New-York tribune., 1868-03-06

81. .Naro.ter "a the nature OF the subject
ter viii, its excellent pictorial Illustrations,
,I ,nae n favorto and useful work IN the iarIners
library.
THE Decisioe Conflicts Of Tic Late Gr't War
ara treated IN series Of brochures by General - WATTS
ue PrYsTFR containing the comments Oh nlhtauy pm
losnpber ON the tactics Of of the principal com
Ipanders IN the war, and illustrated ny variety OF ms
toricaI parallels and examples considerable portion
OF the work has already appeared in different perOdcas
OF the day. where 1t has been read with interest ey u
dents OF military affairs The author exprefses MS opah
ions with freedom aud unreserve, often Calling IN qeslon
the prevailing views on the subject in hand Du showing
great knowledge Of the situation obtained IRON personal
observation and research lie ocises some OF the popu
lar, ,favores of the day with unsparng severity but
usually sustans his positions in plausible manner,
not always with convincing power. His WORK VIII DOUBT
throw fresh light many important points OF as-
cussion and viii command attention by s thoIoughness
of treatment, and It's earnest and raey STYLE
A second edition of Mr. HENRY TUCKERMAN's
Book Of ne Artists has Just been publishedby o. r. Put
nam Son. who say: "while acknowledging the Crafty
ing reception Of this work 10y the public, the publishers
improve the opportunity afforded by the issue of new
edition TO offer word Of explanation The groupings OF
many names in chapters, while Others head distinct
sketches grew out of nvidous dstneton-neither Is
the author responsible for the arrangement; IL was SIM
ply mechanical necessity to economist space aud easy
OF change when enlarged edition Is called for Tue
absonoe Of rersona criticism has been complained OF by
few readers who do not appear to have examined thiS
work carefully; had they done so, it would have been
seen that criticism e most emphatic has been applied to
American art in the Introducton while speeVo fauit-
finding avoided ungracious in work essentially
Biographical and, to large extent, relating to rp9
artists In consequences OF the absence Of many artists,
and their delay in furnishing the requisite data omissions
aud errors OF dates and Names well as deficient ISIS OF
paintings, were unavoidable IL is proposed to remedy
these defects as soon as sufficient material for supple
mentary chapter and revised edition are obtained; ana
,ce respectfully solicit from artists and collectors such s0
0esons and Jaes as r contribute 70 reey and complete
he cork"
Life IN the Vest, is the title of collection OF
original stories founded incidents and events In the
Mississippi Valley, 10y n. C. MEEKER published by s. r.
Wells The materials of the volume derived from
long residence OF the author in that locality and from
frequent Journeys Tor business and Information In the
same quarter Of the country. Ills attention has been
strongly drawn 10 the habits and customs which
have sprung up among population occupying rlch ana
productive territory equal to the whole OF Western
Europe The division Of land, and other kinds OF wealth.
among numerous members of the original homestead
has enabled the producer the frat Of his labor
IN his own hand and devote II to the education OF his
children and the comfort Of his home instead Of seeing
it in tho grasp Of idle aud prOgae boodsuckeFs Hence
there s an abundance Of al tie real luXufes oil ne Deu
tiful homes abound the soil which short time since
was in the occupation Of savagos and the whole region is
marked by intelligence industrial activity and the love
of freedom Mr. Meeker has successfully caught the
peculiar features OF the scene Ills stories present vivid
lustratonof tho life which he has largely shared IN
his personal experience They are founded on events
of actual occurrence, and have received but little
embeshmeut from the fancy Of the author OF conrse
he has not neglected the comic aspects Of the situation
but they are made alternate with frequent passages Of
snnle nathos The syle of the book Is happily adapted
to its prevailing themes. The short, crisp sentences In
which the author delights, have breezy fragrance, like
fresh prairie wind. Their effect on tho reader Is Ike
glimpse running in the forest or the waving OF
ripe and yellow wheatfeld Of the West Several OF the
stories are founded incidents in the recent war; and
srkngly illustrate the courage and zeal OF the Boys In
Blue" by which the Union preserved. The volume
will be found to possess special attraction for readers III
the Western praries while It furnishes wholesome re-
freshmen for the weary crowd In pOpulous city pcn"