joining the standard of the friends of freedom, who, we believe, will soon be obliged to array themselves against their enemies. In our last retrospect, we did what we thought our duty in pointing out the anti-republican tendency of the caucus system of politics pursued in this country. We have in consequence, incurred the displeasure of a number of politicians who are interested in the support of that system-several of whom have characterized our Magazine, as a political, rather than a literary work, and allege that it has been established more with the view of supporting some favourite presidential candidate than with the intention of promoting the cause of American literature, Against this allegation we advance our direct negative. We discussed the question of caucusing very briefly, and purely as an abstract subject, suggested to us by the present state of our national politics, without reference to the merits or demerits of any candidate before the public. In our retrospect of the politics of each month, our readers have a right to expect from us a statement of our views and opinions on the events that pass before us, and on the results which they are likely to produce; both of which they shall receive. We trust we are neither so defficient in energy as to shrink from our duty lest we should offend those we shall have occasion to blame, nor so destitute of candour as to blame without believing that we have sufficient cause. The members of the late Washington caucus must, therefore, be content to bear with us, when we say, that our opinion of their conduct is, that it was very uncourteous towards the public, very impolitie in regard to themselves, and very injurious to the interists of their candidate. At least nine tenths of the Union were known to be averse to a caucus, and three fourths of Congress refused to attend it. This was a formidable opposition for sixtysix individuals to encounter; and their persisting to do so, argues a degree of contempt for public opinion, which, on a question of this kind, is not very becoming in republican senators. As to their candidate, we believe him to be a gentleman whose integrity, talents, and long continued public services, would, but for their injudicious mode of interfering in his behalf. have ensured him a tolerably fair chance of attaining the object of his ambiVOL. I.-No. 111. 36 tion. As it is, however, he will prove himself to possess a political strength far surpassing the most sanguine calculation, if in the present temper of the people, he can ascend to the President's chair with the encumbrance of a caucus clinging to him. One of the first effects of this caucus officiousness, (to call it by no harsher name,) was to unite, for the avowed purpose of defeating its projects, in support of one candidate, the two parties which would otherwise have divided the great State of Pennsylvania between them. This event is worthy of being recorded, because it manifested a degree of magnanimity and patriotism, on the part of those who, on this occasion, sacrificed their private feelings for the public good, alike honourable to themselves, and creditable to their country. It is not often in the history of nations, that the leaders and adherents of great factions are found to yield their prejudices to their duty, and sacrifice their private feelings and wishes to the public welfare. But so deeply were Mr. Calhoun and his friends impressed with the danger of encouraging the designs of any usurping body of men in a free country, that the proceedings of the sixty-six caucusites were no sooner known, than they determined to relinquish their own views, to strike their flag, and by rallying round that of the most popular candidate, secure his success, and the overthrow of caucus machinations. In pursuance of this determination, Mr. Dallas, the personal friend of Mr. Calhoun, and the acknowledged leader of his party in Pennsylvania, availed himself of a meeting of the inhabitants of Philadelphia, which pursuant to public requisition, took place on the eighteenth of February, to withdraw the claims of Mr. Calhoun, and to offer some resolutions expressive of the determination of the meeting to support the election of General Jackson. Mr. Dallas introduced his resolutions by stating the reasons which induced the friends of Mr. Calhoun to take this step-namely, a desire to save the republic from falling under the domination of a Congressional Junta, and also a conviction that the present situation of the United States in relation to other countries, rendered it desirable that a man of known energy and tried talents, the weight of whose name, LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 283 and character would be felt both at home and abroad, should be placed at the head of the government. The enthusiasm and delight with which the meeting witnessed this instance of patriotic self-denial, may be easily imagined. The resolutions of Mr. Dallas were unanimously adopted, and it may now be considered that but one sentiment in respect to the man who shall be our next President, animates the million of citizens that inhabit Pennsylvania. