The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-04

REVIEW or VIEW OKs,

WAhaoo' IhuhuelphlA Agents OpLxtOn,
Remsen & HaffelGnger.
This work numbers 63S octave pages, but
yet 1t is what the author describes IL, mere
sketch, as q complete exposition of all the
subjects treated would suffice to I'LL dozen
such volumes. For the general reader, how
ever, the results of Mr.. Wallace's labor will
be more acceptable in the present shape than
IL they were given in more elaborate form,
and the work is one Of the most interesting
and valuable narratives of travel that has
lately been published. At this day the Malay
archipelago Is almost more unknown region
than the interior of Africa, and most of our
information about the group of islands which
form the Debris Of the Asiatic continent comes
from early explorers. Mr.. Wallace spent six
years in this region, visiting at various times
Borneo, Java Celebre, New Guinea, Ceram,
Bouro Jilolo, Timor, Floris, and other islands
of the group. The main object of his journey
was to obtain specimens of natural history,
sAd TO this purpose all his energies were de-
voted, and descriptions of the animal life of
the Malayan archipelago naturally occupy
large portion of his book. The various
islands of the archipelago are, for convenience
sake, divided into five separate groups, which
are considered separately. The first chapter
of the work gives general sketch of
the physical geography of the whole region,
and the last chapter is devoted to the
races of men in the archipelago and the sur
rounding countries. The chapters relating
to the separate islands of each of the groups
are followed by one on the natural history Of
that group, and the work is profusely illus
Nol u;tl, of 81
their implements of husbandry and warfare,
their household utensils and their dwellings;
the birds, beasts, trees, and flowers. large
number of beautiful illustrations of the
various birds of paradise are given, and an
innumerable variety of beetles, butterflies,
and other insects. The work is written in a
pleasant and entertaining style, and it will
be welcomed by those who are interested in
narratives Of travel as we'll as by those who are
curious on the subject of natural history.
From Turner Brothers Il Co. we have
received a copy of the new edition of
General L. G. Bakers "History of the
United States Secret Service" This work
has been reviewed in our columns, and
and the public generally are acquainted with
its prominent characteristics. Any sensation
which might have been caused by its original
publication has long since died away, and its
value at this time is as chapter in the his
tory of the late Rebellion. A fine steel-plate
portrait OF General Baker is given as frontis-
piece, and the book is illustrated by number
of wood-engravings of scenes and incidents.
From Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfnger we
have received "Woman in Prison." by Caro-
line II. Woods. This is the narrative of woman
who felt that she had mission to perform in
becoming the matron of peni.entiary. Her
experiences while filling that office are given
in manner to command attention, and the
work is written in an earnest, thoughtful
style that will entitle her opinions about prison
discipline, its merits and defects, and the re-
forms which she judges to be necessary, to the
consideration of all who are interested in the
important subject under consideration.
We have received "The New York Bible
Woman" by Mrs. J. McNair Wright.
This is a companion volume to others
by the same author, which show what
good can be done in the homes of the poor
and degraded of our great cities by the earnest
efforts of Christian women who descend into
the dark places of our city life, carrying hope
and comfort to the miserable beings who in
habit them.
We have received advance sheets of Edward
A. Pollard's 'Life of Jefferson Davis"
This work has long been threatened by
Mr.. Pollard, and he now informs us
that he has only delayed it on account of
the danger or inconvenience it might occasion
to Davis and others prominently connected
with the Rebellion. Jefferson Davis, however,
has left the country, and there is no reason
to believe that he will ever be called to ac-
count for his mlsdeeds, and Mr.. Pollard there
fore thinks that no good reasons exist for
further delay in making his promised revela-
tions with regard to the secret history of the
Southern Confederacy. Mr.. Pollard claims to
have enjoyed unusual facilities for gathering
information "behind the scenes' at Richmond,
some spicy developments. We give the fol-
lowing summing up of Jefferson Davis, as
a specimen of the style of the work.
''The most striking quality, the most constant and
significant event of Mr.. Davis administration, will
be found TO be his jealous repuslon OF advisers and
assistants, and his descent 10 rivalry In popularity
with his subordinates and lieutenants. lie had, as
we shall see, puerle eagerness to appropriate all
the hOnors of the Confederate cause, and to wear
them conspicuously in the sight OF the world. In
this he departed from the true line of greatness and
fell from the summit to which fortune raise him.
IL is the unfailing characteristic of the great
that he never descends 10 competition WIFI
his subordinates but ingeniously takes every sue
cess of theirs as the source ana sustenance OF MS
own greatness. Napoleon / had marshalS whom
some critics have thought superior to himself IN mill
tary genius; but he understood that SO long as ne
was the central historical figure, history and tht
common opinion of mankind would naturally anC