The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-11

Phiiadeiphia bsve just been brought to o close.
Tnat OF New York ended ten days ago, aud the Phi
lsoelphia sae, commenced i'm nedisely after, is
about finished. These sales Of books rival any
in the world. The first ,ne was established Ia New
York, ss an annual publishes exchange, about the
beginning OF this century, and from that time the
gatherings Of the trade 10 this city as well as the
amounts Of their tsnsa ,tions have in Ieased wit >
almost every season. The sales just concluded have
been unfortunate for tee publishers. but to a Ger
tain extent advantageous to buyers, though there
was very little duplicating cit er here or in Phi
ladelpha, and tho quantities Of books dis posed Of
have consequently been compsr stivey small. For
this result, variety of reasons may be mentioned
Besides the prevailing scarcity Of money in all
Parts OF the country an erroneous impression to
the prevalence ami danger r,usness OF the choler.
kept many buyers f,'m New York. where Messrs
B.ngs had, In compliance with the wishes of cpn
Siderable number, expressed year ago, appointed
the sales for period one month earlier than usual.
The supplies bought in tae spring. too were larger
tbsn the circumstances OF the summer warranted.
city contemporary recently started q s'ory
mat some quarrel had occurred bet xeen the literary
executors Of Mr.. Webster aud Fletcher Webster.
aGd that one Of tho consequences Of this quarrel
had been the entire surrender Of the Webstsr pa ers
in the hands OF those executors to the son OF tie
deceased state sman, who, 1t announced, in sub
stance, would edit them TO suit hmselfr We
have the best authority for alleging that this entire
statement, with all its specous Particularly, was
without any foundation in truth hatever. The
thoroughly able, accomplished, and judicious mis-
torian Of Spanish literature, Mr. George Tick cor,
one OF MIR. Webs.er's most cherished and most
trusted friends, is one Of these literary executors,
and las in preparation his Memoirs and Cores
pondence," assisted, Of course, as occasion offers,
by the other members OF the commission, ost 7een
all Of whom and Mr. Fletcher Webster the most cor.
dial feelings have at no ime failed to exist Un.
doubtediy, Mr.. Fletcher Webster has BEEN and fre-
quently will be, consut in the business aud there
is no reason to suppose that his views or wishes in
regard to it will, in any particular, be opposed to
those OF the executors The important. duty ,f pre-.
pairing the "Memoirs and Correspondence of Daniel
Webster ia altogether in good hands, and It will
be hnis he'd rapidly as may be with tue necessary
care. The story trumped up by our consem oorary
was perhaps suggested by rumor whica we have
reasons for leving to be well grouodeo, that Mr.
Flet her Webster is preparing or more volumes
of Personal "reminiscences" of his astrous
no time in offering to the public.
The Lives of the Chief Justices of the United
states," just published by ar. George Van SAINT
vocrd author Of recent "Lfe of Agernoa Sidney, .
is work Of great interest and most decided excel
lcnce, both as TO points of and fjudgment
five Cbief Justices Of the United States have bsen
John jay, John Rutledge, Oliver Ellsworth, John
Ma,shul aud Roger .. Taney and of these 1t Is re-.
maikable that jay is the only one who has hitherto
been the subject Of anything like complete bio.
| giaphy.
The Pennsylvania Historical Society, at Phila
| delpha, have raised fund BY personal subscrp.
tions, each Of twenty dollars, for publishing after
the manner Of the Camden, Shskespere and Calvin
societies. important manuscripts and rare books re-
specting American history. The first volume viii h
the committee of the publication fund propo ses Co
ISSUE is detailed account Of the celebrated expedi.
ZION against Fort Du Qucsne, under General Brad
dock, in 1855. Tie basis of the work will be several
original joulnss, by ofi,srs of Iank, who were ia
that disastrous campaign, obtained BY Mr. Joseph
r. IngeIsoll while American minister at London,
from the British Muse I'm and other repositories.
To this will be added Introductory sketch Of the
general causes which led to the expedition :Ythe
III,
taken for the most part from contemporary authori-
ties including documents on the French side of the
question, from the archives Of Paris
A scheme somewhat similar is proposed in this
city. "Norton's Library of American History" will
consist OF rare works relating to the revolution aud
its causes, edited In the most careful manner, and
Handsomely printed. The first volume will contain
Lees Campaign Of 1871 in the Caroiinas,r with
notes by ttat ndefstigsble and accurate historical
student, Professor George W. Greene, who has spe.
cal facilities Tor such contributions in the volumi
nous papers Of his grca. relative, General Nathaniel
Greene.
The religious public will be pleased to learn tn,
the Rev. DIR. Van vcchten, Of Troy is engaged ia
the composition OF the life Of the greatest pulpit ora
tor ever known in this country-the celebrated Dr.
John N. Mason. It is surprising that no one has
ever before attempted such work, for which there
must be abundant materials. We know nothing of
DR.. Van Vechtens special qualifications for the task
he has undertaken but II they at all equal to his
subject, his Life of Mason will have an extraordinary
success.
In the way Of lighter literature, nothing has ap-
peared for some time better than the spasmodc
tragedy entitled "Firmlian )" by Professor Aytoun,
sonn law Of the late glorious Christopher North OF
Blackwood's Magazine. It Is burlesque exhibition
Of the poetry run mad Of Alexander Smith, the in.
fdel ranter, Bailey, and the Life Drama and Fes
tus" school generally It is witty and humorous, white
initiating most ssully the extravagances which
it exposes to defision. There has been nothing in
its way more delightful since Gifiords" Biviad and
Maviad," and Horace Smiths " Rejected Address.
es," and the best qualities Of both those very diff
fcIent productions seem to be combined in it.
There is no end to editions OF Sbaks,ere. Fog.
land cannot boast as many from the death Of the
immortal bad till now, as this country has fur
nished In the last twenty-five years. The nc vest
ard most magnificent Of all American editions, ia
one just started in qusrto, to be issued IN numbers.
II Is to be amply and beautifully illustrated with
portraits in character, Of the most distinguished
English and American actors Of the present century.
The Better Land, or the Believers Journey