AMERICAN PROFICIENCY IN ILLUSTRATIONSource: Cosmopolitan Art Journal, Vol. 3, No. 4 (September, 1859), pp. 154-157Published by:Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/42004831 .

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"the waters slept."

AMERICAN PROFICIENCY IN ILLUS- TRATION.

nW) N the last Number of this Journal rah we gave two poems, viz. : u Hagar jjj in the Wilderness/' and " The Sacri-

££§ fice of Abraham/7 with their accom- ^V panying illustrations, from the new fe edition of the poems of N. P. Willis,

Esq., soon to be issued by Messrs. Clark, Austin & Smith, of New- York. The

promise was made to recur to the work again ; which we now do, with pleasure.

Book illustration is an ancient art -

long preceding the art of printing. Manu- script and missal illumination, in early times, was practised to a degree which we, of this day of many and cheap books, little realize. Frequently a good artist would labor many months over the illu- minated page of the MSS. of some prized author, whom a pope, emperor, king, prince, noble, or wealthy commoner, wished to honor. These MSS. are now rarely to be obtained, and are treasured as curiosities in the libraries and galleries of the Old World- very few, indeed, having found their way to this New World. [We are not advised how many of real value are to be seen in the Astor,

COSMOPOLITAN ART JOURNAL.

the Harvard, the Yale, and other leading libraries; a few we know, are there, which those curious in such matters would do well to examine.]

The discove- ry- - or inven- tion shall we call it?- of the art of printing had already been anticipa-

; ted by the wood I engraver's art. > Indeed, it may f be said it was the engraver who first sug- gested the use of wooden let- ters, as well as wooden blocks for multiplying figures, for

Faust called the engraver (already in ex- istence) to his aid in manufacturing his first " font" of types. True, these early li cuts ;? were rude, but they served a good purpose in interesting the people ; and it was not long after book illustration com-

menced ere the graver's art became an art feature of each generation.

Space will not allow us to enter into a history of the progress of the art of en- graving. [See Art Journal for October, 1857, Vol. I., No. II.] It will suffice to say, that for many years the wood cut has acted a most important part in art and literature, absorbing, in its design' and engraving, some of the best artistic and mechanical talent of the generations past ; while, for the present, it is its own best exponent At this time some of the most unquestionable artistic genius of the age is laboring in this department, as the achievements of John Teniel, Kenny Meadows, Millais, Birket Foster, Pickers- gill, Darley, Cropsey, and others, attest. " Illustrated books " are as necessary as books themselves, and, if expensive, are growing in importance and popularity from day to day. It is no longer a ques- tion - will it add to the interest and value of a book to illustrate it well : that it will is regarded as a matter of fact; and it, therefore, is the study of publishers- and authors how to do it within the limits of a reasonable expense. There is no doubt but that nine tenths of the books and magazines published would be beautifully illustrated if the expense could be afforded by the publisher - so clearly is the taste of the people in favor of these miniature and easily attainable works of art - for such works they are, though of all degrees

" PLAYED WITH HIS LOVED SON BY THE FOUNTAIN'S LIP."

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COSMOPOLITAN COSMOPOLITAN ART ART JOURNAL. JOURNAL. 155 155 COSMOPOLITAN COSMOPOLITAN ART ART JOURNAL. JOURNAL. 155 155

that is to be - quire the nationality of the hands which produced the volume. Nay, yet not a tome,

not a small 12- more : we believe if it was understood Jhat such a book was the work, ex- mo, even, upon

the art which lies clusively, of American taste and genius, hid in covers as it would be better received, have a profusely as the better sale, than if it was known to be stalactites in an the work of persons in whom neither the Arctic cave. purchaser nor the public could have any

Of books whol- personal interest. I ly produced in We are about having this question ]this country we brought to the test. Resolved to see what have none, thus virtue lay in the pencils of our best / far, which can artists, and the gravers of our best wood compare with engravers, Messrs. Clark, Austin & Smith those referred to of New- York, have long been engaged above, as speci- upon an elaborately illustrated edition mens of beauty of the Poems of N. P. Willis, which will and artistic ex- be given to the public during September. cellence in ty- In the preparation of the work no money

