To THE

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.

The prolific Press now teems with publications. There is in the market an infinite variety of food, and every kind of taste and talent may be supplied with literature tit-bits and morceaux, from light whips and charlotte ruse to lobster and chicken salads-from trifles and conserves to solid nutriment-and that simple repast which needs no repentance.

Amidst such a mass of mental edibles, it is sometimes difficult to make a selection. ile. therefore, who will act as a guide, and point out in the bill of fare such viands as the appetite may indulge in, without satiety or detriment, is a friend to the reader, and deserves his thanks. For, alas, many find in the mean food they get in the literary shambles so little intellectual nourishment, that they have reason continually to cry out, "Oh, my leanness! my leanness!"

Within thirty years, the mode of preparing and publishing articles of taste or science has undergone a great change. Men of erudition and genius, who wield an elegant pen, do not always embody their lucubrations in a formal and distinct book, bound and lettered; but they more frequently prefer to embody their researches and essays in the choice columns of some popular periodical or Review. More than twenty able works of this kind are continually being issued in Great Britain, and several of celebrity in this country-of which the North American Review did once take the lead.

Few men can purchase all these reviews if they would, nor would they if they could. Therefore a judicious compilation from them, containing their cream and essence in a cheap and compendious manner, is desirable and deserves patronage. Such is the "Living Age," which is issued every week in a small but remarkably readable type, on good paper, not too white nor glaring to the eye by lamp-light-a serious fault with some popular books, though handsomely got up.

This work was commenced in 1844, as an experiment; the Prospectus was fortified by the approbation of three departed scholars, renowned for great attainments, Judge Story, Chancellor Kent, and the Hon. John Q. Adams, and in 1845 Mr. Adams testified in warm terms his high opinion of its character and value. To such recommendations the writer of this article would not presume to add his humble estimation; it would be but a trifle in such a scale. But an appeal to a few facts sustaining their views, as an additional evidence of its worth, would not be out of season; though the "Living Age" has uniformly and unabatingly, for more than seven years, maintained its prosperous career, and has now reached 378 Nos. and xxix Vols. As an evidence of the intrinsic value and usefulness of this publication, I would call the attention of the reader to some of the articles in each of the numbers of the last volume and it will be found that there is not one which does not contain some rich matter, not elsewhere within the reach of a large class of the reading community.

No. 859, which begins this volume, contains an elaborate history of the "Antarctic Explorations," occupying sixteen double columus, and worthy of repeated perusal. and useful for reference. Besides this, there is a long article on "Lord Holland's Foreign Reminiscences," showing the favorable opinion of one party in England, and giving the reader some idea of the book. No. 360 has a very interesting sketch of the life and writings of the celebrated Daniel De Foe, author of Robinson Crusoe-a book which has been the delight of the boyhood and manhood of many generations- a familiar and household book," says the reviewer-and for artless beauty and narrative and wonderful simplicity of description, is the most perfect specimen we have, of the pure Anglo-Saxon style; the style which daguerreotypes our thoughts, when those thoughts are true to nature. From this review we are suddenly transferred to Egypt, and find ourselves travelling with "Nile Notes of Howadji."

In No. 361 there is a summary of the life and writings of the learned Neander of Germany, whose theological writings are much sought for in the religious world.

No. 362 contains a graphic picture of Jewish life in Europe, and the peculiarities of the persecuted and extraordinary Hebrew people. No one, who is not intimate with the Archeology of that outcast nation, can read this article without adding to his knowledge of ancient Biblical history.

No. 363 presents a dissertation on "Ancient and Modern Eloquence," written with ability. There are also vivid recollections of Edward Irving, the eloquent preacher, and a review of Southey's life, who filled so large a space in English literature during a long life in retirement among his books.

No. 364 has a stirring sketch of Cromwell and his Contemporaries. The reader of English history will find this a very interesting subject, worthy of a careful perusal. No one can read it without regarding the Protector as a great man, though from political or religious prejudices, his moral character appears under very different phases. A truly impartial life of the Protector is perhaps a desideratum in history.

No. 365. The "Cloister life of Charles V, Emperor of Germany," is like a romance, and to any one not familiar with Dr. Robinson's history will be full of novelty. The Biography of Sir William Penn-whose character is harshly and unfortunately handled by Macaulay in his history of England-will be found very engaging. The manner in which some of the slanders against him are refuted, is a beautiful piece of demonstrative argument.

