BOOKS FOR CHILDREN. -The 'juvenile portion of the community' are not a little indebted to Mr. JOHN S. TAYLOR, Park-Row, for the many beautiful, entertaining, and instructive volumes, which he is from time to time putting forth, for their pleasure and improvement. Among his late issues, are two, which are especially intended as Christmas presents. They are entitled 'Stories from Scripture,' and 'Moral Lessons and Stories,' and are beautifully printed, and illustrated by that prince of wood-engravers, ADAMS, in his best style. Both in externals and matter, they deserve warm commendation. The same publisher has issued two little books, of a similar character, entitled 'The Lofty and the Lowly Way,' and the 'Triumph of Faith, and Songs of Heaven.' RELIGIOUS ANNUALS. We had intended an elaborate notice of two native annuals, of distinguished merit, the CHRISTIAN KEEPKSAKE, and the RELIGIOUS SOUVENIR ; but important avocations have prevented. The first-named, and the largest volume, is edited by Rev. JOHN A. CLARK, Philadelphia, and illustrated in the first style of American art. Its literary contents, it may be remarked, are in good keeping with its externals. The 'Souvenir' is edited by Mrs. SIGOURNEY, which is an abundant guaranty for the excellence of its literary department; while the engravings and typographical execution sustain the high character which the work has hitherto enjoyed.

'EVENINGS AT HOME.'-THE LIFE OF CHRIST.- 'Evenings at Home, or the Juvenile Budget Opened,' is the title of a handsome volume, of some four hundred quarto pages, most liberally and beautifully ornamented and illustrated, by ADAMS; the contents, varied and interesting, by Dr. AIKIN and Mrs. BARBAULD. This is, in every respect, a very agreeable and handsome Christmas-Gift. Its publishers, the BROTHERS Harper, have also issued, in a similar dress, and with a like number and character of adornments, 'The Life of CHRIST, in the Words of the Evangelists: a complete Harmony of the Gospel History of our SAVIOUR; for the use of young persons.'

'THE MIDDY, Or Scenes from the Life of EDWARD LASCELLES,' is the title of a novel in two volumes, from the press of Messrs. CAREY AND HART. We have little hesitation in pronouncing it one of the best sea-novels of the season. The style of the work is good, the descriptions graphic, and the grouping of the incidents artist-like and dramatic. The many imitations of 'Peter Simple,' which have been spawned upon the public, have made us suspicious of this species of composition; but a few such works as the one before us, would go far toward mitigating the most confirmed distaste.

'THE CHRISTMAS GIFT,' published by APPLETON, is one of the cleverest annuals of the season. It is absolutely crowded with various delightful pictorial conceits, from the pencil of CHAPMAN. We need only say of its literary contents, that they bear incontestable evidence of having been furnished by one who has before contributed to American literature an equally pleasant 'Salmagundi.'

'COUNTRY STORIES.' Here are twelve charming stories, by Miss MITFORD, each one of which is worth more than the trifling sum demanded for the volume. A cheerful spirit, a fine eye for the beautiful in nature, and the graceful pen of a ready writer, have so long been associated with the name of this clever authoress, that it were a work of supererogation to commend her sketches to favorable acceptance.

EXHIBITION AT THE BARCLAY-STREET ACADEMY. - The fine pictures by DUBUFE, of 'Don Juan, Haidee, and Lambro,' The Circassian Slave,' 'St. John in the Desert,' and 'The Princess of Capua,' have already been mentioned, in terms of deserved praise, in these pages. To this distinguished collection are now added, "The Destruction of Jerusalem,' a noble production of WICHELO, and 'The Revolt in Paris,' by Giraud.

CHESTERFIELD.-The Brothers' HARPER have published, in a large and handsome volume, of six hundred and fifty pages, 'The Works of LORD CHESTERFIELD, including his 'Letters to his Son,' etc. ; to which is prefixed an Original Life of the Author. First complete American edition.' The mere title of this work, indicates its character.

THE FINE ARTS: 'DUNLAP EXHIBITION,' STUYVESANT INSTITUTE. Here are upward of two hundred pictures, very many of them of the rarest beauty and value, from the pencils of eminent masters, which we should be glad to notice in detail, but for the fact, that we have small space, and would at once direct the reader to the exhibition, which will remain open only a brief period after this Magazine is issued. In addition to the works of modern artists, who (with numerous distinguished possessors, and patrons of the art,) have contributed liberally of their best, there are eminent productions of COPLEY, WEST, STUART, and others, altogether making a collection, which it is better worth a dollar than twenty-five cents (the small sum demanded) to procure a sight of. The proceeds are to be devoted to the printing of the valuable history of the 'New-Netherlands,' which was warmly commended in our November number.

