The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-17
OUR BOOK TABLE.

Lippincott & Co. New Orleans: Kahn q
| Co.
The additional words on the title page,
"An Histyrical Retrospect" aptly describe
| the present volume, which claims, IN the
words of the author, to be "not mere
chronicle of facts and dates, but rather such
an Interpretation of the events of history,
and the actions of men, as to show the effect
for one, and the influence of the other;"
emitting all irrelevant matter, and pointing
out only "the important links in the long
uhain of cause and effect that constitutes
the story of the world"
The author sketches rapidly the history
Of the first civilization-that Of Asia, the
cradle of the human race-attributing with
Montesquieu and Buckle, it's character and
duration solely to physical causes such as
climate, food and soil; and epitomzes
briefly the second civilization-that of
Africa or rather of Egypt, the only portion
of which we have the record.
Passing over the ancient history of
America as a mystery to which history
affords no clue, save only in whispered hints
from the ruins that still remain, he makes
Europe up to the time of Christ, the third
civilization, illustrating it's character by a
concise review of the rise and growth Of
Greece and Rome.
He follows the line of argument Of
Buckle, based on that of Montesquieu, in
explanation Of the marvellous contrast be-
~ lin
It, att1buting it wholly to physical causes !;
the sublime and terrific aspects of nature
in tropical countries, infaming the imagi-
nation, laying the basis of superstitions and
weakening tho authority of reason. On
the other hand, where the aspects of nature
are calm and temperate, natural causes are
studied, the imagination is confined by the
understanding, and man awakes to sense
Of his own power.
Christianity constitutes the fourth civil
ization. Its rise, progress and results are
traced from its birth, through the dark
ages and the Reformation, down to the
nineteenth century, as illustrated in the his
tory of France, England and the United
States
The volume thus furnishes convenient
compendium of important events: especially
valuable to those who have neither the time
nor the inclination to devote to the more
ponderous tones whence it is culled.
The chief purpeft of the volume is to point
out the chain Of which these events are but
links; the idea that while under the three
first civilizations, power, wealth and knowl-
edge were concentrated in the hands of the
upper classes, while ignorance and poverty
were the lot of the lower classes, consti-
tuting three-fourths of the population the
cornerstone Of the fourth civilization is the
principle of the equality of all men before
God and the law.
COMMON SENSE A Novel. By Mrs. C. J..
Newly. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson &
Brothers. New Orleans: Kahn & Co.
Messrs. Peterson g. Bros. display COM
mendable enterprise in republishing this
series of English novels, which includes
Trodden Down, Only Temper, Wondrous
Strange, Married, and others, by Mrs. c. J.
Newly, an English writer, but little known
to American readers, but to whom English
critics award high praise for faithful delinea-
ton of character, purity of sentiment, beauty
and force Of expression, and high and ele-
waited moral Tone The volume before us fully
justifes the verdict of London Public Opin-
ion: "The novels of Mrs. Newly are, in
every sense, the composition of cultivated
mind. Her stories are interesting, thoroughly
original, and not little peculiar. There is
d naturalness and easy flow in her writings
which contrast favorably and strongly with
the ordinary sensational school of novels.'
Not little peculiar is the opening SEN
tence "She was mending her shoesw spoken
of lovely woman, clad in costly robes,
trimmed with rare old lace, with massive
bracelets on her arms, with jewels on her
fingers; mending her shoes!
Not little peculiar are the fluctuations Of
fortune through which we follow the Lati-
mers, from the pomp and parade of the Wis
ionary wealth of the rash Spectator; through
the hardships and poverty Of the ruin which
follows, to the solid wealth. and real happi-
ness which reward the honest labor of the
noble son who atones for the folly Of the
father
Not little peculiar are the schemings of
those penniless, aristocratic hangers-on of
wealth and fashion, Mrs. Anderson and her
three beautiful daughters.
Not little peculiar for a modern novel
are the concluding words: off any doubt
the prosperity Of such men as my hero,
then I would say Do not do SO
until you have led the same patient, I'M
swerving life of trust and honesty, of holt
ness and charity, and have led such a life in
vain"
THE HEIR OF MALREwARD OR RESTORED.
By the author of "Son and Heir" etc.
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. New
Orleans: Kahn & Co.
An intensely interesting story of English
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