The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-25
LITERATURn.
view or NEW BOoKS.


From Evans, Stoddart & Co. we have
received ''Cuba with Pen and Pencil. by
Samuel Hazard. Published by the Hartford
Publishing Company. This very interesting
volume is the result of prolonged visit to
Cuba made by Mr.. Hazard in search of
health, and its preparation served to beguie
the tedium of an enforced leisure. 1t gives
brief account of the history and antiqui-
ties of the island of Cuba, such as will be
amply satisfactory to the general reader,
while the descriptions of the island itself, its
people, and their mode OF living, manners,
costumes, etc., are very full Mr.. Hazard
has command of an easy, gossippy style
that is we'll suited to a work of this descrp-
tion, and that makes it very pleasant reading.
It probably contains more information about
Cuba than any book before the public, and
as recent events in that island have attracted
much attention, it can scarcely fail to be
popular. The illustrations, which are from
photographs and MIR. Hazards own sketches,
are numerous, and add much to the interest
of the book.
II. b. Peterson & Bros send MS the 'Adyen-
lures of Captain Farrago" and major Ore
gansAdventures, "a couple of humorous works
that have for many years had fair share of
popularity, and that have a special interest at
the present time on account of the recent
death Of their author, Hon. II. H. Bracken-
ridge.
The Franco-Prussian war has very natu-
rally inspired Mr.. Charles G. Leland to win
new laurels for his famous hero CLANS
Breitmann,' and we accordingly find in the
fourth series of the ''Breitmann Ballads that
CLANS has been distinguishing himself
among the Uhlans. The series of verses that
record the adventures of "Hans Breitmann
as an Uhlan' are quite as amusing as any
that have proceeded from the same pen, and
are sure of finding appreciative readers Pub
lished by T. B. Peterson Brothers.
From Claxton, Remsen Hsffelfnger
we have received 'Across America and Asia, :"
by Richard Pumpelly. Published by Ley
poldt & Holt. This is one of the most inte-
resting books of travel that has been pub
lished of late years, and it contains vast
amount of valuable information about Ari-
zona and other portions of our Western
country but little visited, and about China,
Japan, and Central Asia, portions of which
were thoroughly explored by Professor Pun
pelly under circumstances that afforded him
unusual facilities for collecting facts of i'm
portance. We noticed this work with some
degree of fulness when it originally appeared,
and it is only necessary now to state that the
fifth edition, which is before u.s. is in less
expensive shape than those which have pre-
ceded it.
II. r. Calender sends us the first num-
ber of English Society, a handsomely illus
traLed English magazine which is filed with
well-written stories, sketches, and poetry.
Peters Musical Monthly for February
contains variety of popular musical com
positions.
-Van Nostrand'S Eclectic Engineering
Magazine for January is filled with excellent
selections from the best foreign engineering
publications.
From the Central News Company we have
received the latest numbers of Punch and
Fun.
GEORGE MACDONALD. The Librarian of the
New York Mercantile Library reports that
there has lately been a marked increase in the
popularity of George Macdonald's stories.
He is compelled constantly to replace worn
out Volumes and Notwithstanding that fresh
copies are constantly placed upon the shelves,
it is impossible to supply the demand. The
New York Independent goes so far as to say
that Macdonald is the ''best of living story
writer's" 1t says:-
''George Macdonalds story bids fair to be the
best story OF him who is the best OF living story
writer's. Let us put it little differently, and say
that he will be among noVelists what Wordsworth
10 among poets. But he is more poet than novelist.
The present nstallment OF 'Wltrid Cumbermede' is
extremely fascinating; but it is the fascination OF
poetry rather than OF story. 1t may be enjoyed
almost in perfection by one who has not read the
beginning and who will never read the sequel and
it will remain in the memory like beautiful song.
We are indebted to Hon. William Moore,
NJ. c., for copy of the "Annual Report OF
the Deputy Special Commissioner of the
Revenue on Commerce and Navigation foi
1868"