The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08
LITERA URE .

DR.. JOYCR's "BALLADs OF IRISH CHIvALRY"
James DJnohOe, Boston.
There Is q freshness and vigOr in the ballads OF
Dr. Joyce contained in the volume which lies before
us which vindlcate the reputation enjoyed by this
gentleman In Ireland as writer OF ballads-a class
OF poetry in which the Green Isle Is remarkably
rich. In the treatment OF his various sub
jccts the author displays fertility OF fancy
combined with felicity OF expression which
entlte him TO high rank among English
lyrists. DR.. Joyce has q rich collection OF the
wild. romantic traditions OF the irish peasants and
he has not faiIed 10 Utilize some or those fanctrul
Store, In his collection. indeed, any volume Of
poems purposng to represent Gne feelings ana sym.
paihies OF the Irish people would be Incomplete II
the weird traditions VI "rairy raJns'' aud "evn
eyes" found no place In Its pages. These tradi-
tions and superstit'ons were for SO long time
the only Intellectual food Of o people de-
barred By law from the acquisition Of
knowledge that they possess deep interest
for the historical as well as the literary student
There Is In the volume an abundance OF songs,
some grave ana mournlul. some joyous o. the
chrpng Of larks and full OF freshness; the political
songs are marked by great energy, and breathe
q vengeful spirit towards the oppressors Of the
poets motnerland.
Throughout the collection there Is ample evidence
o. the authors intimate sympathy with the most
elevated feelings OF our nature, which Is not the
less refreshing because clothed In language great
simplicity. We do not find any very high flights Of
fancy nor any new or bold conceptions Ia these
poems, but they DO Dreathe pure morality and an
elevated patriotism that go far TO replace them and
make us forget the Slight detects that visible In
some OF the poems. We are sure the book VII be
warmly received by our Irish citizens, with whom
Dr.. Joyce Is already q avorite
''BUaBLEs AND BALLAST" NJ. E. p. B. Messrs
nf II al
"Buboles and Balas" is the quaint, though not In
appropriate title OF a book from the pen OF Mrs. NJ.
II. p. Bouligny, Of Washington city, embracing
most attractive extracts from her diary during q
visit TO the Continent OF Europe. Her opportunities
! o. observation were no more fortunate than her
facility Of description. The almost naconal reputa-
tion OF the fair authoress as lady of refinement
and cultivation VIII doubtless create In the minds OF
her many ad mirers and readers an expectation that
her efforts please them will reach high point OF
literary success. The work Is the unique and atrac-
tive production OF lady noted for discreet
aon, buoyant rhetoric and pc ished humor and In
cladcs descriptions OF Belgium, Holland, England
and France, Including soJourns In London and
Paris. during which she had rare facilities for
gathering the material winch Is now attractiyely
presented to the pubic In her first book.
TIE LIFE OF TIE REV. JOHN MCvIcKAn, 8.
4. d., PROFESSOR ~ COLUMBIA CoLLEsE. BY
Houghton. 1871 limo. PIP. x, 4l6. Ono por-
trait.
| A biography OF useful and good man. of Scottish
extraction, who began lie as rector OF nulnole
rural parish at Hyde Park, N. Y, and was alter.
wards for half century Professor OF Political Econ
ony aud Philosophy in Columbia College, In this
cty. DR.. McvlcKar was clear and abo writer.
whose pamphlets on financial topics and treatise on
political economy influential writings forty to
| fifty years ago. rho quiet, uneventful LIE OF col
lege professor affords little OF MARKED interest to
The general reader, and II Is In the chapters that
JourDalize his travels in Europe that We nnd the
best matter OF this book Here we get ghmpses Of
Lafayette, Humboldt, Uuvler, schlosser, Bishop
| HeDer, Colerldge, Wordsworth, southey, Jenrey
| Lyndnurst and Sir Walter scott
I HALF HOURS WITH MODERN SCIENTISTS. New
lfaven: G. @. Cnatneld Co. 1871. limo, PIP.
! THIS Is q reprint OF some minor essays by five
| English and American writer's on solence-nuxley,
| Tyndall, Cope, Barker and Stirling. They discuss
protoplasm, or the physical basis OF life; the corre
lation Of forces and the doctrine of evolution. Tnc
calm spirit of investigation, not proselytlsm reigns
| throughout the book IL Is great refreshment to
| turn from our dreary polemcs and empty contro-
versial writing, and the still drearier and emptler
nctIons that absorb so much OF the time OF moderR
readers TO tue healthy atmosphere OF these essays
They may be heartily commended to intelligent
readers OF all varieties OF culture entirely whole
some and profitable reading.
BRAZEN GATES. A TRUE HISTORY or TIE BT OssOMs
WHICH GREW IN THE Garden AT CRAGESFELa
New York: q. w. carleton 4 Co. 1872 limo,
PIP. 24s Six plates
This attractive Dook-half fairy story and half
poetic pasume--is by the accomplished lady author
OF 'swidOw Godsmlth's Daughter
Ton CHIps. BY !. Z. Dlekenga and I. NJ. Ashwor,n.
Philadelphia: J. u. Lippincott It Co. ISL 12mo
PIP. 236.
Every word OF this story Is told IN dialogue or
monologue, ana 1t Ia well told. though not notable
for any conspicuous talent displayed by ITS JOINT
authors. SINCE 1t to say there Is naturalness in
It's incidents that rcdeems from all charge OF SEN
satipn s9