The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-28
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.

BRET HARTE Ia IN the city spending q few days
with friend.
FLORENCE MARRYArT's (sirs. Ross-Church) last
novel; "Her Lord and Mastern Is said to DO very
silly-sad trash in fact
INTwo Books recently published I'm England on
the Dutch republics OF South Africa the authors
agree IN giving an unfavorabe picture OF the people,
The treatment OF the negroes by the Beers Is repre-
sented as oppressive and almost barbarous.
MAzzINi has an article IN the Cotemporarv maya
zine OF London on the Franco-German war, in
which he assails the French people in bitter Ian.
guage. He complains that the sympathy shown for
France IN the second stage of the war was as III
placed as In the first stage, was the sympathy for
Germany.
ON FRIDAY LAST Mrs. Leonowens gave matinee
reading before large and fashionable audience in
the parlors or Mrs. Youmans from her unpublished
''Siamese Experiences" The adventures narrated
by her were still more interesting than those re.
corded In her popular volume, ''Thc English Gov
erness at the Court OF SIAM" and we trust she Will
shortly give them TO the public.
Mr.. JAMES FLANRANK has written book entitled
''Mind and Manners" which Longman, of London,
has published. IL contains q series OF dull dia
logues on such subjects as "Conversation,n
"Genius." Memory" Language" Mr.. Flanrank
says that "Brltain has become the grand temple or
science and literature" and he speaks Of Horace
Walpole as o man OF genius.
PROFESSOR HINES "History OF Romen does not
meet with as much favor from the English public as
Mommnsen's does. We agree with those critics who
declare that enough histories OF Rome have been
written. Unless new facts are discovered IL seems
waste OF time to repeat the same things over and
over again, merely for the purpose OF expressing
opinions and INDUCING in speculations.
THE EDITOR or the Danville Va.) Times announces
fS,ofh bao ad Nhnr or trto
dotes Of John Randolph Of Roanoke-the famous
Randolph which he proposes to publish by weekly
instalmens IN his paper until they are exhausted.
The anecdotes were collected In Randoph's county,
and will doubtless interest all persons acquainted
with the career OF enc OF the most notable Of
Americans.
In VIEW OF q probable Leavy immigration from
Alsace and Lorraine to the United States Mr. L0-
renzo Castro has published pamphlet giving HIS
tory OF "CastrJ's Colony In Texas. These co0nists
were brought over by his father and, as many OF
them were from Alsace ana Lorraine Mr.. Castro
believes that their uniform prosperity may induce
others OF their countrymen to settle in Texas, the
advantages OF which state are very great.
BRENTAN0's career in this city Is an illustration Of
what energy ana integrity can accomplish. He be.
gan life with capital Of five dollars, sold news
papers, saved his money, gradually Increased his
business, until to-day his emporium OF literature
contains one OF the most complete and valuable
stocks of books in New York. Brentano's literary
taste Is excellent, may be In his selections OF
the works or the ablest OF writers for his establish
ment on Union square,
An ENGLISH CRITIC says that Mr.. Washburn'a
"Hist0ry OF Paraguay" Is very poor production,
written more for the purpose or defending his
official course as Minister to Paraguay than with
the object Of throwing light upon the history Of a
nI,In
must be confessed, too, that some Of Mr.. Wash.
burns statements are utterly untrustworthy. For
example, his estimate of the loss sustained in popu
lation by the Paraguayans during the war with
Brazil ana her allies has Dcen proven exaggerated
and reckless by the recent census
JAMES OsGooD Co., OF Boston, have announced
the completion Of arrangements for the prosecution
OF transcription book trade as new department
In their business. The first books to be published
n this form are the "Llfe and Times OF Benjamin
franklin" tJames Parton) and sour New Way
Round the "tCharles Carleton Conn., The great
book Of the enterprise however as one toward
which the attention OF the entire Christian commu-
nifty Will be drawn; Its plan is entirely new. and 1t
will be wholly free from sectaran doctrines other
Objectionable features Its authorship has been en-
trusted to Of the most gifted and popular dtvnes
in America, whose scholarly ana literary abilities,
combined with his comprehension and appreciation
OF thepublic wants, will render the work an invau-
able companion in every household" SO says the
notice Of the publishers.
New Publications Received.
From T. b. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia
FrancatelIi's 'Modern Cook" and a cheap edition
OF Henry Cockton's valentine Vox, the Ventrllo-
quist."
From D. & J. Sadlier & Co.:-A beautifully bound
and gilt edition Of the Holy Bible (Douai) and
calculations on ST. Joseph,"a translation from the
French of Brother Philippe Superior General Of the
Brothers OF the Christian Schools.
From F. b. Felt Il Co.. Illustrated edition OF
the now celebrated "Fight at Dame Europa's
SCHOOL, The illustrations are by Mast, and are in
full accord with the sarcastic humor of the text.