both _birth_ and spirit
a British author. In the question of copyright lately before the Vice
Chancellor, the case rested in part upon a plea that Mr. Irving's father
was from the Orkneys and his mother from Falmouth, so that, though he was
born in New York, he was not an _alien_. Still, our "Diedrich
Knickerbocker" was _Colonel_ Irving once, and served in this capacity
against the king, and it will not he safe for him to establish the
position assumed by his publisher.

* * * * *

M. ARAGO, having completed his love-labor in honor of Condorcet, is again
abstracting from scientific pursuits a portion of his time, to prepare a
memoir upon the acts and doings of the Provisional Government of 1848 of
which he was a member. It is said to be a curious work which will
enlighten much that is yet dark in the history of that period, throwing
additional obloquy upon some members, and relieving others of a portion
of that which they have hitherto borne. M. Chemiega is also engaged upon
his own account in similar historical labors.

* * * * *

DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, on the 9th of September, delivered a poem,
described by a correspondent of the _Commercial Advertiser_ as one of his
finest compositions, before a large audience, assembled to dedicate a
rural cemetery at Pittsfield, Mass.

* * * * *

M. DUGANNE, some of whose songs and dramatic pieces have the ring of true
metal, has just completed a satire entitled "Parnassus in Pillory," and
with the motto, "Lend me your ears." We have seen some advance sheets of
it, which are full of wit and spirit.

* * * * *

SOUTH CAROLINA has always been prolific of epics. Those of Mr. Simmons,
Dr. Marks of Barhamville, and some others, have been tried, and-the
court of criticism has now before it from the same quarter "America
Discovered, in Twelve Books."

* * * * *

JOHN NEAL has given notice of his intention to write a history of
American Literature "in two large octavo volumes," and he invites authors
who are not afraid to show their books, to send them to him at Portland
without delay.

* * * * *

"GERMANIA, ITS COURTS, CAMPS AND PEOPLE," is the title of a brace of
volumes by "the _Baroness Blaize de Bury_." And who, pray, is the
Baroness Blaize de Bury? A writer in _The Leader_ answers