The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-23
LITERATURE.
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.

TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES IN THE TERRITORY
OF ALASKA. By Frederick Whymper. Pub
lshed by Harper 4 Brothers. Philadelphia
Agents Clsxton, Remsen Hafelfnger.
Up to the time of the purchase of Russian
America by Mr.. Seward it was practically an
unknown country, and the most contradictory
opinions prevailed as to the value of our acqui-
sition. All the reports, surveys, books of
travel, encyclopedias, and other sources of
information were Tansacked for the purpose
of throwing light on the subject; but the ter
ritory is SO far removed from the centres of
civilization, and has been so little visited Dy
those who have the ability or disposition to
give satisfactory account of its topography,
climate, minerals; resources, and people, that
we know very little more about it new than
we did when Mr.. Stewards bargain was con-
hrmed by the Senate, and the territory form
ally annexed to the United States. ANY ac-
count of Alaska, however meagre, by an ILL
telligent observer, is of value; and the volume
before us is interesting, as being the record
of recent travel, and as giving us an idea OF
the portion Of the territory visited as it is at
the present time.
Mr.. Whymper is model travelling Briton,
and describing himself as "having, like
good proportion of my countrymen, little
superhuous energy, which was lying fallow"
for which he devoutly thanks God-he de-
termined, in 1862 to visit the Pacific coast,
and particularly British Columbia. His
travels led him to Russian America, and he
explored for q considerable portion of its
length, the river Yuoon, the great stream
running west to empty into Behring
Sea, and dividing the territory into two
very nearly equal portions. In 1865,
after the acquisition of Russian America
by the United States, he volunteered
TO accompany, in the capacity of artist, the ex-
petition sent out by the Western Union Tele-
~ranh C".,,""cv ,",, to commence the exploration
foS proposed overland telegraph, which, by
means of a cable Oia Behring Straits, was to
unite the Old and the New World; and in this
volume he gives the result of his obser-
Vatiops.
Mr.. Whymper gives lively description
of the country, and its aboriginal inhabitants,
and in summing up ths results of his observa-
tions, he comes to the conclusion that Russian
America is not likely to prove bad bargain
to the United States. A map OF the territory,
and one enlarged of the Yucon river, arC
given, and the work is illustrated by large
number of excellent sketches of scenery
people, ETC., made by the author on the spot
LETTERS OF A SENTIMENTAL IDLER. b
Harry Hardwood Leech. Published by D
Appleton & Co., New York.
Holy Land have been "done' SO often b
travellers that it must be almost impossibl
TO say anything new about them. The oil,
story, however, can be told in such name
rs to appear as much of a novelty as ever
and an intelligent writer, with lively an
entertaining style, can give us some new idea
about the countries that are now included il
the grand tour, and are visited every day b
Sdlers, sentimental and otherwise, who Civ
their various experiences in the form of lei
fers to the papers and books of travel, Nj
Leeoh travelled for the purpose OF enjoyment
and his letters show him to be a keen oh
server, with fine appreciation of humor, an
his adventures are narrated in pleasant
Eossipy sort of style that makes them YER
agreeable reading. The Letters occupy 4G
octave pages, and they give very picturesqu
descriptions of the Orient, with lively an
amusing sketches Of the manners and Gu
toms of the people, and the various queer al
surious adventures which befel the Idl
during his travels. The work is illustrate
by portrait OF the author and number
sngEavings Of Oriental life.