The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-15
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.

The APPLET0NS have just published the thlr-
teenth volume OF their annual Cyc.opadia," in
which is recorded the POLITICAL scientific, social
and literary events OF 1873 Like its predecessors
the new volume has value and an interest not
only for the student but for every one DESTROYS to
refresh his memory of occurrences during last
year The plan OF the work has In nowise been
changed In the present volume. The subjects are
arranged alphabetically, and there are no general
headings under which all relative matters may be
discussed, except those OF "Literature" and
'Optuaries." Here we may point to what We
think a defect in the arrangement OF the 'Obitu-
aries.n From under that general heading are
omitted the names OF deceased people who
are given special notices in other parts
of the book. Perhaps the editors rely thoroughly
upon the index appended to the volume. That
essential part Of the work has been done very sat
isfactorily, by the way; but there certainly
many people who will, IRON time to time, use the,
Cycopadia, and VINO, negecting the index will
be misied when they look for the name OF Chief
Justice Chase or Lord Lytton, etc., and fail to ind
1t among the Obituaries. The book can hardly be
said to nave important defect, therefore one so
small as tnat mentioned herein may be readily ex.
cused. The scope OF the volume is immense. and
its performance good enough to provide salts
factory material to the future historian.
DoDD MEAD have issued number of interest
ing books recently. little volume by the Rev.
DR.. Mark Hopkins, in answer to the prayer gauge
theories OF Professor Tyndall, will attract atten-
ton among Christian readers 'Fetich in Tneo-
ogy," by John Miller Is a book we would not
recommend except to pc ople anxious to quarrel
with Christianity and give themselves and their
neighbors unnecessary trouble ''Gold and Dross"
is reprint OF one Of Edward CARROTS stories, and
it partaKes OF the usual qualities Of the works by
this author.
THE RIVALRY among the republishers Of Jules
vernes WORKS has brought ont a number Of cheap
editions: Scrbner, Armstrong 4 Co. publishing one
for seventy 1--WE cents that would have been worth
dollar previous to the war.
The STORY OF THE "LMe and Adventures OF
Davy Crockett by John S. c. Abbott, Is among
the recent publications OF Dodd Mead. The
book is written in Mr. Abbott's usual STYLE but in
spite OF these peculiar faults, which many readers
regard as merit, 1t is the history of remarkable
man, whose life was like romance.
]. Il. LIPPINCoTT Co. have published another OF
Miss Wisters TRANSACTIONS this story being entitled
"Hulda.n 1t is from the German OF +. Lewold.
THE LATEST publication OF the Harper Brothers
is the Rev. DR.. Primes ''Under the Trees" 1t is
an out-of door book, breezy with country air, and
we might say with mountain skies and cheerful
gossip, so fresh are Dr. Primes essays
Mr.. ARTHUR PEMBER has written q very inter-
esting volume on the lower life OF New YORK,
which is just published by D. Appleton 4 Co.,
urder the title OF 'The Mysteries OF the Great
Metropolis The materials Tor the work we're
obtained by Mr.. Pember under various DISCUSSES,
by which he was enabled to penetrate the secrets
of the dangerous classes" 1t was in such char
acters as the amateur beggar, the pretended pur-
chaser OF panel and gambling houses and the
bogus doctor, that he carried on his investiga-
lions. The story OF his adventures IN all these
characters is told IN this volume and makes an
entertaining and valuable contribution TO the pecu-
liar literature called into existence BY the preva-
renee OF poverty and crime in New York.
MIMI. GEORGE SAND is said to be preparing for
the press o memoir OF the young and unfortunate
Louis XVII, chiefly drawn from the personal recoi'
lections OF her grandmother, Mme Aurore Dupin
de Francuei
DIR. MAuDsLEY's Responsibility in Mental
Disease Is on the pleasant topic OF madness, and
forms one OF the international Science series.
THAT VETERAN NOVEL WRITER W. Harrison Aims.
worth, has put out, in three volumes, "The Good
Old Times" which the Spectator pronounces a
very correct but dull historical romance.
MRS. GUTHRIE's two volumes, entitled Through
Russia" are pronounced by the academy 10 be
full or sense vvacity and humor. The lady pos
sesses the cunning art OF making book.
THE READERS OF what have been called scrofulous
French novels are the only people who viii hail
the production IN English OF "Droll Stories from
the Abbeys OF Touraine,' by Balzac
Mr.. MAcREADY's autobiography, with selections
from the vast materials OF his letters and journals,
Will shortly be published by Macmillan.
THE SECOND VOLUME OF the Memoirs OF John
quincy Adams Is nearly ready at the press OF the
Lppinc0tts.
A NEW IRISH MAGAZINE, to be called Mood
DAYS, is to be started In July.
LITERARY STRAWS.