The New York herald., 1870-04-15
LITERATURE.
Criticisms Of New Books.

Oriuctsms OI view BOOKS
ECCLgsIAsTICAL ART IN GERMANY DURING THE
MIDDLE AGES. by DR.. Wilhelm Lubke. Translated
from the fifth German edition, with appendix, by
&Co.
Contrary to what the title implies the contents OF
this book include ecclesiastical art in other places
besides In Germany although the greater part OF the
work Is devoted TO that country Beginning with
the recognition and establishment or christianity In
Rome by the Emperor Constantine and the adoption
OF the Basica as o model for the construction OF
their places Of worship DR.. Lubke traces the pro-
gress OF the early Christians In church architecture
to the Middle Ages by the close Of which progress In
this branch OF art may be said to have ceased.
The several styles, such as the Byzantine,
Komanesque, Gothic, &c, are minutely explained In
the text and by means OF numerous illustrations
the reader Is enabled to at perceive the DIR
ference In them. very large number OF churches.
together with their furniture, are described and
there Is an interesting chapter devoted TO the
The work Is so admirably condensed that We are
unable to 40 more than refer TO It's contents IN gen.
eral terms. IL imparts vast amount OF informa-
tion anu Will be read with pleasure and intellectual
profit not only by those who take direct interest In
everything pertaining TO ccclesiastic art but Dy the
intelligent public generally The appendix, by the
translator who deserves much praise for the pains.
taking and conscientious manner IN which he has
performed his work, Is instructive as showing the
several points Of divergence between the eccleslas-
DR.. Lubke: We heartily commend the book TO the
public. The illustrations are all excellent and the
mechanical execution good, =
THE SUM- BY Amedee Gullema, from the rrencn.
ny A. L; Pnlpson, Ph d: With iity-eight illustra.
uohs. New York: Charles Scrlbner Co.
This Is one OF the best works IN tho sLiDrary OF
Wonders" Messrs. scrbner 4 Co. are publishing. II
contains oil the information regarding the sun
which astronomers have obtained TO the present
time. There is no planet better worth studying than
that from which the earth receives light and heat
ana the manner In which the book before us IS
ffarr at,fA
tratlOns, which are numerous and well executed,
are valuable as aids In obtaining clearer know
ledge OF the 1acts stated In the text which by the
way, Is noteworthy for its simple and lucia style
We heartily commend the book for the entertain
ment and instruction 1t Affords
HOME INFLUENCE, by Grace Aguilar, Ia the first
volume OF new edition OF the works OF this author
that Messrs. d. Appleton Co. OF this city are en-.
gagged In publishing. The merits of the book are too
well known to require criticism IRON us, we shall
merely say that 1t Is handsomely printed and bound
ana Is marvel or cheapness.
CAsIMiR MAREMURA is an English love story (Bos-
ton: Roberts Brothers, very long ana somewhat
dull. The plot Is not bad and the characters are
drawn with some skill, but the dialogues are very
tresome on account of their proxity. AS IN all
other novels OF the Kind there are the Inevitable
Accomplished heroine aud Inc usual Complement Iu Of
sinners for the facts relating to all OF whom we refer
the reader.
REMARKABLE TRIALS OF ALL COUNTRIES is the
title OF book published by Diossy Co., OF this city.
1t Is compilation OF facts connected with trials for
murder which have become celebrated In the Grim.
inal annals OF the United States, Great Britain Ire
land and France and includes such cases as those OF
Charlotte Corday the murder OF Helen Jewett, trial
John G. Colt OF the Marchl0ness OF Brinviers and
OF others. As with all literature OF the kind the book
is readable enough. IL is, however, wretcnedly
printed and shabblly bound.
TIE WORKS or THE BRITISH DRAMATIsTs forms
part OF the uniform library OF standard works pub
lished by w. w. Swayne, new York. 1t contains
interesting sketch Of the origin and early history
OF the British drama and selections from the dra-
matte works OF such authors as John Lilly, George
Peele Ben JOnson, Beaumont ana Fletcher, Philip
Massinger and Others, with biographical notices Of
each authOr.
BEHIND THE SCENES Boston: New England News
Company Is rather interesting story OF the stage
from which we are led to believe that one OF the
principal duties OF theatrical managers ia TO swear
ateverythlng and everybody, and the next Is TO In
sldiOuSly assall the honor OF actresses. Whoever
the author s he or she is evidently capable OF writ
ing something better than this story.