Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-21
BOOK NOTICES.
[FRoM cusHINGs + nA11rr

and C0nsequences OF the late Civil War in the
New York Harper & Brothers.
MIR. Foote has contributed to the history of the
times a work well worthy of general perusal. Few
have possessed better opportunities of knowing
the motives which prompted the Rebellion, or are
better informed as to the manner in which the Gov
ernment 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 are sug
gesve, disclosing they do the shameless concep-
tions OF the Confederate Government, and the mode
IN which the masses were duped by their unscrupu-
lous leaders. The Eranger Loan, the atrocities of
Hlndman and Bragg. and the fraud and imposition
prachced upon SeddOn, display Davis and his Cab-
net in no very enviabe aspect and indicate that the
Southern people lave cause for congratulation at thp
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. H. Sigourney: IN. 414
New York. ID. Appleton IL 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. Filial affection
takes up the links where she left them and lays the
last garland upon her quiet grave
THE ORIGIN OF THE LATE WAR-Troeed from tho
beginning OF the Constitution to the Revolt of the
Southern states. By George Lunt; PIP. 4S5. New
fork-p. Appleton and Company, 1866
This is a suggestive well written work by a shrewd
politician and an author of some celebrity. The oh
ect is to trace the interior course of the long con-
troverSy. He 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 plunder," on the part of men who were
neither philanthropsts nor fanatics' are cited as
the real causes Of the war. Mr.. Lunts book evnces
much labor and research and is written in a candid
fair spirit.
JAMES LRwIs PETTIGRU. A Biographical Sketch
by W. ). Grayson. PIP. 17S. New York Harper
u 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, a 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 as man of letters and an eminent
jurist, but of the immortal few who remained
mistaken in their loyalty by the whrlwnd Of seces-
sion which swept over the South. 1t is little re-
>'DlV tn"'' Ms ioNe Vi INC uilon' ana
aiSapprooauon OF the reoelhon were outspoken to
tne last ne never 1aled TO retain the respect, alice
ton and veneration 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 York; Harper & Brothers 1866.
The OBJECT OF this volume Is good one and well
expressed 1t illustrates the truth that the most
treme fes Affections are not of course sources Of
unhappiness but. on the contrary, regarded from
genuine Christian stand point blessings in disguise
Ahere Is no nonsense IN TINS excellent little book
no stirring romance no exciting loye-paSSageS but
1t Is simple unVarnlshed tale full OF interest and
sounu tno:a teacHihs. MISS duloch deserves the
sIatelui ackho"ieogehts OF oid ana young Tor this
admirable addition to healthy domestic literature.
TFRoM J. 5, wATERs1
PRRMcIPLEs OF EDUCATION, drawn from Nature and
Revelation and applied to Female Education in
S. Se upPei eidSSes' 1 py tle autGor oI amy ieT-
D. Appleton L Co. 1865. '--0' Fp' NV
This is the work of an English lady, already ia