The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-30
Prizes two Cents.
Literary Notices.

INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL IN YUcArAs-By John T.
Stephens, illustrated by 40 engravings 2 vol. syo.
Harper 81 Brothers
These beautiful volumes add an immense amount
of authentic information respecting the history and
condition of the primeval inhabitants Of this cont.
nent and will be of essential service in the prose-
cuon of the important investigation IN which ma.
nv ot our sarans are now engaged, relative to the
people and events of period, respecting which
even the tongue of grey tradition is silent 1t is
impossible to speak of the mechanical execution Of
this work in terms of exaggeration. The epgra-
wings are executed with skill, vigor and effect,
which we have never seen at all approached in any
American publication. All the drawings were
made by Mr. Catherwood, and we have therefore
every reason to depend on their accuracy
Mr.. Stephens exhibits gratifying evidences of
great Improvement in his style; and the tokens of a
more judicous ski in the selection and preparation
of his materials, than that heretofore displayed by
HIM, are equally apparent. None can give great
err credit to Mr. Stephens for industry powers of ac-
curate observations, and graphic description, than
ns Re that NJ Step IS not 0 yet compe
tent TO draw correct and philosophical deductions
from the valuable facts which he has accumulated.
He wants the extensive erudllon, the enlarged vision
and the philosophical accumen which are indlspen-
sadly requisite to enable him to turn the materials
which he collects to the great purposes for which
they are chiefly If not solely valuable. SO far
into some mistake when he has undertaken to
settle disputed questions, deduce conclusions
from his facts. But this is obviously not the place
in which to enter on a formal review of the work.
We only make these remarks in spirit OF friend
ship to Mr. Stephens, and for the purpose OF remind
ing him that it is not prudent Tor him to venture, at
least for the present. from that appropriate sphere in
which his labors have been so useful to the world,
and creditable 10 himself.
We cannot refrain, on closing this brief notice,
from again expressing the qualification which we
La.a H. tha lanl,I the
graphic descrlptlons-the vast store OF aboriously
and industrieusly accumulated facts, which these
magnificent volumes contain, The work must
have an immense sale, both here and in Europe,
and there is little need to offer any aspirations for
the due reward of the iberalty and enerprze Of the
| publishers, seeing that that is sequence which
must of necessity follow the publication of the
lumes The work is for sale at the Herald Literary
| Depot.
BLAcKwooD's MAGAZINE. DUBLIN UNIVERSITY
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OBSERVER. We have recei-
we'd Mr.. Mason's elegant fac sin.ile reprints of these
! standard periodicals for the current month. The
style in which they are got up and their low price,
commend them 10 the public's especial favor.
The LAST DAY OF THE CONDEMNED. thrill
ing narrative, from the French Of Victor Hugo,is
| published in extra Of the C Christian Family Ma
gazins"-a work Of sterling character, published by
Newell " CO., 1872 Nassau street, New York.
The CATHOLIC ExPosiroR, April This is a
good number. The contents are varied and inte-
resting. 1t contains we'll engraved portrait Of Dr..
Pise, which does not strike as good Likeness.
THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER, (March.)
"A very attractive number. 1t contains poem by
Mrs E. A. Taylor, of Virginia, for which prize Of
| a silver cup, offered bv the late lamented editor,
| has been awarded. 1t is entitled "To New Pen,'
| and contains several stanzas of great merit.
THE AMERICAN IN EeYPT.-Part of this amusing
and elegantly got.up work has just been issued.
For sale at this office
The New York LEGAL OBSERVER, March y
Published by Samue Owen, AZ Ann street. I his
is Teritorous publication, and the present Isl
good number. -..-
TAE PATHFINDER. -ByP. Goodwin, Is Pine street.
This Is weekly newspaper, devoted to the cause
OF moral, political and social reform. The leading
articles not without ability, but they are too
metaphysical, transcendental and monotonous TO
produce much effect The editor has great hor-
f.fo Tor which IS at least as sick
as any other. The literary and critical reviews are
very gracefully written, but are somewhat puerrile
in their tone, and smack Of little egotistlcal pre-
tension. The best things in the numbers we have
seen, are the theatrical crltiques These are written
in an elegant style, discover refined and cultiva-
led taste, and an earnest love OF the drama as il
ought to be.
The PICTORIAL History OF THE UNITED STATES,
Vol l. No. This is new candidate for public
patronage and favor, and is, we think, destined to
stand high amongst It's numerous competitors. II s
intended to supply condensed history of he United
States, and to occupy place between that of the
elaborate work OF Mr.. Bancroft and the abridgments
used in schools 1t is be embelished with three hum
dIed engravings on wood, in the FIRST style of art
The letter press is from the pen OF Mr.. Frost Pro-
lessor of the Bellies Lettres in the High School Of
Philadelphia, and gentleman of acknowledged
ability writer and an historian. From the spe-
cmens in the part now before US, which twenty
one in number, we can pronounce the highest
opinion of the merits Of the engravings. In design
and execution they will bear comparison with the
best productions OF London artists and we are
proud in seeing such work issue from the press Ct
this country. The work will be completed in TWEEN
ty monthly parts, and will be regularly for sale at
the Herald Literary Depot.