Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-11
New Publications.

seS,nd edlii0n. Philsdelphla: CiaNtOn, kemsen
The leading article in this volume is an ex-
etdingly interesting memoir of the late George
ID. Prentice, with whom MIR. Griffin was on
terms Of intimacy for many years, fitting him
peculiarly for the task. From this memoir we
get an idea, not only OF the wide range of Mr..
Prentice's genius, but of the remarkable pre-
cocity which foreshsdowed his brilliant career.
1t Is stated that he was able to read fiuently
when only four years old; that he was a fine
Greek and Latin scholar at fifteen; that he I'M
derstood every principle of English grammar as
if by intuition, and that when a child he aston
ished his teacher by finishing the study of Lind
ley Murray in less than a week. He mastered
the higher mathe mates with the same facility.
HIS learning was varied, thorough and pro-
found; and when to this were added a most re-
-tentive memory, indomtable industry, sparkling
and original wit, a rich and racy humOr, sarcasm
of the keenest, and rare imaginative and poetic
powers, il is not strange that he took at once,
and maintained through life, a leading position
both in journalism and literature.
The o,her papers in this volume, headed
French Novelists, Shakspearian Studies, Phlol
ogy, Autographs, Miscellaneous Essays, &C.,
&c, are all good, and some are very much above
the standard of such contributions TO current
literature. Mr.. Griffin has, we believe. recently
been appointed to foreign consuship of promi-
nence, and we should judge by his book that he
will represent the country very creditably.
LEE AND LETTERS OF CATHERINE M
sEDGWICk. Editcd by Mary +. Dewey. New
YORK: Harper Bro. '(Thl oGgh r. b. Mohun
This is a charming memorial of the life OF one
who so long held foremost place amongst the
leaders of literature and society. The volume is
largely made up of extracts from her letters and
oil md II Ali
their nice character-painting, and lively
sketches OF life and manners. The latter portion
of the volume contains some interesting recol-
lections OF Miss Sedgwick by Mrs. Fanny KEN
BILE, Rev. DIR. Dewey and William Cullen
Bryant. In this connection il may be noted that
the Harpers are bringing out handsome
edition of Miss Sedgwick's works, "Hope Les
lie, 1.-THE RedwoOds," and others of the series of
her novels that in her time had wide populari-
~, and are Low destined undoubtedly to have
new tide OF success.
HILA DART BORN RoMP. By Mary z,
Co. tThrOugh CTandell Riley.D
A story for children, with illustrations; can.
didate doubtless for holiday favor.
TIE EARTH; A Descriptive History of the Phe-
nt mena OF ne Lie OF the Globe; BY Elisee Rec
4; Edited by Henry Woodward. British Museum.
iii pssr Rpaa by nTmer9us msps New York Har-
This work is the result OF many wears study
by distinguished French author, Elisee Reclus
and it has been translated and edited with care
by the Woodward brothers. The illustrations in
number and excellence, are fitting accompani-
ments TO a work of such laborious research, and
the manner in which the book, with these illus
trations, has been brought out by the American
publishers, is most creditabe to the great Cliff
street house. The French author makes fire.
quent reference TO the physical phenomena OF
the western hemisphere, but we suspect his re-
searches on this side Of the Atlantic do net come
down to the more recent dates of discovery and
investigation in the Far West and on the Pacific
slope. The wonderful subsistence Of the crust of
the earth forming the Yosemite valley, for in
stance, seems to have escaped his attention; and
in treating upon the Great Salt Lake he makes
the mistake Of declaring that it is destitute of
animal life, whereas its waters swarm with in
sects- He also errs in saying that the lake is
constantly decreasing in depth. On the con-
trary, until this season OF drouth the waters OF
Salt Lake have been rising for some years at a
rate to give the Mornons some fear of being
drowned out. But these are trivial errors, in no
ways detracting from the great general merits
of the work
HANNAH. BY the author of "John halifax, Cen
t,epsRin New York: Harper 4 Bro. Through
ANTIDOTE TO 1.-THE GATES AJAR.n BvJ
B. W. Tenth Thousand. N.w York: G. W CarIe.
ton Go. Through Philip solomons
brochure by an English writer designed to
combat the errors and ''unscriptural views of
the future state presented by Miss Phelps in her
book, az The Gates Affair."" Miss Phelps idea of |
heaven is place where the spirits of bliss follow
all the commonplace occupations of earth, even
20 planting potatoes, cultivating gardens, prac-
ticing housekeeping, pounding away on material
pianos in material housewife houses. with
green blinds OF the New England pattern. adj |
mired by the author Of coates Ajar," All this
would seem too absurd to need an antidote. but |
It seems that her book has had such an ''im- |
neme circulation" that this refutation of its |
dangerous theories is deemed necessary.
RES OLUTIoN; Or, THE SOUL OF POWER. Nv |
A: :. Roe. New York: G.. W. Carleton A go
(Throush Philip SOlOmOns.J
novel, by the author OF "a Long Look |
Ahead give Been Thinking" &c.
RRAIEN GATES; TRUE HISTORY OF THE
BLUSSOMS WHICH GREW IL THE G.RpEN /
At CRAGENFEELS. By Julie p. smith New /
A IA "a Il