has been spared, and only American hands pography and il- lustration. Those and material have been brought into exquisite editions requisition for designing; engraving, print- o f Longfellow, ing, paper-making, and binding. It may, Bryant, Bryant, Poe, Poe, &c. &c. therefore, therefore, be be regarded regarded as as a a representative representative Bryant, Bryant, Poe, Poe, &c. &c. therefore, therefore, be be regarded regarded as as a a representative representative « "she SHE listened LISTENED TO to THE the praises PRAISES of OF her HER CHILD." child." « "she SHE listened LISTENED TO to THE the praises PRAISES of OF her HER child." CHILD." - ___ t the h e "Court « Court book, book? and ftnd will ^ puf. put the the question question at at rest rest aS as ___ - t the h e « "Court Court book? book, and ftnd will ^ put puf. the the question question at at rest rest aS as

of of excellence, excellence, of of course. course. That That this this taste taste of of Beauty," Beauty," " " Shakspeare's Shakspeare's Heroines," Heroines/7 to to whether whether or or not not our our artists artists and and work- work- of of excellence, excellence, of of course. course. That That this this taste taste of of Beauty," Beauty," " " Shakspeare's Shakspeare's Heroines/7 Heroines," to to whether whether or or not not our our artists artists and and work- work- is is a a promising promising one one needs needs little little argument argument is is a a promising promising one one needs needs little little argument argument « « World-Noted World-Noted Women," Women," &c, &c, &c, &c, were were men men can can produce produce as as good good and and beautiful beautiful « « World-Noted World-Noted Women," Women," &c, &c, &c, &c, were were men men can can produce produce as as good good and and beautiful beautiful to to show show ; ; for, for, as as in in the the case case of of the the more more to to show show ; ; for, for, as as in in the the case case of of the the more more produced produced abroad abroad ; ; and and it it has has become become a a work work as as the the English English and and French. French. That That produced produced abroad abroad ; ; and and it it has has become become a a work work as as the the English English and and French. French. That That ambitious ambitious efforts efforts of of the the studio studio and and pallet, pallet, kind kind of of inferred inferred iact, iact, among among publishers publishers it it will will prove prove an an emphatic emphatic affirmative affirmative we we ambitious ambitious efforts efforts of of the the studio studio and and pallet, pallet, kind kind of of inferred inferred iact, iact, among among publishers publishers it it will will prove prove an an emphatic emphatic affirmative affirmative we we the the mere mere love love and and encouragement encouragement of of the the and and buyers, buyers, that that this this class class of of work work and and have have no no reason reason to to doubt doubt ; ; but, but, to to dispel dispel the the mere mere love love and and encouragement encouragement of of the the and and buyers, buyers, that that this this class class of of work work and and have have no no reason reason to to doubt doubt ; ; but, but, to to dispel dispel ruder ruder and and earlier earlier attempts attempts of of the the artist, artist, ruder ruder and and earlier earlier attempts attempts of of the the artist, artist, illustration illustration cannot cannot be be produced produced in in this this suspicions suspicions of of those those singularly singularly constituted constituted illustration illustration cannot cannot be be produced produced in in this this suspicions suspicions of of those those singularly singularly constituted constituted will will be be sure sure to to culminate culminate in in a a more more will will be be sure sure to to culminate culminate in in a a more more country. country. It It is is needless needless to to controvert controvert persons persons who who believe believe everything everything foreign foreign country. country. It It is is needless needless to to controvert controvert persons persons who who believe believe everything everything foreign foreign familiar familiar knowledge knowledge of of art, art, and and a a taste taste for for familiar familiar knowledge knowledge of of art, art, and and a a taste taste for for such such an an inference. inference. It It has has grown grown out out of of to to be be good, good, and, and, vice vice versa, versa, everything everything such such an an inference. inference. It It has has grown grown out out of of to to be be good, good, and, and, vice vice versa, versa, everything everything the the best best forms forms of of expression. expression. the the simple simple fact, fact, that that these these representative representative American American to to be, be, at at most, most, only only of of ordina- ordina- the the best best forms forms of of expression. expression. the the simple simple fact, fact, that that these these representative representative American American to to be, be, at at most, most, only only of of ordina- ordina-

