Volume 1 — NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The Massachusetts State Record and Year Book of General Information. 1847. "Human and mortal although we are, we are nevertheless not mere insulated beings, without relation to the past or future."—Daniel Webster. Boston: Published by James French, 78 Washington Street. 1847.

This is the first volume of a new work, and is intended to be an Annual. It will aim, "1. To give annually the names of the State, County and Town Officers, and, in connection therewith, to note the objects and results of our State Legislation. 2. To develop the principles of the Institutions of the Commonwealth by giving their objects and results. 3. To set forth the kind and extent of business pursued by the inhabitants, including the learned professions. 4. To represent the social, moral, and physical condition of the people, as connected with their pursuits and recreation. 5. To exhibit the mutual relations of society, and to embody the results of the combined action of all in relation to external objects, with a view to the high destiny of man."

The plan of the work is copious and judicious, and the due execution of it will require study, labor, and exactness. The present volume, which embraces two hundred and eighty pages, is printed on good paper with fair type, and is well bound. It contains a great quantity of matter, interesting and useful, and its historical character will render it none the less so. The editor we doubt not will exert himself to make the work deserving of public patronage.

Biographical Sketches of the Moody Family; embracing notices of ten Ministers and several Laymen, from 1633 to 1842.

By Charles C. P. Moody. Boston: Published by Samuel G. Drake, No. 56 Cornhill. 1847.

This 12mo volume of 168 pages, besides the introduction, contains a brief account of Rev. Joshua Moody, Portsmouth and Boston; Rev. Samuel Moody, Newcastle, N. H., and Falmouth, Me.; Rev. Samuel Moody, pastor of the First Church in York, Me.; Rev. Joshua Moody, Star Island, N. H.; Rev. Joseph Moody, pastor of the Second Church in York, Me.; Joshua Moody, Esq., Portland, Me.; Dr. Samuel Moody, Portland, Me.; Rev. John Moody, New Market, N. H.; Rev. Amos Moody, Pelham, N. H.; Mr. Enoch Moody, Portland, Me; Dea. Benjamin Moody, Newburyport; Rev. Samuel Moody, Principal of Dummer Academy; Rev. Silas Moody, Arundel, Me.; Mr. Paul Moody, Waltham and Lowell; Stephen Moody, Esq., Gilmanton, N. H.; Joseph Moody, Esq., Kennebunk, Me.; Rev. Eli Moody, Granby, Ms.; and a List of all the Graduates at the New England Colleges by the name of Moody, in number 39. The united ages of the seventeen persons noticed in these sketches amount to 1,142 years, averaging 67 years to each—the eldest being 82, and the youngest 50 years. Mr. William Moody the principal progenitor of the name in New England, came, according to the most authentic accounts, from Wales, England, to Ipswich in 1633, and removed to Newbury with the first settlers in 1635. While this work is affectingly serious, some portions of it partake of the character of novelty. No one can read the notices of Rev. Joshua Moody of Portsmouth and Boston, and of "Father Moody," "Handkerchief Moody," and "Master Moody," as they were called, without being deeply interested. We hope the volume will meet with a ready sale, and be perused with spiritual benefit.

A Sermon[AB] delivered at Plymouth on the twenty-second of December, 1846. By Mark Hopkins, D. D., President of Williams College. Boston: Press of T. R. Marvin, 24 Congress Street. 1847.

The text on which this discourse is based is contained in Matt. xxiii.: 8. "And all ye are brethren."

