The Portland daily press., 1874-12-12

some of Landseers. The sleeping jaguar, the
c,mbat between the bison and the grizzly
bear. and the crocodile seizing The tiger, are
mag, ificent and quite original. Books of such
artistic merit, not numerous, and this is
one which would be welcomed in the richest
Collection.
A HISTORY OF GERMANY. By Charlton T. Lewis.
Published by Harper & Bros. For sale by Loring
Shors & larmon.
To know in these days nothing about the his
tory of Germany, is TO be Ignorant OF the grea.-
est military nation in the world. Since the
DAYS of Frederick the Great, Prussia, the
stronobold the centre of united Germany and
the German Empire had fallen low, only to
rise again in its present gigantic and powerful
proportions. The history of this rise and fall,
and second renewal of greatness, not only OF
Prussia but Of all the other German states, is
contained within the pages of this important
work. The causes Of various struggles be-
tween the states themselves, now forming the
Empire, and between them and other nations,
as France, Austria, Spain, Russia, are briefly
but forcby dwelt upon, and explained very
clearly as it seems to Us. This does not pro-
fess to be universal History of Germany, for
only volumes could contain that. But 1t gives
as much general history of Germany, disunited
and united as any general reader could desire.
The only deficiency We might suggest, seems
dearth of maps, there being but two. Maps OF
the seats of the principal wars. as result OF
which Germany has grown into such grand
nation, would not have been amiss. But the
work as a whole does not suffer in this respect.
A copious index adds great value to the work
as book of reference.
NURSERY MORNINGS, by Gail Hamilton Pub
lished by Harper Brothers. For sale by Lorins,
Short s. Harmon.
This Is a series of essays on the bringing up
of children, and at the same time OF bringing
up their parents Wherever Gail Hamilton
puts her pen she leaves her mark, and in this
last effort of her pen, she has by no means
fallen below her former high standard. Inc
ESSAYS are.fourteen in number, and it is very
difficult to choose which are the best, but we
may say that those on "Dead Leaves" Bring
ing up Parents" Separation" and "Baby
Talk" seem on the whole the most sparkling
with thoughtful and brilliant ideas. 1t is said
that there is hardly book in which one might
not find some entirely new thought, but 10
quote the many new ones with which this
charming book is hlled, woulu CAUSE US W ~
beyond the bounds of mere notice.
THE KING OF holland. By L. Farjeon. Pub
lished by Harper g. Brothers. For sale by Loring'
Short g. Harmon.
The King of holland, is an alegorcal
novel, Tor perhaps it is hardly ambitious
enough to be ranked higher than Christmas
story telling us of the adventures of Sassafras,
the King of holland, from his boyhood up.
B,uebsll the heroine, is modest little flower,
and the three little girl volnists are as sweet
as the melodies they drew from their vlors.
OF the multitude of stories which will appear
between now aud Christmas Day, we doubt
very much if any will be so thoroughly enter
tanning, as is the King of No-Land
RHYMES AND JINGLEs by Mary Mapes Dodge. Few
York: Scribner, Armstrong Co. From Lorins,
Short s. Harmon.
This dainty little book is what its title pur-
ports; it is elegantly got up on tinted paper
with gilt edges, and printed in Houghton's best
style. But the charm of it is in the exqt isite
Illustrations, though, rather curiously, the
name of artist and engraver are not given.
Little Jenny with PAIL aud Little Jack
astride Rail-" are worthy of Thackeray's PEN
Gil, and, indeed, the little maids are all drawn
with most delicate, appreciative and airy
touch