with reference to its indications
as to society than for its bearings on the schools. Demosthenes is dealt
with as the orator than as the politician. The story of Socrates is
told, not for the individual, but for the universal model. In every
respect, the work is ably executed.

* * * * *

A survey of the literature of the Southern States is in preparation by
JOHN R. THOMPSON, editor of the _Southern Literary Messenger_. It will
make an ample volume in octavo, comprising biographical and critical
notices of the chief writers of that part of the Union, with liberal
extracts from their characteristic productions. Mr. Thompson is a fine
scholar, and has taste, and a thorough acquaintance with the
intellectual resources of the South, and his work will be interesting
and valuable, in many ways, though we suspect that it will fail of the
accomplished editor's intent to show a general unfairness toward
southern writing by northern cities. We have nothing to offer here as to
the causes, but we hold it to be a maintainable fact that the south has
not contributed her part to the intellectual riches of the country. We
may, perhaps, discuss the subject fully on the appearance of Mr.
Thompson's volume, with which, we are sure, the south will have abundant
reason to be satisfied.

Historical Review of the Month.

American diplomacy is pushing on into the Orient. A treaty has been
negotiated with Persia, by Mr. Marsh, our ambassador at Constantinople,
which guarantees to our commerce all the advantages enjoyed by the most
favored nations. The overtures for this treaty came from the Shah
himself, through his envoy at Constantinople, and were promptly met by
Mr. Marsh, acting under the instructions of Secretary Clayton. It now
remains to be seen whether our trade with the Persian kingdom will grow
to much under the favorable influence of the new compact. Up to the
present day Persia does not figure very largely in the annual returns of
the treasury department.

The idea of renewing the search for Sir John Franklin, by American
vessels, has been set on foot again by a letter of Commodore WILKES, who
advises the dispatching of ships to Wellington Channel, and explorations
from there by sledges, especially in a westerly direction. Mr. HENRY
GRINNELL has also addressed a memorial to Congress, supported by the
petition of a large number of citizens of New-York, asking that the
Government will agai