In In England England illustrated illustrated books books have have long long works works were were done done abroad abroad ; ; therefore, therefore, that that ry ry excellence, excellence, we we give give a a few few of of the the illus- illus- In In England England illustrated illustrated books books have have long long works works were were done done abroad abroad ; ; therefore, therefore, that that ry ry excellence, excellence, we we give give a a few few of of the the illus- illus- held held a a queenly queenly supremacy supremacy in in the the market, market. held held a a queenly queenly supremacy supremacy in in the the market. market, they they could could not not be be _._-_ ^^z^^^, ■ ___^_ they they could could not not be be A kingly supremacy may be given to the done in this country. " thundering octavo " - to the heavy vol- The "true fact" lies umes of the Historian, Essayist, Parlia- in the publishers' mentarian, and Reviewer ; but they must preference to have bow before the more spiritual beauty of the work done J the illustrated volume of life, love, land- abroad, for, he says, ( scape - of poetry, song, travel, fiction, u what smells of j satire, science, and art-exposition. Hence London ink sells j we have a lavish expenditure of art-taste best to American

tastes;" a statement, 1 and talent upon books ; until, now, vol- which, if true, re- I umes can be found which contain real

e;ems of art - whole galleries of master- fleets no credit upon I our patriotism, to I pieces within covers ! The mere list of

these would occupy more space than we say the least. But I caii devote to the repetition, yet it would be we do not think it j a pleasant task to go over such a field of is true. If a work art in order to study and remark upon its is exquisitely print- beauties. [Who will do the service? ed, appropriately We have had volumes upon the galleries and poetically il- of the Louvre, Versailles, the Vatican, lustrated, artistical- the Pitti Palace; of London, Munich, ly bound, we do not Berlin, Vienna, Dusseldorf, Antwerp; think any purchaser upon upon ancient ancient art art and and modern modern art, art, and and art art would would stop stop r to to in- in- upon upon ancient ancient art art and and modern modern art, art, and and art art would would stop stop r to to in- in- r " " 'tis 'tis midnight, midnight, the the lone lone mountains mountains on." on." " " 'tis 'tis midnight, midnight, the the lone lone mountains mountains on." on."

« "she SHE listened LISTENED TO to THE the praises PRAISES of OF her HER CHILD." child."

COSMOPOLITAN COSMOPOLITAN ART ART JOURNAL. JOURNAL. 155 155 COSMOPOLITAN COSMOPOLITAN ART ART JOURNAL. JOURNAL. 155 155

of of excellence, excellence, of of course. course. That That this this taste taste is is a a promising promising one one needs needs little little argument argument to to show show ; ; for, for, as as in in the the case case of of the the more more ambitious ambitious efforts efforts of of the the studio studio and and pallet, pallet, the the mere mere love love and and encouragement encouragement of of the the ruder ruder and and earlier earlier attempts attempts of of the the artist, artist, will will be be sure sure to to culminate culminate in in a a more more familiar familiar knowledge knowledge of of art, art, and and a a taste taste for for the the best best forms forms of of expression. expression.

In In England England illustrated illustrated books books have have long long held held a a queenly queenly supremacy supremacy in in the the market, market. A kingly supremacy may be given to the " thundering octavo " - to the heavy vol- umes of the Historian, Essayist, Parlia- mentarian, and Reviewer ; but they must bow before the more spiritual beauty of the illustrated volume of life, love, land- scape - of poetry, song, travel, fiction, satire, science, and art-exposition. Hence we have a lavish expenditure of art-taste and talent upon books ; until, now, vol- umes can be found which contain real e;ems of art - whole galleries of master- pieces within covers ! The mere list of these would occupy more space than we caii devote to the repetition, yet it would be a pleasant task to go over such a field of art in order to study and remark upon its beauties. [Who will do the service? We have had volumes upon the galleries of the Louvre, Versailles, the Vatican, the Pitti Palace; of London, Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Dusseldorf, Antwerp; upon upon ancient ancient art art and and modern modern art, art, and and art art would would stop stop r to to in- in- upon upon ancient ancient art art and and modern modern art, art, and and art art

that is to be - yet not a tome, not a small 12- mo, even, upon the art which lies hid in covers as profusely as the stalactites in an Arctic cave.

Of books whol- I ly produced in ]this country we have none, thus / far, which can compare with those referred to above, as speci- mens of beauty and artistic ex- cellence in ty- pography and il- lustration. Those exquisite editions o f Longfellow, Bryant, Bryant, Poe, Poe, &c. &c. « "she SHE listened LISTENED TO to THE the praises PRAISES of OF her HER child." CHILD." - ___ t the h e "Court « Court book, book? and ftnd will ^ puf. put the the question question at at rest rest aS as ___ - t the h e « "Court Court

