The New York herald., 1867-04-15
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.

NOTES ON NEW BOOKS. 4
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Mr. pau, n IN Chailu author Of Explorations IN
Equatorial Africa has brought ont second work under
the title of "A Journey to Ashango Land" which 10 less
amenabls TO criticism than the first volume tnas Dofe
his name. He had obviously prepared himsen moH
thoroughly for his later than for his former peneton
into Equatorial Africa. That bo has added iafgey !"
our imperfect knowledge Of man ana mature IN 'ue
western part OF that strange region Is admitted oy r
fesso Owen and other competent scientific JUDGES Anu
II the present narrative OF his adventures % less mar
vellous NOT to say Nunchausen-like, than the nrst
has the advarage Of giving accurate and perhaps
more res,Ie details about the Gorilla and other anthro-
poid apes about the rude people whom he visited aud
about the physical geography and climate Of Central
Equatorial Africa We say "perhaps more reliable"
for It is singular fact that recent explorations have
often verified some Of the most incredible tales OF the
ancient travellers and II may yet be found that Mr. Du
Chaillu's FIRST descriptions Of the Gorilla were BY no
means due either to inventive genius to haucina-
tions
Mr. W. Hepworth Dixon's 'Tyew America has rapidly
run through several editions II is unquesonaby one
OF the most readable works this country ever penned
by an English traveller Mr.. Dixon, editor of the
Aneneum and author OF the "Holy Land" civilian
Penn" &c, was led last summer by esome studies Of
past times to the James river and Plymouth Rock Ho
says:-sT went out in search Of old world and found
q new one. East West, North and South met with
new ideas new purposes new methods-in short, with
New America" II Is this New America which Mr.
Dixon undertakes TO describe. He remembers that
she men who planted these free statesdoing the no.
bost work that England has achieved in hisory-werc
spurred into their course BY two great passions
large love Of liberty, deep sense Of religion; and"
he adds, in great plantation liberty and religion ex-
n 40
unknown home What saw of tho changes now being
wrought In the actual life OF man and woman on the
American SOIL under the power Of these master pas
sons pictured In these pagea" With this object in
view he begins far out West in the city Of Achison
and lose sight OF it throughout the whole tour
lie takes special pains to give what is really complete
detailed Of the most singular doctrines and the
most audacious experiments which he finds at work in
the heart Of sok societies and conservative churches
from Mormonsm and Shakersm and Spirtualism and
Women's Rights and abolitonism to Pantagamy, from
Salt Lake City and New Lebanon to Oneida creek. An
intelligent foreigner often seizes upon salient points In
the OF details offered for his st dv by new people
in now country-ponts which the people themselves
may have overlooked may not recognize ndces Of
their s.manest destiny" But he may also sometimes
err in exaggerating the importance Of such ndices.
| And are quite sure that Mr. Dixon
| Is mistaken IL he considers either Brigham
| Young or Mother Ann or Father Noyes or certain
strange characters whom he studied be typical
representatives OF that huge chaotic nmagam Of differ
ent races, which is gradually assuming shape and
consistsnce under the name OF the American people.
regard his philosophy very profound when
he speculates upon the origin Of American ideas, SO.
called and almost all Of theseom the notion Of
Great Spirit to tho sentiment Of Slate rghts--to the
unsupported influence Of the aboriginal inhabitants
tho white settlers who havc driven tho former from
their hunting grounds. Mr.. Dixon solemny inquires
"What man doubt that Indian ideas witchcraft,
plurality OF gods tho migration Of souls, the
presence Of spirits future rewards have entered
deeply into the popular mind and now affecting for
good or i'll the Of American religious thoughtf"
Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes has suggested that tho white
man. under tho influence OF the climate and soil Of this
country which intended for hs residence, is
subjected to physiological changes that narrowing
his jaw and otherwise Indianxiug his body; but was
reserved for Mr. Dixon TO staAt The idea that his mind
and soul also Indianzed.
Sch5nberg's "Imperal Map Of che United States and
OF Canada been prepared from the latest and best
auhores such the United States coast survey charts
aud maps the exploration maps OF the War Department.
tho maps Of the United States Land Office and Canadian
Crown Lands Department, those Of Keith, Johnston,
Peerman, Boy6 &c. II embraces the most recent geo.
graphical and photographed points Of interest," includ
ing the principal battle grounds the railroads. railway
and canals Like the very convenient Gravel
lers Series OF Pocket Mapsn in which . scrap is de.
voted to each separate State, this nn large 'Impera
Map' executed In style highly creditable 70 the skill
and experience Of Mr. c. Sch5nberg, the well kno
inventor Of acrography, reiies engraving And in
these days Of high prices It's very chsapne@ Is addi
uonal merit
Mr.. Edwin James, Of tho New York bar, and one Of
tho trainers Of the recent English bankruptcy amend
go tba1
yer and merchant entitled "The Bankrupt Law OF the
United States, 1867, with Notes and Collection Of
American and English Decisions upoa the Principles and
Practice OF the Law sf Bankruptcy" The object Of
che author has been MOTTO print certain number OF
cases. but deduce from the American and English de-
cisions the principles which regulate the practc These
are intricate and complicated, and Mr. James has
doavored to make them Of and ready app caton.
All the leading American decisions upon the Bankrupt
laws Of 1s4l and 1s0o far as they are applicable TO
the provisions OF this ACT synheticaliy arranged
Tho familiarity Of the author with the American au-
horities and tho industry with which they have been
selected ar, surprising The clear and lucid style Of
the work will facilitate the authors purpose OF sup
plying treatise on which the practitionV can con-
ndenty rely No ons Ia moro thoroughly qualified TO
write such treatise than Mr. Edwin James, who, while
member OF the House of Commons, introduced, in
conjunction with Lord westbury--then Attorney Gen.
eral and Afterwards Lord Chanceer-the recent bill 10
amend the Bankruptcy law in England. The wcrx is
published in single handsome volume.
The diamond Edition" OF Dick ems complete works
Includes two additional volumes, "David Copper
field (" and "0ur Mutual Friend" The remaining vol.
umes are be issued In the neat aud convenient
style, one volume a month, until the seriss shall bo
complete. We sorry that We cannot pEaise tho
"origna illustrations" by J. Eytingc Jr This clever
artist draws well and often throws fun sentiment
cnough-as occasion rcquires-uto his designs but no
American artist can illustrate Dickens really we'll To
do this should have bcea born and "aised within
tho sound Of Bow bella But Mr.. Eytinge must be
tent TO fall in good company, for Gustave Dore and Ga.
varn before him failcd--fora similar attempt