The New York herald., 1876-12-04
OUR BOOK SHELF.

THE AruxSrAx EMPIRE. BY George W. Cox n. A.
Scribner, Armstrong Co.
This is one OF the most fascinating volumes In tho
series on "Epochs OF Ancient History" II perhaps
bit more interesting than somo Of tho Others De-
cause every scholar intense sympathy with tho
futile attempt OF Themistocles and Peric 60, the TWO
greatest statesmen OF classic times, 10 bind into per-
petual confederation people OF different habits and am
bitons. Tney failed because their thoughts and plans
were full century advance Of tho population they
tried to mould into an empire Again, Il 70 interest
ing because the tate Of all endeavors at popular gov
ernment is Instructive Americans. Tho history OF
the Ahenan Empire The history OF two generations
only. And yet these sevcnty-hvc years, beginning
with the rebuilding Of the walls OF Athens In A79 b. T.
and ending with the blockade OF Peiracus by Lysan-
dros resulted in the surrender of Athens and tho
utter dismay Generalization Of its inhabitants are
big with which have thrown their shadow on all
succeeding generations So long have any In
terest poltcal experiments aud the practical work
ing OF all the elements of progress shall look back
the history OF Athens for insight and Instruction
Mr. Cox has done his work with the honesty OF true
student II shows pcrseveriug scholarship and de-
termination TO get at tho truth The book Ia the re-
suit not OF cursory glance at Thucyddcs and Keno
phon alone but OF exceedingly careful reading IN every
direction. He has shown his carncstness by wading
through the duh and drcary compilations OF Diodorus
prosaic. We have welcome corner on our shelf re-
served for It,
THE ANDES AND THE AMAZON. BY James Orton, N. A.
Harper Brothers
There is curious fascination about books Of travel
throu n only partially explored regions All the de-
/ tails camp life, the haps and mishaps Of company
| OF adventurous men who leave civilization behind
them and orco their way through forests and over
mountains, have interest peculiarly their own. We
ITuuh in ia m uyc n
wears ago and all explorers who have
made longer or shorter journeys from tho Atlantic
Pacific coast and como back with their marvellous
stories OF picturesque scenery. Of deep chasms, OF
| eternal SHOWS and OF conflict with wild animals and
the scarcely less wild aborigincs. Mr. Orion and his
! company OF scientific and hardy campcrsout seem 10
have gone about their work OF exploration with zcs
/ and daring which n sure prophecy OF success
Tho book which is a result OF their journey has al
ready reached its third edition. which is sufficient
guarantee worth Long before they reached the
end trip they found themselves ovoraden with
specimens of volcanic rocks, land aud fresh water
shells, plants, fishes, reptiles, birds. bats and man.
maian fossils. With great labor they succeeded in
getting all these treasures home, aud then submitted
thc the critical investigation or large number Of
learned professors scattered all the country The
result is that besides having the only accurate map
published OF tho most interesting section OF South
America we have good view OF It's Inincralogical
wealth aud possibilities carefully prepared
port the personal habits and religious obscrvances Of
its Indian tribes The expedition. which was under
the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, aoi ds
US an immense amount OF valuable Information con-
cerning OF part OF Western hemls-
phere which is destined, at no very distant day, to
great deal of attention. 1t would not be
prlsing If within tho decade many silver and
gold mines along the route taken by these travellers
should be opened and worked IN full opcr-
alton along the northern coast or South America and
within easy reach Of the Caribbean Sea- The ad-
venturous spirit which developed California has
already found its way into the regions Of the northern
coast and tho introduction Of expensive machinery
has made tho open their eyes In wonder II
in admiration, of that love oil gain which Is willing 10
submit to any privaton and TO any risk order
10 obtain for itself an inexhaustible bank account
The chapters which treat Of the game, the fruits, the
valuable woods the drugs and dye stus OF the valley
OF tho Amazon are also worth careful perusa. The
volume well bound in cloth for library use, and the
letter press and numerous cngravngs render
il very attractive.