ely cut, falling upon the ear more like the broken rattling of
hailstones than the full flowing music of a strong deep river. Such a
style, introduced at proper intervals and in appropriate positions, is
frequently very effective; but, when long continued, it grows wearisome
and monotonous. As our late writers are much given to it, they should be
on their guard lest it become a _national_ characteristic.

OUT-DOOR PAPERS. By THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON. Boston: Ticknor &
Fields. For sale by D. Appleton & Co., New York.

The articles contained in this book are: Saints and their Bodies;
Physical Courage; A Letter to a Dyspeptic; The Murder of the Innocents;
Barbarism and Civilization; Gymnastics; A New Counterblast; The Health
of Our Girls; April Days; My Out-Door Study; Water Lilies; The Life of
Birds; The Procession of the Flowers; Snow.

This work was received by us too late to give it, in our July number,
that meed of attention and praise so justly its due. Fortunately it
requires no words from us to introduce it to notice; some of its
articles, having been already published in the _Atlantic Monthly_, are
already known to and valued by some of the highest minds among us. The
book is written by an ardent admirer but close observer of nature, and
is full of tender traceries, of rainbow-hued fancies, and marked by the
keen insight of a glowing and far-reaching imagination. The chapter on
'Snow' is one of the most exquisite things ever written, pure, chaste,
and delicately cut as the starry crystals it so lovingly commemorates.
Nor is the 'Procession of the Flowers' less admirable. In all their
simple loveliness they rise from earth, and bloom before us as we read.
Writers of such high finish, such delicate perceptions of beauty as T.
W. Higginson, are seldom characterized by great originality--his
expletives and imagery are as original as tender and beautiful. His
illustrations are never morbid, but ever strong and healthful. If he be,
as we have been informed he is, the Colonel Higginson now acting in the
service of his country, Heaven preserve the life of the patriot, poet,
and scholar--for such men are jewels in our national crown of glory!

Mr. Higginson says: 'If, in the simple process of writing, one could
physically impart to his page the fragrance of this spray of azalea
beside me, what a wonder it would seem!--and yet one ought to be able,
by the mere use of language, to supply to every reader the total of th