Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-17


A MANUAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY; from the
Earliest Times TO the Fall of the Western EN-.
pire. By George Rawlinson, NJ. A. This work
is precisely what it processes to be,-a "manu-
al" The volume is duodeclmo of 68S pages.
The arrangement is good, and, on the conclud-
ing eight or ten pages, we have genealogical
tables of the royal houses of Macedonia, Rome,
Parthia and of the several nations that arose
in Asia after the death of Alexander the Great.
Professor Rawlnson has included in his work
many of the results of modern research; and he
himself has given considerable attention to the
archaeology of southwestern Asia, although he
is much less learned in arch zoology than his
brother, Sir Henry Rawlinson. The most
valuable part of this work is that which covers
the period from the rise of the Persian empire
to the fall Of the Western empire. His "ancient
history" of the previous times Is not of great
value, because his chronological method does
not allow him to present the matter properly.
He is more intent on unfolding Usher's chrome
logy, or something like it, than on giving an
impartial account of arch illogical facts. He
does recognize the fact, that, before the rise of
ASSNIlaI huNIG was AZ hiuSuOhl vi NudtuSas
archaeology compels him to do SO; but he treats
this fact very poorly, and fails to give a com
plete account of it. He has not pretended to
study Egypt; therefore, his miserable treatment
of toe ancient history of that country does not
surprise us. But that portion of the book to
which this criticism applies, fills less than an
hundred pages. For sale at BigeIow's.
~ how.
By Joseph Parker, D. D., Author of "Ecce
Deus" Boston, Roberts Brothers. This is an
English book, and shows us more of English
preachers and their ways than any other volume
we have seen. Whatever a well written book
may contribute tG enable young preacher TO
make the most of his powers and win success,
can be found in it. The "advices" are English
and are addressed to young men who undertake
the Christian ministry in Great Britain; but
they will be useful here. 1t is much more read
able than such books usually are. For sale at
Bigelow's.
ROMAN IMPERIALISM and Other Lectures and
Essays, by J. R. Seeley, NJ. A., Professor of Mod
| ern History in the university of Cambridge.
| Published by Roberts Brothers, Boston. These
essays by the author of "Ecce Homo" display
sound scholarship and acute and enlightened
historical and literary criticism. The first three
comprise review of the history of R ome under
the empire, pointing out clearly the Characters
tics Of Roman imperialism, its elements of
strength and weakness, the causes of its de-
cline and fall and its influence on the later his
tory Of Europe. Without any parade of learn
ing or tedious citation of authorities, they en-
body the results of the latest historical research
es, and are especially suggestive in relation to
the recent developments of Imperialism in
France. The remaining essays in the volume
are on Millions political opinions and poetry, on
elementary principles in art, liberal education
in the universities, English in schools, the
church as teacher of morality, and the teaching
OF politics. In all of them the style is graceful
and forcible, and the thought valuable. For
sale at Bigelow's.
SIR HARRY HoTsPUR OF HUMBLETHwAITE,
by Anthony Trollope. The leading characters
in this novel are a high-spirited old English
gentleman of vast estates and ancient family,
his daughter, an amiable and lovely girl, and
cousin, George Hotspur, thoroughly contempt
ible fellow of the worst habits, and neither prin-
ciple or manliness, who contrives to gain the
young lady's affections, and, with the reluctant
consent of her parents, is engaged to marry her.
A revelation OF his true character and entangle-
ments breaks up the engagement, but the girl,
though convinced of his worthessness, cannot
withdraw her affection, and the connection ends
in misery for all parties. The story is told with
all MIR. Trollope's faithfulness and minuteness
of description of mental and external action,
and with more of vivacity than one is accus.
toned to find in bis novels. 1t is published as
one of Harper's library of select novels, and for
sale here by L. H. Bigelow.
The ALDINE, published by James Sutton &
Co., New York, claims to be the handsomest pa
per in the world, and we have no reason to ques-
ton the justice Of this description. 1t is certain
ly superior both in the perfection of its letter
press and the artistic character aud admirable
execution Of its engrayings, to any that has
come under our notice. Each number contains
three full page illustrations of remarkable beau
ty and Others of less size, but hardly less merit.
In the January number, the large engravings
are A View near Tivoli, The Picnic, and very
spirited picture of dogs attacking wild boar.
In the February number, Dante at the River, by
Dore, the Stolen Child, and picture very beau
tiful in design and execution, entitled Gas a
Hen Gathereth her Chickens under her Wings"
The reading matter, original and selected, quite
up to the standard of our best magazines To
each yearly subscriber is given as premium a
small chrome picture of ducks, and the holiday
number to be issued in December, will be double
the size o. the others, and will contain twice as
many engravings. The subscription price is
$3.50 per year.
"THE CHATrERBox" is an English magazine
for the juveniles, which is republished, in New
York, by Pott & Amery. 1t is abundantly illus
trated, aud the illustrations are remarkably
good in design and execution.
EVERY SATURDAY for this week gives por-
trait of Mr.. Blaine, speaker of the house of rep.
resentatives, some interesting pictures illustra-
tive of coal mining, fine engraving entitled
an the Clutches of the Enemy" representing a
French carrier pigeon seized by Prussan fal.
con, and other attractions.
The ATLANTIC MONTHLY for March has ar
ticles on Womans Rights in Ancient Athens, by
B. W. Ball, Ups and Downs of the Bonapartes
ana bourDons, Jonn wesley, Our Eyes and now
to take care of them, by DR.. Williams, Shoddy,
by E. P. whipple, A Passionate Pilgrim, by H.
James, Jr., Active Glaciers in fac United States
by Clarence King, The Mulberries by W D.
Howells, Our Whispering Gallery and poems by
Whittier and Bayard Taylor.
OUR You've FOLKS for March is full of good
things. Jack Hazard, whose fortunes the young
nponle are watchinp with inferest trate into ~,
unfortunate predicament. Mr.. Parton's voyages
of Cadamosto, Elizabeth Kiham's Flibbertigib-
bet, Nora Perry's story of little Syl Augustus
Holmes Volcanoes and Geysers are all pleasant
reading.
Miscellaneous Items.
Of the French prisoners in Belgium, more
than seven hundred, who were without any in
strnciinn. LAYe been tlnyht TO read write and