THE BOOK TRADE.

1.-The Architectural Instructor: containing a History of Architecture from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time; illustrated with nearly Two Hundred and Fifty Engravings of Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Cities, Temples, Palaces, Cathedrals, and Monuments; also, the Greek and early Roman Classic Orders, their Principles and Beauties; with a large number of Original Designs of Cottages, Villas, and Mansions of different sizes, accompanied with Practical Observations on Construction, with all the important Details, on a Scale sufficiently large and definite to enable the Builder to execute with accuracy; and further Designs of Churches, Monuments, and Public Buildings; together with a Glossary of Architectural Terms: the whole being the result of more than Thirty Years' Professional Business. By MINARD LAFEVER, Architect. 4to., pp. 526. New York: G. P. Putnam & Co.

This is a complete cyclopedia of architecture, being a perfect storehouse of information about every department of the art. Each chapter bears evidence of the most careful study and sound judgment of the author, who, sparing no efforts in his researches, has brought together everything that could be desired relative to the science of construction; and at the same time, has so successfully and intelligibly written out his treatise, that it is adapted not only for professional, but also for popular, use. For the man who is about to build, as well as for the working architect, Mr. Lafever's work wil be of the highest utility. At the present time, a better knowledge of architecture is very generally sought after, and a spirit for building well is rapidly increasing throughout our country. This volume will contribute much to the improvement of the national taste. Its author was architect of many of the elegant structures which adorn New York and its vicinity. In Brooklyn, he was the architect of the Church of the Holy Trinity, which will lose nothing by comparison with Trinity Church, New York, and by many is considered to be its superior; of the Packer Collegiate Institute, which is the best building in the United States devoted to education; and of the Brooklyn Savings Bank. Prescott, the historian, says that "the surest test of a civilization of a people is to be found in their architecture, which presents so noble a field for the display of the grand and the beautiful, and which, at the same time, is so intimately connected with the essential comforts of life." Mr. Lafever's great work presents a full history of the styles of architecture of ancient and modern nations, and shows how our nation may successfully adopt all those features in them which are really advantageous. In his own original designs he has made use of many combinations of styles, with a view of allowing free scope to individual taste. Our position is unfavorable to a speedy development of national taste, but with such books as this for the guidance of our citizens, we may confidently expect that if its instructions are followed, the structures henceforth erected will at least correspond to our general advancement in civilization and our prosperity.

2.-Incidents on Land and Water; or Four Years on the Pacific Coast, being a Narrative of the Burning of the ships Noriantum, Hurnayoon, and Fanchon, together with many Startling and Interesting Adventures on Sea and Land. By Mrs. D. B. BATES. 12mo., pp. 334. Boston: James French & Co.

The occupation of California by the American branch of the Anglo-Saxon race has not only developed the riches of that El Dorado, but a host of authors, who have found a rich field on which to exercise their genius, and if not to coin gold from the mines, they may, perchance, from their brains. Mrs. Bates, besides giving a simple, unembellished history of portions of her " life's experience," and many interesting incidents on "land and water," has furnished some clever descriptions of matters and things in general, that will interest those who may entertain the idea of seeking their fortunes on the Pacific side of the United States. It is, on the whole, a clever book, printed on type large enough for weak or age-dimmed eyes.

3.-The New England Business Directory; in which the Mercantile, Profes sional, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Departments are Compiled and Alphabetically Arranged under their respective Headings; also, Information respecting Banks, Insurance, Railroad, and other Companies, with a variety of useful Information. By GEORGE ADAMS, 1856.

This is a large octavo volume of nearly eight hundred pages, with an appendix of more than one hundred, which are devoted to advertisements of the best houses in almost every branch of business. Besides its completeness as a directory for the entire commercial and industrial community of the New England States, it contains a vast amount of statistical and other information, constituting it a valuable book of reference for all classes. It gives, for instance, a tabular stat ment of the population of every town and county in these States for 1850, and of Massachusetts for 1850 and 1855. There are also tables of the manufacturing companies in New England, exhibiting their location, officers, the capital invested, and a description of the kind of goods produced by each establishment, &c. The commercial and industrial community are under many obligations to the enter prising publisher for his untiring labors in a literature so eminently practical in all its bearings.

