New-York tribune., 1873-12-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
HOLIDAY GIFT BOOKS.

HOLIDAY GIFT BtOhS.
Among the most superb ornamental books of the
eeason, high place must he given to the History Of
tAe Ceramic Art by ALBERT JACQurMsxr tScribner,
Wexford, & Armstrong; containing a descriptive and
philosophical study of the pottery of all ages and all
nations. II has been translated 10y Mrs. Bury Pal
Iiser and is fresh from the London press special
edition having been imported by the American pub
fishers for in this country. The work is written
in the spirit of enthusiastic devotion to plastic art
but tempered by the suggestions of intelligent crt-
csIn, without aiming at the formality of rigidly
systematic treatise Ii traces the progress of work
ing III clay from the earliest records Of civilization
To the present time, discussing the moral and bls-
torical influences which have given tone and charac-
ter TO the productions of the artists, rather than
describing the scientific improvements to which may
lie ascribed in part at least the changes that have
been introduced in ceramic manufacture. The pc
cuar feature of the ceramic art is that its material
is destitute of intrinsic worth aud derives its value
from the elegance of the form impressed upon it by
the potter, or from the richness of decoration re-
ceived from the artist. The work has been carried
Ia a certain degree of perfection by nations yet in
their infancy The savage tribes of the present day
fabrcate vases which might be mistaken for the
hrst essays of the Greeks and the Etruscans. They
employ the same processes, and invent the same
modes of decoration, illustrating the philosophical
principle that similar ideas proceed from similar
conditions and develop themselves according to
immutable laws. In treating the subject, NJ
Jacquemart traces the progress of the ceramic art
through its early dawn in Egypt, China, Japan,
Persia and India, to its later developments in
Greece and Italy, closing with survey OF the
position and achievements of the work in modern
culture and decoration. The details are as full OF
interest as instruction, forming lucid commentary
on the advancement of elegance and taste in civil
lied communities from the earliest times to the
present The illustrations of this work are in the
highest stye of their respective kinds consisting of
twelve admirable etchings on steel, two hundred
woodcuts, and more than thousand marks and
InOnograms. The splendid collection of vases con-
tains specimens Of the art in different ages and
forms an aesthetic study of the greatest value and
interest.
An opportme book for the holidays when the
splendors of jewely are summoned to represent the
fTvors Of friendship, may be found in Diamonds and
Precious Stones. translated from the French of Dieu-
lafait, by FANCHoN Stafford (Scrbner d Co... con-
tanning popular account of gems, their history, the
process of cutting and engraving and their artificial
production. Besides large amount of scientific in
formation relating TO precious stones, it presents
rety of facts Of general interest ofthem possess
ing curious historical significance The part devoted
10 counterfeit precious stones has certain practical
utility in guarding the purchasers against imposition
IN the sale of fraudulent ornaments. The volume is
fully illustrated with appropriate designs, represent
ing the most celebrated diamonds and other precious
gems, with a complete view of the processes OF cut
ting and polishing. The author is sanguine in the
belief that artificial diamonds may yet be produced
with sufficient certainty to diminish the price of the
true gem, and bring it into general use among
the less wealthy classes. He gives full account of
the elaborate experiments of NJ Despretz, which,
however would not to be conclusive, i'll spite of
the favor with which their results have been re-
ceived by some eminent men of science
The spirit of Christmas and the poetry of human
hope are embodied in the unique volume entitled
Hearen in Song, by HENRY C. FISH, ID. ID. Sheldon 81
CO.. containing collection of the Christian lyrics
from every age of the Church i'll which the attrac-
tioDs of Heaven have been portrayed with the en-
beshments of The materials of the work
have been derived from great variety of sources,
including the choicest hymnology in different Ian
guaRe and the masterpieces of the most celebrated
religious poets, as well the fine productions of
writers who are less known to the world. The edi-
tor has winnOwed the most striking pieces from
vast of inferior quality, selecting those which
are worthy of preservation both by the ardor of their
piety and the beauty of their poetry. 1t is remarka
BILE to how great extent the joys of Heaven have
formed the theme of religious song. The key note
il most generally the contrast between the imperfec-
tions of the present and the aspirations for the fu
tnre The coptests of the church mitan find re-
freshing relief in the harmonies of the church tri
nmphant Many of the most expressive pieces are
from the medieval Catholic hymns, in which the
language of fancy is exhausted in depicting the re-
wards of the saints, but they cannot surpass the
tenderness of feeling and truthfulness of sentiment
exhibited in the pious songs of John and Charles
Wesley, and some of their companions among the
rarly Methodists. specimen of the former kind is
given in the following hymn q Thomas Kempis.
HEAVENS JOYS.
IHOshs A'EEEPIs-l3S0-1<71.
High the angel choirs raising
Heart and voice IN harmony;
The Creator King stlll prsisng.
e--Js- Whom III beauty there they see.
Bweetest strains from soft harps stealing;
Trumpets, notes OF triumph pealng
Radiant wings. and white stoles cleaning,
Up the steps Of glory streaming;
Where the heavenly bells are ringing;
Holy holy, holy singing
To the mighty Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy crying;
For all earthly care and sighing
In that city cease to be!