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

8EvIEw or VIEW BOoK&

death Of Mr.. Dickens, has been issued by
Fields, Osgood & Co. in a volume with some
hitherto uncollected pieces by the same
author. We have here a mystery that will
never be unravelled in any shape, for as the
publishers explain in a note, the only memo
yanda relating to it that have been found
among the papers of the author refer to the
opening chapters, and there is nothing what
ever from his pen to indicate what the con-
clusion would have been. An uncompleted
work Ike this is obviously not open to the
same kind of criticism that would be called for
by finished performance, and it is sufficient
to say of it that while there are portions of
edwin brood" that cannot fail to charm
those who are familiar with the best efforts
of the author, the average merit of the story
is not above that of "Our Mutual Friend
and other of the later and least esteemed
writings of Mr.. Dickens. 1t is sad to think
that it should be so, but it is the fact, never
theless, that the athor of 'Pickwick" had
written himself out at the time of his death,
and the unfinished "Mystery of Edwin
brood" is a painful contrast to ''Denis
Duval," that most artistic fragment by
greater man than Charles Dickens, aud which
indicates that Thackeray, unlike his great
rival, was cut down in the vigor Of his intel
lect and in the midst of the preparation of
what promised to be his masterpiece.
Appended to The Mystery of Edwin brood
are the sketches entitled George Silvermans
Explanations" "a Holiday Romance,
Sketches of Young Couples and "Nea
Uncommercial Samples" Mr.. Dickens will
is also given, for what reason we know not,
unless the publishers consider it literary
curiosity. As it only occupies about two
pages, they scarcely include it for the pur-
pose of filling out their book to salable
dimensions. Received from j. b. Lippin-
eott d Co.
From J. b. Lippincott X Co. We have
also received ''Robinson's First Lessons in
Mental and Written Arithmetic" in which
the subject is set forth in a manner that
cannot fail to stimulate the thinking faculties
of the dullest child, and "First Steps in
Music, by George b. Loomis, on admirable
little rudimentary work for school instruction,
both of which are published by Ivison, Blake
man, Taylor q Co., New York.
From E. II. Butler & Co. we have re-
ceived the following school books:-" Martin
dale's Primary Speller" and "Martindale's
Complete Speller, in which the primitive
words are so grouped rs to lead the child by
the easiest gradation from the shortest and
simplest to the most difficult. These spoilers
are illustrated by number of beautiful wood
cuts, which add greatly to their utility and in
terest. "The Scholars Companion is a
standard school book that has long been es-
tabhshed in the favor of teachers and scholars.
The present edition has been carefully re-
vised, without any alteration of the general
plan or arrangement. 'How's Junior Ladies
Reader" elbows Ladies' Reader" and
''How's Ladies' Book of Readings and Reel
tations" show more taste in their selec-
tions than in their titles. Some years
ago these books would have been called
''Girls Readers, and the change can scarcely
be considered an improvement in a series of
books intended for the school-room. This,
however, has nothing to do with the merits
of the books themselves, which are adnira-
bly, arranged as a progressive course in read
ing, and the selections are made with good
judgment, SO that they will not only afford
exercises for the school-room, but will intro :
duce to the notice of those who use them
some of the choicest efforts of the best poeti-
Cal and prose writer's in the English language.
We are pleased to see in these works so many
extracts from the strictly modern writers,
and the disappearance of most of the old
standbys which have done duty in speakers
and readers innumerable-the consequence:oi
which is that, Independently of the merits OF
the method of Mr.. How, his readers will be
found more fresh and attractive than such
works usually are.
From John Campbell we have received
the eighth part of Vincent's History of Della
ware, in which are recounted the contests
between the Dutch and Swedes.
The best war map that has yet beer
issued is ''Schedlers Typographical Map o.
the Seat of War;" published by E. Steiger
New York. This map includes the north
eastern portion of France from its frontie
on the Rhine to Paris, together with parts o
Belgium, Luxemburg, Rhenish Prussia, the
Palatinate, Baden, and Wurtemberg. Th'
map is printed in colers, the rivers being
blue, the towns and cities with their names
in black, and the Typographical confguratior
of the country in brown. This map ha
been reproduced from large and elaborate
drawings by the photo-lithographic process
and it is an admirable picture of the seat o
war. A very much larger number of tn
small villages than are given on any othe
map before the public are distinctly marked
SO that any one can follow the movements O
the contending armies without the slightes