extends her right hand at right angles with her body, and looks down admiringly upon her companion. Thus grouped the curtain drops, and every one cries _bravo!_ thumps the floor with his stick, or beats his palms together till such a din is raised as is absolutely deafening.' "'She is a charming dancer,' I observed. "'Yes'--replied he--'she understands the philosophy of her art better than any of her contemporaries; it is to throw around sensuality such a coloring of refinement as will divest it of its grossness. For this she is paid a hundred pounds a night, and is allowed two benefits in the season which generally average a thousand pounds each. While you are thus liberal to a dancer, some of the worthiest of your ministers of religion receive about fifty pounds per annum for wearing out their lives for the good of your souls; and many of your most exalted men of genius are left to starve. Such is the consistency of human nature.'" * * * * * _The District School, or National Education, by J. Orville Taylor. Third Edition. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Blanchard._ This work has met with universal approbation, and is worthy of it. The book was first published only a short time ago, and the third impression will speedily be exhausted, as parents have a direct personal concern in the matter, and in the important truths, duties, and responsibilities, herein pointed out. Mr. Taylor is entitled to the gratitude of his countrymen for that beneficial impulse which his work has been, and will be the means of giving to the great cause of General Education. "If a parent," says Mr. Taylor, "does not educate his child--the world will." We sincerely hope so. As the _District School_ now appears it has been entirely re-written, and such alterations and additions made as the experience of the author suggested. We heartily wish it all the success it so eminently deserves. * * * * * _The New England Magazine for September_ is unusually rich. Among its numerous and very excellent articles we would particularly notice a paper called "My Journal"--and more especially Scraps of Philosophy and Criticism from a recent work of Victor Hugo's. One of these Scraps _on Style_, we are sure we shall be pardoned for extracting.