* * * * * _The Little Boys’ and Girls’ Library: Edited by Mrs. Sarah J. Hale. Six books, small quarto. New York, Edward Dunigan._ The stories in these little volumes are written with taste and simplicity. Though Mrs. Hale’s incidents are generally pleasing, we do not in all cases approve their tendency. With deference for her better judgment, we think the boy who, in “The Way to Save,” bought the glass box, was much wiser than he who bought the draught board. * * * * * _The Youth’s Keepsake: A Christmas and New Year’s Gift for Young People._ _The Annualette: A Christmas and New Year’s Gift for Children. Philadelphia, Thomas, Cowperthwaite & Co._ Two very beautiful and interesting annuals, of the character of which the titles are sufficiently descriptive. * * * * * _Sporting Scenes and Sundry Sketches: being the Miscellaneous Writings of J. Cypress, jr. Edited by Frank Forester. In Two vols., 12mo. New York, Gould, Banks & Co., 1842._ “J. Cypress, jr.” was the late William P. Hawes, of the city of New York; and “Frank Forester” is the name by which one of the finest scholars, critics, and writers, whose productions have ever given a charm to our periodical literature—Henry William Herbert, the author of “Cromwell,” and numerous tales and other compositions in this Magazine—is known in the “sporting world.” Mr. Hawes was educated for the bar; his writings were generally on political or sporting topics, in the daily gazettes, or the magazines. The admirable series of papers, entitled “Fire Island Ana,” was written for the American Monthly, while that work was under Mr. Herbert; and most of his later compositions appeared in the “Turf Register.” We have not room to do them justice. They have never been excelled in this country, in richness of humor, freshness, or originality. Mr. Hawes had the modesty of genius. He lived in the quiet enjoyment of the life and the scenes he so felicitously delineated, and was unknown as a writer beyond the limited circle of his intimate friends until they and the world were deprived of his presence. * * * * * _The Task, and other Poems: By William Cowper. One volume, duodecimo. Philadelphia, Carey & Hart._ Among the poets who have written in the English language on religious themes, Cowper unquestionably ranks next to Milton in genius, and before him as a teacher. The Presbyterian poet is admired for his sublime conceptions and his unequaled mastery of language and the intricacies of rhythm; but the bard of Olney is loved by the good and the true as a friend. The new edition of the Task is one of the most beautiful specimens of typography produced in this country, and the etchings, by Cheney, which illustrate it, are of course admirably executed.