Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-03-09
Recent Publications.


Adventures and Observations on the West Coast o.
Africa and its Islands. Historical and Descriptive
Sketches OF Madeira, Canary, Biefra, and Cape
Verde Islands; Their Climates, Inhabitants, and
Productions Accounts of Places, People Gus
toms, Trade, Missionary Operations; etc. etc on
that part Of tho African Coast lying between Tau
giers, Morocco and Bcnguela BY Rev. Charles
W. Thomas N. 4. New York; Derby 4 Jackson
fublishera lyuchburg, H. c. Victor,
Book. making travellers have, within the last few
years. devoted very large share of attention To ex-
plora,ions of Africa, and this volume Is worthy
Of respectable place in the lat of books resulting
from the abors OF thar class. The chapters which
form this work were prepared originally for tho
"Sonthcfn Christian Advocate Methodist journal.
published At Charleston S. but Mt the solicitation of
numerous friends and others who read tho letter. as
they appeared In that sernl aud who thought they
descrveda more permanent form, they are uow sent
forth In their present handsome gnrb. Many errors
and accidental omissions of the original articles have
been corrected and great deal Of useful information
added
The matter of the work. as We learn from the wo,k
itsslfas also from the authors preface was gathered
N the course OF the years ls55-bG and 81, during
the U. s. sloop OF war jamestown then flag ship Of
the African squadron. Through the Kindness of
friends on the coast and In the Islands he wns cnn-
bled to bring down much Of the statistical matter to
the close of 1853, "the historical sketches have bee
made with care the statistics Of trade, missions etc
were, for the greater part gathered on the SPOT from
friends or documents oil authority, and not without
much labor"
The book 10 copiously illustrated with handsome
wood engravings and is altogether beautiful sptci-
men of the typographical art.
The Art ofDaneing, Historically Illustrated TO which
Is added few hints etiquette; also the figures mu
sic and necessary instruction for the most modern
and approved dancers, rs executed Mt the private
academies Of the author. by Elwari Fcrrcr o:
New York Dick h. Fitzgerald, ppblishcrs Lynch
burg, j. J. Creed
The author claims tina, it was not with any nspi-
ration for literary distinction. nor yet entirely with
the hope of pecuniary reward, that he was induced
TO prepare this work for publication but rather be-
cause he believed that it would, 10 certain extent,
supply natural ,fdnt prove of value to those who
are interested In an art which ia almost as old as the
world; which hos found favor in t,ery nation ut eve.
ry period, and among al, classes, from the phioso
The fool with Ills "cap md bells The history given
of dancing lie exceedingly curious ma well us entertain
ing and instructive, and can be perused with pleasure
by those who have practical knowledge Of the FASH
onabe art.
The hints to dancers" "rudimcnts of dane
ing" DC, &c, are entirely beyond our comprehcu-
sion; therefore, we shall not express any opinion in
regard 10 the merits of that portion Of the book -
The volume will doubtless prove very acceptable ia
the class OF persons, to whom 1t is especially de-
signed aud amply rsmunera,e It's author and pub
fishers for their outlay OF time and money
Ten Thousand Wonderful Things, comprising the
Marvellous and Rare, Odd, Curious, Quaint, Ecceu-
trio, and Extraordinary, in all ages and nations in
Art, Nature aud Science, &c, &c. Edited by Ed
wsrd Fillingham King, N. A. New York, Dick &
Fitzgerald, Publishers; Lynchsurg, J. ]. Greed. =.
As generarue works ofthis class are not worth the
paper on which they printed The present vol
ume however, We think, exception to the rule As
its title Indicates Is msidaye of strange aud drol.
things told III an Ineligible way and seasoned with
charming anecdotes, rare bits of learning stirring
pieces of history and unique fragments of the odd aud
little known, in nature. art and science.
The wood engravings aud general mechanical get
ting mp Of the book arc highly creditable.