The New York herald., 1871-05-15
L,TEEiRY CHIT CEAT.


Mr.. WILLIAM MORRIS. the English-or rather
ScottIsh-poet, ls going TO write an account OF his
tour in Iceland
Mr.. PERCY FITZGERALD has In the press new
biography, entitled "Tue kembes," which gives an
account OF John Philp kembe AMI his sitter, the
celebrated actress, sarah Siddons.
M. ". vREEDE, the Utrecht Professor OF Jurspru-
denee, has lately written remarkable pamphlet In
French, entitled .'La Reconstruction dc rEmpire
d. llemagne CT Ia Lbcrtc dc PEurOpc.- As In his
former writings, the learned author Is by no means
favorable to Prussia, and entertains great fears Of
the lust OF conquest displayed by PrussIanzed Ger
many. lie puts great faith In the united efforts OF
the neutral Powers, and he expccts much from the
action Of the Englsl Parliament. The most inter-
estng portion OF the broch,e are various extracts
from the letters OF noted South German "National
Liberalu whose name, however is not given.
Tie LONDON ATHENKUM announces that Mrs.
Anne Eliza Bray has nearly completed memoir of
Joan OF Arc. Last year she published her "Revolt
or the Camisards OF the Ceyennes, y and the year
before her Lille OF the Good st. Louis" When II is
stated tnat Mrs. Pray Is IN her eghtyrst year and
that both tue WORKS last mentioned are notable for
the freshness OF MIND and power OF research they
EXHIBIT, 1t viii be that she Is remarkable in
stance OF the preservation OF the mental faculties
unlmpared at a very advanced age The work
by the poet southey, and published some tnirtynve
years ago.
BY THE DEATH OF Dr. Samuel Halkett Edlnburg
has lost one of her most learned sons. and Great
Britain one OF the ablesi OF ner lterati Mr. Halkett
could s.read all and speak most OF the living lar
Cuares of Europcn and was q jealous student OF
the Eastern tongues, both Shemltic and Indian. SO
retentive was his memory, said Sir William
Hamilton that he hardly knew what 1t was TO forget
q word. lie had pcen keeper OF the Advocates
Library since 1s4S. Mr.. HalKett leaves Incomplete
q very valuable work-a dictionary OF British anony-
NOUS and pseudonynous lterature-for winch he
has been engaged during fifteen years in collecting
materials lfom every quarter.
AMERICAN SOCIETY is tue title OF a new weekly
paper published By the New YORK and Hartford
Publishing Company OF this city. AS its 'ltlc indi
Gates It Is journal o. fashionable fe. Its mechani-
cal execution Is admirable the type being large and
clear and the paper tinted. Making all allowances
for the cruditlcs which seem inevitable III the hrst
NUMBER OF a paper, american Society Is a decided
improvement on other publications OF the sind Its
contents are free from all objections, there being
none OF those features which have made society
papers vehicles FOR the circulation OF domestic
scandals. one Of It's features-descriptions OF the
private picture galleries In the United States-ls
especially deserving OF praise. as It makes the pup
lie familiar with the treasures OF art which adorn
the homes OF our wealthy citizens. The present
number contains portrait OF Mile. Nilsson and
each number Will be Illustrated by llkenessoi some
eminent lady. Altogether American SocteIy proni-
ises 10 be decided success.