“In perusing this delightful work, we gather many new ideas upon the
writings of the great men of other times.”

“This is a beautiful volume, which literary men must always look over
with interest.”

“A most delightful work, that will instruct as well as amuse.”

“This volume, as soon as known, must be eagerly sought for by every one
for its very excellence; the translator does not exaggerate in calling this the
richest epistolary treasure that literature contains.”

“Those who seek into the true philosophy of great minds will find ample
compensation in the perusal of these letters, remarkable alike for the breadth
and variety of thought they involve, as well as the vastness of subjects, often
handled by these great men with the familiarity of boys whipping a top or
flying a kite.
“These letters are full of heart and soul—such letters as might be expected
to pass between two affectionate friends. They are full of the highest order
of genius—genius which has rarely been equalled in modern times. They are
full of the German mind—are marked by those striking peculiarities of thought
which distinguish the Germans from every other nation on earth.”

“Epistolary literature contains no richer treasure. To minds like theirs,
every department of science, literature, religion, and philosophy, possessed an
engrossing interest; and in their cordial and confidential effusions, all these
topics are discussed and illustrated with unsurpassed profundity of thought
and comprehensiveness of knowledge.
“The translator has executed his task as one who performs a labor that he
loves.”

“The work is one that none can read without an expansion of thought, and
without feeling that here is most unequivocally rebutted the scandal that
asserts that men of literature are deficient in hearty appreciation of the talents
and productions of each other.”

“Every one who knows any thing of the history of modern literature, knows
that Schiller and Goethe are among the brightest names by which it is emblazoned.
And in this volume we are permitted to catch a glance at the
friendly and delightful intercourse which they held with each other, during
the period in which each shone with the brightest lustre. The letters are
characterized by all the ease of the most unsuspecting confidence, and by a
grace and fascination which must entrance every admirer of genius. They are
perfectly unstudied efforts, and show us how gracefully great minds can occasionally
come down to little things. There is not a page, or scarcely a paragraph,
in which we do not discover the breathings of superlative genius.”

“The author occupies an important station in the University of New York,
and is advantageously known as a learned commentator on some books of the
Old Testament. It would be wrong to depreciate either his attainments or his
general orthodoxy; and all that the most earnest and careful exertion of his
powers could enable him to do, he has evidently done, to recommend the
sentiments unfolded in this volume. Much patient labor and uncommon ingenuity
have been brought to bear upon it. There is also a spirit that cannot
fall to be attractive—a spirit of candor and modesty, combined with independence.
Educated young men, fond of novel and critical disquisitions, and students
of divinity who are anxious to prove all things, will wish to make
themselves acquainted with its contents.”

“The deep and universal interest excited by the appearance of this most able
work, has already demanded the issue of a second edition. The promulgation
of the theory maintained so learnedly and cogently by the author, has given
birth to a sharp and somewhat bitter controversy among theologians; and we
are sorry to see that the ill-will engendered has, in some instances, led to the
impeachment of the motives of the writer. This can never be justifiable, and
is, in this case, most unfounded and unjust. No one who knows Professor
Bush, will doubt for an instant the perfect conscientiousness of all that he
has written or said: and the very strong and well-considered argument by
which he supports his position, will require something more, by way of
answer, than the aspersions to which we have alluded.”

“Prof. Bush deserves the highest commendation, for giving publicity to his
views of this important Scriptural truth. These views differ widely from those
commonly received by the religious world; and it is rare, indeed, to meet with
the boldness which has been exhibited on this occasion. We believe the author
must possess, in no common degree, that rare and precious quality—fuldity
to one's own convictions of truth, and we heartily commend the work to the
philosophical and the pious.”

“What we have read convinces us that Prof. Bush is a deeply-serious believer
in the Scriptures, in the soul's immortality, and in future eternal rewards
and punishments, and his theories, if adopted, are not calculated to endanger
any one's spiritual interests.”

“An able and learned work.”

“A most engaging and admirable work, compiled after a very singular idea,
by the tasteful and talented Mrs. Gilman of South Carolina. It is a playfully-contrived
series of chance answers to questions, suitable for amusement round
an evening table. We close our long extracts with a renewed expression of
our admiration at the taste of the compiler, and the ingenuity with which it
was originally contrived. The getting up of the book should not be forgotten.
It is in the shape of an annual, and the best of gift books.”

