of other distinguished generals of the Army of the Potomac; and his "Field Tactics" will be received as the recorded experience of that noble army in its numerous and immortal campaigns.

From Messrs. Ticknor & Fields-now, since the sudden and lamented death of Mr. Ticknor, to be continued as a historic firm-we have received a volume of "Sermons, by the late Frederick W. Robertson, Minister of Trinity Chapel, Brighton." Mr. Robertson is classed by certain parties as so broad a churchman that he savors of heterodoxy. But he is a pure, devout man, and so outspoken and clear that he who runs may read. We have never seen a more readable volume of sermons,-pithy, short, plain, without that diffuseness which may be necessary in the pulpit, but which becomes turgid and tiresome when presented in print.

"My Cave Life at Vicksburg" is the title of an extremely interesting volume of letters "by a Lady," describing her perils and adventures during the famous siege. The cave was a shelter provided near the house which was inhabited by this lady and her family. The tone is good, and the lady, for a rebel, far more just and less bitter than was to have been expected. There are pictures and maps to illustrate the letter-press. Messrs. Appleton, of New York, are the publishers. 12mo, 196 pp.

Mr. George Cummings McWhorter, whose popular history of the New Testament we lately noticed, again appears before the public in a little volume of "Church Essays." It is an Episcopal work, and treats of the Liturgy, the Trinity, Grace, Truth, Love, Charity, Conscience, and Death. The Essays were originally contributed to the "Church Monthly" in 1861 and 1862. Appletons: 12mo, 194 pp.

Dr. John Ordronaux has kindly sent us his valuable and interesting "Report to the Sanitary Commission." It treats chiefly of the plan of economizing the relief of disabled soldiers, and the proper amendments of the pension laws. Dr. Ordronaux deserves the thanks of the army for the careful study he has given these important subjects, and the valuable suggestions he has thus been enabled to offer. The Report is in the form of an octavo pamphlet of 163 pages.

From Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. we have received a little 12mo volume, entitled 66 Hints to Riflemen," which will be eagerly read by all who are fond of war or field sports. The author (Mr. H. W. S. Cleveland, of Danvers, Mass.) is evidently himself an expert, and writes con amore. He gives, with diagrams, a full description of the various rifles, and their relative value, with their cost.

Messrs. T. B. Peterson & Co., of Philadelphia, have issued "Family Pride:" a Novel, by the author of " Pique." 'Family Pride" may stand on its own merits: we think it a better book than "Pique." The plot is quite simple; but the stage-contrivances, secret panels, mysterious disappearances, are equal to those in the Castle of Otranto,-with this superiority, however, that the ghosts all come to life, and the last are quite naturally found, and all in due time. The loves of Margaret Desmond and Leonard Somerton are real and pure. The pride of Mrs. Beaufort has its proper fall; Alice Berners is not a bad girl, after all; Lilian Grant is a blemish to the book,-the devil may take the form of an angel, but is not pleasantly presented in the surgeon's daughter; Mark Braddyl meets a proper fate,-and Mr. Carnegie is metamorphosed to the surprise and satisfaction of the reader. On the whole, we have not lately read a more entertaining and exciting novel than "Family Pride." 12mo, 396 pp.

Our best thanks are due to Messrs. Ticknor & Fields for the duodecimo copy -would it had been the octavo!—of Mr. George Ticknor's Life of William Hickling Prescott, the historian. We had, of course, expected an able work, but were not prepared for so perfect a biography. Written in an easy and natural style, the design is to present a lifelike portrait of the man, without eulogy or exaggeration. The writer nowhere obtrudes himself; and it is only when we draw a long breath, after an eager perusal at one sitting, that we bethink ourselves to call the author in front of the curtain and thank him for his noble and generous work. Happy and successful beyond comparison in his literary life, Mr. Prescott is especially happy in his biographer.

Our space forbids a critical review; but there are some things in this volume which we cannot omit to notice. If the work is admirable and lifelike as a portraiture of Mr. Prescott, it is chiefly instructive in that it presents to the world the difficulties with which he had to contend, and the noble victory which he achieved in removing or overcoming them. His imperfect sight, his own occasional laziness, his affluence, which could never conceive a wolf at the door, to be startled away only by the flourish of the steel pen or blind man's stylus, the difficulty of obtaining his Spanish and other materials, and his great and growing fear of the irrevocabile verbum,—these were only a few of the obstacles he encountered so manfully and so triumphantly overcame. From him literary men less trammelled may learn valuable lessons of system, energy, and patient labor.

