The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-24
LITERARY REYaENs.

| Horace lrTepIpV
Case & Co., Hartford.
lthas been truly said that Voltaire was the father
Of comprehensive history. Before the appear.
anco Of the "Iifc and Times Of Louis XIV" thi,
most important department OF letters was nothing
more than a chronicle Of events and dry detail
Of facts. To the greatest writer OF France there
fore, belongs the credit of viViryipg this mani
mate mass, and of giving soul to the dead.
worthless body. To accomplish this great end
he selected some central principle, to which all
nations would conform, and from this 8tSnd-p point
reviewed the deeds OF all the natonslities of Eu-
rope. HIS nucleus was the tendency OF man to
advance in civilization.
Mr.. Greeley has adopted the same grand plan.
| He has selected n standard by which he can un-
! derstandingly judge of American history, by
| which he can compare the advancement Of one
| state With that of another. This great STANDARD
| 'Sttcedom. Noltsire made all things conform TO
| CIVILIZATION; Greeley, living in more civilized
| age, makes all conform TO freedom.
| Taking liberty as his sun, be sees each of the
| stars OF the American Union revolving like satel-
| litcs around this burning centre. Those wihin
| the immediate influence Of its light become
| brighter and brighter, while those beyond its
| power reccdc further and further from It's benign
| influence until they are again reduced to system
by the force OF gravitation of that dark planet
SiGrety. From slavery thC,e is but one step 20
rebellion, and rebellion brings itS atendaut-war.
| Mr.. Greeley has, by careful attention to his
| central principle, been able to lay before the
American public most systematic and clear his
tory OF the causes Of the war. The whole work.
ing of the institution of slavery is laid out as in
chart before the eye of the reader. From the
| landing OF the sixty slaves in Virginia, in tue
carly part Of the seventeenth century, the ball
| has gradually rolled on until it became u noun
tain, and hurled itself with rightfu force against
our Government. From that time TO this we
| say, the whole system is mapped out before the
readers mind.
The history of America previous to tho War Of
| independence is ably given in series of intel
lectutl essays, as interesting ana brilliant as
| those published in the Worth american Repje,o
The style of the whole work is faultlesS and the
arrangement OF the sub divisions admirable. Ii,
! indeed, the author is inclined TO he proliX In
| certain events of history, we must impute 1t
| rather to the eiluson Of mind convinced Of the
| importance Of his subject than to a careless
wandering into Diet il. In fact, the "Condict" is
J the crowuing work of one whom even his eue-
| mics acknowledge to be an able man.
I THE CRursE or THE ALABAMA AND SUMTER.
Carleton, New York.
! The interest taken by the American people in
! the course of the pirate steamer alabama has
rendered work like the one before us necessary,
in order that the popular curiosity should be
! gratiGcd.
Nj. Carleton has shown his usual discretion
! and enterprise in rcpubIishing at once the Eng
! lish edition, and thus making it accessible Co
! every one who feels an interest in the deprcda-
I tions Of those corsairs, who have achieved AS
much iniamy and nooricty rs that attained by
/ thor mOdels-the pirates of lripOG.
The work lals no claim to originality and IL
! only u compilation from the Journals Of the
CtlCtTs of the vessel herself, IL gives full his
! tory of all her cruises and closes with a graphic
though er pd1te account Of her last great struggle
with tie EeaTsdrgC The work is written in full
sympathy With the South, and the feelings of the
| loyal reade. are constantly narrowed by praises
bestowed upon pirates and traitors. The work
bears SiGns OF evident hlste in preparation, anu
the crudenc5s Of the styl can hardly be pardoned
| in work intended 10 rank as a history and be
| Iead by postelity.
| HARpER's HAND Book Pon TRAyrLHns IN
/ EUNOPz AND I'M EAsT. BY W. p. Feuidle.
! NaTpCr & Brothers.
| In the year 1862 Messrs, Harper & Brothers
! commenced the publication Of an annual Hand
( Book for the use OF travellers through Europe and
the East. The first two works have aheaiy been
! ably reviewed, and it is Our duty not only 70
| retente the deserved praise bestowed upon them,
I but also ada much more in favor of the present
/ volume.
/ The work il not su.h as viii attain general
! circulation. IL was written with no such int5n-
ton; but as q guide 70 those OF our countrymen
who intend to 90 abroad. it will be found inYalua-
! be. The increase in the safety and cJny1 nicnce
! OF the MODE Of travel has induced au inmensc
/
/ lands; aHd 10 each and all Of such we most SIN
I cerey Iecommcnd tho work before US. L. Is Just
! such BOOK as they want 10 take with them az l
/ guide, guardian, aud companion.
| Bu, the work is not Oulf valuable 90 those who
actually cross the b!Cat deep, 70 personally in
| speet the wonder, OF thc old world the citizen
whom the great rate OF ieNcbaDge compels % renaia
~ home, can read 40 hls rG'de, OF Paris and Lon
/ don, of tho Pyramids aud tie Nile aud. without
rising from his easy chair, can derive in \ lesser
degree, the information cud pleasure procured by
I the actual tourist,
| TIM YANKFR CoHscK.P.. BY @. A. Fisher
Iaughaday, Philadelphia.
This is one OF the many works of ldHgou5
growth which have sprung up undeF the covor OF
the popular interest in ths war. The facts are
all deriyedirom the local events of the Rebellion;
and 1t will, we suppose, derive temporary popu-
larity theIeitom. The production Is too per
sonal ia Us nature, being rather the life Of G.. a.
Fisher than tale calculated To interest the pub.
lie. Though superior 10 many of its kind, Il is
yet only up 10 the standard Of nediOcriGy. II is
egotislcal, and as Z wHOie is only valuable as
another proof Of the dcD4siag influences OF
slavery.
HAMMOND on YESBREAL DISEASES, ]. b. Lip
pncott Philadelphia.
We have received from the publishers a copy
Of this valuable medical work. which, though
only cut few weeks, has achieved a high repu-
tauon, and taken its place among the standard
works OF the day. This is the second production
OF the brain of the late Surgeon General; aud
whatever may be the difference of opinion as 10
hls personal character, all will unite ia acknOW-
ledging his literary and professional ability. The
work is written in the form of a series of lectures
and the almost conversational style adopted
renders the study OF the work particularly sim
pie. We predict for It permanent reputation
and large immediate sale.
GAscoYER, THE SANDAL-wooD TRADER. By
r. M Ballantyne. Roberts Bros.
The author of this work has already achieved
q reputation second to none as a writer of ex-
citing books for boys, and his present work will
not detract trom his fame. II is full Of thrilling
interest, and for variety OF scenery and Character
is not TO be surpassed by any sensation work that
has come under our notice.
g. w. PITCHER has our thanks for the above
work, and also for valuable little book ON the