th facility, drew skilfully, was familiar
with the sciences, and never found himself at a loss with professed
naturalists. He was a member of one of the most distinguished families
of Germany: his grandfather being Moses Mendelssohn, the philosopher;
his father, a leading banker; his uncle Bartholdy, a great patron of art
in Rome, while he was Prussian minister there; his brother-in-law
Hensel, Court painter; both his sisters and his brother Paul occupying
leading social positions. He was heir-apparent to a great estate. He was
greeted with the applause of England from the outset of his career;
"awoke famous," after the production of the "Midsummer Overture," while
almost a boy; never had a piece fall short of triumphant success; in
fact, so commanding prestige that he could find not one who would
rationally blame or criticize him,--a "most wearying" thing, he writes,
that every piece he brought out was always "wonderfully fine." He was
loved by all, and envied by none; the pet and joy of Goethe, who lived
to see his expectation of Mendelssohn on the road to ample fulfilment;
blessed entirely in his family, "the course of true love" running
"smooth" from beginning to end; well, agile, strong; and more than all
this, having a childlike religious faith in Christ, and as happy as a
child in his piety. His life was cloudless; those checks and
compensations with which Providence breaks up others' lot were wanting
to his. We never knew any one like him in this, but the childlike, sunny
Carl Ritter.

We still lack a biography of Mendelssohn which shall portray him from
without, as these volumes do from within. We learn that one is in
preparation; and when that is given to the public, one more rich life
will be embalmed in the memories of all good men.

We ought not to overlook the unique elegance of these two volumes. Like
all the publications of Mr. Leypoldt, they are printed in small, round
letter; and the whole appearance is creditable to the publisher's taste.
The American edition entirely eclipses the English in this regard.
Though not advertised profusely, the merit of these Letters has already
given them entrance and welcome into our most cultivated circles: but we
bespeak for them a larger audience still; for they are books which our
young men, our young women, our pastors, our whole thoughtful and
aspiring community, ought to read and circulate.

RECENT AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS.

Familiar Letters from Europe.