After the exordium and stating what is indicated in that far-reaching annunciation of the text, And all ye are brethren, the President says, "Columbus sought a passage to the Indies, and God revealed to him the whole rounded inheritance which he created in the beginning, and intended for the use of civilized man. Our Fathers sought for religious freedom, and God led them on to the practical recognition of those principles laid down by Christ in accordance with which alone man can obtain that political and social and moral inheritance of which his nature is evidently capable, and which we believe God intended for him." The term brethren indicates equality and affection, and these must form the basis of a perfect society. This proposition Dr. Hopkins shows is sanctioned by the Scriptures, and is in accordance with the nature of man. Having proved and illustrated the proposition, he urges upon the descendants of the Puritans to adopt this and this alone as the basis of our institutions, and to carry out this great principle of brotherhood. We conclude the notice of this appropriate and excellent discourse, by quoting the closing address: "And now, my friends, is not the star of hope which we see in this direction, a beautiful star? It is no meteor of a fervid imagination, or of a false philosophy. It is that great idea of a universal Christian brotherhood, pointed out by Christ, not in the text only, but everywhere, as an inherent part of his system. This star our Fathers saw, and is it any wonder, that under its inspiration and guidance, they should come across the ocean? Literally they found a landing here, but figuratively, the vessel which they launched is yet upon the deep, the multitude of their descendants is on board, and we too catch glimpses of the same bright star above the troubled waters. It may be that this vessel is not destined to reach the port. We hear moanings of the tempest, and see aspects of the elements which lead us to tremble for her. But where the bright image of this star has once fallen, it can never be effaced. This is our star. To it let the prow of our vessel be turned. Let every man be at his post, never ashamed of the plain rigging of his good ship, but always hearing that voice of duty, and of the God of our Fathers, which will speak above the roar of every tempest; and then if our ship must go down, the will of God be done. But then she will not go down. Then the hand which guided the Mayflower, will guide her. Then will there be One on board, as we believe there always has been, who, though he may seem for a time to be asleep in the hinder part of the ship, will yet come, when the winds are loudest, and the waves are highest, and say, 'Peace, be still.'"

The Connecticut Register: Being an official State Calendar of public officers and institutions in Connecticut, for 1847. By Charles W. Bradley, Jr., clerk in the office of the Secretary of State. "Vineam—— transtulisti, ejecisti gentes et plantasti eam. Dux itineris fuisti in conspectu ejus; plantasti radices ejus, et implevit terram. Operuit montes umbra ejus, et arbusta ejus cedros Dei. Extendit, palmites suos usque ad mare, et usque ad flumen propagines ejus."—Ps. LXXX. Hartford: Published by Brown & Parsons, Corner of Main and Asylum Streets.

This volume of 224 pages 16mo, well printed and bound, for a work of the kind, embraces much more Historical and Statistical matter than is usual in such publications; as the chapter which contains the Annals of Connecticut, the Patent and Charter of the Colony, Indian topographical names till now never extensively collected, list of Colonial officers, and dates of town and court incorporations. The difficulty which has heretofore existed in tracing out genealogies from the records of the Mortuary Courts, is in part obviated by the table of their territorial changes. The author, connected as he was, with the records of the State, possessed peculiar advantages in preparing the work. The Register contains all the above articles in addition to those which have generally been inserted in its predecessors. It is a valuable book, and should be in the hands of every family in the State.

👉 We regret that we have not room to notice other interesting publications which we have received. We shall give notices of them in the next number of the Register.

EXTRACTS FROM NOTICES OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.

The object of this work is to gather up the facts which relate to the Fathers of New England, so that the present generation may distinctly understand, that "God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness." It will also contain the genealogy of families which early settled the country. It will not be sectarian in its character, but will be a faithful record of the principles and character of the founders of New England. Among the great number of new publications that are striving to push themselves into the community, this cannot fail to find its way into the study of the minister, the office of the lawyer and physician, and the parlor of many thousands of the descendants of the Pilgrims.—Boston Recorder.

It is a unique magazine. The work will bring to light many amusing personal incidents both of old times and new. It must be intensely interesting to all New England men, especially those who have a taste for such things and have descended in regular succession from the Pilgrims.—Journal of Commerce, New York.

The first Number of the work has just made its appearance, and we greet it with a hearty welcome. We commend it to all interested in pursuing inquiries of a historical or statistical nature relating to New England.—Boston Atlas.

It is the only work of the kind ever undertaken in this country. Both the Editor and Publisher come to their task with a degree of experience and tact on such matters which will commend their labors to the confidence of all interested in this kind of investigation.—Vermont Chronicle.

