CRITICAL NOTICES.

A SYNOPSIS OF THE FLORA OF THE WESTERN STATES; By JOHN L. RIDDELL, A. M. &c. E. Deming, Cincinnati, 1835.

We are glad to meet with this little work. We consider all such, as preeminently useful in the advance of science. There is nothing, as it appears to us, so much needed as these landmarks and beacons, to put the investigator on the right track, and to direct his attention to the most important part of his pursuits; and had we more of them, and had there heretofore been a greater interchange of the progressive acquirements of men of science, there would undoubtedly have been far less of the many errors, which are circulated and transmitted from age to age.

The Synopsis before us, is a compressed and concise view of the Western Flora, arranged according to the most modern style, and with the most approved nomenclature. One would imagine, that with the labors of eminent botanists of this country, the floral treasures of North America would have been fully discovered. But it is nevertheless probably the case that the ground has been gone over hastily and superficially, and that much yet remains to be done. Certain it is, that new localities for those already known are every day being found, and their medical or useful properties are not fully investigated. Besides, there is much confusion in the description of our native plants; and not a few errors are transmitted by those who copy books, rather than study Nature as she is. We need very much a perfect standard work of the Flora of the United States. To be sure, the many valuable ones of several of our botanists furnish us with such, but some of these are rare or expensive. Cryptogamic Botany is as it were neglected, and it is difficult for the student to make much progress in the study of that delightful and deeply interesting branch of minute vegetable structure, for the want of both elementary and descriptive works.

We are well aware that the present demand for such books is not sufficient to warrant their publication, and hence, undoubtedly, the appearance of smaller and more condensed. The system now in vogue, is to arrive at knowledge by some short way; and thus treatises on the sciences are likely to become miserable epitomes and meagre skeletons, the bare frame-work of what is wanting-the solid truth.

The taste for the natural sciences is rapidly progressing in this western world. Rich in the treasures of the air, the earth and the waters, and abounding in the remains of former days, engraved in permanent characters on every stone, the field is extensive and inviting. The West can already boast of several true and unwearied disciples of nature, and we think that there is a spirit of earnest inquiry in many more, whose names we trust will yet be known. We could wish that a proper attention was paid to these

subjects in the education of the young. Certain we are that there is no pursuit more capable of instilling proper, high, excellent principles into the young mind. He that can regard the works of creative power and wisdom with admiration and delight, to whom each revolving season bears something to amuse, impart pleasure and instruct, to whom the pebble under his feet ceases to be a simple pebble, and becomes the proper subject for his inquiring mind, the tiny insect, which dances in the sun-beam, a volume of deep and wonderful instruction, and each weed no longer "a worthless herb," but "a plant out of place," need never fear the result of such sentiments. Plain it is that we were destined for good and happiness, and he that can attain to this by the most pleasant and delightful way, is a wise man. Equally plain is it, that the Creator designed these for our proper study and admiration, affording constant, living, unanswerable proofs of His wisdom and Providence.

It was formerly much the custom to look with indifference, not to say with contempt upon such studies. They were regarded as puerile, useless, almost criminal. The tone of public feeling has in a great measure happily changed. Parents and the friends of education begin to perceive their beneficial tendency. This is the result, which we always expected; and the general increasing desire among mankind to know something more of the world in which we live, is the happy omen of just principles.

The present age is peculiarly an age of improvement and knowledge. A different system and notion of things is pervading the world. The mysteries of science and learning are fast fading away. It is no longer a theme for admiration, that a man is wise, or that his mind is replete with knowledge, yet so wrapt up in the jargon of false science, that it benefits himself alone. Such unprofitable lore has passed away with the antiquated habiliments with which it was thought necessary for it to appear. A man now-a-days, to be respected must be useful, and he the most useful, who imparts the most useful truth in the most useful form. We are therefore glad to see every thing, which is likely to promote such a praiseworthy end, freely given for mutual assistance and profit.

