The New York herald., 1874-10-24
LITERATURE.

Par M. lie Compte de Paris, Ancien Aide-de- { amp
| Deuxieme. Paris: Michel Levy Freres. 1874.
| 1t is impossible In the brief space at our CON-
mand to do justice to this Important production,
for copy Of which we are indebted to the per-
sonal courtesy OF the distinguished author. Tue
two volumes now published are only the ii rst In
stalmenr Of an extensive work. There win ccr-
tainly be fourth, and judging by the scale OF
execution, very likely sixth volume The author,
in one place, defers the full discussion OF subject
to which he incidentally alludes until the fourth
volume, but he gives no indication that the fourth
will complete the number. The present volumes
carry forward the history only . single year,
terminating with the embarkment Of General
| McClelan's army at Alexandria IN the spring OF
| 1862 The military operations In the West are
| however, pursued to a later period The Compte
| de Paris does not conine himself to q mere
narrative OF military events, but discusses with
great iulness and intelligence all the collateral
related topics. In the first volume especially
which is broadly preparatory, he enters into
| comprehensive survey OF the condition or the
country at the time the broke out, discussing
from the highest Philosophical but generally Eu-
ropean standpoints and with great amplitude OF
view, every subject which can interest statesmen
or students OF the art OF war. The first volume
has accordingly q value quite apart from its rea-
tion TO the recital oil military events, to which
mainly preliminary.
1t might, perhaps, be naturally supposed that
the chief interest OF WORK on our war by the
Compte de Paris would lie in personal narrative
OF his experiences III the Army Of the Potomac.
But nothing could be more different from such
narrative than che complete and important MS.
tory which ne has undertaken. He has prepared
himself for his great task by conscien tious study
OF every available source OF Information. In
photographed note appended to the hrst volume
he acknowledges his peculiar inde otedness
10 the "Rebellion Record" the "Report OF Congress
on the Conduct OF the War" the Con-
federate archives captured at Richmond
and the histories OF Losing. Badeau and SWIM
ton. Besides these he cites long list OF histories
and biographies which have appeared in the North
and the South, ana also the three best European
works which have been written on our struggle
Including General de Trobrland's "Quatre Annees
a rArmee du Potomac" TO which he pays high
compliment. The m0desty and good taste OF the
Compile de Paris restrain him from personal allu-
slons TO himself except once IN the short preface,
where 1t was unay yoldahle, and once In the body of
the work, wnere the only achievement he claims is
participation IN one OF the moderate balloon ascen-
sicns which were mode oil reconnaissance whlie
the army was lying idle on the Potomac 1t is .
piece OF picturesque description OF which we fear
we shall mar the elegance by translati0n:
We may be permitted to recall here personal
recollection winch shows how dinerent were the
circumstances winch alone permit the formation
ol these armies from those presented III tue wars
oi winch our continent Is too often the theatre.
the author arrived AT washington ana mad the
honor 10 enter the Army OF the Potomac two
mon his after the battle VI Bull Itun. Not a muskct
shot had been exchanged during this time between
the two hostile i0rces which meanwhile watched
each other, at a snort distance between Arlington
and Fairfax Court aouse.
A balloon, pretended for the service OF the army,
rose each evening TO reconnoitre the surrounding
country; an ascension was proposed aud accepted;
scarcely had We risen above the aged trees wncn
surround the former residence OF General Lee
when the prospect was eAtehaea over an andusa-
ting, YET UNIFORM, country, covered with forest,
spotted here and there Win small clearings ana
bounded on the west oy the long chain OF
OF Jura. BY avor OF the brilliant light winch
marks the last nonrs Of an autumn das IN
smallest details OF the country spread ont beneath
HIM like plan In relief But 1t ls in vain that
his eyes seek the apparent signs OF war. Peace
and tranquility seem to reign everywher IL re-
qures all his attention to detect some recent
earth marks the new fortitcations Meanwhiie,
the day sinks ne sees ut the south small ueeces
OF blush smoke break gently above the trees;
they multiply IN groups ia vast scmicrce. |,
is the Conederates taking their supper. The
number OF their army can almost be count ted for
each smoke betrays the kettle OF platoon.
Further In the distance the vapor OF iocomo-
tive Fastening toward the mountains traces, by
enemy Is provlsioned. At the same moment .
military band Ia heard directly under the balloon.
All the cicaTIngs, Wnere we sou1nt III vain W as
cover the federal camps are neu with crowd
issuing from the surrounding wood rms crowd
puts itself in order aud orms battalions, the band
passes before the ranks with that peculiar gait
which the English have called '.goose.step." Each
regiment mas two nags; Que the national colJrs,
the other bearing the device OF its state and tts
rcgtmental number; these nags dip, the otncers
salute, the Colonel takes the command, and mo.
ment after all the soldiers disperse, for II Is
neither o rally nor the prelude OF march In ad-
vance which has thus called them together, but
the Ordinary parade of the evening.
Ii was IN the midst OF TINS absolute calm that
General Mcclellan organized the army or the Po-
tOmac.
We fear we have not caught the delicate tint OF
ridlcuc which Is spread, with the highest touc h,
over TINS n,cturasaue description. Tue idaa that