We have received from the Messrs. Harper since our last, a variety of excellent and attractive works, in different departments of literature. First and foremost comes the elegant edition of Milton, in two volumes, with one hundred and twenty engravings, from drawings by William Harvey. This edition, edited by James Montgomery, with a memoir and critical estimate of Milton and his writings, is handsome enough for anybody, and placed within everybody's reach. We recommend it to the notice of those who reserve a part of their money for books to read. OUTLINES OF GENERAL HISTORY, in the form of Question

and Answer; designed as the foundation and review of a course of historical reading. By Richard Green' Parker, A. M. Author of 'Aids to English Composition,' etc.

This is a plain, useful volume, from the same house, intended to serve rather as an excitement to the study of history, than as a satisfactory compendium. A bird's-eye view," the author calls it, and well; for if we have the advantage of an unobstructed, general glance, we can choose deliberately on what spot to alight for a prolonged visit. The work is inscribed to the venerable Amos Lawrence.

GOLDSMITH'S POEMS-same publishers-elegant, and profusely illustrated; one of the most valuable gift-books of the season; corresponding with the recent edition of Thomson's Seasons by the same house-a facsimile of the English one.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE, in a course of Lectures, by Frederic Von Schlegel. Translated from the German by the Rev. A. J. W. Morrison, M. A. Same publishers.

A work of established reputation; treating the most interesting topics in a clear and agreeable way; inviting to study without threatening weariness. A good book for winter study, though, certainly, to profit by it requires the study of some previous winters.

PICTORIAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND. This elegant work has reached its thirty-fourth number, and is to be completed in about half a dozen more. The illustrations, taken from old prints, interest us particularly; because we have an idea, that in those simple days there was a literal truth in delineations which professed to be portraits. We fancy that idealizing was not so fashionable then as now; so that when we look at a picture of Londonderry, for instance, we believe it to be true, as far as it goes. The pictures in this History of England greatly enhance the value of the work-which is more than we are always disposed to say of illustrations.

FACTS AND FANCIES FOR SCHOOL-DAY READING-A SEQUEL TO MORALS OF MANNERS. By Miss Sedgwick. NewYork: Wiley & Putnam.

Miss Sedgwick has never written anything more delightful than her books for young people; and until sympa

thetic and genial natures are more abundant than they now are, in this work-a-day world of ours, we could almost wish to confine her efforts to this particular object-always excepting the aid which we have a right to expect from her, in making our own columns interesting to our readers. 'Morals of Manners," a little manual intended for the use of our common schools, was found so acceptable, that Miss Sedgwick has here written a little story in illustration of each of its chapters-an excellent idea, and admirably carried out.

TIES.

ESSAYS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THEIR POLITICAL GUARAN By E. P. Hurlbut. With notes by George Combe. Fifth Thousand. New-York: Fowler & Wells, 131 Nassau-street.

To have interested five thousand readers is something in favor of a book so coldly serious as this. Mr. Hurlbut goes to work like a dissector, to whom habit has rendered it easy to pass the scalpel among nerves and arteries; but such make the most useful operators. He advocates some very desirable reforms; and we are glad he has found audience both fit and numerous.

THE AMERICAN ALMANAC, AND REPOSITORY OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, FOR THE YEAR 1848. Boston: James Munroe & Co. New York: Collins & Brother; and Wiley & Putnam.

This is the nineteenth volume of this undeniably-useful Annual, which requires neither pictures nor gilding. The astronomical department is under the direction of Professor Pierce; and the articles upon the Observatory at Washington and the great Telescope at Cambridge, show the advantages which have already resulted to science from the wise forecast of the general government, and the munificence of the citizens of Boston. The affairs of the general and state governments, with an abstract of their laws; the Patent Office; the Electric Telegraph; the Post Office; Rail-roads, Congress, History-are a few of the subjects on which information is given.

TEACHING, A SCIENCE, AND THE TEACHER AN ARTIST. By Rev. Baynard R. Hall, A. M. New-York: Baker and

Scribner, 145 Nassau-street.

The work of an experienced teacher, who, having inbibed a just notion of the importance and dignity of his profession, seeks here to inspire others with one equally correct. We can but wish him success.

OUR DAY-A GIFT FOR THE TIMES. Edited by J. G. Adams. Boston: B. B. Mussey & Co.

The writers for this beautiful little volume are mostly clergyinen, and serious subjects are treated seriously in its pages. Its tone is that of reform; and it speaks out boldly on the various contested subjects of war, slavery, intemperance, capital punishment, etc.