The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-14
Gbs Sshith.

THE WANDERER; Tale of Lifc's vicssitudes. By the
author of The Waterman " Old Doctor" Lawyers
Story" &c. New York: E. d Long. For sale by w
Adam, Washington d. G.
In running over the opening chapters of this
book, we did not find SO much promise as the
further development of the story gave. The
previous works of the author we have never
seen, and we do not know whether this is to be
regarded a reprint from an English work, or
as an original American one. The starting
point is New York city, but great part of the
incidents are laid abroad, even to +" furthest
Ind" As the author proceeds, he writes more
like practiced hand, and interweaves his
threads of story with better skill. The num-
Der of characters introduced multiply, and
some of them are very well drawn. His tale,
he says in his preface, has moral, and he
leaves his readers to find it out. The hero and
heroine work their way through difficulties,
separations, and demonstrations, but meet at
last, and are happy as husband and wife,
Closely scanned, we could point out, here and
there, parts where the incidents no not harmo-
nize, but they will hardly be observed by the
general reader. On the whole, the work is
better for its purpose, and liable to fewer OBJ
jeetions, than large portion of a similar kind.
One thing, however, the publisher should
avoid, in a subsequent work. We mean the
beginning of his advertisements on the same
leaf, and, in this case, the same page, with the
end of his book. However he may think it at
tracts notice, the reader will not thank him for
it, as it disfgures any volume.
TIE ECONOMIC COTTAGE BUILDER: or Cottages Men of
Small Means adapted to Every Locality with Insruc-
tons for Choosing the Most Economical Materials af-
forded by the Neighborhood To which added many
Valuable Hints and Most Useful Observations Illus
trsted with Tinted Designs Stone. By Charles p.
Dwyer, Architect and Civil Engineer. Buffalo: Wan
ger, McKim, Co. 1856.
VILLAGE AND FARM COTTAGES The Requirements of
American Village Homes Considered and Suggested;
with Designs for such Houses, of Moderate Cost BY
Henry w. Cleaveand William Backus, and Samuel
Backus. New York: Appleton Company. 1855.
Both OF these works sale by Franck Taylor Washing
ton, D.
Ours is indeed a building age. Towns and
cities spring up almost with the celebrity of an
cent tabled genii architecture. With the
wants Of people, too, the progress of inven-
tons and the facilities of execution seem to
keep pace. We are glad to notice the grow.
ing indications of taste, and we hail the publ.
cation of good works which will enable the
man of moderate means to combine with the
home he rears the external appearance and
the interior accommodations which may give
to his dwelling charm fitted for an abode
of his domestic comfort and enjoyment. The
two volumes before US seem to be of this de-
scription. Their titles explain their object,
and they appear to be prepared by competent
hands. The former of them has perhaps more
of practical detail, while the latter is the more
elegant in the style of publication. The expla-
nations and illustrations are clear and definite,
and we hope their effect will be seen in the
erection of many cottage and country house,
where peace and happiness may take up their
abode. Useful observations may here be found
to help the builder, and the man who wants a
pretty and not costly house, can End numerous
plans to choose from.
HUMOROUS POEMS by Thomas Hood. Including Love
and Lunacy, Ballads, Tales and Legends, Odes, and
Addresses to Great People, and Miscellaneous Poems
Now first collected Edited by Epes Sargent Boston:
Philips, SAMPSON q Co. 1856. Sold by Gray & Bal
lantrnA. Washington. d. C.
A year ago, says the editor, he published
volume of Hoods Poems, which was intended
to be complete; but he soon found that there
would be material for a second volume, collect
ed from newspapers, magazines, &c. He now
presents the additional collection to the public,
composed of humorous and sentimental pieces,
whims and Oddities" which nothing we could
say will be necessary to commend to the ad-
mirers of Hood.
| THE ISLAND CUBA By Alex ander Humboldt Trans
| lated from the Spanish. With Notes and Prelmi-
| nary Essay, by J. s Thrasher. New York: Derby &
Jackson, l19 Nassau street. Cincinnati: II. w. Derby
1856. For sale by Taylor Marry, Washington, d. c.
The work of Humboldt was published in
1925. That great and good man, as the reader
is aware, was and is the friend of freedom and
humanity. The translator, on the other hand,
is a Pro-Slavery man, and in his notes and
essay has endeavored to controvert the opin-
ions and speculations of his author, where they
touch upon emancipation. Mr.. Thrasber is
flibuster, and was for some time prisoner in
Havana, whence he made narrow escape
with bis life. We have no great faith in the
fairness of writer with such antecedents !;
but there can be no donbt that the work of
Humboldt is one of the best, II not the best,
that has yet appeared in relation to the Island
of Cuba.
| THE LIFE AND PUBse SERVICES OF JAMES BUCHANAN.
By r. q. Horton With accurate portrait On steel.
New York: Derby Jackson, 119 Nassau street Gu
| cinnst II. w. Derby 1855 For sale by Taylor
| Maury Washington d. C.
This is an electioneering document of 428
pages, neatly printed and bound. 1t of course
presents such portions of Mr.. Buchanan's po-
litical history as was believed to be in harmony
with his present position, as the candidate of
the Strengthening p arty for the Presiden.
cy. Only the faintest reference is made to his
Federalism, though the fact is admitted and
| extenuated. No extracts are made from the
4th of July Grafton of 1915, in WHICH he de-
nounces the Democratic party of that day, and
tho Administration of Mr.. Madison, as corrupt
Nothing is ssid o. Mr.. Buchanan's efforts to
prevent the admission Of Missouri into the
Union as a slave State, and of his hearty OPP
position to Slavery and Slavery-ext nsion in
the beginning of bis political career. This
part of his political life is passed over in ST.
lence-the author doubtless regarding it as
the fruit of youthful indiscretion and the