The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-13
LITERARY CHIT-C CHAT.

LITERARY CHAT.
Mr. J. "A. H. MURRY has in hand for the Early
English Text Society the -.Rhymes and Prophecies
OF Thomas OF Ercdoune, commonly called the
Rhymer."
THEOrHILE GAUrIER's "Histoire dn Romant-
isme, J" now being published In Paris is marked by
all the merits of consummate style ana exquisite
fancy which distinguish the novels OF this writer.
THE LATE RIOTS ut Bombay were owing to the
publication by Parsee of a Guzerate version Of
Washington IrviEgs ellie or Mahomet,r In whleA
there is reference to the prophets domestic re-
latons. The author attempted to stop the sale.
but did not succeed in alaying the resentment OF
the Mussulmans.
THE FIRST PARTS have appeared OF Dutch trans
lation OF Mills principles or Political Economy
The UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF STRAsBOURG has
received an augmentation 900 volumes dur
ing the past year, and now numbers about 100000
In ALL Half OF these additions, which constitute
an augmentation more than fifteen times above
the general average annual increase OF public
libraries, have been procured by purchase, and
the remaining moiety has been Obtained through
public and private donations. The library Is twice
az rich as before 1t was'burned
BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN GKoGRAPHIcAL So
cIErY Session OF 1874, No. lv.)-This hand
somely printed publication, embracing great
variety OF valuable geographical matter. compr1s
ing the Aztec Ruins OF New Mexico, an impor-
tant paper BY Colonel Boudinot on the Indian Ter
ritory. besides. comprehensive history OF
the POlaris expedition by all the chief Survivors,
containing also the famous addresses OF Dr. Hayes,
has just been placed IN our hands. 1t Is highly
credltable to the society. as showing prosperity
and usefulness as scien tifc body not second 10
that OF the Royal Geographical Society OF London.
JnGr ApAs Npcp nf
ex-President Cespedes and writer well known in
Cuban and Spanish literary circles, is at present
engaged IN writing historical novel. based upon
the struggle OF the South American colonies for
independence and the conspIraces OF the Sons or
Bolivar, and the Black Eagle in Cuba near tho
close OF the first quarter of this century. tie
promises and interesting revelations concern
ing the origin of the Monroe doctrine.
A CoNGREss OF Austrian writer's has been called
meet at Vienna to mediate ON literary questions
between France and the German Empire.
AppietOns journal says, with much truth, that
outside OF newspapers and magazines there is az
present almost nothing in the way of original
literature attempted in America. Appleton might
add that good deal OF the responsibility lies on
the shoulders OF the publishers.
THE NEW LIFE OF Benjamin Franklin by Hon.
John Blgelow, will extend to three volumes.
PROFESSOR PRooroR's new book, ''The Universe
and the Coming Transits,n will be published
simultaneously in London and Philadelphia by J.
b. lippincott 4 Co.
SAMPSON Low MARsTos Il Co., have in press
'srne China Collectors Pocket Companion by
Mrs. Bury Palliser. Ii is meant to supply the want
OF portable guide to marks and monograms, ana
as such may prove useful - the lovers OF she
ceramic art.r s48t
THE MILL wHEEI," a recently published novel,
oy Miss Helen Dickens, daughter OF the late
Charles Dickens, is pronounced Oy English critics
US far nom being an ordinary book.
'THE SOCIAL HISTORY of Harvard University,
is the subject OF a proposed new book BY some
enterprising Cambridge students 1t viii be pro-
usey illustrated by heliotypes of the college
buildings, professors, DC.
TEN THOUSAND COPIES OF recent issue OF the
Dundee Advertiser were printed on paper manu-
factured from reeds grown On the banks OF the
Tay.
BAIzAcs "Dron Stories," now translated into
English for the first time and recently issued in
London, is said to be every suggestive OF Boccac-
cios .Decameron,n upon which 1t very closely
borders.
PROFESSOR LErsIus will be librarian at the Royal
Library at Berlin.
THE FRENCH .'Notes and Queries" which came
to an end in 1870 is to be revived under the title
Of the "Myriobiblion."
Mr.. Nj. w. EvARTS has written an excellent his
tory OF Dutch literature.
HENRY WIKoFF has a new book in Lippincott's
press. entitled .sThe Four Civilizations OF the
World.n
The LONDON ACADEMY finds in Professor Petits
''Hlstory OF Mary StuartN which is written from
the Roman Catholic point OF view, facts and argu-
ments which we'll deserve consideration.
The NEW SHAKEsPEARB SOCIETY OF London viii
print q treatise on the chronological order OF
Shakespeares plays by Mr.. Fleay.
The PENNSYLVANIA Legislature is the last to
NEEDLE with the school books used In the public
schools OF that state The bill provides for uniform
school books, which shall be used for five years, to
be selected by board. No doubt there are evils
connected with constant change OF school books,
but such remedy would be worse than the dis
ease A scnool book ring, added to the other
Pennsylvania rings, would be a little too bad.
ONE or THE Mosr amusing classes OF literature
is the autobographicai. The French excel IN the
art OF writing about themselves, and there are
few more entertaining books than Marmontess
Memoirs" and Teousseau's Cornerstone Theirs
and Guizot it is said, will each leave an tobIog-
raphy behind.
UNDER THE TITLE OF "What is Wine?n Mr.. James
L. Denman has printed y book on the abomnable
sold as port, sherry and clarct in
the London market.
The GERMAN GOVERNMENT cannot get done with
prosecuting the press. Herr Schwab, editor OF
the ultramontane Rhetnptau, has been sentenced
to two months In prison for irreverence toward
the German Emperor.
NEW PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.