The New York herald., 1851-08-01

The literature Of the present month has been
quite meagre. The month Of September, however,
will give the reading public perfect food of books
Of every description. Among the most prominent
works recently issued, we have great pleasure In
giving passing testimonial of appreciation to a
work from the Typographical Bureau at Washing
ton sent to by the kind consideration Of the Hon.
Asbury Dickens. 1t is entitled "Roconnaissances
IN New Mexico and Texas" and embraces a very
interesting body of information, together with maps
and numerous lithographic engravings, some Of
them colored and very well executed. The work
contains reconnaissances of routes from San Anto-
MO to Ell Paso, by Brcvet Lieutenant Colonel j. E.
Johnston, Leutenants w. F. Smith, F. T. Bryan,
N. II. Michler and Captain S. G.. French, of the
Quartermaster's Department We have in the vo-
lume, also, Captain r. B. Marcy's report on the
route from Fort Smith to Santa Fe; and the re-
port Of Lieutenant J. H. Simpson on an expedition
into the Navajo country; in addition to that OF
Lieutenant w. II. c. Writings reconnaissances
OF the western frontier of Texas Taken altoge-
ther, the work is the most interesting for its ex-
tent, of any book issued by the government since
Colonel Fremont's report. The narrative describes
the scenery antiquities, curiosites, and the like, in
the regions described. and there are several spirited
portraits of the chiefs of the principal Mexican
tribes Of aborigines, to give additional interest to
the book, the lithographic and literary part of
which is remarkably worthy of appreciation.
The month has brought to light many Fourth o
July oratons and discourses. Among these we have
been very favorably impressed with one Of the lat
ter class, delivered by the Rev. p. j. Van Pelt,
DID, late Chaplain Of the Third Military district,
United States army, before the survivors Of the Ve
teran Corps in the war Of 1872. The discourse was
delivered before large assemblage, in one of the
churches of this city. Col Nicholas Iaight, at the
corner Of William and Pine streets, is at pre-
sent in command of this interesting corps
so often noticed in our columns, and on all pub
lie occasions, in the military professions of thi
city, and as the discourse is published for the
benefit of the funds of this venerable company
our patriotic citizens should apply to him, or
at the Military Hall, 1913 Bowery, for copies Of the
production. II is brief, but admirable discourse,
ard contains any historical facts of much interest.
We should think, too, that some of military
organizations would do well to purchase the consti
tuition and bye-laws CT this veteran corps, whose
experience has framed code which, for real merit,
is worthy of examination.
On the copyright question, there has been much
London publisher has looked about him, to see how
his pocket can be secured under existing circum-
stances. The Boston IraasUipt says:-
In al udng to the subject of an international copyright
We have several times, suggested plan by which Eng
sh authors could secure the copyright of original
work In this country, without any alteration of the
present law. The plan was simply to employ an Ameri
can author to write page two Of the work without
specifying the particular passages from his pen but
stating the fact in general terms in the preface The
American would thus be authorized to copyright the
tire work in the United States To make our meaning
plain let Mr.. Dickens or Mr. Thackeray, request
Washington Irving or some other American 10 append
few original sentences to chapter in the work
either and this being DONE the profit Of copyright in
the United States could be made to to them with
out any difficulty.
Tomorrow, the ma agazines which have not already
taken wing for every par. of the Union, will take
their leaves Of the publishers, freighted with the
current literary gossip, romance, poetry, biography
and thoughts Of the magazine writers-altogcther
n very Industrious and curious class Of authors
Among these, will the International Magazine fly
to the uttermost ends Of the Sta.es. This maga-
zine is conducted with great spirit and taste, and
for condensed literary information and interesting
matter seems to have the start Of its cotemporares
Its circulation is very great, and has arisen ver-'
rapidly; but, its list Of contents is Ne ,;,aA
in our columns, on the first Of t.. io"nJ v"aJ
only say that the uumber for TIE present month is
'aiy equal 70 any Of its predecessors, and is we'll
worthy of the fame which the magazine enjoys
fhrOu oh hout the c0untry,