The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-19


water. DR.. Cummings is by far the most popular Of
modern religious writers. His Apocalyptc Sketches
are probably his best work. Messrs Virtues edition
is neat and creditable.
work that will be gratefully received by the
reading public is Dr. KANE's account of the Grinna
Expedition (Harper Brothers.) Our limits will not
enable us to say more than that the extraordinary
man who has already, in the ygor of youth. lived
more than most sexagenarans and earned great fame
as soldier, sailor, traveller, q surgeon. and 4
philosopher has not injured his reputation by adding
to these titles that of author. The Harpers have
done their work well. The book is Handsomely rot
up, and many of the plates striking and graphic.
JOHN LIVINGSTON has published another volume Of
Portraits Of Eminent americans now Living. Most
of our readers are aware Of the character Of the
work; and it viii not be necessary for us to do more
than recommend them not to purchase it. Were it
obnoxious to no other criticism, elegance of typogra
ply and steelplate engraving would not redeem
poverty of idea and disngenuousness in narration.
Three little volumes Of poetry lie together on our
table. One is entitled an Epic Of the Starry Hea-
ccns, by THOMAS L. HARRIS. We learn from the
introduction that Mr. Harris is spiritualist, ana
that ne "spoke" the poem now published Gin tho
course Of fourteen consecutive days, being in
trance state during its delivery :" also that "the
precise time occupied in communicating the whole
was 70 hours l6 minutes" Horace's poet, who
could write ever 80 many lines in an hour standing
on one leg, Is thus surpassed; but then he had not
the advantage Of spirituaism. The epic as
whole, is wild and unintelligible. There are not
wanting passages where vivid imagery and graceful
rhythm strike the reader; but common sense and
connection are sadly defcient.-Mrs. MARY E.
Hewitt has published volume Of Poems Sacred,
Passionate, and Legendary. We CHANGED upon
several pretty stanzas in the books and chasing it
as belonging to the L. E. L. order, slightly diluted
like it well enough-Another little volume entitled
Crt,otcers, by the late Mrs. SHEPARD, will also re-
pay glance through its pages. Simple, unpre-
tending, and womanly, Mrs. Shepards relics will
please her friends, and provoke unkindly criti-
cism.
The Old Brewery (Stringer & Townsend) is the
title Of series of sketches published by the Ladies
Of the Five Points Mission. 1t is pleasing contrast
to the dsgraceful work which has recently appear
ed on the same locality and kindred themes; and
tales are interesting, and the moral invariably
sound and obvious.-C Darlington Castle, Ounce
Br0ther,) is furious anti-Cathoc diatribe in the
form Of novel. Those who like to hear the Jesuits
abused should read it-EMERsoN BENNErT's novel,
Kate Clarendon, is in his usual style, which is very
captivating to the hardened novel reader. It Is
Of course disgracefully issued on blotting paper
We have received SENIOR SoLDAN's report to the
government of Peru on the Penuentiaries and the
Penitentiary Systems of the United States. Senior
Sedan came to this country some time since, ex-
pressly commissioned by his government to study
and inquire generally into our system of peniten-
taries with view to its introduction into Peru; and
if we may be permitted to form our judgment by the
work that lies before US, he has performed his
difficult task in most satisfactory manner.
Being man of studiOus habits and discerning
mind, he has described with great accuracy and
- r luk~n 49, AZ
United States, without forgetting or emitting any
feature that may interest the Peruvian government
and aid it in establishing good pententary system.
By carefully consulting the most approved au-
thors who have written on this subject, he has
not only made himself acquainted with their
DOCTRINES but appears also to have applied their
theories with considerable tact and ability to the
purpose of his commission. His plain and easy lam
guage is, moreover replete with truth and candor,
and bespeaks mind that is enthusiastically devoted
to the grand cvlzing object which it seeks to pro-
of action the number of votaries in favor Of prison
reforms and 1t will be great source Of happiness
to Peru If the phianthropic ideas of Senior Soldan
meet, at the hands Of the Peruvian government.
with the reception they so well deserve.
In connection with this work we must acknow-
ledge the receipt Of the Sixth Annual Report of our
Inspectors Of State Prisons, which contains the
usual amount of useful information.
The Messrs Appleton have sent us the sixth num-
Der of the Memoirs of 1hos Moore 1t is less inte-
resting than the preceding ones.
OuI USUAL mOuLnllcS are very ROOO k1QfpeTS I0f
March is an excellent number, containing more solid
articles than usual, though without suspicion Of
dulness. We think the Harpers will find that arti-
cles containing historical biographical, geographic
cal, or scientific information might, If properly
treated, be as popular, if not more so than tales
The illustrations to the March number are goods the
caricatures at the end excellent--Putnams for
March is well worth reading. Winter Erening
Hymn to my Fire is pretty, and smacks slightly Of
Poe The editorial notes are as careful as usual.
-Grahams Magasimeis improving though still inn
measurable depths below our own monthlies.-The
New York Monthly is sickly looking magazine.
born few days ago: 1t is composed Of the same
materials as it's rivals; steals like Harper's prints
bad wood cuts as Putnams does occasionally; and
Graham has to answer for. It's leading article is
who could have guessed it THE Lay of
the Last Minstrel, by an author nov, deceased,
plates Of the Art Journal as much as usual.
CASTOR de Folk is insignificant and the
Val st. Nicola has an incredible perspective.-The
Pioneer, monthly magazine published at San Fran
that region.-The Practical Mechanics Journal, and
Practical Draughtsmans Book of Industrial Design
are as carefully got up as usual by their publishers,
knowledge without comment, the Hydropathic
Quarterly (Fowlers & Wels,) the american Med
cal Momthy putnam Coz the N. Y. Medical Ga.
@ ana Ike s1 N Mea fsn rg sso
the american La,c Register for March.
The Illustrated Catalogue Of The Great Exhibition
putnam Coz has just been concluded and Is now
complete. We can safely pronounce it to be one Of
the most remarkable works of art, 80 far as wood
engraving is concerned that have ever appeared in
this country 1t is not likely that the sale ever
repay the expense of the engravings: and while all
praise is due to c. E. Dopler for the admirable man
mer in which his share of the work has been per-
formed, Putnam Co. are entitled to no less public
gratitude for the enterprise they have displayed
and the thorough manner in which their work has
leen achieved.
NGToN.-f believe ears, there little pro-
liability that receiving Official information from the
President announcing the facts In the Black
Warriors case to be alleged in the newspapers
gress win promptly authorize the chief Magistrate Of
the United States to suspend neutrality laws
with reference to Spain, by proclamation, IL the
steamer and her be not released by the Spanish