Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-08

any who incline to its way of thinking.
JAPAN IN OUR DAY. Compiled and Ar
ranged by Blyard Taylor. New York: Charles
Sctibuer s Co. This is the first volume of a
series 10 he entitled illustrated Library of
| Travel, Exploration and Adventure" The title
| is promising, and the usual good Judgment and
| taste Of this publishing house can hardly fail to
make the series of volumes now begun both at
tractve and useful. The tendency to increase
the proportion of books containing useful in
formation, is good sign, and we hope it will
at length crowd out OF circulation all the third
and fourth rate novels We shall then have
quite as large proportion of novel reading as
can be of much use to anybody. In this vol
ume, we have Japan described as it appears now
to those who visit the country. There are very
interesting sketches Of travel in Japan, of eX-
cursons in the city of YedO, and Of residence
az Yokohama. Considerable space is given to
description of Yedo and its people, the resi-
dance Of the Tycoons, the highways, the
bridges, and the distinctive peculiarities of the
country. There are chapters on japanese in
dustry, literature, art, mythology, and supersti-
tions. Mr. Taylor has sought to make the vol
AlllS lls lNl4NN anu AliOSt
miliar with his writings know what topics
usually get most attention in his books of
travel. The most noticeable defect in this book
appears in the chapter entitled Japanese His
tory" Mr.. Taylor writes here as if he were
wholly unconscious of what is known of the
early history of Japan, and of its historical lit
crature. The book is well supplied with picto-
rial illustrations. For sale at Bigelow's.
"THE YOUNG DODGE CLUB AMONG BRIG
ANDs," by Prof James de Mile, has been pub
ished by Lee & Shepard, Boston. Itnarrates
the adventures of this club in Italy, and chiefly
in connection with the brgands by whom two
of the boys are captured. The story is told as
Prof. de Mile usually tells story, and will
furnish entertainment for young readers, For
sale at Bigelow's.
''THE URNING WHEEL" by Paul Golden
published by Lee & Shepard, is a new volume, of
the series Of which the publishers entite "The
Reckoning Series" The other volumes of this
series were very good, and this seems to be not
inferior to them. For sale at Bigelows.
"AUNT MADGE's STORY" by Sophie May,
published by Lee & Shepard, is the third vol
ume in the Little Prudy's Fly Away Series"
They are intended for the younger class of read
ers. For sale at Bigeow's.
SoNGs OF THE HEART, selected from many
sources, with numerous illustrations from origi.
nal designs. This elegant book forms the
third volume of the reissue of the Folk Songs
Songs of Life" and "Songs of Home" are the
two first. "SongS Of Nature" will finish the
series. Each volume, however, is complete in
itself, and either separate or together they will
make an acceptable holiday gift The poems
arc selected with nice care and discrimination;
the illustrations from the pencils of MISS
Hallock, Clifford, Hoppn, Eytinge, Mast and
others, are worthy ofthe poems, and the binding,
paper and type elegant and appropriate Fac
SMILES of the autographs of Halleck Cooke
Proctor and Hunt give au additional interest
and value to the whole. 1t is published by
Charles Scribner & Co., and for sale at Bige-
lows
THE CRUISE OF THE CAsco," by Rev. Elijah
Kellogg. This is the third volume of the "Pleas-
ant Cove Series, and is TO be followed by three
more. The boys don't need any recommends
| ton of Mr. Keogg'S stories, they think them
just the right thing" and they will doubtless
be very glad of ''Tne Cruise of the Casco" for
Christmas present. Lee & Shepherd, Boston,
are the publishers, and it is for sale at Bige-
lows.
RUBY DUKE, by Mrs H. X. Potwin, pub
lishel BY Lcc & Shepard, Boston. There is lit
tie to say about this story. 1t is one of the semi
religious novels so common nowadays, and
rather better than the average, the moral turn
In.ron The evil of fashionable life for women as