The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-09
LITERATURE.
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.


ladelphia Agents: Claxton, Remsen &
Haffelfnger.
There is perhaps no branch of literature
which requires more tact and discrimination,
or which presents more difficulties, than the
writing of stories for children. Persons who
would hesitate long about publishing works
addressed to an adult audience feel them
selves fully competent to entertain and in
struct young people, without pausing to think
whether they are really qualified for the task
or not. And yet there are no keener critics in
regard to all the essentials Of story-writing
than children; and the inculcation of good
moral ideas will not compensate with them for
dullness and insipidity in the characters
and adventures of the heroes and
heroines of the miniature romances which are
written for their edifcation. OF late years
there has been notable improvement in the
character Of Juvenile books, and q class of
writers have entered the field who appear to
really appreciate the Importance of their mis-
sion, and who are impressed with the idea
that moral and religious principles can be
best engrafted upon the minds of their readers
by not being too prominently brought forward
as the main objects of their books. Miss
Alcott has written number Of stories which
are deservedly popular. She has fresh and
graceful style, and a hearty sympathy with
the feelings, hopes, and aspirations of boys and
girls. "Little Women is a pleasant story,
which girls will like to read, although in our
opinion little less preaching would not have
made it less instructive or entertaining. We
believe in books of this kind being good but
not "goody," and the principal fault we have
to find with "Little Women is a trife too
much of the last-named quality.
From Smith, English & Co. we have re-
ceived a sample part of the American edition
of DIR. William Smiths Dictionary of the
Bible" Published by Hurd & Houghton,
New York. The American edition of this
standard work is edited by Professor II. B.
Hackett, d. D., with the cooperation Of Mr..
Ezra Abbott, A. NJ, Assistant Librarian of
Harvard University. The original work will
be given entire, without abridgment or
change, except the correction of misprints and
mistakes in quotation. An improvement will
be made by incorporating the two appendices
of the English edition into the body of the
work. Contributions will also be furnished
by many eminent American scholars, and the
work will be made as complete and perfect as
possible by the verifcation of numerous scrip
tural quotations, the extension of the system
of cross references, and other improvements
suggested by experience and researches made
since DR.. Smith completed his labors. The
Dictionary will be published in numbers, by
subscription, each number to contain 112
pages, medium octave size, and to be issued
monthly. The entire work will be comprised
in about thirty numbers, at seventy-fve cents
per number.
From J. B. Lippincott & Co. we have re-
ceived "Wilson's Book of Recitations and Dia-
logues." Some of the selections in this little
volume are new and good, but many of them
are the old standbys which have appeared
regularly in all the speakers" and reading
books that we have any knowledge of.
From the same house and by the same
| publishers we have "Brudder Bones Book OF
Stump Speeches." collection Of humorous
lectures, Ethiopian dialogues, plantation scenes,
etc., compiled and edited by John +. Scott.
-"Petersons' Cook Book" is quite stand
| ofu authVtiey Wish nVuoOWiNoo' ~ BNon uoo-
full receipts for concocting toothsome dishes Of
every description, and it also offers some prac
ticsl hints about the arrangement of dining
rooms and dinner-tables, the management o,
| domestics and household economy generally.
Published by 7. B. Peterson & Brothers.
| -Messrs. Peterson also send us sold Curl
osity Shop" volume of their cheap edition
OF Dickens works. The story is given una,
bridged, at the very low price of twenty five
cents.
1.-THE Citizens Hand Book for Philadel.
phia." Published by William White Smith,
No. 800 Walnut street, contains the bounda
ries of each Congressional, Senatorial, and
Legislative district the limits of each election
division, with the place of voting, and the
official vote and majorities of both parties in
Philadelphia for 1866 and 1867, and Other
valuable information. Price, 25 cents.
IF. E. Remont, No. 1888 Chestnut street
has just published ten hymns, which consti
tute the second part of a new collection in
course Of preparation by James Pearce, ESQ.
organist OF st. Marks Church, Philadelphia
-J.P. Skelly & Co., No. 2lS. Seventh street
send US "Ursula's Girlhood," one of the bes
written and most interesting juvenile stories
they have yet published.
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