New-York tribune., 1873-04-11
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Ssa SIXTH GREAT ORIENTAL MONARCHY. By GEoraF Raw
LISsON. NJ A avo NJ. 4S Scnbuer Welor, 90.

N. A. AJt Scrbner Ntlofif q -"
In THIS work, which is intended as con
pnuaton of history of the East contained IN
The Five Great MonaVchies" Professor Rawhnson mas
aimed yindicate the true place Of Partha IN the ms
tory the world The usual division moreover OF the
ancient history Of the West into the history OF Greece
ana the history of Rome do Justice 10 the posi-
Parha during the most interesting centuries OF
the Roman period, as counterpoise 10 the power o
Rome dividing with that empire the attention OF
mankind and the sovereignty Of the earth. In
the opinion of the author, the writers Of Roman
history have been much in the habit OF representing
Fome a. IN fact. universal monarchy without check
sr balance having limits but those OF the civilized
world acting according TO its own Will, with no re-
gard 60 public opinion beyond ITS borders The subject
has hitherto been treated with little eXactness tha
the local situation OF Partha has been matter OF
doubt Professor RawlusOn, after careful anaiysls OF
evidence at the conclusion that the hmits OIL
Parha Proper nearly corYesponded to the modern fer
sian province OF KhOresan. II probably eohtanou q"
area Of about SO OOO square miles. being nearly equal ID
size TO Ireland Bavaria, or Santo Domingo 1be ehro
tract all times have been valuable andiavori.o
region Compared with the arid and inhospitabie des
ers which adiOin It the north aud SOUTH inc Preso
site of ancient Parthia terrestrial Paradise IhouEh
scantily wooded it still produces the pine, the walnut
the sycamore the ash the poplar the willow the Vhe'
the mulberry the apricOg, and variety OF other frut
trees Aromatic plants grow spontaneously in many
Aaces Much OF the soil is adapted TO the euitlvauono' OF
wheat barley and cotton. Game abounos IN the noun
,ains and fish in the underground water courses
Copper, lead iron, salt, ana one OF the most
exquisite of gems. the turquoise, are among the
mineral treasures the region The situation of Partha
was favorable TO her becoming imperial power Sne
had abundant resources within herself Her territory
was suited the production of hardy race of men She
had ueghbOrs OF sufficient strength for successful re-
,istance her love Of dominion one may well be- sur
prsed that passed many centuries in obscurty be-
IN fhp the nations of
tbe East Hcr ambition and her imperial strength were
II slow growth Ii several hundred years for them
To attain maturity The Parthians do not appear in
history until comparatively recent period. Their name
sowhere in the Old Testament Scriptures They
hnd no mention in the zendavesta. The Assyrian IN
crptions silent concerning them. Their existence
As distinct people not recognized until the time of
Darius Hystaspes, in the sixth century B. {. The
Parthaus, with little doubt, OF Scythic origin On
his point StrabO, Justin, and Arran are agreed Their
anguage was half scythic half Median. Their weapons
Eere OF the Scyhic fashion. They were in fact scyths
N descent. habits and in character. That they were
not Of the Aryan proved by the absence of their
the zendavests tits highly probable that they
Turanan origin allied TO the vast hordes which
remote antiquity have rOamed over the regions OF
Upper Asa carrying terror in their march TO The I'M
Rarlike inhabitants Of the warmer countries OF the
south. We NAV view them the cOngeners of Che
Huns AID Bulgarans of the ancient world OF the ka
mucks Ougurs, and Usbegs OF the present day. Their
nearest representatives may perhaps, be found in the
modern TurkOmans, who occupy nearly the same
district or we regard them in the period of their
yra prosperity il the Osman Turks. Like the Turks,
.hey combined great military prOwess with an
snusual talent for government. Like them
hey renamed barbarians at heart, though they
cut on the appearance OF civilization and
refinement. Like them, they never thoroughly
mingled with the conquered races but for centuries eX
.rcised an exclusive dominion while encamped in the
countries which they had Tho history OF this
remarkable people been studied with exemplary dill
yenoe by the author Of the present work. He has
brought erudon great historical tact and an in
credible store of patience the investigation of the sub
,ect. The dim and misty records OF antiquity, as
submitted 10 his scrutinzing gaze, have been
made 10 exhibit an unaocustomed light. Out OF the
tangled threads OF tradition, has succeeded in
ing "a historical fabric Of beauty and strength,
which shows no flaw ia its fair proportions. The
cerusal OF his volume has the charm OF novelty
90 less by the character its subject than by his
method Of treatment His first object, like that OF all
historians who deserve the name is the attainment OF
truth In the present case, II easy task 10 re-
duee conflicting reports OF ancient testimony 10
pIansbe unity But Professor RawlnsOn has done
than tuis. After rescuing the facts pertaining 10 his
theme from the dust Of ages, he has clothed them a
graceful aud attractive form. The composition OF his
works berays influence of the most precious fruits
At modern culture. His style is lucid and vigorous.
The graphic beauty Of his narrative IS less striking
than the keennes Of his logic in the analysis OF events
The general reader will accordingly find rich source ot
entertainment in the volume while the earnest student
sf history will eagerly welcome 1t both for the soldy
sf its instruction and the originality Of its views