The New York herald., 1870-06-10
LITERATURE.
Criticism. al New Books.


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Criticisms of New Books.
The LIFE or BISMARCK. PRIVATE AND POLITICAL.
With Descriptive Notices Of his Ancestry. BY John
George Louis Hesekiel. Translated and edited by
Kenneth II. ii. Mackenzie, 4. 5. A., 4. A. S. l..
New York. Harper Brothers.
Much OF the historical value OF this biography is
lost because OF the excessive partisanship OF the
author His materials for making the work the
best life OF Bismarck yet written were undoubtedly
ample 1t being evident from the facts narrated and
from the numerous private letters written by the
Prussian Premier 10 his wife and others, that the
source from which Herr Hesekel drew them was
none other than the Count himself. The book is,
admit very interesting. 1t gives a charming pic
ture OF Bsmarck's domestic life; shows us German
lie among the higher classes and introduces 10
terms OF social familiarity with the man who Outwit
ted Napoleon and defeated Francis Joseph The life of
Bismarck is minutey and for the most part, accu-
rately detailed, and the fact that the author was
evidently inspired by the subject imparts TO the
book OF semtoicia air which makes IL all the
more desirable to read IT, Then, again, the style In
which II is written is graphic aud enieri ialnlng.
These are the merits OF THIS biography ls demerits
are comprised IN the exravagant audations OF Bis
marck, whom Herr Hesekiel would have believe 10
be little short Of perfection. His defence OF abso-
lutism is praised his arbitrary acts defendedn
short, hero worship is so apparent throughout the
work that we cannot place any reliance upon the
We have rs high an opinion OF Count bismarck
1t is possible to easily hold. No person can ques
diplomacy, for these he has manifested too plainly
10 the world for any one TO deny his possession Ol
Will stand the tesl or criticism, other pen is
needed than that OF Herr Hesekie, who Is entirely
too prejudced in favor OF Bismarck and absolutism
to do justice 10 The opponents OF the Count and 10
democracy.
CONFERENCES or THE REV. PEaE LAcoRDAIxE, De-
livered IN the Cathedral or Notre Dame IN Paris
Translated from the French by Henry Langdon.
New York: Z. O'Shea
less impassoned than Bossuet was and less
theatrical than Hyacinthe is, Pere Iacordare was
abler than either Of these great French preachers
convert to Catholicism he remained through life
warm defender Of the Church and at the same time
a liberal Of the school or Montaembert Although
some OF his writings were condemned by the Pope
Gregory XVII and he submitted to the will of his
SUPERIOR he abandoned those ideas OF liberal
Ism, united 10 a pure Catholicism, which have en-
aeared him TO the Gailican Church. II was In 1s4l
that he appeared, rather reappeared, at Notre
Dame and delivered the first OF Tie series Of dis
courses which nave made his name famous and
which we have IN the work before us. He
produced immense excitement; thousands hocked 10
hear nm; there was great religious revival and TO
his efforts were DUE in some measure, the compara-
tive moderation OF the republicans at the revoIu.
ton of 1s4S. Lacordaire's last great conference"
ors waa sa T. sy Y s A ss and gfs ss a
years later the brilliant and gifted Dominican monk
passed away from earth. We need hardly say that
the sermons before are well worthy or perusa.
They defend and uphold the dogmas OF the Catholic
Church and they leach religion Ia its purcst and
most ex alted sense Not alone for their theological
arguments are they valuable. Here religion is also
| argued from historical siandponts all tending TO
prove the truth and grandeur OF Christianity above
all other faiths. We ieel certain that all persons who
may obtain copy oil this volume will feel as much
pleasure In the petisal OF It's contents as we have
The sermons wei translated and the mechanic al
execution OF the book is In every respect praise
worthy.
| The SCOTTISH MINSTREL is the title or work
| published by william W. Swayne, OF this city and
| Brooklyn, uniform with the Library Edition OF
| Standard Works., containing the poems OF Byron,
Shakespeare the works of Josephus OF Swift, OF DE
Foe and Others, and which, by the way, Is remark
ably cheap, considering the substantial manner In
| which the edition is gotten up The volume before
| us contains 'the songs Of Scotland subsequent to
Burns. with memoirs OF the poets.r The editor.
| Rev Charles Rogers historiographer TO the His
torical Society. has performed his work admirably
well the contents OF the work being in every respect
worthy Of perusal.
A very prominent volume in the sI.brary OF Won
ders'' Messrs Scribner Co. are publishing Is the
'W0nders Of the Human Body translated from the
French OF A. lie Piieur. II Is an admirable work. II
gives to the reader an intimate knowledge OF
anatomy and physiology the utility Of which ali will
admit The style Is pure and elevated. Nothing is
said which can shock or repel the most modest
reader. As In all French scientific works OF this
| Class knowledge is impaired in q most agreeable
manner. It IS really delightful to study the human
| body as 1t Is here taught. We heartily recommend
the book to all persons interested In important
| subject as-themseIyes.
| new edition OF George Sands famous novel
| "Consueo,u has been published by Peterson 4
| Brothers. OF Philadelphia This work, the best
written by Madame Dudevant, Is that all should
read. Ia none other OF her novels is the style equal
in purity and originality to this Consuelo is cha
raCter impossible OF real exisence; but as an ideal
creation 1t has superi0r-hardly. in fact an
| equal The volume before us Is handsomely printed
and bound, the covers being especially attractive.
| PRACTICAL GRAMMAR OF THE GERMAN LAM
GUAeE, by Hermann d. Wragge, has been
published by ID. Appleton h Co., of this
| city. The author is Professor OF Germ an In the
| public schools OF the city OF New York and has
brought his great experience to bear upon the work.
which, from cursory glance, we are inclined to
| praise highly. The novel principle which it is
compiled excellent and we have no doubt tnat il
will be found effective and trustworthy by all who
use II.
| Mr.. Ezra Seaman has written very interesting
work on ''The American System Of Government
| New York: Charles Scribner Cob in which lie de-
scrbes 'lts character and workings It's defects, ont
| side party machinery and influences and the pros
perity Of the people under lis protection the de-
as tending TO demoralize our people and as threaten
Ing the stability OF our institutions; and Mr. Seaman
suggests numerous reforms TO arrest our downward
course. One chapter OF the work Is devoted to con
| sderation Of the woman question, and the conclu
sion is gained that the proper sphere Of woman 4 ths
| The BOOK Is interesting and Is thoughtfuly written.
/ Very neatly printed ana with a handsome binding
is the little volume entitled "Iiftmg the yell.p New
! York: Charles Scribner Il Co.. The book contains
story Of an intensely religious nature fairly writer
| and likely to be read with interest by church mem
| bers for the sake OF the moral II contains.
Charles Scribner & Go. have published new edl
| ton Of "Ancient Law: It's Connection with the Earl
History Of society and its Relation to Modern IDEAS
| This work Is the production OF Henry sumner Maine
| and contains an introduction by Professor Tbeodor
W. Dwight 1t first appeared In print IN this countr
in 1864, anu the demand for new edition IS an ev
dence o the favor with which the public have rt
ceiycd It.