The object of the Synopsis, as the author tells us, is to notice the plants found in that portion of country from the Alleghany mountains in West Virginia, to Platte River, in Missouri Territory, and from the southern boundary of Tennessee, to the latitude of Detroit. Most of those peculiar to Ohio, have come under his observation, and to the scientific labours of other botanists, he is indebted for other information. It is intended as a sketch of the present state of botanical knowledge in the West, and as a guide to further research.

Should Mr. Riddell publish a second edition, or enlarge it to a greater work, we would hint the propriety of adding the Linnæan classification. This might be done with very little labor, and would add materially to the value of the book. We are advocates of the Natural System. We consider it the most satisfactory of anything now existent; but at the same time think that the Linnæan arrangement will be likely to survive for a great length of time; at least until that of Jussieu modified by DeCandolle, becomes more perfect. Artificial as is the one, and approaching to Nature as does the

other, they certainly, nevertheless, assist each other: and in investigating a plant, it is a satisfaction to know the number and position of its reproductive organs, as the most natural group to which it may be referred. We should also think it a decided improvement to give the natural orders in italics in the index, the more especially in the absence of the Linnæan arrangement. In following Professor Torrey's method of suborders and sections as united with Lindley's orders, we perceive a difference in the manner of numbering them; but this might have been unintentional. In a revision, a few typographical errors would no doubt be noticed and corrected. We fear that among so many new species, or those quoted on his own authority, there may be found some already described. It is with no possible degree of censoriousness that we make these remarks, but rather to render more perfect an useful work, wishing the author all success in his researches and studies, and hoping that he may be encouraged to proceed.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WESTERN LITERARY INSTI TUTE, AND COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS, held in Cincinnati, October, 1834. Cincinnati: Published by Josiah Drake. 1835.

This work is an honor to the West, and to the character of our teachers. Most of the Lectures were listened to with no common interest, by crowded audiences, and they have not disappointed public expectation on being published. It is now so long since the work was issued from the press, and it is so generally known, that it would be idle in us to comment at length upon it. We speak of it, only because we wish to add our hearty testimony to its value.

The College of Teachers is composed of professional teachers, from every part of the West. They have come forward nobly, that by united effort, by mutual consultation, and by action on public sentiment, they may raise the standard of education. And who are these teachers? Under Providence, and next to parents, they hold the destinies of the young, of the next generation, of the country, in their hands. Their office is second to none in importance and dignity. We want no better evidence than this volume, that they feel the full extent of this responsibility. In the West, teachers have taken precedence, even of parents, in endeavors to elevate the standard of education. It is now the business of parents and of all well wishers to their country, to come forward and help them heart and hand in their great work.

We are very sorry not to find in the volume, Professor McGuffy's address "On the influence of the regular study of the Bible, on intellectual and moral improvement." It was an able address on a very important, but much neglected subject. We hope yet, at some future time, to see it in print.

It may not be improper in concluding this notice, to advert to the annual procession of the Free Schools of Cincinnati, which took place on Friday June 22. There were about eighteen hundred children in the procession. After having been conducted by their Teachers and the Trustees, through a portion of the city, they entered the first Presbyterian Church, where the celebration was concluded by specimens of elocution from a portion of the

scholars, the distribution of Premiums by the Mayor, and the annual address. It was a beautiful spectacle-a spectacle, where were exhibited some of the best fruits of free institutions and their support.

We hope the day is not distant, when the Free School system will prevail throughout our country. It is the best form of benevolence. Give money to the poor, and you may be only giving a premium to vice and idleness. But here is given to the young, in the forming part of life, that which cannot be squandered or lost-knowledge and virtue-that which ennobles the undying mind. It is a benevolence too, not doled out to two or three, but a benevolence on system to a whole generation. It is the present blessing the future. It is the best form that Poor Laws can assume. It is a system that prepares all to support themselves. It is a system to make all independent. It is too late to discuss the question whether general education is important in a Republic. A Republic cannot exist without it. It is a government of reason, while other forms of government rely on force. An ignorant people may remain in anarchy, but if they have any government it must be despotic. If the mass of the people have no reason or intelligence to appeal to, it must be ruled as brutes are ruled, by force-unquestioned commands on one side, and unquestioning obedience on the other. Educated mind is active mindand active mind is free, and will, and must give birth to free institutions.