In writing to a friend concerning one of his works then in progress, Mr. Prescott ejaculates, "Da Jupiter annos;" and this cry was echoed all over the country when his Philip the Second made its appearance. We cannot even now check the unavailing regret that he was not spared to finish that, the most beautiful of his histories. It is of a more important period than the others, has to do with more prominent men and events, and is written in a more natural style than any of his other works. It is the best of praise to say that Mr. Prescott was not tempted by his success into perfunctory efforts. His last work is his best. He was just to his great constituency of readers by being true to himself as a scholar and a historian. Although Mr. Prescott enjoyed the applause of the whole civilized world during his lifetime, there is no fear that he will lose in reputation hereafter. He will not, we think, be ranked among the most philosophic historians; but his place is at the very head of the chroniclers. His works are splendid prose epics, or rather, perhaps, superb melo-dramas,-"kingdoms for a stage, princes to act." The men, garbs, and scenes are real; the glowing light is that of the dramatist's own genius.

There is a completeness about this Ticknor-Prescott alliance which all Americans must admire. The historian of Spain and the historian of its literature, both renowned, lived together from boyhood, worked together, stimulated each other to good works, gloried without a single pang of envy in each other's well-earned fame; and, when one goes at last to his better immortality, the other is unsparing of time and love and truth, in writing this beautiful and extended epitaph for the monument which his histories have erected to Mr. Prescott in the heart of every man of culture who reads English, French, Spanish, or Italian.

The Round Table" is always a welcome visitor. It has more life and young blood than any paper of its kind yet issued. The literary criticisms are frank and fearless; the art-news evidently from the pen of those who cultivate both belles-lettres and beaux arts. There is an originality, a sort of

new-path tone to this journal, which, after reading the hackneyed commonplaces which we have held in great respect for a quarter of a century,—we dare not confess to more,-is extremely refreshing and invigorating. We hope the "Round Table" will not aspire to be too respectable in this sense, and that the nibs of its editorial pens will not become too soft.

Messrs. Lippincott & Co., of Philadelphia, send us a new issue of "The Federalist," with a long historical introduction by John C. Hamilton, Esq., of New York. The original work needs neither praise nor comment. The papers were written in 1787 and 1788, in order to satisfy the people of this country with just and cogent reasons for the adoption of the new Constitution. Five of these essays were written by John Jay, four by Mr. Madison, three by Alexander Hamilton and Madison together, and all the rest were the work of Hamilton, whose son has now newly presented them to the public. These papers are considered by men of the ripest judgment as a very thorough discussion of the subject of constitutional government, and have been greatly eulogized by such writers as Guizot and Talleyrand. Besides the Federalist Papers proper, we have various resolutions and speeches of Alexander Hamilton, and his "First Plan of Government." The Historical Notice is excellent, full of well-digested information, clearly written, and of great value to the readers of the work. Royal 8vo, 825 pp.

The fourth volume of the "History of the Romans under the Empire," by Charles Merivale, B.D., has just been republished by Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. The work increases in interest. Very learned as it is, drawing facts and illustrations from an apparently exhaustless scholarship, philosophical in the highest degree, it is beautifully enlivened by sketches of Roman life and manners, and by vivid portraitures of Roman citizens of every social grade. The closing chapter, particularly, will please the general reader, treating as it does of theatres, circuses, and amphitheatres, the gladiatorial displays, the bath, and a day in the life of a Roman noble. The presentation of the works of Livy, Virgil, Horace, Propertius, Ovid, Tibullus, as literary types of the Augustan age, is admirable from its clearness and truth. Merivale's work is no second tilling of a great field. He occupies untrodden ground, and will hereafter be the noblest introduction to the study of Gibbon,—or, not to be invidious, Gibbon will be an extended sequel to Merivale. The Appletons have given this distinguished author a fitting garb: the work is beautifully printed and published. 12mo, 466 pp.

Dr. Edward Meyrick Goulburn, of England, has published "Thoughts on Personal Religion, being a Treatise on the Christian Life in its two Chief Elements, Devotion and Practice." It has been edited, with a prefatory note, by Rev. Dr. Houghton, of New York, and republished by the Appletons. It is a very devout book, and has not a spice of cant, which often renders "good books" intolerable. This work is evidently not gotten up for a purpose, but is a record of the inner life of a holy man, whose example, so clearly presented in these precepts, cannot fail to win others to good ways and good works. 12mo, 398 pp.

Messrs. Lippincott & Co. have sent us a small duodecimo of two hundred and sixty pages, bearing the imprimatur of Blelock & Co., of Cairo, Illinois, and entitled "The War, its Causes and Consequences, by C. C. S. Farrar, of Bolivar County, Mississippi." A cursory examination of this work does not enable us to give an opinion of its contents. We lay it aside for future perusal, not being willing to commit ourselves to a judgment of the author's views on the momentous topics it discusses without more careful examination.

EDITOR'S SPECIAL DEPARTMENT.

