The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-15

CHEAP LIrERArURR-THE RIVAL PUBLIsHKRs.-
The great contest in the publication of cheap litera
ture is now between the Harper and Winchester.
All the others are, it would seem, driven out of the
field. We are now speaking of the novels and
lighter species Of works, for Appleton and the Lang
ley's are going into the religious and strictly moral
line somewhat extensively. One of the most remark
able things which we have recently, is the ex-
traordnary republication of "Home," as translated
by Mary Hewitt. 1t seems that Winchester pro-
cured advance proof sheets of the translation from
London, for which he paid. The work was imme-
dately put to press, and Saturday morning 1t was
issued in the form OF double New World" and
sold for twenty-five cents. On the evening Of the
same day the Harpers issued it in an elegant book
form for one shilling
Winchester then reduced the price to shilling.
Probably this day the Harpers will reduce their
edition tosixpence They had better come to cent
at once.
What to be the end of all this we cannot see, as
it respects the interests Of the publishers The Har
pers have an immense capital and can continue the
contest for years. but we doubt whether Winchester
can hold out SO long, as he has only recently gone
into the business. He has, however. good share
of enterprise and energy, and certainly fighting it
out well so far. The effect of all this dissemination
of cheap literature on the public mind, is another
and far more important consideration 1t
would indeed appear that this flood of literature
has had a most extraordinary effect on the health
both of the souls and bodies of the public. The
public morals have unquestionably been benefited
A great deal of trash, to be sure, has been crcu-
lated, and the poison of lcentious novelists has in
many instances wrought its baneful effects But a
vast amount of good has been done. Great inroads
nave been made on the domains of popular igno-
rance, and healthful stimulus been afforded to the
minds Of many who would otherwise have sought
excitement in the low aud grovelng resorts OF SEN
suality. We do believe that one of the chefest
agencies in the temperance reformation has been
the diffusion of intellectual nutriment. Give men
the wheat and there's little fear of their going back
to the husks of the swine Patent nostrums and in
faible panaceas again, do not now 60 down the pub
lie throat by millions of gallons, and pyramids of
pills annually The fact is, the great mass of the
community are so intent on reading, that they
hav'nt got time to get sick and physic themselves
to death This is not at all laughabe view of
the question. 1t would be very difficult to exagge-
rate the effects Of this cheap reading and more diff
fcult still to define and calculate them all. Verify,
"there are more things in heaven and earth than
are dreamt ofin your philosophy, Horatio."
ATLANTIC STEAM SHIPs.-Nothng has occurred
in the progress of events in this age, remarkable
as the rapid improvement made in steam ships
Yesterday, asst were, Fitch and Fulton launched
their rough uncouth boats into the Hudson and De-
Iawere, and to-day the Hibernia, magnificent new
steamer, comes booming up Boston harbor trimmed
gaily with flags, and the Great Western arrives fill
of he
world, whom she brings over the broad Atlantic in
two weeks, without stopping to take even breath.
In 1919 our packet SHIPS or transient ships six
to twelve weeks in making the passage.
Who is not elated to see this improvement even
if boiler does explode now and then2
Since the introduction of steam In navigating the
Atlantic, the progress made civillzing the world
has been prodigious, and the bringing together Of
the people Of the globe into family circle is yet
to have the most beneficial effect upon mankind,
and the tree of English calicoes. We see the ef-
feet already produced in the improvement in steam
ships since the lamented Captain Roberts piloted
the little Sirius the Child of the Ocean, over the
Atlantic and anchored her safely off the Battery to
the delight OF thousands if not more.
This pioneer of the undertaking, the avant courier
OF the fleet of ocean steamers has disappeared, but
her place has been taken by others, and the last that
came over, drawing nineteen feet and ten'inches,
was the Hibernia, the crack steamer of the Allan
tic. No boat has surpassed her in splendor and
strength, and it is said that none will surpass or equal
her in speed
The Hibernia is new and has crossed the ocean
but once. She then drew too much water, in conse-
quence Of an over supply offuel, having enough on
her arrival at Boston to take her to Liverpool again.
1t was ascertained that her speed greater and the
consumption Of coal less than the Britannia, AGA
dia. Columbia, or Caledonia and that speaks strong
y in her favor 1t is useless therefore, to carry the
comparison any further.
We have already published descriptions OF this
magnificent ship, taken from the English papers
and readers must for this reason have some idea
OF her. But to appreciate her qualities and beauties,
she must be seen. She has ample accommodations
fer one hundred and twenty-five passengers, and the
state rooms are upwards OF eleven feet in height /:
each with free ventilation and plenty Of ROOM In.
deed, we never before saw such state rooms in
vessel; they are more like large rooms in the Astor
House. All other parts of the steamer are on par
with the state rooms. d. Brigham, Jr, her agent in
this city, who is at Handlers, in Wall street, has
drawings Of her, which give one clearer idea of
her than any thing but the ship herself Those in
terested had better see them. Her main saloon,
which is Immediately under the promenade deck,
is curiosity IN itself 1t is beautifully fitted up,
and decorated with eighteen or twenty splendid oil
paintings, representing Liverpool, Boston, New
York, Dumbaron Castle, with Ben Lomond, &c,
which tend to divert passengers, and drive off the
monotony of travelling through the solitude of the
ocean. That is something.
This steam packet alone is enough to draw the
public after her; but there something more than
the ship to attract; there is Captain Judkins her
commander AS commander he is only equalled
by the Hibernia a ship. They a sort Of Sia-
mese twins of the ocean, and we verify believe they
are made for each other. 1t was Captain Judkins
that crossed the Atlantic twice in thirty-hree days.
going from Boston in the Columbia, which left there
nm the ID ult and returning in the Hibernia wkich