be overprized, more especially in such community as our own. We have already expressed our judgment that it is a task not here completed, partly as already noted, through fault of manner, unfitting it for such influence, but somewhat, too, we deem, through want of our author's not apprehending aright the conclusive principles on which its demonstration rests. Dr. Lieber's argument is, that the existence of property precedes the formation of government, which latter, therefore, flows from it instead of giving origin to it, and therefore, too, is not competent in its subsequent action to disturb the foundations of that which preceded it. The question is, is this a satisfactory argument. If his premises be true, the conclusion doubtless follows; but still, with this risk, that if his premises be false, the whole question is yielded, and government may rightly decree a new division of property. Now, we would not willingly rest this fundamental pillar of society on such dubious and slippery ground. That the division of property preceded the formation of government is surely not a self-evident axiom; on the contrary, it would seem to involve something of inconsistency, if not absurdity, and at any rate has this against it— the silence of history, and the uniform authority in opposition of all great names who have reasoned on the subject, ancient as well as modern. Now, it were surely unwise to rest a vital question, and to teach our rising youth to rest it, on the chance of an American philosopher demonstrating all others to be in the wrong. But again, even supposing property before organized government, it would yet be but as a fact to exist as a right, with corresponding obligations on all others to abstain (a condition without which it is not "property.") This would seem to be necessarily of the very essence of government, and without government to have no existence. Our author's theory, therefore, does not solve the difficulty. The error, in our judgment, lies deeper, as the correction we would bring to it is a less dubious one. The error, we think, lies in speculating at all on the origin of government as an actual fact, as if man ever stood on earth without it. As a theory, indeed, it may be both analyzed and resolved into its conceivable elements, distinguishable, though not separable; but in point of fact, such elementary state never existed among men. Man is born under government, that is clear, were it but parental; he grows up under government; that, too, is certain, for otherwise he would perish in his feebleness: and when he comes to man's estate, he finds himself under government, and a member of a state, of some form or other, were it but a fraternity of gypsies, or a colony of emigrants; this, too, is unquestionable. Now, modify that government he may, recast it, improve it, add to it the lights of experience, and all needful social laws; but to refound it, would be to lay again the foundations of his social nature. This is a transcendental act it belongs but to Him who made him. In other words, we hold "government," in its origin, to be of God, and not of man- it originates not on earth- and that we - - 1842.] Chapin's English Spelling-Book. 239 deem to be its only rock of safety, in theory or in practice, and that it is the duty of all didactic reasoners, more especially in instructions addressed to the young, to distinguish, and lead their students to distinguish, between "government" as one of the laws of our social nature, and those human institutions which are but the clothing and outward form of an inward and heaven-born reality. Now, this alone we hold to be Christian teaching, and, what in our utilitarian age is a more taking argument, this alone is safe teaching, cutting up, as it does, by the roots, all infidel schemes directed against the foundations of government and society. But if the origin of government thus "transcends" experience, so, too, necessarily, does that of property. Its roots are in the heart and reason of man, and it grows up, in fact, with his hands and head's growthwith his labor and skill. It is no creature of society - no fiction of law no corner-stone of man's hewing or placing. Power, indeed, may displace it may trample upon it in its unjust lawsand folly may discard it from its reasonings; but still, as of God's planting, it cannot be rooted out of the social system. It is its life and nourishment, and while man endures on earth, will continue to work out the great results of society, in spite of all agrarians, chartists, and levellers. But our limits forbid enlargement. In conclusion, we commend the work before us rather for its practical deductions than its theoretical reasonings, and rather for the use of adult general readers, than for the youthful class into whose library it has been received; and we would again urge the conscientious duty of a little more special care in the selection or preparation of volumes which carry an "imprimatur" with them before the public, and the purchase of which is not, as with other works, a matter of free choice, but rendered by law imperative, or next to imperative, on the twelve thousand district school libraries of our own state, to say nothing of the wide circle of general demand that exists beyond its limits. 12. An English Spelling-Book, containing Rules and Reasons for Orthography and Pronunciation, derived from a complete analysis of the Language. By A. B. CHAPIN, M. A. New Haven: 1841. 