New-York tribune., 1867-01-05
BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

The Second Volume OF the IAIe anu I~''''lr VI
John Winthrop" by Robert c. Winthrop CIicknor ~
Feldsl contains the correspondence OF the ancient
Governor of Massachusetts, from the year 1890. the
date of his arrival in America, until the close OF his
life i'm 1Gi9 The letters are connected by compre-
bensvc biographical narrative in which the editor Of
the volume paws an appreCiatIve tribute TO the chI
acter of his illushiOus ancestor, without beng
tcmpted 10 indulge in cXtTaVagant eulogY. livery
student of the antiquarian lore of New-bmgand VIII
cordially welcome the work as valuable llllsuatloh
of the political history Of the Massachusetts colony
and VI the social and domestic Pultamc manners Oh
that day.
a Treatise on the Law Of Partnership by Pro-
fessor Theophus Parsons, of Harvard University
Little Brown g. Coz, completes the series of trea-
tses on the most prominent titles in legal science
which have given the author such an envjable celeb
rty both among professional and general readers for
his thorough succnct, and lucid eXpositlOns OF the
principles of jurisprudence. As a writer on law Pro-
feSSor Parsons combines the Iare advantage OF cassl
cal culture and taste, with great mental Ncumen ana
profound knowledge of the subject. lhe studl0ds
viGls of many years devoted TO the investigation OF
cases and the cOmpaIisOn of reports and decisions,
have not impaired the freshness and elasticity of his
spirit He gapples with his theme with the cloSencss
and athletic energy of JUNIOR counsel IN nalltalh-
ing his first brief His style IS model oil cleaneSs
point, and Chaste elegance. Equally avoiding the
technical difseneSs of the profession and the nea-
ger ariditV of many standard writers, lie Is perhaps
without parallel in clothing the subtetes OF the
law with the charms of expression. lie has gained
this peculiar excellence by placing ms subJect IN the
light of common sense, by freeing II from epS0dCdl
details and stating the essential points wch are de-
manded for its elucidaion IN terse and appropriate
language. No man understands better than hethe
artOf applying The graces OF style to sclentlnc DIS
cussOns, without approaching the lines OF a false
and nappOsite rhetoric. At the same time, he Is 40
less critically exact in the analysis Ot principles III
the dissection of judicial authorities III the discrmlna
tiOn between what is lave and what is not law, than
if the success of his labOrs borrowed aid from his
skill a. "a writer. His works, accordingly, while tney
arc recognized as of the bigh".; ITSf5ssi6fa I'M
pOltauce, possess sne ti value for the wide circle
Of Intelligent readers, who seek for instruction on
particular points Of law without desiring to iath0m
Its recOndite my stories. In discussing the Jaw
of partnership in the present XOlune Professor ar
sons has followed the same method which has given
such readable character to his previous WORKS.
The text possesses the continuity ana flowing
smOOthness of n narrative composition without beng
incumbered with the discussion of side issues or for
tilted by the citation of authorities Everything cs-
sential TO the right view of the case is included IN
the compass of nutshell. The student who would
pursue the subject az greater length, and dive down
into the rccesses beneath low water marx, VIII
find abundant materials for his quest IN the notes al
the foot of the page. We have faith IN the doc
tline that any man can become good enough law
yer to manage his eases by the study OF books,
but sure that no one about TO engage IN part
neTsp business fail TO obtain clearer ldea OF
ms rights, liabilities, and duties by consulting tins
volume.
A History of the Campaign of Mobile" by Rrevet-
Nlajor-General c. c. Andrews, is published by ID.
Van Nostrand. The interest of the volume is in
creased by numerous maps and illustrative sketches
together with on excellent index, and 1t forms a
valuable memoir for the history of the Rebellion.
"Chncapiu Charlie ly Nellie Eyster lDuffield
Aslmead Philadclphia), is a continuation of the
"Sunny Hour StOries' favorite juvenile series, of
which the author possesses happy talent of adapta-
ton to the minds Of children, and an excellent COM
mand of simple and winning language The
volume is the less lively orattractye QLaccount
of the modest religious spirit which runs through its
pages, and which gives pure and elevated tone 10
the narrative without Tcpelng the young reader by
didactic fOmaty Some of the scenes in the late war
are made to figure in the story and not only TO
animate the little plot but to place the sentiment Of
patriotism in noble light. The volume well deserves
the favor with which the series has been received by
the public
"Out Of Town." by Barry Gray lIIurd & Hough-
toni presents another nstalmcnt of the domestic
periences in which the author has taken a s5mpa-
thctic public so largely into his confidence. The
scene is laid in the pleasant village of Fordham, n
quite unpretentious little place to the thinking OF
Mr.. Barry Gray nestled on and among the hills,
with SundTy picturesque houses, and an air OF THRIFT
pervading It's people that is delightful 10 Witness He
is not the first slave of the quil that has pitched
his tent ON the banks of the Bronx, which flows
through its precincts. Edgar Poe found a quiet re-
treat amid it's charming scenery IN the latter part Of
hls te and other poets and scholars OF less note per
hapS, but OF more worth, have shown their good
taste by choosing II Tor their residence. The pic
lures painted by Barry Gray in this agreeable volume
are of a sOftened tone pleasing by their inartifcial
simplicity rather than by brilliant cOlOIng or elab-
crate finish, and apart from the inevitable mo-
nOtOny Of the plan, entitled to place of honor in
the cabinet OF rural sketches.
"The Service of Sorrow, !" by Lusrctia F. Hale James
AlleT), is remarkable among collections of a similar
devotional purpose for the novelty Of the sources
from which the materials have been derived Ii con-
ssts Of variety Of select pieces designed 10 furnish
strength and consolation to the afflicted including
tTanSlatlOns from the French and German and OK
tracts from several eloquent writer's in prose and
verse.
1.-The Second Number of the American Law Re.
view,' little, Brown, q Coz contains a careful ex-
animation of Wallace's Reports" paper on Re-
construction" by John e. Hurd, biographical
notice of "Luthcr Martin" digest Of English and
American Law Reports, and a variety Of matter on
miscellaneous topics of interest 70 the legal proies-
SION. This new periodical is edited with ability and
blas ialr TO gain high position in the speciality to
which 1t is devoted.
volume of religion poetry entitled the woman
0i the Gospels, the Three Wakings and other
Poems,' by the Auther of "The Sch6nberg Gotta
Family" is published by NJ. w. Dodd. II comprises
several pieces written expressly for this edition. and
many others not before published i'm the United
States. ne poems are more remarkable for their
ferYent devotional spirit than for apv nower of ina
einatOn OF beauty Of expression and nav dsanpoint
readers whose acquaintance with The auflor is
founded on herpOpular prose writings
Lee & Shepard, Boston, have published collection
of Amateur Dramas" by George NJ Baker, intended
for parlOr theatTicals evening entertainments and
school exhibitions The plots are easy of comprchen.
sion by the most inexperienced amateurs. and viii,
the careful stage directions, and the simple clarac
ter OF thA requisite fnyniture and properties the
pieces canbe represented TO advantage in almost any
family r school