New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


HISTORY OF THE PEACE; BEING H,sroT5 . oy Eve
2 vols svo Boson: Walker Wise Co.
Miss MartiDeau is remarkable for the hrm ana
healthy grasp with which she seizes the PROMINENT
points of history and politics. Hermnd lsof a ST.
gularly practical character With little love for the
discussion Of abstract principles and With sufficient
play Of the Imagination TO relieve her Writings from
the burden of dulness and mechanical routine. She
excels in cearness OF statement and often produces
passages Of vivid and picturesque description. Her
love ofnaure stands her in good stead IN the recital
Of outward events imparting racy freshness TO her
narrative, and supplying her with apt and copiouS
illustrations. IN the analysis of public debates, shc
is almost invariably effective, and possesses III
large degree the ability essential to good par
Iamentary reporter. Her sketches Of character are
usually terse and discriminating, sometimes OF orii-
Eant ccloring, but not always faithful ana just III
their portraiture. Making due allowance, however,
for the personal bases that may be easily forgiven
10 a woman, she may be accounted an intelligent
and Trustworthy guide, especially in the department
Of political history, to which these volumes arc
mainly devoted. They contain a succnct narrative
of English history from the peace Of 1915 TO the
Russian war in 1854, together with an elaborate in
PRODUCTION presenting view of the State CT Europe
IN the first fifteen years of the century. The work
was originally begun by Mr., Charles Knight, who
proposed TO write the whole of it himself, but 1t
was subsequently transferred to Miss Martineau
who is responsible for it it now stands, excepting
the principal portion Of the First Book. The
present edition contains original and interesting
preface from her pen. Many of the questions dis
cussed in these volumes possess special interest
for the American public at this moment. Beside
the topics which are fully treated relstng to the
extension Of popular suffrage, the emancipation OF
the slaves, the increase Of taxation and of the
national debt, Miss Martineaus account Of the
progress of English literature, science and art, Will
be found singularly attractive to every cultivated
reader. Her work will not fail to receive friendly
welcome among the circles on this side OF the AT
lante who rightly appreciate her abors IN behalf Of
freedom, humanity, and popular enlightenment.
APOLOGIA PRO VITA SUA. BY JOIN HENRY SBwsAN
DID 8vs. PIP 800. ID. Appleton Go.
The theological career of the celebrated founder
Of the so-caed Anglican movement in the Episco-
pal Church, and subsequently, convert to the Ro-
man communion is related at length in rhsremark.
able volume It had its origin in controversy
With the Rev. Charles Kingsley who had published
statements in an English magazine derogatory to
the character of DR.. Newman for literary integrity.
A piquant correspondence ensued between the par
sies, of which the work now issued tmay be con-
sidered the result and completion. The curious
reader will feel lively interest in the successive
changes in DR.. Newman's religious creed from the
stringent Calyinism Of Thomas Scott author Of the
- . o ;cbn ct ne
ecclesiastical authority embodied in the See Of
Rome DR.. Newman writes like an adept H. reli-
gious discussion and dispute,-strongly inclined by
nature to skeptcsl tendencies, he finds relief
from doubt in the discussions of what is TO him an
infalhble Church, with sensitive and lively i'm
agination, he is comparatively indifferent TO facts
in the domain of positive research and absorbed
in the suggestions of his own consciousness takes
little note of the existence of outward phenomena.
His views of nature waver between the scientific
idealism of Berkeley, and fanciful personal sys-
tenn in which be ascrbes the action of light, heat,
and other physical agents, to the immediate minis
try Of angels. His mind is so intensely introspee-
tive that he loses sight of the vast field Of facts
which constitute the object Of scientific inyestga
ton, and limits the vital interests Of nan to the
pursuit of individual salvation. With him, religion
is not only the predominant, but the exclusive
absorbing element. Still he was unable to ettan a
settled, permanent peace of mind throughout his
eager, vehement course of controversy; be knew
no inward 10Y or contentment till he found il in the
shadow Of the Papal throne and since his submis-
son 10 the mother of churches his heart has expe-
rienced no unrest, and his mind no progress. In
this volume he describes the religious operations
which he has passed through, with wonderful frank
ness, often with an almost childlise naiyete; not
pnfrequenty diffuse and even garTulous, be is
never uncandid and seldom dull but be will proba-
bly, interest more readers in his personality than he
will win over to his principles. His book may be
regarded as pregnant commentary on the spirit OF
the age as guide 10 faith conduct it has little
value
THE GENTLE LIFE. Third Edition. l2mo. PIP. 3l2
Walter Low.
The anonymous author Of the essays intended
TO aid in the formation OF character which are here
published under title Of no very peculiar signif-
canoe, claims an intellectual kinship with Lord
Bacon, Montague, Addison, Steele, and Goldsmith
but in reality he belongs rather to the family OF the
illustrious Upper, or Of most is Of one blood with
the popular Country Parson." His favorite
hemes relate chiefly to the externals Of society,
which he treats in a smooth, drowsy, commonplace
manner, with some pretensions TO kind of super
fetal learning, but with little insight into human
nature, and no brilhancy or point. He overaows
with English prejudices, although they are free
from the bitterness which might be impaired by
clear convictions and intensity of tone. His com.
re hon