“The `Wanderings' of Dr. Cheever give animated and picturesque descriptions
of Alpine scenery. The author occupies a high place among
American prose writers. The several numbers of Wiley & Putnam's `Library
of American Books,' already published, do credit to our infant literature.
We wish the enterprise the success which it so well deserves.”

“In our humble opinion this volume will find a greater number of interested
readers than any preceding number of this series. One reason for
believing this, is, that while there is poetical beauty enough in it to gratify
to their hearts' content that class of readers who are attracted chiefly by the
beautiful either in style or thought, it contains graphic descriptions of some
distinguished characters in Switzerland connected with the religious world,
as well as much valuable information in respect to the present religious
condition and prospects of that interesting country. Dr. Cheever, as might
be expected, did not mingle in the glorious scenes which he found under
the shadow of Mont Blanc, merely as a poet, nor yet a philosopher, but as a
Christian; and his recorded reflections are fitted to render good service to
the cause of truth and piety.”

“This forms the sixth volume of the `Library of American Books.' The
name of the author will insure for it a wide circulation, and his readers will
no doubt find pleasure in the perusal. Dr. Cheever wields a graphic pen,
and few men can clothe the sublimities of natural scenery, or the manners
and customs of the people among whom he sojourned, in more glowing diction,
or connect with them more poetic and hallowed sentiments.”

“This interesting work comprises, in addition to the ordinary incidents
of travel, copious notices of the theology and theologians of Geneva. The
descriptions of Alpine scenery are admirable. To all who are fond of literary
recreation the work will afford ample entertainment. Those who are
familiar with Dr. Cheever's writings need not to be assured that it will
afford profitable instruction to the reader.”

“The author of this interesting work is a scholar, emphatically a Christian;
he is also an observer, and a most judicious selecter of matter in the
course of his `wanderings.' Hence his volume is replete with interest, and
must be largely read.”

“This is a very superior work; its style is clear and polished, and its
descriptions, without the raciness of Stephens's travels in Arabia, are equally
vivid and interesting. As soon as we find room, we intend making some
extracts from its pages, and in the meantime recommend it to our readers
as well worthy of perusal.”

“This record of the observations and emotions of an intelligent traveller
in a region full of inspiration, constitutes No. 6 of Messrs. Wiley & Putnam's
Library of American Books. Perhaps there does not exist anywhere
in so accessible a form so worthy a celebration of the glories of Mont Blanc
and its vicinity. Chapter X. in which the writer introduces Coleridge's
wonderful hymn in the Valley of Chamouny, with true appreciation, is of
itself enough to give the book a claim to universal acceptation. It communicates,
of course, much information and instruction, useful in the highest
sense of the word, and is altogether a most agreeable parlor window companion.”

“It is to be hoped that Messrs. W. & P. will give us more of this description
in their `Library of American Books.”'

“A peculiar charm is lent to these impassioned descriptions of some of
nature's most noble handiwork, by the constant religious feeling blending
with a poet's devotion to nature. The `vale of Chamouny,' `Geneva,'
`the Alps,' and `Mont Blanc,' are pictured to our mind's eye in their most
sublime beauty. And not only mountains, and towering crags, and cataracts,
are described, but the personal intercourse of the author with some
European men, who are towering like mountains above the bigotry and
darkness of their age and country—such men as Merle D'Aubigné, Dr.
Gaussen, and the Genevese reformers of the nineteenth century. Would
that our tourists' books generally were so quick to mark and describe what
is beautiful and sublime in nature, or noble and praiseworthy among men
The book will find many readers.”

“Though we may not be willing to agree with Dr. Cheever in all his
positions and inferences; though his manifestations of hatred to Rome and
her church principles sometimes appear to us to approach the ludicrous, and
though his pedantry of presbyterian pulpit phrases mars the literary purity
of his book, yet we cannot but recognize in this volume evidences of the
character of a simple-minded, straightforward, independent man, not afraid
to feel or to express his sentiments. In this way we regard the book as an
accession to the American portion of Wiley & Putnam's series. It is
written with frankness and enthusiasm, with courage and simplicity.”