Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-04-21
[For tho Delaware Iiiquirer.l
Letter from Philadelphia.

Mr.. EDITOR quite buzz mas been kickeo
up in our respectable city by the verdict of the
court against Mr.. John Miller, late Postmaster
here, which compels him to disgorge and re-
turn to the U, s. Government, the handsome
sum of $27, 27033, which Mr.. Alibone, the no.
torious ex-president of the Bank of Pennsylva-
mia, paid the said Miller in consideration of his
services in eifecting sale of the building be-
longing to the said bank to the government for
Post-0flice The sum paid for the bank
building was S250.000, and the North american
in commenting upon the transaction says
"Either the location was proper or an I'M
proper one. If the former, the bank should not
have been called upon TO pay him (Alr. Miller)
for doing what 1t was his sworn duty to do, in
virtue of his official position. If 1t was an i'm
proper location, he accepted bride for recon-
mending the government to do a thing injurious
to the public interests. There is no escaping
this alternative The sum refunded will be
placed at the disposal of the poor note-hold-
ers of the bank who were swindled by its ex-
plosion. We need a few more such exposures
as this to put stop to the corruption which is
affecting so many of our governmental trans
actions, and which is demoralizing our politics
and reducing the public business to a mere
reckless and shameless hunt after plumber.
The period allowed for granting liquor Ii
censes has expired. During its progress very
nearly three thousand licenses for the retail
ing of malt, spirituous and other liquors, were
issued from the office of the Clerk of the Court
of Quarter Sessions, each license representing
an inn, hotel, or tavern. Applications were
made BY several parties for the necessary pa
pers on the ground that they would have use
for them in time TO come, calculating at some
future period to erect or inaugurate establish
ments for the benefit OF the inner man, and the
moral improvement of the community. These
cases being denominated "hard,n created con-
siderable merriment The law as now in force
will prevent much of the unlawful sale of in
toxicating drinks that has heretofore been a
disgrace to the constituted powers of the me-
tropolis
A dramatic version of the celebrated story,
1.-THE Romance of Poor Young Man." is hav-
ing run at the Arch Street Theatre, and Mrs.
Southworths 1Hidden Hand" dramatized, is
adrawing'' at the Walnut. Churchs magnif-
cent painting, "The Heart of the Andes" is
gone, and the Opera House is closed.
The April number of The Historical Maguztne,
published by Mr.. G. B. Richardson, New York,
contains its usual variety of articles interesting
to the antiquarian and historian. A graphic
diary of the Revolution, Newport in the hands
of the British, is one of the features and pa
pers are given on the Trials of Early German
Emigrants, Vespucius and his First Voyage,
ETC.; with. reports of the proceedings Of the va
rious Historical Societies throughout the coun-
| try, historical notes and queries, ETC. This is
the only periodical now published exclusively
devoted to matters of historical moment.
Two late numbers of The American Publishers
Circular those for March oath and 3lst, con-
tain the important feature of a complete list OF
| Booksellers in the Southern and Western States
arranged with especial reference to the conve-
nience of "the trade" Mr.. Charles R. Rode
N. Y, issues this important journal weekly, al
the low price of one dollar per annum, and as
it addresses itself to all literary men, librarians
and others interested in books, and ms it is the
only publication in the country exclusively de-
voted to the spread of items pertaining to the
book interest and literary intelligence gener-
ally, we command it to all interested with the
assurance that they will not regret the pittance
| invested.
| A fine novel-characterize on the title page
as Love Storyh-has just been published
by Messrs. Rudd & Carleton, New York Paul
Siegvolk, a graceful writer Of newspaper triiles
| is the author; and Walter Ash,pood is the name
of the novel. After single hasty perusal we
are hardly prepared to speak Of its merits or
dement's, but the first sight ofthe book prepos-
sessed us in its favor The beautiful dress in
| which the publishers have sent it out is ac-
countable for this. 1t is rarely indeed that a
novel is printed so exquisitely, on such smooth,
snowy, satin-surfaced paper, colored in the most
| delicate hue of the rose. The inference ia nat
ural that where such care and expense are law
ished on the setting of a gem the jewel is not
altogether worthless. Accepting the premise
we are bound to say that our first reading OF
'sWalterp was entirely satisfactory. We found
| il stirring in plot, abundant in incident, and
tlau rtI, nwA Erat "a,
novel.
The second volume complete in itself, of the
| admirable new series of stories by the far-fa-
med author Of the Rollo Books, has Just been
published by Messrs. Sheldon Co., New York.
This series is entitled "The Florence Stories,' 2
and the new volume is named Grimk7e. The
great popularity of Mr.. Jacob Abbott as wri-
ter Of books for youth, is confined to no portion
Of the country or to any country The Rollo
Books have counted their sale by hundreds of
thousands, and the Florence Stories will be
equally successful.
Messrs Ticknor l. Fields, of Boston, who
never publish dull book, have just published
one which cannot fail to attract attention, and
be read with delight by all who feel an interest
or sympathy in the fate of Rome. 1t is a tale
of the Eternal City during the ever memorable
struggle of 1889 it is issued in a superior
style, even for the ensuing firm under whose
auspices it is given to American readers Mad
eRioseLe Mori is its name, and it is published by
express arrangement with the author In Eng
land, as all of the reprints of Messrs Ticknor &
Fields are published. The generous words
authors Edition. at the opening of the book,
are no novelty in the issues Of tlifs firm, and
stand as an ever recurring rebuke to the Har-
pies who pounce upon every new thing abroad,
in wilful disregard Of the instincts of right and
courtesy, simply because there is no law to
protect the wronged. The honorable course of
our Boston firm is already bringing its own res
ward, and their name stands first among the
publishers of America. This new story comes
with the warrant Of the highest English en-
dorsement. The heroine is young cdntrdcice,
Irene Mort, whose character is beautifully
drawn and every page Of the hook is eloquent
with an honest Englishmans aympathy with
Italian independence
The publishers issue Part V of their new se-
riel, Ton BroWaM Ortord, sequelto the School
Days at Rugby" This is another of the works
which Ticknor 4 Fields publish under the funny
arrangement which allows a remuneration to
the author. They are compelled to issue II In
shilling parts to forestall one of the piratcal
houses before alluded to. II.
RnMANcp nP Pom YorNn NAV coY,o ,,o..,