12mo. pp. 170. We have perused the "English Spelling-Book," attentively and critically. The general plan of it, or the principles on which it is constructed, so far as our knowledge extends, is entirely new, and meets our unqualified approbation. The book not only gives us a complete set of rules for pronouncing the English language, with abundant examples for illustration, but it actually presents before us the whole language, arranged under these rules, so that every reader can see for himself all the analogies which confirm the rules, perceive their strength or weakness, and have a full view of all the exceptions or anomalies. This is what we have never seen attempted in any other work whatever. The success of the attempt seems to us to be complete. The reading lessons, also, are of such a character as to afford instruction in regard to the nature and structure of the English language, as well as suitable exercises in reading. This, likewise, is a peculiarity of the book, and we think a happy one. That some imperfections and mistakes should occur, in the first edition of a work of such vast compass, reduced, as it were, to the size of a nut-shell, is not strange. These the persevering efforts of the author will greatly diminish in a second edition. Such a work can be brought to perfection, only by repeated revisions, alterations, and corrections; and from the known competence and untiring industry of the author, we have no doubt that his Spelling-Book will merit, if it does not receive, the general approbation of all competent judges throughout the country. 13. Ballads and other Poems. By H. W. LONGFELLOW. Cambridge: 1842. J. Owen. 16mo. pp. 132. MR. LONGFELLOW is already known to the American public as the author of a volume of poems, entitled "Voices of the Night," which from its first appearance attracted much attention, and must since have acquired great favor with the public, judging from the fact that five editions have been called for within the last two years. The volume, the title of which stands at the head of this article, lately issued from the Cambridge press, and is in many respects superior to the former. The original poems it contains, are more numerous and of a higher character, evincing a progressive excellence in Mr. Longfellow as a poet, which justifies great expectations for the future. It consists of a number of short pieces, of many of which, we may say that their greatest fault is their extreme brevity. The author does not belong to any of the particular schools of poetry, but seems determined, with laudable ambition, to mark out his own poetical path, and tread in no man's footsteps. He swears neither by Pope, nor Wordsworth, neither by Byron, nor Southey; although it may be admitted that his genius bears more affinity to that of the romantic, than of the classical school. Mr. Longfellow has never, to our knowledge, attempted any poetical composition of much length; not, we are sure, from a distrust 1842.] Longfellow's Poems. 241 of his own powers, for he has sufficiently shown in his small pieces, that he possesses imagination and feeling, and the ability to give utterance to their suggestions in strong and beautiful language: we believe that this limitation of his song springs from a just appreciation of the public taste. The time for epics, or long metrical romances which put the reader, if not the writer, out of breath, is past; and men have discovered that life is too short even for a song, if spun out to the length of Chevy Chace. Whoever, either in prose or verse, wishes to win the public ear, must learn to condense; and we will not quarrel with Mr. Longfellow for compressing his inspiration, within the limits of two hundred lines, instead of spreading it out, as he might easily have done, through as many pages. The first poem in this little volume is "The Skeleton in Armor," originally published in one of our magazines, and since, extensively copied into the newspapers. We are glad to see the " Viking wild" in a new suit, and trust it will prove as lasting as that which he wore at the time of the discovery of his place of sepulture. As, however, the public are tolerably familiar with his story, we will pass to something, which, besides its poetical attractions, may have that of novelty for many of our readers. "TO THE RIVER CHARLES. "RIVER! that in silence windest Through the meadows, bright and free, "Four long years of mingled feeling, "Thou hast taught me, Silent River! "Oft in sadness and in illness, I have watched thy current glide, "And in better hours and brighter, When I saw thy waters gleam, "Not for this alone I love thee, Nor because thy waves of blue "Where yon shadowy woodlands hide thee, Friends I love have dwelt beside thee, "More than this;- thy name reminds me "Friends my soul with joy remembers! On the hearth-stone of my heart! ""T is for this, thou Silent River! Our next selection will be a little poem entitled "The Rainy Day,” which for us has many charms. "THE RAINY DAY. "THE day is cold, and dark, and dreary; "My life is cold, and dark, and dreary; "Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Some days must be dark and dreary." The next poem which we will present to our readers, is of a higher order. It represents the ardor, the energy of genius, struggling against difficulties and distress, against temptations without, and passions within, and dying at the hard-won goal with the word "Excelsior" engraved on his heart, and trembling on his lips. We believe this poem to present the same capabilities for pencil illustrations, as Schiller's Toggenburg, or Burgher's Parson's Daughter, and we recommend to some of our artists to make it the subject of their meditation. Indeed, we have already seen the hasty but brilliant sketches of an amateur, who, unfortunately for himself and the world, is too modest to subject his labors to the graver, and thus share in the fame of the poet. |