Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-12-17
New PnbIica,Ionn.


after his abdication. By William H Prescott.
3vols. s mo. Boston Phillips, Sampson, &
Co.
The volumes of DR.. Robertson, narating the
history of the reign of this most remarkable of
the European monarchs of the fifteenth century,
have for long time ranked among the standard
works of English literature, and are, perhaps the
most popular OF that authors writings. But in
them, his life subsequent to his abdication, is
summarily disposed of in some six or seven pages
Few, we apprehend, have read the volumes with.
out desire TO know more of that portion of his
lite. There is an additional reason FOR further
account, in the fact, that in the few pages devo-
ted to ii by DR. Robertson, many inaccuracies oc =.
cur, and among them, a very erroneous view of
the interest which Charles, in his retirement took
in the concerns of the government. These mac
curacies occurred from the want of access to the
sources of information, which would have enabled
him to correct them. This information was con-
tanned in the archives of Smancas, but these were
then closed both against natives and foreigners,
and tits only till within few years that the scho-
ar has been permitted to enter its recesses and
draw from its rich stores of historical knowledge.
The materials TO illustrate the monastic life of
Charles the Fifth, are abundant and varied, con-
sisting, in part, of the correspondence Of the En-
peror and his household. They exhibit Charles's
character and conduct, in his retirement, in a
very different point of view from that in which it
has been usual to regard them, and show, con-
clusively, that the monarch, instead OF remaining
desd to the world, in his retreat, took not merely
an interest, but decided part, in the manage
ment OF affairs. The object of Mr.. Prescotts con-
tinuation of the history, is to present such an
count of the monastic life of Charles as will place
before the reader the results of the recent re-
searches at Simaneas in such concise form as is
best adapted to such work. That Mr.. Prescott
has done this with fidelity and ability, will not be
doubted by those who are familiar with his previ-
GUS works. No man living was better qualified
for the work. and have no doubt that it will add
to his already great reputation as historian
Messrs. Phillips Sampson, & Co have got this
work out in their best style of neat and accurate
typography, to correspond with their other stand
ard publications on history. 1t is sold in this
city by John Keith & Co.
New GRENADA; Twenty months in the Andes,
By Isaac L. Holtnn NJ. A. Professor of Chris.
tanity and Horticultural History in Middiebury
College. l vol. 500. New York. Harper and
Brothers, 1857.
New Grenadai is one of the most interesting
counties of South America extending through
fourteen degrees of latitude it is entirely tropi-
cal, yet owing to the different elevation of the
various portions of its surface it has all the eli
mates of the world, from the burning heats of
the equatorial plains to the perpetual SHOWS of
the submits of the Andes. Much of the country
is table land at elevation of six to eight thou
sand feet above the level of the ocean, and here
an endless spring prevails. On the North it is
washed by the waters of the Carribian sea and on
the South by those of the Pacific Ocean. The
Isthmus of Darien or Panama was entirely within
the jurisdiction OF New Grenada. Such a coun-
try necessarily furnishes wide field of observa-
ton and study for the naturalist in the almost
endless variety of its animal, mineral, and vegeta
bic productions. For some cause or other, less
is generally known of this interesting country,
than of almost any other part of South America.
The public will therefore, receive with the greater
satisfaction. such work as this carefully pre-.
pared by one, whose thirst for the hidden knowl.
edge oft the counry,led him toa twenty months res
idence there. Thath occupied his time faithfully,
the volume bears abundant evidence, not only in
his scientific and statistical information he gives
US, but in his accounts of the manners, customs,
conditions, &C., the people. The illustrations,
though not numerous, are very good and appro-
pirate For sale by z. Baker & Co.
Now OR NEVER; or, The adventures of Bobby
Bright. A Story for Young Folks. BY Oliver
Optic, Author of The Boot Club GAIL
Aboard" I'm Doors and Out" &c. Borton
Brown, Barn & Co., 1857.
This is very delightful and interesting book for
youth, Astounding in exciting incidents and mar
rated with great spirit. The object is to show the
value Of self reliance, prornptness, and integrity,
in the character of youth, exemplifed in the
of Bobby Blight, and contrasted with the
opposite in that of Tom Spicer with the different
and natural results in the two cases. For sale by
A. Williams & Co., Boston and by z, Baker &
Co. Worcester