entire system of juvenile literature as it is unhappily exhibiting itself in this country and across the water. We are constrained, much against our will, to make scant mention of the remaining books upon our table. Alger's Genius of Solitude, published by Roberts Brothers, is a charming volume for leisure hours-quiet, thoughtful, full of erudition, and evincing a deep and wholesome culture. Though treating a subject naturally gloomy, and provocative of morbidness, the author is so healthy himself as to remove all untoward influences. In his list of persons of lonely life, he has enumerated some historic characters, to whom we should be inclined to allot a different place; but we are nevertheless indisposed to quarrel with so admirable a scholar as Mr. Alger, and one so apt to be always in the right. American Leaves, the product of Dr. Osgood's pen, and of Harper & Brothers' imprint, is a pleasant collection of essays on all sorts of subjects. The treatment is essentially popular, and the typographical excellence of the volume would make it a success, apart from its intrinsic qualities. Howell's Venetian Life is like good wine, and we shall not, therefore, do it the discredit of attempting to praise it. We are glad, however, to perceive that Hurd & Houghton are publishing a second edition, since it proves that our American public are capable of appreciating sterling English, even when not employed in fictitious writing. THE NEW JERSEY STATE LITERARY UNION. TO THE young men of the literary societies of New Jersey may properly be awarded the credit of instituting State organizations for mutual improvement and intellectual excellence. New Jersey ideas planned and perfected the only State Literary Unions in the country-the PENNSYLVANIA STATE LITERARY UNION, and the NEW JERSEY STATE Literary UNION. It has been everywhere and always evident that associations, the object of which was mental culture, and especially for the young, would be of lasting profit to those brought within their influence, and could never, to any extent, be a detriment or cause of sorrow. This feeling has given rise to our lyceums, library and Christian associations, and debating societies. In many towns and in almost every city of our State, there has, during some period, existed an organization for mental or moral improvement. The benefits hitherto derived from such influences have never been, nor can they be, calculated. Young men and women have been kept in the paths of rectitude (for intellectual development-all other things being equal-will restrain the evil and advance the good qualities of mankind); minds have been nurtured, almost created; intellectual aspirations fostered; literary tastes cultivated, and perverted tastes and dissipated habits reformed. While the people counsel together to establish and maintain courts, prison-houses, and other means for the punishment of depraved humanity, they have hitherto almost utterly ignored these silent but effectual instrumentalities which are laboring to prevent rather than reform, by elevating the race above error. Societies have risen and, prematurely, fallen in the presence of those able to sustain them, the efforts of young people have been treated as mere schoolboy aspirations, and enthusiasm to reform, which might have accomplished wondrous results, dampened and often extinguished by pretended reformers. It was with a view to extend and make tangible such useful institutions and bring about them deserved support, by commanding attention, that an organization on an enlarged scale was projected. Satisfied that there would be strength in one united effort, the young people of the State set out to discharge what seemed to them a duty. To whom may be credited the origin of the enterprise which resulted in the formation of the NEW JERSEY STATE LITERARY UNION cannot, perhaps, be satisfactorily determined. Nor is that essential, as a large portion of the fraternity seemed ripe for the work. A few years since, a practical effort was made to hold a State convention of the literary Bocieties, with a view to a State organization. In consequence of the apathy and opposition of some "of whom better things were expected," the project failed. The effort was not without some good results, however. The young men of Pennsylvania, taking the cue from an idea so commendable, called a convention and organized the Pennsylvania STATE LITERARY UNION. Thus was lost to New Jersey's sons the lead in this laudable work, though to them belonged the invention. For a season nothing further was done, but in the latter part of the year 1866 the project was revived by one of the most enterprising of our young men, who was at that time President of a literary society. Through his instrumentality, and by virtue of his enthusiastic and untiring efforts, a convention was held in the city of Trenton on the 4th day of December, A. D. 1866. Representatives had previously been elected from some thirty of the organizations of the State, among whom were found many leading citizens. The Common Council of the city tendered the use of their chamber, and its President, a delegate to the convention, was elected presiding officer. The convention adopted an address to the people and prepared a constitution for a State Union. In the address, the convention called the attention of the State to this enterprise, and its young men and women were urged to give greater consideration to a subject so important. "Nothing great on earth but man, and nothing great in man but mind." The promotion of mental culture and the cultivation of literary tastes are best attained through the medium of association. The constitution prescribed that the