now first collected, is the title of a new volume from Washington Irving. The name of the venerable author upon the title-page of a volume precludes all possibility of criticism. It sets the public agog for the book even in the hardest times. The first article is a charming sketch of Irving's own "Roost," in the genuine Knickerbocker style. The other papers of the volume are somewhat familiar, but hardly the less welcome for that. We shall notice this charming book in our next with extracts. Meanwhile, we can assure the readers of Irving that they take it up after closing the Sketch-Book without disappointment. Putnam has issued it in his best style.

Doddridge. One of the best works ever yet given to the world, on vital religion, is Doddridge's Practical Discourses on Regeneration. Doddridge had the clearest apprehension of the sense of Holy Scripture. He was remarkably apt in the illustration of its sense-especially of the "deep things" of God in experimental divinity. We never tire of his sensible "Expositor," and his "Rise and Progress" is one of the best of our religious classics. His Practical Discourses are not so widely known, but deserve to be. The American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia, has recently issued them in a neat 18mo. edition, preceded with a good memoir of the author.

Foote.-The School of Christ; or, Christianity in its Leading Aspects, is the title of a small, but neatly "got up "volume from the pen of Rev. A. S. R. Foote, and published by Gould & Lincoln, Boston. It treats of Christianity as a life, a work, a reward, a culture, a discipline, and a fellowship, and brings out thus what is specially vital in true religion. The temper of the book is refreshingly Christ-like, its development of its topics is clear and strong, its style might be amended; it gives some hard thrusts at prevalent religious evils, including Popery; it is a strengthening book.

Weaver.-The Ways of Life, is the title of a work from the pen of Rev. G. S. Weaver, issued by Fowlers & Wells, New-York. It is designed to show the Right Way and the Wrong Way, under the titles of the High Way and Low Way; the True Way and False Way; the Upward Way

and Downward Way; the Way of Honor and the Way of Dishonor. These chapters were lectures delivered in public, and are now issued at the instance of those who heard them; they are replete with sterling thoughts, and their style is lucid and nervous.

The Footsteps of St. Paul.-A substantial volume bearing this title appeared in England some time since, from the pen of the popular The author of "Morning and Night Watches,' Wood Cutter of Lebanon," &c. Messrs. Carters, New-York, have issued it in excellent style, with map and numerous engravings. Critical researches have, within a few years, thrown an unexpected amount of new light on the history of the "Great Apostle." The present author concentrates this new information with much skill. Paul is considered as a youth, scholar, persecutor, convert, fugitive, missionary, traveler, martyr, &c. The book is rich in instruction and evangelical sentiment.

Spicer. An instructive little volume bearing the title of The Way to Heaven, from the pen of Rev. T. Spicer, A. M., has been sent us by Carlton & Phillips, New-York. It treats of the depravity and moral wretchedness of man, and the Scriptural mode of his recovery. The book is full of good counsels, and presents no small amount of close theological discussion. Mr. Spicer thinks clearly and soundly, and has a direct, explicit style which cannot fail to make his subjects distinct and pungent to all readers.

Harper's Gazetteer of the World has reached its ninth number. The next number concludes it. There is a minuteness and condensation about its articles which give it precedence of any other work of the kind which we have yet had in this country. So we judge, at least, from the few irregular numbers which have reached us.

The Mind of Jesus is the title of another little volume, from the pen of the author of "The Footsteps of St. Paul." It is a delineation of the moral character of our Lord—his meekness, patience, humility, benevolence, &c. The abstract consideration of these Christian traits would seem to be a trite task; but the author has drawn them as features in the portrait of the God-man, and given them the vitality and interest of real life. There is an evangelical richness-a fragrant unction about the books of this writer, that cannot fail to make them Carter & Broprecious to Christian minds. thers, New-York.

Alice Cary.-A substantial duodecimo, containing the poems of Alice Cary, ("our own correspondent,") has been issued by Ticknor & Fields, Boston, a house that comes very near to the best London publishers in the mechanical neatness of its publications. This volume includes the old favorites of Miss Cary's poems, with some very fine additions, one of which is the gem of the collection-a poem of more than seventy

pages most thoroughly elaborated in style, and replete with beautiful and subtle thought. We regret its publication at the fag-end of this book: however superior the book itself may be as a whole, the Maiden of Tlascala-a Romance of the Golden Age of Tezenco-should have been given to the public by itself, in the choicest mechanical style, and with some of Darley's gems of illustration. It would have done more for both the fame and funds of Miss Cary than this whole volume can ever do. The London Athenæum and the Paris Debats have placed

Alice Cary in the first rank of modern female writers. As she appears in every number of this Magazine, our readers are becoming familiar with her rare genius; no American woman sings more sweetly, (albeit too sadly,) no one narrates better story. We intend to return to this volume again, and to transfer to our pages some of its riches; meanwhile we hope the book will precede us in many a refined and happy home, where native genius and genuine poetry can find a hearty welcome, in even these "hard times."

