New-York daily tribune., 1866-01-11


places Of the old familiar masters. Not few per-
sons, we fancy into whose hands this volume may
fall will prefer its contents to the standard stereo
typed collections Of English poetry.
| I2no. pp 2ss. London: Chapman Hall New'i0fh
Robert II. johnson L Co.
The fragrance of the subject has impaired itself
to the composition Of this dainty volume. Ills
printed in the tasteful and elegant style of tho most
finished London Typography the paper i'smooth and
soft as velvet the binding is model OF beauty II
is richly illustrated with appropriate pictorial en-
bcl.hments, and the sweetest odors emanate from
its pages, which might be mistaken for leaves OF
lavender and roses The author is celebrated
manufacturer of perfumes in London, who was led
to the study of the subject by the preparation OF
paper on the "History ard Commercial Develop
ment Of the Art of Perfumery," which was read
four or five years since before the "Socety Of Arts
More recently, he was called upon as one of the
Jury at the Great Exhibition to draw up the official
report OF the department Of perfumery. He was
thus induced to engage in an extensive course Of
research, which combined with his experience as a
practical perfumer and his rambles In foreign lands,
gave him an ample store of materials for the CON-
pilation of an interesting volume. His work, which
ia entirely free from the recommendation of his own
wares contains great deal Of really curious inior-
nation, possessing not little HISTORICAL,
antiquarian, scientific, and social interest, I'M
parted in an unOstentatious and pleasing style.
After deyoting a few pages to the physiology OF
odors in general it traces the history OF perfumes
and cosmetics from the earliest times to the present.
afiording many agreeable Illustrations of the domes-
tic habits and manners of the Egyptians, Jews, the
ancient Asiatic nations, the Greeks, Romans, and
Orientals, and of various uncivilized and savage
tribes. A brief description is given OF the preya-
lent modes in use for extracting the aromas Of
plants and flowers, with a summary Of the principal
odorifereus materials employed IN the manufacture
of perfumes. The seat of this branch Of industry,
we are informed, is chiefly in the South of France
Italy, Turkey, Span Algeria, India, and wherever
the climate gives to flowers and plants the intensity
of Odor required for profitable extraction. Inc
South Of France furnishes the most abundant sup
ply Of fragrant flowers, as the rose, jasmine, and
orange. Italy produces essences OF bergamot,
emon orange and others Of the citrine family, the
consumption Of which is very great. Turkey sup
plies the famous otto Of roses which enters into the
composition Of many scents. From India We re-
ceive cassia, cloves, sandal-wood, patchouly, and
several essential oils and from China musk, which
is skilfully blended with other perfumes to give
them strength and piquancy. Next TO Hungary
water, which is said 10 have been invented IN the
fourteenth century, the most ancient fragrant COM
pound now in is eau-dc-Colognc, which was
first prepared in the last century by an apothecary
Of that city. All the ingredients which compose
IL como from the South OF France and Italy. It's
perfume is derived principally from the flowers,
leaves and rind Of the fruit of the bitter orange,
and other trees Of the citron species, which blend
well together and form a harmonious compost
ton. The only products Of the United
States mentioned by the author as used in the
manufacture Of perfumery are peppermint, sassa-
fras and wntorgrcen. Mr. Rimmel confines him
self TO the description Of tho natural productions of
the vegetable and animal Kingdoms which are
used in perfumes, with only all incidental allusion
TO the modern chemical discoveries by which the
most noisome substances are converted into sources
Of the sweetest odors. The ietid and poisonous
fnsel oil by different methods of treatment pro-
duccs the most delicate scents Of various flowers
and fruits the oils Of gas tar yield the oil Of bitter
almonds, which is extensively used for perfuming
soap; and even tho drainage Of cow.houses fur
nishes of the principal ingredients in the most
exquisite perfumes Of ladys toilet. With the
omission OF these singular secrets Of chemical art,
Mr.. Rimmels book may be taken as an almost ex-
haustiyc authority on the subject to which it is
devoted IL its attractive external ornamentation,
as well as in tho character of its contents, il pre-
sents a valid claim TO the remarkable favor with
which it has been received in England. We shall
doubtless see its decorated pages in the drawing
rooms and boudors of our countrywomen,
where its many graces will find cordial apprecia-
ton.
PATRIOT BOYS AND PRISON PICTURES. BY Ep.
T nusp KRKr. 2mo. pp. JOc. Boston; 1icknor Fields
In this volume, Mr.. Edmund kirke has applied
his well-known gifts Of narrative and illustration
TO the composition Of series Of stories adapted to
the capacity and tastes Of intelligent American
boys. They are founded on scenes and events re-
lating to the recent war for tho Union, and are
mostly transcripts from actual life, although en-
bcll.shcd by the fertile imagination Of the author.
They are destined to an unbounded popularity with