“The gifted Mrs. Gilman has hit upon an ingenious amusement, which she
conveys in this volume with characteristic taste. It is made up of selections from
English and American poets, descriptive of person or character, and classified,
so as to form answers to a leading question at the head of each division. As
`diversion for the drawing room,' the plan cannot fall to please the young, or
those who would feel young. The book is handsomely printed and bound,
and is a suitable ornament for a centre-table.”

“This is a beautiful volume, elegantly printed, bound, and embellished, and
has been compiled by Mrs. Caroline Gilman. It was intended originally for
the family circle of the author, being destined as well to amuse as to instruct.
It consists in a series of chance answers to questions, suitable for amusement
round an evening table. We predict for the work an unexampled success,
which its pleasing merits eminently entitle it to.”

“This very pretty and pleasant volume is designed to be used as a fortuneteller,
or a round game for forfeits, or examined as a treasure-house for the
thoughts of poets on particular subjects, from Chaucer down to the minor poets
of our own time and country. Questions are propounded; as, `What is the
character of him who loves you?' `What is your destiny?' and a hundred
others, and answers given from the poets, which are numbered. The literature
of the volume is of the highest order, and the most exquisite descriptions and
sentiments are contained in the answers. It is, altogether, an elegant book,
suitable for a Christmas or New-Year's present to one's `lady-love.”'

“This book, though partaking in no wise of a religious character, may be
regarded as an agreeable contribution, not only to the literature of the day, but
to the cause of human improvement. Some amusement is absolutely necessary;
and he who contrives one that is at once unexceptionable in its moral
tendency, and at the same time fitted to quicken the intellect or refine the
taste, is to be regarded as a public benefactor. Such we consider to be the
character of this book. It consists of various exquisite selections from the
most popular of the poets, arranged as answers to certain questions, such as
a youthful fancy might naturally enough suggest. The plan is new and ingenious
and both the literary and mechanical execution beautiful.”

“Here are various questions supposed to be asked by an individual concerning
his own fortune, and all the gifted poets, not only on the earth, but in the
earth, including those who inhabit the `Poets' Corner' in Westminster Abbey,
are put in requisition to answer them. While the book offers a pleasant
amusement to the young, it is full of bright and beautiful things, arranged with
exquisite skill, which render it a welcome offering to a cultivated taste. It is
withal decorated with every grace and charm that mechanical skill and labor
could bestow upon it.”

“We make no pretensions even to the most superficial acquaintance with
the subject of which this book treats. It has never come within our vocation
to be hewers of wood, any more than drawers of water. And yet, with all our
ignorance, we can see that this must be a book of great value to all scientific
and practical mechanics. And, fortunately, we are not obliged to trust our
own judgment in the case: for we are assured, on testimony that is worthy of
all acceptation, that it is really a work of the highest merit, and adapted to
accomplish most important practical improvements in the department of which
it treats. It is evidently a book to be studied rather than read cursorlly, in
order to secure the benefit which it is designed to impart.”

“We should like to call the attention of carpenters to this work, because we
know that every one who may be induced to purchase a copy upon our recommendation,
will thank us for it. If we take into consideration the great
advantage that a book of this kind is likely to be to a workman, in advancing
him to proficiency in his trade, the price ($2) must be acknowledged to be but
trifling.”

“We live at a period when there is no art or science that can complain of
being neglected by the makers of books; and here we have one that is designed
to enlarge the views, and improve the taste, and lighten the labor of the
makers of houses. We can see, from turning over the leaves, that it is a
thoroughly scientific production; and more than that, we are assured by one
who knows about these things, and whose judgment may be taken without
any abatement, that it is a work of no common ability, and ought to be owned
and studied by every carpenter in the land. Books of this kind hitherto are
understood to have been too expensive to gain a very wide circulation; but
this, though very neatly executed, is sold at a moderate price, and can be
bought by everybody who has an interest in reading it.”

“The clearest and most thoroughly practical work on the subject. It is very
neatly `got up,' and the price is extremely moderate.”

“We have been singularly struck with the clear, easy, we had almost said
the elegant style in which it is written—affording a free demonstration, that
he who thoroughly understands his subject, writes well, though authorship is
not his trade. It is indeed a good practical work, and therefore of great value.”

