Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), September 27, 1845, vol. 2, no. 12, p. ???, col. ?

[page 180, column 1, continued:]

The Elements of Morality, including Polity, By William Wheewell, D. D. author of the “History and Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences.” In two vol. Harper & Brothers.

The Harpers have just published this admirable and most valuable work, in two beautifully printed and well bound duodecimo volumes, as the first number of a new series of Standard Books which they intend to issue under the general title of “HARPER’S NEW MISCELLANY.” If this work is to be regarded as, in any sense, a specimen of the series, we have no hesitation in saying that it will be by far the most useful and important Library of its kind ever published in this country. Prof. WHEWELL is very widely known as a writer upon Moral Science of the most profound ability. He stands, indeed, at the head of the living philosophical professors in England, and his work on the Inductive Sciences is universally regarded as of the very highest authority.

In this work on Morality, which has but just been published in England in two large octavo volumes, after a series of very full and exact elementary notices and definitions, he has laid down, in a manner far more complete, precise and methodical than any former writer, the Laws of Morality as applied to every department of individual, social, political and ecclesiastical action. The nature, obligations and rights of Society, — Divine Laws and their Sanction, — the idea, rights, deties and obligations of the State, — the nature of Oaths, of International Law &c. &c. are discussed in the most full, systematic and satisfactory manner. The work can hardly fail to become a text book in all our colleges and higher schools: — but we are also glad that it has been published in such a form and at so cheap a price, as must insure its universal circulation. It is a work which deserves to be studied by every citizen of this republic.

The two volumes contain over 400 pages each, — closely and yet very distinctly printed upon fine, white paper, and are substantially and elegantly bound in muslin, gilt, and sold at fifty cents a volume. This is to be the style and price of all the succeeding volumes of the MISCELLANY, which will contain important historical, scientific, biographical and other works. The publishers, in their prospectus, state that the main, controlling aim of the entire collection, will be instruction rather than amusement. Such a series of books is greatly needed: — and we hazard little in saying that this will prove the most useful, if not the most popular Library ever issued in this country.