Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-26

this first volume is very largely taken up with
his rather strange character, which had more
singular freaks than the searching OF the
whole earth for tall men to fill up the ranks
of his Potsdam Guards.
Scribner & Co. have published volume
containing "History of Balloons and Balloon
Voyages" translated from the French OF f.
Marion, which since we see so much OF the
recent use of balloons, is very seasonable -
The first balloon flight was in 1888, by Mont
golfer, at Versailles, and astonished the world
almost as much as the discovery Of Columbus.
Since that time there have been many ascen-
sions in them, many accidents, perils, ana
wonderful escapes by them, but there has been
no improvement scarcely in their construc-
ton. They are the same now as in 1855
How they are made, in what manner naviga-
ted, and the history of the most remarkable
ascents are well told in this book.
Another interesting work recently published
by Scrbner & Co., is one on Lighthouses
and Lightshps." This is popular descrip-
ton of the Lighthouse from the Oldest times
to the present; of the rude Roman pharos or
sca-tower, with its feeble fire of wood or coal,
and the modern lighthouse, built in the ocean,
and all along the coasts, shedding strong
and steady light zen or twenty miles across
the waves. The steps by which the present
perfection of the lighthouse has been attained
have been gradual. They have grown with
commerce and the arts upon which their
structure depends. Sketches Of the most re-
markable are furnished in this book. and ar
account given of the life of their keepers, with
full particulars of the systems upon which
they are administered.
The same publishers send out another vol
ume entitled 1.-The Wonders of Acoustics, or
the Phenomena of Sound" Beginning with
birds and animals, the author goes on to tell
how they are effected by sound, and from them
to man, taking the whole range from the I'M
musical Sloth to the philosophy and science
of music as understood by its votaries of the
human race. Many wonderful things con-
nected with sound are related and much use
full instruction is given about it. Common as
it is, it is poorly understood, and yet its won
ders are readily comprehended when once
explained In a few hours of pleasant read
ing we get by this volume a great deal OF
knowledge.
The Atlantic Monthly for December has
the following contents: Confessions Of Pa
tent Medicine Man; The Prayer Seeker
Oldtown Fireside Stories; Resemblance be-
tween the Buddhist and the Roman Catholic
Religions Joseph and his Friends A Strip
of Blue Black Christmas at Dix Cove; Tray
cling Companions A Plea for Silence; Afoot
on Colorado Desert; Father Blumhardt's
Prayerful Hotel; Rudolph, a Monograph; In
dian Summer; The Miracle Play of 1870, in
Bethlehem. New Hampshire Fitting; \ Nlr-
ginian in New England thirty-tive years ago !;
John Bull at Feed.
The Lady's Friend for December has steel
plate entitled "Olive Plants" a pretty do
nestle scene, and handsome frontspiece
with the title, ''Snow under the SUM-" 1t has
a colored pattern for slipper for holiday
present, and colored fashion plate, both
very acceptable, and has also patterns for
dresses, winter wraps, &c. Il has music, poe
try and tales, all of which are attractive and
interesting Published by Deacon Peterson,
Philadelphia.
-Appletons Journal for November is well
filled number. In its engravings and wood
cuts it is unsurpassed by any publication Of
its class, and its pages devoted to literary
matter are full of interest. Among the con-
tents this month are articles on Victor Hugo,
Rnskin and Trochu, with poetry, tales, and
miscellany to correspond. Pierce has it for
sale.