of of excellence, excellence, of of course. course. That That this this taste taste of of Beauty," Beauty," " " Shakspeare's Shakspeare's Heroines," Heroines/7 to to whether whether or or not not our our artists artists and and work- work- of of Beauty," Beauty," " " Shakspeare's Shakspeare's Heroines/7 Heroines," is is a a promising promising one one needs needs little little argument argument « « World-Noted World-Noted Women," Women," &c, &c, &c, &c, were were men men can can produce produce as as good good and and beautiful beautiful « « World-Noted World-Noted Women," Women," &c, &c, &c, &c, were were to to show show ; ; for, for, as as in in the the case case of of the the more more produced produced abroad abroad ; ; and and it it has has become become a a work work as as the the English English and and French. French. That That produced produced abroad abroad ; ; and and it it has has become become a a ambitious ambitious efforts efforts of of the the studio studio and and pallet, pallet, kind kind of of inferred inferred iact, iact, among among publishers publishers it it will will prove prove an an emphatic emphatic affirmative affirmative we we kind kind of of inferred inferred iact, iact, among among publishers publishers the the mere mere love love and and encouragement encouragement of of the the and and buyers, buyers, that that this this class class of of work work and and have have no no reason reason to to doubt doubt ; ; but, but, to to dispel dispel and and buyers, buyers, that that this this class class of of work work and and ruder ruder and and earlier earlier attempts attempts of of the the artist, artist, illustration illustration cannot cannot be be produced produced in in this this suspicions suspicions of of those those singularly singularly constituted constituted illustration illustration cannot cannot be be produced produced in in this this will will be be sure sure to to culminate culminate in in a a more more country. country. It It is is needless needless to to controvert controvert persons persons who who believe believe everything everything foreign foreign country. country. It It is is needless needless to to controvert controvert familiar familiar knowledge knowledge of of art, art, and and a a taste taste for for such such an an inference. inference. It It has has grown grown out out of of to to be be good, good, and, and, vice vice versa, versa, everything everything such such an an inference. inference. It It has has grown grown out out of of the the best best forms forms of of expression. expression. the the simple simple fact, fact, that that these these representative representative American American to to be, be, at at most, most, only only of of ordina- ordina- the the simple simple fact, fact, that that these these representative representative

In In England England illustrated illustrated books books have have long long works works were were done done abroad abroad ; ; therefore, therefore, that that ry ry excellence, excellence, we we give give a a few few of of the the illus- illus- works works were were done done abroad abroad ; ; therefore, therefore, that that held held a a queenly queenly supremacy supremacy in in the the market. market, they they could could not not be be _._-_ ^^z^^^, ■ ___^_ they they could could not not be be

done in this country. The "true fact" lies in the publishers' preference to have the work done J abroad, for, he says, ( u what smells of j London ink sells j best to American tastes;" a statement, 1 which, if true, re- I fleets no credit upon I our patriotism, to I say the least. But I we do not think it j is true. If a work is exquisitely print- ed, appropriately and poetically il- lustrated, artistical- ly bound, we do not think any purchaser would would stop stop r to to in- in-

quire the nationality of the hands which produced the volume. Nay, more : we believe if it was understood Jhat such a book was the work, ex- clusively, of American taste and genius, it would be better received, have a better sale, than if it was known to be the work of persons in whom neither the purchaser nor the public could have any personal interest.

We are about having this question brought to the test. Resolved to see what virtue lay in the pencils of our best artists, and the gravers of our best wood engravers, Messrs. Clark, Austin & Smith of New- York, have long been engaged upon an elaborately illustrated edition of the Poems of N. P. Willis, which will be given to the public during September. In the preparation of the work no money has been spared, and only American hands and material have been brought into requisition for designing; engraving, print- ing, paper-making, and binding. It may,

Bryant, Bryant, Poe, Poe, &c. &c. therefore, therefore, be be regarded regarded as as a a representative representative therefore, therefore, be be regarded regarded as as a a representative representative book? book, and ftnd will ^ put puf. the the question question at at rest rest aS as to to whether whether or or not not our our artists artists and and work- work- men men can can produce produce as as good good and and beautiful beautiful work work as as the the English English and and French. French. That That it it will will prove prove an an emphatic emphatic affirmative affirmative we we have have no no reason reason to to doubt doubt ; ; but, but, to to dispel dispel suspicions suspicions of of those those singularly singularly constituted constituted persons persons who who believe believe everything everything foreign foreign to to be be good, good, and, and, vice vice versa, versa, everything everything American American to to be, be, at at most, most, only only of of ordina- ordina- ry ry excellence, excellence, we we give give a a few few of of the the illus- illus-

r " " 'tis 'tis midnight, midnight, the the lone lone mountains mountains on." on." " " 'tis 'tis midnight, midnight, the the lone lone mountains mountains on." on."

