The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-27
NEW BOOKS.


"An Orphan of the Old Dominion.n published by
j. b. Lippmcott is book which it Is not easy TO
describe 1t is not novel, and yet 1t is not unlike
very poor novel; 1t is not book Of travel and
adventure, and yet it skins the surface OF the
whole earth. 1t contains no valuable information
or ideas, and so far Is it from being framed upon
any fixed plan that what at first seemed TO be in
tended as picture OF the "cultivated, renned and
hOspitable society OF the South closes with letters
from a missionary young lady IN China telling over
again Lieutenant Maury's theories about the sea.
''The work." says the preface, 'laysno peculiar
claims to literary excellence and asks not for criti
cism." We suppose the author would regret II the
book found purchasers, for 1t will never find
readers. N'f XII
memoirs of Maryland volunteer, by John
R. Kenly, and published by J. b. Lippincott 4 Co.,
is a personal narrative OF the war with Mexico.
which ought to find readers. General Kenly's
narrative OF his earlier military services is very
well written, and it Is the story Of the Mexican
war as wen as Of his own part In that struggle.
The acquisitions which grew out Of the contest
are in the reality the foundation Of most Of
the events connected with our history ever since;
and this fact taken In connection with the neces-
sity of settling the Mexican problem, which will
soon force itself upon US, makes the book valuable
and timely. ncf
M. Viardot's work on scripture, has been
translated and added to Scribner, Armstrong &
Co.'s ILLUSTRATED Library OF Wonders" With the
exception OF the chapter on American sculpture,
which is "by another hand" and has no proper
place in the book, 1t is most satisfactory work,
and Will go far to supply to the intelligent reader
the much-needed general Information the frequent
illusions to the great works of the great scupters
make so necessary.
va Tha SUR In vhi
is shown that man has no right to take human
life; and that war is violative Of the laws OF nature
and OF revelation. and destructive OF the right Of
selfg0vernment, is the cumbrous title OF q heavy
book by John w. Washburn, which is published
for the proprietors" by q. p. Putnam 4 Sons, New
York, and w. G. Hubbard, Columbus, Ohio. The
book is an absurdity and its logic, generally pu-
Grille, is always impractcabe.
'Half Hours with Irish Authors" published by
]. A. McGee contains selections from the writings
OF Griffin, Lover Carleton and Lever, showing
some Of the most remarkable phases of Irish char
acter. One or the beneficial results of these 'Half
Hours" ought to be to stimulate desire among
American readers for more intimate acquaint-
ance with the works of the Irish nOvelists.
| ,"The Rector OF Roxburgh," as its name imports,
Is story OF the life and trials Of Episcopal min
lister in New England town. 1t is not by any
means great book, and where 1t deals with
matters purely social 10 is far from being trench
ant; but It is pleasantly told, and will interest
many readers of the class for which it is intended.
The author is William Kicking, and Z. ?. Dutton
Co. are the publishers.
In the current number OF Appleton's popular
Science Monthly" is paper on 1.-The Law of
Storms" by Professor Thompson b. Maury, OF the
Signal once, washington, which merits general
attention. We have already spoken Of Professor
Maury as among our most capable scientists. The
development of the law OF storms is his speciality,
and he pursues the study OF this branch OF meteo-
rology with devotion equalled only by its intelli-
| gence. In this paper he develops to some extent.
though indirectly, the theories upon which the
Signal Service acts and helps to further its useful
ness by showing the grounds upon which It's warn.
| ings rest.