New-York tribune., 1874-10-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

m ts record OF personal experleuce "pu "u''"N
during a series Of journeys in Central ASIA MAKES
- .,.nsons 20 he,no a regular history OF the Khivan
camnsien though it carefully describes tue military
cperatons Of which the author was an eyewitness ana
abouuds in graphic pictures OF Asatc warfare ana So
eial life Mr. MacGahan has paid good deal OF atten-
t,on to geographical details and furnishes variety OF
local information, which is equally valuable for It's
freshness and apparent accuracy Among the recent
descriptions OF Khva OF which most travellers prior 10
che war have made little account, that OF the au'nor
will compare favorably with the numerous sketches
which have been called forth by that event. Inc
exterior view OF the town is peculiar ana strihne
1t Ia inelosed by high walls with towers ana pa''o
uoens covered gate is strongly fortified The comes
Of the mosques minarets rise In the distant
presenting picturesque appearance esPeoia'' ~ Wy
light of the setting But the agreeable IMPRESSION
vauishes upon entering the town. The houses are mostly
f clay and but attractive in their appearance
Only three or buildings in the whole place make
.nv 10 architectural display Still the dwellings,
though .wretched exterior. are well adapted 10 Tue
climate the country and on the whole are not SO very
uncomfortable. Their cool dark rooms afford welcome
from the oppressive heat They are often ntteo
ND with degree OF neatness that presents avoraoe
contrast 10 the shabby outside II is true there is such
thing as chairs tables in the inventory OF FURNITURE
hut their place is supplied by carpets elts CUSHIONS
and pillows made OF various stuffs that SHINE with all
the colors of the rainbow Window glass his unknown.
Bot in Summer at this is little needed and the dlm
imperfect light that prevails in the rooms Is ar more
grateful than the glare OF day The medresse is pecu
liar institution, bearing some resemblance to Ca'hohc
monastery in which the mullahs or priests are supposed
20 spend their time in leading holy lives or acquiring
religious knowledge. The muIahs as in all countries
where the people addicted TO religious ceremonies
form an important element IN the population They are
m extraordinary of Withered aud lean, with
long boards and sunken eyes. they prow sapout the
town. their doc faces lighted only by the fires OF their
rabd fanacism Their knowledge is confined to the et'
ter OF the Koran which of them commit to memory
without understanding word of Arabic The head gear
Of the muahs wonderful specimen OF eceesiasticai
costume. 1t consists of ordinary sheepskin, with
the wool made up into steep conlcal cap weighing
eight or ten pounds and twenty-five thirty yards OF
white muslin wound around the base, forming kind OF
turban OF monstrous proportions The whole gigantic
in the hottest weather, and the sght
OF one OF these presy martyrs plodding through the
streets in the heat OF noonday sun is enough TO make
one shudder. Mr.. MacGahan has poor opinion OF the
influence Of these on the virtue and Intelligence of
The people They keep alive superstition, bgotry, and
intolerance. The superior honesty and kindness oil
spirit which TO be found among the country people,
G compared with the inhabitants Of the towns, he as
eribes in great degree. 10 the absence from among
them OF the mullahs. Many other points in the
social and domestic economy OF the Khivans are
upon by the author with lively zest IN which ne
will not fail 20 command the sympathy OF the reader
His book is remarkable for ITS freedom from pretenslOn
and the desire for effect The narrative is generally
simple planness, hut never meager or dull 1t
bears internal evidence Of sincerity and challenges re-
ruthfulness Of observation and its fidelity
description. book OF travels without egotsm or
~cap-trap is a somewhat merit in these days but
OF that merit Mr. MacGahan may claim liberal share
CRIMINAL LAW REPORTS By ST JoKs GREEN svo. pp sli
Hurd HOughtOn
This volume is announced as the first OF
series of Criminal Law Reports intended to gather in
foru all
criminal cases determined in Federal and State
Courts aud in the Courts Of Great Britain and Canada
The design OF the editor TO comment upon doubtful
points, and whenever appropriate to supply such his
torca and theoretical learning may be necessary to
render the series complete exposition OF criminal
jurisprudence. This service his long experience as
lecturer upon this branch the law Will enable him to
perform and discretion 1t is believed to
be possible by the publication OF about volume
q year keep pace with the regular series OF re-
ports and in some respects in advance OF them But
the multiplication of law reports is not to be favored
gbey have already grown huge bulk that scarcely
Ally private library contains them all any considerable
part and they increasing in number at the rate OF
about hundred volumes year-faster indeed, than
nny human being read. system which throws
20 vast a number of them upon profession concerned
with precedents is radically vicious 1t can not and
Judging from the number Of conflicting decisions aud
the frequency Of appeals it doeinot promote that uni
iormty administration which the only object OF pub
fishing them at ALL An attempt has recently been made
n city those most harassed by the evil TO check
further progress but we see at present. no indicauons
of the success Of these efforts and their complete r
umph would be of little except as an example OF
what might be done this direction. As long as the
plague continues we suppose such publications. as MI
Green's answer useful purpose They enable tue
specialist to have upon his library shelves reay LOT
instant consultation aud constant all or most OF the
law which lies within his own sphere OF study The
of
surance cases. already been tested and we believe
with results acceptable to the profession The volume
before us contains the adjudcatons OF impor-
tapt criminal cases made in this country aud
IN England during the past year, and
few OF earlier though Of recent date. Among the
English cases, observe several arising out OF the
prosecution OF the TchOorne claimant ana tue case Oh
Regina agt Bird, winch authority for 1t ala not
suggest the principal point made by the defense in
recent important criminal trial in this STATE We pre-
sume the editor intended to arrange his selections
according TO the subject matter grouping together
those Of a like nature bat this plan undoubtedly the
pot however uniformly followed Future volumes
nieh be improved u this respect c0pous INDEX ana
tables OF reported aud cited add mach 10 the con-
yeDience with which the book may DC consulted.
rur opIc1X,I LISTS OF EMIGRAYTs TO AMERICA Edited
by JoHs CAxDrs BorTFN. s7O. pp. $50 J. W. bouiOn
The lovels of American antiquarian research,
20 whom a name date in the early annals OF this
country is precious fact in history or truth in
morals will rd rich treat in this sumptuous volume
n, has been compiled the manuscript records in
the English State paper department by learned and
Jealous Dr. Dryasdust who has neglected nothing i'm
rOrant 10 execution OF his task and is now brought
out in style OF typographical elegance which makes IL
an orname to library well curiosity OF his
tory The volume contains transcript OF numerous
documents relating to the early settlers OF America
Tho NAU