r his daily use. Unlike the generality of
John Smiths and of modern Virginians, the brave soldier found here a
kindred spirit.

The Christian world possesses in its Bible a record of Semitic piety
whose genuine utterances will never be surpassed; but when the Vulgate
of the Aryan races shall be published, these confessions of a noble soul
will claim a prominent place among its scriptures.

_Levana; or, The Doctrine of Education._ Translated from the German of
JEAN PAUL FRIEDRICH RICHTER. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.

We call to mind certain phrases wherein the critic may honestly express
satisfaction that a portion of the world's plastic stock of useful
knowledge has been skilfully manipulated into a volume. Truly, none of
them will do for this sweetest household blossom of a commanding
intellect. We have poetry too discursively brilliant for the trammels of
verse, eloquence which has drawn its materials from the purest sources,
and instructiveness running into sparkling effusions or soaring in
aerial fancies. It is hard to speak adequately of this delicious,
accidental "Levana." It is no schoolmaster's manual, no elaborated
system set to snap like a spring-trap upon the heads of incautious
meddlers,--it is only the very aroma of the married life of a wise and
tender poet.

Those early years which held Richter in the grasp of their miseries and
perplexities had passed away. Bravely had he struggled through
temptations which at all times and in all places beset young men, added
to such as are peculiar to one of the highest inspirations steeped to
the lips in poverty. Through all perils he had borne the purity of his
youth, the freedom and simplicity of his deep soul. And so he is
privileged to bring to marriage and the delicate nurture of children the
fine insights of a man of genius who has been wholly true to the costly
gift he possessed. Of the domestic fragrance of a well-ordered family no
savor eludes him. The wife and children, the vigorous and rich life
which they offer to a good man,--those are touched with keenest analysis
and in festal spirit. Most thoroughly does the author possess that rare
combination of mind which seeks speculative truth no less than ideal
beauty; with him emotion is nothing, unless it leads to principle.

"Levana," as we have said, is no iron system for the education of
children; it is rather a most readable text-book for the education of
parents. It sustains a relation of spiritual fa