The New York herald., 1868-12-31
HOLIDAY WEEK.
Albums, New Books and Chromos.

sent generation incline towards the useless though
expensive articles OF virtu used to adorn our eta
ceres, mantels and centre tables, entirely ignoring
the former day literary ornaments that served 70 n
vacancies both in parl0r and mind. Among the most
sensible OF these latter day tres is the Photographic
album, which be scarcely classed among the
useless nicknacks as, combining utility with ele-
gance. 1t brings to our immediate view departed
and absent friends. handsomely hllng at the same
time a space otherwise vacant.
The album business commenced in Paris about
seven years ago. The least expensive OF imported
albums are made by convcts in Berlin, Prussia; but
those OF American manufacture excel both In cheap
ness and beauty their sisters from over the ocean.
The beautifully planned gilt outside ornaments, In
vting the examiners attention by their wondrous
delicacy designed and executed by French, Ger
mans and Prussians whose superior attainments In
these pursuits render US in measure dependent
upon them.
Japan and Madagascar are assuredy progressing
rapidly cutivatng taste for the fine arts, and dis
playing their advancement In civilization by send
ing Broadway dealer In albums an order for two
superb albums, with solid silver ornaments valued
at 1925 apiece. Were it not that Americans thor
oughly understand their different occupations that
advice is entirely m0apropos we should certainly
hint TO some enterprising photographer the expe-
diency OF q journey TO Asia. One album OF antique
silver having clasps OF the same, presented TO
the Metropolitan Sanitary Fair and there sold for
$50. Superb blendings Of black velvet with silver
or Jet having large OF either Of the latter ma
terias the upper cover, form appropriate recep-
tacles for the countenances OF deceased friends
IL does dampen joyous mirth, aroused py
some funny Renaissance, recalled by face OF
living friend TO, turning over, meet features
whose originals may never again be seen on earth.
The contrast Is too sudden. too saddening Let the
where. when the heart Graves longingly glance at
Counterparts OF loved ones gone BEFORE u may nos
view them in unseemly guise Patriotlc anars,
with gOddesses OF Liberty dany embossed In silver
or gill; stand ready to receive the eminent states.
men and warriors who have so noby defended our
country during diiferent national dfcuities. llny
cupds, appearing ready for instant flight, desig-
nate albums intended for the bewtching little fancy
which no lover OF the beautiful need ecorn on
account Of size or cheapness.
The prices of these beautiful specimens OF WORK
maDshlp range from fifty cents to $3.50 But ade-
would require an almost inconcelvable amount OF
space and time, SO we must ialn stop just Wnero
Appeton's collection OF both books and albums is
more varied and extensive, II possible, than ever
before The schiller Gallery" containing charac-
tiers from schlller's works, with descriptive text,
bound In morocco antique, cxtra morocco or morocco
gilt, forms q most magnihcent ana interesting
Volume ..Roadslte and Seaside,n combining selec-
tions from Mary Mowtt, Blake Milton, Tennyson.
stoddard Brysa dickens c6 AMI and
Panteru likewise contains gems from distingulsneu
poets with ltfeike pictures attached; anu gazing
upon the counenances glowing with aruor ana ana
genius 1t seems almost impossible TO realize tnat
The majority have passed into that hereafter winch
all 80 graphically, though dilIerentiy, descrlDe.
Dantes "Ie Purgatoire Ct lie Paradise is elegantly
gotten up, and those owning his "lnferno" woud
do well to add this to their possessions
The "Royal Dresden Gallery" is selection Of sub
jects engraved after pictures by Corregglo, Guido;
ken Raphael RempGanr saaq1 oYee Mcens srtsts new
volume of Bryant's poems, tastefuly bound IN nlue
and gilt win afford infinite pleasure to all admirers
,AA Anrn
contains descriptions with life illustrations OF all the
public gardens in the world "The Life OF Man sym.
by Dick Pigot will prove most interesting work 10
the few who do allow the cares and w0rrimenis
| one TO come. "Househod Book OF Poetry" by Dana,
| is large edition, comprising gems from IavorIe
Mnars s Frensh De stae Cha
4 teaubriand Lamartine, Mime. Roland and . hOst
Of Of these literary meeors. "The insect World" by
by Louis Figuer describes the habits OF DADDY Long
fcs s n d 0us Sy an
..critturs" 'The Republican Court" by Griswold,
will entertain creditably those who are at all inter-
ested In our prominent congressman and Senators.
The collection OF Juvenile works Is larger and more
| perfect than any previous stock. Among the most
prominent are--"Our Dumb Companions" with thor
ough descriptions OF domestic animals; lack tne
ty:" Adventures Of Robinson Crnsoe" gotten up in
a new and original style; "Appleton's juvenile An
nual,' and numberess others suited to the compre-
The oxford Bible, with Photographic ilustra,
| tions, bound in full Russia gilt with two clasps
worth $25, and prayer books, velvet backed, pearl
sides mounted with pnre silver, worth seventy-fve
dollars for snowy religious volumes. Very many
Of these latter ornamental devotional books have
been sold for holiday presents. worshipplng God,
surrounded on all sides by the cold and hungry, to
whom o1 tme amount paid for prayer
most terrible Of nockeries. Lavender, velvet and
silver mounted prayer book; velvet cloak and ermne
moire antique, and a 500 hat, kneeng daintily
and beseeching God to remember the poori
Those who have not carefully examined the new
style or paintings called chrornos would do well to
take an hour or two for that purpose. The sale
within the last Two months has been enormous.
This recent and peculiar kind OF photography was
In Bavaria. Figures and designs traced
upon stone, and then transferred to paper Or
canvass by Impression. Sometimes twenty df-
ferent stones are used In the completion OF one
picture. The English use water colors enrrey in
painting the Germans oil exclusively, and the versa
tile French both A variety OF these pictures are on
exhibition In broadway, attracting the attention OF
every lover OF the beautiful One OF General Grant
Is peculiarly noticeable for its STYLE finish and
preston.
Anthony has on exhibition some OF the most beau
tfu gems in this line that II Is possible to conceive
OF. One painting OF the Lords Supper,n copied
from the original, deserves special mention. But
one copy remains out OF large stock, having all
been disposed of for holiday gifts. 'The Old Oaken
Bucket" "Picking Cherries,n making q Scrap
Book" were especial objects OF interest TO visitors
The rapidity with whicn these chronos have come
into notice Is truly wonderful; but moments re-
nection will explain the seeming mystery. fine
chrome, wen framed can be purchased for twenty.
five dollars; smaller ones, equally fine, from six to
fifteen making IL possible for many who could not
formerly AFFORD to decorate their walls with works OF
art TO crafty their tastes for the beautiful Not
few OF these Will bear setting side by side
with the original pictures, and near ap-
proach to chrome does not It's effect
II sometimes. 40 we are informed. costs $4,000
or $4,000 for the stones to finish picture,
but afterwards the picture be got up very
cheaply, and when there IL longer demand for
the same design It can be erased and Others i'm
pressed. Tropical landscapes side by side with lev
representations or the wintry North, cause one's
imagination TO travel with wonderful velocity. One
basket Of difYcrent kinds OF cake-jely, fruit and
plain, with q few maccaronis lnterspersed-ooked
good enough TO eat. Every detail Is perfect; even
the frlnged napkin upon which the cake rested il AZ
natural natural be. 1t Is said by those in the
business that the demand for certain styles OF
chromos for presents can not be supplied.
WHAT the next art invention or Improvement will
be we are at loss TO conjecture but probably
this very moment some genius OF contrivance il