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. Godwin's History of the Commonwealth of England, is in the London press, and will be published shortly. A Biography of Rossini, the celebrated musical compositor, was published at Paris, in January last. The Academy of Science at Paris, heard a report on the 17th November last, on the discovery of a petrified man and horse, in the Forest of Fontainbleau. Carver is charged with the investigation of the phenomenon, which will, no doubt lead to other important discoveries. The first number of a new Quarterly Review, was to have appeared in London in January, entitled the Westminster Review, which in respect to politics, is to steer a course of neutrality between the two great parties supported by the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews. A new periodical work called the United States Literary Gazette, has been announced as about to appear in Boston. A Literary and Historical Society has been established at Quebec, under the auspices of the Earl of Dalhousie, Governor of Lower Canada, which promises to be of great advantage to the historical and general literature of that province. The author of the Waverly Novels is said to have a new work in forwardness, entitled "The Seige of Ptolemy; extract of a History of the Crusaders." It is stated in a Charleston paper, that a new Tragedy, entitled "Ravenswood," by a Gentleman of that city, will be put in rehersal and performed shortly. A new Drama, called "La Fayette; or, The Castle of Ol 2284 RECENT PUBLICATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN. mutz," written by a Gentleman of New-York, will be produ ced speedily at the Theatre, in that city.. A volume of original Miscellaneous Poems, is announced for publication at the office of the Saturday Evening Post, of Philadelphia. RECENT PUBLICATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN. Mamon in London; or, The Spy of the Day. A Characte ristic and Satirical Romance, on the model of Le Diable Boiteux. The Vale of Chamouni; and Clara Chester; Poems, by the author of Rome." The Pulpit; a periodical work, published weekly in London, and imported by S. Potter & Co. Booksellers, Philadelphia. The Spectre of the Forest; or, Annals of the Housatonic. A New-England Romance, by the author of the Wilderness, was republished in December last, in three volumes, 12 mo. Sabean Researches. in a series of Essays, addressed to distinguished antiquaries, on the engraved hieroglyphics of Chaldea, Egypt, and Canaan, by John Landseer, F. S. A. Mary Stuart, a Tragedy; and the Maid of Orleans, a Tragedy; from the German of Schiller, with the Life of the author; by the Rev. H. Salvin, M. B. Joseph and his Brethren, a Scriptural Drama; by H. L. Howard. Illustrations of the Interrogative System of Education; by Sir Richard Phillips. A Complete Exposure of the late Irish Miracles, in a Letter to Dr. Murray, titular Archbishop of Dublin; by a rational Presbyterian. The Days of Queen Mary, or a Tale of the Fifteenth Century. Montalhythe; a Tale, by Jane Harvey. Corfe Castle, or Keneswitha; a Tale. The Lady of the Manor; by Mrs. Sherwood. The History of George Desmond, founded on facts which occurred in the East Indies, intended as a useful caution to young men going out to that country. Eugenia, or the Dangers of the World; by Miss Moore. The Captivity, Sufferings and Escape, of James Scurry, under Hyder Ali, and Tippoo Saib. St. Johnstoun, or John Earl of Gowrie. A Scottish Novel. The Nien, a poetic Romance. The Pilgrim's Tale, a Poem; by Charles Lockhart. Travels into Chile, over the Andes, in the year 1820 and 1821, with sketches of the productions, Agriculture, Mines, Inhabitants, &c. by P. Schmidtmeyer. NEW AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS. Brownlie's Careful and Free Inquiry, into the true nature and tendency of the Religious principles of the society of friends, commonly called the Quakers.-Containing the history of their opinions; the rise and progress of the Society. Dissertations on their doctrinal tenets, their worship, ministry, &c. &c. The Cause of the Greeks; a sermon, preached in St. Andrew's Church, Philad. on Sunday Jan. 18th by the Rev. G. T. Bedell. New Lunar Tables, for correcting the apparent distance of the moon from the sun, fixed stars or planets. for the effects of refraction and Parallox; illustrated by apropriate rules and examples. To which are added, plain and easy directions for taking a lunar observation, and some useful remarks on the sextant. By E. C. Ward, teacher of Navigation, Nautical Astronomy, &c. U. S. Navy. Reflections on the Dissension actually existing in St. Mary's Congregation, addressed to his excellency the Governor of Pennsylvania, to which are added Notes, &c. by a Roman Catholic. The first number of a periodical paper entitled "The Philadelphia Museum, or Register of Natural History and the Arts" -to be issued twice a month at two dollars per annum and printed at the Museum Press. 50 Substantial reasons against any modification whatever of the Existing Tariff: whereby the consistency and property of the opposition of the Cotton Planters, the Tobacco Planters, and the Merchants, to the "Infernal Bill," is fully justified.-By a Pennsylvanian. Letters to a young gentleman commencing his education; to which is subjoined a Brief History of the United States. By Noah Webster, Esq. Notes on the Epistles to the Romans; Intended to assist Students of Theology, and others who read the Scriptures in the |