The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-02
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Notices of New Publications

EsTELLE GRANT; or, The Lost Wife. Garrett & Co.
This is one Of those thrilling Five Points nara
tves which have become so popular amongst q Ger
tain class Of sentimental phantMopists. 1t il what
would be called, amongst publishers, "a taking"
novel, but whether it mparts anything valuable in
return, we must leave to persons skilled in refined
ethics to say. The writer, is usual with most au
thors, wishes to. point moral, but we are ashamed
to confess that we have been unable TO discover e..
acty where the moral les The tale is nevertheless
an exceedingly clever and readable one, and will
find large circulation amongst the lovers Of the
startling and wonderful.
APrLEroN's CYcLoPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY, Foreign
and American. BY Francis l.. Hawks, D. d.
Tho specimen number Of this elaborate publica-
ton is now before us, and judgng from the style in
which its contents are got up, it promises to be
valuable addition TO our literature. There Is no
really good English biographical encyclopedia to be
found, and work which combines that character
with full attention 10 the celebrities of our own con-
tncnt, cannot fail to be generally popular. The
work will he profusey illustrated with epgrayings.
PERIODICALS.
Barpers for December ia a well varied and inte-
resting number. The paper on the Conquest Of
Mexico by Cortez," from the pen OF Mr.. j. S. G. Alb
bott presents all the salient features of that roman
tic historical episode. The eneravings by which il
is Illustrated are not, however, rs good as usual
Mr.. Thorpe's Renembrances OF the Mississippi"
are got up with all the eye to effect and keen relish
for the humorous which distinguish the productions
of that clever writer. "A Trip to Newfoundland
gives the details Of the unfortunate trip OF the James
Adger in August last II is somewhat lengthy and
prosy and adds but little to the information which
readers derived from the lette Of the HERALDs
correspondent. "The Knocker'' is prettily written
domestic tale, which will be read with interest from
the natural feeling displayed in it. The article en-
titled +" The Senses" gives very curious and well
written article on Taste" After defining its ply
Biological sources and conditions, the writer says:
Taste was evidently given 10 in proportion TO tho
higher duvelopcmont and tho greater refinement Of his
physea structure II has been argued that the highest
and finest organization must needs also DO most exposed
to pain and sufcriog, and that hence might have
hesated TO maintain his poor, earth born body, pre-
crriDg to let the soul escape TO the rsams
from whence it But a.mercifu God taxing
pity feeble man, and willing TO aid the soul through
the body, added feeling OF pleasure, Of enjoy
ment the iIksome task, and blessed the ea.ipg or
bread In the sweat OF our aco Thus the faithful per-
ormoncc ofisc duty we owe our body was secured BY
which derives from good, appropriate food
pleasing and txhilsr atng impressions and rapidly dues
II through he whole aysem Hence tho remarkable fact
and powerful in carly years The young citizen Of this
world, when Jet unconscious OF the lofty purposes for
which he hither thus induced n build his
house on earth ard to prerare ample and proper mate
rial for the future. Later when the temple s raised
(which DO y, which are, the perceptions Of this
bs'ome less powerful but, The other hand,
much refined aaG as,idouS, II they also bad
been gradually sprus iw that now, when the high
aim u earthly hfe & understood and appreciated
finer discrimination Of food suggests also t,e best and
safest means FOR Maintaining the dccayng stru:ture.
We are glad to find this periodical Rurrendering
more of It's space TO scientific articles Of more po-
| pillar character. Such papers al that entitled "A
Basket Of Thunderholts are, from tie light agree.
| able manner in which they arc written, calculated
10 impress their facts on the minds Of persons who
would not otherwise be- likely 10 retain them. The
following ls lesson 10 scientific arrogance which
sometimes rcquiies 10 be corrected w IL own favor.
i;e weapon Of positive demonstration.
rR4SuNs Iloirrvnu ron.
Curious ~ how generation after generation VIII run
s stsnt m important discovery walk round IL,
perials pick up throw IL fowu again never drea
ing Of ,sue tin tho right rnsn rnd srpIopraies
T. A triac century has elapsed since Franklin
gave The word he lightning rod, and honor N
Is inventor. Yet Colcmell,s virc was nothing bat q
conductor. bed and the rciss With mystic IN
scrtiops Which the French peasants lsei 70 ~ up in
tie hclas What we're they but lightning rodsf Even
those were distant approaches u tn discovery than
II, Temple Al Jerusalem, which was rroyic@i with :
complete APPARATUS OF conductors coull he con.
! stiuued to-day The roof slsch . ovsrlaii with
led from 20 iarg" ,i.'trrs n the court Ia which fns
rain was collected Inc object O. III Israehes IN erect
was 70 prevent DifN5 from Va
holy tdaee hut hey served 50 admirably no uf pose Of
Lightning rocs, thai ~ copty whore thunder
were cornmon and violent ue ernpio stood thousand
ytars without Deing struck once
OF lae years Iar Aims cJrd ctor has had 20 stand
some ccifm. There are builders who deny ia eGic,cy
sone People fancy " attraca the ghtrnp IL well TO
tnr when thee oT nions al 81 that ta- leto Non.
ffu kfteo considered " IN nis ole protector against
lightning ard even vert - fr a. % sac that TIE
impTov meDts which have been riaas in H. form
&c have rather injured tbsn improve the original coz
dre,o devised By Franklin. Il .e 10 Lila dug to OK.