Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-01
Book Notices.
The AurocRAr or BREAKFAST TABLE Boston:
Phillips, sampson, & Co. 1855.

Book Notices. .-
The AurocRAr BREAKFAST rABr. Boston:
Phillips, Sampson, & Co.. 1858.
Such is the title-page of book, made ND
OF series of papers contributed to the "At-
santie Monthly" by OLIVER WENDELL HoLMEs.
For humour and vigorous sentiment as a
poet the author has stood justly eminent for
years-and the volume now given to the
public, though having a birth similar to the
vast spawn of literary ephemera that is an
nuaily thrust before the world through the
Magazine media, will perpetuate his fame
ootn as verse-writer, and as a close thinker,
and an elegant and perspicuous talker Of
prose. Ofall the table talk of literary celeb
rites. which has been given to the public
we think this is decidedly the richest, raciest,
spiciest and altogether the most delightful,
and, we might also add, the most substantial
Most of this character of composition would
indicate that the authors were in the act of
drinking weak decoction of coffee bought
background, and that their thoughts were in
happy keeping with the kind and strength of
the beverage. In this case, be it spoken to
the infinite credit of the landlady, no such
coffee came upon the table. There is charm
ing, genial glow in every line, indicating the
best article OF coffee, and the very best of
brewing. And the result is that the public
are in possession of book in which there is
to be found neither a stupid sentence nor
dull page. So much cannot be said truthful
ly of any other book we know Of The au-
thor is a Doctor of Medicine, and probably
Professor of Anatomy in one of the Medical
Colleges We don't mention this in dispar-
agement-by no means-but simply to say
that he dissects each subject which he touch
es, down to the very bone and marrow, with
oil the skill, thoroughness, and selfposses-
sion, which the very best Anatomist would
display before a second-course class. In all
probability. DR.. HOLMES does not give a great
deal of medicine to his patients, neither does
he surfeit his readers with interminable hom-
lilies on one subject. He don't kill thought
by over-dosing it with strong opates. His
maxim, like that of all discreet physicians,
is to rely very much on the uis nedicarir
nature. So in the book before us, he pre-
scribes just so much as will give nature an
impulse in the right direction, leaving the
strong mental constitution to do the rest.
Those minds which cannot realize the stimu-
lus and profit by it, had as well be laid out
they will die inevitably Not all the elabor-
ate sunnyness of IRVING, nor all the abrupt
jolting of CARLYLE, nor the fine sailing of
hACAULAY can do them any good We re-
commend them TO ''pile the agony" on TUP-
PERs Proverbial Philosophy, and emigrate at
once to the high latitude of EMERSON orANDREw
JACKSON DAVIS. But to those OF stout minds
who have been choliced on the literary
green fruit" which is so prevalent, we com
mend DR.. HOLMES. By all means try the
Autocrat of the Breakfast Table
Poor AND Proud; Or, THE FORTUNES OF KATY RID
BURN. BY OLIVER OPTIC, author of "The Boat
Club, &c. Boston: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON Co.
This is story for children; showing that
success depends upon good principles. polite
ness, perseverance, honesty and selfrespect.
karl KEGrER; Or, FORTUNES OF A FOUNDING. Bos-
ton: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & Co.
Another story for children, having in view
the cultivation of the virtues in the minds of
youth, and the elevation of character
WALTER SEXTON: A STORY OF RURAL LIFE VIRGINIA.
Boston: .PmIuPs, SAMPSON & Co.
The Publishers say, "this charming story of
Virginia Life, will have at least, the merit of
novelty; for few tales designed for chill
dren have been set in framework of South
ern scenery. The style is pure aud elevated;
the tone religions, without cant; and the
story is of sufficient interest to draw the
reader on" 1t is commended as book which
every parent may put into his child's hands
without question. We are indebted to the
Publishers for copies of the above works.
which may be had in this city of W. T.
BERRY & Co.