The New York herald., 1869-01-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Book Notices.

OUTLINES OF COMPOSITION. BY ii. ]. Zander and T.
Z. Howard, A. NJ. Boston: Robert s. Davis Il Go.
So very doubtful is it whether adverse criticism
the productions OF learned Bostonians falls short Of
sacrilege that we pen this notice tremblingy and
with many misgivings. The work, are told In the
title page Is "deslgned to simplify and develop the
principles Of the art of composition) by means Of
exercises In the preparation Of essays, debates, ec
lures and orationsn Now, it seems to us that any
attempt to introduce certain rules by which writer's
must prepare their composition IS simply ridiculous.
But II even that Is not the purpose In this book we
still fail TO perceive its utility. Putting aside the
important fac5 that persons must have ideas
before they can compose, and that not all the books
on composition that were ever written can give
ideas, the book is OF no use to the student. 1t Is
Tor good composition are few, and those few are
taught In every grammar and spelling book. II
"Outllnes OF Compostion' was to be generally used
by scholars the growing generation Of men and wo
men would possess weary saineness OF style In
writing We cannot therefore, recommend this
book to the public.
WHAT KNOW ABOUT BEN EcCLEs. By Abraham
Page Philadelphia: J. u. Lippincott Co.
II, as intimated in the preface Of this book. the
"Life and Opinions of Abraham Page,n written by
the author OF the above AMI published not long ago.
was received with "much favorr by the public, we
only gratuate the publishers and wonder at
the taste OF the readers Certainly less interesting
book we have seldom been called upon to read. The
work before us is somewhat better than life and
Opinions but there would have been no blank left
IN literature had it never been written II would be
compliment to say that Ii Is Lo worse than the
generality OF stories written nowadays, and II
would lie positive injustice TO say that It is petter.
Under these circumstances we must simply wish the
author and publisher good luck. There are many
persons In this country of medltative, melancholy
turn Of mind whom 1t might interest TO learn what Ia
known ''about len Eccles."
WoMAN's COMPLETE GUIDE TO HEALTH. BY M. E.
Divix, NJ. d. New York: Townsend IL Adams
Or. Divix has evidently devoted much time and
study to the production OF a much needed work.
Whether this book viii supply the demand we are
not sufficiently wen versed in medical knowledge to
say. The only difficulty that strikes Is that OF
getting the sex TO read medical works. Women, as
q general rule prefer 10 depend upon their physi-
clans ior KNOWLEDGE OF their ailments, ana until
we can scarcely hope TO see them interested In the
study OF physiology.
The Magazines.
THE MOTHER AT HOME AND HOUSEHOLD MAGAZINE.
February, 1sGQ. Edited by Mrs. Henry Ward
Beecher. New York: Hosford Sons.
Could we dare to adversely crittcse this second
number OF a aspirant for public favors Not for
worlds. The ojor OF plymouth church warns US that
II Is not to be lightly noticed sneezed at We
have, BESIDES a model sermon by the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher. short, but sugges
tive and full OF good ideas. But, Jest
ing aside, this is an excellent MAGAZINE
about IL tnat gives spicy CHEEKY coloring TO its con-
tents, which are probably. too religious IN their
te1ueuccs tue 1T large. Dut WHICH clnlOb
fail to be acceptable TO those sober going church
members who design rearing their children in cer-
tain manner not adopted by the great majority Of
mothers but, truth TO TELL beneficial 10 their morals
Ii even somewhat .crib1ed, cabined and confnedr
WITHIN the narrow limits OF too rigid discipline
As the guardian OF public morals we heartily CON-
mend this new magazine, The worth OF which Will
be readily perceived on perusal.
DENoREsT's YorSG AMERICA February, 1899. New
York.
This boys' and girls nagazinen is very good--not
an yni
tons OF the Kind, bat wiinal sprghty las IL claims
to bel and entertaining.