The student of classic mythology, who loves with Hammer Purgstall and Kreutzer to dive into the oriental depths of ancient myths, will welcome the recent appearance of a work by LUDWIG MERCKLIN, entitled _Die Talos-Sage, und das Sardonische Lachen_. The story of Talus, and the Sardonic Laughter--a contribution to the history of Grecian legend and art--St. Petersburg and Leipsic, 1851. In this work we learn that the Cretan Talus was beyond doubt the Phoenician sun-god, and that he was identical with the Athenian of the same name. The Cretan Talus, according to the mythological account, was a brazen image, which Vulcan gave to Minos, or Jupiter to Europa. He defended the island by heating himself in the fire and embracing his enemies. More literal commentators have attempted to prove that Talus was a brazen statue or beacon, like the Colossus of Rhodes, placed by the Phoenicians on the Cretan promontory. The Athenian Talus, inventor of the compass and saw, was slain by his uncle Dædalus, who was envious of his talent. The gods changed him to a partridge. After identifying the twain, Mercklin attempts to prove that the elements of this myth are to be sought in the ancient dogmas of lustration, and that they may be still further referred to the worship of Apollo. In connection with this Talus legend, he closely scrutinizes the account of the so called Sardonic laughter, and its relation to the same religious rites. "In conclusion, he discusses those ancient works of art which illustrate this subject, namely, the medals of Phaistos and the celebrated vase of Ruvo, of which he gives a new, and on the whole certainly correct account." In connection with this work we may notice another which appeared in April, entitled _Bellerophon_, by HERMAN ALEX. FISCHER. From the subject we infer that this Fischer is identical with _Vischer_ who published three years ago one of the best _Æsthetics_ on philosophies of art, ever written even in Germany. We are told in a short notice, that the author attempts, by a study of the myth of Bellerophon and those works of art relating to it, including the etymological signification of the name, to establish the identity of Bellerophon with the sun-god. [Greek: Phontês] is by him derived or varied from [Greek: Thantês] and [Greek: Bellero], explained as identical with [Greek: Helios], [Greek: elê], [Greek: selas], and [Greek: selênê]. * * * * * Some anonymous scribbler in Berlin has recently put forth a treatise on free trade, entitled _Tempus omnia revelat_: of which a reviewer, in conjecturing the cause of its publication, remarks, that "as it treats generally of every thing else besides free trade, it is probable that the Free Trade Union have not deemed it worth while to hear him through." * * * * *