The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
HOLIDAY LITERATURE.
Songs, Stories and Sketches for
People Of All Ages.
Intellectual Studies for Adults and Gems
for Juveniles.

Intellectual Studies for Adults and Gems
for Juveniles.
Books are popular and appropriate presents for
the holida ys. There mnumerable other articles
either useful ornamental. or both combined that
are suitable Tor gifts according TO the tastes OF
individuals, but BOOKS are never out OF place as
presents In country where there Is 80 much gene
raj Intelligence as there IN the United states. The
province OF literature Is to amuse or 70 instruct the
MUD and when amusement 10 blended with In.
structon, when the fancy - pleased. the intellect
enlightened and the moral sentiment OF the heart
awakened the highest once Of literature Is attained
The author assumes responsible and an important
mission 10 mankind and while many oil the puDlica-
tons OF the day fall far below the standard which
lovers OF literature would delight to see Impressed
on each printed page, there are every year issued
FROM the press books which may be truly said to be
inspired.
AT this season OF the year especially, IN view OF
the near approach OF the Christmas and New Year
holidays authors and publishers are busly engaged
in bringing out new books and new editions to at
tract the attention and suit the sentiments OF pur-
chasers. There are certain standard works OF TACT
and fiction which are always IN demand among
rapidly increasing population. ana these the pub
uSnerS present III various Styles VI aCCViuM Oudto
the purses OF richer or poorer people. New
books, works OF merit, are eagerly sought after by
Americans, who arc so fond OF what IS novel, and
who buy moro books than the inhabitants OF any
other country in Chrlstendom. The catalogues OF
prominent publishers contain the titles OF new and
old productions on oil sorts Of SUBJECTS
from which purchasers must make selections. Many
OF these we have noticed from time to time. the
first subsequent editions have been issued; and
at the present moment We must confnc ourselves 10
passing reference to The more recent publications
that have reached u.s.
Poetry AFFORDS fruitful field for artistic tlustra-
ton, and Of the songs and tho stories told In
verse, original and selected, which we have re-
ceived, ncrspersed with Illustrations which are
beautiful specimens Of art. Forty-two OF this class
or wood engravlngs, each ono OF them signal tr.
umphs Of artistlc skill, embellish 'TnE STORY OF
THE FOUNTAIN" by william Cullen Bryant, pub
lshed by the Appletons. This beautiful little
book embodes IN most remarkable
degree the harmonious combination Of
poetry and art. The sweetest emotions OF humanity
are at once awakened by the title or the volume Of
selections just rcissued by Scribner Co., under the
sympathetic name or ''SONGs OF THE HEART"
.'SONGs OF LIFE" and "SoNGs OF HOME" have
already preceded the present volume in this new
improved and pleasing STYLE ana ''SONGs OF Ma
TURE" soon to follow, Will complete the SERIES
called .'Fok Songs" but the four volumes into
winch they have now been divided with separate
and appropriate titles, VIII, when completed, COM
PRISE not only the original book, but also numerous
new poems and illustrations Love will hear its
tender sentiment distinctly echoed IN these
responsive songs; Joy Will hear notes
OF gadncss Sorrow viii receive consolation
and hope from the voices OF angels and the words
OF Jesus; aspiring will ind sympathy and IN
domestic life, the wonders OF the universe the
goodness OF God and the glories Of immortality sung
and celebrated. "BALLADS OF IRISH CHIvALRY,"
by Robert Dryer Joyce published by Patrick Dona-
hoe, IN Boston, contains voluminous collection Of
ballads, songs ana poems that will appeal to the
humorous, anectionate and martial elements, winch
are prominent characteristics of that has so
many native representatives and descendants In
America. "oUR POLITICAL FAvORITEs" Is the
attractive title given 10 the selection made
Dy Professor Asancl Q. Kcndrick. OF the
Rochester University, from the best minor poems
in the English language This Is the second edi-
tion 1t is published bv sheldon Co., and contains
the choicest gems of revercd and nonored deceased
and surviving authors, including several familiar
selections which can only credited as s'anony-
mousn The collection covers extensive range
OF poetry, secular and sacred. The volume is OF
convenient size, and Is furnished with q copious
index. 'sTHE PORTS OF THE NINETEENTH CEN
TURYn Is the we'll known title Of work which has
had an extensive circulation IN Europe and Amer.
lea. The Harpers nave embellished this new edl-
ton with 14l beautiful engravings, drawn by
eminent artists, and the book has been en-
larged from 400 to GA octave pages.
All the Illustrations are superb. Many OF them are
new ones while the text contains recent popular
productions OF contemporaneous American and
British authors "rhc Poets Of the Nineteenth
century" Is q standard work, and may be con-
sidcred an embodiment OF the poetic genius OF the
century which found expression In the English
language from the time OF Beattic TO the present
| period. 'THE POEMS OF SCHILLER" complete, in
the original German, with TRANSACTIONS into English
| on the opposite pages, appear In one duodecimo
| volume, issued by K0hler, OF Philadelphia.
| The idea OF the publisher has been to pre-
sent In handy form an elegant and correct
| collection OF the poetic productions OF that
i pure IN nded German genius. the arrangement OF
| the volume will afford much pleasure to those who
wish TO compare the original with the translations.
| "POEMs FOR THE MILLiON' comprise the mscel-
1 laneous pieces contributed from time to time by
| Francis s. Smith to the columns OF the New York
Weekly newspaper, which are now for the llst time
| collected and published for the author BY the Anne.
| rican News Company "DREAM LIFE AND OTHER
| POEMS" by Stockton Bates, Is neat little volume
| just published BY Caxton, Remsen b Hanelnnger,
| OF Philadelphia The verses are for the most part
light and musical without being particularly poeti-
cal. 'SHoRT POEMS FOR SHORT PEOPLE" by Edgar
Fawcett published by Francis D. Felt 4 Co., Is, as
Its title indicates, collection Of original little
poems suitable for children. The subjects are
various and the style Is easy and simple. Many Of
them have hitherto appeared In various magazines
ana journals and are now collected and published
by permission. A pretty little story In verse for
Christmas Eve written by Edward Abbott and
published by Randolph h Co., Is entitled "THE
BADY's THINGS" and Ia designed to illustrate the
henehcenca OF charity-that Mits more blessed TO