The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-27
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.

THE LONDON Spectator says OF Thomas Mast that
'there Is something OF HOgarth's power about his
Sketches f" and liability for portralture equal to
II. B.'s,'n with "many signs OF an imagination
which can grow hot with righteous wrath" On
the other hand 1t thinks "nis merely humorous de-
signs are comparatively weak In idea;' ''his
sketches OF animals are atroclously bad, and his
sentimenIalires are unpardoaably feeble" sit is
only when Mr.. Nash gives the gloomy side of his
Imagination its swing that he rises to his full
power"
The MOVEMENT OF SYMPATHY and active aid in
behalf OF the pardon OF Esee Reclus has gained
great strength in England. where TINS acco mplished
scholar Is we'll known by his books, as well as by
his studies IN the British Museum Library Reclus
Is the author OF many fine papers in the Repue dss
Deuz Mondes on Brazil and other parts OF America,
winch he has visited in person. He also wrote
several on the merits Of the civil IN the United
States, then little understood In France. His great
work, "La Terre" has been translated into Eng
lish within year. His "Winter Cities OF the Medl.
terranean-Nice Cannes Monaco, Meutone," &C, Is
charming guide book to those genial regions de-
scribed by DR.. Bennett and by Samuel 8. Cox.
TIE AthenGu'n pronounces MacDOnald's evil
fred Cumbermede" extremely original, clever and
Interesting but objects to its want OF continuity IN
the narrative. IL warmly praises the authors
"wonderrul gift Of word painting"
MATTHEW ARNOLD says that the difference be.
tween The Bible and the Koran Is that the former
grew, while the latter was made.
"THE FLORIDA COL0NIsr, OR SETTLERS GUIDE"
is the title OF pamphlet OF eightysix pages, with
map, issued by J. s. Adams. Commissioner Of Lands
and Immigration, Jacksonville, who win send 1t
free to oil applicants RENTING postage stamps.
DR.. HENRY ii. DEXTER, OF Boston, Is now III Lon
don, engaged In gathering documents and other
materials for complete history OF the founding OF
the New England colonies.
PROFESSOR FRANCIS J. CHILD, OF Harvard Col
lage, Is about to edit for publication collection OF
the bet old English ballads with all their different
version, printed In variorum style.
THE Saturday Repte,o is severe on Mr.. Robert
Buchanan's "Dream Of Kings" ana says
| 10 our modern poems the laws OF nature are
rhyme, and invariably get worsted. Our poets
second line ends with ''upstreamed,n and 50 his
scream SO much the worse for it. however. MIR.
Bucnanan knows mis- own business best aud we
must admit that In no period OF the history Of rera
tur0 has absence oil meaning In poetry commanded
higher price than at present
AGNES STRICKLAND has nearly ready for the press
new book entitled, ''The Lives Of the Processes
OF the Royal House OF Stuart" This, ike her
bachelor Kings is ancllary to her "Lives of the
Queens of England"
MADAME MIcnELors "Nature; or, the Poetry o I
Earth and Sea-" from the press OF Nelson & sons,
London, Is rhetorical ana sentimental Iull OF smii
tudes or the grandesS sort, and as vague rs p0ssi
bic.
THE Pau XaU Gazette says Of Gustave Dore's 'sIl-
lustratlons OF London" OF which the first part has
been published, that it promises to be faithful,
as well a beautiful book Of drawings. He has not
fallen INFO the bunderlng Of most French artists,
who make Frenchnen OF all the landowners they
have occasion TO depict.