The Portland daily press., 1875-10-22
Magazine Notices.

Numbers 25 to 30, inclusive, of The Cyclopg-
dia of american Literature, published by t.
Ellwocd Zell, Philadelphia, have been re-
ceived from Horace King of Thomsonville,
Connecticut, the general agent for New Eng
land.
OF the merits of this work it is needless to
speak. 1t is the standard work in its special
and attractive department.. Itcontains graphic
sketches of the lives and writings of over eight
hundred of the most i.lustrous American
authors, accompanied by fitting extracts from
the best of their works, and illustrated by nu-
merous portraits, autographs and other engrav-
ings. In itself. it is whole library OF Ameri-
can bellies lettres, adapted to the most refined
home circle. 1t caters, alike, TO the taste of
the scholar and the general reader In no
other work are SO broadly and plainly set
forth the greater and lesser landmarks of
American Literature, whether of the past or of
to- day. It's full, clear pages are noble monu-
ment to the fruits of the life toll of American
authors, creditable alike to its Editors and to
its glorious theme.
In presenting this classic work (now nearly
comple,e) to the American Public, the Publish
er has determined to make ii worthy of gener-
al favor. AT much cost and pains, the list of
new authors has been incorporated into the
general body of the work, thus avoiding the
annoyance OF several Indexes. The details of
all the articles have been brought down to the
date of publication. In addition. the younger
authors, who have recently won place in our
literature have been cordially welcomed to its
pages. Copious extracts have been given from
their best efforts, and numerous portraits
added. The entire literary revision has been
entrusted to M. Laird Simons, whose connec-
ton with various literary journals has given
him peculiar facilities for knowledge of con-
temporary literature These authors of our
day alone will comprise about 4SO quarto pages.
Blackacoods Magazane for October has been
promptly republished by the Leonard Scott
Publishing Co., Al Barciay.Street, N. Y. This
number is of more than usual interest, as it
contains several articles having relation to sub
jects now attracting good share of attention
In this country.
The first article explains the many and vari-
Gus duties of the police magistrates of London
and narrates a few incidents that occur in the
police courts "Wrecked off the Riff Coast is
one of the class of short stories for which
Black,oood has always been famed. In the
third article we again meet with the vexed
question of employer and employed The stu.
alton is full of diff culties, and no remedy pre-
sents itself.
The article on " Money" does not treat the
subject in dry and statistical way, but in
familiar style; shows how the vast boards men,
toned in history have disappeared; explains
why we employ gold and silver as money; says
OF paper-mopey that il " wants but reality to be
considerably more perfect than the metals
whose place it takes;" and finishes with some
rem lrks upon the moral influences exercised
by money.
The next article gives brief but clear ac-
count of the deep-sea fisheries which contribute
so largely to the wealth of Great Britain. The
article on Michael Angelo was suggested by
the recent celebration OF the fourth centenary
Of his birth, and gives sketch of his life and
of some of his works.