The New York herald., 1871-02-27
LITE r A r u r E.
Criticisms ON New Books


scenes that are witnessed by those who form tho
crew are most vividy described. Com
bined with 1t L. an account vf the life
boat service OF the coast of Engand-a
service that has been the means OF saving SO many
lives from almost certain destruction The account
| OF che wreck OF the homeward bound East Indaman
| on the Goodwin Sands and the rescue OF her crew
ana passengers by the Ramsgate lifeboat ls a very
thrilling portion OF the tao, 1t Il so wei told
that the reader can almost Imagine himself on board
taking part in the scenes described. 1t would noe
be complete in interest were there no love and mar
riage about 1t, and these have been most appropr.
atey introduced, giving additional zest to the plot
and they are carried to a termination that must be-
highly satisfactory to all readers The story Is told
| In simple manner, In plain good English, without
| attempt ~ fowery language and without anything
OF sensational character. 1t Ia Instructive because
1t gives Information regarding the lives OF class OF
haruy men tnat we know but little OF, and its moral
! Is unexceptionable. Those who commence 1t viii
find the work attractive enough to follow lt care,
| fully to the end.
SERGEANT ATKINS: TALE OF ADVENTURE
FOUNDED ON FACT by an officer OF the United
states Army. J. b. Lppincott & Co., Philadel-
pha.
The object OF this book Is to give the reader some
insight into the customs and character OF the North
American Indians, the causes which led to the war
received at the hands OF the pale faces" The scene
OF the story is laid In the swamps OF Florida and
the story itself Is founded events which preceded
the breaking out Of h05tilities with the tribe Of
Seminole Indians. This war, which proved so dis
astrous for some years to the United States forces,
commenced about the year 1885. 1t was waRed
until the formidable OF the Seminoes was
nearly exterminated and the small remnant had
earned the right to boast or their many victories
/
numbers alone. The story OF sergeant Atkns'' il
filed with interesting adventures and anecdotes
| characteristic OF the tines
| THE CRYPToGRAM. BY James de Mile Harper
Brothers, New York.
| This Is a novel or remarkable fascination and
power. 1t Is the fourth work Of Professor DE Mile
| OF Canada, who first won popularity through his
! story OF srhe Dodge CluD,' an amusing description
] OF travelling abroad, published some five or six
| years since, and probably the best known OF his
| writings "The Cryptogram" Itself Is q mysterious
letter, which happens to be found by the .'viain'
OF the book, who Is, unfortunately, O woman Her
plots pervade the entire story give 1t all Its most
striking situations, ana are only thoroughly dis
covered and defeated at the close. Although most
OF her crimes are committed through the agency OF
another, Hilda Kries tool is yet less base her
ser for his devored love cause OF his serytle
submission to her will, and the motive OF his execu-
iOn OF her commands Infamous as are his crimes
he yet has this one redeeming pont-that he
commits them only for the reward OF
her approval and affection; and when at
length he feels that all Is discovered,
1t is her danger that he mourns. Perhaps no char.
acter in the book Is better drawn or more sharply
individualized than that OF Obed Chute, the New
York banker. The Yankee shrewdness OF his char
acter Is dincult to deceive, yet astonishing
the anal d6nouenents or the book that even he ex-
claims with the readers full sympathy that "of all
the unparalleled situations that were ever put on
the boards this Is the most bewllderlng ~ "Im
fOored; give it up" adds Obed. 'You may be
yourselves or you may be somebody else. We may
all be somebody else. Pm somebody else. I'll be
hanged If I'm myself. Don't try to explain 1t, beg;
If you do l shall go mad" "The Cryptogramn Is,
properly speaking, an English romance, yet many OF
It's most interesting enacted In Italy. It
was brought out in numbers In Ha,pe,fs Bazar,
but has only recently been offered complete to tha
public. The volume Is nicely bound and very pro.
lusely illustrated.
THE SEALED PACKET. BY T. Adolphus Trolope.
T. b. Peterson Brother, Philadelphia.
This is In some respects the best book that tha
author has yet given to the public 1t Is Italian
tae and In these Mr. Trollope is peculiarly success
full. A residence in Italy OF some thirty years has,
Of course given him o thorough knowledge Of
Italian life ana character and enabled him to con.
vey, through his romances, much interesting nfor.
nation TO the customs and manners OF the pco.
pie to his readers. 'fThe Sealed Packet gives evt-
dence Of much thought and care in the formation OF
the plot which contains some points OF decided
originality and Is skilfully developed. Guio Mala-
testa the hero is the Of the Marchese Malatesta
IA nobleman OF high rank and q beautt-
ful but humble girl. Although aboring under
the disadvantage OF supposed ilegitimacy he
m fr1andS hiUh anciefv
wins the anectons OF noble lady IL conspicuous
for courage and energy during the italian OF
1S4S-49, and finally inherits noble name and large
fortune. La COntesslna Stella Altamaria. the hero
ine OF the tale, proves herself courageous and
faithful she s represented beautiful and wealthy.
The numerous characters are all well sustained and
the descriptions fe-hke. That Of the Contessa Zenb
bia Is peculiarly original and amusing Pletr0
varani, the ungainly but nobe-nearted dupe OF the
nrst chapters, and afterwards the worthy and re-
spected Professor Of Pisa; the Marchese Florimond
1.-THE devoted slave OF the Countess Zenobial; Carlo
Brancacc. nephew OF the Marquis and Giullos near.
est friend, all excellent creations. Altogether.
this is novel OF decided merit and will add greatly
to Mr.. Trollopes increasing popularity.
NEW COOK BOOK.
I. B. Peterson Brothers, Philadelphia, have pub.
lshed In neat form New Cook Book" giving
s5S new and original receipts for cooking and pre-
pairing food Of all kinds. 1t also contains general
rules for marketing well as some useful remarks
in regard to the proper management OF household,
and esteeming It, no doubt, part OF housekeeper's
duty to see to the health OF those about her,
medicinal department" has been added to the
book.
Tug VIRTUES AND FAULTS OF CHILDHOOD cy Ms9
susan g. Harris. Published hy Kelly, Pet b Co.,
Baltimore.
This Is a collection OF attractive tales illustrating
the title. The book is printed on tinted paper. and
nicely bound making 1t an agreeable ana lnsirsse
tive glrt Tor young people Of both sexes