Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-23
Written for the Knoxville Wing.
Book Publishers and Books.

The world does not generally see how that books
especially good books-are q national and a COM
mon blessing. Books are the treasures of knowl-
edge: the repositories of silent serene tremendous
power. Nearly every branch of human Industry
and every line Of human progress and benevolence
has its literature often varied and extensive some
times rich and attractive. The torches of succeed
ing generations are lighted or kindled into broader
and purer fame by the hoods which had been left
legacy by the departed genius, talent industry,
greatness ane goodness of former age We have
reason to thank God that " Of making many books
there is no end"
But II there were no publishers there would be bat
fow books, and those books would be SO expensive
that none but the most aristocratic and wealthy
would be able or disposed to purchase them. Com
petition in the publishing business eheapens the
price of books and brings them down to reasona-
BILE limit within the reach of nearly all who desire
them. We ought TO look upon book publishers as
puolic benefactors. We have some very large and
extensive publishing houses in this country The
Harpers, the Appletons, Charles Scribner & Co,
Robert Carter and Brothers, of New York; J. B.
Lippincott 4 Co, OF Philadelphia; Little & Brown
and Ticknor and Fields, of Boston, are among the
most noteworthy.
Robert Carter s. Brothers publish some of the
ablest and best books in this country. They are
mostly of a religious and theological character
though some designed to be purely literary and
popular. One member of the frm Peter Garter
does little occasionally at editing A beautiful
clifton of the Scottish Poets entitled "Scotia's
Bards,' recently issued is worthy monument to
his fine taste, discriminating judgment and literary
merit. 1t is a most capital sHperby bound and
finely printed octave volume of 500 pages, and en-
bellshed with numerous illustrative engrayings-
Any lover of Scottish song will be delighted with
these pages, glowing with native genius and true
poetic fire.
Several other beautiful books, recently issued by
tho Carriers viii be read with interest and profit by
those classes Of per IONS for whom they have been
specially prepared out of which appropriate gifts
for the holidays may be selected.
"Our Life in China" by Helen S. c. Nevins
gives interesting and graphic account of mission
airy life experience and observations among that
strange and peculiar people, the Chinese. Pivot
Words of Scripture" by the Few. Philip Bennett
Power, will prove very interesting instructive
and profitable book "a sterling, good cook. An
other equal to it in excellence, but more attractive
to young readers is "The Pearl of Parallels by the
late James Hamilton, DID. This is finely illustra-
ted with engrayings-a good book to give for
good purpose to make youth better. Margaret
RusselPs School" and "Besse and her Friends" are
also good and interesting books, designed to please
in order to profit the young reader We mention
last, but not least the little box eff six neat little
volumes for the smaller children, called the "Agate
Stories by the author of "Books and Flowers"
VIAToR