The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-01
ITERATUiE.
Revtevvs of New Books.
direction.


SCENES or CLERICAL LIFE AND SILAs MANNER. By
George Eliot. New York: Harper Brothers.
RoaoiA. BY George Eliot. New YORK; Harper 4
Brothers,.
These volumes complete the 'fibrary edition" Of
George Eliors works published by the Messrs. liar
per. We do not remember seeing SO well printed,
illustrated and bound books placed upon the market
for SO small price these The fact that the lud-
crcusly small sum charged for each volume Is due
TO O business rivalry with another firm does not
make the publishers less deserving OF praise for
having placed within the reach Of the poorest edu-
Gated persons works Of such decided merit these.
IL would be better for all parties concerned probably
and more honorable, undenlaby, II the "qdarres Of
publishers" were to cease, and an era OF good fell
lowshp and mutual respect for each others rights
whether moral or legal to set in. But then the
public would not be able to buy cheap good books.
between our desire for the publishers to 'have
peaceo and our desire for the people to Obtain
books at hall their usual selling cost we nave placed
ourselves In dilemma and wandered somewhat
from tho subject OF George Elors novels To get rid
OF the one ana return to the other we will conclude
by again recommending this edition as beng In all
respects an admirable one, the wide circulation OF
which we have no doubt about
ADVENTURES on THE GREAT HUNTING GROUNDS OF
THE WORLD. BY Victor Mennier. Illustrated with
twenty-five woodcuts. New YORK: Charles Serb
ner d Co.
THIS Is the poorest OF the five volumes so far issued
in the Library of Wondersr-that il, 1t Is poor
because The subjects are not worthy place In the
library There Ia but little Of instructive character
In the book which cannot DO found in q more agree
able FORM because given In full In the writings OF Du
Chaiu, Baker aud hundred others of greater or
less prominence, with whose works the public Is
tolerably familiar. OF course, merely to while away
an idle hour the pages OF this volume VIII prove Of
decided interest to all readers. Stories OF exciting
hunts for gorillas tigers Doars elephants ana other
animals always possess certain fascination which
cannot readily be go. rid Of But to place such sub
Lightning" and "Wonders or HEATH was an error.
We perceive with real satisfaction that all The addi-
tiona forthcoming volumes are, SO far ns the titles
Indicate subjects OF real merit and Importance
that, with the single exception OF the book before us.
there will be no work in this Library OF Wonders"
which VIII not lmpart to the reader a vast amount
OF knowledge, besides aiordng the most agreeable
OF all entertainments.
A TREATISE ON THE LAW OF SEr-OFF, REcouP-
MENT AND COUNTBRcLAIN. by Thomas w. Water.
man. New York; Baker, voorhts Il Co., Publish.
ers. Up. $780,
Questions on the law OF set-or and counterclaim
OF such frequent recurrence that any collection
OF the decisions relating to IL would be hailed as
boon by every practising lawyer. Barbour on SET
or Ia the only other treatise on the subject, but
that was published twenty eight years ago. and has
become obsolete. Mr.. waterman ia already known
as laoorous compiler and annotater, anu his
present performance Is calculated to enhance his
reputation. The book contains complete and well
arranged synopsis Of all the English ana American
decisions statutes and codes relating TO tho subject
with copious index, the wnoe forming work OF
great practical utility executed In O highly salts
factory manner, and supplies want long felt by
the profession.
PIANO AND MUSICAL MATER. BY @. de la Motto.
BOSTON,: White, Smith Perry.
We nave In this neatly gotten up book a work on
music noticeable for its originality and for Its thor
oughly practical character. Opening with an inter-
esting sketch Of the history OF music, it goes TO
describe chow music exists In nature, explains all
tnat needs explaining regarding musical sounds and
their pitch; orchestral. medium compass Of the
voices, rhythm. melody and harmony ana classical
ana modern musc.n Continuing, IL teaches chow 10
learn TO read music at sight, and chow 20 practice
to acquire thorough iearning'i-two lessons full OF
most Important knowledge. Following these ara
lessons OH Touch and "Flngering" which are
followed by numerous chapters containing u thor
ough and most exhaustive series oil instruction in
all that relates TO music. On the whole this book Is
OF more than ordinary merit. As compendium OF
Information on musical matters II Is deserving Of
the highest PRAISE
BUILDING. BY Commapder Richard W. Meade
United states Navy. Philadelphia: j. b. Llppn-
colt n Co.
This book is ian exposition OF the elementary
principles involved In the science and practice or
naval construction, compiled from various STANDARD
authorities" II seems TO us well calculated to per-
form the service II is designed for--namey, u be
used as text book by students In the United sta ca
Naval Academy. There Is nothing relating 20 naval
architecture which ~ moi given here. Numeroua
drawings Illustrate the subject, In addition to tle
narration OF mere facts, which are for tho most part
interesting only 10 students there ore several chali.
tiers whose contents are quite cllcrta ntny, Alto.
gcther Commander Meade ASS lcrl0lniet tNli.a aA
work In compiling this yolrme. II ccuBt.a83 an
be introduced IN the Naval hcade.ny faa ,0~
naval constructors IA civil life wVn'd - vy5 -
style,