"We have announced to be published early in 1855 a biography which will run a race with the recent life of William Jay for popularity-it is that of Dr. Robert Newton, the celebrated evangelist and orator, who for the space of fifty-three years fulfilled his course as an itinerant minister among the Wesleyan Methodists. For eloquence in Great Britain since the present century commenced, the following has been the order among divines:-Robert Hall, the Baptist, occupied the first place; Dr. Chalmers, the Presbyterian, the second; and Dr. Newton the third. The lives of Hall and Chalmers have secured a permanent place in British literature; and it will be the fault not of the subject, but of the biographer, if Dr. Newton's do not secure a place equally commanding and enduring. The biographer selected is the Rev. Thomas Jackson, to whom we already owe the lives of John Goodwin and Richard Watson; but Dr. Newton has happily left belfind him a copious diary, which has been purchased for the use of Mr. Jackson. From the immense circuit of his travels, Dr. Newton became personally known to myriads; to know him was to admire him; and we may hence infer that the purchasers and readers of his memorials will be numbered by tens of thou

sands."

We notice that the Tract Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church has already announced a cheap edition of this work, from the press of Carlton & Phillips, of this city. Methodism has vastly more readers in this country than in England, and the name of Newton is a household word among its families. The book will sell vastly.

The Fort Edward Institute, N. Y., has issued its Catalogue for the first term with a summary of five hundred and fourteen students, nearly two hundred of them ladies. It has twenty-one teachers, headed by Rev. Joseph E. King, one of the best of principals. This institution has displayed extraordinary spirit in its outset.

"Eastford" is confidently affirmed to be written by George Lunt, Esq. The New-York Evangelist says that it is probably a transcript of real life; but who are designed to be hit by

its forcible strokes, it is not known.

Professor Stowe, writing to the Portland Inquirer to correct the mistake of that paper in attributing the authorship of Ida May to Mrs. Torrey, says: "I am not at liberty to reveal the author; yet I can say thus much, that though this book was not written by the author of Uncle Tom, yet both these works owe their

Chronicle conjectures that the author of the work in question is Mrs. Mary Green Pike, of Calais, Maine, a lady, who has, for some time, been a contributor to the literary journals of Philadelphia.

Carlton & Phillips, New-York, have in press a Life of the late Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by Rev. Dr. Clark. It cannot fail to possess great interest, and to be of much historical value to the Church.

The same publishers are about to issue also a work from the pen of Rev. Bishop Baker, on the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, combining all the necessary rules of proceedings in public bodies, &c.,-a sort of administrative manual for Church officers and Conferences. No man in the denomination is better fitted for such a task than Dr. Baker.

From the same house we expect soon another important volume-a dissertation on the illustrations and confirmations of revealed truth, which are afforded by history and science. It is from the hand of Professor Haven, of Michigan University-one of the most polished intellects now in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The University of Berlin, (standing very nearly at the head of the German Universities,) reports the following number of students for the present year, viz.: In the theological faculty 216, (of whom 42 are foreigners ;) in the medical faculty, 280, (of whom 44 are foreigners ;) in the law faculty 659, (of whom 113 are foreigners;) in the philosophical faculty 329, (of whom 108 are foreigners;) total (matriculated students) 1,484, (of whom 370 are foreigners.) There are, besides, 618 unmatriculated students, making the whole number attending lectures 2,102. Of these about twenty-five are Americans, most of whom are matriculated as members of the philosophical department.

Dr. Sprague's "Visit to European Celebrities" has been issued by Gould & Lincoln. The same author's "History of American Divines," it is expected, will be completed in about a year, and will consist of five volumes.

Victor Hugo, the celebrated French poet and republican, will, it is said, shortly pay a visit to the United States.

We like much the programme of studies and training presented in the last Catalogue of the Farmers' Hall Academy, Goshen, N. Y. It attaches much, but not too much, importance to physical education. The faculty is under the principalship of D. S. Towle, A. M. The number of students reported is one hundred and thirty.

