The New York herald., 1871-01-15
BOOK NOTICES.
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Criticisms on New Books.

Criticisms ON New Books.
MAN AND WOMAN, Considered In Their Relations 70
Each Other and to the World. BY Henry o.
Pedder. l VOL, 12ms., cloth. tinted paper.
Samuel II. Wells $50 broadway. 1871
THIS neat ana well timed little volume will be
the less appreciated that it comes in the
very thiok OF contest OF opinion which menaces
the foundations OF civilized society, therefore OF
liberty ITSELF AS the author tells US in his modest
preface, his aim has been to contribute his "mite
toward the better establishment OF social order
domestic happiness and national prosperity" and
IL Is but the simplest justice to say that
he has well and faithfully striven to perform his
task. In these days, when what is falsely termed
sthe higher law''-the real higher law being clearly
aud Enthusiastically transmitted In the revealed col
mandments OF God and the teachings Of Christ and
His all that we should hold dear
the family relation 1t Is consoling to see able and
eloquent pens diligently at work TO counteract the
assaults OF evil. In this point Of view Mr.. Pedder
deserves the thanks Of all good men. The author
defends and exalts the relation Of husband and wife
with rare power OF thought and felicity OF language
He expresses what all true souls OF the higher order
eally love and cherish In woman. He sees in her
the better self OF man-his helpmeet, indeed, his
solace his guardian angel, and often his guide to
heaven-not the mere toy OF his caprice as the
wretched doctrines Of Paganism revived and forced
In upon us under specious names by class TO
whom religion Is o cloak and order pretence would
have us believe. The author reasons land rghtully
we think) for the mutual adaptability OF man and
woman in their relations and for their mutual de-
pendence on another. This view naturally leads
to recognition OF the necessity for close knowledge
and careful judgment in forming the nuptial tie
ana its absolute inviolaDility when formed. But
in order to attain this condition. which alone can
guarantee happiness, we require improved female
aAuc ottnna and a Of Ro-
cognizng the equality OF woman In her social rela.
tions we must make her fit for that equality in the
hig est sense. Duty is TO be impressed upon her
mind as well the idea Of her rights, and she is TO
be taught that along with freedom she ncurs respon
slbility All this Is found in the principle OF family
and that principle Mr.. Pedder revertng 10 the older
and grander precepts OF pure religion, makes the
very basis and pedestal OF all the rest. Pure and
nigh minded women will be the mothers OF honest,
brave and faithful men. The women Of the II mily
OF the Saviour are in modesty, earnestness and
gentleness and yet In firm and steadfast cour-
age, long suffering and fidelity. the models OF
what we would have in our wives. Regard.
ing woman In this lofty light as q distinctly
individual spirit-a living, separate naturc-the
author maintains the doctrine OF the indestructi-
billty, and therefore, OF the Immortality Of sex-an
enchanting thought, which perpetuates material
and conjugal love beyond the grave,
TIE STORY OF ELIZABETH. A Novel, By Miss
Thackeray, daughter OF William NJ Thackeray
Esq, author OF. "vanlty Fair" &C., &c. T. B.
Peterson Brothers, Philadelphia, publishers.
This is o delightful story, charmingly told. Al
though Miss Thackerays style differs essentially from
her fathers she has certainly Inherited much of his
talent "The Story Of Elizabeth" interests US from
the first page to the last 1t is of those books
which once commenced 1t Is dificult TO lay down
II is story OF everyday life, beautiful and touching
with plot and characters thoroughly natural II do
not like Elizabeth Gilmour the less,n says Miss
Thackeray, towards the close OF the book, "because
nave spoken the truth about her. and written of her
as the woman she is;' and we think most OF her
readers vii; say so. too.
new edition OF Shakspeare's comedy OF 'sThe
Merchant Of Venice" preceded by a sketch OF the
authors life and works, and edite1 by william
Rolfe, A. M, formerly Head Master OF the High
School, Cambridge, Mass, has just been published
by Messrs. Harper Brothers, New York.. MIR. Rolfe
says his preface that "his aim has been to edit
this English classic for school and home reading in
essentially the same way as Greek and Latin classics
are edited for educational pulposes.n The book is
OF convenient size profusely illustrated and nicely
rOtten uD