The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-09

ratlVe.
From the same house we have received
''The Hohensteins," novel, by Friedrich
Spielhagen, translated by Professor Schele
de We're, and published by Leypoldt & Holt.
This is q story of German life, and it is dis
tinguished by that peculiar descriptive power
and philosophical insight into character that
have made the writings of Spielhagen to be SO
highly esteemed by thoughtful readers. Those
who have fingered over the pages of ''Proble-
matte Characters" and its sequel, Through
Night to Light" will welcome this equally
great although very different work by the
same author.
Porter Il Coates send us proverbs, Ec-
elesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, with
notes critical and explanatory, by Rev. Henry
Cowles, d. d. This work, like that on the
Old Testament prophets by the same author,
is designed as an aid both to pastors and
people in the study of the Bible. The general
plan is an excellent one, and the book cannot
fail to be of great practical utility. We think,
however. that Dr. Cowles has made n great
mistake in referring to THE Song of Solo
mon." Grave doubts are entertained, and
have always been entertained, by learned theo-
logians as to the propriety of including this
erotic poem in the sacred canon, and DR..
Adam Clark gives an excellent piece of advice
when he recommends ministers anl teachers
to let it alone, especially as the other and
assuredly authentic portions of the Scripture
contain all that is necessary for the full expo
sition of the doctrines of religion as received
by the Jewish and Christian Churches. DR..
Cowles has evidently been greatly embar-
rassed in his endeavors to interpret ''The
Song of Solomon, and in our opinion he is
very far from giving a satisfactory solution of
its difficulties. The reasoning of theologians
is not as other mems, and it is sufficient to
say that, although the logic of DR.. Cowles
may be accepted in ecclesiastical circles as
applied to this difficult subject, it would not
stand for an instant if tested by lay rules.
We regret that any reference was made to
'The Song of Solomon in the work before
us, because we think that such reference will
| impair the influence of book that is calcu-
lated to do much good and to aid materially
in encouraging a study Of the Scriptures.
from J. Pennington 4 Son, No. 127 S.
Seventh street. we have received handsome
quUrto volume, edited by Alexander Dercourt,
of the Congressional printing Office, giving
in the original French some of the most i'm
portant and interesting portions of Lamar
tines ''Histoire de In Revolution Franchise" {"
The rubiects Of the extracts are ''Louis XVI" {"
Charlotte Corday," "Marie Antoinette," ("
'Les Girondins" Lies Grondins Fugatifs,"
and MADAME Elisabeth" The book is hand
somely printed, and it will be found exceed
Il, g,,1
able TO obtain access TO Lamartine's complete
! work.
From T. b. Peterson & Brothers we have
| received THE Lost Daughter" and other
stories by Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz. This is
the eleventh volume Of the complete edition
of Mrs. Hentzs novels now in course of pub
lication. OF this edition there is one volume
| still to be issued.
From Robert Wallin, No. 316 North
| Twelfth street, we have received Exeter
Hall, Theological Romance" published by
the American News Company. This work is
| described on the cover as "a wonderful
book" ''the most startling and interesting
book of the day, all of which may be very
we'll as an advertisement, but the perusal of a
very few chapters will probably convince
most readers, as it has us, that Exeter
Hall is very poor trash indeed.
The April number of Tile american
architect and Builders Monthly shows i'm.
provement, and we commend it to the favor
able notice of designs of the profession foi
whose benefit it is specially designed. The
photographic plates are handsome, the most
noticeable being those for the new Baptist
church now being erected at the corner OF
Broad and Spruce streets and for the new
Masonic Hall in New York. Published by
Lightfoot Fleu.
The March number of the Journal Of Mt
FranhliR Institute, edited by Professor Henry
Morton, PHI. D., has as usual an interesting
series of articles on practical and scientific
subjects.
From the Sunday School Union we have
received ''Christiana Hatherley's Girlhood;
mistress Margery," and the ''Crumbling
Path, all of which are suitable for Sunday
School libraries.
From the Central News Company We
have received the latest numbers of Puacl
and Fun.
Turner & Co. send us AppSetOnS Jour
nal and Our B0yS and Girls for April II
and the Transatlantic for April 10.
Tile Graphic gives, Gpr0p0s of Mr.
Dickens new story, a column of reminiscence
of the first appearance of ''The Piclwicl
Papers, from which we quote the most inte