Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-17
CAMnR1nGE. MAY 10. 17N5.

tins branch in Mr.. Vests school, in England.
With what success he has cultivated his genius
you will judge from the specimens Of his paint
ing, which you will doubtless see. We have
been so well pleased with his performances as
to empty him TO take portraits of our family,
Mrs, Holiness, our sister *Eliza'S, and my own.
He has drawn, we think, successfully.
am, sir, with much respect, your sincere
friend and humble servant A. II.
Hon. Oliver Wolcott Esq, Secretary Of the
Treasury of the United States.
sEliza Styles, daughter of President Styles Of
Yale college, and sister of Mrs. Holmes.
THE EARTH: A Descriptive History of the
Phenomena of the Life of the Globe. BY EliSGe
Rcclus. Translated by the late B. B. Woodward,
NJ. A., and edited by Henry Woodward, British
Museum. Illustrated by two hundred and thir-
ty Maps inserted in the text, and twenty-thrce
Page Maps printed in colors. New York; Har-
per & Brothers, publishers. This work is the
result of more than fifteen years careful study,
travel, and research" of an eminent scientist
who is one of the most intelligent and capable
living French authors. The publishers adver-
tiSement says truly, "there is no work, either
French or English in which so great task has
been attempted and achieved with such wonder
full success" Its purpose is to tell all that is
known of the earth. Ii is arranged in four
parts. The first treats of the earth as planet,
and brings to view the phenomena of the solar
SYSTEM the various opinions touching the lorma-
ton of the earth, and the revelations of geology
The second treats of everything relating to the
land and the eirth'S surface, such as the distri-
button Of continents, coast lines, climate con-
trasts between the old and new worlds, shape of
the oceans, deserts, mountains, plains, subsistence
OF mountains, theories Of their formation, and
the like. rhe third discusses the circulation of
water and treats of glaciers, mountain floods,
rivers and photographed systems, ocean cur
rents, the formation of lakes, and many other
matters. The fourth part treats of subterane-
an forces, and this brings the author to volca-
noes, earthquakes, upheavals and subsidences of
the land, geysers, and other kindred topics.
The book is scientific, and the author has
given the latest additions to our knowledge of
the globe, made by scientific research. At the
same time he has sought successfully to have
the work adapted to engage and hold the atten-
ton of general readers. 1t is really an attrac-
tive and important addition to the popular
scientific literature of our time. Its value is suf-
acently indicated, not only bv the great ability
and attachments of the author, but also by the
appreciation of the distinguished English
scholars who have introduced it to the English
speaking world; and those who read it, will find
that the author has known how to make it en-
pertaining, as well as instructive. Those who
seek knowledge will be sure. to give this volume
proper attention; but this class does not en-
hpan aNraI, oil a,,-hp 20, bo
for which reason there are many who can write
correctly, while they lack the substantial intell
renee which would give them something to say.
We have perpetual food of third and fourth
rate novels written by persons who are inca
Dable of writing anything else; and the habit of
reading these novels demoralizes the mind and
reduces to a paralytc condition that active, eager
thirst for knowledge without which no person
becomes really intelligent Therefore, it would
be good sign if this book could be everywhere
substituted for the last batch of new novels and
thus get a wide circulation. 1t is a large octave
volume of 567 pages. We are sorry to say it
lacks a general index; but the arrangement of
the table of contents does as much as possible
to supply this lack. For sale at Bigeow's.
AMERIcANIsMs; the English of the New
World. BY NJ. Schele de We're, LII. D., Profess
sor of Modern Languages, in the University of
Virginia. New York: Charles Scribner & Co..
publishers. Professor dc We're has written on
various topics for some Of the magazines, with
in few years past; and several books from his
pen have been published, some of them on phi
biological topics. In this volume he discusses
the origin and development of "Americauisms,"
and their influence on the English language as
spoken in this country. The sources OF Ameri-
canisms he finds, not only in the pecuarities
of American life and development, but, also, in
the speech of the Indians, and in that of the
Dutch French, Spanish, German and Chinese
immigrants. The negro race, too, have infu-
enced American speech, more by habits of mis-
pronunciation than by the introduction of Afii-
can words. Other sources of these new forms
ofexprcssion are specified; and there are chap
tiers on "Cant and Slang" and "New Forms and
Mechanics" Professor de We're may not be
profoundly learned in the science of language,
out his book is not unworthy the attention of
those interested in the study of words and their
uses; for it will aid them in this study, if it
does not fully satisfy their inquiries For sale
at Bigelow's.
DISTANT Cousins: Talks with Amy and
Georgia about some Far-of Relations. BY the
author OF "What makes me Crow" etc Boston:
Roberts Brothers, publishers This is a book
for young readers. 1t is very handsomely
printed, bound and illustrated Its purpose is
to give Young people some knowledge Of the
various races and peoples of the earth, and
occupy their attention with first lessons in
geography and ethnology. The Lapps, Moslem
girl from India, Parsee children, Italian bows,
Egyptian boys, Chinese children, Spanish child
rem, German girls, French children, Tyrolese
boy, and a Malay boy, are discussed in the con-
yersations, and presented in costume by the en-.
cravings. Young readers will find the book en-
tertaining and instructive For sale at Bgclow's
The LIFE AND LETTERS OF HANNAH MORE,
by VIM. Roberts, an English book, has been
published in Boston, by Roberts Brothers. It's
one of their new series of small square books
with elastic covers, entitled "The Nonpareil Sc
rles of English Classics" The type is small but
very clear. This work was first published
in England, some years ago. For sale at Bige-
lows.
buRKE's REVOLUTION IN FRANCE. This
li'ue volume, of which the full title is "Refec-
tions on the Revolution in France, and on the
Proceedings of Certain Societies in England
Relative to that Event, by the Right Honorable
Edmund Burke" is another of the Noppareil
series. To the readers of the literature of eighty
years ago, this is well known as one of the most
eloquent and attractive of Mr.. Burkes produc-
lions. II is one of those works, which, in its
lime and for many wears aftprWard evervbod,,