would urge to anarchy and infamy, this
great people went up to the ballot-box, and gave in its adhesion to
human equality, civil liberty, and universal freedom. And as the good
tidings of great joy flashed over the wires from every quarter, men
recognized the finger of God, and, laying aside all lower exultation,
gathered in the public places, and, standing reverently with uncovered
heads, poured forth their rapturous thanksgiving in that sublime
doxology which has voiced for centuries the adoration of the human
soul:--

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him, all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"

So America to the world gives greeting. So a free people meets and
masters the obstacles that bar its progress. So this young republic
speaks warning to the old despotisms, and hope to the struggling
peoples. Thus with the sword she seeks peace under liberty. Striking off
the shackles that fettered her own limbs, emerging from the thick of her
deadly conflict, with many a dint on her armor, but with no shame on her
brow, she starts on her victorious career, and bids the suffering
nations take heart. With the old lie torn from her banner, the old life
shall come back to her symbols. Her children shall no longer blush at
the taunts of foreign tyrannies, but shall boldly proclaim her to be
indeed the land of the free, as she has always been the home of the
brave. Men's minds shall no longer be confused by distinctions between
higher and lower law, to the infinite detriment of moral character, but
all her laws shall be emanations from the infinite source of justice.
Marshalling thus all her forces on the Lord's side, she may inscribe,
without mockery, on her silver and gold, "In God we trust." She may hope
for purity in her homes, and honesty in her councils. She may front her
growing grandeur without misgiving, knowing that it comes not by earthly
might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts; and the only
voice of her victory, the song of her thanksgiving, and her watchword to
the nations shall be, "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace,
good-will toward men."

REVIEWS AND LITERARY NOTICES.

_America and her Commentators:_ With a Critical Sketch of
Travel in the United States. By HENRY T. TUCKERMAN. New
York: Charles Scribner. 8vo. pp. 460.

If a little late, we are none the less sincere i