THE Great Campaign which, let us hope and believe, inaugurates "the beginning of the end," is at length opened, and is, while we write, in splendid but terrible progress. Grant is in earnest, and the work will be well done. The noble Army of the Potomac, reorganized and consolidated, and prepared to play one great part-the greatest-in unison with other forces, broke up its encampments on Tuesday night, May 3, and crossed the Rapidan on Wednesday morning,—the Second Corps (Hancock) in front, crossing at Ely's Ford, the Fifth (Warren) and Sixth (Sedgwick) following immediately, crossing at Germanna,so closely that the support of each corps to the others should be direct and undelayed.

The troops were in magnificent spirits,-thoroughly equipped, accoutred, and supplied, and eager once more to meet the enemy. Correspondents declare that Napoleon never had a better-appointed or more enthusiastic army; and we believe it.

The rebel army did not contest the passage, but fell back, occupying the line from Orange Court-House to Louisa Court-House, covering Gordonsville, and thence defending the entire line of railroad from Gordonsville to Saxton's Junction.

Whether Meade's crossing took them by surprise or not need not be a question. As soon as he was fairly across, Lee launched a heavy column under Longstreet on Thursday, to prevent Grant's army from forming in order of battle, and to throw him into confusion before he could take up the designated positions. These early movements of Lee were not entirely without success.

The first grand attack was against Sedgwick, who, having crossed last, was on our right, resting near the river; and the additional design here was to get between our army and the fords. Grant displayed no concern about the fords or his rear, having no design to use them himself in recrossing. The rebel thunderbolt was caught and hurled back, our army not waiting for the attack, but Sedgwick boldly advancing his lines to meet it. This was a terrific onslaught, and was immediately succeeded by a second attack from Lee.

Quick as light, in emulation of Napoleon's tactics, he hurled a strong column forward to break our centre under Warren, just between the Second and Fifth Corps. In this also he was foiled, after a partial and temporary advantage. Warren, in the centre, advanced upon the Orange Court-House road, but was met by so vigorous a counter-attack that he was temporarily driven back, and lost two guns.

Such was the condition of things on Thursday. The fighting lasted until nine o'clock, when the troops rested on their arms. Our army lay from the river towards the southeast, in a convex line towards the enemy, Sedgwick on the right, supported by Burnside's corps,—which

came up during the fighting,-Warren in the centre, Hancock on the left, with the cavalry towards a point between Parker's Store and Shady Grove Church.

On Friday morning the rebels renewed the attack with great vigor, Longstreet attacking the left wing and A. P. Hill the right. Nobly did Sedgwick and Hancock breast the storm, as in the former days, rallying the troops and fighting like privates to hurl back those tremendous masses; while Warren sent reinforcements to right and left, to aid in stemming the apparently irresistible advance. The fighting again was desperate along the whole line, and the charges of the rebels more than once threw our lines into confusion, and at one time threatened our defeat; but during the night Grant withdrew the Sixth Corps from the right, massing it on our left, and restored the order of battle.

Sullenly did Lee withdraw to his stronger line in rear, leaving a large number of his dead and wounded in our hands. He was not driven back, but retired to take up new positions towards Richmond.

What Hancock's corps had to do, and how it performed its duty, may be in some sort gathered from the loss and wounds of its generals. General Alex. Hays, then commanding the Second Brigade, Third Division, -than whom a better or braver soldier could not be found,-was “dead upon the field of honor," in the battle of the 5th of May. Elsewhere, too, our losses were great:-Getty, Gregg, Owen, Bartlett, and Carroll wounded. Hancock was slightly wounded again while rallying his men. Solid masses of the enemy, line after line, were hurled upon him; but they were met and repulsed. The ground in his front was fought over four or five times.

The needed reinforcements during these severe shocks, which wounded from six to eight thousand of our men, came up, as we have said, in the form of Burnside's Ninth Corps. He made a brilliant forced march of a day and a night from Manassas, and, distributing a portion of his colored troops as railroad-guards, appeared on the field on Thursday night, loudly cheered by the red-handed army whom he came to aid. On Friday he was hotly engaged.

On Saturday morning, Lee retreated towards Spottsylvania CourtHouse, and General Grant started at once in pursuit. There was only a little infantry skirmishing, which culminated, however, in a general cavalry battle, in which our forces, under Custer, Gregg, Merritt, Davis, and others, held their ground against heavy odds. ·

On Sunday, Hancock and Burnside pushed on. The Fifth Corps marched all night on Saturday, by the Brock road, and on Sunday a battle was fought in front of Alsop's farm. The rebels held their ground, but in the evening Grant moved forward his whole line. The disposition then was, Hancock on the right, Warren in the centre, Sedgwick on the left, Burnside on the extreme left. On Monday the fighting was, for the first time, principally an artillery battle; and it was then, while superintending the mounting of some cannon, that Sedgwick was killed by the stray shot of a sharpshooter.

Towards evening Grant ordered an advance, but, after terrific fighting, Lee held his ground, and our troops retired to their lines. On Tuesday a severe battle was fought, in which, after immense slaughter, Lee again retreated. Without pretending to give in our limited space either de