New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-15

sst OF brief statements OF ethical and theosophc prin
ciples with claim to originality and clothed in an
abstract and colorIess dction that might pass for
translation OF dim 0rienta! logenf. Their
rerusal Is in high degree wesrisone, owing to The
oracular pretenson with which the reader i sum
moned 10 the announcement of the veriest common
places Mr.. Tallmalge has given a variety of
historical and personal details in regard to the po;
ress Of the spiritual movement which viii be rcsi
with interest
A TREATISE on LAND-SURvEYTNG. BY W " CIT
LEsFIz. A. NJ svo., m. "a ID. Appleton Co
Professor Gillespie. who 20 ably fills the chair Of
Civil Engineering in Union College, has acquired an
honorable fame for the zeal intelligence and energy
with which he has devoted hmselfto the advancement
Of his fvorie science In the present volume he has
performed new and excellent service to the cause Of
popular education His work j. not a mere compla-
ton from former tTcatses. He has aimed at higher
object than rothrashng old straw. Convinced TIA; the
mt of surveying in spite of is vast practical import
ance IT, utility a. branch OF study, and is aimira
bic illustrations Of the bearings OF pure mahoma.cs,
has never vet been reduced TO a complete aud hamo
NOUS system he has endoavored TO unfold few sim
ple principles a. the foundation for the art nch Is
eouallv applicable 10 taking the dimensions Of a corn
field and 10 the measurement Of the starry heavens.
The leading features of his volume may be briefly
stated and almost in his own words. Ii deiuces all
tie operations Of surveying from only five principles,
which were obtained by gradual process ofeminang
tie exraneous and nonessentia portions Of the pre-
vainc methods leading to unexpected aud novel re-
suits The three elements of ali kinds Of land-survey-
inc-makng the measurements, drawing the maps AMI
calculating the contents-are explained in advance
while the different kinds of surveying founded on the
five fundamental principles are discussed each in is
turn in the successive parts simple method of sur
veying is given for the convenience Of farmers having
no scientific instruments with only chain, rope, or
any substitute The Field-work in Compass Survey
ing is adapted to American practice. The effect of the
variation of the magnetic needle upon the surveys OF
old lines Is treated with great minuteness of practical
detail Ample directions are laid down for the use Of
instruments systematic collection OF the principal
probltms in the division of land Is furnished and
variety Of practical suggestions are presented which
cannot fail to prove useful TO tie young and mex
perienced surveyor. For the accuracy and complete
ness with which tie subject has been treated by Prot
Gillespie, his scientific reputation afford presump-
tive guarantee; but this is point to be decided by
experts; the clcarness of his methods and the full
ness Of the information which he imparts are OBJ
vious. however To the uninitated outsider.
KATE AYLEsFoPD; A Story OF ruE RrsueEEs By
CHARLES J. PETERSON i-no.' PIP ID fHA'le'P"il' l.
Is. Peterson.
Tie interest Of this novel turns upon the delightful
womauly traits exhibited by the heroine amid the
scores Of difficulty and peril incident to Revolutionary
tines She was the orphan daughter of an oldschool
New-Jersoy gentleman, who having sent her to Eng
u.d for the purpose of receiving better education
than could then be obtained in the Colonies, died be-
fore her return leaving her rich and beautiful hcicss.
Soon after this event the war broke ont between the
Colonies and mother country and threatened to detin
Kate Aycsford in England Tor long period, perhaps
indeed forever In spite of numerous obstacles how
ever the spirited girl determined 10 set foot again
her native soil and at .ength accomplished her pur-
pose but not without sule. ihipwreck on the home
ward voyage. This incident brings the most import
ant peHoDagos of the tory upon the carpet and fur
ni,Lcs the reader Win an mkng OF the plot. Not 10
make an ndiscoot exposure of it, secrets will only
Soy that the lie OF iLc heroine is saved by the timely
Intervention OF certain brave Major Gordon who
prvycs be the flower or chiyUlry and paragon Of
American military officers. As a matter OF course, the
Majors heart il desperately wounded by the rescue
and It's consequences but Kate IL OF royast family
and surrounded by Tory influences, 80 that destiny
lorbds the American rebel to hope that his love will
prosper. The ingenuity with which the author exri-
Gates his fayortes from the various dilemmas into
which the, are thrown is worthy of all praise. The
character Of Kate is skillfgy deineated She shows
the courage and presence of Mid which belong to
lines of perous excitement without losing any trait
OF feminine lovcliness The beauty Of her nature
stantly wins upon the reader who is at length permit
ted to rejoice in sympathy with her frightened fortunes
In the course OF the narrative treated to several
admirable pieces Of description, which for brilliant aud
effective composition viii compare fayoraby with the
efforts If any recent native writer The author has c
IDENTIFY adopted Cooper his model, and though per-
haps not quite free from the traces Of too direct mita
taton, has produced work which may justly claim an
honorable place among the best secondary specimens
Of that school
THE WOMEN or THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. By.
Baird Sold by C. ;. Francis s Co.
MicheIet is usually most disappointing writer. His
performance Is never equal to his programme. lie
makes brilliant promises to the Imagination, but their
fulflInent is lost in swarm of quaint sententious
phrases. Instead of pictures he gives us aphorsms.
Ingenious subtlees take the place Of lively descrip-
TONS There is little succuence little nutriment in his
wire-drawn essays-he invites the reader to feast
and puts him off with husks. This volume forms no
exception to our remarks. 1t offers biographical gal
ry composed Of the portraits Of the women who took
such conspicuous part in affairs during the efferves
cence of tie Revolution. But most of the pretended
portraits are superficial unfinished sketches doing the
aintest Justice their subjects and deuding the reader
with fictitious hopes. 1t would seem that Michelet
himself became conscious Of the defects Of bis volume
before is close and could send il forth to the world