Literary Notices.

OWING to the immense increase in the price of books, we will not receive further orders to send by mail. It never was a source of profit to us, but generally a loss, on account of the postage we had to pay.

From PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia:

THE SHADOW OF ASHLYDYAT. By Mrs. Henry Wood, author of "The Castle's Heir," "Squire Trevlyn's Heir," etc. Mrs. Wood is one of the few who excel in the writing of domestic novels. She takes commonplace characters and everyday events, and invests them with a dramatic interest that proves most attractive to the reader. "The Shadow of Ashlydyat" we have found time only to examine most hastily, but its author is too old an acquaintance of the public to need special récommendation from us now. We will vouch for the story being equal in merit to her former ones.

THE GOLD SEEKERS. A Tale of California. By Gustave Aimard, author of "The Prairie Flower," "The Tiger Slayer," etc. As a writer of tales filled with romance and perilous adventures, Aimard has few rivals in his special field.

From J. B. LIPPINCOTT & Co., Philadelphia :CHAMBERS' ENCYCLOPEDIA. Parts 66 and 67. THE BOOK OF DAYS. Part 17.

We have so often commended these valuable works to our subscribers that they ought now to know their value as well as we do. They are only 20 cents a part; aud each part is well worth the money, independent of its connection with the whole work.

From HARPER & BROTHERS, New York, through PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia:

ELEANOR'S VICTORY. A Novel. By M. E. Braddon, author of "Aurora Floyd," etc. In this work, Miss Braddon has left her beaten track and surpassed herself. If "Aurora Floyd" was sufficient to give its author reputation, "Eleanor's Victory" will do much towards perpetuating that reputation; as, in our opinion, it is written far better. There are a wider range and greater individuality of character than in any of her previous works; and, having forsaken her threadbare theme of bigamy, she has produced a really original plot.

DAILY WALK WITH WISE MEN; or, Religious Exercises for Every Day in the Year. Selected, Arranged, and specially Adapted by Rev. Nelson Head. As a daily help to Christian meditation, devotion, and holy practice, this is a most excellent work. Nearly all the authors whose writings have been used in its preparation, lived during the seventeenth century, or at an earlier period. The selections have been made with judgment, and are such as will meet the approval of Christians of whatever creed.

CHRESTOMATHIE FRANCAISE. A French Reading Book. By William I. Knapp, A. M., Professor of Modern Language and Literature in Madison University. This book cannot fail to be of service to the French student, not only as regards a knowledge of the French language, but in making him familiar with the best literature of that language. Its contents are made up of selections from Rousseau, Molière, Fenelon, Beranger, Lamartine, and other well-known French authors of the past and

present. A vocabulary of concise definitions, giving the correct pronunciation of the words, adds to the completeness of the book.

From D. APPLETON & Co., New York, through W. P. HAZARD, Philadelphia:

PALMONI; or, The Numerals of Scripture. ▲ Proof of Inspiration. A Free Inquiry. By M. Mahan, D. D., St. Marks-in-the-Bowery, Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the General Theological Seminary. Though religious in tone, this work will attract more especially those individuals who delight in the curious, the coincidental, and the mystical, rather than such as look only for simple or even controversial religious reading. There are many interesting points in chronology and numerals brought forward by its learned author.

A CLASS-BOOK OF CHEMISTRY. A new Edition, entirely rewritten. By Edward L. Youmans, M. D., author of "The Chemical Chart," "Hand-book of Household Science," etc. This book, designed especially for the use of schools and colleges, contains the latest facts and principles of the science of chemistry, explained and applied to the arts of life and the phenomena of nature.

From TICKNOR & FIELDS, Boston, through T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, Philadelphia:

FREEDOM AND WAR: Discourses on Topics suggested by the Times. By Henry Ward Beecher. This book comprises some eighteen sermons, preached at various times, from the autumn of 1859 to the winter of the present year, all of them relating to political subjects. Embracing the best specimens of their author's vigorous and original style, they will find numerous readers among his hosts of admirers.

GALA DAYS. By Gail Hamilton, author of “Country Living and Country Thinking." The author of this volume being desirous, as she tells us, to write a book of travels, resolves to travel in order that she may write. We have, as the result, a very readable book, highly tinged with its author's personality, descriptive of her journeying, from her descent from the garret with her trunk, onward, to Saratoga, Canada, the White Mountains, etc. She is sprightly, vivacious, original, and occasionally poetical, though one sometimes wearies of a certain straining after "style."

OUR OLD HOME: A Series of English Sketches. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. This volume is not a record of scenery and events hastily witnessed and jotted down by a tourist. It is a collection of sketches narrating the experiences of a man who, during a residence in the country and among the people he describes, had ample opportunity for observation, and leisure for digestion of ideas and prejudices. It is an American's view of England; and, proceeding from Hawthorne's graceful pen, it will be found both pleasant and instructive reading. METHODS OF STUDY IN NATURAL HISTORY. By L. Agassiz. It has been the intention of the author of this book to present in popular form the views expressed in a previous work-his "Essay on Classification.' He gives, within its pages, great emphasis to his opinion unfavorable to the transmutation theory, which certain naturalists are now strenuously advocating.