If we rightly apprehend the design of this work it will be serviceable to the community in gathering and presenting the elements of the history of New England. Dr. Cogswell has for a long course of years employed his mind much in labors of this sort, and his efforts have been well appreciated. He seems now to be more exclusively devoted to them, and with advantages of doing the work more effectually. We confidently commend this work to those who have a taste for such reading, and those who wish to encourage and patronize a work, which must be of great value to the coming generation.—New England Puritan.

The comprehensive design of this work appears to be well carried out in the number before us, which contains a great amount of historical, statistical, and genealogical information.—Lowell Daily Courier.

It is pleasant to take a peep at the queer and musty antiquities of the Western world through the clear glass of such clean and beautiful pages of modern typography. To those, heirs apparent or expectant, of English or French estates, the work has some charms of an interesting character.—Massachusetts Cataract.

Its contents give promise of a periodical of great interest, especially to New England men and women, who would be better acquainted with their fathers.—Christian Observer, Philadelphia.

The Rev. Dr. Cogswell, its Editor, was for some time connected with the American Quarterly Register, and more recently with the New Hampshire Repository, both of which were more or less devoted to subjects kindred to those of which this work proposes exclusively to treat, and his name alone is a sufficient guaranty for the faithful management of a historical and genealogical journal. The Publisher, Mr. Drake, a thorough antiquary, and well known as the historian of the Indians, is admirably qualified to discharge the duties he has just assumed.—New York Express.

We are glad to see the commencement of a Quarterly Periodical of this character in New England. Under the care of Dr. Cogswell, well known for his historical, antiquarian, and genealogical lore, it will become a repository of rare and valuable facts, a record of events, the memory of which should be dear to the descendants of the Pilgrims.—Boston Mercantile Journal.

This is an excellent work, just such an one as we have long needed.—Litchfield Inquirer, Ct.

NOTICES.

👉 We propose to publish in some future Nos. of the Register brief Genealogical Memoirs of all the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. We request, therefore, that, if any of the relatives or friends of these individuals have in their possession any genealogical or biographical accounts of them, or can furnish any, they will be pleased to send them to the Editor of this work. It is especially desired that the communications should be accurate in their facts—as names, dates, places, &c., and the chirography be very legible. The names and places of residence of the individuals who may be pleased to transmit such papers should be given as vouchers for their correctness.

Any person who will copy and send to the Cor. Sec. of the N. E. H. and G. Society, exact copies of the earliest births, deaths, and marriages from town records, or any other source, will confer an obligation on the community; as they will be deposited in the archives of the Society, and be published from time to time in the Register. The account should be written legibly, and the name of the copyist and his place of residence should be given as authority for the same.

👉 We would give notice that Horatio G. Somerby, Esq., of Boston, will visit England this season for the purpose of investigating the early genealogies of the emigrants to New England, if suitable pecuniary encouragement should be given by those who may be interested in such researches. A subscription has been opened for this purpose, and gentlemen can obtain the requisite information on this subject by calling on the Corresponding Secretary of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society.

👉 We regret that the first two Nos. of the Register have made their appearance so late in the Quarter for which they were issued, and that the principal likenesses accompanying them have been so ordinary. Circumstances beyond our control have led to it. Arrangements were not made for the publication of the work until after the year commenced, when not a word was written, and not a likeness engraved. In future we intend that the Nos. shall be issued punctually, and good likenesses accompany them. For our next No. we have procured an excellent likeness of Governor Endecott, engraved expressly for the work, which will accompany a Memoir of the Governor.

👉 The Register will be issued Quarterly, each No. containing at least ninety-six pages, octavo, upon good paper, and with fair type; making annually a volume of about four hundred pages; the Nos. to be issued in January, April, July, and October.

The price to Subscribers will be Two Dollars a-year, payable on issuing the first No. Any person obtaining subscriptions and becoming responsible, for six copies of the work, shall be entitled to the seventh copy gratis.

Subscription Papers to be returned to the address of Samuel G. Drake, Publisher, 56 Cornhill, Boston.

👉 All communications, which are designed for insertion in the Register, or which respect the editorial department, should be addressed to the Editor, at Boston.

All orders for the Register, and all communications respecting the pecuniary concerns of it, should be directed to Samuel G. Drake, 56 Cornhill, Boston.

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