State Union should be com posed of such societies as should ratify the same, the executive department to consist of the usual officers, and the deliberative of representatives of the societies composing the Union. The expenses were to be defrayed by the societies pro rata. It provided, also, for a Tournament annually, at which prizes were to be offered for proficiency in literary attainments. A State organ was recommended, the details connected with the publication of which were left to a subsequent meeting. After providing for the ratification of the constitution, and nominating candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President, respectively, the convention on the second day adjourned. The constitution was subsequently ratified by societies, a list of which is appended. The Board of Representatives held their first semi-annual meeting in the city of Newark on the 15th day of January last. The principal action of the Board was the INSTITUTION OF A STATE MAGAZINE and the election of its editor. The efforts of the executive have been directed to the enlightenment of the people as to the objects and advantages of the State Union, and the encouragement of the societies composing it. For its new magazine the Union asks proper appreciation, just criticism, and liberal support. It remains with the people chiefly, whether a laudable effort like this shall accomplish its object-the elevation of a literary standard and the development of literary tastes and interests. Men and women of New Jersey, stand by your youth, they will be an honor to you, a credit to our State-and, more than all, better fitted to realize and appreciate the truth. The following are the officers of the New Jersey State Literary Union: President, H. C. TERHUNE, Vice-President, G. M. FISHER, Recording Secretary, E. C. EVERETT, Editor, Capt. ALLEN L. BASSETT, Newark. Rahway. Branchville. Newark. Irvington. DURING the sessions of Congress from 1844 to 1848, I passed a great deal of time in Washington, and a more faithful attendant on the debates particularly those of the Senate-could hardly have been found. The hot disputations of the early days of the Republic had been followed by a "high cool sea" of courtly concession and generous compromise; this pleasant state of political intercourse was just passing away at the period alluded to, and the people and their representatives were drifting into dangerous positions, the result of which was the late sad rebellion and civil war. It was a sort of transition epoch. We were all unconscious, however, of the peril, and enjoyed the playing with the edge-tools of difference, with the ignorant, but cruel delight of children. That great human instrument composed of reason and prejudice, patriotism and policy, was played upon most skillfully by the various political leaders, and a curious harmony accompanied this exodus of a nation from a condition of peace to a condition of war. North and South; East and West; Seaboard and Interior; Abolitionism and Slaveholding; Trade and Adventure; Commerce and Agriculture; all these numerous and sometimes conflicting subjects made watch-words, signals, and banners, under which Congress and its audiences ranged themselves. The administration at this time was Mr. Polk's. Two subjects of moment, which agitated the public mind for awhile, deferred the great crisis which, sooner or later, had to come. One of these was the war with Mexico, the other the settlement of our Northwestern boundary, about which England seemed disposed to trouble us-"54-40," as it was called familiarly at the town meetings of the day-"Oregon question," as they named it in Congress. Among the most prominent men on the Senate floor-putting aside those great luminaries, Webster, Clay, and Calhoun; and statesmen, such as Benton, Cass, and Crittenden-were Allen, Corwin, Hannegan, and Hale. During the debates on the two above-mentioned questions, these Senators gave us specimens of mock, as well as true eloquence, rich humor, and merry, good-natured wit. They felt warmly, they "studied up," industriously, all the quick rising points of these subjects, and applied their hastily gathered knowledge skillfully to the defenses of their own peculiar individual positions; and, though unaided by schoolmen's rules, they would spring to their feet, moved by the powerful emotions of party feeling, and pour out passages of telling, thrilling effect, showing how brilliant and limpid is the primitive source of eloquence-many a gem rolling out in the sparkling flood that gushed from the stricken rock of not patriotism-but local interests and partisan prejudice. It is well to have a contrast, if only a caricature, and the exhibitions of mock eloquence which were occasionally given were very refreshing, and cooled off many a hot season of debate, or enabled the members to approach an irritating subject with good-humor. Allen, of Ohio, was for awhile one of the popular speakers in the Senate, but I never could see or hear sufficient reason for his success. He was of the Bowery-tragic order of political debaters, not at all the style peculiar to Senate oratory, his speeches bearing a remarkable resemblance to the renowned Mrs. Toppitt's oration, which, it may be remembered, opened profoundly, with, "mind and matter glide swiftly into the vortex of immensity." He was Chairman on the Committee of Foreign Relations, and seemed to consider it part of his office to show intense anxiety whenever the war question was up. One morning in the first session of the Twenty-ninth Congress, Mr. Mangum, of North Carolina, was expected to speak to the special order of the day, "The notice to Great Britain." Previous to the |