New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-03
ROCKS OF THE WEEK.

undetled.
BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
A collected edition of Sir John Herschels "Familiar
Lectures on Scientific Subjects" is published by A. Stra
ham, containing series Of popular essays on several inn
portaut topics of natural philosophy Among the subjects
of general interest which are treated in this volume are
"Volcanocs and Earthquakes" 1.-The Sum-" Comets"
"Tho Weather and Weather Prophets Light, Inc
Yard, the Pendulum, and the Metre, -" Atoms, Inc
Origin Of Force AID Others One Of the most striking
papers the volume Is that devoted 10 The consideration
OF the SUM- for which the author prepares MS audience by
refnarkng that "what going TO say about the sun
will consist Of series Of statements so enormous ID an
their proportions that dae say before have done some
of my hearers will almost think mad or intending 70
palm them string OF rh)domonigdes Ike some OF the
mythical stories OF the Hndus" St.i the most cxtraYa
CANT Of such statements not only literally lr bnt are
thrown into the shade by the sui yastcr revelations OF
modern science respecting the scale q The Visible universe
Sir John Herschc dcyoes several pages OF THIS work oa
discussion az TIE french MctIical SYSTEM and warmly OPP
poses rs Introduction IN place Of the prtent system OF
weights and measures IN Great Bn'an and lAA county
His arguments on this point, mainly founded on Tie IN
accuracy Of the French metre The ten mlonth part of
quadrant of the meridian as standard have great force
Tho whole volume D. q the mot valuable cOnri-
buttons o. popular science 90 the English language lie
lucdity and grace Of rs style, the apin1s as wei a. the
anUence Of rs Illustrations ana zoe sou WIN Ech COM
plicaicd points brought within ihe neo OF general
comprehension render H. pcruWl o. fascinating evea 10
the general reader as IL Is instructive
Among tho recent American editions Of popular English
novels, We notice Mrs. Ophants "MargaTet Maitland,
published by w. l. Pocley, "FcliH Holt, the Radical
by Harper & Drothcrr sheridan lie Fsnu, " All IN ne
DIRK bJ the same pubshefs; ANA hllcinat, or the
Tines and Days Of Charlie the Second BY d. fc'eiSon
q Biothers.
volume If essayf entitled "Supcr'iiiion opd Force
bv Henry G. Lea an eminent r~iiiA-. {" Fhiildepma,
- ia issued b. the author They tr,at Of The
Wager OF Law "Tho Wager OF Battle, 1.-THE Ordeal
and "Torurc" illustrating certain arccis Of civilization,
which although happily now belonging olly 10 the past,
are without interest FOR the student OF history and OF
human nature. Tho volume show proofs Of extensive re-
Search careful preparation nnd degree II historical upti
tudc, highly crcdt4blc 90 the author.
From A. S. Barnes & Co. we have an Elementary
French Grummaf," a Tie Fcnh lmsurc, forming
part Of The "Coun TL6.aqgo ct Pm.quo de Laugue
FRANCHISE" Ly ". Pd.cyin and adopted by the Council
q Public distraction in France; and new edition Of
Principle Of llncaT AID Perspective Drawing BY
william b. Foglc
AID. T. Randolph has added to his extensive catalogue
Of devotional works two nelt miniature volumes "Thc
Shadow Of the Rock, and other Religious Poems" de-
signed a companon-book to the Changed Cross
which has proved acceptable 10 largo class Of Chris
tan readers; and a Precious Saviour consisting OF
medi;auons and poems, BY the Rev g. H. Waterbury,
ID. D.
"Tho Life of st. Vincent de Paul and It's Lessons" by
the Rev Thomas s. Preston contains sucCiuct bO5rapl
ical sketc Of that noble phantropI and on urgent AZ
pool from his example and works for the exercise Of siu
lar charity aud deyotcdncss 40 the present day.
c. Seribner * Co. have issued new editions Of DR..
Manhs d" Lectures the English Languages; Origin
and History OF the English Languago;' Man and Ma,
ture;" President Wpolssy's " international Law"
and Names Ancient Law
"The Prose Works" Of the distinguished American
poet John @. Whittier have been Issued in two duode
elmo volumes by Ticknor & Fields. They comprise bis
famous antiquarian invention, "Alargaret Smiths jour
nal" collection Of "Old Portraits and Modern Sketches,
t.l.
the contributions 10 various periodicals with which the
author has been connected The contents Of these volumes
ore stamped with many Of the traits which have won for
the poetry Of Mr. Whittier such idc and velliOunded
admiration. Every page inspired by ardent love Of
freedom profound sense OF human rights and genuine
sympathy wiki all that is beautiful in nature aud Lofty
and noble in character. The influence Of bis writings
whether IN prose or verse, Is singlay pure and heaihh
they glow with the oloquence Of personal convictions and
although not seldom betrayng haste or cnreesncs III
their execution they are mover wanting IN admirable lu
pose and aspiration after high ideal. Their widespread
popularity II not proof of the excellence Of The Writings
speaks well iortho intelligence and good taste Of the people
Gan American Family in Germany by j. Ross Browne,
very sketchy and superficial contribution TO thobTay
Of comic travel remarkable for the fee and easy
character Of its statements than FOR the fidelity of its pic
lures Tho author has quick perception of the udcrous
aspects Of life, ard is master of racy and ex
pressiye yOcabulary,-he rates with the and free
dom Of the most careless conyefsaonhs broad humor
rarely relieved by any dash OF sentiment wit,-and
though amusing for little WHILE his perennial lollty
soon becomes vapd and weaTisome. His descriptions OF
the domestic and social details OF German life though not
without certain trace OF truthflness greatly cx
aggeraed and doubtless written with the intention
OF raising laugh, rather than Of preventing accurate
porirature, The volume is illustrated with numerous PIC
toral carcaures by the author who is equally Of home
with pen and pencil IN comic extraVagaRzas. Harper
Brothers.l
useful little guide-book for the traveller in France en-
titled Pars soeia" sold in the London edition by John
Wiley g. Son. IL gives panoramic view OF everyday
life in the gay metropolis, and though Of modest pre-
tensions and comparatively limited size will be found in
many respects 10 be OF equal service with the eabor
ate complications Of GalgIani, Murray and Bradshaw.
Taking the stranger by the hald on his first appeaance
among the bewdcrng prsmate tplendos OF Paris, 10
leads him 10 comfortable hotel where be may live with
out bankruptcy invites him 10 several charming drives IN
the most attractive portions Of tho city tells him how 70
pay the coachman without being Internationally cheated
describes the customs Of housekeeping marketing and
domestic service, points out the most fashionable and
fascinating places Of amusement; and winds up with
budget OF MISCELLANEOUS odds and ends which, with many
of tho usual pati,udes Of travellers handbooks furnishes
store Of really valuable suggestions The weakest spot
in the volume the aemptto represent the pronuneal
ton Of familiar French phrases by phonetic characters
which Is not only useless but ndcrous. biill We ar,
cure that tho host Of American travellers who intend TO
visit Paris occasion Of the great Exposition wo
thank for directing their attention 10 this convenient
and ser,iccablc manual. .....