Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-21
BOOK NOTICES,
[FRoM CUsHINGs & BAILEY.

WAR OF THE nEbELLlON; or, Scyila and Charybdis
CONSISTING oil Observations upon Causes, Course
and consequences of the late Civil War in the
United States By II; s. Foote. limo. cloth $3.50.
New York: Harper Brothers.
Mr.. Foote has contributed to the history of the
times awork well worthy of general perusal. Few
men have possessed better opportunities of knowing
the motives which prompted the Rebellion, or are
better informed as to the manner in which the Gov
eminent at Richmond was conducted during the war
Just closed. The style of the volume on our table
evinces scholarship and good TASTE while the state
ment OF facts and the deductions therefrom sug
gesiVe, disclosing, as they do, the shameless concep
lions of the Confederate Government and the mode
in which the masses were duped by their unscrupu-
lous leaders The Erlanger Loan, the atrocities of
Hindman and Bragg, and the fraud and imposition
prachced upon Seldom, display Davis and his Cabi-
net IN no very envable aspect, and indicate that the
Southern people lave cause for congratulation at the
escape vouchsafed to them by our arms-an escape
from the despotic and depraved dynasty which ruled
at Richmond, slowly but steadily bending the South
to its certain ruin.
LETTERS OF LIFE. By Mrs. L. II. SigOurney:pn 414
New York. d. Appleton q Co. 1866
This is an autobiography of gifted lady, who has
been more than once styled the "Hemans of America"
Mrs. Slgourney had not, perhaps the highest order
OF genius, but so much sterling worth was blended
with her mental qualities as to render her an object
of great public regard, and even admiration The
present volume develops the pure and gentle life
she led from her birth at Norwich in 179l until her
lamented death, June 10th, 1865 FiliaI affection
takes up the links where she left Them and lays the
last garland upon her quiet grave.
The ORIGIN OF THE LATE WAR-Traced from the
beginning Of the Constitution to the Revolt of the
Southern States. By George Lunt; PIP. 4S5 New
fork-D. Appleton and Company, 1866.
This is a suggestive, well written work by a sbrevd
politician and an author of some celebrity The OBJ
ject is to trace the interior course of the long con-
troYerSy.' lie does not regard negro slavery as the
cause, but the occasion of the Southern revolt the
real question being one of political power between
the sections. The hope of Office" and the desire
of public plumber on the part of men who were
neither phanthropists nor fanatics" are cited as
the real causes Of the war Mr.. Lunt's book evnces
much labor and research, and is written in n candid,
fair spirit.
JAMES LEwIs PETTICRU. A Biographical Sketch
by W. ). Grayson. PIP. 11S. New York: Harper
" Brothers, 1866.
This is the tribute OF one illustrious man to the
memory of an other. 1t is made up of detached pa
pers, being part of the literary effects of W. j.
Grayson, distinguished citizen of South Carolina
Peculiar interest attaches to the SKETCH since it was
the last work of the author prepared in his old age
and the glowing memorial of long and unwavering
friendship. Judge Pettigru is we'll known to the
country not only man of letters and an eminent
juriSt, but of the immortal few who remained
sion which swept over the South. 1t is little re-
markable that although his love of the Union, and
disapprobatiOn of the rebellion, outspoken to
the last, he failed to retain the respect aec
ton and generation Of his countrymen. The me-
mory of such man will grow green for centuries to
come.
NOBLE LIFE. By the author of John Halifax, &C.,
&c. New Y ork; Harper IL Brothers. 1866.
The object of this volume is good one and well
expressed. 1t illustrates the truth that the most
IRENE of lifes Affections not of sources of
unhappineSs, but, on the contrary, regarded from
genuine Christian stand point, blessings in disguise.
There is nonsense in this excellent little book
stirring romance, no exciting love-passages, but
it is simple unvarnished tale, full of interest and
sound moral teaching. Miss Muloch deserves the
grateful acknowledgements of old and young for this
admirable addition to healthy domestic literature.
[FRoM J. 5. wATERsl
PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION, drawn from Nature and
Revelation, and applied to Female Education in
the upper classes. By the Author of Amy Her
bert, &c- &c.. &c. Two volumes in one. PIP. 476.
D. Appleton & Co. 1865.
This is the work of an English lady, already ia
vorably known to the religious world. We have
read the book with much interest, and cordially
commend it to our readers a thoughtful and in
sructive treatise upon subject of Importance.
The defects of female education as generally prac-
tised, clearly portrayed and the true principles
much judgment and force. Everything is subord-
mated to Christian morality, without which edu-
cation can never subserve its genuine purposes and
aims.
AGNES, A Novel. By Mrs. Oliphant. New York.
Harper Il Brothers, 1866.
story deficient in plot, but well written, and at
tractive to readers Of romance. Its moral tone an
exception the class Of literature to which it belongs
[FRoM H. TAYLOR col
The QUEEN's REyENGF. By Wilkie Collins, Phila-
dstHlBAia 7. B. Peterson II Brothers SO6 Chest"nt
We see nothing special in this book to commend
If Wilkie Collins be the author, have only to ad
wise him to look well to his reputation. His present
effort is below par among the shabby genteeI" works
of the day.
FROM JAMES SHEEHy.
CHAMBERS ENCYCLOPEDIA; Dictionary CT useful
knowledge for the people. Nos. l0O lOl; J. B. Lip
pincOtt, Philadelphia.
This popular work is re-published in numbers at
.h price Of twenty cents a number. and contains
Iarno ONO mt of useful information upon all
subjects admirably ."ssu' II sHouiu DC extern
sively patronized.