The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-11-23
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM IN ADVANCE

come it deserves. Published by Appleton,
and for sale by Bailey q Noyes.)
The VEGETABLE WORLD. BY Louis FL
| guer.
A good many years ago, man was ocea-
sonally met with who had so far made him
self master of all knowledge as to be esteem
ed universal genius" But in these days.
"hen every improvement in telescope or m-
oroseope, while dissipating some obscurity,
ihahes us aware of scores Of mysteries whose
existence was before unsuspected: when
some oi the greatest minds spend a lifetime
OF iaDor IN the restricted field of a specially.
the term has fallen into merited dispse Mt.
withstanding this, NJ. Figuier ESSAYS To Give
instruction in any department Of natural
science with confidence aud readiness that
would lead US to suppose that he considers
himself entitled to this rare distinction. The
result of such a mans attempts might be pre-
dicted with great certainty-his works are
fuii OF the most atrocous errors, and are
particularly perncious because written in
very readable style. The charlatanry of
| such authors is easily detected by any one
VINO possesses any real accurate information
ON the subjects treated of, and NJ Figuier
has long been known among scientists as q
| first class quack. rl
Entertaining this opinion of the man. we
sat down to review of this book expecting
to be able to fill a quarter column, at least,
with catalogue OF the mistakes in the first
ten pages. But we have been most agreea-
bly, disappointed. We find that this is a new
and well revised edition of the work, with
which the former edition will compare only
as an exercise for correction with The same
! exercise corrected. The errors are for the
most part trivial and the book is now a very
good one. But some other than NJ. Figuier
has revised it.; of that we are confident.
Inc Illustrations are very fine and add great
ly to the worth of the book. Published by
Appletont and for sale by Bailey & Noyes)
| HALF-HoUR REoREATIoSs IN POPULAR
! SCIENCE. No. 5.
ms number contains a brief review of the
researches OF Schellen and others with regard
to Nebul@, Comets and Meteoric Showers;
and dozen pages compiled from Prof. Dana's
recent work on Coral and Coral Islands.
These little pamphlets are good as far as they
! go, and the main trouble is that they only
give taste of the feast. But they only ad-
vertise to be half-hour affairs, and they will
answer good purpose ifthey serve to awaken
an interest in scientific matters.
Published by Estes & Lauriat, 143 Wash
ington St., Boston. For sale by Dresser &
Aver.
The AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDI-
CAL SCIENCES for October is richly laden
with original memoirs and cases, reviews.
photographed notices and summaries, fully
sustaining the reputation gained by its scores
ofpredecessors. All our medical friends want
! it, as matter of course.
Published by Henry C. Lea, PHILADELPHIA.
CONCORD DAYS. By A. Bronson Alcott.
Mr.. Alcott has attained an immense repu-
tation for profundity apparently dependent to
considerable extent upon his ''deportment''
and his ineffably impressive way of putting
things in themselves trivial. The impudent
little newspaper paragraph which has been
| going the rounds that 'Mr. Alcott's best con-
| tributions to literature are his daughters" has
very substantial substratum of truth. But
after all it is very clear that Mr.. Alcott, from
some cause is looked upon as a very doge by
the best literary circle in America-the Bos-
ton-Cambridge- Concord cotere.
Concord Days. is rambling series of dis
QUESTIONS and personal sketches made up in
the form of diary, and in many parts is de-
iightful. The sketches of Emerson and
Thoreau are specially fresh and charming,
and convey most vivid impression of the
inner life and distinctive personal character
istics of those well-loved men. There are
also admirable sketches of Margaret Fuller,
Goethe, Carlyle, Phillips, Greeley, Haw-
thorne, Landor, Colyer and Beecher done in
the authors peculiarly imposing style but
with an accuracy and tiuthfulness which few
men have so good means of attaining.
On the whole the book Is one which no.
body can afford to omit to read and only fai Is
of being thoroughly pleasing on account of
the pervading sense of infinite personal su-
periority to everybody and everything which
the writer has infused into every part, which
is sometimes little oppressive. For sale by
Loring Short & HARMONY
KEEL AND SADDLE. A Retrospect of Forty
Years of Military and Naval Service By
Joseph w. Revere.
An account of the varied adventures and
experiences of a man who has seen very much
OF the world in the course of forty years in
The navy and army. His opportunities for
ly those out of the route of the tourist for
pleasure, have been many, and the book has
average literary merit and interest
Published by James R. Osgood & Co. For
sale by Hall L. Davis.
L. b. Peterson and Brothers publish the
"Memoirs of Physician in their series of
Alexandra Dumas works, The work is
copiously illustrated and well printed. In
paper-price S1.0O For sale by Bailey &
| Noyes.
"A WoMAN's VENGEANCE, by James
Payn. Author of ''Caryon's Year." See
ciPs Tryst'', &c.
The plot of this novel is sensational and by
no means an agreeable one The characters
are not such as to particularly enlist the
readers sympathy, and though the style of
the book is quite bright. especially in the
opening chapters, we cannot recommend il
to our readers.
Published by Harper Brothers, N. Y.
For sale by Loring, Short & Harmon.
BEssIE-By Julia Kavanagh. Author of
Nathalie, Queen Nab, &C., &c.
A new novel by Miss Kavanagh-in which
we recognize her familiar style, always grace
ful, spirited and poetical. The story is one
of decided interest. There is a certain same
ness about this authors novels, however.
that her very many admirers readily pardon,
but which preclndes the necessity of special
criticism OF any one of them. So we will
merely recommend "Bessie" to our readers
as very charming romance and one that
will well repay perusal.
Published by ID. Appleton & Co., New
York. For sale by Bailey & Noyes.
For The KING by Charles Gibbon. an
thor OF "Robin Gray, ''"For Lack of Gold''
etc.
A novel of unusual merit-turning ON the
courageous devotion of the Jacobites to their
leader; and their strong and tender loyalty is
finely described in a.style at once vigorous and
refined. The characters are well drawn
that OF Margaret has very great power and
sweetness. The plot is one of much interest,
abounding in striking situations. Mr.. Glib
bon is evidently familiar with Scottish scenes
and people and his quick eye and ready nen
portray them admirably
Published by Harper Bros N W t.