Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-12

HalfIIour Series" "Percy and the Prophet" by
wilkie Collins; "Peter the Great" by John
Lothrop Motley; "The Jewess," by Eugene Law
renee, and Cooking Receipts" from Harper $
Bdzdrs. This is a remarkably convenient edi-
ton, and so far the list has been nm exceptionally
good one. II gives to the public choice reading
at the small price of twenty cents per volume, or
at the outside twenty-five cents For sale by
Phinney.
DuRER BY NJ. f. Sweetser. BOSTON, James
r. ospood & Co.-'rhis is one of the Artist
Biography Series which Messrs osgood 4 Co.
are issuing and presents the life of one of Ger
many's greatest artists and sketchers. The book
contains descriptions Of his more celebrated paint
ings and engavings. Durer has generally been
credited with the invention of the art of etching
hut MIR. Sweetser only credits him with improv-
ing the art and perfectng the processes. The com
mon story about the shrewish disposition of
Agnes, Durers wife, the author refutes claiming
that the only authority for the story is letter
from Perkhemer friend OF Durer, though not
one 10 his wife. This series is rapidly gaining
popularity, and contains much information not
generally known, concerning the great artists and
their lives and circumstances. For sale by
Phinney.
THE MYTHOLOGY OF GREECE AND RoME-From
the German OF o. Seemaan. Edited by G. IL.
Banchi. New York; Harper Brothers Only a
very small proportion Of the reading public have
formed the intimate acquaintance OF the ancient
classics and almost every description of literature
contains illusions to ancient myths, deities, le-
gends, etc, our knowedgeof which is derived di-
rectly from ancient authors. Thus to very many
readers the beauty Of all such illusions Is entirely
lost through their Ignorance. This book il de-
signed as n cheap and convenient explanation of
the more common OF these illusions and their re-
lation to art 1t is much more convenient than n
NEUROLOGICAL dictionary, for that would not give
n comprehensive view Of the subject as a whole,
while its price would place it beyond the reach of
the large majority, who need it most. To be pro-
cured at T C. Phinneys.
THoREAu His Life and Aims. A Study. By
II. A. Page Boston; J, R. Osgood & Co.-Ths
book is Just what it purports to be. 1t is much
more of study than biography. The author
says in his preface, Till within few years the
name Of Thoreau stood to me for morbid senti-
ment, weak rebellion, and contempt for society"
more intimate knowledge of the great natur-
alist speedily changed this opinion and led the
prejudiced man to reconsideration and aban-
donment of his views. This book goes much
deeper than mere personal history. 1t gives not
only the principal act Of Thoreaus life, but the
more private pursuits and empoyments which
would hardly be included in a biography. Mr..
Page ascrbes to Thoreau that same wonderful
power over the brute creation which st. Francis
possessed in such remarkable degree; and relates
instances of wild birds lighting the naturalist
shoulder; of his reaching over the side of a boat
and catching fish with his hands Altogether, it
Isl very interesting memoir, and will convey a
better idea of Thoreau L" His Life and Aims,
than one would he likely to form from a mere
literary acquaintance with him. For sale at T.
c. Phinney's.
CICERo's TUsCULAN DIsPUTATInNs; also, Treat
ises on "The Nature of the Gods" and on The
Commonwealth" Literally translated by c. D.
Yonge. The Dsputations were written after
Cicero's retirement from public life, the death
of his daughter, Tulla. 1t was the authors Gus
tom to gather about him several friends and re-
tire to building designed expressly for this pur
pose Some one would propose subject OF
which he desired to be enlightened, and Cicerc
would deliver sort of lecture or address These
addresses of which there are five, were philosoph
ical papers, and were written out as they were de
tenn the terrors Of DEATH and to look upon il II,
blessing, rather than evil. The second, to sup
port pain and afiction with a manly fortitude
The third to appease all our complaints and un
easiness under the accidents Of life. The fourth
to moderate all our other passions The fifth ex
plains the sufiicency of virtue to make mel
happy. The greater portion of the "Repubc" wa
previously translated by Francis Barham, but wa
not sufficiently close for the purposes Of the Tlds
steal Library, to which it belongs, and was place,
in the hands of the present editor for revision
The treatise on "The Nature of the Gods is
revision Of that usually ascrbed to Benjamin
Franklin. For sale at Phinney's.
THEOLOGICAL ESSAYS: By William G. T. Shedd
d. ID. New York Scribner, Armstrong & ca
The substance OF this book has been before tn
public for many years, but the author has availe
himself of the opportunity afforded by a ne,
publication to revise and enlarge the essays. Thi
has been done without affecting in any way tn
dogmatc positions From the essays it is plainl
apparent that the author does not believe thi
any discrepancy exists between theology an
philosophy. He believes also that the more e.
act and strict type of theology is the one Of a
which is most defensbe at the bar of reason an
published under the title of The Philosophy
History" This has been revised and ampfe,
The author, although he processes to believe
Evolution" evidently doesn't entertain Il
most profound veneration for the materaist
theory. lie makes vast difference between e
luton and creation Several Of the essays Al
upon subjects more popular than Evolution
and "Original SIM" and Atonement." II
first essay in the book, " The Method and lnf
ence of Theological Studies" was deN erred b
fore the literary societies of the University
Vermont, August o. 1915 THE Nature and |
fiuence of the Historic Spirit was delivered
Andover Theological Seminary in 1854 Ei
of the essays eyinces profound thought and de-
culture. The book itself is an addition to Il
religious literature Of the day, and cannot b
he read with pleasure and profit by all. For 81.
at Phnney's
LsBosToN MoNDAy LECTURES Transcendent
ism. By Rev. Joseph Cook. Boston James
Osgood & Co-Ihis is another volume of lectur
the design of which is 10 present the results of I
latest and most complete scientific research a
scholarship ON the more intricate and abstrl
topics concerning the relation Of religion a
science. The former series Of lectures ON Biol'
have been noticed in these columns This pres
series is not behind the former in ability, schol
ship or logic, but is vastly superior in one thi
namely, its adaptability TO the understanding
non-scientific readers. To fully comprehend
lectures ON Biology liberal and scientific edu
ton were Indispensable The addresses On Ira
cendentalsm are not only extremely interest
and instructive, but they entirely free Fl
scientific terms that their field Of usefulness