The Portland daily press., 1876-10-07
Recent Publications,

okEToH OF THE LEE AND CHARACTER OF RUTH.
ERFoRD B. HAYES. By William D. Howells.
Also biographical sketch Of William A Wheeler.
New York; Hurd s. Houghton. For sale by Lor-
ing, Short Sc Harmon.
1t is worth while to be candidate for the
Presidency if the candidate be not ashamed of
his history and can have his biography written
by Mr.. Howels. That honor is preferable to
the office. In case of some candidates il would
be embalming flies in amber but Mr.. Howels
mas found in his subject man in every way
worthy the tribute of his pen, just, upright, sa
gaclous, OF modest manner but indomitable
VIII, oil clear conscience and high purpose a
man with thorough knowledge of the politi-
cal situation and of the events tending to it dur
Ing the last thirty years. and with the gift long
cultivated and exercised of judging men-in
short man who would dignity the high posi-
tion to which in all likelihood be will be called.
In the preface Mr.. Howells says: "This book
is my own enterprise, and has been in no wise
accepted or patronized by the man whose life
ana character have tried to portray" The
Dook IS evidently labor of love, and the au-
thor writes affectionately and admiringly.
His sketch is based upon a careful study of the
life and achievements of Gov. Hayes, and the
true greatness of the Republican candidate be-
comes apparent long before the reader has fin
ished the book. The verdict of a man of Mr..
Howells' fastidioas honesty can be unhesitat-
ingly accepted He closes with these words:
"This, then, is our. r.leader. The proportions
are heroic but the figure is not larger than life:
ana ana L tne nearer we draw to it. the more august
ana Denlgn are the lineaments. A scholar ana
the lover OF letters and the arts fine by nature
and refined by culture, careful self-study and a
wide knowledge of both men and books; "a SOL
dler OF dauntless bravery and approved genius;
statesman and public servant of the best prin-
ciples and irreproachable performance, his high
est commendation to our honor and our trust /.
stlil that he is true and good man.
Among the escutcheGns Of the old Scottish
Dorderers which hang on the walls of Sir Wal
ter Scotts library, at Abbotsford, are those of
the Rutherfords and the Hayeses. The arms
OF the Hayeses are shield and Greek cross
and four stars, sIrmounted by dove and.hav-
ing 1or legend one word-a word which has al
ways been the instinct and the principle of the
man whose life We have so imperfectIy por-
trayed-''Rectep' r.
The volume contains also full and careful
sketch of the Hon. William A. Wheeler. and
has good portraits of both candidates.
THE FIVE SENSES OF MAN. By Julius Bernstein.
Vol. XXI of the International Scientific Series.
New York: d. Appleton & Co. For sale by
Bailey 81 Noyes.
In this volume of the admirable Internation-
al Series Professor Julius Bernstein of the
University of Halle undertakes to acquaint the
reader with what is known of the five senses of
man. The author tells us that his treatise does
not ann at popularity in the widest sense of the
word, that he has endeavored to take his read
ers step beyond the domain Of ordinary pop-
ular treatises. Ifby popular scientific work
is meant one which can be understood without
study or close attention, which can be run
through hastily like a common novel, 'The
Five Senses" can make no claim to popularity.
But if by that term we mean treatise written
in lively and entertaining style, in which
comprehension by the reader is aided by apt
Illustration, clearness Of statement and fulness
of explanation, Prof. Bernstein has written
popular scientific book. He has a sharp,
direct way of putting things, of massing Illus
trations and proofs, faculty of interesting the
student in both subject matter and manner of
treatment, which render the work entertaining
and very instructive.
The volume opens with a general setting
forth the nature andsall that is known of the
origin of the sensory organs, their peculiarities
and special functions. Part first embracing
three chapters, is given to the sense of touch;
part second, nine chapters, to sight; part third.
nine chapters, to smell and taste. Among
topics treated Of are, the relation of touch to
the activity of the brain, delusions of touch,
the sense OF temperature, short sight and long
sight, color blindness, harmony and combina-
ton of colors, optical illusions, double vision,
the direction of sound, the sensation of music.
the production of harmonies, and consonauce
and dissonanee. Ninety-one wood-cuts mate
rally aid in comprehending the text.
EVERYDAY TOPICS. A Book of Briefs by j. G..
Holland. Published by Scribner, Armstrong g.
Co., New York. For sale by Loring Short a.
Harmon.
"Familiarly didactic," is Dr. Hollands def.
milton of his own style, in the preface to this
volume; and if he were always as clear and
condensed in his statements and analysis it
would be greatly to the advantage of his work.
The "didactic'' element of his mode of writing
is strongly favored, but calculated to reach the
popular needs, and truths undoubtedly require
repetition however evident or even trite they
may appear to those accustomed to think for
themselves. DIR. Holland is always upon the
side OF right, law aud order, and has won
certain degree of indue nee over the average
reader. His style and thought are not es-
pecially refined, but will probably do good
where more delicate and subtle touch would
fail of effect. When the familiar element
is conspicuous in his work it is by no means to
the advantage of the latter-the want of refine-
ment is apparent more readily in Jest than in
earnest and man who is able to write seri-
ouSy in plain, excellent and acceptable man
ner is often an unhappy bungler when he
attempts to be humorous. Moreover, DIR. Hol-
land is not foud of newspaper critics, which he
divides into several malignant and objection.
able speces-which tells less in his favor than
in theirs, for man whose experience of the
impersonal judgment of the press has been
uniformly unpleasant would hardly consult his
best interests by stating the fact with so much
asperity. Be that as it may, the intention Of
DR.. Hollands work is invariably good, in spite
of its limitations, couventionalites and literary
defects.
TALKS ABOUT LABOR, and Concerning the Evolu-
tion of Justice between the Laborer and the Capt.
talist. By S. N, Larned, New York: d. Appleton
s. Co. For sale by Bailey s. Noyes.
In this little book the author fairly sets forth
the complex relations between labor and capi-
tai, investigating the conditions under which
the work of the world is done, endeavoriDg to
ascertain how far such conditions are conven-
tional or arbitrary and how far they are natu-
rally fixed, and to discover what readjustments
appear practical. He has not suffered him.
self to be misled by impracticable social theo-
ries on the one hand, or to underrate the gravi.
ty of the question on the other. While
inclining to what is called the labor
side of the question he has endeavored
to do justice to both capitalist and
laborer. Evidently ho has made an earnest
study of his subject and presents the result Of
his tconclusions simply and fairly, holding
to the belief that there must be capabilty of
adjustment between what is just and what is
practicable.
POEMS OF PLACES. Edited by Henry wadsworth
Longfelow. Vol. ILL., England, Published byJ.
r. Osgood q Co., Boston. For sale by Loring,
Short s. Harmon.
This volume contains poems nv manv ou