Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-27
BRATTLEBOROi
VIEW PUBLICATIONS.
The December Magazines.

with the December number IIARrET's
MAGAZINE cutters upon its til(icth volume.
This rumbcr contains over eighty excel
lent cuGrlvings, aud there is not duh
page between its covers. Miss Constance
Ec.hmurc Wool~un cuuiriuu rs the first
part Of an exceedingly hrieht and INFER
csttug paper on 81. Augustine, proluscv
illustrated, in which romance is blended
with humorous sketches Of character and
picturesque description. Professor New
comb, in an amply illustrated paper, de-
scribes the observations OF the Transit of
Venus, and shows their connection with
the determination of the suns distance.
In "The First Century of the Republic"
the department of Mech anical Progress is
taken UP by Mr. L. ii. knight, whose able
review is cnIbellished with thirty-six Illus
trauous. Senior Castelar's papers are con-
tinucd. Mr.. Mason's vigorous serial story,
Rape Of the Camp" grows more inter-
esting with every installment. 1t is splen-
didly illustrated by Fredericks. An e1-
ceedingly interesting historical paper, en-
titled "Gcnesis of the New England Church
cs," describes the rise of Puritansm in
England and the prosecutions of the Nom
conlormists in the time of Elizabeth.
Short stories are contributed by Justin Me-
Carthy, Fanny Hodgson Burnett, and Rev.
VIM. NJ. Baker. The various editorial de-
parlments are, a> usual complete and com
preheuslve.
THE GALAXY fully vindicates its reputa
ton for variety in the choice of subjects;
Tor we find in the December number an
English serial story, Norwegian story,
an American story, Swedish poem,
sketch of the late princes of Siam, sketch
of Il French journalist, and, to extend our
travels stll further and further into an
other sphere, there is curious article on
materialized spirits, written In the form of
Il narrative under the title "Was it Katie
Eing?" The strong articles Of the num-
Der are on the duration of the executive
term; reviewing the opinions Of the lead
ing American statesmen on this subject
from 1877 10 the present day, and an exam
ination of Professor Tyndall's theological
views by james Freeman Clarke. Mr..
Richard Grant White contributes an arti-
Gle upon the present marriage service, and
another upon the American "Intervew,"
which he looks upon as an abomination.
a fair spriDkling of poetry and the usual
departments of literary criticism, science
and gossip, complete an uncommonly en-
ter,aining number.
Notes on Kentucky and Tennessee, in
the December number OF SCRIBNER's,
form the final regular installment in the
Great South series by Mr.. King. A de-
scription of the Mammoth Cave forms a
large part Of this article, and there are sew
eIal fresh illustrations of this wonderful
place The other articles illustrated, either
by means Of pictures or diagrams, arc
The Transit OF Venus" THE Probabii-
ties Of Rivers" "The Silver Age" and
"Rambles in MADEIRA" In fiction we have
the continuation of Jules Vernes "Myste-
rious Island with illustrations; aud Of
SAKE Holm's curious story, "My Tourma-
line; - also "Jeanneue," by Miss Woolson,
aud "In a Trumpet" Thanksgiving sto-
~ by Miss Hopkins, author of zone Of
Miss Widgery's Evenngs." Mr.. Stedman
gives MS another of his essays on the ''Vic-
torian Poets" this time graphing with
that tough subject, Robert Browning him
self. There are poems by Celia ThsXter
and others. In Topics of the Time" DR..
Holland writes about The Great South
Series of Papers," "Christanity and Col
or" "Investments for Income" Mature
md Literature" The Doctor says that Ed
ward King travelled in all twenty-five
thousand miles in gathering the materials
for his papers. In the department of Fitch
ings there is an amusing account Of THE
Devil in Literature" DR.. Hollands new
novel, 1.-THE Story of Sevenoaks," will be =
gin in the January number of Scribner's.
Among all the magazines published there
is none which holds itself to a more uni
form standard of excellence than does tn
NURSERY, "lor youngest readers We
have often wondered at the quality and va
riety of the reading matter furnished each
month, and the illustrations are always
profuse and Of real merit. Aside from the
unailing fund of amusement which this
little publication sftords, it is at the same
time constant incentive to the young folks
TO make such efforts at progress in their
studies as shall enable them to read and
enjoy its treasures by themselves. SLIGO
cannot be more probably invested by a
family than in u years subscription to the
Nursery.