“This is a really valuable work, and its astonishingly cheap price brings it
in the reach of all. We heartily commend it.”

“This work is a most excellent one; very comprehensive, and lucidly arranged.”

“Every house carpenter ought to possess one of these books; it is indisputably
the best compendium of information on this subject that has hitherto been
published.”

“This work commends itself by its practical excellence. It needs no other
recommendation.”

“Few works of a practical kind from an American pen, will be found of a
more intrinsic value than this admirable volume; and we feel more confidence
in this opinion, from the fact of the press universally concurring in our verdict.”

“Graphic in delineation, animated in style, frank in manner, and artistical in
the choice and treatment of the subjects selected for presentation.”

“He has wit and humor that shed an illustrative gleam on every object
which he describes, placing it in the happiest relief.”

“The book is as `light as light,' and as lively as life, yet are there in it passages
and scenes which would make most men grave and solemn.”

“This book with a bad title is wonderfully clever.”

“We have seldom, in a word, perused a volume which so irresistibly claims
the attention, from the first page of the preface to the finale of the wanderings.”

“If these be not poetry, and of a pure and striking kind too, we are no
critics.”

“It is novel in all its details.”

“His account is brief, but were volumes written it could not bring the actual
scene more to our mind's eye. We are frequently startled in the midst of mirth
by some great touch of nature—some terrible display of truth.”

“The scenes through which he passed are exhibited with a clearness, and
stamped upon the mind with a strength, which is absolutely fascinating. The
whole is accompanied with the strong commanding evidence of truth, and embellished
with all the beauty of poetry.”

“This is the sort of writing for a traveller—sketchy, vigorous, and original.”

“A book which exerts a very fascinating effect on its readers.”

“We have rarely met with a work of the kind, blending so successively
curious and instructive information with light and amusing reading.”

“Nothing so sparkling, so graphic, so truthful in sentiment, so poetic in
vein, has issued from the press for many a day.”

“This is a real book—not a sham. It displays a varied and comprehensive
power of mind, and a genuine mastery over the first and strongest of modern
languages. The author has caught the character and humor of the eastern
mind as completely as Anastasius, while in his gorgeous descriptions and
power of sarcasm he rivals Vathek. His terseness, vigor, and bold imagery
remind us of the brave old style of Fuller and of South, to which he adds a
spirit, freshness, and delicacy all his own.”

“This ingenious little tale, which has been twice translated into English, is
written by Dr. Meinold, who professes to have composed it as a practical test
of the powers of the Strauss school to distinguish between true and legendary
history; and it appears that those divines have fallen into the trap. It has
great intrinsic merit.”

“We have read nothing in fiction or in history which has so completely riveted
and absorbed our interest as this little volume. If it be a fiction it is worthy—
we can give no higher praise—of De Foe.”

“A gem of modern romance.”

“This work has enough of the rare and mysterious to satisfy the strongest
craving for the marvellous.”

“A more perfect specimen of witchery in this kind of composition we have
rarely, if indeed ever, met with.”

“This delightful work has been received in Europe with universal praise,
and even here it has little at stake in the way of extensive popularity.”

“A celebrated work. For simple beauty of narration, as an exposition of human
feeling, and a record of the trials of a pious servant of God, this book is a
perfect gem.”

“A work which, for the honest and sincere air of the narrative, has not inaptly
been compared by the London Quarterly Review to that of good old
`Robinson Crusoe;' and for its genuineness and truth of feeling, to the simple
nature and sentiment of the `Vicar of Wakefield,'—to all of which we most
fully concur.”

“A story of most intense interest, and the critics have been divided on the
question whether it contains more of romance or of sober truth. It seems
now to be conceded that it is a fiction; but it is constructed with such admirable
skill, and every character is introduced and sustained with so much graceful
simplicity and ease, that it requires no small effort, in reading it, to realize
that it is not a veritable narrative of actual occurrences. The foreign journals
are half crazy with admiration of the author's genius.”

“Possesses all the lively interest of a romance, and all the external evidences
of a truthful narrative.”

“The Amber Witch is a fine specimen of literary ingenuity. Perhaps it is
more like a genuine diary. The picture of the girl is sweet, and the tone preserved
about her truly natural and paternal.”

“The Amber Witch equals Robinson Crusoe in style, and quite surpasses it
in interest.”

