Forth-coming Scientific Works. 207 



It is peculiar to the history of this country, that it commences with 

 precise data. The names, character, and complexion of the set- 

 tlers ; their motives for emigration, and their success in subduing the 

 wilderness and its savage inhabitants ; the origin and progress of 

 arts and letters; of society and government — are all matters of 

 record. Nor are the capacities of the country omitted. The cli- 

 mates, seas, rivers, soils, metals, minerals, and animal and vegetable 

 products, are extensively described from actual observation and sur- 

 vey. This advantage appears peculiarly striking, when we observe 

 the labors of the curious or philosophical inquirer, in the old world, 

 who bores the solid earth, navigates unknown oceans, uncovers buried 

 cities, or reveals the secrets of the catacombs to find some clue to the 

 origin of nations, to discover the founders of cities, and to ascertain 

 the progress of science, of mechanical skill, and of mental improve- 

 ment in earlier ages. 



Among the numerous works teeming with information relative 

 to this country, is MacAuley's History of New York. This is in 

 many respects a valuable, though not a very agreeable book. It 

 comprises a vast amount of facts, which give stronger evidence of 

 the author's patience and industry in collecting materials, than of 

 his skill and taste in arranging them. The details are very minute, 

 and sometimes extended with repetitious prolixity ; but whoever 

 will persevere in the labor of reading them, will obtain a thor- 

 ough knowledge of the origin and settlement of the State — of its 

 progress in population and government — and of its aspects and re- 

 sources. The first volume describes its physiological features ; the 

 other two contain some interesting accounts of the Indians, with ex- 

 tensive statistical details, and the history of the State from its first 

 settlement in 1614 to the adoption of the federal constitution after 

 the close of the revolutionary war. 



9. Practical Instructions for the culture of Silk and the Mul- 

 berry Tree; by Felix Pascalis, M. D. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 112 and 105. 

 New York ; and Essays on American Silk and the best means of 

 rendering it a source of individual and national wealth, with direc- 

 tions to farmers for raising silk loorms; by John D'Homergue and 

 Peter Stephen Duponceau. 12mo. pp. 120, Philadelphia. The first 

 part of the interesting and valuable work of Dr. Felix Pascalis on 

 silk, was mentioned in Vol. XVII, p. 202 of this Journal. Both 

 this and the recent treatise from the Philadelphia press are valuable 



