Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-08
New Books.

| La PLATA, THE ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION,
AND PARAGCAY--A Narrative Of the Explorations
of the Tributaries of the River La Plata, and adj
jacent Countries during the years ls53 54 55, and
SO, under the orders of the United States Govern.
ment. By THOMAS J. PAGE, L. S. N, Commander
of the Expedition. With Maps and numerous En-
cravings. New York, Harper Il Brothers, 1889"
This Volnme contains the official Narrative of
one ofthe most important expeditions ever sent
out by our Government. Early in 1853 The steam
er Water Witch was placed under the command Of
Lieutenant PAGE, with instructions to explore the
Rivers of La Plata, and report upon their nayiga.
bility and adaptation TO commerce. Lieutenant
PAGE executed his commission with rare fidelity
and intelligence, and has embodied the results in
this volume. The explorations described in the
Narrative embrace an extent of 5000 miles of river
vigation, and 400 miles Of journey by land in
Paraguay and the Argentine Confederation. The
River Paraguay alone was found TO be navigable,
at low water, by steamer drawing nine feet, for
more than two thousand miles from the ocean
The basin Of La Plata is almost equal in extent to
that of the Mississippi and not inferior in salubrity
of climate and fertility of so while the head wa
ters of its rivers penetrate the richest mineral
provinces of Brazil and Bolivia. The products of
this region must find their outlet through the River
La Plata. The population numbers scarcely one
person to a square mile, bat great inducements to
emigration are now offered by The Argentine Con-
federation. The commerce of the country, already
considerable, is capable of immediate and almost
indefinite increase.
Lieutenant PAGE's Narrative contains ample in
formation respecting the soil, climate, and produc-
tions Of the country and the manners, habits, and
customs of the people. A full account is given of
the unfortunate rupture with Paraguay, showing
conclusively thatthe attack upon the Water Witch
altogether unwarrsnted, and the allegations by
which President Lopez attempted to justify it en-
tirely destitute Of truth An interesting and Valua-
bic account of the Jesuit Missions in La Plata is
appended to the Narrative.
The Illustrations comprise the accurate Map Of
the Country prepared by the orders of our Govern
ment, Portraits of Urquiza, Lopez, Francia, and
Loyola, and numerous EngraVings of Scenery,
Character, and Incident.
"THE LAIRD OF NoRLAw A Scottish Story,
By the author Or"Margaret Maitland" &C., &C.
Harper Brothers"
This story the scene of which is laid in the land
Of Burns, of Wallace, and Bruce, contains, in an
attractive and romantic manner, descriptions Of
country habits, customs, localities and events il
that country, which will be read for the sake of
the story, but would be cast aside, were they in
plain matter of fact prose. Margaret Maitland
has been well known, and this volume by the same
author is equally well written. 1t will be found
q pleasant freside book.
"EPIsoDEs OF FRENCH HISTORY, DURING THE
CONSULATE AND THE FIRST EMPIRE; By Miss
Pardoe, author Of Court and Reign Of Francis l.
Harper and Brothers"
The nature of this work is best explained by its
title II contains many interesting details Os the
history of France-many personal traits and por-
traitures ofpublic personages--many incidents and
anecdotes, both social and POLITICAL and, as the au
thor says, some 'stray leaves" which have appear
ed worth gathering up. A glance through the
volume shows it to be well written, by one who
was evidently at home in the scenes and nation she
describes.
JB Cobb & Co. have all the above for sale.