The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-18
BOOK NOTICES..

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Edited
from his manuscript with Notes and an Introduce
tion. BY John Bigelow. ]. 3. Lippincott Co.,
Philadelphia.
People would imagine that there have been so
many lives, photographers. biographies and
sketches OF Franklin that there could be room for
another. Yet Mr.. Bigeow found there was That IL,
he did not ind much that was or that had not
been published before In some form or another but
he saw there was much TO correct In preceding
works. This autobiography Of Franklin had been
published before by q member OF the philosophers
family, but, Mr.. Bigeow shows not In the precise
language in which Franklin wrote. It had been
edited, as 1t is caled-that IL, the phraseology and
construction had been changed somewhat to suit the
modern style and ideas. DIR. Bigeow got hold OF the
original manuscript and has now given 1t in print,
without change or any attempt at amendation. The
life OF Franklin IL well known and nothing need be
said here The particular merit Of this book and the
only thing 10 be noticed specially IL that the world
has now an unadulterated edition OF Franklins life
by his own pen
THE FATE AND FORTUNES or HUGH O'NEIIr. EARL
or TYRONE, AND Rory O'DoNSgI. EARL OF TYR
ooNSELL. BY Rev. G. =. Keenan. ID. a j. Sadlier
n Co.
There IL not period in Irish history so fraught
with interest as the time when Tyrone and Tyr
council babe defiance TO England and maintained
their independence TO the last. The author Of this
work, however, has contrived to compile a mass OF
documents, letters, proclamations, &C., in such .
manner that perusal OF chancery papers could be
more interesting than this memoir OF the great Irish
earls. There Is not the slightest attempt to dress up
these documents In an acceptable form, but they are
strung together without reference to dates their
connection with the subject in hand Evidently the
earls OF Tyrone and Tyrconnel require biographer
OF different calibre TO do them Justice.
NEW YORK FIRR AND M,RrNB INSURANCE ANNUAL
REPORT.
Mr. Barnes, superintendent OF the Insurance De-
partment and compiler Of this report, makes some
very sensible suggestions on the subject. He says
that the National or state Board of Fire Underwri.
tiers should take the incpient steps toward the per-
manent establishment OF standard rates, based on
thorough, painstaking and scientific examination Of
facts and statistics which should be unreservedly
| given up from private boarding to the common
veal. detached dwelling or farm house ought not
to pay for the losses OF theatres or aaloons powder
houses or petroleum renneriesn
/ TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THy CHAMBER or Con-
MERGE or THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR TIE YEAR
| lse7-6s. Part |.
This volume comprises, among other things, an
| account OF the banquet given to Mr.. A. A. Low, by
members Of the Chamber Of Commerce, On his re-
turn from q voyage round the world; the reports of
select committees OF the Chamber on the subject of
return to specie payments and on distinctions In
the harbor OF New York and the centennial celebra-
ton Of the Chamber OF Commerce Regarding the
distinctions In the East river the report states that
"the United states government. although very
liberal In it's appropriations for the Improvement OF
the entrances 10 other ports In the COUNTRY such "a
the Mississippi, Charleston, Boston, &C., have not
| even made any appropriation towards the improve.
ment of preservation Of this harbor, nor did our
Legislature ever take steps for Its preservation until
1851 and the laws passed BY that body are e 2
Of Congress, although II comes late and gudgingly,
] something mey DO done for our hsrbor.