f 1798_, by HENRY M. FIELD
(published by Harper and Brothers), is a lively historical sketch of the
movements of the Irish patriots in behalf of the freedom of their nation
toward the close of the last century. The volume opens with a rapid
survey of Irish history, traces the love of liberty among the people,
describes the causes of their national characteristics, and minutely
portrays the events of the fruitless struggle, which terminated in the
complete subjection of their beautiful island to the British crown.
Among the biographical sketches, those of Curran, Tone, Lord Edward
Fitzgerald, the Emmets, McNevin, and Sampson of course occupy a
prominent place, and are drawn with an affectionate sympathy, which
delights to linger around every memorial of their noble and chivalrous
characters. Mr. Field has enjoyed peculiar facilities for the
composition of this volume. A visit to Ireland some four years since
awakened a strong interest in the fortunes of her people. At a
subsequent period, he formed an intimate acquaintance with several of
the families of the Irish exiles in New York, and from the narratives
thus obtained, was furnished with some of the most valuable materials
for his story. Nor has he neglected the study of the different
historians of the time. His work, accordingly, combines the vivacity of
a personal narrative, with the accuracy of thorough research. It is
deeply imbued with a love of Ireland, with a sense of indignation at the
outrages which she has endured, and with admiration of the valor and
devotion of her gallant sons; though in no case, do the evident
partialities of the writer appear to have interfered with his strict
historical fidelity, or to have tempted him to an uncritical use of the
facts at his command. His style is simple and unaffected, warmed with a
persuasive earnestness, and animated with a chaste enthusiasm, but owing
none of its interest to the allurements of rhetoric. Indeed, a more
elaborate construction would often have been in better keeping with the
dignity of the subject, while the almost exclusive use of short
sentences at length overcomes the reader with a painful feeling of
monotony. There are also occasional instances of careless and
unauthorized expression, which, in a writer of such real ability and
cultivation as Mr. Field, excite the surprise of the fastidious reader.

Harper and Brothers have issued an edition of the _History of Greece_,
by Dr. LEONHARD SCHMITZ, whi