It ought to be remembered that Free Schools are not charity schools. They ought not to be so, for the almost inevitable effect would be to degrade the young who attended them. They are no more charity schools, than our government is a charity government. The rich pay more for the support of government than the poor. The reason is, that they derive more benefit from it-they have more property to be protected, and therefore justly pay more for its protection. And for the same reason, they should pay more for the support of schools. Their wealth is not the product of their own intelligence merely, but of the general intelligence. It is man aiding man, mind co-operating with mind, that produces wealth. And it is the general intelligence of the people which secures property to those who possess it, by securing the permanence and good order of our institutions. It is this that makes an acre of ground worth more in this land, than among a horde of Caffres. It was on this ground, that the Roman made a good neighborhood one of the chief recommendations of the farm he was about to expose for sale.

While speaking of our Free Schools, we would make two suggestions. The first is, that the teachers in some of the schools should be Germans. There are eight or nine thousand Germans in this city and vicinity. But unless there are teachers from among their own countrymen, understanding their language as well as the English, the Germans will not attend the schools, and if they do, can derive little benefit from them.

The second suggestion is, the propriety of paying the Trustees and Examiners for their services. If they fulfilled the requisitions of the law, their duties would occupy at the lowest calculation a ninth part of their time. It is in vain to expect in a busy city, that an office exacting so much of time and labor, should be faithfully filled without some compensation is attached to it. If business interferes, they will either resign the office, or neglect its duties.

OUTRE-MER; A Pilgrimage beyond the Sea. In two vols. New-York: Harper and Brothers: 1835.

Outre-Mer! We should like to know what impression these words make upon the minds of the majority of those who inspect this title page, and suspect it of being quite Babylonish. The object of a title page, is to give some intimation of the character of the work. In the present instance, a great proportion of those who see or hear of the work, are incapable of attaching a distinct meaning to the title, and, of course, have no impression as to the contents. We should have had one objection less to Outre-Mer, if it had received an American christening. To us it involves a deal of the ludicrous, to see an author step forth, make his bow to the reader, and forthwith proceed to expound his title page, fearful lest his reader might suspect it cabalistic, and refuse to peruse the work from a sacred horror of treason. Yet this is exactly the predicament in which the author before us has placed himself, by making choice of this most heathenish and unpronounceable name. So long as our venerable and copious vernacular remains unexhausted, just so long we hope, that that affectation which induces writers to import words to the manifest disparagement of our American English, may be considered as the silliness of pedantry, rather than anything more worthy.

Professor Longfellow has been rising for several years into honorable distinction; and we think Outre-Mer will abundantly sustain the expectations which his previous writings had engendered. It is truly a pleasant book; and particularly refreshing, coming upon us as it does, at the very moment in which we were about concluding, that travellers were the dullest and saddest mortals above this earth's surface. Our author alights at a city, takes a promenade, and tells you in a few words, without the fashionable amount of rapture, what he saw worthy of note. In a village, or on a country spot, he glances at the occupations of the people, narrates what he sees, and in this manner conveys a far more adequate idea of the "domestic manners' abroad, than if he were to retail gossip about lords and ladies by the page, through a score of volumes. He tells a story merrily, and, occasionally, we meet with a stroke of humor, like sunshine flashing from a ripple, which makes the heart glad. We are here presented, for the first time, with several beautiful ballads and poems, which afford the author opportunities of expatiating very agreeably upon the characteristics of the poetry of Spain and France. In fine, we rose from the perusal of Outre-Mer with a feeling of thankfulness towards Professor Longfellow, and a mind made up to seize with avidity every opportunity by which we may become more intimately acquainted with him.

Outre-Mer will be found by some palates to lack seasoning, inasmuch as it is, in the early portions of the work particularly, somewhat languid. The second volume is by far the more spirited one. The style is well-weeded and beautiful, and throughout there is a tone of good feeling which must waken echoes in every sensitive heart.

We understand that the author, who has lately been appointed to a Professorship at Cambridge, has set forth on another "pilgrimage beyond the seas." He is at this time, we believe, in Europe, and we presume that we may look forward to another volume, like this, full of the Beautiful.