Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-18
New Rocks.


New Books.
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE. BY Parke God
win. Vol. l. New York Harper & Brothers
publishers. Mr. Goodwin has undertaken
work which has been stra lgely neglected
He proposes to give lis good and complete
general history of France. 1t is surprising
when we consider it, that there were not
many years ago, for English readers, half I
score of such histories of that country
France, in culture, power, political influence
and Importance every way, is really the fore
most country of Europe. If we have no
been accustomed to think So it is because W.
have drawn our knowledge of that country
from English books and periodicals, and falleI
into the habit of echoing English preiudicc'
against its people. There is great need o
such a work as Parke Goodwin has undertaken
to write; and, as he is eminently qualified for
the undertaking, the enterprise seems to us
! sure of abundant encouragement. He de-
scribes his plan as follows =
"My plan at present contemplates a nara
tive of the principal events of French history,
from the earliest recorded times to the out
break of the great revolution of 1883, but |
shall treat the subject by periods, so that each
volume which l may be permitted to publish
shall be complete in itself The periods hope
to describe are Ancient Gaul, terminating with
the era of CharIemagne; Feudal France,
closing with ST. Louis France during the
national, civil and religious wars; France
under the great ministries (Sully, Mazarin,
Richelieu); the reign of Louis XIV; and the
Eighteenth Century"
The first of these volumes, that relating to
Ancient Gaul, is finished and printed and the
others will follow in due time. 1t is a hand
somely printed octave Of about 500 pages.
Of course we have in this volume all that is
known of Gaul before the Romans went
there, history of the Roman power in Gaul,
and a history of that country after the fall of
the western Roman empire, down TO Charlie
magne We need not say that it is readable
For sale at Melens.
''NUGAMENTA book of verses by Geo.
Edward Rice. Boston: j. E. Tilton & Co.
This little book shows intellectual culture and
poetic feeling with considerable vivacity and
wit, and it is not a sham. We trust however,
that Mr.. Rice will not adopt literature as a
profession with any hope that he can train Pc
gasus to become a profitable farm horse, nor
that this hayward steed will bear every good
writer of verses to Immortality. We like
"Nugamenta." 1t is a very pleasant volume
yet there may be some things within the scope
and purpose of human activity which the wr,
ter can do a great deal better. We do not say
this to depreciate the real merit of what he has
written, but because there is in his latitude
more to stimulate than discourage, in persons
of good culture and poetic sympathies, an UNI
profitable and harmful tendency to become
literary" and waste time and opportunities in
writing verses. But he seems to understand
this, for he says, quoting from Pope
81 left calling for this idle traden
The book is printed and bound in appropri-
ate style.
TYLNEY HALL, By Thomas Hood. Boston :
j. E. Tilton & Co. This novel was first pub
lished in England in 1884 1t was very popu-
lar then, as it deserved to be and the republi-
cation of it in this country, twenty-five years
ago, was successful 1t has for some time been
out OF print. 1t was happy thought which
led Messrs. Tilton & Co. to republsh it, for il
is sure to be in demand. Its own very strik
ing merits as story with the name of Hood
added, will not allow the enterprise to fail
For sale here by w, H. Sanford.
MADEMoIsELLE MoRI; Tale of Modern
Rome. Boston Ticknor & Fields. This is
an English book, and very excellent one. Il
is novel, written with great intelligence
ability, and earnestness, and designed to show
English readers the truth in regard to the Ital
ian people. The author is a champion of Ital
ian independence and freedom, and it has been
said, with entire truth, that nobody can read
this thrilling romance without having his stu.
pid prejudices against the Italian people en-
tirely disspated." The writer sketches the
events of l648, and, although the book is a
novel and most Of the characters imaginary
yet it is in all respects eminently truthful and
earnest For sale by E. Mellen, Jr
FLINT's Mich Cows AND DAIRY FARM
ING, new and beautifully printed edition jus
issued by Crosby, Nichols & Co., is for sale a
Sanford's. This work embodies the most re
cent information in regard to dairy farming
and has been prepared with industry and in
telligence. On a former occasion we gave
full account of the work. 1t should be in TIN
hands of every farmer who aims TO understan,
his business thoroughly, and conduct it witt
pleasure and profit For sale also by E. Me
len, Jr.
RITA; An Autobiography. Boston May
hew Baker. This is an English book r,
printed. Rita" is the daughter of Englis
parents, who, in reduced circumstances, 20
live in Paris. The interest of the story turn
chiefly on the sketches of Partisan life, and o
the maneuvers of Rita's friends to mend tn
fortunes of her aristocratic family by procurin
her a wealthy husband, --maneuvers whic
she herself does not encourage. For sale b
Z. Mellen, Jr.
HENRY HoYT, Boston, who publishC
many pleasant books for young readers, hG
issued the following, which are for sale
Sanford's :-"THE STORY OF POCKET b
BILE" finely planned well told, and full of goo
suggestions and lessons. The book, which
a reprint of an English work, is UNUSUAL
readable :--"THE OLD RED House." by til
author of Capt RusselPs Watchword," we
written, interesting story, which is sure to b
in demand wherever the previous stories {
this writer have been read :--"THE WAY n
THE Pr" story full Of religious admonition
and inculations, by Harriet b. McKeever :
| and "AnnIe ANsry mr. Ho,v To Mol,o oh.