Ups and Downs in the Life of a Distressed Gentleman - Part 10
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Part 10

"BRUTUS.--The able pieces over this signature, relative to the designs of Catholicity in our highly favored land, originally published in the New-York Observer, it is now ascertained were written, not by an individual who was barely indulging in conjectures, but by one who has witnessed the Papacy in all its deformity. One who has, not long since, travelled extensively in the Romish countries, and has spent much time in the Italian States, where the seat of the Beast is. Rome is familiar to him, and he has watched the movements there with great particularity. We may, therefore, yield a good degree of credence to what Brutus has told us. His numbers are now published in a pamphlet, and the fact which has just come out in regard to his peculiar qualification to write on this great subject, will give them extensive circulation."--_Utica Baptist Register._

_The numbers of Brutus._--"Our readers are already acquainted with their contents. The object is to awaken the attention of the American public to a design, supposed to be entertained by the despotic governments of Europe, particularly of Austria, in conjunction with his Holiness the Pope, to undermine gradually our free inst.i.tutions by the promotion of the Catholic Religion in America. The letters are interesting, from the numerous facts which they disclose; and are deserving the careful attention of the citizens of these United States, who should guard with vigilance the sacred trust which has been confided to us by our fathers."--_N. Y. Weekly Messenger._

The work embodies a ma.s.s of facts, collected from authentic sources, of the deepest interest to every friend of civil liberty and Protestant Christianity. The efforts of despotic European sovereigns, to inoculate our country with the religion of Rome, are fully proved. Could they succeed in these efforts, and annihilate the spirit of liberty on our sh.o.r.es, the march of free principles in our own dominions would cease.

They could then sit securely on their thrones, and rule with a rod of iron over their abject va.s.sals.--Ohio, _Cincinnati Journal_.

(Presbyterian.)

COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM

OF

MODERN GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY:

REVISED AND ENLARGED

From the London edition of "Pinnock's Modern Geography," and adapted to the use of Academies and Schools in the United States, with an Atlas.

BY EDWIN WILLIAMS,

Author of the New Universal Gazetteer, New-York Annual Register, etc.

NEW-YORK: LEAVITT, LORD & CO., 180 Broadway.

Extracted critical remarks from the English Reviews of Pinnock's Modern Geography and History.

"_Mr. Pinnock's_ Catechisms and other publications have made his name universally known throughout the country, as one of the most meritorious and successful authors in this department of literature, who have ever directed their attention to inform the rising generation.

The present volume is, in all respects, worthy of his name; it is well conceived, well arranged, diligently edited, and beautifully got up, at a very moderate cost. By mingling the attractions of history with the dry details of geographical science, the study is rendered pleasing and interesting. Ample intelligence is produced, in the first instance, and then the learner is judiciously exercised by questions on the subjects as they occur."--_Literary Gazette._

"This is truly the age of intellectual improvement, and in every form and manner exertions are multiplied to advance it. Daily the unwearied press teems with new publications in aid of truth and knowledge.

Compendiums, abridgments, and compressments of scientific lore, rapidly succeed each other in their pretensions to public favor; and it is now a point of compet.i.tion amongst authors and publishers to give the greatest quant.i.ty of valuable information for the least money. It was, however, it seems, reserved for the experienced author of the work before us to excel all his predecessors in this particular; and we cannot restrain our admiration when we observe the immense collection of geographical and historical learning comprised in this little book.

It is impossible, in the limits to which this notice can extend, to give a detailed account of the plan of _Mr. Pinnock's_ work: suffice it, that its t.i.tle is fully answered in the compilation, and that it is, in our judgment, eminently calculated to supersede the use of those elementary geographical works in present use, which, however useful they may be, are utterly poor and meagre when compared to this. The astronomical portion of _Mr. Pinnock's_ book is excellent, and the historical memoranda, which follow the account of each country, are highly interesting, and tend to enliven the study of geography, while they furnish a fund of instruction to the learner.

"On the whole, this _multum in parvo_, for such it pre-eminently is, is calculated to become a universal instructer in the knowledge of the earth. It will not be confined to the use of schools, for adults will find it a valuable addition to their Biblical store."--_Courier._

"This is unquestionably the _very cheapest_ work of the sort that has. .h.i.therto issued from the press; and it is but doing a bare act of justice to the public-spirited publishers to say, that they deserve the most unlimited patronage. The literary arrangement of the whole does great credit to the well known talents and indefatigable research of _Mr. Pinnock_; and instead of the study being, as was the case some twenty years ago, dry and almost appalling, it is rendered familiar and entertaining, from its being mixed up with numerous anecdotes a.s.sociated with the history of the countries described."--_Berkshire Chronicle._

"A truly _comprehensive_ compendium of geographical and historical information, judiciously blended, has been heretofore a great desideratum. _Mr. Pinnock's_ name has for many years been a standard warranty to school books; and this, his last labor, fully sustains his established reputation. It is a very comprehensive condensation of all which is necessary in teaching the important science of geography. The statistical details of countries are pleasantly relieved by a series of admirable _historical memoranda_, which bear evidence of fidelity and a deep research. We are surprised, in looking through the book, to observe what a vast quant.i.ty of instruction is comprised in its 446 pages."--_Sunday Times._

"We have just now before us a handsome and compact little volume, 'got up' with great care, taste, and judgment: '_A Grammar of Modern Geography and History_.' The quant.i.ty of really useful information that it contains is astonishing."--_La Belle a.s.semblee._

