The New York herald., 1871-12-16
LITERARY CHyT-CHAT.

AT MR.. JOnr MUBRAY's bookseliersr dinner In
London on tile 1cli or November he sold $50 copies
or '.DarwIn on the Descent OF Man." $50 Cart
Elze's new '.Iifc OF Byron" !, 100 Smiths "B,bls
Dictionary" 1900 Whymper's "ScramDles In the
Alps" and 5000 smiles new hook upon ''Char-
acter.u
TIE Atlanttc Montysy for 1872 promises coun1bu.
tions from the galaxy Of New Englanders hereto
tore found in it and ssveral others. foliovs:--
Holmes, Hawthorne Longfecw. Lowell Stowe,
Whittier, Patton H0welts, James, Fiske. Phelps,
De Mllle Harte, Aldricn, Taylor and Higginson.
THE AMERICAN Book TRADE is suffering from ~
depression which Is attribWyei to various cause0
among which the Chicago fire and the dulness Of
nearly all business since figure largely.
The Saturday Repie,c calls Mrs. Muoch-Cralk's
new story. "Hannah," "a deceased wife's sisters
novel, and tract In two volumes, devoted 70
preaching up the duty OF marrying our wIvcs' sis-
tefB Is apt TO prove tedious even when composed by
skiliul and accomplished writer. The Reuie,o
goes on to condemn the story IS "most msChiey-
GUS book, q polemlca felton," aimed st 4 repeal OF
the law torbldding marriage with deceased wfe's
sister, which the solemn stupidity OF England,
forced by the brilliant conservatism OF the saturday
Repie,c, still Keeps on the statute book.
The Modern Thinker, the 1rst number OF
which puzzled and confoundeu the critics with its
parti-colored hcresies Is said to be preparing Q
second number for speedy issue. Let it come
AMONG THE MANY embarrassments OF having no
international copyright is the reprintiDg the
work by two or more houses simultaneously, per-
haps to tho ultimate loss OF EACH For example.
Harper Il Brothers ana d. Appleton & Co. nave
both announced their Intention to reprint three
new English books-Collins' 'Two Plunges for
Pearl" De Wits "Dames OF High Estate" and the
"Secret OF Long Lite' while Scribner Il Co. and
Appleton have In press separate editions OF Erck-
mann, Chatrian's ''Story OF the Plebisctte." and
Roberts Brothers and scrbner each promise Mas
Rossetus '5hadow of Dante"
In MISS METEYARD's "GrOup OF Engllshmen" the
first heotype sun picture, taken by Thomas
Wedgwood in 17o3 thirty years before the invention
or The Daguerreotype, Is copied in Jacsintte. and
certainly appears to make good wedgwoods claim
to the honors OF the discovery afterwards developed
into photography
The PUBLICATION of Clarence Kings sMountain-
eering In the Sierra Nevadas" In book form has
been postponed until early next year.
FRANK LESLIE has added to his half dozen o.
more Df illustrated, periodicals new one, under tho
title OF The Ladv's Journal. devoted to fashion and
choice literature" similar It's objects to Horpers'
Bazaar. 1t Is published weekly and edited py Mrs.
Squier.
Mr.. HENRY TERRY. Of waterbury, Conn., has In
press book on american Clock Making" em.
bracng the origin, history and present extent OF
tins great Industry.
Hon. WILLIAM BEACH LAWRENCE, author OF sev-
eral works on International Law. has In press .
brief treatise the marriage laws or various coun-
tries as affecting the property OF married women.
The NEXT ISSUE or Scribner x Co.'s new "Library
OF wonders will be ."The Wonders OF Water"
from the French OF Tssandier, with additions by
Professor Schele Dc We're.
ST. AUGUsTINE's '.City OF Godna great book in
ancient theology, which has been long locked from
the people In q learned language or to be had only
In an almost inaccessible English foio Is now trans
lated and published III two readable volumes. by the
Messrs. Clark, OF Edinburg.
THE EFFECTS OF the are Still felt In the pub
lisning world. Very few books Of special note or
vaIue have appeared In England, France or Ger
many for year past, and very few promised Tor
the year to come.
FRANCIS 8. SMITH, OF the New York Weekly, has
o volume OF his verses just ready, entitled "Poems
for the Million"