MEDITATIONS ON LIFE AND ITS RELIGIOUS DUTIES. Translated from the German. By Frederica Rowan. This is a companion volume to "Meditations on Death and Eternity," recently translated by the same lady, and reprinted in America by the same publishing

house. It is filled with pure and beautiful religious sentiment, the perusal of which cannot fail to benefit mind and heart. The book is dedicated to the Princess Louis of Hesse.

LEVANA; or, The Doctrine of Education. Translated from the German of Jean Paul Friederich Richter, author of "Flower, Fruit, and Thorn Pieces," etc. "Levana" is written in Richter's peculiar style, and is perhaps the most perfect specimen of metaphysical German literature which we have ever examined. There is much truth and many wise suggestions within its pages, but it requires a clear head and well cultivated mind to perceive and understand them through all the obscurities of diction.

Godey's Arm-Chair.

OUR DECEMBER NUMBER. -Four fashions from the great importing firm of Messrs. A. T. Stewart & Co., not accessible by any other magazine. This is a privilege that the Lady's Book is allowed, exclusively, to publish the fashions from this celebrated house, which gives the tone to the fashionable world throughout the Union. They are prepared expressly in Paris for this establishment only, and the only magazine privileged to produce them is Godey's Lady's Book.

Our Title-page. Godey first led in this plan of giving vignette title-pages. Others have copied them. No matter. If we were to put our plates in the back of the Book they would do the same. First-class poetry only is parodied; it is a sign of merit. Therefore the compliment is paid the Lady's Book by inferior publications, by copying everything we do. Inferior, of course; but as they have no ideas of their own, they must have a guide. Those who do not see the originals are satisfied by the humble imitation; but it is the penalty that greatness has to pay. To resume: Our vignette Titlepage for December comprises five separate and distinct pictures, the principal of which is "A father telling Christmas stories to his children," "Gathering Christmas greens, "An old-fashioned sleighing party," " "“Youth,” and "Age," the whole embraced in one picture by a beautiful tree covered with snow. One of the handsomest designs we have ever given.

Our first plate is "The Daily Governess." Of this we can only speak of the beauty of the engraving, leaving other description to the very excellent story that illustrates the engraving.

Godey's Fashions for December. See the bride and her attendants-seven figures in all, a splendid variety. "A False Alarm.” A sweep descending the wrong chimney. Such things have happened. "Spanish Opera Hood," printed in colors. A very comfortable article for the present season. See description in the Fashion department.

In a small portion of our edition a mistake occurred in printing this "Spanish Opera Cloak."

This number contains stories by Marion Harland, Miss Frost, and Miss Townsend.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year to our numerous and never tiring friends. We cordially wish that all the blessed and genial influence of the season may be theirs. They will be pleased to hear that never were the prospects of their favorite “Godey" brighter. We now publish the largest list ever published by any magazine in the United States.

THIS number is the 402d number of the Lady's Book that we have published. If our readers will divide 402 by 12, it will give 33 years and 6 months. From the first number to the last, solely under the control of the present publisher, without change of any kind from the commencement, and a gradual increase of subscription from the first year of publication to the present time, and now publishing the largest monthly list of any magazine in the United States.

LITERARY NEWS.-Our readers will be pleased to hear that we have made arrangements with Marion Harland, the well-known author of "Alone," "Hidden Path," "Moss Side," Nemesis," and "Miriam," for a series of stories. We will commence in January a novel from her pen, entitled "Nobody to Blame." Every number for 1864 will contain a story from her pen. This is a compliment to the Book, as she writes for no other magazine. The stories will be copyrighted, so that they may not be found anywhere but in the pages of the Lady's Book.

YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY FOR BOARDING AND DAY PUPILS.-Mrs. Gertrude J. Cary, Principal, South-east corner Sixteenth and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. The nineteenth session of this school commenced September 14th, 1863.

The course of study pursued embraces the fundamental and higher branches of a thorough English education. Particular attention is given to the acquisition of the French language, and a resident French Teacher furnishes every facility for making it the medium of daily intercourse. Mrs. Cary gives personal attention to the instruction of her pupils, aided by experienced lady teachers, and the best professional talent in the city. It is her constant endeavor to secure an equal development of body, mind, and heart, and the formation of habits of neatness and industry.

Mrs. S. J. Hale, Rev. H. A. Boardman, D. D., Rev. J. Jenkins, D. D., Rev. M. A. De Wolfe Howe, D. D., Louis A. Godey, Esq., Philadelphia; Rev. J. N. Candee, D. D., Galesburg, Ill.; Louis H. Jenkins, Jacksonville, Ill. ; Rev. George Duffield, Jr., Adrian, Mich.

Circulars sent on application.

We ask attention to our advertisement for 1864, published in this number. It is but a faint outline of what we will do, but will give some general idea of what the Lady's Book will be. In fact, it is hardly necessary for us to publish any advertisement. Our subscribers and the public know that we will publish the best lady's book in the world: and they have known us so long that they are willing to trust us, even without any promises on our part. We are thankful, very thankful for the patronage we have received for the last thirtyfour years; and we can only add that, having found that fulfilling every promise made has been the best policy, that plan we shall still continue to pursue.

MRS. HALE is anxious to procure a copy of "Sketches of American Life," and "Traits of American Character," two works of which she is the author. A year's subscription to the Lady's Book will be given for either work.

PARTICULAR notice to the binder of the Lady's Book. Please give the fashion-plate a double fold, as shown in our December number for 1862.