The New York herald., 1864-12-12
Literary Intelligence.


Charles Francis Halls Arctic Researches - epfeoYy
illustrated. bsve just been published by the Harpers
Those who have read Dr. Kanes Interesting narrative
will Hnd necessary TO read Mr.. Hairs valuable work.
Tho nrst volume OF History OF the World" by SAr.
Philip Smith-an English writer who has contributed
largely to Dr. Smiths "DctionsTy OF Greek and Romas
just been republished here by Appleton
The plan OF the work better
words OF the preface Avoiding the dsjointed system
pursued In the treatment or all previous histories of the
kind, 1t attempts to trace the story Of Divine
rrovidepce aod human progress in connected
tive, preserving that organic unity which is the CHIEF
aim OF Its author The 6rst volume brings from the
creation OF the world to the accession OF Philip Of Mace
don, and Mr. SIN h exhibits spirit OF close analytical
investigation in the In which he separates the
fabulous from the probable 10 the accounts OF tho esry
jewish Greek and Roman writer's In othT respects tbi
book Is equally deserving Of comnendaiion. Although
the style is somewhat ponderous bears evidences Of
that care and attention to accuracy 10 authorities
which should Distinguish work Of much importance
A new illustrated edition OF s'Webster's Unabridged
Dictionary has Just msdo liz appearance ron the press
OF g. G. Merriaro, Springfield, Mass. The additions and
improvements made on the pictorial edition OF 1882 ara
Of very important character. 10 the first place tbA
whole chronological portion oFthe work has been revised
and extended by DR.. Mahu, Of Berlin, most dis.
tnguished schois~ Secondly there boon added to
history Of language by Professor HadIey, ot
Yale College. wbe Qualifications for the task will bs
generally admitted In Inc ''vocsbusryr additions
have been made which bring up the number Of words
from The seventy eighty thousand. Of which IL
originally consisted, to hundred and fourteen thou
sand, being ten thousand than to be found ID
any other dictionary In the language In "Defnitons
"Orthography" and "Pronunciation' similar improve
ments have been made by the best qualified schosrs
both hemspheres. As monument Of arduous literary
labor scholarly investigation and satisfactory results
this improved edition Of Webster may bo said to have
equal among dictionaries.
That octogcuarian dandy, the Hon. Grantey Berkeley.
whose sporting visit to tho Western statos fsw years
ago brought him Into notice 10 this country has just
published which gives curious insight
into the habits and associations OF the British aristo
cracy In ito earliest pages he does not scrupc TO iss
his readers know that his mother was petty trades
mans shter and that she his fathers MISTRESS
nj or the OF Miss Tudor. From his description OF
her IL would appear that she was vulgar and uneeliug
ard that his father, by his brutality, worthy OF
matching with her. Tho facts related in connection with
his duel with Dr.. Magma exhibit still shame
less light the character Of the writer He doss his Ut
most TO show that Magon was coward, and
that Mr.. ~Fraser had instigated him 70 shoot
his opponent under threat OF arrest for debt he failed
Magnn had handled pistol 10 his life. "Had ws
fought with my copper John Manton's PISTOLS that
oQv0rB0ry'9
coat" Among the directions agreed to, nnd .sYou
TO hold your pendent by your sdes and TO take
no aim" Two pages after Mr.. Berkeley says, az
awaited bis discharge and delivered mine Immediately.
after taking hasty aim at his egp' Comment this
would be superQuoas
the title Of Explorations In Southwest Afrca
Mr.. Baincs tho artist TO the Zambes expedition under
Dr. Livingstone published Of the journey
which he made in the years 1861 and 1852 from wavsch
has N Ysl.
toria Falls The book though fun OF interesting facts,
reads rather ediousiy owing TO the task Of editing m
having been performed by the authors father who with
tenderness for his sons abors than for bis literary
reputation has preserved all the commonplace incidents
aud trivialites OF his jou. nal.
From his description OF the yictoris Falls-one Of the
sraudest sights in all Africa rivaiing, not exceeding,
that Of Niagara in extract the following
specimen Of Mr. Baines style when warmed into
thusiasm:-
hundred yards east, commenced tho hrst grand
vista OF the fan, comprising In ono view near fah
from The three r Gin To- the WESTERN side Of Gsrds1
Island The cn was here Of its original height and the
sase being S Ss owDs o. ns S
less Beside this, from the absence OF any material
slope ks that IN the channel OF snc lsaping water sne
jesticay onward Shadows aud edges OF rock caused
rapids aud miniature c.scsdes, & bu. these oniy pars
tho cantle OF ts COURSE the mighty change took place.
wherever an equality o. the rock n formed hollow @ e
or less outward In direct proportion TO is strength
o4 &. 1 fs few q quickly %
Masses from which the lighter PARTICLES detached In
ne D h s1s
transformed into broken sfuw white, fcocy stream,
Out mt mos s
the staubbach in the Alps than anything else.
Now stand and look through ths dim and misty psspso
How shall words ideas which tns pencil Of Turner
must fail TO represent sun and formal columns q smoke
there nonethe eastern breeze has blended oil 10
Think nothing OF the crzzlns MIST but tell me heart
Of conceived anything moro gorgeous than those
from looking on them scsments Of which rising
abyss deep the solar rays can penetrats M ovsrArch
spray rock and forest, I'LL rising TO the highest point
they fail 10 fnd reactug moisture 10 complete tho arch.
Nadar, tho amateur pronans, whose balooa expert
ments and failures have furnished such prolific theme
TO The Paris wis., has come out with volume under the
title Of Asmoirss du Gcant, which for garruitys
egregious vanity and unrsssrved auknes beats every
thing Of the kind that has been put into print It's all
the more amusing from tho fact that Nadar having
followed in turns the pursuits Of caricasurst, comic
journalist and photographer, has acquired certan
humorous and artistic way Of viewing things which I'm
part indcscrbabe piquancy to the book The follow
ing will serve specimen
-Four days before the ascent he writes went 70 th:
pvcecture OF the Police 70 the head Of the Muncpa
good Will "in putting the champ dS Mars :. my ser.
pom has been put my hands u the first quality
long range precision, nothing wanting 10 hit my mark
with. this good tool 10 the very Que which
would best for TO blow out my brains II you
do not insure me safe enjoyment OF lite possesson.
You know what populace OF Paris on certain days;
and have need 10 recall 10 you from che history OF
arosaon precedcus such Molan aud Jsnnet Dcehon,
dc Lelnox, &c The masses are hostile to novelties;
balloons like railways, have remained to bc st new
thing and q peculiar excitement. There are always
people bridge 10 throw beams aud stones ON
the rail- before the train passes thore are always
mscrcants who can but hair devour their desire to
~ 10 Ahare mi
all, always hands greedy with the necessity Of being
first nj the wreck II had noi ten tmos Tor oncS rsc
certainty OF being well covered by 700, -" Tne
head Of the municipal police reassured me promising 70
grant all the necsssarythe service ot hs men
10 combine with that of the troop opllgnRV paceu NJ
my disposal by Marshal Magnan. To resssurs me s,lu
more he advised mo 10 pay visit 20 the Preteet OF the