The New York herald., 1869-05-29
LITERATURE.
Reviews of New Books.

THE WEDDING DAY In ALI AGES AND CouNTgIEs
by Edward j. Wood. New YORK: Harper a Bro
Tiers. 1852
Mr.. Wood writes charmingly. We have been both
amused and instructed by the perusal Of his book,
which furnishes minute history OF 'fhe wedding
day in all ages and countries" The curious customs
which obtained in various parts of the world at
times making matrimony doubly pleasant. and at
other times according to the present tase) render
ing marriage most formidable ordeal, are detailed
in graphic and interesting style. We trust, how
ever that the author did not fall into many such
blunderS as that relating to modern American GUS
TOMS in which, on the strength OF stupid book
published In this country, we are informed, that
be married he wears ring on the arst finger OF the he
left hand; II engaged, on the second II married. on
the third, and on the little finger II he Is deter
mined old bachelor. The same rule applies to
ladies'" Excepting this rather ludcrous accepta-
ton Of our customs In matrimonial affairs the book
seems In every way trustworthy, and Is certainly
readable publication as one could wish to have.
THE DANCE OF MODERN SOCIETY. by w. c. Will
kinson. New York: Oakley, Mason Co.
Among the many fascinating things which Satan
has used In his efforts to corrupt and destroy sinful
man and woman none has obtained so decided q
hold upon the mind OF weak humanity as dancing.
From time immemorial people have danced, and it
is our belief that 10000 years hence they Will be
found dancing. The melancholy -visagcd Puritans
even to this day object to tripping the light fantastic
toe; but happily for the world but few OF Its innabi
tans are Puritans, whose morality In this respect Is
more than counterbaanced by long list OF sins In
other respects such being the case we have no idea
that Mr. Wilknsons essay against 'the dance OF
modern society" (why modernD win vanquish this
Satanic custom. After reading his ideas on the sub.
Ject we Will not as he fears, call him "Puritann or
. "dygpeptic, /" but we VIII unhesitatlnRy avow the
conviction that Mr.. Wilkinson has tired and utterly
failed 70 learn the steps Of waltz, polka and galop
and the ngures or cotill0n His revenge Is evident
IN the essay before US. II seems altogether another
case Of the fox and the grapes.
The LIFE or JOHN BASIM, the Irish Novelist; with
extracts from his correspondence general and
literary. BY Patrick Joseph Murray. Also selec-
tlons from his poems. New York: d. !. Sad
her Go. 1s69.
BANIx's WORKS, The Ghost Hunter and Clough
fionn. ~ the Uiiara Family. New York: ID. a
J. Sadlier Co. ls0p.
Both these volumes are republicatons. The hog
raphy OF John Banim Is well written ana is quite
readable The novels have been criticised 40 fire..
quenty that further review OF them is unnecessary
We scarcely think, however, that they are likely to
be extensively read at the present day, although we
may be mistaken. The style OF literature for which
Banm became famous Is not very popular at the pre-
sent day, not from any lacK Of merit In IT, but simply
because the manners and customs OF society
nave so changed that only rornances OF extraordi-
nary merit like those OF Scott for instance,l can
smuse or Interest the present generation. ON tne
othsr baud. the biography deserves large crcu'a-