Sir James Stephen's _Lectures on the History of France_, republished by Harper and Brothers, are thus characterized by a recent journal: "The distinguishing characteristics of these lectures are an independent criticism, uninfluenced by previous authority, a religious philosophy which traces the effect of moral causes, the knowledge of a man of affairs rather than of a statesman, and a pellucid pleasantry of manner." * * * * * Hildreth's _History of the United States_ is now attracting the attention of London readers, and has given occasion to some able criticisms. His imperturbable coolness in the narration of events, excites no little surprise, and most of his judges would prefer a more impassioned tone. Nor, in the opinion of the _London Athenaeum_, has he done justice to the character of Jefferson. The merits of the work as an authentic collection of facts, appear to be highly appreciated. The journal just alluded to, says: "On this point, we have to object that JEFFERSON--a man of remarkable powers, and whose spirit has more intimately transferred itself into the heart and hereditary sentiment of the American people than that of perhaps any other American, not perhaps excepting even Washington--does not seem to have received a full enough measure of that appreciation which even Mr. Hildreth might have been able to give him. Jefferson we regard as the type and father of much that is now most characteristic in the American mind; and in any history of the United States he ought to figure largely. We have to repeat that Mr. Hildreth's work is, in its kind, a most conscientious and laborious undertaking--as an accumulation of particulars and a register of debates unrivaled--and therefore extremely valuable to all who wish to prosecute minute researches into the history of the Union, or of the several States composing it." * * * * *