The New York herald., 1869-05-10
LITERATURE.
Reviews of New Books.

THE DAY DAWN AND THE RAIN, AND OTHER SER
MONS. by Rev. John Ker, u. d. Robert Carter d
Brothers, New York.
This Is a volume Of sermons by Scotch divine,
John Ker, honored few weeks ago by having con-
ferred upon him by the University OF Edinburg the
title OF doctor divinity, and who has been known for
quarter of century eof the very abes of Scot.
tsh preachers DR.. Ker having been for some years,
in consequence of nrmty OF BODY, unable to preach
except at rare intervals, has at last been induced
to publish selection from his sermons
The selection is large the volume before
us containing twenty-fOur sermons. Large as tue
would be difficult to ind among the many able
mons which have been given TO the world In recent
years volume OF equal merit. Every sermon in
this volume Is complete unity-a beautifully
rounded whole. Taken altogether they reveal
throughout fine scholarship, exquisite taste and a
pulpit and with the high and holy duties of the
ministerial oifice. The reader finds III them no
crudity Of thought no absurd theOrizlng, no strain
ing after effect, no extravaganza OF expression,
waste OF words. 1t Is manifest from this volume
that DR.. Ker was IN the habit Of serving his people
and his Master with his best and every competent
and impartial Judge must admit that his best was
excellent. Young preachers who are studying the
art of sermon making could follow better model.
American cergymen and sermon readers generally
laid under obligation to the Messrs Carter OF this
city for republishing these sermons. The volume Is
at once handsome and cheap.
On THE WING: A BOOK FOR SPoRTsMEN. BY John
Bumstead. With illustrations. Boston: Fields,
Osgood CO.
When the worthy better half Of the famous black
ing mapufacturer exclaimed, claw, sir, we keeps
poet" she unconsciously gave expression to bit Of
sarcasm quite applicable to this book. The science Of
advertising has been carried to point In this republic.
Many business men keep their poets. The muse has
been invoked to sound the praises of SOAP of quacks
nostrums and Of almost everything in the grocery,
drug and dry goods 'line." Merchants and manufac-
turers of prominence have even kept their authors.
Long essays the superior qualities Of the Snapper
up musns, the Chung Kee tea, the Gulls Home
Springs and OF various other things and places have
appeared from time to time In book and pamphlet
form and been distributed ree gratis for nothing" to
those that have fancy for such literature. 1t is
only OF late, however. that such books have been
printed with the names Of publishers of respecta-
bity and prominence on their title pages. The
work before us purports to be 'for sportsmen." We
trust 1t Is With regard to ils literary merits, moth
ing need be said. Its contents are evidently In
tended for beginners, the greater part of the book
being devoted to teaching the art Of using guns and
guhpowder. A few partridges, quails and
woodcocks are thrown IN ION the wing" The
most prominent features in 1t are several splendid
pufrs OF certain gunmaKers, powder manufacturers
&c. whose advertisements, singular to say appear
In the last pages. Now this is all very right and
proper we dare say. Messrs Snapock Breech have
a perfect right, in connection with the Blowemtell
Powder Manufacturing Company, to advertise their
wares at every opportunity. We heartily approve
Of their enterprise TO advertise IN BOOK intended
stroke OF genius. We render homage TO 1t. IL Is
not unlikely that before long we win be requested
review sensation novel containing the following
paragraphs
which he had bought that prince Of haers A. Chapeau
He found her upon those elegant lounges which
but the firm Of whasnOt CO.. No 800 Maiden lane,
OF blue silk late importation by Low, Tariff Cheat whose
streets, is always crowded with ladies'. '''
q SS pair Of Saasa m soss
Credit and Eopay streets he threw himself his knees be-
With madeny odesiy she tha. his ardent passion
He gazed with rapture a. the hand she pacedn
ter Of six diamonds set an elegant crown The ring Itself
Known eSeers Garest Psa Amethyst Were
.hs mOra' who had the honor Of this
Here, then, Is q chance for some enterprisng Bo-
henian to win fame and dollars. Here, also, Is
chance chance for merchants to be widely advertised:
announced In .'rhe Blighted Hearth that the pale
features OF the Tilted heroine were bathed with aro
matte water prepared by him. or that he manufac-
tured the essence held to her delicate nostrils. We
repeat that this style OF advertising Is quite egiti
sa aase Igns t0 20 Keep @ .e
traders. But we sincerely trust, for the sake OF
American literature, that our prominent and infu.
which degrades and demoralizes our present stand
ing and almost destroys hopes for the literary f
ture OF the United states.
UNFORGIvEN. Novel. BY Berredae, New York:
George 5. Wilcox. 1862
There s not much In this novel TO praise, although
It Is fairly written and will probably be read by a
large number OF persons who never get tired Of the
same old story. We candidly confess TO being
heartily tired OF the humdrum love romance, with
its sicky, sentimental and sanity pious characters,
Those who like may read, and to such we recon-
mend this book without expressing an opinion OF
their taste.
THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND. BY Rev. Elijah Kelog.
Boston Lee Il Shepard. 1869.
The author Of "Elm Island Storiesn has achieved
quite a reputation as the writer Of pleasant and
tertanng stories for children. This book is a very
good one.
TRAVELLERS OFFICIAL RAILWAY GUIDE OF THE
UNITED STATES AND CANADA. May, 1869.
The May number OF this publication Is well gotten