The New York herald., 1876-11-20
NEW BOOKS.

NEW BOOKS.
rnx MISTRESS OF THE MASsE. BY J. c. Holland.
New York: scribncr, Armstrong Co
II Of the illustrations rather than the cerprcss
OF this book OF which we would speak. DR.. Hollands
poem was published some time ago and duly criticised
II is only necessary say here that has been among
the most successful Of authors Efforts than which
more could be said. This year scribner, Arm
strong Co. have made holiday book OF II and
spared pains TO have II made attractive. Miss Hal
lock- who in figure drawing tho block has no equal
IN this country, has OF her most characteristic
sketches in this work. What could be pretier than
the illustration on page sxty-nvc to the lines,
And AS she watched her down the street
Her brow grew bright with sunny thoughtf
The vigncttes by Helena de Kay, just what such
decorations should be, but seldom The graver OF
Mr. Henry Marsh has preserved all the beauty of tho
artists pencil Mr. Thomas Moran, who, clever color
list he Is to bcttcr advantage tnan in
black and white, has beautiful work in this vol
ume. Acssrs Frcdericks, Abbey aud Wand have
helped to make beautiful book.
DoRE's "AScIESr MARINER"
Harper Brothers. piece de resistance this year is
Coeridge's "Ancicnt Mariner " illustrated by Gustave
Dorc This poem must have been delight to
Dore, with its wild, weird melancholy. He has
brought out all that is grotesque In the verses
and added his own strange fancics to those OF the
poet Doro revcs horrors, and when ho gets
the mariner IN ghossy corner no shows him no
mercy. The admirers Of this artist will find nil tho
characteristics Of their favorc in the illustrations to
this poem. The book is handsomely gotten up for
the holidays, and printed on tinted paper
srEDMAS on FRornISGirAA.
''Octavius Brooks Rockingham and the New Faith"
is tho title OF little book BY Mr.. +. c. stedman,
published by G. Putnam's Sons. In Introductory
note by Mr. G. Haven Putnam, who calls Mr. Frothng-
ham .the representative and apostle OF the liberal
iaith," told that this sketch will be found OF
special value many whose .'obiectons to dread
OF radicalism founded upon distorted reports and
prejudced impressions" Mr. Frothingham's friends
complain bitterly that he Is not put fairly before the
public Mr.. Stodman has como 10 the rescue, and in
clear comprehensive statements gwen his sido Of the
question. Mr. Stedman is powerful nd ardent friend
and whom takes his defensive pen in hand you may
be sure that it is to somc purpose People who look
upon Mr.. rockingham as agitator and an unbc-
lever would do well to read Mr. Stcdman's sketch
and after they have read it they will be sure to stroll
10 Sixth avenue and Twenty third street some
bright Sunday morning to hear the man who is the
subject Of the eulogsm.
ALPHABET FINANCE
Mr. Graham McAdam has written an "Aphabct OF
Finance !" which the Messrs. Putnam have published
and Mr. r. II. Bowkcr hns introduced Mr.. Bowker
says that Mr.. McAdam's book, like Topsy, "wasn't
born-t growed." That is 1t was tho result of certain
newspaper articles which attracted favorable notice
The book is elementary but great many will like It
all tho better for that We would advise women
well as read II. for by doing they will get
good idoa OF the study Of finance without having to
wade through too much OF tcchncalites. Mr.. McAdam
has maze valuable little book and one that may be
read with profit
"wIT, HUMoR AND SHAKESPEARE"
Roberts Bros have just published volume Of twelve
essays by Professor John Weiss, which that author
discusses the witty and humorous character Of
Shakespcaro's plays In discussing the wit OF these
plays Professor Weiss denies anything but clownsh
in tho gravediggers; neither does he think old
Poonius funny. Hamlet he finds amusing, not that
he makes ono laugh but his irony causes an inward
chuckle After talking Of The wit and humor in
Shakespeare Professor Weiss turns to love- illus
by the great playwright An interesting paper
"Blonde Women" will be found In this book Tho
writer says that "when blonde women have talent
for mischief they dclicately distinguish themselves
from tho bruncttes in the style Of IT. For downright
unaoultcraicd mischief let bs commended TO the
| blonde women OF the Indo- o-Gcrmanic races -
'ANEcDorgs snELLEY.n
| The latest to scribncr, Armstrong l. Co.'S s'San
Souc Scries anecdote biography ofSheley There
are few poets whom there keensr interest and
few about whom so little is known Shelley. Only
short timc in the world and recluse most OF that
time, 1t Is hard discover tho facts of his ifc
Mr. Stoddard who Is the prince OF prcfacists gives
/ entertaining sketch OF Shelley before strike In
| upon tho anecdotes lie says that the poet TO
have inherited elopcment from his grandfather, Sir
Bysshe eopcd with two OF his wives, and who is
| SAID to have been born in Newark, N. j., and to
have practscd there as quack doctor Mr. Stoddard
must go through book like trunle hunter; no
he seems know just where tho bits lie and he
hunts out the truncs OF literature with unerring,
acute sagacty. The admirers Of Shelcy-and who arc
not the admirers OF this great genius twill nnd most
interesting fund of anecdoto in this little volume
which, picked up and opened at any page IL sure to
| reveal treasures.