Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-28
NATIONAL INTELLlGENCER.
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS, LITERATURE, AND
THE FINE ARTS, IN NEW YORK.
NEW YoRK, DEcEmBER "a, 1850.

THE FINE AXIS, in N6W INN
New York, DECEMBER "a, 1880.
The HoLYDAYs are fruitful season Tor the Puo-
fishers as well as for caterers TO less elevated tastes
and any one who should form his ideas OF New DIRK
and New Workers from his observations In the
neiohborhood of Christmas, would be apt to ina
CINE the city wholly given up TO the most liberal
tastes especially in the way OF Illustrated books and
gorgeous volumes of every description, from family
Rifles. popderous with morocco and gilt, to mother
ooose,s melodies in the most modern style of en-
belishment. For old and young there are, after ALL
no presents so popular and so acceptable as books,
and every year increases the demand for that class
of publications which in beauty and elegance har-
monize with the generosity which they are intend
ed to subserye. A few years ago most Of our gift
books were imported from England, and there was
hardly publisher who ventured upon the hazard
Gus enterprise of getting up American illustrated
books This the APrLEross win sell fifty or sixty
thousand dollars worth Of their " Women the old and
Ne,o Testament" and similar works, which prove aspopua
in sale they have been successful n the style ohsr get
ting up"
sHala" the Jenny Lind gin book Of the season, issued
by PUrsAs and illustrated with designs from Hicks, Rossi
ter and other native artists forms of the attractive
of the hoydsy publications. and ought to find readers and adj
rers wherever the sweet songress herself has been heard
and admired II is the most graceful tribute which has yet
been paid to Jenny Lnds genius and oveaess Of character
and one which does credit American literature and art
Mr. PARKx GoDwIS, the author, who is the sonn-law Of
Mr. BRYAsr and Of the colaboraors OF the New York
Evening Post has interviewer the leading facts Of the life and
artistic career Of the Nightingale with ancl tale Of
the Northern Mythology, in which the heroine Vaa, repre-
sents at once the aspirations eos and tumphs Of truly
inspired artist and charming traits Of character and d.
vine sympahies which blended Jenny Lind The whole
conception the graceful and pleasing character and
TIE story ITSELF independently ots associations would attract
and interest the simplicity and true pathetic power which
it displays Ka ought follow in the southwark track Of
Jenny Lind as sort Of moonlight reflection Of the dazzling
powers and genial warmth which her presence difuses
The Wide Wide World, by ELIzABErH 4WETHERELL, is
the title of attractive story for young people, just pub
shed by PursAm and of the best Of its class for the
poses Of the hoydays It is tale Of domestic interest," lively
varied and full of entertaining instruction and instructive
terainment.
Another and very valuable work from the press Of the
publisher is The Worlds Progress, Dictionary Of Dates,
by Mr. PUTNAM himself; book which does credit to himself
and to American publishers aclass exhibiting it does the
results of research ase and labor bestowed in the most
full manner, and with great ability. He gives, in single
portable and convenient volume not too large for the hand
the DESK acomplete manual Of those historical ct statistics,
and general items Of information which make up the records
of universal history and which, though every body may have
read period of their educational e nobody
member An historical chart is pre1ed to the work, and the
chronological tables which occupy the first third Of the volume
are very full and satisfactory Mr.. PUrsAMs valuable la
bors the preparation Of this important manual will doubtless
be compensated by the universal favor with which has been
received here and elsewhere
Amongst the permanent literary features Of this city, and
forming one the efficient organs Of taste and nteec
tual culture in the country The Literary World journal
which has acquired wide reputation and high stand
ing for the ability and scholarship with which it is conducted
by its editors the Messs DUrcKIscK The volume for
the coming year promises be Of increased interest and pou
lary and will embrace and attractive features People
are gradually finding that "Telegphic Dispatches and
'Cty Items do not embrace the whole and substance
Of the and intelligence Of the day week. and that
are matters Of interest and entertainment which deserve
than passing paragraph in the crowded columns Of news
paper and worthy Of special record in permanent
form. The literary journal the end Of every week is
ought be, great desideaum the political Journal at
the beginning every day. The motive which prompts
Of education and intelligence to keep himself informed
the progress Of society and the world in the practical
which affect the interests Of the whole
should induce him peculiarly interest himselfn those
Of literature, art science, and general culture which
make the present much the superior Of the past There
is community where intelligence much dused as in
ours where the literary press has hitherto with little
its class which maintains the interests of American letters
separate and distinct branch Of public information and the
field for popular ournazing. II deserves wide circulation
in the interior Of the United States, well the Eastern
Cities able, entertaining and completely sustained news
paper presenting every week record Of all that under
the head Of literature, the fine arts Of general
ca interest Of the immediate range Of the daily press
The Messrs. APPLETON have Just opened their
on Broadway, little below the Park splendid front Of
eestone, massive and rich in its proportions and decorations
and forming Of the finest architectural features of the
street. The interior quite curiosity Of convenience and
elegance Of arrangement and presents coup Fea well
worthy of admiration. The depth Of the building is about
one hundred and sixty feet and the floors each story
an unbroken Of nearly this extent and by being pierced
in the centre with large openings to admit the light from
brilliant skyght above, present appearance Of elegance
and ghtness very rarely be found The capacities Of the
selling business to contribute to the elegance Of store
interior of this kind have been thoroughly tested
and the result is most satisfactory The Shelves lined and
loaded with books, present much suggestive and i'm
posing sight than of silks piles of bocade and damask
Something of the dignity of grand library attaches itself to
these tiers Of volumes above the other solid phaanx Of
the intellect and thought Of the Worlds authors The Messrs
APPLETON conduct their publishing business with distinguish
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