"To _Mr. Pinnock_ belongs the merit of inventing those Catechisms of Science and General Knowledge, which even a Lord Chancellor condescended to read and to praise. Nothing more is necessary to be said to recommend his book in every quarter."--_London Magazine._

"_Grammar of Geography and History._--Every person engaged in the education of children, will be much pleased to turn over the pages of one of the best, because most simplified, and at the same time compendious works on geography that has ever yet appeared. The name of _Pinnock_ stands at the head of modern pioneers in the march of Juvenile Intellect; and the present volume is another exhibition of his meritorious industry. It is announced among our advertis.e.m.e.nts, and we are sure that our readers will be thankful for thus having specially directed their attention to so useful, elegant, and withal _very cheap_ a publication."--_Taunton Courier._

"_Pinnock's Modern Geography._--We call the attention of our readers, and more especially the heads of seminaries, to a useful, splendid, and _singularly cheap_ work, just published by _Poole & Edwards_, ent.i.tled '_A Comprehensive Grammar of Modern Geography and History._' Without any exception, it is the best book of the sort hitherto published."--_Windsor Herald._

"This little book is of a description much superior to the ordinary cla.s.s of school books. Its author needs no praise from us, as his long and faithful services to the cause of education have met that general approbation which is their fittest and highest reward. We are happy to say, that the same judicious industry which distinguished his smaller works for the benefit of children, is displayed in full force in the little volume now on our table. It is well arranged, and written in a clear, simple style. But it is also much more than a mere outline of geography, for it also contains an admirable summary of the most important points in history and chronology: and its pages are interspersed with interesting physical facts relating to the various countries under consideration. We approve much the catechetical system of teaching, which is provided for by questions appended to each section. These will enable the self-instructer to ascertain with ease and certainty what real progress he has made in the acquisition of knowledge. A good treatise of this comprehensive nature has long been wanting in our schools. To those whose time will not permit them to turn to more ponderous sources of information, and to those who may wish to refresh their memories by looking over an accurate summary of facts already known, we heartily recommend this Geography as the best elementary work we have seen."--_London Weekly Review._

_From the New-York Evening Post._

To the publishers, the public are indebted for an elementary work on Geography, which, from a more attentive examination than we are usually able to give to books of that description, we think will prove a very useful volume in the education of young persons. The work we allude to is a very neat and well printed edition of Pinnock's Modern Geography and History, wholly revised and much enlarged by Edwin Williams, of whose accuracy and research, as a statistical writer, the public have already had various satisfactory evidences. The department of knowledge in which the labors of Mr. Williams have been mainly exerted, have necessarily furnished him with a copious store of materials highly useful to be employed in a work like that which has now engaged his pen. The original work of Mr. Pinnock bore a high reputation both in England and this country, and its value is now very greatly increased by the extensive and judicious improvements made by Mr. Williams. To convey some idea of the superior excellence of the present edition over any previous one, it needs only to be stated that the portion relating to America, has been wholly rewritten and enlarged so as to extend through more than a hundred additional pages. The recent changes in the political divisions of South America are also carefully noted, and a succinct and clear history of its various revolutions is given.

Numerous other improvements of the original work have been made by Mr.

Williams, but what we have stated, will serve to convey some idea of the additional value he has imparted to a production which before enjoyed a high reputation. The publishers deserve credit for the exceedingly neat style in which they have published this useful elementary work.

_From the Commercial Advertiser._

Pinnock has done very essential service to the cause of education, by his excellent editions of established school books. To go no farther, this is the best compendium of geography we have yet seen for schools.

The European States are never treated with the importance they deserve in our ordinary school books of this description. Here they receive great attention, and the American department, under Mr Williams'

careful and accurate superintendence, is not behind them, while the history of each State is woven in its leading facts with its description.

_From the New-York American._

This is a well printed, and we dare say, a well digested compound of geography and history, adapted for young persons. The portion relating to America has been rewritten here and much extended, and in that very fact we see evidence to strengthen a conviction we have long entertained, and occasionally expressed, that the elementary works--those of history especially--designed for American schools, should be written at home.

_From the New-York Weekly Messenger._

We have rarely met with a work of this size embracing so large a fund of useful, we might say necessary, knowledge of a geographical and historical character. This work is formed on the basis of Pinnock's celebrated Manual of Geography, combining the leading facts of history.

It has been revised by Edwin Williams, Esq., a gentleman well known as the author of the New-York Annual Register, and New Universal Gazetteer, &c. That part of the work relating to our own country has been entirely rewritten, and occupies about one hundred closely printed pages. It will command a place, as a cla.s.s book, in all our respectable seminaries of learning; but a work of this kind ought not and will not be confined to schools. It will be found in the library of the scholar--the cheerful and happy dwelling of the farmer--the workshop of the mechanic--the closet of the student--and the counting-room of the merchant, by all of whom it may be advantageously consulted as a book of reference.

_From the Knickerbocker._

Mr. Edwin Williams, whose "Annual Register" and "Universal Gazetteer"

are so favorably known to the public, has recently issued--revised and enlarged from the London edition, and adapted to the use of Academies and Schools in the United States--Pinnock's celebrated Modern Geography. The part relating to America has received numerous important additions in the revision, and the whole may be relied on us affording a faithful picture of the present state of the world, as far as known.

The work presents a combination of geography and history, which renders it both useful and entertaining. The latter quality is an unusual feature in most of our modern school geographies.