The New York herald., 1874-11-29
General Literat ture.

CUSTER ION THE PLAINS.n
"Life on the Plains" by General custer, is one
OF the most interesting books that we have read
en- this subject. Sheldon b Co.. however,
have succeeded In publishing It In such q
manner as virtually to destroy tts useful
ness. They have gwen US . volume without .
table Of contents, without an index and without
single head line to chapter. To read II is ike
walking through . wilderness without pathway
or signpost There ID no sign nor indication OF
what the book embodies. Two hours editing and
$50 extra cost would have doubled its value. As
it Is, General Custer has right to complain Of the
manner in which the Publishers have treated him.
He is soldier who has had more than usual op-
portunities for studying western life; the book is
full Of information and picturesque situations,
written In free, n0wtng, easy style, and should
be one Of the most valuable works Of the season.
As It Is 1t loses halt its value and illustration
or carelessness on the part OF the publishers that
should not be allowed to pass without censure.
WILD FOWL SHOOTING.
J. B. Ford Co. send US an interesting volume
on wild fowl shooting, Handsomely printed, full
OF information, written IN clear, easy style, and
should be Of great value to sportsmen. The
Messrs. Ford make mistake in not giving an In.
TO the vaaue Of this book. IL should be laid down
as rule, we thlnk by all publishers that work
worm puDl160lnR Is worm ln0eXL0R.
LIVINGSTONE
John S. Roberts has published handsome and
attractive volume giving the lie and explorations
oil the celebrated Dr. Livingstone Illustrated with
Q steel engraving of the distinguished explorer,
which brings tuto strong relief the honesty, pious
This book also lacks an index, but contains ali
that Is known ABOUT the later years OF
M e 81 mr. ssn y
assist MIN and his death; and the book Is . v8lu-
able contribution to our knowledge OF Africa, and
cia Iv m nQ In an aehi van non of
the memorable traveller whose name VIII ever be
associated with missionary work in that country.
THEOLOGICAL BOOKS.
We have several books that have been sent us
concerning the religious discussion. Dr. Smiths
Notes on the Second Plenary Council at Baitl-
Handbook OIL the Generai Conventions" BY Dr.
Perry, gives history OF the foundation Of the
Protestant Episcopal Church IN America, from the
conservation OF Bishop W hite in l7S6 to the
present time. The history OF the foundation OF
War. is Interesting. When the Revolution had
been effected convention held In 1856 adopted
2 letter written oy Hon; John Jay addressed to
England asking for the conservation OF bishops.
THIS letter was written on June 20, 1885, and to
Canterbury and York, in which they consented to
consecrate three bishops for America. who might
November, 1855, the Rev. Drs White and Provost
sailed Tor England, and on the Atm OF February,
Is7 were soemnly co1secra.ed 10 tae caaPe Oh
tnus was accomplished 'the solemn act which
conferred the apostolic succession on the Ameri-
can candidates." There is brief sketch Of each
Of the conventions from that time TO the present
aay r9s Rev. p * sends
ton tion Of young men. Tne subjects he treats
are zea enlargement rSs Of NE perfect na
earnest, the rhetoric sometimes pretentlous, put
breathing generous cosmopolitan sprlt, MI.
Truth and Modern Upinion," preached IN New
York by various clergymen OF the Episcopal
Church Bishop ClarSs sermon mon, on on lmmorat al
tality," ls the most striking In the series, the
lesson OF " being that . holy lie Is the surest
protection against doubt and unbeheL" DR.. Cot
ton smith breaches against evolution In favor OF
personal Creator and governor Of tne universe.
SPlRITUALISM.
Dr. Crowell's book on Spritualism Of which we
have only the first volume, Is an elaborate, inter-
esting volume, giving an account OF the ausnors I
OF the book ID to prove that the higher teachings
OF modern Spiritualism are Identical with the
in spirit manifestation and medlumship, and
speaks OF having tested Charles H. Foster, whom
voyalt mediums known on sixty or seventy oc-
casions, and having rarely found him at lault.
Dickens he regards as an ''impresslonal medium /"
the spirit OF Frenchman while writing some of
the French characters in his works. The prophet
ft' Of the order Of Friends wesley he believes TO
have been healed by spiritual power, ana this also
T Samson I breaking the cords, to the eedng Of the
ave thousand by Christ, Elisha ieedlng one
hundred men and the raising OF the
dead. There is singular chapter upon
ne learned from the spiriss tnat in three
Years ne would receive certain legacy, predic-
ton winch came true. Altogether DR.. Crowell
gives us some extraordinary statements although
his book is crudely written and is simply gata-
ering Of rumors, suggestlons ana stories wltnout
scientific analysis. The whole subject is very
curious, and, while DR.. Croweii has added great
deal OF Information 10 IT, we DO not see that en-
ables arrive at q clear COuCluSlOH.
."The Story oil House, which Osgood SENDS US,
is translation by Mr.. Towe OF French book
that mas made a good impression in France. 1t
purports TO be the building Of house, going
through every process OF the work IN ciear nara
tive style. IL Is beautifully printed, nled WITH
snoentlu ue a nd nsaluI hooks of the season.