4.-The Massachusetts Register; containing a Record of the Government and Institutions of the State, together with a Variety of Useful Information. For the Year 1857. By GEORGE ADAMS.

The Register of Mr. Adams for 1857 contains, besides the usual variety of information respecting the government and institutions of the Commonwealth, complete lists of the professional classes, the Legislature, State and county officers, the municipal organizations of the several cities in the State for the year, courts, commissioners and justices of the peace, banks, insurance and manufacturing companies, colleges, academies, &c. It is, on the whole, the most complete local reference-book for business and professional men published in this country. We would suggest to Mr. Adams the idea of extending his labors into the great State of New York, where he will find an ample field for his enterprise and industry, and probably without meeting with any successful competition.

5.-Hale's Debates and Proceedings in the Massachusetts Legislature, at the Session which was begun at the State House in Boston on Wednesday, the 2d day of January, and was prorogued on Friday, the 6th day of June, 1856. This volume, covering four hundred and twenty-four royal octavo, double-columned pages, contains the debates, proceedings, &c., as reported, with some additions and corrections, for the Boston Daily Advertiser. Mr. Charles Hale, the editor and publisher of the volume, was a member of the Legislature during the session of 1856, and we are gratified to notice his return for the present year. Irrespective of all party considerations, his education, intelligence, and industry, fit him well for the position of a legislator. We trust he will be retained for many years in that position, and that he will continue the yearly publication of the debates and proceedings of Massachusetts. The Legislature of that State should encourage the enterprise by ordering copies enough, at least, to supply the members of both houses and the public libraries of the State, and the historical societies in every State of the Union. The Boston Daily Advertiser is the only journal in Massachusetts that gives the yeas and nays on all important questions, and these are, of course, incorporated in this volume of legislative proceedings. 6.-Daisy's Necklace: and What Came of It. (A Literary Episode.) By T. B. ALDRICH. 12mo., pp. 225. New York: Derby & Jackson.

In this little extravaganza, Mr. Aldrich has described, in an autobiographical sort of way, a well-meaning, but somewhat vain, young gentleman, who, having flirted desperately with the magazines, takes it into his silly head to write a novel. This novel, according to the author, is "such a one as a young man with fine taste and crude talent might produce;" but, according to our opinion, it is skillfully elaborated. By this charming book, Mr. Aldrich has permanently secured a high rank among our popular authors of delightful fiction.

7.-An Analytical Concordance to the Sacred Scriptures; or the Bible presented under Distinct and Classified Heads or Topics. Edited by JOHN EADIE, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Biblical Literature to the United Presbyterian Church, author of "Biblical Cyclopedia," etc., etc. Royal 8vo., pp. 776. Boston:

Gould & Lincoln.

This work, which we have examined with more than ordinary interest, is unique in its character. It is a concordance, not of words, but of subjects, and possesses an essentially original and distinctive character. It is the whole Bible, so distributed as to bring together all those passages of Scripture which relate to one subject under one general head, and then assorted under many subordinate heads. The purchaser, we quote from the American edition, gets not only a concordance, but also a complete Bible in this volume. The superior convenience arising out of this fact-saving, as it does, the necessity of having two books at hand, and of making two references, instead of one--will be readily apparent. To clergymen, theological students, Sabbath-school superintendents and teachers, it will be found exceedingly convenient To authors and literary men, who would interlard their compositions with the sublime and beautiful language of that extraordinary book, it will be found almost equally useful. Another feature of the work, to which our attention has been called, and whic. deserves special notice, is the synopsis, which presents, in brief compass, the contents of the whole work. In addition to the synopsis, we have an index, embracing some two thousand leading words, arranged in alphabetical order. The work is, in short, the books of the Old and New Testaments printed under classified heads. For instance, take the first article -Agriculture-and the reader will find all that is said in Scripture as to the land and farms of Canaan, the processes of husbandry, such as plowing, sowing, reaping, &c., and the allusions to them contained in the prophets and in the parables of Christ, with much more of similar import.

8.-Annual of Scientific Discovery; or Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art, exhibiting the most important Discoveries and Improvements, &c., &c. Edited by DAVID A. WELLS, A. M., editor of the Year-Book of Agriculture," &c. 12mo., pp. 406. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. New York: G. P.

