The New York herald., 1870-12-17
LITERATURE.



Read and How shall Read Them By Moan
rorter, d. D., LII. d. New YORK: cnafies
ScriDner u Co.
Professor Porter mas written book which, If we
even cannot approve all his views still merits the
warmest coInmendaton. At the present time,
when, from the multiplicity OF books in print It Is
task OF no ordinary character to select those best
calculated to AFFORD Information and entertainment,
II Is pleasant to be able 10 depend upon the ripper
Judgment Of an accomplished scholar for their selec'
ton. But, In addition to asccrtaining the titles and
character OF the best books for perusal the papers
In this volume take the entire field OF tera-
ture point out its beauties and warn OF Its ugli-
nesi. Perhaps Professor Porter is too severe In
somH Of his Ideas particularly with some expressed
upon newspaper literature. But where he has
written SO much worthy OF praise we may, with
out doing violence to imparalty, pass over what Is,
IN our opinion. erroneous and what Is probably at
trlbutabe to the rigid line Of thought which seems
inherent i'll all instructors As reading matter,
without reference to what they teach, the papers
are also quite interesting. The author possesses
notably easy and attractive style.
ADVENTURES OF YOUNG NATURALIST. BY Luccn
Biart. New York; Harper & Brothers.
II would be hard to decide whether this book
exces in interest or IN Information. No person can
read 1t without deriving pleasure from the perusal
ana without having mis- Knowledge Of Mexico
incre .sed. 1t is translation from the French OF
narrative OF adventure through the cordilieras OF
Mexico and derives It's title from the fact that the
son OF the author, who Is made the hero throughout,
accompanied MS father. Tie party consisted Of NJ.
Blart ana his son, NJ. Sumichrast and an Indian
servant named L'Encuerado. Leaving Orizava one
fine day, these four persons made o tour
through the mountains, and their adventures
are here told. Although written Tor youth we
nra ayarv
volume will be as much entertained as they have
been by any Of the works Of Sir Samuel Baker.
Sprightly dialogues, which seldom wit out
scientific Information animated descriptions OF the
country and ol storms. OF the nardsnips pleasures
OF the journey attest the literary skill OF NJ. Bart.
But that which Is the most important the facts
with which we are ma Q conversant concerning the
arborea and geological productions Of Mexico. The
immense forests Of the country made familiar to
US In their almost tropical luxurance, and we are
made better acquainted with such ANIMALS as the
tapir and puma, Jaguar ana alligator, and numer.
others. We heartily recommend the book, which
is elegantly bound and proiusely illustrated, as one
of the best works published Tor the holidays. 1t is
calculated to AFFORD intellectual entertainment to Old
| and young alike.
| A LIBRARY OF POETRY AND SONG; being choice
selections from the best poets with an introduce
ton by William Cullen Bryant. New York: j. B.
Ford 4 Co.
Among the holiday books which we have seen
during the present season this stands deservedly
high. 1t Is MASSIVE veume Of nearly eight hun
dred pages containing selections from the works OF
the most celebrated English, American Irish, French
ana German poets. Mr.. Eryant's introduction Is Al
Interesting essay on the poetic literature Of Ian
guage. The volume IS handsomely printed on tintea
paper, contains several nc engravings, and Is beau
tifully bound IN green and gold. 1t Is, in all re-
spects an admirable Christmas or New Years pre-
sent.
| SONGS or HOME; selected from many sources, with
numerous Illustrations rom original designs New
York: Charles ScrlDner IL Co.
| This Is another holiday book OF poetry. It con.
| tains the second part OF the reissue OF "Folk
Songs,n the first part OF which, entitled sSongs of
| Lnc,' was published during the past season. We
need hardly say that the selections ore admirable.
An additional attraction in the volume is TO be found
in the numerous Illustrations, all OF which are
| splendid specimens OF art The mechanical execu
ton OF the book is also good The type used is large
and clear, tho paper heavy tinted. with gold edge
and the covers elegantly bound In crimson and geld
| Altogether "Songs or Homer is decidedly the most
| recherche book OF the season.
| OUR POLITICAL FAvCRIrEs A Selection from the
Best Minor Poems OF The English Language. by
Asahei o. Kendrick. New York: Sheldon Co.
! Yet another HOLIDAY book or poetry lies before
| us. "Our Poetical Favortes'' Is not as elegantly
expensvely gotten up the Others noticed aoovc
but 1t Is nevertheless worthy Of praise. Professor
| Kendrick has displayed much good taste and Iudg.
| ment IN his selections. Many OF tie poems will he
for the nrst time by large number OF persons
| they having been, like numerous other mertoIi us
literary productions, been lost ght OF for years.
Thevolume is neatly printed and bound.
| MY APINGI KINGDOM; wIrH LIFE IN THE GREAT
! SAHARAra, &c. BY Paul Du Chaillu. New YORK:
Harper u brothers.
| Last year some thousands Of old and young chill
| dren were entertained and instructed by Dn Chal-
LUIS "Lost in the Jungle" This year we venture TO
predict that many thousands will be delighted
! by '.My Apingi Kingdom" Du Chaillu is most
| agreeable writer. From beginning TO end his book
is constant succession OF graphic pictures Of lie In
| Africa. But few men have travelled as exten. lively
as he has in the equatorial regions, and as conse-
quence, his adventures were necessarily In propor-
on his travels. In this book he relates the story
of his soourn In Aping land, OF which was elect.
ed King by the kind-neared and nospitabe natives.
After he mad departed, amid the tears and amenta-
tions OF his Subjects he returned to his settlement OF
Washington, whence he started on journey for the
Great Sahara. We have not the space in which to
summarize the narrative and must, therefore, be
content the reader that 1t Is full or stirring
incidents and exciting adventures. Many chapters
are exceedingly humorous, and others are quite in
structive. 1ne chapter for instance, on the habits
Of the white and tree ants contain an interesting
contribution to natural history. Every parent w.o
purposes to give his son or daughter Christmas
present should get this book. 1t Is prousely Illus
trated and handsomely bound
OVERLAND THROUGH ASIA. Pictures Of Siberian,
Chlnese and Tartar Life. BY Thomas w. Knox.
American Publishing Company, Hartford, Coma.
We have here another record OF adventure. Mr..
Knox, the author, has written very interesting
work on his journey "Overland through Asia.n Nu-
merous anecdotes OF events which transpired while
he was In Siberia and Russia. ana others told to him
while there, combine to render the narrative Lively
and agreeable. Love stories also form prominent