The New York herald., 1870-12-25
LIT ERATURE.
Criticisms OF New Books.

Criticisms OF New Books.
WONDERFUL BALLOON AsCENTs; or. THE CoNQUEsTs
OF THE SKIES. History Of Balloons and Balloon
| Voyages From the French OF +. Marion. With
Illustrations. New York: Charles Scribner Go.
This little volume belongs to that admirable series
OF books Messrs. Scrbner Co. are publishing.
known as 'The Library OF Wonders" 1t Is most
interesting and Instructive The science OF aerial
navigation Is one which has aroused vast amount
OF enthusiasm, and although 1t is still puzzle and
seemingly Gordlan one to man, knowledge OF the
progress made IN 1t from the earliest period in its
known history 10 the present day Is useful; and
IL Is Just such knowledge that this book impartS to
the reader NJ Marion the author. writes in a
charming style, which the translator has lost moth
Ing Of ....,: 80 ..E s'.,s, =, S
!, MoRS1NG AND EVENING EXERCISES. Selected from
eny Ward seeeher Esa Sns q
| New York: Harper 4 Brothers. -
| MI Beecher's popularity as preacher will doubt
less insure for this book an extended circulation
In spite OF their frequent bad logic and occasional
maaprepos figures OF speech all or the papers cen
! tanned in the book are readable. Indeed, many Of
them are admirable for the elevatea sentiments they
| give expression to, and these amply redeem the
shortcomings OF the Others. There are "exercises''
Tor every morning and evening in the year. The
book is well edited and is neatly printed and bound
| An anonymous author publishes through Claxton,
| Remsen & Hafefnger, OF Philadelphia, his "Opin-
| ions Concerning The Bible Law Of Marriage" The
book Is rather uneveny written, but many parts are
quite orcible and logical in defence OF the religious
view OF marriage and IN denuEciatlon OF polygamy
Those persons who have not been fortunate enough
to read the most violent and eXtravagant OF all Of
Victor Hugos writings viii do well to get the latest
translation of ''rhe Destroyer OF the Second Re-
public, being Napoleon the Lite.n New YORK: Shell
don Coz Victor Hugo, as IS well known, IS a mas
ter in the art of vtuperaon and he did his best or
mis- worst Ia TINS book. Many passages, however,
are models OF eoquence-of that sort OF language,
grandy expressed, which has done more to make the
author famous than anything else.
Spritualism receives heavy blow from DR.. VIII
liam A. Hammond In a little book entitled "The
Physics and Physiology OF Spritualsm.n New
York: d. Appleton Coz IL is an admirable essay
on a subject which has occasioned more excitement
In this country than many things OF far greater
importance. DR.. Hammond, In a few words, dis
poses OF It's claims to the supernatural and exhibits 1t
as the result or physical disorder supernduced by
general debility and bad digestion. The essay ought
to be widely read.
A translation of Ernest Renan's essay on "Consti-
tutional Monarchy iD France" has been published
by Roberts Brothers, OF Boston. We need hardly
say that Is OF the deepest interest AT the present
moment when France has scarcely a govern
ment at ALL its perusal win be especially timely.
From it one may learn the history or constitutional
monarchy in France, and may see why it failed and
the obstacles that prevented Its success.
1t may not be generally known that the "metric
system OF weights and measures has been adopted
aU (nnur and fhaf lsonu chonf
tradesman in the United States may, II he peases.
In strict conformity to law, render all his bills and
keep his accounts according to that system" Such,
however, is the case and it is to be regretted that
this system has not been adopted to any apprecaDle
extent. Although the book before us does not share
this regret 1t is very instructive as giving clear
statement Of the subject. It, however, eXaggerates
the injury which would follow the immediate adop-
tion OF the system The book Is entitled 'The Me-
tric SYSTEM" is written by Charles Davies, LII. d..
and is published By A. S. Barnes h Co., Of this city.
Mr.. Thomas B. Butler has published revised edi-
tion of his work entitled "A Concise Analytical and
Logical Development Of the Atmosphere System,n
&c. To those who are Interested in this branch OF
science tand everybody ought to be- we cheerfully
recommend the book. se.-, g..
GLOW to Read and What to Read" is the title OF
small volume prepared by DR.. Charles II. Moore ana
published by d. Appleton & Co. 1t contains some
valuable suggestions to readers of books and gives
a list of good works which should be read.
Managers of political and other professions should
get General Upton's "Tacucs Tor Non-Military
Bodies" New York: D. Appleton 4 co., The
book gives valuable instructions for the efficient
management OF political associations police forces,
nre organizations, Masonic, ODD Fellow and other
Civil societies a"- T'.A4--.., ..sas-f
d; Works OF Fiction.
One OF the best satires on the sensational novel Of
the day which we have read Is "Adrlft with a
Vengeance: Tale OF Love and Adventure written
by Klnahan CORVALLIS, and published BY Carleton.
deserted child who turns out the heir to an earl
dom; murder In which the body OF the victim is
reduced to o liquid by means OF solution Of potash
pirate who had been hanged, but not until dead;
a suicide, several villains, a shlpwreck-in fact
every form Of the sensational novel is introduced
make a connected story. The book is decidedly rich
and ought to be widely read. 1t is the best thing Of
the kind published this season.
Those who have read "Cipherr and the other
novels written by Jane G. Austin, will welcome
"The Shadow OF Moloch Mountain" tNew York;
Sheldon Coy The story IS well constructed and is
interesting throughout. III we are not mistaken II
was originally published in serial in the GALAXY.
This is the season for Christmas stories and OF the
many which have appeared in print we have seen
none more entertaining than that entitled "Cross
Purposes. A Christmas Experience in Seven
Stages" philadelphia: ]. B. Lippncott Coz
II Is written by T. C. DeLeon, and Is nicely Illus
trated.
II Is not often that romancers go back to the first
century OF the Christian era for material for novel;
but the author OF the "Chronlces Of the Schonberg-
Gotta Family has done so, and has produced an In.
| terasting romance, entitled "The Victory OF the
| Vanquished.n New York: Dodd b Mead.l The
book Is admirably written, and is quite interesting.
| Dickens unfinished novel, 'ghe Mystery Of Ed