The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-27
NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.



Fehs nary ~.
The Kansas Region, by Max Greene. VOL
Char'emont. tale Of Kentucky, by Gilmore =,
Cultivation Of the strawberry by R. G.
The Mormons at Home, by Mr.. B. G. Ferris. vol.
Haslett Hackleys Mechanics and En-
gineers Book Of Reference and Field BOOK.
LIVES OF AMERICAN MERCHANTS, by Freeman
Hunt A. M; vol. /. Published at the once OF
Hunts Merchants Magazine.
We know not why the object and plan of this
work should be novelties TO US. Seeing the impor-
tant part which commerce has played in the ag-
Qrandizement of empires from the time Of Alexander
the Great downwards, it seems singular that, save
in few solitary instances, its professors should
have escaped the recording pen Of the biographer.
The soldier the statesman, the physician the artist
and the divine, have all received their fair share Of
illustration; but the merchant on whose anxieties
and tolls the prosperity of nations is based has not
hitherto been deemed worthy of q niche in the tenn
pie of fame. No other people are, perhaps, much
indebted to commerce for their rapid progress in
the elements of political power and material wealth.
those of the United States. What other coun-
tries have gained by the sword and at the cost of
tears and blood, we have acquired by the peaceful
operations of trade alone. With therefore, fifty
originates that new branch Of biography which il
illustrates the talent, the industry the perseverance,
the berality and the patriotism of the men, whose
abors ii they stand individually in less bold relief,
contribute as much, if not more than those of any
other class to the substantial happiness, prosperity
and greatness Of nation
Viewed in this light, Mr.. Hunts book is well
come addition to our biographical literature. To
great commercial community like ours no more valu
able or instructive text book be furnished than
collection of the lives of those remarkable men
who have raised themselves from obscurity to
wealth and distinction, by the practice of all those
virtues which constitute the good citizen. The story
of Washington has aroused the emulation stimulat-
ed the exertions, and raised to eminence
many London apprentice. The lives of
our Lawrences, Astors, Chickering's Appletons,
Griswolds and Minturns viii unqnestionably ex-
ercse the same bealthiul and exciting influence
on the minds of future generations, and urge them
to initiate the energy, perseverance and self denial
which conducted all those men to wealth and dis
tnction. There is nothing which exerts on the minds
of tie young such a powerful fascination as thes
study of biography. As French writer well ex
presses it, it admits of all the painting and poetry
of romance, bnt with this capital difference, that
our passions are more keenly interested because the
nature, but strictly true. The service which Mr..
Hunt has rendered us by the compilation of these
memoirs cannot therefore be too highly appreciated.
Another attraction is impaired to the collection by
the fact that the biographies not written by the
same hand. Most of them are by persons distin
guished in the different walks OF science literature
and art, to whom personal acquaintance or affinity
of tastes with the subjects of them rendered the
task labor of love- Thus the Introductory essay,
nervous and elegant composition is from the pen of
George B. RUSSELL L. L. D., whilst the other con-
trbutors to the volume are the on Edward Everett
s. Austin Alibone, DR.. Berrian, Hon. Joseph r
Chandler Charles L. King L. L. D., Hon. Thomas
G. Gray, Rev. l.. Blake, d. D., Rev. f 2hraim Pea
body, George Atkinson Ward and John A. Lowell.
The names of these writer's sufficient guarantee
for the style and fidelity Of the collection.
Before we proceed to notice the main body of the
work we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure Of
making brief extract from Dr.. Russells introduc-
ton, which is full IF sound advice and poetic beau
ty. 1t is rarely that we fnd the materialsm Of
what is called common sense clothed in such an at
tractive garb:-
THE LESSONS OF EXAMPLE.
The examples before Did WORK, aud the changing
present offers ample opportunity. Around US, every
whore, the new crowds ASIDE the old improvement.
and cuds over ess.oshed systems The ussgss Of our
beyhood become matters OF tradition for the ausemens
reverence for ..y association The scaooi books We
used longer respected and it Is not safe TO quote
the authorities a our college days scierce can scArcey
keep pace with the OF publ ATOMS, qualifying
AbrogAtng tbs past Machinery becomes old iron ~ ia
upsrsrt usurps it's place. The ship dsshss
steamer laughs them DO b. The railroad engine i:
BY the crunb banks OF the canal out
homer builds up his by pothesis and Is comforting him
among the nebula, when Invention comes to the res
raw material Of which worlds becomes
the cu.ers Of systems blazing In the Infinite heavens
specu alton TO be again routed when human ingenuity
shall ADMIT baie breath urtner into creation
The powers Of nan have not been exhausted. Nothing
has been by him better done There
Is effort Of science art that not be exceeded
depth Of philosophy that cannot be deeper sounded
fight Of that may not be passed BY strong
All IAsufs is ran Of unknown things. Earth sir, va
ter, the athomess ocean, the mtless sky lie almost
untouched before The chances of predecessors
have not been areater than toose Which remain for
What has hitherto gwen prosperity and di
tncton has not been open others thao US;
past present. more than to the young man who
shall leave college tomorrow.
Sit not with folded nauds calling Herculues. Thine
IS the deui god /. was gven to thee to help
tbyse Go forth into the word trussul, but fearless
Exat thine adopted profession, vainly hope that its
alone viii exAlt thee Look on labor rs honorable,
and dignity The task cefore 'hes whether it DC in tue
stucy ,bce counting ROOM workshop or furrowei fed
There equality In all and the resoute will and pure
heart Ray ennoble either.
neglect the Influences that may unite thee with heaven
fbs wonders of art will humsnizs thy calling. The
true post mar make thee better man, aud unknown
feengs will well up within thee, where the pAnters
FOUL glow aud the almost oreHtoiog marble
staros a Qlori US monumApt of the statuary's ski.
Nature too sill s,eak kindly to thee from field and
forest hill and lake side Go into glade and wood
land by the waving harvest and the bright river hurry
ing TO The seq lock 1T the stars in the still night
listen gentle voice Of the south wind whs
with tbs pines; WI ten the pusatcns Of the ocean,
they regularly beat the sand. Such teachings will
tell hes there Is consolation in the struggles of this le
and may forcsbadow the repoee Of that which TO
The Lives" open appropriately with that of
Thomas Handasyd Perkins of Boston, better known
"a Colonel Perkins, one Of the most enterprsing
sagscious and benevolent minded men who have
shed lustre on the mercantile community Of this
country. Mr.. Perkins was born In Boston, in Decem-