New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


,,odociny this uoioue German Encyclopedia IN
our own country is now brought 10 success'ui
completion. The last numbers have been issued
and the work, as a whole, more than redeem'
the PROMISES OF its intelligent publisher on us
first announcement. IL contains large mass "
valuable and accurate information, andhgeu :"
convenient and philosophical SYSTEM anu mus
trated by profusion Of admirable eng'a'n's''
..,efn, examination of which with s1gnt re-
t.,.n.. N The letter-press descriptions, "ould
;,.,.,, ,oo,e real knowledge on any subject I'M
49,. ;,,;,v and certainly in more attractive
,..r than the study OF many volumlnous trea-
tises
We regard the Iconographic" method as EN-
i.eutly natural. II consist IN giving instruction
bv pictorial Illustrations, combined with verbal
explanations, on all branches OF knowledge, that
are capable Of being represented to the eye. 1t
nyeseryes the charm OF a juvenile picture-book
IN scieptific treatises. Discardng the repuisive'
skeIeton-like diagrams, which are usually deem
Cd sufficient for scientific illustrations, 1t pre-
sents a series of weIl.executed spirited engrav-
imqs. giving not merely technical outline ofthe
objects described but bold and truthful Por-
the memory This method, OF course, excludes
the abstract sciences II does not enter the vast
field of thought and investigation which lies
within the sphere of consciousness Ethics,
Psychology, the Theory of the Passions, ana IN
deed the whole domain of what is loosely
enough called Metaphysics is excluded But
this leads to no practical disadvantage. IL only
uiyes more room for the consideration OF topics
which are within its legitimate province. AT
the same time directs the attention to positive
branches of knowledge, which are not so liable
TO be infected with the mania for speculation, as
those Just alluded to.
The sub ect treated of in the lconographlc
Encyclopeda includes Mathematics and Astron-
omy, Physics and Meteorology, Chemistry,
Mineralogy, Geognosy and Geology, Zoology,
Botany, An,hropology and Surgery, Geography,
History and Ethnology Military and Naval
Sciences, Architecture, Mythology, the Fine
Arts and Technology. The complete work con.
tains over 1900 pages of letterpress, with 500
Steel Plates comprising upward of $4,000 en-
cravings of separate figures. Although based on
the celebrated German work, edited by HECK
and published by BRocEHAUs, 1t is not mere
translation copious additions, alterations and
abridgements have been made in the respective
portions many articles have been entirely re-
written several original papers have been fur
nished and the whole adapted to the present
state OF science and the wants of American
readers
The editing of the work has been intrusted to
the charge OF Professor BAIRD, one of the Sec
4. Il.
operation Of different literary and scientific men.
while special departments have been prepared
by competent persons expressly for the present
work. Among the contributors, either by trans
lati0ns or original articles are Professors GIBBS,
AeAssiz, and DANA, DR., 7. Il. WoRMLEy, PROBES
sors GRAY, HALDEaAN, KoRNER, and TURNER,
Maj LARNED, GEORGE RIPLEY, SAMUEL CooP-
sR, and the accomplished publisher himself The
engravings are impressions from the original
steel plates of the German work, and many OF
them are quite remarkable for the vigor and
beauty of their execution.
twill be seen from our summary notice that
this may be deemed one of the most valuable
works Of general reference, especially for family
use, that haveever been brought before the Amer
lean public. No young people could ENJOY free
access to its delightful treasures without gaining
a healthful stimulus to their curiosity, an In
structive aid en- their studies, and the refine
ment and elevation of their tastes. Without
protesting to be Gift Book, il surpasses most
Of our popular Annals not only in utility, but in
elegance and attractiveness. Happy will be the
hrcside where It is not forgotten among the
Christmas and New-Year's novelties.
BlAcKwoop," for November, opens
with highly eulogistc article on the "Dramas of
Henry Taylor" II claims for him that intense re-
hection, that large insight into human life, that Sc
we're TASTE binding him always 10 most select, ac-
eurate and admirable style, which must secure him
lofty and. impregnable position amongst the class
Of writers who come next in order to the very high
est "There have been greater poems" the critic
maintains but in modern times there has appeared
no dramatic composition which can be pronounced
superior to the masterpiece of Henry Taylor.
Neither OF the SardanapGlUs of Lord Byron, the
Rsmerss Of Coeridge the Cesei of Shelley could
this be said We are far from asserting that Taylor
Is greater poet than Byron, OF Coerdge or Shell
ley, but we say that no dramatic composition OF
these poets surpasses aiwhole, Philip Van Arte-
vede," This is bold position, but il must be con-
fessed the Edinburgh critic makes strong
His argument is ingenious, SUBTLE and powerful,
and is well worth rsading.-An article on Stair s
"GeTman Letters from Paris 4" contains some lively
political and literary gossip. IL. Scott & Coz
" A work which promises to be of
great interest is announced nearly ready for pub
hcation, entitled austria In ISIS and lSi9," by
William II. STILES, late United States Charge
aAfaires at the Cour, of Vienna Mr.. Stiles was in
intimate relations with Kossu.h, having been his
medium Of communication with the Government, of
Austria. His book embraces history Of the March
and October Revolutions in Vienna, Of the Hunga-
RAN campaigns Of the Italian wars and of other i'm.