The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-24
THE LITERARY WORLD.

6lft B0ohs, EaSseosses, Travels, Novels, Pocms
Ase.s Jusa Lasusa or IN "a ess.
We gave in the HsnALD. . few days ago, soms
account Of the novelties 10 historical literature 10 be
looked Tor during this season or the coming winter,
and to-day we furnish brief sketch Of some otter
historical compositions, and Of the newest works
and works in preparation In other departments
Of literature
h addition to tho historical works mentioned 10
our recent article we are srstided to earo thai Mr.
Prescott's longexpec'ed History OF Philip the Sc
copd" Is 20 far advanced, that two Of the six .vo-
lumes OF which it is to consist, WIN Immediately be
Piven to the press, and published during the fall.
This important production will present the begin
ming Of the decline, the History Of Ferdinand and
habella described the end Of the rise, OF the great.
ness OF the Spanish monarchy. Mr. Prescott. has
drawn bis materials for it from the principal ar
ehives and private libraries Of Europe Respectfully
in Spain, where the libraries of the descendant,
Of the old statesmen Of Philips reign have been
thrown open to him,) amounting to not Iess
than ten thousand folio pages of manuscripts. The
remaining volumes will be published at intervals
Of about two years. It may be safely said that
Mr.. Prescott Is now the most popular historian
writing the English language; no other could oh
tain from London publisher what Bentley las
offered for this work-one thousand pounds per
volume.
MI. Gideon HOLSTER, Of Litchhell, has been RAN
years occupied with "History OF Connecticut
and the Legislature Of that State has appropriated
$500 to assist in It's publication.
The Works of Thomas Jefferson publishci
by order of Congress, by Riker, Thorns Il
Co., has reached the fourth volume, which
is the most interesting and important OF
those issued, comprising the great statsso,aI,s
correspondence from 1870 to the end Of his life.
None but franklin, Of our revolutionary wor.bies,
equal Jefferson in literary ex sel encies. Eyary
politician, student Of history or other person pre-.
tending TO knowledge Of public affsirs should
possess the works Of Jefferson.
GIFT BOOKS.
The fashionable literary souvenirs OF twenty years
ago are now obsolete; " Tokens" .Amulet,n " For.
get Nots," and al the race OF annuals to which
they belonged, have been permitted TO die out, 80
that II volume OF this Sort if never SO well done
in its epsravings and lotterpress, would now have
but very limited sale. The place OF these tasteful
publications will hereafter be occupied with ex-
pensivc editions Of favorits standard an.hors, or
with new works which have some peculiar and per-
manent attraction.
OF holiday books for the coming season, by far the
most attractive on many accounts, win be the Re-
publican Court, or Levees at President Washing
TOMS" in sainptuous demquarto, with highly
finished portraits engraved steel, from original
pictures by Woolaston Copley, West, Stuart, Trum-
bull, Malbone and other artists of the last Age The
design Of the work is to exhibit the higher social
life ofthis country during the period Of Wsshirgtons
administration, as II illustrated in the private
histories In characteristics, and anecdotes of The
most celebrated persons then il fashionable 40 ety
particularly In New York and Philadelphia, which
were in turn the seats OF government while Wasiing
ton was President. Among the portraits--engrayed
Tor the most part by the best artists OF Londonare
those Of Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs.
Adams, Mrs. Madison, Mls. jay, Mrs. Bingham,
Mrs. Rufus King, Mrs. Harrison Cray Otis, tthe
slder), Mrs. lizard, Mrs. Beekman, Mrs. Theodore
Sedgwick, Mrs.. Cation, Mrs. Carrot, Mrs. Lewis,
(grand daughter Of Mrs. washiagsonl, Mrs. Smith,
daughter Of John Adans), Marchioness dUrijo
daughter OF Governor McKean), Madame Genet
Daughter Of Governor George Clinton), Lady Ca
Uterine Duer, (danghtcr Of Lord Stirling), Mrs.
Randolph, daughter Of Mr.. Jeiersoa), Mrs. Good
rich. Daughter of Governor Velocity, g.. This
viii be "book Of beauty" very much superior to
that got up with so liberal expenditure OF money,
afew years ago, for the display of Fifth arcoue
siistocracy, and it win possess curious historical
interest," especially to the members OF our elder and
more distinguished families.
Another splendid gift book win be the 'Kuioker.
becker Gallery to 10 published under the drection
Of committee Of the friends Of Mr.. Lewis Gaylord
Clark, for the benefit Of that veteran and popular
editor. Mr.. Clark has conducted the Knickerbocker
magazine for twenty yesrs, and his abors nave been
as illlequed as they have been arduous. His ser.
vices to the literature and literary men OF the coun-
trJ meanwhile, have been such as to en.ite him TO
the graceful and substantial compliment which il
proposed. The volume viii be large octave, and
win contain original papers by Irving, Bryant,
LoDgfellow, Halleck, Wills, Mitchell, Curtis Fay,
Hawthorne Lowell, Melville, Kimball, Boxer, Tuck.
erman, Gfiswold, Taylor, Holmos, Street, SAKE, Sc
rator Seward, and q dozen or twenty Others, with a
finely engraved portrait of each contributor. DR..
John w. Francis IL chairman of the committee to
surciiDtend the publication.
TRAVELS.
Mrs. Beccher Stoves "smny Memories Of F,-
reign Lands is undoubtedly clever WORK, but ID
Tens Csbin,' who expected to find IN it profound
views Of European society, mas.erly portraits OF
public characters, and scene painting as Coop
er gives il his Predictions OF Foregn Travel,
"Ran.hle3 IN Iceland" By Piiuy Miles, il u very
entertaining account Of county little known 10
American resdcrs, bu. aboundng il objects OF TO-
seres /. my indeed be safely set ewn a. the best
description OF Iceland and Of is 5ants, insta-
lions and ,csonrcos ever p0blilhed in EegIizh.
Fifty Years in 3otn Heuaiop heros,r Dy Vincent
No!tea German adveutnIer lonp known IN Scy
Orleans ard II his city as one Of the most dadng
fleculstcFs II cotton, and everything else . DO
bought tor credit and sold Tor cas-wil prove pro.
bat'y the nest successful book 81 the siameF
Note was known to our cid merchants, politicians,
atd Tn ticaHts and he certainly had cxtrsorlinay
opportunities Il stu6!iIg the world. The Now Or.
leans pauefs gry he Il "a liar and The admirers