The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-04
LIT ERATURE.



THE REIGN or LAW. by the Duke or Argyle New
York: Dewitt q. Lent Il Co.
"The Reign OF Law by his Grace the Duke Of Ar
gyle Was first published in 1867, and was composed
OF articles which had appeared the Edfnourg Re-
rteto or in Good Words and In addresses which had
been delivered before the Royal Society or Edinburg
during the time his Grace was President OF that
body. Among men Of science the book commanded
very considerable amount Of attention on It's first
appearance. IL was scientific and philosophical
work OF some pretensioD from the pen of British
peer Of the first rank. II was criticised, IN
consequence, IN all the leading reviews, by
some OF the most prominent scientists of the
day, and although exception in some
instances taken to the Dukes conclusions, 1t
was generally praised as a work indicating scholar
ship, industry and literary ability and pied as
respectable contribution TO the scientific and phi!o-
sophical literature oftnc age The work has reached
its fifth edition, and since its first publication it has
been considerably enlarged aud improved The
book before us Is reprint OF the latest
London edition 1.-THE hfth, and besides
an appendix which is made up OF notes
mainly in reply points raised by critics. it has an
excellent table Of contents and an exhaustive Index,
the absence Of which latter detracted considerably
from the value OF the first edition. We are glad 10
sec the work in this FORM We should he glad TO see
the hands OF the young men OF TINS generation
'.The Reign OF Law lis sound in science healrhfnl In
philosophy and 1t is written that he who runs
may read it, Lent Co. III offering this book to the
American pubc have revealed good taste as well as
sound Judgment.
IL has always been matter Of conjecture with us
10 how the publishers OF railway manuals succeed
in getting up such fine books devoted to such SUBJ
ject. "i.ylc's Official Railway Manual for 1901,
New York, Lindsay Walton X Co.., is bulky vol.
nne. elegantly printed on tinted paper and neatly
bound IN green and gold. 1t is well compiled ana is
altogether valuable compendium OF information
about railroads.
well compiled work of real value 10 merchants
and lawyers IS Il small volume before us, entitled
'Tari1, or Rates Of Duties Payable Goods, Wares
and Merchandise Imported into the United States OF
America" New York: Philip f. Bogert.) IL in
Guides al the acts and resolutions of Congress up to
July IL, 1870, and now in force. In addition there
IS much valuable matter In the shape OF extracts OF
Internal Revenue acts, decisions OF the Trea
sury Department relating 10 commerce and the
revenue, and numerous tables OF foreign weights.
measures, currencics, &C., reduced TO the United
States Standard
During tic present fail and coming winter seasons
the boys and girls oil the republic are not likely to
complain OF dearth OF light and entertaining read
ing matter. we nave received from Lee Il Shepard,
of Boston, several books containing stories for the
young Of the land, and have glanced over the pages
of the folowing:-"The BOYS Of Grand Pre- School:'
.sTne Pinks and Blues, the Orphan Asyum:;
"Charley and Eva Roberts Home IN the West,r and
the Little Maid Of OXb0w" All OF these stories
are really well written ami interesting. The authors
display considerable ability in what we may term
the art OF writing 10 please children. We recon-
mend these books to parents. Each volume Is hand
somely printed ami bound.
About the worst failures poetic composition that
we have FOR MANY months are the contents OF a
little volume entitled Thoughts in Verse; The
first thing that attracted attention was list OF
"s,ibscribers Tor these Poems'' with big P, In
which there are several names OF prominent citizens
who certainly could not have read the poems before
subscribing whose taste in matters OF poetry must
he exccrable We quote three lines OF the poetry,'
to give the reader an idea OF the poets muse:--
Sing, Oh. soul! rejoice, my Utmost hearth
And let my knee in alteration be ndI
While fulfil Master Aason's part.
II this is not coming down from the sublime to the
ridiculous we have no idea what Is.
We have received the drst volume ffton October
1862 to September, 1870 OF Hltehcoch's Mem
Aoaaiy Magazine, an admirably conducted periodi-
cal whose principal feature is its choice music OF
which there are TWO more pieces in cverv num-
her, The volume before Is handsomely bound,
and the general character OF the contents is excel
lent.
SWEET SIXTEENTH sweet potato weighing
sixteen pounds, has been laid upon TIE table 0f an
eIIivr 0ut Ncsk