The New York herald., 1869-03-16
LITERATURE.
Reviews Of New Books.

Reviews Of New Books.
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. by w. De F0uvieile.
Translated from the French and edited by T. L.
PhIpson, PHI D. +. .. 8. New York: Charles Scrib-
THE WONDER OF OPTICS BY r. Marion. Translated
from the French and edited by Charles w. Quin,
+. G. S. New York: Charles Scribner d Co.
1t Is lamentabe fact that, although the great
body Of our people have advanced and are con-
tinuay advancing IN education, but few individuals
can be found possessing sufficient patience TO en-
gage In scientific studies. That "the electric phe-
nomena Of our atmosphere have not been attrac-
tive subjects for study to the masses may be readily
accounted for. Hitherto, we have had works ON
Thunder and Lightning which dealt with the sub
ject in that strictly scientific form which mas no
temptations for the reader who desires to feel In
terested in what he reads. In the book before US
this dryness Of detail is avoided. The author
has given us all the scientific information neces-
instruction that no person who has the smallest par
tce Of curiosity to investigate the subject treated OF
can fail to be interested IN 1t. The book "a excel
lently written and is well translated. such work
as this will teach the majority OF children "from
VIII DOZEN Of he KIND q more pre
tentiOuS character.
.sThe Wonder OF Opticsn is another book which
treats scientific subject IN popular interesting
manner. 1t is divided INTO three parts, 'The Phe-
nomena OF vision,n .sThe Laws Of Light and "Natu-
raj Maggie" to which is added an original chapter
on the spectroscope. The structure errors and opt
cal illusions OF the eye are explained at length,
are also all the mysteries associated with light. The
wonderful effects OF the magic lantern, phantasma
goria, camera 0bscura, camera lucida solar spec
trum and spectroscope are all fully explained and the
merous anecdotes illustrative Of the subject are
given and large number Of fine wood cuts embelish
on the whole we have seldom read as thoroughly
interesting and instructive works, written in light
pleasant style, with nothing OF the abstruso and
tiresome about them.
Nrw YORK MEDICAL JOrJRNAI
The February number Of this journal presents
table Of contents OF an unusually varied and nte-
resting character. The Introductory paper, by
DR.. Austin Flint, on the Mechanism Of the
Crepitant and Sub-Crepitant Rale," throws
wonderful flood OF light on this subject, re-
rarding which such diverse views have been
so long entertained by the medical profession. The
substance OF q clinical lecture on aThoracic and
Abdominal Aneursm" given by Professor shoda, OF
Vienna, as prepared by Dr. Kisser, OF Hartford,
Conn.,, is likewise . paper Of exceeding interest,
as also the succeeding article, BY Dr. Erich,
OF Baltimore on "New Modification Of sims
comotor Ataxia" by DR.. Lambert, OF Canada.
OF superior interest to oil the papers, Us well
as by far the longest, s the concluding 0ne by
Dr. Nathan Bozeman, OF this city. This paper treats
OF vesico-vaginal fstua and operations In connec-
ton with this disease, which, while vastly more pre-
vaent than Is generally supposed has until his late
successful operations through the medium OF sup
porting and confning apparatus OF peculiarly mark
ed ingenious and scientific construction, In conjunc
ton with his seli-retaning spectrum; bafied the
skill OF our most celebrated and accomplished sur
geons He cites the case Of lady. OF fourteen years.
Standing, upon whom nye operations had been
performed by the most distinguished surgeons OF
our city with no beneficial results, when she was
admitted to his institution, and after single ope
ration upon his new mode Of ueatment he dis
charged her in o few days efiectually cured. As an
example Of progressive skill In surgery the compiled
records OF our medical Journals present MO case OF
SURPRISING interest alike to the general as well az
scientific and professional reader: II shows step
in advance In the treatment OF this peculiarly palm
ful disease that reveals an epoch In surgical opera
tons, and in achieving the success we have noted
DIR, Bozeman has added greatly to his deservediy
high reputation both In tins country and In Europe
THINK AND ACT. A series OF Articles pertaining to
Men and Women, Work and Wages. BY Virginia
Penny. Philadelphia: Caxton, Remsen Ha1el-
finger.
There are great many thoughtful, timely ideas in
this book, and there is also much that Is neither
practical nor expedient. II the important ques-
tion OF "woman and Her Work, could be treated
without introducing the "sufYrage'' idea women in
general would interest themselves In the subject to
greater extent than they do now. IL Is notorious
fact that not one woman IN 1ity desires to possess
the right or privilege Of voting All that the au-
thoress says in this book regarding the social future
OF her subscribe to- ali that she advances
on political matters can be better attended 20 oy the
fathers husbands and brothers Of women than by
women themselves The book Ia very well written
How TO READ CHARACTER New York: Samuel
This is q new illustrated hand book Of phrenology
and paysiognomy for students and examiners, with
a descriptive chart.n II the theory be a correct
one we know Of no better book than this from which
10 learn how to practice II. Our numerous phreno-
logical .'bumps'' are explained in order. Any per-
son desiring 10 Ind out whether he Is genius or
Ounce religious or irreIIgous moral or immoral;
whether his bump OF acquisitiveness is developed
sufficiently to warrant his great expectations OF
curing iortune-in nne. TO any person desiring u
study phrenolosy this book will be Of value.
GLESSArR OR, LIFE ~ SCOTLAND. BY Helen
Hazlett Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen HOTEL
finger.
All thin,s considered, this is not a bad novel By
any means. II Is very "womanish,, whatever that
may be, and can scarcely be regarded as in,
fiction: but on a dull, quiet afternoon will Will,
away an hour or two as interestingly as most novels
nowadays.
Miscellaneous.
We have received from d. Appleton a Co. reprints
OF the poetical works OF Thomas Campbell ant
Henry Kirke White, and from the same publishers re
prints OF Scotts "FaIr Maid cf PERTH ana Mar
ryatts "Snarleyow.n These books belong TO thu
cheap editions now being published By Appleton
Tney arc excellsntiy printed.
The Masnxiucs.
Van NbsrRAND's ECLEcrIc ENorNEERING MAGAzrHl
Tor March. New YORK: ID. Van Nostrand.
This number Is very interesting and instructive
| one.
| THE LADy's FRIEND for March gives ua the las
freak Of Dame Fashion and . iargs samsaas u Intel