The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-05

excellent narrative or journey round the Word,
proiusely illustrated and distinguished nom other
books OF the same kind BY the iuness OF It's inior-
nation respecting China Nh. simpson was present
at all the ceremonies the occasion OF the marriage
OF the Emperor OF China, q wedding In which the
bride was conspicuous by her absence, and ne
made q great deal OF his opportunities In the
Celestial Empire. No traveller. except the Marquis
de Beauvoir, has gwen so full an account OF the
present condition OF Pekin and OF the entire proc
ess OF the education OF the uteratt. His descrip-
tions OF the examinations and the halls in which
the whole or the Chinese classics have been en-
graved on imperishabe tablets Of stone Is, within
our knowledge, unique. In Captain Markham's
"Whaiing Cruise IN Bafins Bay" We have, at
length, the whole story OF the wreck and rescue OF
the Polarls, narrative which does honor TO all
parties concerned. The Arctic brought home, on
the occasion on which Captain Markham was rated
on her books and she saved the crew
OF the Polars, the largest cargo OF Oil that was
ever brought to England from Bafnn's Bay. Cap
tain Mar kham 10 close observer and contributes
several interesting facts to our knowledge OF the
Inhabitants OF the Arctic Sea.
NEW BOOK ABOUT AFRICA
very Important work OF travel Is DR.. Schwein-
furth's "Heart OF Africa" which has been long
looked for ana now makes its appearance,
well translated and with an Introduction by Mr..
WinwOod Reade. 1t is very close and elaborate,
but Is neither so dull as Barth nor so doubtful
IS Du Chaillu, WHILE unlike Anderson, the
author has some consideration for the igno-
rance or his readers. and does not take
for granted large amount Of preliminary know-
edge before he begins his narration. the eminent
German botanist and traveller gives very minute
particulars OF his three years. journeyings, during
which he passed through the unexplored country
OF the Mammalian and visited the unknown king
dom Of ManbuttoO. As an explorer he stands In
the highest rank, and merits to be classed with
Mungo Park, Denham and Clapperton, Living
stone. Burton. Speke and Grant, Barth and
Roldfs. MIR. Reade points out that DR..
can claim two qualifications
which no other German traveller has hitherto
posse ssed. He Is a scientific botanist and also an
accomplished draughtsman; his sketches are
finished works OF art. The work Is OF importance
In geographical sense as contribution to the
problem Of the Nile, and OF chronological i'm
portance as settling the disputed point OF the
existence OF a dwarf In Central Africa.
These pigmies are mentioned by Herodotus
and other classical writer's. Krapl saw one
on the eastern coast; the old Uoyd0eurs alluded
to their existence in the kingdom Of the
Congo, and Du Chaillu met them IN Ashango Land.
DR.. Schweinlurth sets the matter at rest for ever
by placing tue existence OF SucH D TdCe UcyOHu
q doubt and he regards these dwarfs as Identical
with the Bushmen OF South Africa, who are not
confined, as was formerly supposed, to that corner
oil the Continent, but also innabt various remote
recesses OF Africa, ano probably the former
natives OF the county. This is 10y lar the most in
terestlng and III! ortant work OF travel which has
appeared or many years.
GOSSIP
Mr.. Tom Taylor is saluted in many journals as the
new editor or Punch but am by no means sure
that the appointment has been made. Late
last week, l know, the proprietors were de-
hberatlng whether they should appoint Mir.
BuNiand as editor, and make clean sweep
OF the rest OF the literary stan, which Is by lar the
best thing they could do. II Is PROBABLE that
strong appeal win be made to Mr.. Disraeli to
grant . pension o. a10o year TO the widow OF the
late Mr. Shirley Brooks, who has been left in
what straitened circumstances. Mr.. Brooks was
o tory at heart, and frequently did the cause
good service.
MIR. George Augustus Sala succeeds Mr.. Shirley
Brooks as the editor OF the Home Netcs, which is
resune OF the European history OF the week Tor
circulation in India.
Mr.. Henry Blackburn has charge Of the art de-
partment OF the Pictorial World new Illustrated
periodical, which has just made Its appearance,
but which, in its FIRST number. at least, does not
show much promise.