The New York herald., 1869-04-04
LITERATURE.


The NATIONAL QUARTERLY REVIEW. New York;
Edward J. Sears.
Taken all In ALL the present number OF the Ma
ttOat quarterly cannot fail to add to its reputation
of being among the best reviews published In the
United States. The opening article on "Diogenes
the Cynic' is q forcbly written and ingenious de-
fence of that philosopher. "The Turko-Greek Ques-
ton" is an admirable paper. 1t is a thoughtfuy,
candid review Of the recent troubles in the East,
and the writer has had the good sense to ignore
what is termed popular prejudces," and take an
impartial view of the situation We have never
aided in the wholesale denunciatiOns heaped upon
Turkey because she happens to hold religious faith
and social ideas differing with our religion aud so
cial ideas. That the Turkish government has been
most scandalously abused without meriting utle
that nave carefully studied history; and that an
American reviewer can be found courageous enough
crossing independence on the part OF our literary
men. The review Of 'Beranger and His Songs" Is
good. as Is also the paper entitled successive
Conquests and Races OF Mexico" We can
tanned in the artlcle on Columbia College"
It Is to be deplored that the subject has
been made the cover for most unmerited adverse
criticism upon the Jesuit Colleges of St. Francis
Xavier and Fordham-two Of our best educational
institutions. II the writer found 1t difficult to obtain
admission INTO either OF these colleges his has been
an exceptional case, for we know that as general
rule any person, be he Catholic or Protestant, can,
upon application, not only obtain all the Information
he needs, but also visit these places at all times.
Music" are exceilently written. sPresident Grant
and his Cabinet" Is forcible interesting paper.
The ''Notices and Criticisms" which conclude the
number are written IN the usual fair and impartial
style.
STUDIES IN GENERAL SCIENCES. BY Antoinette Brown
Blackwell. New York: G. p Putnam Son, pub
fishers.
This is very aspiring work, written by a lady Of
established reputation for learning and ability. We
cannot, however, accord to it any high position In
our literature. Mrs. Blackwell it Is true, has evil
dently carefully studied her subject but she has fur
nished US with nothing new. Every idea embodied
repeatedly The best therefore, that we can say for
Sudies In General Sciences" is that ignoring those
inevitable itahcs of all women writer's 1t Is written
In an easy, flowing STYLE and II 1t teaches nothing
new, Will doubtless interest and instruct many that
have not hitherto studied he subject.
THE MINES OF THE WEST. Report to the Secretary
of the Treasury. BY Rossiter w. Raymond, Pm.
d., Commissioner or Mining Statistics. New YORK:
J. B. Ford Company.
Mr. Raymond has done well in publishing the
very instructive and interesting report he made last
year to the Secretary of the Treasury. There Ii
nothing we greatly need as a comprehensive
knowledge OF the mineral resources Of the West.
That they are great we know, but all OF our know
ledge Is vague and unsatisfactory. Unfort unately
the American mind has not been directed so much
TO the development OF all mines IL has been to
the development OF those which will pay large pro-
fits on the capital expended for their workings. We
have not time to review at length the varied nfor
nation which this report furnishes. Mr.. Raymond
takes clear. scientific view OF the subject. Every
thing relating TO mining Is discussed at length the
country Is ably described and suggestions offered
which, II followed cannot in our estimation, fail to
benefit our mining interests.
THE LAST ATHENIAN. Translated from the Swedish
OF Victor Rydberg, by W. w. Thomas, Jr late
United States Consul at Gothenburg, Sweden.
Philadelphia T. b. Peterson d Brothers.
We have glanced over the pages OF this work with
greater pleasure than we had expected on opening
the book. 1t Is most agreeable historical novel.
the Of which is laid In Greece during the fourth
century. Romance and reality, mythology and his
tory are well blended, forming book which will bc
read less for the sake OF the story than for the value
Of the "reminiscences 1t contains. SO far as we can
Judge having but limited knowledge OF the Swed-
ish language, Mr.. Thomas has performed the work
OF translation admirably.