Litchfield enquirer., 1873-07-03
LITE ERARY.

GALAMA OR THE BEGaARs, by J 3. De Licfde, is the second volume of the "Li- brary of Choice Fiction" published by Scribner < Go. This professedly histor- ical novel has the merit, not very con- mon with books of the sort, at the pres ent day-of being really historical It adheres as closely to fact as is consistent with the progress of the tale; is almost as interesting as Motley's History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic, and convays a better idea of tho costumes, customs, and domestic life of the time ill which the scene is laid. The story commences with an account of sweet meeting of the po- itical association called ''The Beggars, and an abortive attempt at the rescue of the unfortunate Counts Egmont and Horn. The leader of this attempt-a young man seemingly very unfit for his position-is the hero of the story. The heroine is an apparently noble young wo- man, slightly too much given to theolog- ical discussion; but this is true to the time, for we must remember that in those days the history of ones religious opin- ions was that of ones life. Considered merely as novel, Galama has many su- periors; but it is well, very we'll worth reading. To such as have not the time to read Motley's long volumes, "Galama" will give correct, if not wide ideas, of the troublous times of William the Silent, and 'Beggars of Ghent,' that turbulent crew his foe the bloody Duke of Ava; of the of malcontents, wisely guided to fulfill peaceful ends by few honest and great men and of the Inquisition, that cruel engine of superstition and despotic pow CT. The portraits of several of the prom inent movers of the time are sketched with careful hand, and great pains have been taken to neither under nor over-state their influence upon the events of their day. The book closes with the taking of Brill, the first of the series of successes which led to the final withdrawal of the Spanish troops after eighty years of con- stant and bitter oppression. The story, which has all along been somber with the gloom of the time, ends-in accordance with the orthodox course for novels made and provided-with the merry ringing of the marriage bell. We do not often call attention to the outer appearance of Q book, but "Galama' is so we'll printed and prettily bound, that we feel justified in mentioning it's dress. ...-r'-.
 THE WONDERS OF SCULPTURE; This is one of the Illustrated Library of Won ders" published by Scribner & Go. This library has had such wide circulation throughout the country that it is only necessary to mention that book is of the "Wonder Series" to prove that it's infor- nation is reliable, and conveyed in an in- teresting manner. The volume before us is divided into two parts. The first con- tains chapters on the sculptures of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Etruscans. Greeks, and Romans. As may be imagined the chapter onss on Grecian sculptures is at once the longest, and the most interesting; but many will be surprised to find that the Greeks were not the first really artis. tic sculptors of antiquity. Egypt was in truth the mother of Art as she was of the Sciences. Bue to Greece belongs the credit of breaking the bonds of conven- tionality which enchained her predeces. sors, and of bringing the art of sculpture to its highest perfection. The second part of the book has chapters devoted to Italian, Spanish, German, Flemish, Eng. fish and French sculpture, which gre all
 full of interest; but to many the chapter
 on American sculpture will prove most
 attractive, notwithstanding that it is more
 a record of unavailing struggle and o
 ambitious attempt than of actual achieve
 ment. It is curious. if somewhat hu
 initiating fact, ,that the first attempts of al American at modelling were in wax. These
 wax figures were by Mrs. Patience Wrigh
 who was born at Bordentown, New Jer
 sey. in 1725. ''She made considerabl,
 reputation both at home and in England.
 In the latter country making ''iikenesse
 of many distinguished people, the King the Queen, Temple, Barre, Wilkes an,
 others" Her full length effigy in wax o the celebrated Lord Chatham was in 1784 standing in glass case in Westminste Abbey ''She seems to have been an al tist of considerable natural talent, bu
 hard circumstances, the want of early in
 struction in art, and above all the absenc
 of an art atmosphere, both here and i England, made of her inborh desire bu
 barren tree that bore no lasting fruit
 The taste for art of any sort has been Q
 slow growth in our country. and sculp
 ture has.been the last to receive appre
 ciotian. Thus, naturally enough, ou
 sculptors have been alternately over-rate,
 and unduly depreciated. Still the name
 of Greenough, of Powers, of Crawford, o
 Henry Kirke Brown, of Henry Dexter, O Ward, will probably be remembered ani