“It is one of the very few works of fiction of late years which bears about it
the unmistakable marks of classicality. It was a memorable work in the original,
and has been already adopted by acclamation in the English library,
where we may suppose the Vicar of Wakefield shaking hands with its good,
simple-hearted pastor, and De Foe nodding approval to the excessive probability,
the vraisemblance of the style.”

“This is a choice book, full of merit, which consists in its minute, and simple,
and graphic details of common life.”

“A beautifully romantic tale of the highest excellence.”

“A delightful tale, full of depth of thought and true poetic feeling.”

“This exquisite tale is quite a literary pet in Germany.”

“Fouqué's romances I always recommend, especially the wild, graceful,
and touching Undine.”

“The style and execution of this delightful romance are very graceful.”

“Undine is indeed a very charming tale: it displays delicacy blended with
great power, a heart-born truthfulness, and a divine spirit. Beauty and poetry
discover themselves in every page; it has, in fact, become a standard work in
the department of the classical romance, and will never fall into oblivion.”

“The faultless completeness of Undine.”

“It may well be doubted whether the wide world's treasury of faëry lore
contains a more exquisite gem.”

“The `Undine' of Fouqué is too widely known and universally admired to
require a word of commendation at this day.”

“No tale ever found more acceptance than Undine.... It is a harmonious
expression of the two-fold life of man; it has the frolic and whimsical grace of
childhood, with the pathetic energy of experience. It would win and touch
the worldling, while it embodies the thought of the sage.”

“Undine is a most captivating romance, in which the natural and supernatural
are so delightfully blended that the reader is easily and agreeably reconciled
to this latter peculiarity in German literature.”

“We cannot illustrate the general character of the story of Sintram better
than by comparing it to the poem of Thalaba. We have the same high-pitched
tone of religious enthusiasm, the same perpetual combat with the force and
fraud of supernatural enemies and the same ultimate success.”

“Sintram is a work of singular and curious merit. There is a wild strangeness
in the story which fascinates the reader, and which delights while it
surprises.”

“Sintram' is a beautifully wild, mysterious, and startling tale.”

“Sintram is a wild and pleasing tale.”

“Sintram is a capital tale founded on divers traditions of Germanic customs
in war, festivity, &c.”

“This is a work of strong dramatic interest, with a moral of the highest
character; it requires only to be known to become a great favorite.”

“We like `Sintram' much, and think it must soon become a general favorite.”

“The second tale, `Sintram,' is a most worthy companion to `Undine,' and
we cannot but feel greatly surprised that it has never before been reprinted
here. It only requires to be known to be very generally recommended.”

“This is a work resulting from deep investigation, by one who brings to the
subject a mind well disciplined, and a fondness for the pursuit; and in a time
when so much inquiry is going on, and so much deception practised with
reference to human magnetism, such a work will be found useful and instructive.”

“This is a work of vast importance and high merit.”

“It is a very valuable work, and ought to be perused by everybody.”

“The learned author enters upon the investigation of his subject apparently
after full preparation. Without propounding any general theory of magnetism,
he contends that it does not contravene any law of nature, and that its phenomena
exhibit no distinctive characteristic which has not been shown to
exist in nature, in some form or other. They may not be all found associated
in any one patient; but they have been marked and recorded in the annals of
medical literature. Altogether, it is a most valuable work.”

“A hasty glance through the volume convinces us that the author understands
his theme, has collected numerous remarkable facts, and has grappled
with some of the strongest objections urged by the opponents of the doctrine.”

“The subject of animal magnetism has excited so much attention within the
last few years, that any work in relation to it, from an intelligent source, can
hardly fail to gain an extensive circulation. The present work is evidently
from a very competent hand, and is the result of great reflection and observation;
and we doubt not that it contains nearly every thing of importance that
is known on the subject to which it relates. We think it hardly possible that
any candid person should weigh the statements and reasonings which this
book contains, without coming to the conclusion, that there is at least that in
animal magnetism which should save it from being cast away without examination.”

“The well-attested facts which have recently been made known both in
England and America, in relation to the performance of surgical operations
with the aid of Mesmerism, will doubtless cause this book to be sought after,
inasmuch as many consider the subject involved in mystery, and are derious
of investigating it. Mr. Newnham's work professes to examine the whole
matter philosophically, and it appears to be quite a desideratum at the present
time.”