G. H. Hollister, Esq., of Litchfield, Conn., has nearly ready for publication a history of that state, upon which he has been for some years engaged. Mr. Hollister was a graduate of the class of 1840 at Yale, was the class poet, and stood in the very front rank as a literary man. The (supposed) betrothal ring of Shakspeare and Ann Hathaway was sold at the auction of Mr. Crofton Croker's curiosities in London, for $36 25. At the same sale copies of the first five editions of Walton's " Angler" sold together for $147 50.

A Welsh correspondent of the Independent says:

"The people of Wales are well furnished with religious literature in their own language. We have two original commentaries on the whole Bible, and an unabridged translation of the commentaries of Matthew Henry and Dr. Coke; two original commentaries on the New Testament and translations of the respective works of Gill, Guise, Adam Clarke, and Davidson; and your correspondent is now engaged translating Barnes's Notes. Four volumes are already published. We have also a large number of Biblical and Theological Dictionaries, bodies of divinity, ecclesiastical histories, &c. An Encyclopædia is now in course of publication, to be completed in twelve large volumes. It is also proper to mention that Uncle Tom's Cabin has found four different, but very able translators in Wales."

The Catalogue of the Fort Plain Seminary, N. Y., for the winter term, reports no less than four hundred students, nearly two hundred of whom were ladies. Its course of instruction

is thorough, and its faculty, under the principalship of Rev. J. E. Latimer, embraces some seventeen instructors.

Mr. Lockhart's books will be added to the library at Abbotsford. Mr. Lockhart, it is understood, has destroyed much of his extensive, and, it is easy to believe, valuable correspond

ence.

His predecessor in the editorship of the Quarterly did the same.

Mr. Prescott, it is said, has completed the great historical work on which he has been engaged for some years, "The History of the Reign of Philip the Second." It will make three volumes, the first of which is already stereotyped, and the whole are expected to be published in the spring. The materials have been drawn from the principal archives and private libraries of Europe, especially in Spain.

tended as 66
A Contribution to the History of
Religious Opinion," by Rev. Robert Alfred
Vaughan, B. A., 2 volumes, 8vo.

A rather novel literary project is just started in connexion with the two old English universities. It is that of publishing a yearly volume of Essays, differing somewhat from, and yet somewhat resembling the literature of the quarterlies. The Oxford volume is announced under the title of " Oxford Essays," written by members of the University of Oxford. The Cambridge one is to follow, under a similar title. The prospectus states that these volumes "will be devoted principally to the discussion of literary or scientific subjects." It is expected, notwithstanding, in some quarters, that the peculiarities rife at Oxford may give a tone to at least one of these works not in harmony with orthodox sentiment.

The oldest book in the United States, it is said, is a manuscript Bible in the possession of Dr. Witherspoon, of Alabama, written over a thousand years ago! He describes it as follows:

"The book is strongly bound in boards of the old English oak, and with thongs, by which the leaves are also well bound together. The leaves aro entirely made of parchment of a most superior quality, of fineness and smoothness little inferior to the best satin. The pages are all ruled with great accuracy, and written with great uniformity and beauty in the old German text hand, and divided off into chapters and

verses.

"The first chapter of every book in the Bible is written with a large capital of inimitable beauty, and splendidly illuminated with red, blue, and black ink, still in vivid colors; and no two of the capital letters in the book are precisely alike."

A work is about to issue from the Portland press which cannot fail to interest many read

ers.

It will be entitled "Our Pastor, or Remmember of his Church, whose long acquaintance iniscences of the Rev. Dr. Payson," by a former with the subject of his work preeminently qualifies him to supply what may yet be wanting to complete the personal and official portraiture of a great and good man.

A German publisher-M. Perthes, of Gothawho is bringing out a new edition of Pliny, allnounces that one of the volumes will contain a fac-simile of a recently discovered palimpsest of the fourth century, entitled "C. Plini Secundi Naturæ Historiarum, lib. xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, fragmenta." This palimpsest, it is said, "fixes the title of the work of Pliny, and gives numerous variations, principally for names and figures; and it is of great literary interest, from the new words, the ancient forms of language, and the specimens of provincial Latinity which it contains."

pages most thoroughly elaborated in style, and replete with beautiful and subtle thought. We regret its publication at the fag-end of this book: however superior the book itself may be as a whole, the Maiden of Tlascala-a Romance of the Golden Age of Tezenco-should have been given to the public by itself, in the choicest mechanical style, and with some of Darley's gems of illustration. It would have done more for both the fame and funds of Miss Cary than this whole volume can ever do. The London Atheneum and the Paris Debats have placed

Alice Cary in the first rank of modern female writers. As she appears in every number of this Magazine, our readers are becoming famil iar with her rare genius; no American woman sings more sweetly, (albeit too sadly,) no one narrates better story. We intend to return to this volume again, and to transfer to our pages some of its riches; meanwhile we hope the book will precede us in many a refined and happy home, where native genius and genuine poetry can find a hearty welcome, in even these "hard times."

