408 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



with the higher branches of classical education. Uniting a refined taste with 

 a degree of erudition rare even in the mother-country, he has succeeded in 

 establishing his reputation not only among his transatlantic brethren but 

 among the literati of Europe. His revision of Lempriere's Classical Diction- 

 ary has given a real value to a work which was before full of errors, ab- 

 surdities, and obscenities, and was therefore justly regarded with scorn and 

 ridicule by intelligent teachers ; and now Dr. Lempriere purged of his im- 

 purities may enjoy a green old-age. The benefits received by the anglicizing 

 of Doering's Horace so justly esteemed for its correct text andjts elucidations 

 of difficult passages entitle Dr. Anthon to still further praise. * The American 

 editor has selected his notes with much ability and written them without that 

 silly parade of book-learning that marks most of the classical commentators. 

 The Sallust, which is exclusively Dr. Anthon's, seems to be in every way 

 worthy of the annotator of Horace. The text is that of Cortius, and is clearly 

 and, as far as we have examined, correctly printed ; and altogether the book 

 is better got up than the Horace. The Jugurthine war precedes the Catiline 

 conspiracy. The notes are concise and, generally speaking, satisfactory; 

 though we scarcely see the need of giving such copious hints for translation 

 particularly in cases where common sense suggests the real one without as- 

 sistance. The life of Sallust is given in a dialogue between a tutor and his 

 pupil. We are on the whole much pleased with this edition, which for its 

 notes and its indexes, is decidedly superior to any other extant edition of Sal- 

 lust ; and it is to be hoped that itsjlearned compiler will continue to apply himself 

 to the labours that have won him so high and so just a reputation. Caesar's 

 commentaries so stupidly despised by many as an easy work for primary in- 

 struction well deserve illustration on many accounts. Professor Anthon can 

 do the work ; and it is to be hoped that he will not disdain this labour of 

 usefulness. 



Progressive Exercises in English Grammar, in two parts 12 mo. 



By R. G. PARKER, M. A. J. R. Priestley. 



Progressive Exercises in English composition. Do. Do. 



Progressive Exercises in Rhetorical Reading. Do. Do. 



THESE little volumes, (which we believe, take their origin from some works 

 published in America), form together a series of lessons on English grammar 

 and composition ; and the style in which the whole is executed proves the 

 compiler to be a sensible and experienced educationist. It is no slight praise 

 to say that he has both widened and smoothed the entrance of the path to 

 learning. We would not in favour of any book, whatever its merits, give up 

 the principle, that oral instruction is the only proper instruction for beginners t 

 books at that stage being for TEACHERS not CHILDREN. 



The exercises on Grammar are well drawn up and in the hands of a judi- 

 cious teacher illustrated by good oral instruction will be found well to an- 

 swer their object. We have tried them and can furnish good testimony. Of 

 the exercises on composition, we can speak with unmingled praise. It is not 

 enough to say that they are the best that we have, for we have none worth 

 mention : the book is fully effective both in suggesting ideas or pointing out 

 the method of thinking, and also in teaching the mode of expressing ideas with 

 propriety and elegance. With respect to the book of Rhetorical reading, it 

 may first be said that elocution is shockingly neglected in this country, and 

 therefore that a book professing to teach the elements of this very necessary 

 art ought to be patronised. How many drawlers do we hear in the pulpit, at 

 the bar and in parliament, who for want of judicious instruction give utter- 

 ance to bright and ingenious thoughts and beautiful language in a way that 

 sends their hearers into profound slumber ! This little book has been read 

 by us with much attention. Without offending parliament-men or the clergy, 

 we may at any rate recommend the teachers of the rising generation to school 



