By American institutions and their Influence. ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE. With Notes by the Hon. JOHN C. SPENCER. New-York: A. S. Barnes & Co. This is the first volume of De Tocqueville's celebrated "Democracy in America." This portion of the work was originally published as it is now presented, and is a complete and succinct essay on the institutions of our country. On its appearance it was universally welcomed, and admitted to be the best, "if not the first systematic and philosophic view of the great principles of our Constitution which has been presented to the world." It was the intention of the publishers to present De Tocqueville's entire work in a condensed, abridged, and cheap form to the American public; but finding that to condense would be to destroy, inas much as our author's opinions and illustrations are so admirable on every branch of the subject he touches, they determined to issue the volume before us (as it originally stood) complete, in a commodious and cheap form, awaiting the public will to guide them in the publication of the succeeding volume. It is unnecessary to state that the second volume will be in anxious demand by all readers of the first. The editor is more than usually well qualified for the task intrusted to him. "Having had the Lonor or of a personal acquaintance with M. De Tocueville while he was in this country; having iscussed with him many of the topics treated of dn this book; having entered deeply into the feelings and sentiments which guided and impelled ihim in his task, and having formed a high admiration of his character and of this production, the editor felt under some obligation to aid in procuring for one whom he ventures to call his friend, a hearing from those who were the objects of his observations." The notes of Mr. Spencer will be found to elucidate occasional misconceptions of the translator. It is a most judicious text-book, and ought to be read carefully by all who wish to know this country, and to trace its power, position, and ultimate destiny from the true source of phi osophic government, Republicanism-the people. De Tocqueville, believing the destinies of civilization to depend on the power of the people and on the principle which so grandly founded an exponent on this continent, analyzes with jealous care and peculiar critical acumen the tendencies of the new Democracy, and candidly gives his approval of the new-born giant, or points out and warns him of dangers which his faithful and indeWe believe the pendent philosophy foresees. perusal of his observations will have the effect of enhancing still more to his American readers the structure of their Government by the clear and profound style in which he presents it. This edition is suitable for the library as well as general reading. Foreign Reminiscences. BY HENRY RICHARD LORD HOLLAND. Edited by his Son. New-York: Harper & Brothers. These reminiscences will be found very interest ing, as they consist of personal recollections and anecdotes; accounts of political intrigues and general observations of the persons and events that signalized the mighty drama with which the present century was opened. Associating intimately with many of the principal personages of the times, he draws characters from his own observation; and notwithstanding all that has been written on those times, this is a contribution that must command attention. Lavengro: The Scholar-The Gipsy-The Priest By GEORGE BORROW, Author of "The Bible in Spain," &c. New-York: Geo. P. Putnam. The author of this book has made himself so famous by his previous publications, that we need not dwell upon his genius or his style. His books are of that adventurous personal and graphic character that are most fascinating to the general mind. The one before us is full of strange adventure, wild and picturesque scenery, both of places and people. Has there ever been a man of litera ture, that so entered into the spirit of, and identified himself so completely with vagrancy? If Mr. Borrow has done with the Gipsy tribes of Europe, we invite him to those of America. What a field there is for him among our western wilds and along the Oregon and California trails, mark ing the habits and manners of that strange nomadic race "the pioneers," for ever "moving" westward, westward, half their lives living in their wagons in the wilds. And varying these by excursions among the Indians on the way, he might make one of "the books”—such an one as our friend Putnam delights to put on his best Kingsland paper, secured as it would be by copyright from all dishonorable or envious interference. By the way Tom Hyer has offered, we see, to any Englishman that will fight him, $3,000. We wonder if Tom's martial ardor has not been aroused by reading this book, (so full of the ring,) and if he does not mean the challenge for our author? |