Dr. Robert Newton.-An English correspondent of the Philadelphia (Presbyterian) Christian Observer says:

"We have announced to be published early in 1855 a biography which will run a race with the recent life of William Jay for popularity-it is that of Dr. Robert Newton, the celebrated evangelist and orator, who for the space of fifty-three years fulfilled his course as an itinerant minister among the Wesleyan Methodists. For eloquence in Great Britain since the present century commenced, the following has been the order among divines:-Robert Hall, the Baptist, occupied the first place; Dr. Chalmers, the Presbyterian, the second; and Dr. Newton the third. The lives of Hall and Chalmers have secured a permanent place in British literature; and it will be the fault not of the subject, but of the biographer, if Dr. Newton's do not secure a place equally commanding and enduring. The biographer selected is the Rev. Thomas Jackson, to whom we already owe the lives of John Goodwin and Richard Watson; but Dr. Newton has happily left belfind him a copious diary, which has been purchased for the use of Mr. Jackson. From the immense circuit of his travels, Dr. Newton became personally known to myriads; to know him was to admire him; and we may hence infer that the purchasers and readers of his memorials will be numbered by tens of thou

sands."

We notice that the Tract Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church has already announced a cheap edition of this work, from the press of Carlton & Phillips, of this city. Methodism has vastly more readers in this country than in England, and the name of Newton is a household word among its families. The book will sell vastly.

The Fort Edward Institute, N. Y., has issued its Catalogue for the first term with a summary of five hundred and fourteen students, nearly two hundred of them ladies. It has twenty-one teachers, headed by Rev. Joseph E. King, one of the best of principals. This institution has displayed extraordinary spirit in its outset.

Eastford" is confidently affirmed to be written by George Lunt, Esq. The New-York Evangelist says that it is probably a transcript of real life; but who are designed to be hit by its forcible strokes, it is not known.

Professor Stowe, writing to the Portland Inquirer to correct the mistake of that paper in attributing the authorship of Ida May to Mrs. Torrey, says: "I am not at liberty to reveal the author; yet I can say thus much, that though this book was not written by the author of Uncle Tom, yet both these works owe their

maternity to the State of Maine." The Boston Chronicle conjectures that the author of the work in question is Mrs. Mary Green Pike, of Calais, Maine, a lady, who has, for some time, been a contributor to the literary journals of Philadelphia.

Carlton & Phillips, New-York, have in press a Life of the late Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by Rev. Dr. Clark. It cannot fail to possess great interest, and to be of much historical value to the Church.

The same publishers are about to issue also a work from the pen of Rev. Bishop Baker, on the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, combining all the necessary rules of proceedings in public bodies, &c.,-a sort of administrative manual for Church officers and Conferences. No man in the denomination is better fitted for such a task than Dr. Baker.

From the same house we expect soon another important volume-a dissertation on the illustrations and confirmations of revealed truth, which are afforded by history and science. It is from the hand of Professor Haven, of Michigan University-one of the most polished intellects now in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The University of Berlin, (standing very nearly at the head of the German Universities,) reports the following number of students for the present year, viz.: In the theological faculty 216, (of whom 42 are foreigners;) in the medical faculty, 280, (of whom 44 are foreigners) in the law faculty 659, (of whom 113 are for eigners;) in the philosophical faculty 329, whom 108 are foreigners;) total (matriculat students) 1,484, (of whom 370 are foreign There are, besides, 618 unmatriculated stud making the whole number attending lec 2,102. Of these about twenty-five are A cans, most of whom are matriculated as bers of the philosophical department.

Dr. Sprague's "Visit to European Cele! has been issued by Gould & Lincoln. Th author's "History of American Divine expected, will be completed in about a v

will consist of five volumes.

Victor Hugo, the celebrated Frenc republican, will, it is said, shortly; to the United States.