Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-03-10
For the Delaware Inqnirer.l
Literary Tntellipenoe

| Tale Of Trio Cdics-Ihe Ad0pfed Heiy.-1he
Gospel IN Burmdh-7ne Nonsuch Professor
| Ages Of Liging Writers.
| There are now two literary enterprises before
the public, both deserving and receiving the
largest share of favor. In magnitude, and in
cost, either of these works, ten years ago, would
have failed for want of support, but now they
are both projected together, with the most
gratifying success. Their aims are entirely
| different, yet few well arranged libraries will
be without either; and as they are subscription
works, and unobtanablein the ordinary sources,
we must put in a word here. First: Tile NeW
lfmerjcaR Cyclopedid, the grandest achievement
of the kind in this century. This splendid
work is Published by the Messrs. Appleton &
Co.. New York; aud Mr.. Jno. McFarlan, of the
Arcade Hotel Philadelphia, is the publishers
sole agent. Eight noble volumes Of nearly 500
pages each, royal octave, have already been
issued at intervals of three months, and the
ninth will he ready within n few days Here is
a library of itself, at an incomparably cheap
cost worth ten times its price to any man in
the country whether merchant, mechanic,
farmer, professional man, or MerateV. We
shall take early occasion to refer again to this
magnificent enterprise.
The second great Literary undertaking before
the public is Aessrs. W. A. Townsend & Co.'s |
Cooper, with the splendid illustrations on steel
and wood from designs by the inimitable Dar-
ley. Viewing Cooper us he great American
novelist this costly undertaking of our pub
fishers is universally considered the most i'm
portant national literary enterprise yet under
taken. We hesitate not to call it absolutely
perfect This will be understood when we say
that twenty thousand dollars have been ex-
pended on the illustrations alone, and every
40 IN la
same munifccnt outlay. The new volume in
the series is that capital sea tale, Hcme'rdrd
Found or The Chase. and Mr. 5. Mcllenry, of
the corner of 4th and Walnut streets, is the
sole agent.
Art-lfe in Italy, to the appreciatve student
or reader, possesses a fascination that time and
distance only increases. This is not only the
case with artists, but with all who love art. OF
late yearsthe audience forart-books has largely
multiplied, and particularly acceptable, there
fore is an exquisitely written and published
little volume from the press of Messrs. Ticknor
& Fields, Boston, entitled Notes Of 4fdrei md
Study IN Haiy, by Charles Eliot Norton. 1t is u
luxury to follow genial guide like MIR. Norton.
We have looked for his book these twoor three
MONTHS expecting Il rare pleasure, and we have
not been disappointed Rome, Naples, Flor
cnce, the Riviera, the churches, converts, gall
leries paintings, mosaics, the "reminiscences of
ings in dim old aises, the swelling grandeur
of music in the high-arched cathedras-eyery-
thing which an intelligent eye aud ear could
note in so storied cline, Mr.. Norton paints
with true appreciation and skill. The untrav-
eied and untraveing who range in fancy be-
yond their limited horizon to the world of
beauty they cannot see, may here luxiirate to
the fill, and almost visit Italy at their own fire.
sides.
As the second volume OF their library of
standard fiction, each volume containing II
novel complete, Messrs. Ticknor 4 Fields, Bos
ton, have Just issued the new story by the att |
thor of Digby Grand, and the Interpreter, en-
titled HOlmby House, Tale Of OIL NoHhanp-
ioashire. For its sketches of old English life,
and its portraitures Of famous personages in
English history, this volume makes most
agreeable fifty cents worth. IL forms II large
pamphlet of 224 pages, beautifully printed.
The same publishers issue Grace Greenwood's
new book for good children, Stories from ka-
nous Baiidds, with an exquisite steel portrait of
n chubby, curly headed little girl which we take
to he Grace's own child, and four fine large
wood engrayags by llammatt Billings, one of
New Engands most rising artists We notice
the ballad of Cherry Chase, the Beggars Daugh
ter Of Bednal Green, Patient Griselda, and
other well known ballads of the past all re-
told in pleasant prose to suit the comprehen-
sion of young readers. The idea is novel and
admirably wrought out
Messrs. T. b, Peterson Il Brothers, Philadel-
phia who have the three foregoing works, also
issue from their own press, Il handsome duo
decmo edition of Dickens last work, a rae 81
THO Cities. We have before alluded to their
cheap octave, and fine library editions Of this
famous work, and have stated in passing, that
they issue no less than twenty-nine different
styles Of this one book, to suit every possible
taste and pocket. The present, however, is the
edition which will be the most sought after by
book connoiscures. 1t is elegantly printed anu
bound is finely illustrated by MeLenan, and
comprises two volumes, uniform with the
twenty -tour preceding volumes OF Dickens
works from the same enterprsing press. Dick
ems has been paid five thousand dollars for
this novel; and Messrs. Peterson Brothers are
| its exclusive publishers in the United States.
| The same firm also issue Miss Julia Pardoe's
novel of The adopted Heir, the first of that la
| dys works, turned out from their tavorite press
in their fagoritc duodecimo library style The
others, The Wife's Trials, Romance OF the ia
| rem, Confessions of Pretty Woman, etc., be-
ing issued as parts OF their cheap library, IN
paper covers. The adopted Heir is worthy this
mark of distinction. Ii is full of every variety
| Of life and incident to be found in English So
! cety and it is free from that sentimentalism
| which some writer's mistake for elegance, and
| the exapperation which others substitute for
vigor. On the contrary, Miss Pardoe IS n vigor-
Gus writer, and this is the best of her stories.
Few books on the important subject OF mis-
sions, have ever interested us as much MS n new
duodecimo volume from the press Of Messrs.
Sheldon 4 Co., descriptive Of The Gospel N
| Burmdh its introduction and marvellous pro-
press among the Burmese and karens, written
by Mrs. Mcleod Wylie This volume has al
/ ready been highly commended for its clearand
simple style, its unatIectedly earnest tone, its
large fund Of interesting information concern
| ing the brave and capable, though barbarous
nation, among whom the Judsons labored, anu
for its encouraging record of the progress OF
Christian civilization among these distant peo-
pie. The accounts of the English war with
Burmah also contribute to make up most IN
teresting and valuable volume
The same publishers, New York, and Peter
son Brothers, Philadelphia, also issue very
curious work, written about two centuries ago.
II is called The Nonsuch PFofessoyi IN MS Meridian
.Splendor, or, the singular actions of Sanctilcd
Christians, laid open in seven sermons 'iy NJ,
liam Locker. One of the most eminent hiRiio-
rraphers Of Boston, prononnces it " beautiful
little work, worth its weight in gold, aud an
other writer speaks of it as IN real Jewel ~
the memory, a reviving cordial to the mindi
and choice directory to the steps OF every
christian reader" 1t is quantity written, ana
should be read by every lover of Francis
Quarles.
Several incorrect lists Of the ages OF living
writer's having BEEN recently copied into VA
rous papers, we have carefully compiled inc
following, which may be relied upon. Gerald