The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-07
iTERATURE.


| WAR. BY Montague Bernard. M. A. London:
LOngmans, Green, Reader Il Dyer.
AS contribution to the history OF international
law, which the author claims 10 be- this book is OF
some value. To Engshmen the positon assumed
by the author his discussion OF the great question
| of neutrality, which is the one present source or
trouble between the United States and Great Britain
| will doubtless meet with general approval. And un-
doubleday Mr.. Bernard argues with some force In de-
fence Of, or, we might more appropriately
| say In apology for, that line OF policy pur-
sued towards us by Great Britain during the
| rebellion which led to the Alabama escaping
| from England and depredating on our commerce.
But we must, Americans, dissent from mis- conclu
sions. The British government was influenced less
from regard for the neutrality laws OF the empire
than from settled belief that the destruction Of the
| United States commerce, as well their govern
ment, something beneficial to the interests OF
| Great Britain and consequently desirable. We ad-
init much that Mr.. Bernard says in this book regard
| Ing the unfrendliness Of other Powers. Undoubt-
eddy France Spain the Netherlands, and to cut the
matter short, most Of the European Powers were in
spired by anything but friendly considerations for
| us. 1t SO, happened, however, that from the un-
friendhness of Great Britain alone were we SUBJ
ected to any material injury. Nations cannot claim
damages from each other because Of moral
support or announcement extended to their
to the Confederares been purely moral.
we should have forgiven 1t by this time. or course
we do not expect Mr.. Bernard to view this subject
as II. Neither do We expect many English
men to differ from him. Americans. however, with
but isolated exceptions never be brought to re-
gard action of Great Britain during our rebellion
other than One-sided and unfrlendly towards
the United States and other than In violation Of
International law While saying this we must admit
|
before u.s. Mr.. Bernards arguments are clear and
concise. We have formed from them better idea
of what Englishmen think on the important sub
ject treated than we could obtain from ali Of Earl
Russes, Lord Stanleys and Lord ClarendOns
wOrdy correspondence.
THE Rob Roy ON THE JORDAN, &c A Canoe
Cruise in Palestine and Egypt and the Waters OF
Damascus. by j. Macgregor, NJ. A. New York
Harper BrOthers
One seldom finds q more entertaining book than
this. The original and eccentric mode OF travelling
adopted by the author, his ludicrous, and some
times ridiculous adventures, and the pleasant, racy
style which he writes impart to these pages ver
able air Of romance. AS the title implies MIR. Mac
gregor made voyages the rivers Jordan and Nile,
on the Red Sea, &C., In canoe named the Rob
Roy. And his travels in this vessel must nave been
thoroughly enjoyable for his narrative Of them is
exceptionally interesting Possessed OF keen sense
of the humorous, Mr.. Macgregor does not forget to
record everything that happened in any sense ludi
crous. Naturally this humOr adds to the charm Of
the book, which we heartily recommend to the pub
lie. Those readers of RarDer's monthly who have
read sTbe Rob Roy on the Jordan" while 1t was
passing through the pages OF that magazine will,
we feel assured, unite with in this recommends
ton of one of the delightful publications OF the
| season.
LIFE UTAH; OR. THE MYSTERIES AND GRIMES OF
MoRMoNIsM. BY J. II. Beadle National Publish
Ing Company, Philadelphia.
we have nervous horror Of books That deal In
| the "mystcries and crimes' of places and people;
| ana are always suspicious OF works ISSUED by
| subscription only.n Why it should be so cannot
| tell but IL Is certain that threc.fcurths OF these
',by subscription publications bear wonderful
semblance each other in point OF paper printing
| binding and illustration. Shoddy stares US In the
face from their pages. "Life in Utah'' Is eXcep
ton to the rule Written by the "editor Of the Salt
Lake Reportern 1t Is interesting enough, although
At does not contain anything very startling.
| There is the usual denuDcation OF Brigham Young.
The old charges Of crimes are brought against the
Mormons. In fact the book Is Just such an one as
will en0ble the reader to While away few leisure
hours without receiving other benefit from its
| perusal.
by II. b. Perkins. New YORK. e. 7. Putnam d
sons
1t was not possible In the brief period OF time after
| his death IN which this book was written and pub
| lishcd TO prepare good biography OF Dickens. We
are not aware that Mr.. Perkins had at hand material
ample enough TO give such history OF the life o.
the great novelist AS the public demands. AS a conse-
queuce Of haste and scant materials the author has
produced somewhat siovcnly written work, abound
tno iy, maj iara m
of numerous facts known to the public 1t must be
said however, that the book Is readable enough
but its dement's are, SO garng that we canno
praise II. The best part OF IT Is the translation q
the end OF Tae's analysts OF Dickens as an author
| But we repeat that the biography written by Mr.
Perkins is not deserving OF commentator. Occa
sionally the style Is ridiculously inflated. In on
page the writer speaks of an enormous wave OF oil
abolical intensincatlon,n which is big, but 1t give
us no Idea whatever as to what Kind OF wave it was
on the whole believe that the biography Of Dick
| ems has yet TO be written.
| RAABLEs IN CUBA is the title OF neatly printed
and bound volume published by Carleton or thi
city. The contents are quite interesting. They ar
chaty and lively and give one toleraby clear ide
OF social life in Ever Faithful Isle. Al the end
| the volume is q brief sketch OF q trip to Nassau
! which IL also quite readable.
| WHO is ANTICHRIsTs Rev. X. G. Shimeaii, pro
! met OF the first class, answers that question
.sNapoleonism Unveiled" New York: Br1nckerh0
Col tells the story 1t is Napoleon Ill OF course
He Is to -; but It will never do TO repeat here a
that Mr.. Shmea writes II any OF our readers ar
curious to know II Louis Napoleon Is the destne
ruler OF Europe and the Anchrist, let him or he
get this wonderful work
THE CHILp's SPEAKER is collection OF pieces 70
recital In primary schools compiled by Charlie
Northend and published by A. s. Barnes & Co.,
this city, Although have not had the time to cz
anime the little book carefully cursOry glance 8
the contents enables us to speak favoraby Of II
| collection.