The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-04-21
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.

NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.
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II is bold thing produce book and cali history,
with utter disregard OF facts dates, incidents and
other accessories which, good for anything vaiua-
BILE only 30 FAR they complete faithful picture OF
events That such daring fights in the regions OF
authorship made have evidence in q volume
before US very well printed and bound, entitled ssThe
Irish Brigade and its Campaigns," by Captain and Aid
de-Camp d. p. Conyngham This, it would seem, is
chiefly compilation from the letters Of newspaper
respondents who accompanied the Army Of the Potomac
during its eventful career in Virginia and Maryland
The class Of who supplied the public journals with
the exciting details OF the need not be ashamed Of
their labors. and are certainly entitled to have
them reproduced ungarblsd, in . style claiming some
originality besides ioosensss OF method and Indifferent
grammar. In this work fail 70 nnd any recognition
Of the whence the information ID obtained
cept In very few instances The book nsscutivs and
disosdered Az history Il is merely ragmentary and
bewildering than Instructive; the thread Of the
story Ii broken oten that 10 impossible 70 pick
up again without ENHANCEMENT Large space IL given
70 indscriminate iaudation Of individuals which,
presume, must b offensive 70 . number Of gallant
ofncsn who, no doubt, are more willing 70 rest their
reputation upon honors In the field than upon any
printed adulaton. The arduous services Of the Irish
came ont Of the campaign with % superb record TO
tell that story in simple language would BE- uhcices
without vulRarixing II II 10 not easy 70 imagine the
hns old veteran Major General Richardson using profane
language while emptyng Aask "in sundry pulls" II
the foot Of haystask before breakfast he ID de-
scrbed page 293 the dashing and courteous Han
cock issuing his orders with the accompaniment OF
shocking imprecatona II IL not very complimentary
20 the gallant officers and soldiers OF the brigade 10 nd
the jovises incident 70 camp lfe-which most likely
had pleasantly enough about them to make good
descrpongrcssy exaggerated to vulgar debaucheries
Scenes and anecdotes abound in which profanity IL sub
situted for wit and the Of the caricaturs
gives distorted reflection OF the keen racy humor pro-
verbally peculiar to the Irish character Byrons idea
Of glory Is also fully reazed-maintaining yourself
valiantiy and finding your name misspet in the Ca
sate-for there Is an alarming mixing up Of names
as well Of the deeds attributed TO
certain officers which fell 70 the lot Of totally different
men, Some commanding generals would be surprised to
find themselves accredited with feats battle at which
they present These, however, arc but trning
in work which would seem to have for It's object
to present history upside down. 10 describe what did
not happen and omit what did Such contributions to
what is popularity called the literature Of the
afraid will not inspire much faith in the accuracy Of
oomplers Of historical cvenrs when they wander widely
papers Of that day.
volume Of sermons I" by Alexander Hamilton Vim
ton has just been published Il appears TO be reprint
bearing, Does dedication, dated as far back as
1855, to the parishioners OF St. Paus church In
Boston In modesty written preface We arc told that
the book its existence chiefly TO the kind socita-
tions Of friend, who was pleased 70 charge himself
with whatever pecunary risk might attach to the UNDER
taking Tho deservedy great reputation Of Dr. vnton
- o pulptser might ono would have thought, have
rendered such preface unnecessary Considering. how
ever that the successful preacher not necessarily the
skfal writer and that his sermons in print certain
to DO judged by test which Is severe and In spirit
which h exacting the Doctors modesty IL excussble
Although Il Is not intention to 60 infinitely into the
merits and dement's Of this volume, II ID but justice TO
the author say the contains credit
able alike TO his head and heart. Compared with the
class OF 70 which they belong they highly
respectable productions That class however,
Il not the highest Compared with the masterpieces Of
sermon literature with which recent years have made Us
familiar-wth such sermons for example. a. those OF
Robertson Of Brighton and Archer Butler, OF Dublin
With those Of Melville Caird or Guthrie or with
those Of BUSHNELL the two Alexanders and other we'll
known names on this side Of the Atlsntcshsy lag far
behind At the Same time they very fair specimens
Of popular literature Nowhere 2 thSre any m
necessary parade q Isarning or any Yielding % thai a.
sire 70 b bonght eloquent which ID the chief stumbling
block Of popular preachers But there b good thinking
TASTE elegance dignity; and in each Of the IL
made more less manifest that the author Is Of
truly catholic spirit Dr. vinson evidently inclnes 70
the Evangelical school, but he Is no bigot We can
easily conceive how . commanding presence, voice
naturally good and well trained graceful gestures and
pleasing delivery would render such sermons popular.
"The Initials is the title Of novel which appears
to be republication Of European work, and We are
surprised that the publishers should 20 far for what
has 30 little value II gives false views Of life, and like
number Of similar works published In the present
age It must exercise pernicous influence, particularly
the minds OF very young ladies. The hero Of the
story, Hamilton, Is . young Engshman, o scion. Of
course Of noble house He goes TO Germany 70 acquire
the German language and 70 educate himself by
travelling. Having accidentally become acquainted
with . family, ne boards with them In this family
are two sisters just Of school, Both are beauti.
full With the youngest Crescsnz he falls in love, pays
her particular attentions induces her 10 meet him
secret and finally succeeds In gaining her affections
And all for WHAT To crafty his sel6shness and vanity
without intending to marry her He Ia young English
snob, who deems himself privileged TO nIrt with the
aress girl and destroy her peace Of mind Tho elder
sister, Hldegarde who person Of stronger character
and greater intelligence this despises him for his
conduct and quarrels with him. Afterwards he dis
covers that he is in love with Hdegarda She, too. at
last loves him. Notwithstanding her previous contempt
for him and constant quarrss with him on account
Of his unprincipled behavior towards Crescenz. Re
finally mariss Hdegarde 1t the risk Of offending his
family and being cut OF nom them. Such Ia the main
Mot or the story the whole tendency Of the work Is
demorazing, and II lacks the rsdsemng qualities Of
being well constructed and elegantly written.
The nrst number Of . serial publication Of Moore .
"Irish MsIodies has bssn issued In Columbus, Ohio.
Ten numbers will complete the series The celebrated
designs Of Naclise which illustrate the work, are re-
produced with painstakng oxactnsss by Mr. Riches one
Of 10 publishen He has been occupied ten years upon
these snsnvins which svncs hard and patient labor At
easA The book ~ The whole, ~ encouraging sign
Of the westward progress Of srs and literature
soholas Nickieby" ID the latest instament OF the
illustrated ADismond Dickens"
diamond edition. Of the 'complete pceticai works"
h-~s. 6~sn Al hv