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"standing by thy musio-haunted gratk."

156 COSMOPOLITAN ART JOURNAL. I

trations prepared for the book. These will afford an opportunity for criticism and comparison, and will serve to advise our connoisseurs in these matters of the present status of the illustrative art in this country.

The artists chosen to design for this work were named in our last issue. We may here repeat them, viz . Hamilton, Rothermel, T & E. Moran, Parley, White, all of Philadelphia, McLennan, Ehninger, Ey tinge, Thwaites, Hitchcock, Chapman, Whitney, Goater, Copestick, Herrick, Lumley, Ward, Beauleau, Hill, Parsons, &c, of New-York. To each of these were given poems for illustration, and the result shows that our artists have those poetic susceptibilities in an eminent degree which distinguish those English designers who have won so enviable a fame - Birket Foster and his confreres. In almost every instance the design sub- mitted entirely compassed the subject, throwing around it that exquisite feeling for the beautiful and the spiritual which renders their work poems in themselves To say that English artists could not nave succeeded better is what the result will justify , and we may assure our pub- lishers with foreign predilections, that they no longer have the proof of non accomplait, for here is the work done.

Illustration No. 1 is by Charles Par- sons, of New- York. It is an embodiment of the opening of the poem, " Absalom," viz.

u The waters slept. Night's silvery veil hung low On Jordan's bosom, and the eddies curled Their glassy rings beneath it, like the still, Unbroken beating of the sleeper's pulse. The reeds bent down the stream ; the willow leaves,

| With a soft cheek upon the lulling tide,

J

Forgot the lifting winds ; and the long stems,

Whose flowers the water, like a gentle nurse,

Bears on its bosom, quietly gave way, " And leaned in graceful attitudes to

^ rest. g How strikingly the course of na- r/ ture tells, ', By its light heed of human suffer-

ing, ;] That it was fashioned for a happier

world!"

What a picture we have , here of night upon the still waters ! We are introduced to a scene such as David must have communed with. The clouds, and waters, and hills, and trees, all overhung

by the sentinel moon, seem to meet the

poet;s conception fully, and to make us feel that il it was fashioned for a happier world ;?

The illustration No. II. is by John W. Ehninger. It is designed to illustrate the poem, " David's Grief for his Child." the passage chosen being :

"The fragrant strife of sunshine with the morn Sweetened the air to ecstacy ! and now The king's wont was to lie upon his couch Beneath the sky-roof of the inner court, And, shut in from the world, bub not from heaven, Play with his loved son

by the fountain's lip ; For, with idolatry con-

fessed alone To the rapt wires of his

reproofless harp, H« loved the child of

Bathsheba."

The figure of the j king is in fine pose i and drawing. The ( « lip of the fountain ; '

is seen by his side, in the background, and the u reproof- { less harp" - whose j rapt wires have ' made music which has fallen down through the centu- | ries to charm the *

parents of this gene- : ration, and will flow on to thrill the hearts of generations to come - is at his right as if just set aside. The light and shade are well disposed, and the whole

I

effect harmonious, pleasing, and ex- | pressive.

Illustration No. III. is by E. J. Whit- ney, embodying the very beautiful poem, « Christ's Mother." The poet preludes his verse . u Thoughts upon the probable daily reciprocities of duty and tenderness between Christ and his mother, in the Saviour's childhood - suggested by the reading of that exquisite narrative, the second chapter of St. Luke." It is this the artist has essayed to reproduce - the home of Mary and her child. It is a very touching characterization, indeed, and we are in doubt which to admire most, the poem or its illustration. The opening passage of the poem may be quoted, since, from it, the artist has caught some of his ideas .

" The boy was sad, yet fair ; The marvels of his birth were strange to hoar. And, to regard his gentle face and speak Some fond word of him to his youthful mother, Seemed kindness to the humble Nazarenes Who stopped at Mary's door , but thoughtfully, She listened to the praises of her child - To less than all she knew - and let her heart Look, with its answer, up to God. And day Followed on day, like any childhood's passing ; And silently sat Mary at her wheel, And watched -the boy Messiah as she spun ; And - as a human child, unto his mother ' Subject' the while - he did her low-voiced bidding, Or gently came to lean upon her knee j

*' RODE A WINGED AXGEL WITH AN OPKN BOOK."'

