The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-23
II HE RE VIE w

Comprising Forty Five Ideal Poru ais described by
Henrietta Lee Palmer. illustrated ith fine Engravings
on Steel, from Designs by Eniinen, Hands New York
d. App eton & Co. 1859 For sale BY Franck rayIor
Penn. avenue, Washington, D c.
1t being proved beyond cavil that the world
will have picture-books at Christmas, the only
thing which remains to be done is to make the
picture books worth haying-an end that has
been grandly attained in the elegant work
before us. Some of the illustrations are ex-
quisite. Miranda is the very impersonation OF
airy, spiritual, childlke grace and purity, while
" The Shrew bellies by implication the old say
ing, pretty they that pretty do" (of the truth
of which, by the way, we were always incredu-
lous.) The dedication is piquant, the narrative
clear and simple, the admiration discriminating
as well as ardent. In a word, the volume is the
most superb-looking gift-book we have seen for
the holidays. 1t is an honor to the house that
issues it. 0
Lays of The Holy Land from Ancient Modern Poets
!. With Illustrations from Original Photograph and
Drawings New York Robert Garter & Brothers, $50
broadway. 1889.
This volume, also, is great improvement
on the ANIMALS of old days. The rich creamy
tint and satin smoothness of the paper make it
a luxury to both SIGHT and touch. Poems on
many different themes, yet all with their faces
turned eastward, songs redolent with the fra
GRANGE of ages, yet still fresh and living, form
jewel not unworthy the setting.
The Proverbs OF Solomon illustrated by Historical Par
aels from Drawings by John Gilbeu, Prefnc.d by
Introductory Remarks by james Hamilton D. New
York: Robert Carter a Brothers, $50 Broadway. 1850
An unusually readable and suggestive preface
ushers MS to the Wisdom of Solomon, which is
presented in the same attractive dress as the
preceding volume. One or two of the engra-
wings have singular power. The arrangement
of the proverbs into stanzas, whose length is de-
eided by the context, is very pleasing. Perhaps
no book of the Bible suffers less from being di-
yided into verses yet the division in the first
part of this volume gives far greater facility and
pleasure in reading, and sometimes in under
standing. We should be glad to see it followed
by companion volume of the Psalms.
Cornells Grammar School Geography. New York: D.
ington, d. C.
This is portion of systematic course of
school biographies, well known to the public.
The chief difference between this and the in
termediate biographies is, that the present work
is fuller in both maps and descriptive matter.
1t contains some. twenty-seven large maps, and
a still larger number ofsmall ones. Its method
is excellent, its description clear, and It's geo
and statistical tables are invaluable.
1t is finely adapted to such classes in our schools
as require comprehensive course.
The New American Cycopedia A Popular Dictionary
ofGcnera knowledge Edited by George Ripley and
Charles Dana. Vol Nv. New York d Appleton
& Co For sale by Franck Taylor, Pa. avenue Wash
mgtsn, C.
The publishers are prompt in the issue of
this great work. 1t has already reached the
fourth volume. Having noticed at some
length its characteristic excellences, we need
only say that, so far as we have examined, it
reputation so justly acquired. Co
temporary biography in the present volume is
exceedingly interesting.
Night Caps BY The author Of Aunt Fannys Christmas
Stories. Published ana for sale above.
a prettily printed volume of entertaining
stories for little folk not at all exciting, but
quite attractive.
Karl Kiegler The FORTUNE, of a Founding Boston:
Phillips, Sampson, Co For sale by Blanchard &
Mohun. Washington, D C.
A Holiday story for young people The mar
ratiye is simple, but engaging, the characters
are neatly drawn, and heathfal and fine tone
runs throughout the book.
The Eclectic magazine for December
This closing number of the Eclectic Magazine
a very fine portrait of the late Rev.
DR.. n. W. Taylor. 1t is indeed a speaking like.
ness and will be at once recognised as such by
many who have listened to him in the pulpit and
ecture-room, and who cannot but feel that not
often can they hope to look upon his like again
His mastery rejoinder to President Buchanan's
reply TO the Silliman letter (which no Admins
ration paper ventured to attack, so crushing
was its close argument and dialectical power)
will be regarded years hence as one of the ablest
pieces on the Kansas question, and showed that
his intellectual ability remained even when he
ay Frustrated on the bed of sickness There
S manliness and high conscious dignity of
ruth about it, too, which politicians might do
we'll to study, and such is the imprint of the
before us
There is, likewise, the usual variety of mat
er some of the selected articles are excellent,
and are evidently from the pens of practced
writer's. The number also contains an Index
10 the volume.
The CourtshiP 0; Miles Standi,h, and other Poems BY
II W Longfeow Boston: Ticknor Fields 1883
For sale by ray r * Maury, Washington d c.
The reader of the principal poem of this new
volume Will of necessity call to mind its beautiful
predecessor, the sweet and tender " Tale of AGA
de-: " and, if it lacks the intensity of interest
which pertains to that remarkable poem, he will
ascribe the deficiency to the subject
rather than the accomplished artist. The Pill
grim life which it describes, was hard and pro-
sale in the main, although it had its points of
contact with the higher elements of song and
romance; and, in our view, Longfellow has
ully sustained his reputation in so successfully
giving malleability and poetic beauty to le-
gend which we have read an hundred times.
without so much as dreaming of its possible
into Puritan pastoral. Whatever
may be said Of the fitness of its peculiar versi-
ication, none can deny the art with which il is
and its delicate and well-nigh per-
ect finish. In this respect, Miles Standish APP
pears to us quite equal to Evangeline. or to any
English translation we have seen of Goethe's
Herman and Dorothea.
One of the finest noSSocos 81 al - ::