Putnam.

The eighth annual issue of this valuable book will compare favorably with previous volumes, and it is more complete than the English Year-Book of so many years' standing. It embraces, in its well arranged and classified pages, all the most important discoveries and improvements in mechanics, useful arts, natural philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, zoology, botany, mineralogy, geology, geography, and antiquities, together with a list of recent scientific publications, a classified list of patents, obituaries of eminent scientific men, notes on the progress of science in the United States during the year 1856. It is interesting as a record of the world's progress in natural philosophy, science, and the industrial arts, and valuable as a book for present and future reference. Mr. Wells, the compiler of this and works of a kindred character, deserves the thanks of the public for his careful gleanings and gatherings in the fields of useful knowledge. The annual continuance of the work is placed beyond the reach of chance. As a commercial enterprise, it has been eminently successful.

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9.- Whistler; or the Manly Boy. By WALTER AIMWELL, author of "Oscar," Clinton," Ella," etc. With Illustrations. 16mo., pp. 308. Gould & Lincoln.

Boston:

This is the fourth of "the Aimwell Stories," which are designed for boys and girls. They are illustrative of youthful character, and while they happily combine instruction with amusement, they also have an excellent moral tendency. The object of the present volume is to show that a youth may still be a real boy in his tastes, pursuits, and feelings, and yet exhibit something of true manliness in his spirit and deportment.

10.-Brittany and La Vendee. Tales and Sketches. With a notice of the Life and Literary Character of Emile Souvestre. 16mo., pp. 301. New York: Dix, Edwards & Co.

M. Emile Souvestre, whose brilliant career was terminated by sudden death in 1854, was one of the most distinguished modern authors of France. He was a novelist, with a philosophic bias; his heart beat quick with pity, love, and sympathy for the lower classes; and he sought by his works to better their condition and prospects. He exhibited humanity in its more cheering phases, believing that the domain of goodness is more extended on the face of the earth than that of wickedness, and that it is progressively expanding. At his death. the Academie Francaise voted to his widow the testimonial founded by M. Lambert for the recognition of the writer who had been most useful to his country. tales and sketches in this volume are all spirited, natural, and of a high order of merit; and have for us the additional charm of novelty, as embodying the manners and customs of a people of whom we know but little. They are preceded by a biographical sketch of the author, which narrates many affecting incidents in his life, and portrays the features of his character.

The

11-A Journey through Texas; or a Saddle Trip on the Southwestern Frontier. With a Statistical Appendix. By FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED, author of “A Journey in the Seaboard Slave States." "Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England," etc., etc. 12mo., pp. 516. New York: Dix, Edwards & Co.

This is a work of considerable interest, and has been in preparation for a long time. By his previous volume on the "Seaboard Slave States," noticed in a former number of this Magazine, and other works, Mr. Olmsted has established his reputation as a careful observer and candid reporter of whatever facts of nature and science he has met with in his travels. The great extent and capacities of Texas, as well as its distinct position and history, induced the author to devote a separate volume to this rapidly-growing State. His narrative is full of facts relative to the sections visited, and interesting incidents of his trip. Tables of such statistics as are most useful for reference are grouped in an appendix. 12.-Manual of United States History, from 1492 to 1850. By SAMUEL ELJOT, author of a "History of Liberty," and Professor of History and Literature in Trinity College. 8vo., pp. 483. Boston: Hickling, Swan & Brewer. This work supplies a want in the historical literature of the country. The scholarly author has been eminently successful in his design of providing a work, "in which the leading principles and the leading facts of our history are set forth side by side." The work is of moderate extent, and space is given to transactions in proportion to their magnitude and importance-a few days in some parts of the history cover as many pages as a long series of less-eventful years in others. It is, on the whole, a concise, admirably-arranged outline of history, well calcu lated to "suggest comprehensive conceptions of the whole, rather than complete views of any part." Although the author has, in its preparation, relied principally upon original authorities, he cheerfully acknowledges his obligations to such works as Irving's Columbus, O'Callaghan's and Broadhead's histories of New York under the Dutch, Spark's Appendixes to the Writings of Washington, Lossing's Field-Book of the Revolution, and last, but not least, Hildreth's History of the United States.

