New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

.,,,ro,ps HANDBOOK TO EuRoPE; oR How TO
.yrI IN THB ON woRLD BY j. H. sipDoSs' IL no.
DID, s4a Charles D. Norton.
The design of issuing series of compcndions and
economical handbooks of foreign travel with special
reference to the wants of the American tourist can
hardly fail TO secure the favor Of the large portion of
our community, who contemplate visit to the old
world. Mr. Murrays red books admirable in their
WAY, and for those who seek for accurate and
prehensive account Of the principal countries the
line of foreign tour, leave scarcely anything to be
desired. They compiled IRON the best authorities
in many cases by travellers of high repute who also
write from pereona observation, and form an nvau-
able treasure of historical antiquarian and geographic
cal knowledge. Such works as the " Handbook for
Egypt" by Sir Gardner Wilkinson, for Spain by
Richard Ford and for Syriaand Palestine by the Rev.
Mr. Porter, possess an intrinsic worth and are eqiV
important for the geographical student and tine ioeiSn
traveller. Less bulky and less expensive hlaiiuHi7
however would often better suit the convenience %
American tourists and if ndieiOusly prepared would
uain n wide patronage. The plan OF Nortons series
ia except and il il TO be hoped, will be completed IN
n manner 10 merit the favor of the public. We are
.orx NOS 10 be able to speak in high terms Of the exc
cu,;on Of This volume. Il is written in an ambitious,
but slovenly style, is snguary deficient In cearnesS
and urecsion of statement, and while it abounds IN
irrelevant details usually fails 20 communicate the iu-
formation which would naturally be looked for by per-
sons who consult handbook of travel Thus are
informed that we can embark in the steamer from
Geneva for Lausanne boil and bubble up lovely lake
Leman," and stop at Chillon, which, we are kindly
appraised is the scene of one Of Byrons most touch
ing compositions" The information is also benevo-
lently given that this Byron is the finest and most
vigorous English poet since the days of Shakespeare
with the expression Of regret that the English and
American nations should never have read the glor'
Gus epic Childe Harold and the touching Prisoner
of Chiffon on account of their prejudice against the
immortality of Don Juan" A visit to the scenes
immortalized by Byrons muse" will afford the
traveller motive for supplying deficiency in hii
literary requirements" Under the head of Lausanne
we bave scarcely word of description but instead
thereof an elaborate crtqne of the hisrionic merits
John Ken,tle who was inferred in the cemetery nea
that city THE in stances of inexac statement are 81
numerous as TO destroy confidence in the genera
correctness of the volume. Thus one page we ar
reouested to 'note the fact that franc is eractl
the fifth of dollar" another page, that 5-fra
niece is less than an American dollar; Marseilles
the ancient Marsila," instead of Massolia Mass
la tie principal town in Norway is Christian
instead Of ChristiGHia; "'he real name of Munich
MuneLCn," instead of 90 the German name of MuniC
is Maneken.' The author las contrived to pick up
good many American vulgarisms, such locate at
hotel" "papts, for "trowsers, and others equal
detestsitle