The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-10

REVIEW or VIEW BOOKS.


From J. B. Lppincott & Co. we have
received 'Italy," translated from the French
of H. Taine 10y J. Durand, published by Ley
poldt & Holt This is the third edition OF
one Of the most charming books OF travel and
art criticism published of late years, and 1T
combines in one volume. the two that have
appeared under the titles Of 'Rome and
Naples" and Florence and Venice" 1t is
scarcely possible for anything new to be
written about Italy, and yet those who have
perused the best works Of italian travel will
find much excellent entertainment in this
work Of NJ. Taine. 1t is as an art critic,
however, that NJ. Taine is especially worthy
of attention, and his description of the great
works of ancient and modern art in Italy,
with his opinions with regard to them, are In
the highest degree interesting and valuable.
As an art critic M. Taine certainly has
no superior at the present day, and
if his writings lack some of the picturesque
ness and glowing eloquence of those of Mr..
Ruskin, he has a cultivated judgment and
catholic taste that renders his views with re-
gard to the artistic value Of the great works
of ancient and modern art much more worthy
of the consideration of intelligent readers
than those of the British critic. The volume
before us is not merely an unusually enter
tanning work for present perusal, but it is
one that deserves place in the library of
every cultivated gentleman for future refer
ence on subjects connected with Italian art.
J. B. Lippincott & Co. also send us the
seventh volume of the series of "Ancient
Classics for English Readers, the subject of
which is the writings of Eschylus, by Regi-
nald S. Copleston, B. A. This little hand
book gives a critical and explanatory descrip-
tion of the works of the greatest of the
Greek dramatists, interspersed with selec-
tions from the best translations. 1t will give
general readers an excellent idea of the
merits of Eschylus, and it will be valuable
aid even to those who have the time, taste,
and inclination to study the famous old
Greek plays for themselves, either in the
original or in translations.
Porter & Coates send us ''The Snow
Man." by George Sand Translated by Vir-
ginia Vaughan, published by Roberts Bros.
Some Of the writings of George Sand are GER
tainly open to serious objection, but the
novels from her pen that have thus far been
issued by Messrs. Roberts Brothers have been
free from offense, and they have served to
make the American public acquainted with
some of the most charming performances of a
woman who, whatever her faults may be, is
one of the greatest fiction writers of the day.
The novel before US is fit companion for
those which have preceded it, and as an in
tensely interesting narrative, constructed with
wonderful art, it is sure to find plenty of
appreciative readers.
"A pamphlet published by ]. B. Ford &
Co., New York, which has been sent us, con
tains two sermons by Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher on ''The Heavenly State" aud 'Fu-
tnre Punishment" in which the peculiar
views of their author are set forth in a forci-
BILE manner.
From Morris Franck, No. GIG Walnut
street. we have received Tile TechnOl0giSt for
February, which contains a variety of valua-
BILE articles on scientific and practical sub
jects.
The Central News Company, No. 505
Chestnut street, send US the latest numbers of
the ST. James Magazine, Punch, and Fun.
From w. S. Turner we have received
Applet0n's Journal and Egery Saturday.