The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
EGoks Received up TO july ga.

n New tn3pttE 81 the Early Lie OF washington.
Commodore Perry's Expedition to Japan.
Van santyoords Discou ses and Miseellanies.
Tieasrres OF the Ola Chest.
Bicmwels History Of immigration.
Cousin Nicholas
The Wandeler.
Helen Lincoln.
Incidents in White Mountain History.
he Penetralia; or Answers to Important Cues
lions, by Andrew jackson Davis.
BeIenice.
The Hireling and the Slave-a poem.
NARRATIVE or THE EXPEDITION OF AN AMERICAN
SQUADRON 10 THE CHINA SEAS AND JAPAN, UN-
DER THE COMMAND or CoMMoDoRE NJ G. PERRY.
BY Francis L. Hawks, ID. D.. LII. d. Appleton l.
Co.
The interest excited by the appearance Of this
]. book has been fully satisfied by its merits. Com
piled from the journals of the principal Off
GERS of the expedition, by two gentlemen
skilled in the preparation of works of q
SIMILAR character-Dr. Hawks and DR.. Robert
Tomes--it could hardly fail to prove most in
teresting and instructive narrative. The editors
have sought TO give it still higher value, by throw
ing into il all that their extensive reading and dill
gent researches could find cognate to the subject.
Thus, in the introduction we have resumed into the
space of about hundred pages all that had been
known or written about Japan down 70 the period of
Commodore Peuy's first visit. This was, indeed.
IN some degree necessary to the proper understand
ing of the objects Of the expedition; but in less prac
ticed hands il woud have failed inspire the same
degree OF interest and satisfaction which derive
from the labors of The gentlemen 20 whom the
task entrusted. OF The main body of the work
we are enabled to speak in the same spirit Of con-
fehtment. Considering the vast mass OF materials
which they bad to digest and the limited time
which they occupied in the process, we think that
The editors of the narrative fairly entitled to the
thsnks Of the public for the industry aud dscri.
mination which they have manifested in lis prepa-
ration. The volume is magnifcently illustrated
Rom sketches taken by artists attached 70 the
squadron, aud both 10 the eye and 10 the mind il
realizes al that could desire in the IA rative OF
one Of the most interesting and important expeii-
hons that has left our shores for the last half
century.
LiFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF JAMES BucHASAy,
BY R. q. Horton. Derby * Jackson.
The biographical literature of America Is taking
m extension greater than that OF European coan-
tries, and greater; perhaps, than is useful. No
sooner is a man bro1gh: in any way prominently be-
fore the public than a dozen presses are ready TO
chronicle bis sayings and doings, even to MIMI
III tLat Tneut oiteN dispensed Win. Men IN
cor time rise 10 fame less through their own efforts
than through the labors OF others. II they cannot
achieve greatness themselves, they have only 70
keen quiet and allow dsinterested friends to thrust
1t upon them. The remark is, OF course, intended
Cor general application. In cases like the present
we recognise the utility Of having as full informa
ton possible regarding the career Of those public
men who come before as candidates for our suf
frages.
The present life of Mr.. Buchanan, though a full
one as regards his political acts is only $,
in a one-sided sense. Written for electioneer
ing purposes, it cannot be expected to give
that fair and impartial view of his conduct
since he entered upon public life which the
posthumous biographer is bound to present. A.
however the journals opposed to the democratic
nominee viii not fail to supply these Iacttnes in Mr.
Horizons narrative /. is not cessarY for 10 dwell
more particularly on its deficiencies Viewed in The
light Of record of the political events with VIII
Mr.. Buchanan was associated during mis- long po
htical career the book has some utility. As an aide
,nemoire to the gratitude Of his countrymen, how.
ever we apprehend that il will have bat little value
We are too much accustomed 70 sift the corn from
the ehar in political life TO accept fine sounding
words or professions as substitutes for facts. The
and not in the ulsome psnegyrics Of interested az.
mirers.
JoHS HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. Harper Brothers
Since the appearance OF jane Eyre" that won
derf production whose universally Of success proved
,ha, however styles and tastes may differ, there is
bar one language IL m reach the heart, We have
met With no novel that can be at al compared
with Il In power and earnestness OF feeling.
IL John Halifax there Is greater elevation OF pur
poe ard with an almost equal atity to our
feelings Or ha OF Miss Bronte the aims Of its writer
take wider and nobler range, and calculated 10
exercise q more beneficial influence upon society.
There are scenes in this book which painted with
a ,Iuthtuuess and force which have never been sur.
passed and which, with Lille more unity of plan
woald entitle IL author 10 the very hghes, place
amcngst English noyeIists. AZ Il i, no one can
read without being fascinated by the beauty d ia
thoughts and language, and moved to the inncrmost
depths Of his soul BY i,s psthos. John Halifax Is
remarkable book, and viii attain more than an ephe-
meEai popularity.
HUssoRors POETRY or THE ESsLTsH LANGUAGE
FRos CHarcKR 10 SAKE. BY J. Parton. Mason,
Brothers.
Thi, collection IL one that has long been wanting.
II gives us the humOr without the sentiment Of the
vcrrac lar poets which BY the millions 81 unimagi
rat. r, inds who can comprehend joke, but have
no tate for more spiritual carnations. will he re-
gsricd a. an acceptable boon. The fact is 70 be
lam, to- Int a. Il cannot be altered Mr. Parton has
dore .te next lest thing, by Offering 70 this large
class II raiders a volume that they can appreciate.
SBrcKEg's LIFE or FREKoSr. Miller, Orion 4
Muhgan.
This Is q coneisely written aud Interesting biogrs
ply Of the man upon whom the eyes Of the Ameri-
can people are now centering, "a the truest repre-
sentative o that enlightened and progressive spirit
which has made them what they are. 50 little is
known Of Mr.. Fremont beyond those brilliant
achievements an explorer, which have given him
a world vide fame, that IL became necessary 10
satisfy the fresh interest excited by his eanddlcy
by the publication o. q volume giving some fuller