The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-09
Tbt 8sbish.

WAU-BUN. THE EARLY DAY" IN THE NoRrHwEsr. BY
Mrs. John H. Kmzie of Chicago with Illustrations.
New York: Derby Il Jackson. 1896 For sale by ray-
ior Maury, Washington, ID. C.
Old fable is more than realized by the
progress of parts of our country. Where the
savage roamed, and all was wilderness and for
est few years ago, and beasts had their lair,
cities and towns, marts of commerce, busy
and vigorous population crowding on yet fur
ther and further, show the "course of empire"
The Indian canoe is hardly seen but proud
ships and steamers float on the lakes and rivers
The war-whoops have died away; the shouts
and huzEas of popular assemblies or the voice
of prayer and praise, resound in their stead.
Now is the time, then, to gather whatever there
yet remains of Indian legend and tale of the
perils and scenes of fearful strife that have
marked the enterprise of our daring pioneers
of civilization. Mrs. Kinzie's father was one of
those bold men, and planted himself on the
spot now occupied by Chicago, for long time,
with his family, almost the only white family
besides those connected with the garrison, that
were there seen. She has graphically de-
and combats in which they were engaged and
the bloody massacres by which they were more
than decimated. AS she was herself an eye
witness and shared in the distressfnl scenes,
as friends and acquaintances were among the
sufferers, she writes with deep feeling. The
events are yet before her eyes, and her readers
have truthful picture of the privations and
aIt,
accompany these pages, too, enable those who
now see the same spots to form better idea
of the changes that have transpired. Who
could have supposed that those few houses,
with the little fort there presented, was what is
now the flourishing and growing city of Chica-
go, teeming with its more than hundred
thousand inhabitants, and everywhere furnish
ing such proofs of wealth and industry? Verify,
God has great things in store for such land
And who, then, can believe that He does not
mean to make Kansas, though subjected to
| savage men, and rife with murder and rapine
for time, a free and civilized State? The
| lessons that such books as this volume impress
upon us, in thus pointing to an overruling
Providence, who can make a way for his word,
and the fruits that are its true product, encour-
age firm reliance on Him and His promises,
| as He makes the wrath of man even to praise
Him, and the remainder He can restrain.
THE PHIosorHY WEATHER AND A GUIDK TO ITS
CHANGES. BY T. b. Butler New York: d. Appleton
4 Co. For sale by Taylor Maury, Washington, d. C.
There has been considerable speculation of
late as to the true theory of storms. Messrs.
Espy Redfed Reid, Blodgett, Professor Maury,
Mr.. Howard, and others, have written with
earnestnees and plausibility in defence of their
various opinions. Yet to all the modes of ex-
PLANTATION there lie objections, and difficulties
present themselves that these schemes do not
wholly meet. Whether Mr.. Butler will be
more successful, remains to be seen. We do
not recollect to have noticed his name be-
fore, as connected with meteorological inves-
legations. Indeed, he states, in his preface,
that he thought, at first, Of publishing but
small essay, or pamphlet, and anonymously;
but his work grew into a volume, and, though
without scientific reputation, he has put it forth
with his own name.
Whatever be his merits as philosopher, he
has made book which contains many inter
esting facts, and which evinces habits of OBJ
servation and research. He appears to have
studied the face of the heavens, to have mark
ed the course of the winds and clouds, to have
read and reflected on numerous authors who
have written on meteorology and kindred top.
les, and to have collated their opinions with
a candid spirit. Citing the declaration of Sir |
George Harvey, from the article Meteorology, |
in the Encyclopedia Metropolitana, that scien-
tfc men, with their philosophy and investiga-
tions, are yet in many respects behind the |
sailor and farmer, and those whose pursuits
lead them to observe and regulate their bust.
ness by daily reading of the sky and clouds.
he makes such long and constant observa-
ton the basis of his success, 80 far as he has
been successful in being weatherwise." He
regards magnetism as the great agent in the
production of changes in the weather. speaks
fully of its character and the influence of its
currents, thinks that the precipitation at the
west of rains is occasioned by a depolarzation;
that storms originate at the central belt, and
move towards the poles. Magnetism acts con-
nected with electricity. In connection with
his own views, he examines the various other
theories, with which he is not wholly satisfied.
though admitting the diligence of their authors
in the collection of facts, &c. He gives nu.
merous plates, some of them daguerreotyped
views of the clouds and parts of the sky, also
tables of temperature, a new arrangement of
the clouds, modified from that of Mr.. Towards.
wellknown writer on meteorology, dwells
likewise on the influence of rivers and noun
tains, and refers to the spots on the sun, prog
nostics, and similar topics connected with his
general subject. The variety of information
and the interest attached to the question of the
weather, with its relations to many kinds of
the practical business of life make the volume
an acceptable one to all classes of readers,
and it may be read with profit, even if its
conclusions should not be adopted. The style
is we'll adapted to the subject, and is but little
encountered with learned terms The size Of
the book is convenient, and the mode of exc.
cution such as might be desired.
DRIED: Tale of the Great Dismal swamp BY IIarrie,
Beccher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom. Cabip - In |
two volumes. Boston; Phillips, Sampson 4 Co 1896 |
"Author of Uncle Toms Cabin These
words point to a severe ordeal for a,r Ill. |