This public document, printed by order of Congress, and vastly different from the usual verbose _farragos_, in printing which public money is expended, is a most valuable work. Mr. Emory has traveled with the eye of a scholar as well as soldier, and while he has amassed a valuable collection of military _data_, he has added scarcely less to our stock of Ethnological and antiquarian information. Well written, truthful, because it is an official report, recording many incidents of peril by flood and field, it should find a place in every library, as a memorial of the toil and sufferings of that gallant little band which, under the guidance of the late General Kearney, won that beautiful country for the United States. The battle of San Pasqual and the subsequent operations on the San Francisco, (where the gallant Captain Moore Johnstone, Lieut. Hammond, and so large a portion of the command were killed,) are graphically told, and add to the interest of the book, which is richly illustrated by engravings of ruined buildings, plants, scenery, etc. * * * * * _The Opal._—Our amiable and highly gifted friend, Mrs. SARAH J. HALE, has presented to the public, in “The Opal” just published, one of the best and most beautiful Annuals we have ever seen. Her superior taste as Editress, has enabled her to collect a number of articles of unquestionable merit, which, together, form a most delightful volume. We do not wonder at “The _Opal’s_” popularity, especially since the care of its preparation has devolved upon Mrs. Hale, who is so eminently fitted for the performance of that duty. Its pages are pure and bright, and the gems which adorn them, from the rich treasures of the minds of Grace Greenwood, N. P. Willis, and other equally popular authors, serve to render it in truth, a neat and appropriate offering for all seasons. * * * * * _Thirty Years Since, or the Ruined Family._—The indefatigable G. P. R. JAMES, has written another novel, which bears this title. It is remarkable with what facility works of fiction emanate from his pen, and it is not the less astonishing that they should be so generally readable. “Thirty Years Since” is fully equal to any of its author’s recent productions, and will doubtless find many readers and admirers. * * * * * _The Rival Beauties._—This is the title of a new novel written by Miss PARDOE, author of “The City of the Sultan,” &c. Gertrude and Sybil, the Rival Beauties, are as dissimilar in their natures as light is the opposite of darkness, and the character of each has been portrayed in an admirable manner by the writer. Miss Pardoe’s works are usually interesting—the one before us will, we think, compare advantageously with any that have preceded it. * * * * *