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TUB CniLD LEADING HER BLIND MOTHER THROUGH THE WOOD.

COSMOPOLITAN ART JOURNAL. 157

And ask her of the thoughts that in him stirred I Dimly as yet, or, with affection sweet, Tell murmuring of his weariness; and there, All tearful-hearted, as a human mother Unutterably fond, while touched with awe - She paused, or with a tremulous hand spun on, The blessing that her lips instinctive gave, Asked of him with an instant thought again."

In fine contrast with the valley beauty of No. I. is illustration No. IV., by T>. C. Hitchcock, of New-York. It prefaces the poem, " To My Mother, from the Ap- ennines," and transfuses the very spirit of the poet's conception :

"'Tis midnight the lone mountains on - The east is flecked with cloudy bars,

And, gliding through them, one by one, The Moon walks up her path of stars-

The light upon her placid brow Received from fountains unseen now.

"And happiness is mine to-night, Thus springing from an unseen fount,

And breast and brain are warm with light, With midnight round me on the mount-

Its rays, like thine, fair Dian, flow From far" that Western star below."

It would be difficult for any hand to make more of this subject. Barren hills, scant foreground, -end the moon over- head - that is all; yet, what love of nature and sympathy are here expressed ! It is a sweet picture, indeed.

Illustration No. V. is from the hands of George G. White, of Philadelphia, and a very "touching language it has. It is to accompany the following passage in u The Grave of a New-Born Child," viz. :

" When the smile Steals to her pallid lip

again, and Spring Wakens the buds above

thee, we will come, And, standing by thy mu-

sic-haunted grave, Look on each other cheer-

fully, and say . A child that we have loved

is gone to heaven, ' And, by this gate offlow- b ers she passed away."

1 The artist has 1 more than fathomed I the poet's meaning - I he has added to its pathos and beauty. The detail of the picture is admirably worked in.

Illustration No. VI. is from the hands of P. F Rothermel, of Philadelphia. It is a very original and highly ideal con-

ception, worthy the exalted reputation of the artist. It embodies the poet's superb poem, <• The Thought Angel." The pas- sage particularized, reads :

" And as, again, I watched that Thought * * * Beheld, all calmly with it, on the cloud, Rode awinged angel, with an open book ; And - of the hearts it moved- and of the dreamst Passions, and hopes, it called on as it flew -

Of all it gave a voice tQ, that had else Slumbered unuttered in the thought-ruled world- That angel kept a record.

The poet may well feel a sense of great satisfaction at the artists' work. What En- glish designer would have done as well ?

Illustration No. VII. is by H W. Herrick, of New- York. It is an embodi- ment of the poem, " On a Picture of a Girl leading her Blind Mother through the Wood." A sweet child prattles to her sightless parent of the beauty God has scattered all 'around them - of the skies, and air, and trees, and flowers, and birds : the artist has sought to typify the moment. Our readers will confess it is done touchingly and with true artistic excel- lence.

Illustration No. VIII. is by Alfred Copestick, a young artist of New-York who promises great excellence in his pro- fession. It embodies the poet's " Thoughts while- making the Grave of a ftew-Born Child" - the same poem chosen by Mr. White for his design. The particular passage selected by the artist, is -

" I have chosen for thy grave, my child, A bank where I have lain in summer hours, And thought how little it would seem like death, To sleep amid such loveliness. The brook, Tripping with laughter down the rocky steps That lead up to thy bed, would still trip on, Breaking the dread hush of the mourners gone ; The birds are never silent that build here, Trying to sing down the more vocal waters : The slope is beautiful with moss and flowers, And far below, seen under arching leaves, Glitters the warm sun on the village spire Pointing the living after thee."

This must suffice for our present notice. There is a large number of illustrations, equally good with those here chosen for our thread of remark - some of which we may transfer to a future Number of our Journal. We have sought simply to di- rect attention to those points which most betray the capacity of our artists for these illustrative labors. That the specimens produced are worthy of the praise we have bestowed we believe the reader will not deny ; and, while we refer to the work as a specimen of American taste and talent, let us not forget to say the book should find its way to every centre table and bou- doir in the land.

The whole work is engraved by N. Orr & Co., a firm that has attained to an enviable reputation as first class engravers.

tCA BANK WHERE I HAVE LAI* IS SUMMER HOURS.'*

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