The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-20
LITERATURE.


A. NJ. New YORK: Sned0n Co.
When, soon after Napoleon's marriage TO Marie
Louise, the Austrian emperor endeavored to prove
his son-lnaw descended from the Lords Of Treviso,
the great Corsican reported to have declared tnss
his patent Of nobility dated from Millesmo and
Monte Notte And yet, when we consider the sys-
tenn OF government that obtains In Europe the
pride OF birth and the value which is placed
upon the possession OF an ancient and distiu-
guished ancestry. seems quite natural that an enore
should have been made to prove Napoleon some.
thing more than mere soldier or fortune" But 1t
seems to inexpressibly absurd to even write such
o book as the one before us. In the nrst place wo
hazard the assertion that not the slightest curiosity
Is felt Ivy the public to know from whom General
Grant Is descended. But, granting that any such
curiosity exist 1t would be necessary to snow
that his ancestors persons Of distinction, and
not, as Is here clearly proved, individuals holding
very ordinary positions In their communities.
The first thing that strikes ones attention Is the
very large number OF persons that aided In the oon-
piiaton OF this work. The next thing is Mr.. Mar
shalrs failure to give satisfactory history Of tho
ancestors OF President Grant We are told at the OUT
set that direct evidence to the descent Of General
Grant from the ancient Scottish clan OF Grants can.
not easily be procured at this late day. but there cam
be scarce any room for doubt in the minds OF those
who weigh rightly the circumstantial evidence.
stantial evidencen should be received with cOnsd
cradle caution, but when 1t comprises solely tho
statement Of Jesse r. Grant, the father OF the PreSi-
dent and who "mentions in a letter to the writer
that his father used to tell him he was OF Scotch
ancestry" we can hardly regard it as evidence as
ALL 1t is true we given sketch Of the clan OF
Grants whose motto Is ''Stand fast" but 1t proves
nothing. All OF Mr. Marshall's argument ID cOms
prised in the evidence already stated, and In the
broad sentence III we suppose that Matthew, or onc
of his ancestors, came nom the imme-
date Vicinity or Castle Urquehart." Now this is all
mere speculation. To leave scarce any room foI
doubtn valid proof is needed, not suppositon.
Though failing in showing the Presidents DESCENT
from the Scottish clan Mr. Marshall has better sue
cess in tracing his ancestry, probably to Matthew
Grant, Of Windsor, certainly to Noah Grant, OF Tole
land. We find that two OF the latter name served
on the battle field with credit, though not with
distinction. To all that Is written, from Matthew
down the father OF the President, we nave no OBJ
lection to offer. But when Mr.. Marshall takes up
Jesse r. Grant we object IN the name Of good taste.
to his biographical sketch. Not only u there the
most fusome puTery throughout, but one part Ia
positively ridiculous. If We were not certain that
the following paragraph was seriously penned we
should assuredy believe 1t bit OF humorous
satire:-
We have omitted mentioning in Its proper connection the
fact that Mr. Jesse r. Grant has dspaSss S HAPPY
reputation he had enjoyed better advantages Of educa-
ha, there was ancient len time s.TS
play. poetcsl genius among The vaoa. members Of the
Grant family are 20 be expected We Will permit Mr. Grant
specimens were written.
Here follows q letter from the old gentleman,
explaining how when a tanner, poor school
teacher in his town, wrote him in verse, which was
published IN the village newspaper, we regret to say.
asking for leather for pair OF shoes" Mr.. Grans
sent him the leather, also poetcal reply. printed
in full in this book and beginning
Backwoodsman, sir my aged friend,
TO thank You for i' your rhymin ns" letter,
Publishedin the CaheItor.
Which last word. we presume must be pro-
nounced "Castigetter" to enable 1t to rhyme with
"lettern Thrty-four lines Of this doggerei and
thirty-sx lines Of rhymlng advertisement are
printed as exhibitions OF the poetic genius OF the
Grant family. We can well imagine how annoyed
General Grant was will be upon reading TINS part
Of his fathers biography. Again. In giving q List
Of the Presidents children, we have the follow.
lng:-
Ulysses simpson, .mabie youth OF much promise;
Ellen, an interesting daughter;
family" his grandfather says
We shall not take up more space in review OF this
book. 1t IL certainly the most toadyish that an
American could write. In a biography OF General
Grant the facts stated here OF his ancestry would
not be uninterestng but made as they are the sub
jects Tor volume OF 200 pages is an exhibition OF
'hero worship" unworthy Of the faintest commenda-
ton. We have no doubt whatever that General
Grant. with his characteristic modesty. viii LOOK
upon the publication OF this book with much dis
pleasure as we regard 1t with regret.
THE PASTOR AND His PEOPLE; OR, THE WORD OF
GOD AND THE FLOCK OF CHRIST. BY Rev. Thomas
J. Potter. New York: Catholic Publication So
cicty.
The object Of this book Is to assist the Catholic
clergy in the discharge OF ther duties Its contents
are undoubtedly very learned and pious, and very
dull. Whether the clergymen for whose reading 10
Is specially intended will agree with In the lass
named opinion we cannot say. the lessons 10
teaches Will doubtless be found very valuable to
missionary priests, to whose judgment OF its merits
we prefer to leave the work.
TREES, PLANTS AND FLowEas-Where and How
They Grow. By the author OF "0ur own Birds.s
Philadelphia: }. b. Lipplncon Co.
We commend this little book AZ containing much
interesting information, IN brief and popular form.
A knowledge Of the subjects treated Of should DO
possessed by all educated persons. The part relat-
ing to flowers Is particularly good, but hardly full
enough. really well compiled, interesting book.
devoted exclusively to flowers and not covering the
entire range OF horticulture. would become popular,
ii written in the piauant, vvacous style OF the
French However, In the absence OF such book,
we must rest content with those we have, including
tue neat little volume before US.
JOHN PLouGHMAEs TALK; OR, PLAIN ADVICE TO
PLAIN PEOPLE. BY 9. Ii. Spurgeon. New York;
sheldon Co.
The Rev. Mr. Surgeons literary style is by no
means the most elegant, out he Is man or original
IDEAS and many Of the doctrines laid down by him
In this book are to be recommended for the lessons
they ncucate. His satire 10 not without point; In
deed, we nave noted some very keen ana trcncnant
sarcasm which applies admirably to no inconsidsr-
able class In our midst The contents divided into
numerous papers, each on different subject, and
all tending TO religious end. what religious eHece
they will have upon tho reader we cannot surmise
we do NOT hesitate however to pronounce them