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PAINTING. — In a brief notice, in our last number, of the labors of Mr. HITE, (whose exquisite miniatures of children have excited the admiration of all who have visited his rooms at the Astor House,) we referred, incidentally, to Mr. POWELL, who, 'upon young shoulders carries the weight of years,' in the matter of art. His portraits deserve all the encomiums which they have received. The picture of Miss TREE, at the Stuyvesant Institute, in color, drawing, and general effect, is such as to cause many to doubt that it is the production of a young gentleman, not twenty years of age; but such is the fact. Yet, excellent as is this portrait, it is not his most felicitous effort. Mr. POWELL's rooms are at No. 90 Chambers-street.

'AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM.'- Having given, in our October number, a review, from the pen of J. FENIMORE COOFER, ESQ., of LOCKHART's Life of SCOTT, we could not, in justice to another correspondent, decline a communication which takes antagonist ground, and aims to rebut the alleged facts and arguments of the first-mentioned article. Both sides of the question are now before our readers, with whom we leave the decision of the matter.

MUSIC AND PRINT ESTABLISHMENT. - Messrs. DAVIS AND HORNE, the latter so well known to the public as a delightful musician and vocalist, have opened an establishment at No. 411 Broadway, for the sale of piano-fortes, musical instruments, music, fine prints, etc. The professional skill and knowledge of the parties, will be a sufficient guaranty of the excellence of their commodities.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. - Numerous communications, with several from favorite contributors, bide their time for the new volume, the first number of which, in a new and handsome dress, will appear on the first of January proximo. In addition to the articles and series of articles mentioned in our last, we shall present, in the course of the volume, a spirited manuscript poem, by JOEL BARLOW, author of the 'Columbiad,' written in 1782, and never before published, together with a series of papers, of the most interesting character, from the private journal of a distinguished professional gentleman of New-York, kept during the years 1794-5-6-7, embracing all the prominent topics and occurrences of that eventful period, together with collateral disquisitions and reflections, of a valuable or entertaining character. The writer was the companion of all the chief men of his time, the KENTS, the MITCHELLS, the WOLSEYS, the JOHNSONS, the DUNLAPS, the WISTARS, with JAMES BROCKden Brown, GOODWIN, etc.; and the literary performances and social movements of these choice spirits, are faithfully recorded. The author of The Kushow Property,' 'Hans Carvel,' etc., will accept our thanks for his very acceptable favors; the first of which will appear in our next number. Numerous articles of poetry await their turn, or are under advisement for decision.

THIRTEENTH VOLUME

OF THE

KNICKERBOCKER MAGAZINE.

THAT the KNICKERBOCKER MAGAZINE has reached its THIRTEENTH VOLUME, with a larger number of readers than at any previous period, may perhaps be deemed decisive evidence of the nature of its claims upon the public favor; but as the present advertisement of a new volume will go before many persons who have been unable to judge of the character of the work from its performances, it is deemed advisable here, to recapitulate a few of the prominent qualities which it is believed have characterized it, under its present proprietary and literary direction. It has presented to the public articles upon science and the arts, which have excited attention abroad as well as at home; interesting tales, illustrating American society, the times, manners, etc.; entertaining records of travel, foreign and domestic; original European and American correspondence; humorous stories and sketches, with tales of the sea, of pathos, and of real life; legends and essays, upon numerous and varied themes; the whole interspersed with frequent articles of poetry, which it is believed have generally deserved the name.

In looking back over the past volumes, there will be found, mingled with a large predominance of entertaining and instructive light reading, adorned with the airy and graceful ornaments of mirth and humor, original papers of a more solid character, upon upward of sixty different important subjects. These have proceeded, mainly, from persons, native or foreign, who have either cultivated science with distinguished success, or from others, scarcely less eminent, who have devoted their leisure to useful and elevated compositions. The brevity and style of these papers, it is conceived, have been such as to invite all to read with little labor and some pleasure, and to impress every reader, more favorably and lastingly, than graver and more elaborate disquisitions; refreshing the minds of the learned, the curious, and the reflecting; awakening curiosity, and stimulating inquiry in the young; and exciting in all, trains of profitable reflection, and giving stimulus to thought. The Magazine has aimed to reach nearly every division of general literature, and to comprehend, in its ample though transient survey, amusement and instruction; letters and arts; customs and manners; the peculiarities of individuals, and the movements of society. In short, the divine, the moralist, and the statesman; the humorous observer and the interpreter of nature; the poet and the novelist, have made the KNICKERBOCKER the repository of their various treasures.

