The New York herald., 1862-01-05
NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.


Edward Simpson, United States Nevy. Van
Nostrand.
The necessity of this volume was demonstrated its
author BY his experience gunnery at the
Naval Academy When he entered upon his duties there
he could find single work that covered the ground
necessary for an elementary course in this branch.
Although the text books existence good in their
way they all bore upon some speciality, and no one
volume sufficiently comprehensive to supply tho de-
sdeata suggested by Lieutenant Simpsons notions of
what required by the vast improvements that have
been introduced in ordnance within the last few years
He accordingly compiled from each what valuable,
and added to the collected the results Of his
observations and experience 1t is scarcely
sary for US to say that work thus prepared by
writer so practically with all the subjects of
which he treats, and who has such reputation
for scientific ability, cannot fail to take at
once high place amongst the text books Of
naval service. 1t has been approved by the
Secretary OF the Navy and will honceforh bo Of the
standard authorities all matters connected with naval
gunnery The volume profnsely illustrated, and is in
all other respects well got out.
The ARMIES OF EUROPE. BY Geo. b. Mcclellan,
Major General United States Army. J. b. Lip
pincott.
This is rcprin. in handsomely illustrated volume Of
the record Of tho observations Of General Mcclellan
military commissioner from the United States govern
Europe 1856 The report appeared original
y as government document in quarto form, and COM
| manded large price. Tho Mcssrs. Lppincott have
therefore wisely decided to give to the public In more
convenient and accessible shave which they have done
in volume that in typographical excellence and amp
tude Of illustration nothing DO regretted in the
scarcity Of the original report.
HICKORY HALL OR, The OUTcAsr. A Romance of
the Blue Ridge. BY Mrs. Emma D. E. N. South
worth. P. b. Peterson Brothers. f. A. Bra
dy, Ann street.
This work of Mrs. Souhworth though not of her
BEST still marked by all that richness OF fancy and keen
observation Of character that distinguish her other writ
ngs. Tho tale exceedingly interesting one and will
| help to while away leisure hour agreeably
| ALMOST HEROINE. A Romance. e. D. Long
& Co.
This is evidently the work Of woman, but it is
the less readable that account The dialogue is
rail- and the plot interesting but although afordng
siderable amusement it has pretensons to tho high
form of which occasionally meet with In works
| Of its class.
FoR BETTER, FOR WORSE. A Love Story. T. B.
| Peterson Brothers, Philadelphia.
This is u reprint of the tale originally published in
'Tempe Barr 1t rather feeble in construction but il
well written and has that will render accept
| able to most readers.
| THE NATIONAL QUARTERLY REVIEW for December.
| New York. Vol. w., No7
The current number OF this able review fully sustans
the reputation it has during the last two years Il
is highly credable to New York and would suffer In
comparison with any of the English reviews for learning
and intellectual ability while in its manner il is more
sprghty and contains greater variety than the ponder
GUS periodicals at the other side Of the Atlantic.
The opening paper is article the Grecian poet
Homer familiar to the schooboy days Of classical
scholars. sThe greatest mind says the reviewer that
ever mortal had was, beyond all dispute. that Of Homer
For twenty eight hundred years-most probably
three thousand-his works have continued to asonish
and delight the human No great poet has appeared
in any part the world whether in the East in the
West in Italy or Persia France India, In England
or China who has not directly indirectly, drawn in
spration from tho ncxhaustble Homerc fountain" :"
This is praise but 1t is for the most part jas
We think however, that 1t is mu ch say s'Thc
greatest mind that mortal had was, beyond all dis
pute tha. Of Homer" Tho great Greek only poet
do not hold excellence in poetry be evidence Of
| tho worry hghost class Of mind. Probably Bacon
| and Napoleon had greater intellects than Homer.
| Even poet 1t may be doubted whether
| Homer is the greatest Of these we know, to say
nothing Of poetic minds whose have
reached Homer is not necessarily the greatest be-
he Is rst and because other poets have inseasby
Tor by design initiated of his finest passages. Take
away from CT tho best poets OF ancient modern
times all that they borrowed from the " Homeric
Some have merely taken his historical the
daton of their poems and in that respect they arc no
more Indebted to him than they would be to any other
historian The materials OF the effective in
Byron's works takcn with only Sigh, alteration from
prose compositions OF the whose poetry hes
come down US think Hcmcr does stand tho head,
take him all in ALL though in points, perhaps h.
los been exceled by schyus Sophoclcs, Eurpidcs Pin
and the author OF the "4Enel,' who bears about
\
cero to Demoshcaes oratory. Over tho modcrns with
orc or two exceptions Homer stands head and sLou
ders, like King Saul among his brethren. Dante AMI M
ton might perhaps dispute the palm with him. Indeed
competent critics ono of them among the best transla
tors Of the ad, and both moen poets, have placed
Milton In q higher rank ihnn Homer any other poct.
We refer Dryden and Cowrer who have both embodied
! their opinions in Immortal verse" In Judgment
| however, shnkspere is at the head OF them all. He
had the universal mind and the most profound 1t
curious coincidence about these two great poets that
some of tho abIcst modern critics hold that tho writings
| respectively ascribed to them are not theirs, ba
collections from msny poets, and that Homer Is
| myth and the "bard OF Avon" compiler. We do not
endorse these opinions. Tho article the National Quar-
sriy extremely interesting and will be read with plea
| sure and profit by a.. genuine lovers Of poetry.
The fallacies Of "Bucklos History Of Civilization are
ably exposed in article Of deep research and keen
analysis Among the other papers arc Burial Customs
"Modern Italian Literature, "Necessity for Gencra,
bankrupt Law" "Russia the Way to Inda, ,'"Count
Cavour "Tho Morals Of Trade, and Bereey: his Life
and writngs the last named article dcriv ing than
ordinary interest from the present times and the pro-
phctic poem of the ilusrious IIshinan in which he
| sang Of America
Westward tho course Of empire takes its way
| The four first acs already past;
| A 9TH shall close the drama with the day:
| Times nobest spring IL The last
To Berkeley is the world indebted for tho true theory
Of human vision well the explosion CT philosophical
fallaces supported by great names.
| NEW MUSIC.
Mr.. j. N Pattison has composed 7e Drum for quar-
tco and chorus Of sixteen voiccs, which has elected
favorable opinions from musical critics. Tho Grst
nd nj nncn n nerif of hn u.nr