The Portland daily press., 1874-05-16
Recent Publications.

the wonders of the Firmament; By R. A. Proctor,
B. A. New York D. Appleton s. Co., For sale by
Bailey a. Noyes.
We take great pleasure in announcing to
our readers new work on astronomy by the
eminent young astronomer Richard P.octor,
1t is clearly and pleasantly written, and will
be found to be full of interest to the general
reader, as well as to the student of Astronomy
Mr.. Proctor believes that there is no world
besides ours capable of sustaining similar
forms of animal or vegetable life, and his ar
guments in support of this theory are clear
and conclusive. He also combats success
fully Lapace's theory of moon differing from
that already given us by an Almighty Power.
The chapters on Comets and Metesrs are ex-
ceedingly interesting and will help us to solve
many perplexins questions. Mr.. Proctor's
writings differ from those of many scientific
men, in that they are imbued with a deeply
reverent spirit for the Author of all things, to
whom alone all praise and glory is due.
Throughout this work the author has ex-
erted himself to cothe the vast truths, and
sublime theories which he presents, in the
simplest Ineligible language; in this effort he
has succeeded most admirably, aud instead Of
confusing us with Astronomical terms, his
SMILES ofcomparison are taken from the ia
miliar objects of everyday life.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND THE SAND
wICH ISLANDS. By Charles Nordhoff. New York;
Harper g. Bros. For sale by Lorng, Short and
Harmon.
This interesting and handsomely gotten up
volume of travel by Charles Nordhof, the
writer who has recently made such valuable
contributions to the history of the northwest
through the columns of Harpers Monthly,
is most important addition to our recent
literature. The descriptions of Sandwich
Island scenery, home-life, politics, ect., are
unusually vivid and entertaining The
writer has moreover besides narrating his
own pc ,sonal experiences, given vast deal of
useful information, which will prove of i'm
mense value to travellers; such as the names
of places of interest distances, modes OF con-
veyance, prices, ect. Returning to our own
country, Mr. Nordboff's powerful descrip-
tions of life on the Pacific slope are inter-
esting and useful in the extreme. He gives
d QCdl vi pdlu oCllSluC dQtlCc W tuOSS pTO-
posing to settle in this county, relative to
sheep and cattle raising, grape culture and
kindred matters of importance. His views
upon the Indian policy OF the government,
and the late Modoc war, indicate degree of
humanity and sound judgment in regard to
the vexed question. such as is seldom met with
in these days when the one cry of the people
seems to be determination, the sooner the
better" The entire book is profusely and
well Illustrated, and is on the whole one of
the most pleasing that we have read for some
time.
FEMALE BEAUTY AND ART OF PLEASING. By DR..
A. Cazenase and Ernest FeydeaH. New York; G.
W. Carleton & Co. For sale by Bailey and Noyes.
This work written for French women will
yet find large number of American readers,
many of whom will derive benefit from its
perusal 1t contains innumerable recipes
for lotions, cosmetics, pomades, ect. The
one great recommendation of the book is,
that in all cases the doctor has declared that
strict observance of the rules of hygiene is
the one great secret of all beauty.
PROPHETIC VOICES CONCERNING AMERICA.
Monograph. By Charles Summer. Boston, Lee
s. Shepard. For sale by Hoyt & Fogg.
The preface to this volume reads: "This
monograph appeared originally in the Attain
tic Monthly. 1t is now revised and enlarged.
In the celebration Of our hundreth birthday
as nation, now fast approaching, these pro-
phetic voices will be heard, teaching how
much Of present fame and power was fore
seen, also what remains to be accomplished
C. 81
The book contains prophecies which have
been made concerning America, its discovery
and its greatness. The excerpts are not spe-
cially rare, but collectively they are Of much
interest. Indeed the volume is one which a
man of strong literary tastes and varied
reading would take pleasure, during his
hours of leisure, in collecting materi-
ais for. The authors quoted embrace
many notable names, from Seneca to Lucas
AIaman, the first voice coming from Italy
and the last from Mexico.
The first prophetic reference to the dis
covery of America is quoted from the verses
of Seneca, translated by Archbishop Whately:
There shall come line in later ages, when
ocean shall relax his chains and vast conti-
nent (ingens tellus) appear, and the pilot
shall find new worlds, and Thdle shall be no
more earth's bonnd." Before the voyage of
Columbus, two Italian poets beneld the new
world; Petrarca sang "Of far-off nations in
world remote;;' and Pulci said, 'Men shall
| descry another hemisphere"
Mr.. Sumner also quotes from a prophetic
group of poets, Chapman, Drayton, Daniel.
| Herbert, who wrote:
"Religion stands on tiptoe in our land.
| Ready to pass to the American strand''
Thomas Carew, William Morril, settler
in New England, George Webb, whom Frank
| lin quotes:
"Rome shall lament her ancient fame decnnss9
And Philadel ,hia be the Athens OF mahAiuu'
Voltalre, who represents God as putting
| fever in European climates "and the remedy