The New York herald., 1871-03-26

caused In England by the appearance OF this book
Its principal object being TO expose the cruelty still
SAID to be exercised In the British Navy towards her
Majesty's seamcn. The author OF "Blue Jackets''
has himself served In the royal navy ana announces
In his preface that be has actually Witnessed events
similar to those which he describes. Neither are
the scenes among the Chinee altogether fictitious.
long residence In China has enabled the writer TO
observe thoroughly their habits, manners and GUS
toms, and although Mr.. Greey's style is somewhat
crude he certainly understands the art or bringing
what he describes vvidly before the readers eye.
Jerry Thompson Is not only In name, but in every
sense, the hero OF the tale. "Blue Jackets without
~ Thompson, A. b. would ito use somewhat
hackneyed simile) be like the play Of Hamlet"
without Hamlet. It would seem somewhat din.
cult task to attach deep or romantic interest TO
Chinese heroine, yet 1t is one which Mr.. Greey has
successfully accomplished in that portion OF his
story devoted to the lovely A-tae. "Bue Jackets"
possesses the merit of great variety In Its
The accounts OF the taking of Canton by the allied
forces OF the engagements with the Chinese pirates,
and OF the capture OF Jerry Thompson himself by
the Tartans, are all given with much spirit and
are among the most original portions Of the book.
POEMS BY LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON, with Illus
trations by F. o. G. Darley. Edited by Oliver David
son, New York. Hurd Houghton Cambridge:
Riverside Press. This book, small octave of 270
pages. In It's paper, typography and Illustrations,
comes nearly up to the London standard OF first
class work. The authoress is one OF these two
young sisters Davidson who "a long time ago."
from border town OF Lake Champain,
became famous in both hcmspheres for their
pretty gems OF poetry "whle yet hardly in
their teens" and who, ike delicate flowers nipped
by an untmely frost, died In their blooming. The
fore US died month before ner seventeenth birth
day. The book is . pretty ornament for a parlor
table; but there yet surviving many OF thee
temporaries Of the fair young postess by whom this
volume will be treasured q casker of souve-
Mrs OF those days long gone BY when life to them
was full OF the bright visions Of poetry and romance
Of which only the memory now remains.
THE LIFE OF JOHN ADAMS. Begun by John Quincy
Adams. Completed by Charles francis Adams.
Revised and corrected. Phiiadephia: J. b. Lippin
colt Co. 1871. .
Two neatly printed little volumes OF some five hun
dred pages each; clear type; fine paper This is q
valuable standard historical work, full OF solid
historical matter, bearing upon Its pages not
only the evidences of labor OF love but Of
scholarship, craftsmanship and patriotic
appreciation Of responsibility to the truth Of history
To the American politician or statesman Of the
present day this life OF John Adams makes clear
many things which have hitherto been obscure
touching the events and leaders OF our transition
period from colonial vassalage to national .inde-
pendence and OF the first twelve years OF the gov
ernment under our national constitution.
The BENCH AND THE BAR OF NEW YORK. BY
l.. B. Proctor. Diossy Co., New York.
Thisis handsomely printed volume of nearly eight
hundred pages, containing biographical sketches OF
eminent judges and lawyers Of the New York bar
incidents OF the important trials In which they were
engaged and anecdotes connected with their pro-
fessional and political career. The author Is
resident Of and q counsellor-at-law in successful
practice in Dansville Livingston county, N. Y. The
volume before exhibits great talent for compla-
ton, as well as patient and Industrious research
through an extended field Of literary labor. well
executed steel engraving Of the late James 7. Brady
is among the Illustrations
ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA: Sketches OF Its History:
OBJECTS OF Interest and Advantages as q Resort
Visitor Published By James Miller o47 aB BroadWav adg'Sn
This is the title page OF little book written in an
easy, nowing and lively style, which Is not void Of
literary merit. The author mas brought much enthu.
siasm to his task; but we may state, as knowing
from personal experience, that his glowing de-
scription OF the climate, vegetation and produc-
tions OF the quaint old Spanish town Is IN the
main true to fact, and can therefore recommend
this little book as useful companion to those who
seek new lease OF life in the mild and beneficial
climate Of Augustine.
sREGINALD ARCHER BY Anne NJ. Crane Seemuller
author or EMILY CHESTER, and Opportunity"
James X. Osg0Od Co., Boston, publishers.
This book produces an unusual impression OF
reality upon the readers mind. The authors style
Is granhic, the plot natural, the dialogue good,
sometimes even clever, and The picture given OF
society unfortunately too true. Some OF the charac-
ters are perhaps rather overdrawn yet they convey
the intended lesson WELL The hero Is by no means
deserving OF that title position but some OF the
dransatis personR are such give wholesome air
to the entire story, and whose acquaintance 1t is
pleasure to make even in the world OF fiction.
"BRED IN THE BoNE;" or, LIKE FATHER LIKE
Son." Qllustratedl BY the author OF IA Beggar
on Horseback" "Gwendoline's Harvest" "Carl-
yon's Year." &C., &c Harper d Brothers, New
York, publishers,
This is remarkably interesting novel and Will no
doubt prove as popular as the authors previous
works. The opening chapters somewhat te-
di0us and the style In which they are written Is
rather abored but the narrative, fairly under
way, arrests the attention and commands the in
terest to the close. The plot good and many por-
tions of the book very exciting. This volume Is the
latest addition to the Library OF Select Novelsn
ORAL TRAINING LESSONS IN NATURAL SCIENCE AND
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Embracing the Subjects Of
Astronomy, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry,
Mathematical Geography, Natural Philosophy, the
Arts. History, Development Of Words, &C., IN
tended for Teachers OF Public Schools and also for
Private instruction. BY H. Barnard, Principal
Lincoln Scheo Minneapolis. Published by A. s.
Barnes Co., New York.
The above is the argument Of a book which is
written in lively, cooquia style and has consider
able merits OF construction. The author has happily
avoided all pedantry ana this little book Will impart
In an easy, pleasant way and comparatively short
time the principles OF oral training.
The KINDERGARTEN +: A Manual for the Introduce
ton OF Troebel's System OF Primary Education
into Public Schools, for the Use OF Mothers and
Private Teachers. BY DR.. Adolf DOuai. Published
by Il. Stelger, New YORK.
The title OF this book fully explains its purpose
and contents. 1t contains selections In two Ian.