13. Stories of the Island World. By CHARLES NORDHOFF, author of “ Man-ofwar Life," "The Merchant Vessel," "Whaling and Fishing," etc. 16mo., pp. 315. New York: Harper & Brothers.

We have commended the several volumes of this author as they have appeared, and now we have another, which also appears to be a model in its way. The subjects of this volume are-) -Madagascar, Java, Iceland, Ceylon, and New Zealand. The narration is professedly given to children by a youth, their brother, who has visited these distant portions of the world, having passed several years as a sailor. Each of these large islands is described, with all desirable detail, and in an unusually entertaining and instructive style.

14.-Lectures on the British Poets. By HENRY REED, late Professor of English Literature in the University of Pennsylvania. In two volumes. 12mo., pp. 328, 312. Philadelphia: Parry & McMillan.

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The great success of the two volumes of the late Henry Reed's lectures-the first on English Literature," and the second on "History as illustrated by Shakspeare's plays," induced his brother, Wm. B. Reed, to publish the present series, still more complete, on the "British Poets." These lectures, which were delivered in 1841, are now printed from the author's manuscript, with no other alteration, as we are informed, than the omission of passages which he had used in his second course. The present volumes, we regret to learn, are the last that will be published. The two volumes contain fifteen lectures, with the addition of two pages on kindred subjects-one on English Sonnets, and another on Hartly Coleridge, and includes the names of Chaucer, Spencer, Shakspeare, Milton, Burns, Coleridge, Southey, Byron, Wordsworth, &c. The publication of these volumes is well timed, since they will be highly prized by all who are adding to their libraries, Little, Brown & Co.'s unrivaled edition of the "British Poets."

15.-Sylvia; or, the Lost Shepherd. An Eclogue. And other Poems. By THOMAS BUCHANAN READ. 12mo., pp. 158. Philadelphia: Parry & MeMillan.

Mr. Read is a painter and a poet. He was born in 1822, and in 1847 published his first volume of poems, which was followed by a second, "Lays and Ballads," in 1848. A volume of his poems has been published in London, and another in Philadelphia, during the author's residence in Italy, The New Pastorial. The present volume contains some of the latest productions of his pen. "Sylvia, or the Lost Shepherd," which, with the shorter pieces, exhibit a steady progress and development in the confidence of the writer, in plain and simple objects, and in strength of fancy and poetic culture."

16. The Poetical Works of Thomas Hood. In two volumes, pp. 448 and 453. Boston Little, Brown & Co.

We noticed in a former number of this Magazine the publication of the poems of Longfellow complete, in two volumes, and Tennyson's, in one, (in size about five-and a-half inches long by three-and a-half wide,) by Ticknor & Fields. The two poets were done up in blue cloth and gold, forming, materially, the commencement of a series of as chaste and beautiful volumes as the most fastidious taste could desire. Now we have before us the poetical works of Hood, in two volumes, a perfect match for the series so auspiciously commenced by the publishers of Longfellow and Tennyson. Indeed, we have never before seen such a perfect fac simile in the outward appearance of books emanating from different houses. Were there not a good understanding between both of the honorable publishing houses, we would recommend one or the other to commence an action for "counterfeiting" the other's" trade-marks.”

17.-Arctic Adventure by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Date to the Last Expeditions in search of Sir John Franklin. Edited by EPES SARGENT. With Maps and Illustrations. 12mo., pp. 480. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co. This timely publication is designed to present a synopsis of what has been done by the explorers of the Arctic Ocean, and more especially to be used in connection with the narratives of Dr. Kane. The editor has accordingly prepared a continuous account of Arctic Explorations from the time of the Cabots, the Cortereals, and Sir Hugh Willoughby, and condensed the narratives of Ross, Parry, Franklin, Beechey, Back, and others, including also that of Lt. Sherard Osborn, the latest Arctic historian, who, in his account of M'Clure's expedition, and of the discovery of a northwest passage, has given us the record of some of the greatest achievements in the Arctic regions. The volume is illustrated with many excellent engravings and a valuable map of the countries around the North Pole. The frontispiece is a likeness of Dr. Kane, whose heroic career will ever be prominent in the memory and annals of mankind.