The New York herald., 1872-12-16
LITERARY CH1r.cHAr.

49, LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.
Mr.. DARwIN's great work on the Oppression OF
the Emotions in Man and Animals" Ii book Of
surprising and SURPRISING interest. IL follows In
the same track with Mr.. Herbert Spencer's theory
OF evolution; but IL Is, nevertheless, thoroughly
independent and original philosophical disserta-
tion. Among the many scientific works which the
Appletons have published In the last few years,
some Of which were the sensations" Of the year,
there is that completely appealed to the
general understanding or was likely 70 provoke
such universal discussion. II is equally treatise
on the emotions and expression OF emotion. As re.
CARDS animals, Mr.. Darwin discusses even such
minutie - the wagging Of . dogs tail and the
theory OF the nursery rhyme
ds PsiSy hss her, sSss + ds nS harm.
The prOfoundest philosophy il made interesting
by the utmost simplicity Of argument and illustra-
tion, and those parts OF the work devoted to an
explanation Of the special expression Of emotion
in man are douby valuable on account Of their
relations to science and to common life. There Is
not an expression or gesture indicative OF emo
tion In the conduct OF man, and not passion
which moves the human heart which ia passed
over without analysis Hood OF light is thus
shed upon many things which we were accustomed
to look upon only as facts, and which we never
thought to regard as the basis OF tnat philosophy
which is to unlock natures carefully guarded
secrets. Joy, suffering, anxiety, grief despair,
love, DEVOTION meditation, rejection, Indignation
hatred, anger. dtsdain, contempt, disgust, shame,
guilt, pride, patience, establishment and fear-in-
deed, all the qualities which 60 to make up the
sum Of human action ana the varied expression
OF animal feeling-comprise the contents Of the
xyO1v ~ <snvs 9xv.~
point Of observation ana example. Among
the most interesting Of these topics is
Mr.. Darwns theory Of blushing. which
he regards as involuntary and impossible
OF being counterfeited, quoting, among other ex-
amples Seneca's remark that "the Roman players
hang down their heads, hx their eyes on the
ground and keep them lowered. but are unable to
blush in acting shame" This Ia as true at the
present day as in the time OF the Roman philoso-
pher, ana yet, II the theory Of evolution be correct
and II Mr.. Darwin's principle that the expression
Of emotion In man and animals was originally &C.
quired from the necessity and usefulness Of the
forms Of expression, we see no reason why know
ledge Of all the causes and processes Of emotion
should not lead to a mastery SO complete as to
enable actor to blush at the shame OF his ideal.
The study Of nature, still in its infancy must lead
to some surprising results, and one OF them is
likely to be that wonderful sefcontr0l which is an
attribute Of deity. These considerations make Mr..
Darwin's new work not only q valuable addition to
our knowledge, but invaluable as an aid to further
scientific investigation.
LITTLE, BROWN 4 Co., OF Boston, have published
in a volume OF only fourteen pages an account Of
the sphynx recently erected at Mount Auburn,
accompanied by two photographs Of the monu-
mental statue. This little book is valuable to
artists and people Of artistic tastes more on &C.
NJ fto Qct fnr otho
reason. 1t raises the question OF the true concep-
tion OF art memorials OF great events In history,
and especially the proprety Of adopting the forms
Of the ancient Egy yptian monuments In modern re.
publics. fE
The HARPERs have collected In single volume,
intended for the use OF schools and colleges, the
chapters from "Grote's History Of Greecen which
relate to the Persian wars. Thus everything that
can be said on the irruption Of the Asiatic bar.
barians into ancient Greece is brought into mar.
row scope and placed within the reach OF all stu
dents OF history.
"lN THE GOLDEN SHE'LL" q story OF Palermo, by
Linda Mazini, and Miss Yonge's novel, "P's and
Q's," have been sent us by Macmillan 4 Co. in vol
umes 30 charming in size and type to be just the
books for the library lounge on q lazy afternoon.
They are like the Tauchnitz series, but are bound
in cloth, and are just sufficiently nexlble to be
easily held in the hand.
AMONG THE DELIGHTFUL GIFT Books OF the season
is Mr.. Bryants "Little People OF the Snow" pub
nshed by D. Appleton 4 Co. The poem is fairy
story OF singular sweetness and delcacy, and
when we remember that 1t was written by the ven.
cradle poet In his SEVENTEEN year we cannot but
feel surprise at the sensitive Imagination which
clothes the funess Of his years. The volume is
illustrated from designs by Fredericks the pictures
uniting sketchiness with imagination, and in many
y,ort Nf fIA VynI.r %hnvn
story as the poem itself.
HARPER BROTHERS will publish in q few days
second series Of the descriptive history Of the
earth, by Eisee Reclus, this volume comprising the
ocean, the atmosphere anc life. Reclus is thor
ough student of nature, and. though not nippant
ana sentimental as Mchelet, is fully as interesting.
The submarine plateau, ocean currents, the Gulf
Stream, every feature Of marine conformation,
consideration OF waves, tides, tidal waves and
ocean phenomena, together with many interesting
matters to which we have not even space to allude,
make the first part OF the volume captivating as
it is valuable. The second part, In which M.
Reclus discusses atmospheric phenomena and
meteorology, is not less valuable and instructive.
His rain map OF the world, and the information he
brings together in regard to winds, Clouds rain
falls, storms, hurricanes and cyclones are use-
ful in themselves. and taken in connection with
the operations OF our own Weather Bureau must
prove an important aid in pursuing the subject
In the concluding part OF the work M. Reclus dis
cusses the earth and its fora. the land and its
fauna, earth and man, and the work OF man. He
brings much learning and enlarged observation to
all OF these topics, and has made a volume which
must be regarded as an important contribution to
natural science. 1t is illustrated by many engrav.
ings and twentyseven large colored maps.
Mr.. F. G. DE F0NTAINE's encyclopedia OF the Best
Thoughts OF Charles Dickens" is now finished, max
Ing large and handsome volume. The title OF the
work is the best possible description OF its con.
tents and character the book being full realiza.
tion OF the aim OF the compiler in every respect.
The subjects are alphabetically arranged, begin
oldai