The two volumes published in 1861 contain the history of journalism during the latter part of the French Revolution, under the first Empire, the Restoration, and the Government of July. The work may be said to conclude with 1848, as less than twenty pages are devoted to the twelve years following. In this, however, the writer has done all he could be expected to do. This is no time for the candid historian to utter his thoughts of the present _régime_ in France. Since the fatal decree of the 17th of February, 1852, the press has had only so much of life as the present sovereign has thought fit to grant it. Then it was that a representative of the people uttered the words,--"We must overthrow the press, as we have overthrown the barricades." Such were the sentiments of the National Assembly,--not understanding, that, when it struck at such an ally, it destroyed itself. And, indeed, it was but a short time before the tribune shared the fate of journalism. Better things had been hoped on the accession of the present Minister of the Interior, but as yet they have not been realized. RECENT AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE EDITORS OF THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY. The Soldier's Guide. A Complete Manual and Drill-Book for the Use of Volunteers and Militia. Revised, corrected, and adapted to the Discipline of the Soldier of the Present Day. By an Officer of the U.S. Army. Philadelphia. T.B. Peterson & Brothers. 16mo. paper, pp. 63. 25 cts. The Artist's Married Life; being that of Albert Dürer. Translated from the German of Leopold Scheffer, by Mrs. J.R. Stoddart. Revised Edition, with Memoir. Boston and Cambridge. J. Munroe & Co. 16mo. pp. xxviii., 204. $1.00. Young Benjamin Franklin; or, The Right Road through Life. A Boy's Book on a Boy's Own Subject. By Henry Mayhew, Author of "The Peasant-Boy Philosopher," etc. With Illustrations by John Gilbert. New York. Harper & Brothers. 16mo. pp. 561. $1.00. The Stokesley Secret; or, How the Pig paid the Rent. By the Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," etc. New York. D. Appleton & Co. 18mo. pp. 245. 50 cts. Chinese and Indo-European Roots and Analogues. First Number. By Pliny Earle Chase, A.M. Philadelphia. Butler & Co. 8vo. paper, pp. 48. 50 cts. The Works of Charles Dickens. Household Edition. Illustrated from Drawings by F.O.C. Darley and John Gilbert. Christmas Stories. In Two Volumes. New York. J.G. Gregory. 16mo. pp. 300, 300. $1.50. Hickory Hall; or, The Outcast. A Romance of the Blue Ridge. By Mrs. Emma D.E.N. Southworth. Philadelphia. T.B. Peterson & Brothers. 8vo. paper, pp. 136. 50 cts. Alleghania: A Geographical and Statistical Memoir, exhibiting the Strength of the Union and the Weakness of Slavery in the Mountain Districts of the South. By James W. Taylor. St. Paul. J. Davenport. 8vo. paper, pp. 24. 10 cts.