The Pictorial Edition of Shakspeare.—It would be quite impossible, we think, to do the literary reader a more gratifying service, than to advise him touching the merits of a rich and rare work, that is being published, in numbers, in London, by Messrs. Charles Knight and Company, and Wiley and Putnam, and in this country, by the American branch of the last-named firm. We allude to the superb Pictorial Edition of Shakspeare, of which five numbers have already appeared, containing 'Two Gentlemen of Verona,' 'King John,' 'Romeo and Juliet,' 'Love's Labor Lost,' and 'King Richard Second;' each play occupying a 'Part.' The text is the most approved and authentic extant; the notes embrace every subject that appears necessary to be investigated, for the complete information of the reader; various readings and glossarial notes are presented at the foot of each page, with ampler annotations at the end of every act. Numerous fine engravings on wood, by the most eminent artists in England, present us with the antiquarian scenes and costumes, which represent the realities upon which the imagination of the great bard must have rested. When to these rare merits is added the recommendation of fine white paper, large and clear type, and beautiful printing, we have said enough to induce all tasteful lovers of Shakspeare and of art, to make themselves rich with the purchase, at a moderate price, of this truly noble work.
The Children's Catholic Magazine, sent us, as we infer, by its editor, the Very Rev. Felix Varela, would seem to contain many useful and pleasing selections, and brief original varieties. The work is not now before us, having been mislaid; but we remember an intention, as we perused it, to advert, in case we mentioned the work, to a leaven of intolerance, which we encountered in an original fragment touching the Catholic religion, wherein it was assumed, that all who opposed it, were lost to every sense of virtue, and were influenced solely by worldly or selfish motives. This idea of exclusive holiness, has doubtless done more injury to the cause of religion, in engendering bitterness and strife between christians of different modes of belief and worship, than any other cause whatever. Let us commend to our reverend contemporary the kindly and tolerant tone of that worthy protestant, but worthier christian, Sir Thomas Browne, who, in allusion to the forma and symbols of the Catholic faith, so much denounced by his fellows, observes: 'At the sight of a cross or a crucifix, I can dispense with my hat, but scarcely with the thought or memory of my Saviour. I could never hear the Ave-Maria bell, without an elevation. While the worshippers directed their devotions to her, I offered mine to God.' Such is the enlarged spirit which should animate the bosom of every religious man, be his creed what it may.
Resuscitated Melodies.—Monsrs. Davis and Horn have recently republished, in a collected series, six melodies, the words by Col. G. P. Morris, and the music by Charles E. Horn, Esq, entitled the Northern, Southern, and Western 'Refrains,' 'Meeta,' 'Love, Honor, and Obey,' and 'The Ball-Room-Belle.' We thank the accomplished vocalist and composer for expressing in his preface the views we have always maintained, in relation to the amalgamation of what is termed 'science' and 'execution' with simple melodies. Mr. Horn informs us, that the airs of the South partake greatly of the Scotch character; and of the appropriate feeling which enters into this delightful description of music, he has shown an adequate appreciation, in his 'Meeta,' a melody of singular sweetness and pathos. Beautifully printed, with tasteful title-pages, these simple airs need no encomiums of ours, to secure to the publishers a remunerating sale, and to Mr. Horn incentives for perseverance in his acceptable labors.
'The British Partizan, a Tale of the Times of Old.'—A small volume of an hundred and fifty pages, thus entitled, reaches us from the press of Mr. William Thompson, Augusta, Georgia. We gather from the preface that it was originally published as a prize tale in the 'Augusta Mirror,' and that it is the first literary effort of Miss M. E. Moragne, of South Carolina. We have perused 'The Partizan' with a