The Portland daily press., 1872-04-30
: Recent Publications.

Only the rudiments of aesthetics have ever
| been taught in our schools, and even that has
| been done in the most informal way. But
Henry N. Day has written an elaborate text
book, called The Science of 1AEsthetics; or, The
Nature, Kinds, Laacs, and Uses Of Beauty, which
is adapted to the wants either of schools or of
the general reader. The subject is treated very
philosophically, but in terms simple enough to
be readily grasped by the Ordinary mind 1t
has convenient marginal analysis, an appen-
dix containing an explanation of the emblems
and symbols in art, and good index. There
are three fine illustrations. A very useful
book, full of valuable suggestions, and stimu-
lative of thought. Days Logical Praxis is
little volume by the same author, designed for
those whose who are first entering upon the
study of mental science. 1t may be mastered
by beginners in from four to eight weeks
There are copious exercises for practical appli-
cation. (Charles c. Chatfeld & Co., New Ha-
ven, Conn; for sale by Loring, Short g. Har-
mon.)
Hints to Young Editors is a very thin pamph-
let which will probably be esteemed among
journalists much as What IKnop About Farm
ing is among agriculturists, though it is written
by an editor who might have produced some
thing valuable if he had taken time and space
enough. &c. c. Chatfeld, New Haven, Conn !;
for sale by Loring, Short g. Harmony
There are not many books of travel that can
boast of eight editions, like The Holy Land, by
Rev. DIR. S. ID. Phelps. The description Of
Palestine is one of the most vivid ever given by
an American writer. 1t is exceedingly minute,
in oct nh \
by the natur al enthusiasm naturally aroused in
the devout mind by the contemplation of the
scenes of the sacred narrative. The book also
contains hasty account of what the writer saw
in Europe and Egypt. There are twenty-five
engravings. published C. c. Chatfeld,
New Haven. For sale by Loring, Short s.
Harmony
The latest addition to the new "Wonder Sc
ries," published by Scribner, Armstrong & Co.,
is called the Wonders of Electricity. Electrici-
ty, being the wonder of wonders, naturally
makes the most attractive topic yet treated in
this series. The present volume is from the
French of J. Bale, edited with numerous addi-
tions by DR.. John w. Armstrong, President of
the New York Normal School. The American
editor has done good service in rescuing the
names of American scientists from the unde-
served obscurity in which they are left by the
French author. Prof. Morse gets full credit for
his agency in making electromagnetic prac
tically useful but M. Bale neglects the claim
of Prof. Page to credit for the invention and of
f. s. Ritchie of Boston for the improvement of
the induction coil, giving all the praise to NJ.
Kuhmkorff, who appropriated the discoveries
OF Mr.. Ritchie, and so was able to have his
name indissolubly connected with the most
valuable of all mechanical contrivances for
utihzlng electricity. Too much praise cannot
be bestowed on the mechanical execution OF the
new "Wonder Series" The binding is elegant,
the paper thick and glossy, the type large and
clear enough for an octogenarian, and the nu-
merous illustrations finely executed. (For sale
by Hoyt, Fogg & Breed)
The same publishers have just issued George
Macdonald's poem, Within and Without Those
who have become interested in the authors
works of fiction, will be very curious to know
how he succeeds in verse. Within and With
out is dramatic poem. 1t is story told in
verse instead of prose, and the exercise of the
very highest qualities of the imaginationis is an.
parent throughout. (For sale by Hoyt Fogp
& Breed.)
Adele, a tale by Julia Kayanagh. author of
Nathalie, is published by d. Appleton & Co.,
New York, in one cloth-bound volume. (Fcr
sale by Bailey & Noyes.