The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-10
LITERATUR1.
VIEW or VIEW BooKs

IA
From j. b. Lippincott & Co. we have re-
feived "Aspasia," by G. Holland. 1t is not
pleasant to speak in any other than terms of
praise of literary work that is evidently
Fritten with sincerity, and it is especially un-
pleasant to condemn one that is designed to
Ho good. 1t is very much to be regretted,
Rowever that very many, if not the majority,
~ persons who undertake to write moral and
religious stories have not the very first quail
lcations for the task There is no department
IA literature that is more important
han this, that requires more dis
elimination, tact, delicacy, and ar
stic feeling than this, and yet there is
Zone that is more abused by the efforts of
Friters who have not a particle of literary
plent. 1t is impossible for a conscientious
Reviewer to accept the good intentions of such
7tFriters as the author of this work in extenua-
on of their obvious shortcomings; and in
kiew of the immense number of books that
|sre annually put before the public which are
Noteworthy only for godliness combined with
intense dullness, it is positive duty to speak
Mainly against them. Such works. we regret
10 say have the effect of bringing religion
INTO contempt with the very class of read
rs that they wish to serve: and
may be set down as an
nvariable rule, that religious stories ought
pot to be written at all if they cannot rise
bove dull mediocrity The work before
Ps is in the form of an autobiography, and
NC author has apparently woven into her
narrative great number of her own expe-
W, ,,i
press the opinion that from beginning to end
- is a series of the fattest commonplaces, and
bat the literary style has all the crudites of
school girls first attempt at composition.
uch works had much better not be written
all.
-Claxton, Rensen & Haffelfnger send us
Harper's Handbook for Travellers in Eu-
ope and the East" by w. Pembroke Fet-
6dge. This is the seventh year that this
uide-book has been published, and its great
#opularity with tourists is an evidence of its
correctness and the practical utility of its in
r ormation. 1t presents in a compact form
Fhat could otherwise only be gathered from
. dozen volumes, and it contains all the infor-
nation that intelligent tourists really need to
Zee all that is worth seeing in Europe and the
East with economy and comfort. Care is
aiken to make corrections up to the latest
homent, and the editor resides in Europe and
evotes his time to collecting and digesting
acts that will be useful to those who take the
look as a guide. The Handbook" is ac-
ompanied by railroad map corrected up
b 1868.
The same house sends us "a Parser and
lnalyzer for Beginners, by Francis A. March,
Professor of the English Language and Com
barative Philology in Lafayette College. In
his little manual Professor March has given
n introduction to the study of English gram
bar that ought to become Immediately popu-
hr with teachers. The subject is set before
he pupil in such a way that it is impossible
or him not to understand it, and it is deve-
bped in such manner as to illustrate all the
hahn principles of grammar, and at the same
lime to stimulate both teachers and pupils.
buch a system as this makes the study of
rammar healthy mental stimulant, and il
bbviates many of the difficulties with which
eachers have to contend with the usual
manuals on the subject now in use in Om
Ichools.
Il. b. Peterson & Brothers send us 'Love
Ind Liberty" by Alexandra Dumas. This
a story of the French Revolution, by the
uthor of "Monte Cristo." 1t is highly
Epoken of by the French critics, and it vii
oubtless find admiring readers here.
From II. ElIwood Zell, Nos. II and Il
Sixth street, we have received numbers 81
IS. 80, and 40 of ''Zells Popular Encyclo
eedia," which is brought down to the title
Bolivia" This work sustains the reputation
hat it obtained at the start, and when com
leted it will be the cheapest and one of th
post useful encyclopedias ever published.
From Turner Brothers d Co. we have re
eeived Our Boys and GjrIs, edited b.
oliver Optic, for Saturday, August 1ith
The admirers of Mr.. William Norris wi
BE pleased to hear that the completion of hi
Earthly Paradise" isannounced. The entir
u york will not be published until May, but
has been decided to issue the six stories be
oneing to the autumn months about tn
middle of November The hearty recogn
ion of Mr. Morris genius on both sides {
j. khe Atlantic is gratifying sign to those VIII
IRE interested in good literature and it is
T. be hoped that the success that has bee
chieved by his more elaborate works will e1
Iourage the publishers to give us an editic
.zz.=bf his minor poems. These first efforts COZ
sin many exquisite things, but for some re
In thev did not take when first issue
Tbey would be more likely to be read al
ppreciated now that the author has made
anne for himself as one of the most grac
|| IN ond fascinating Doets of the day.