Our republic is distinguished, perhaps above every other country, for the uniform and universal education and intelligence of its inhabitants. Men versed in all the minute and profound erudition of the Europeans, are indeed rare; but from the poorest laborer to the chief magistrate, with few exceptions, all are able to read, and all desire to know. Universally devoted to business of some kind, and obliged to depend on their industry or enterprise for support, they have little leisure for laborious investigation; but to their honor be it spoken, they cherish a relish for literature and works of taste; and a periodical which contributes to the satisfaction of this appetite, may fairly lay claim to be considered as productive of the highest usefulness.

Among the many writers who have contributed original articles to this Magazine, from its commencement, including matter in store for the thirteenth volume, will be

found the following; and it may well be questioned, whether any periodical, native or foreign, can exhibit a more distinguished galaxy of high and various talent:

Thatcher, B. B., Esq.,

Ticknor, Caleb, M. D., New-York.
Verplanck, Hon. G. C.,

Ware, Rev. William, (Mass.,)
Webster, Noah, Esq., (Conn.)
Whittier, J. G., (Mass.,)
Ware, Mrs. K. A. W.,
Whitehouse, Rev. H. J.,
Wilde, Hon. R. H., (Georgia,)
Wolff, Prof. O. L. B., (Germany.)

Wordsworth, William, Esq., (England.)

With the liberal aid of such co-laborers-not to speak of the literary reviews of new works, (which have embraced all the current literature of the day, with copious and interesting extracts,) nor the editorial division, in which are chronicled interesting matters of a local and general nature, with original miscellanies, notices of the drama, the fine arts, etc.,-perhaps it is not suprising, that this Magazine has succeeded in satisfying the temperate appetite of the scholar, the man of literary leisure, the devotee of intellectual excitement, and the lover of the beautiful, the pathetic, and the humorous. With the foregoing' manifesto,' the proprietors of the KNICKERBOCKER enter upon a new volume, with unequalled literary prospects, and undiminished determination not only to preserve, but to enhance, the reputation of their work.

A FEW of the latest opinions of the public press are subjoined. They are selected from among more than four thousand, which have appeared at different times, in the various journals of the United States, embracing those of the first and most discriminating class, in every section of the Union:

THE NEW-YORK AMERICAN.'

'THIS is certainly a capital Magazine, edited with untiring industry and varied talent. ats contents are suited to all tastes, that are at all cultivated and refined; and 'from grave to gay, from lively to severe,' each may choose for himself.' 'At this season, we have little space for literary extracts, and cannot, therefore, enable those of our readers who may not see this Magazine, to judge of its merits, otherwise than upon our assurance that they are of a high order.' 'It puts forth abundant claims to the support of men of letters, and of all readers of correct taste.'

THE ALBANY ARGUS.'

"THE Knickerbocker is one of the most valuable Magazines of the day, and bids fair to outstrip all competition in the lighter walks of literature.' 'It more than sustains the promise of increasing value and interest, (given under the additional outlay of exertion and means, on the part of the editors,) with which the twelfth volume commenced. As a literary and miscellaneous magazine, of light reading, it may well challenge successful competition in this country. It is rich, racy and varied, exhibiting industry, taste, and talent at the helm, equal to all it undertakes.'

THE BALTIMORE AMERICAN.'

'It is not strange that 'the old Knick.,' as this work is familiarly called by its friends, should advance in public esteem, when the ability with which it is conducted is taken into account. Determined to maintain his hold on the good graces of the reading public, the editor exercises much sound taste in the choice of contributed articles, while those which are furnished from his own table, bear the impress of study, talent, and reflection.'

THE 'WASHINGTON GLOBE.'

"THE Knickerbocker is in the highest degree creditable to the literature of our country.'

THE ILLINOIS STATE JOURNAL.'

'We know of no periodical in the country, conducted with so much talent, and such a versatility of talent, too. It has a dish for every diversity of palate. It notices the principal new works, has good poetry and good tales, and inculcates good morals. One correspondent writes upon astronomy, another upon philosophy, another upon love, and another upon marriage; another reviews popular works, and another describes his travels; one poetizes, and a second entreats us to make the best we can of life, and prepare for death. In short, the Knickerbocker is human life, 'right out,' from beginning to end, and its literary merits are of the most exalted kind.'