The Portland daily press., 1867-03-07
194,317 10
REcAp1rULArros BY COUNTIES
967,2O1 80
Recent Publications.

Recent Publication.
The AMERICAN CoNFLIcT.-By Horace,
Greeley. Volume ii. Hartford: o. d.
Case and Co.
This noble volume completes the great
work undertaken by Mr.. Greeley three years
ago. 1t is a work well and faithfully done, and
one which will prove an enduring monument
to the industry and historical ability of its
author. No one can give it even the most cur
sorry examination without being struck by its
evidences of careful and laborious research, of
accurate and discriminating Judgment, and of
the severest candor and sincerity in the state
ment of facts and of the conclusions which are
deduced from them.
The present volume is devoted chiefly to
military as the first was to civil events. 1t
records the operations of the war from the be-
ginning of the year 1862 to the suppression of
the rebellion, and will be found singularly
clear, compact and compendious statement of
the chief events of this important period. The
field of strictly military history was new one
to Mr.. Greeley, and many who recognized his
skill in the analysis of remote political causes
and moral influences were unprepared to find
him so successful in examining and criticizing
the plans of commanders, entering into strate-
getical investigations, pronouncing on the con-
duct and results of campaigns, and even des-
ciibing the involved operations and exciting
scenes of the battlefield as one entirely at
home with such topics. His narrative is terse,
vigorous and direct; his descriptions often
singularly vivid and spirited; while at the
same time the entire absence of all extra
neous ornament, the freedom from everything
which resembles "fine writing" is noticeable
quality of his style. ....
The spirit of fairness and candor with which
Mr.. Greeley-a man whom many persons are
accustomed to regard as tho most violent and
bitter ofpartizans-ha entered upon this i'm
portant task is most admirable. He seems to
have been actuated by conscientious desire
to treat with justice and impartiality every
point which he has been called upon to consid-
er, and to allow no tinge of prejudice to color
his estimate of men or their actions. His work
will take its place in history as "the most i'm
partial and honest, the most carefully prepared,
reliable and satisfactory record of the begin
ming, progress and results of the ar-and
the most ineligible and comprehensive digest
of the political doctrines, debates and con ficts
that produced it-which has been, or is likely
to be written"
The present volume is illustrated by numer-
GUS portraits ofgenerals, statesmen and other
eminent men; by views of places of historic
interest, and by maps, diagrams OF battle-felds
naval actions, etc., derived from official sources
finely engraved likeness of the author forms
the frontispiece, and adds greatly to the value
of the volume.
The CHRISTIAN HYMNAL, Hymns with Tunes
for the Services of the Church Compiled
and edited by Rev. Frank Sewall Philadel-
phia: j. B. Lippincott & Co.
This is the title of very neat volume Of 24O
pages, which we have looked over with con-
siderable attention and no lit tie interest 1t
contains over two hundred Hymns selected
from the best writer's in that department., and
tunes with them, so that the words and music
may be read from one book. "The arrange
ment of the hymns" says the preface, "is in
two parts, the first comprising those on the In
carnation and Redemption, arranged in the or
der of the Gospel narrative, or the Christian
year; the second containing General and Oc-
casioaal Hymns, arranged according to their
topics" There are in it versions of old Latin
and German hymns, which are, it is believed,
now for the first time made accessible to singers
of sacred music in this country. a.
The music, however, is the feature of this
book which has most interest. Since the maxi
ing CT singing books" became trade we have
scarcely met with any collection of tunes for
church service so uniformly good. A large
portion of them are the fine old chorals which
have been favorites for hundreds of years. out
living fashions and fancies; while numberless
tunes, characterized by prettiness instead of
feeling, have had their day of popularity and
passed away.
The music is in four parts, two being on one
staff, mode of arrangement probably more
convenient for the organist to read, if not quite
so easy for the vocalist. In most cases the
mark of time is omitted at the commencement
of the tunes, in which we see no advantage.
The book is very neatly and correctly print
ed, and we believe will be most acceptable, for
use in public worship as well as in the family
circle. I.t
Messrs Bailey & Noyes have it for sale
The ENURsERY.-Thisp pretty Lilliputian mag
azine may be set down as signal success. In
its style of paper, print and illustrations it lis a
model and its adaptation to the wants of child
rem both at home and in the primary schools,
will be recognized by every one who examine
1t. 1t has quite history modestly told on the
inside of the covers of the March number lust
published 1t seems that the editor Miss Fam
ny p Seaverns (who says in answer to inquir-
ers that she is not yet twenty three years old)
started the enterprise, with fear and trembling
of her own impulse, without capital and with
out the means of heralding her purpose. Her
perseverance and diligence and her conviction
that she had found an unoccupied field have
speedily had their reward The Nursery, in
less than three months, on its own merits alone
has proved profitable success. A good idea
with quite genius for executing it, has suppii-
ed the place OF money and patronage; and the
project so selfevidently bright one in itseit
and so well carried ont is now safe beyond dan
ger of reverse-unless it should lose some'hins
Of its simplicity, by becoming too prosperous a
peril not mt all threatening in view OF the ex-
ce,,ent sense and single-heartedness which in
;t;a+ed and have thus far conducted it.