The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-05
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.
Shakespeare in a New Liuhr.

Shakespeare in a New Light.
"E A. w." OF Washington c., puts forth the
second edition of four hundred page dissertation
designed prove that shakspeares sonnes belong to
the hsrmetic class Of writings" and have sealed and
secret meaning which "E. A. w." purposes reveal.
The arguments that lead him this conclusion are not
clearly stated, though every kind Of authority, from
modern Tennysou ancient Noses quoted IN support
Of the hermetic theory The authors references include
Goethe and Isaiah Barnstorh and St Paul Chaucer
prophet Nor Is the ssong Of Solomon forgotten Ii
affords in pc Mt nasmuch the system by which
Kna james tanslators succeeded 10 twisting soiomons
amorous rnapsodies into typical and prophetical
embodiment OF the Church OF Christ closely resembles
az. A VS. own mode OF arriving At conclusions.
Take for instance, the 1881 sonnet. which TO eyes
daxzlsd by uE A. W. 81 sinner ght' contain
quaint pretty and perfectly INTEL gble conceit. Cupid
falling asleep with his bsside him, maid OF Dian
steals the N stc flame and quencnes II in cold valley
fountain, which Immediately becomes boiling we'll for
all strange maladies sovereign cure CUPID awakng.
rslighs hts brand the OF the poets mistress and
khen In very mischief soucDes the poets own bosom
with The rekindled torch. He sadly dstempcred seeks
: remedy in the miraculous bath; but nnds there
cure for him. His help lies where Cupid got
nre-hs mistress eyes 'E A. W. sees in this little
Alegcry mystical aliusion 70 the Mosaic law Of the
spirit In the letter. Cupid, he sgnid love la
religious senss the Maid OF Dan 10 virsn truth OF
nature the cold valley fountain the e;ter OF the
law" Moses and the burning bush aud half dozen
other mysicisms dragged Ia to complete the inter-
probation In n similar manner "E A. w." goes through
~ the Other sonns asserting mas 'ne rae n'e Srs,
which Is mot found in any one visible object in me
world for which Noses forbid lsic org the
children OF Israel from making any image Of in the
likeness OF anything that In the heavens above.
she earth beneath or 10 the waters under the earth
ana 81 up image Of this mystic something, and that
shsir conception Of 1t wss-a golden calf
New Editions Of Dickens.
Editions Of Dickens multiply with his approaching
visit. In the Diamond edition have his Americas
potss" and the dramatic Tals Of Two Cites" In tho
ng The "Christmas CAROL the most successful Of his
Bsseted readipgs; tho Pictures from Italy" and
k'Amsrcan Notssn-thess all bound in one volume;
Dshsr most successful reading, Little Paul. Peter.
sons Peoples edition supplies ~ with David Copper
Dst.ps crsacn. . smsodss msny Of ii,
own early struggles a. newspaper reporter and htra-
tswy. and goes aud localities in which the
has nns reading from David Copperneldn aso-the
life II che old boat Yarmouth beach, Peggotty Ham
noussScid psrri:xi,iss ana Mr. n,ca.ssrs dicu,.ie.
she great storm and tho deaths Of Stserorh and Ham,
works n - compact and handsome form very op-
Mark Lemons Legion Hall.
the Layton Hall" Of Mr. Mark Lemon, or ai least
ths volume issued under that caption by the Ps.esons
is not Legion Hall 1t - collection Of the prosin Cd
hr,mas the Christmas sketches and The novsetiss Of
nhs sdition Of Punch, bed, some GOOD, and the
bulk of them Indifferent There 10 much quiet grace In
Nark Lemons writings but little force and NO insight
ints character His heroes snd heroines unreal.
Not that there any thing extravagant or improbable
about them the contrary they are embodimenis Of
propsisty, and do or say anything 70 strain
powers or creduiity. But No cannot place them any
where our own experience the toucn OF fellow lesl-
fng which makes as all akin 10 missed They are the
well dressed dummies OF dry goods wndow-nos the
men and women OF actual life.
Gift B0Oks.
No books could BE- nty classed under this head
than the now Boston edition Of "Luce,n by owen
Meredith, with twsnty-fcur illustrations byIceorgs Du
Mausisr and Of ''Snow Bound: A Winter Idyl," BY
john GrecDieaf Whittier The illustrations 70 the latter
volume have boon drawn by Mr.. Harry Fsnn and the
engraving has been done BY Mr. A. v. 8. Anthony and
Mr.. W. j. Linton The excellent vianette portrait oil
whittier drawn upon the wood By Mr. w. j. Hen.
messy and engraved BY NJ. John Andrew Bosh
volumes are supcrbly bound.
Hand Books.
Under this head may not improperly place both the
s,Hand Book OF Practical Cookery" by p. Blot work
which IL likely 10 supersede all previous publications
and oModern Palmistry The BOOK Of the Hand Z" by
a r. Craig M. A. The last named book IL profusely
iIIuslraed and embodIes large amount or in
Formation about cbirouancy II Is chiefly based on tne
system or DArpentigny and Dssbarolles The account
which IL gives OF the ~ psies Is particularly interesting
ssow IN R,cHMosp--Grcai was the surprise OF every
body YESTERDAY morning find the ground covered with
~ arnE Thu