AMONG the "books in press" advertised in London at the beginning of the year, by Bentley, are _The Correspondence of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford, and the Rev. William Mason_, now first published from the original MSS., and edited, with notes, by the Rev. J. Mitford, author of "The Life of Gray." This work will contain the last series of Walpole's unpublished letters. A _History of Greek and Roman Classical Literature_, with an introduction on each of the languages, biographical notices, and an account of the periods in which each principal author lived and wrote, so far as literature was affected by such history, and observations on the works themselves, by R. W. Browne, one of the professors in King's College, London. And _The Literary Veteran_, including sketches and anecdotes of the most distinguished literary characters, from 1794 to 1849, by R. P. Gilles. * * * * * THE REV. HENRY T. CHEEVER has just published a volume entitled "The Island World of the Pacific," (Harpers,) which for various personal interest, fulness and accuracy of information, and right feeling, is to be preferred to any book on the subject since the appearance of Cook's Voyages. We know of no traveller in Polynesia who has had better opportunities for observation than Mr. Cheever. His abilities as a writer were illustrated by "The Whale and his Captors," published two or three years ago. The style of the present performance is not at all inferior, and it is especially commendable for a perspicuous compactness. So much misrepresentation of the Sandwich and other Islands has appeared lately, that we are glad of an opportunity to commend a book so authoritative and satisfactory upon the whole subject. * * * * * M. J. MOREAU of Paris, has completed a new version into French of the _Imitatio Christi_, and has accompanied it with select passages from the Fathers and other pious authors. The same writer has also published under the title of _Le Philosophe Inconnu_, an essay on the ideas and writings of the celebrated theosophist Saint-Martin. This remarkable mystic, who in his lifetime was surrounded by so many disciples and admirers, is now known only to the curious seekers among the dusty shelves of libraries. M. Moreau attempts to show that his heresies contained a spice of orthodoxy, and this he endeavors to develop for the benefit of whom it may concern. * * * * * BISHOP ONDERDONK of Pennsylvania is a person of large abilities; he is one of the strongest writers of the Episcopal Church in the country; and it is unjust that the unfortunate circumstances of his ecclesiastical position should prevent the recognition of his merits as a scholar and dialectician. We are pleased, therefore, that his friends have taken measures for the publication of a collection of his _Theological Works_, including sermons and Episcopal charges. * * * * *