New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
sCRIBNER.

azpe literature but Offering an attractive bait readers
who wish for only light and savory viands for their
monthly repast. Thus We have 4" Autumn Game on the
Praries" fresh and breezy sketch of sporting life IN
The West dainty poetical miniature Of Her Face -
The Queen Of the Bees" pleasant remlnscence OF
travel; " Lettering about French Chateau IN
which journey by diligence, and the interior OF rural
home in the South OF France are the subjects OF
lively recital; Visit TO the Grange quantity deserlo-
inc an artists studio the vicinity Of London; VII
laSe Ball the Harz," extracted from students jour
nal But there is lack of more substantial matter for
readers of solid tastes Mr.. Edward King contributes
second chapter Of In and About Pars giving series
of singulary faithful pictures Of of the principal
objects Of interest In the metropolis when Paris was
cynosure of tourists and the grave OF
liberty Our late Minister to Greece, Mr. Charles X.
Tackerman has paper Modern Athens" describing
IT. local features social customs from personal obser
walton during pTOracted residence in that city. Some
whimsical occasionally take place in the exercise
of certain traits OF Ahenan poteness Courtesy Is an
nborn trait Of the Hellenic character and was remarked
upon by travellers distinguishing cadre in the social
manners Of the Greek populations during the days Of
Noslom supremacy. The hat is always raised, as in
Paris when meeting and parting in the street. and when
going and coming out OF shop. liberalization when
near about part for heightened absence,
after long interval is kiss on either cheek
The foreigner is often amused at seeing two Greek gen.
emen with hats of and hands casped kissing each other
violently open street. and II he resides in Athens
long enough 10 any intimate acquaintance he may
be still more surprised to lind himself yielding 70 the
aecuonste demonstration. My friend, the veneer
able Metropolitan bishop, first initiated me into this,
with US unusual proceeding, by drawing me toward him
the occasion Of public ceremonial, and bestowlng
reyerential kiss upon my cheek Under the impulse OF
the moment returned the compliment in like manner,
being ignorant. wully blind 30 the fact that the
hand which held mine and which conveniently lifted
toward my lips inviting the mark OF respect which
had re. tx
When Mr. Gladstone officially visited the Ionan islands
some years ago. sauted the hand Of the local bishop
and bowed his head to receive his benediction. The
bishop hestated long, not being sure what was e&
pected him. that the English Commissioner lifted his
head at tn moment when the former had concluded TO
bless a. The result OF this joint movement
that the head of the Commissioner came in VIC
lent contact with chin Of the preate 70 the ucon
of BOTH and 10 the amusement of the assembly,
The climate OF Greece truly superb during the Winter
Its glorious sunlight makes Athens charming to
the resident and oOurner and should attract TO 1t the
Grant Americans who now seek Winter quarters in the
fog Of London under the uncertain skies of Florence
md Rome Winter in Athens is generally an unbroken
duration Of coudesS skies and with the exception OF an
occasional sharp wind from the northern hills the at
InOsphere soft the early October days IN This
country. a cheerful expanse Of sunlight warns the
wlnry air and OvercOats and shaws wornmore from
precautOu than necessity But the charms Of winter
and Spring in Athens give place TO Summer that Is
litle short OF deesabe. THE foreigner who ls COM
PEELED 10 reside in tie capital from May TO october is
not to he enved. The Of Greece Is then no Longer
glory, but scourge the eye. Every particle of
vegetation wits pitiles raysSuTy days and
eutry nights YEARLY succeed TO each other without the
relief single refreshing breeze or single shower
III wind blows, but 10 Is hot and eyerish blast nng
deserted streets with dust-the same dust that
leased the ancient Athenians-whch rolling along like
snoke-clouds from field Of battle blinds the hapless
pedestrian, and dsgusts the hapess individual
within DOORS who left TO choose between open win
dows with dirt, closed ones with sufocatOn But
worse than the plague OF dust the plague OF nuske-
toe 81 rnats. former may De partially excluded
by window blinds and bedcurains, but the latter DEFY
The inventions The little gnat invisible TO the
naked eye and not having the moral courage Of the
muskcto announce its approach attacks every ex-
posed part of the human body especially the hands and
wrists leaving the skin in state of irritation which
lasls for hours. Those who do fly from
the summer tOrmeuts Of Athens TO their country
estates, or 20 the Islands Those who are forced TO
remain seek consolation in sca-bathing; and from
four O'Clock until ten every morning, carriages filed
with hatlcrs aIe heard rolling through the streets
If Athens. on their way the baths OF Phalerum.'
The contributions of the editor, d.. J. G. Holland l.
sometimes concealg love Of paradox beneath grave
and caics, manner always characteristic and some
tn,.s Lo Htle suggestive. In this number he expa
taics on the typical Ncw-YOrk Woman" she is
Gou.d iu hotels and boardiu chooses, haunting fashion
able wac..n -pa,cs, prominent at the opera and the
balls and ponierius the grand question, how she can
show herself and her clothes 50 20 attract the
most men, distress the attest number OF women, and
make ;lc most stunning social sensation. The
rewcdl I.r This sty of character according TO Dr H.
houscLocpu. This costs not much more than board
ing aud is the natural aud the most healthy Office
10 which woman ever called. The whole system OF
bOardIchOI>c and hotel life IS vicious. tending 10 pro
duce t.at say gaudy, loud, frivolous, pretentious,
vain, intriguing uusatisded, and unhappy creature
"
Woman" d.. Holland offers some sound remarks on
The Art Of Speaking and Writing" among which is an
explanation OF the secret Of readablenes, which, the
author Of some Of the most decircuated works in
modern print he may be supposed understand
There is a quality in all good withdrawing thor
Ougnly adapted TO its purpose-which call readable
nets' II s hard 20 define IT, because in different pro-
ductions it depends different elements. Wit and
humor impari this quality, they spontaneous and
uno5rusve Eminent lucidity, gacefulness of struc-
ture. epigrammbtic terseuess and strength downright
moral edrnostness graceiuluess and facility Of lustra-
ton, opposite antthesis, forms expression and uses
Of words that characteristic Of individual thought
and eehng-each and all OF these have their function in
imparng readabcness TO the productions OF the PEN
We find Carlyle readable through quality which is Car
lylc's owu-wlich be neither borrowed nor has The
ability 10 lend. Emerson, and Lowell and Holmes are
readable because of their individual flavor There are ten
thousand educated in America who are fairly capable
OF oomprchcndlng these writers, yet who would render
them an unreliable BIS undertaking to clothe their
thoughts and fanGcs IN their forms Of language
When lids strong individual fayOrs acking-an element
that belongs mainly genius-art be more thor
oHehly cultivated No Of moderate ability and edu-
cation rau possibly make himself acceptable writer
without skin ia tho. arts Of expression which can be
Won alone through patient study and long practice"
some Of the poetry In this number is of finer quality
than usual MI. John Hays rehearsal Of the wicked
a. ItnFaf 4F Al