No. 366 embraces a rich article on the history, origin, and enlargement of the British Museum; and this is followed by a scientific article on Gas light, its invention, improvement and general use in the great cities. Then comes a more humble subject, the introduction and extensive use of Mahogany: and when we reflect how much splendid furniture made from this choice wood, meets the eye every where in the civilized world, it is well to learn something of its nature, growth and commercial importance. There is also an excellent essay or discussion on Materialism, which may do good to young men of libertine faith, and averse to the doctrines of holiness of life and conversation, and guard them against following the strange wanderings of Miss Martineau, whose once brilliant genius seems now under the eclipse of downright infidelity. Alas! poor human nature. In No. 367 is a review of Lord Holland's Foreign Reminiscences, from a political opponent. It exhibits his work under a different aspect; and with this, and the one in No. 359, we have two able criticisms of a work which has excited much interest in England and in this country.

No. 368 commences with a biography of the struggle of genius with adversity; as exemplified in the great scholar Heyne of Germany. After it comes a racy article on William and Robert Chambers-men self-educated-men who have made cheup literature dear to every reader, and now fill a lofty station in the world of publications,, Their writings form a Crystal Palace of knowledge-they are benefactors of humanity. Every word in this article describing their history is full of interest. We see in Robert Chambers an untiring antiquary —a pioneer among the sacred ruins of the past-a gatherer of facts historical and personal among the "Traditions of Edinburgh," and "Picture of Scotland." His brother William is similar in taste and industry, and with his "Book of Scotland," and their scheme of the "Edinburgh Journal," which he projected in 1882, sustains the high character of the firm. Par nobile fratrum. The Journal, which is stereotyped, in 1840 rose from 50.000 to 72,000 copies, and in 1845 had a circulation of 90,000. It has made the fortune of these enterprising men, and beyond doubt, the competency of hundreds of readers, by the industry, frugality and knowledge which it has imbued into their minds. On page 608 there is a pleasing account of Dr. Layard, and of Nineveh, among the remains of which he is making rich discoveries.

No. 339 is enriched with a memoir of Mary Wortly Montague. She was a romantic and singular woman, much celebrated in her day as a lady of fashion and an authoress. Her residence in Turkey had a tendency to promote a voluptuous imagination. She was a vain woman; and her life after all is a gloomy contrast to the pure, domestic accomplishments of the retired American mother, whose glory centres round her virtuous children. It is useful however to look at pictures so well drawn of foreign life and manners; and then turn to page 497 and pause at Malmaison, where the heart-rending separation of Napoleon and the amiable Josephine is tenderly touched. Josephine was his star of fortune, and after the union of this extraordinary man with that frozen, formal statue of an Austrian princess, he never more saw prosperity: every thing went against him; and he lingered and died a captive on the gloomy rock of St. Helena. Following this sad narrative in page 505 is the "Lost Laird,” a tale of thrilling interest.

No. 370 includes a continuation of the "Cloister Life" of Charles V; and embraces a review of the correspondence of Horace Walpole, whose "eternal new letters" the writer says he is happy to sit at his ease on the sofa and read. No. 371 closes vol. xxix. It commences with an elaborate letter of Alexander Hamilton, on the Constitution. This article is happily selected. It is needed at this time and well suited to enlighten the eyes of those, who, blinded by the Ignis fatuus of a "iligher Law," which, transcending all human government, and trampling down all human legislation, is leading some well-meaning men into the ditch of dilemmas and darkness.

I have merely touched on some of the leading articles of this admirable periodical. It may call the attention of readers to the character and intrinsic merit of the work. A great variety of useful and desultory matter has been necessarily omitted: but the lovers of romance will find "Maurice Tiernay," and Bulwer's new story, "My Novel," which comes from the reformed pen of this powerful writer, worth a careful perusal. They are long, but they are rich; and, as the lawyers say, their action is still pending, and continued from term to term.

Let me remark that in a preceding No.-343-there are two articles of superior excellence; one is on "Water," where a late chemical analysis has discovered that this beverage, always thought so innocuous and simple, often contains in solution substances of a deleterious and alarming nature--such as minerals and vegetable matter-the detection of which is important in hygeian economy. The other article is an Address of the learned Dr. Brewster, illustrating the progress and beauty of science. No man can read such remarks on what is going on in the intellectual as well as the material world, without harboring more cheerful thoughts of coming time.

Such is LITTELL'S LIVING AGE-full of useful and pleasant reading-enriched with many scientific researches--invariably containing subjects of interest-embellished with tales of romance and stories from the pen of genius-and by its very cheapness of price, put within reach of all classes. To. Mr. Littell it must have been an enterprise of costly outfits, and he deserves to be richly rewarded in the fruits of his inbor. 8.