Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-03
NOTES on NEW BOOKS.

HARFERs' NV MISCELLANY.
We experience much qualification in our belief that the
days OF CHEAP and nasty" literature are numbered. Amids,
the disgust with which 1t has affected every reader at oil
iastdious in the matter and form Of his library, it has
subscryed one good end, that Of creating a thirst for rend-
ing in many who, but for the shilling productions ,hrus,
into their hands at every corner, might still have remsined
conIented with the daily provcnder furnished by the news
papers. Now that the habit has been thus formed by ma
ny. we are glad to see every indication Of a demand for
something moro substantial aud wholesome than ,morob,.
Bile and iilacious hcnons.
That this demand has steadily increased is sufficiently
proven by "a glance at the character OF the works now n
every booksellers shelves. Several respectable md keen
sighted publishers are Avaiing themselves Of this resurec.
ton OF the popular taste, and ate providing food for III.
support. Look at the series commenced and worthIv
prosecuted by the ApPletons, Wiley & Putnam, and Pane
81 Burgess. In none Of them is there a book. the perus,I
Of which will not convey valuable information. or promote
the anelioraiOn Of the hearts and the inhibition Of ennobling
sentiments.
To suppose that the HaTpers' would not be among the
foremost IN peTeeiying these favorable symptoms in Amen
can taste, would be to do injustice to tho inrellieence and
enterprise which have made them known Throughout, the
country for years. Their "New Miscellany" accordingly
manifests not only an appreciation Of the public require
mont. but much asiuteness In their mode Of meeting H.
Their series hiss been thus far % judici ously conducted
that it does not clash even in plan with any one previous.
~ begun, n We have read afiRht ITS general character. IL
aims TO furnish sterling works in every department Of
knowledge. but especially Of science, Of a less popular
cast than IS proposed by their contemporaries. In a form
not only cheAp and uniiorm IN price, but handsome and
strongly bound, we shall thus possess works which here.
toiors could be obtained only 10 English cdnons. At lea.t
ten times the cost. We 80 Judge, from tho character Of tho
opening volumes oflhe series which we have noticed, par
tioulsrly Professor Wheweil's ELENENrs or MoEsnry AND
PoIITy, an excellent production, frightening the wide repu.
lsuon acquired by its author from bis "llisiory and Phloso.
ply Of the lnducuye Sciences Then we have Dendy's
PHiLosopy % MysrfEy, = more popular work. but ono
highly acceptable 90 tyefy thinker. Its valuo 10 by no
means indicated by It's brief ute. Dicks FRacrcaL Az
rsoNoNtR lfcs'. Of the most noble science with . minute.
ness which will make the book "cayuro ~ the general
though IL will be studied much by those congenisi in taao
with the author.
The ensuing volumes will contain. the publishers tell us,
popular philosophical reahses ON topics Of universal ints-
resi the most compact snd Jnlisot historical books
valuable Biographical memoirs modern voyages and trsv
els together with scientific aud otbsr collsiersl divisions"
surely q sufficiently comprehensive promise.
We may % well "a tho outset advise lhoso whose iters.
~ apycute SEQ J1ded or 30 weak ~ 70 demsnd stimola
ting fen1o for ~ satisfaction. thst they had better con
unuo TO ind1lgo u with the skinned milk Of modern novels,
o. the manly and ngtruous food provided by the Harpsrs
in this series would be fepBlsiye. They could not digest
such psbulum, and II hey attempted ~, the probable con.
sequence would be q nightmare.
BD'to those really desfous Of imgro..1g their minds. Of.
extending their province Of useiulnes'. snd u keeping
psoo with the progressive enlightenment n modor4 science,
We especially commend this -sre. D. wprhy II considers
ton. and emitted 10 . shof IN thsif ibfsy. My Tho
volumes increase In nuuijof unLl lIJre lipn ono sholf D.
requisite 70 eonisin them.
FOR ssc BY DssEas & MotRs.