The New York herald., 1877-02-05
LITERATURE.
BOOKS OF THE DAY.


ner Armstrong Co.
Jules Verne proves by his last volume, "Michael
StrogoR" that he has not written himself out This
book Is fresh and spirited his carly contribu'
tions to fantastic literature verne is magnificent
Munchhausen; he not only tells impossible stories,
but no proves them Michael Strogof Is one Of tbos<
COOL ready. witted like the Engiishmsn Ia
s.Around tho World in Eighty Days" He was Entrusted
win letter from Gear at Moscow to bo delivered
to his brother the Grand Duke, at Irkutsk The jour.
ney was perilous almost impossible, but the VAL
lent Michael accomplished and With the drawback Of
a young lady under his most OF tho tmc She.
however. quito hcp to him, and adds the love
favor 70 the story The adventures that befcn this
OF a most thrilling nature and told IN
verne's graphic STYLE There are two very good
characters introduced the correspondents OF French
and English journal Speaking OF these two
men, tho author says:-"Thc strong con-
trast they presented would havo ut once
struck the most superficial observer; but physt
ognomist, regarding them moro closely, would have
defined their characteristics by saying that II tho
Frenchman was all eyes, the Englishman was 'aIl
ears Tho Frenchman, indeed, possessing
in the highest degree what may be called the memory
of tho eyepn "Michael Strogon" s interesting from
beginning end, and not little OF this Ia due to the
capital translation OF Ncssrs Kingston and Chambers
Now, while Heller is creating such an excitement al
his Wonder THEATRE everything rotating to the art o.
magic is interesting. In volume OF modern magic,
published by the English hrm Of George Routledgc &
Co., who have agency In Broome street, In this
city, wo ind number OF Mr. Hoer's tricks explained.
The explanation however, only makes the conjurcrs
powers seem moro marvellous, for they have to be
done so quickly and dexterously. Professor Hor
man. tho author Of this book, writes moro simply than
who pretend to explain the black art, and his II.
lusrations of which there are 3lS are great assist
ancc Professor Hoffman has written with the inten-
ton OF teaching how to do trick as well as telling
now is done. He promises that II the student Will
diligently follow tho instructions given this volume
he will soon abo roll two rabbits into one pro-
duce lighted lanterns from empty hats and take globes
OF gold nsh from pocket handkcrchicis quick
wittcd fellow could master the most OF these
tricks and make himself an amusing member of society
by performing among his friends.
SCHOOLS AND MASTERS PAINTING.
In noticing this volume, entitled "Schools and Mas
tcrs OF Painting" by A. q. Radcliffe ID. Appleton
Col has evidently been great deal OF research
among books art Tho author discusses tho various
schools OF painting with their various leaders, and gets
derabe widespread information into small
space. She seldom gives decided opinion on art nor
is necessary sho should in book OF this character
Where she has done so, notably writing of Ameri-
they been at ALL The book Is prousoy iiiustrated
by the best specimens of tho artists mentioned.
THE LoRD's LANn.
To those who claim tho divino authenticity OF tho
Bible such accept tho reliability OF lis history,
whatever pertains the lands Of the Biblc must bo
invested with tho deepest interest Next to personal
observation Is tho pleasure derived from the acts and
reflections of intelligent, careful and candid tourist
In sTho Lords Land" Nelson Phllips) Dr. Ridgway
has given, In exceedingly attractive form. tho re
suit OF his own researches IN the Desert of the
Exodus ARABIA PetrDa and Palestine Proper, inclusive
OF tho land OF Moab The thoroughness with which
the Doctor pursued his Investigations and the caution
with which he sets forth merit the highest COM
meudation. Tho siylo freo from everything like ex
travagance ia simple, natural and persplcuous. The
descriptions animated and often beautiful The
reader can hardly divest himself Of the Impression
that he boon companion OF the traveller The
mechanical execution, embracing paper typc tustra-
tons and binding IN every respect crcditabc 70 tho
publishers We learn that this work Is meeting with
an ALMOST unprecedented sale.
TREASURES OF ART.
Mcssrs Clay Cosack Co., OF Buffalo, have just sect
us the 6rst numbers OF Treasures OF Art Industry
and Manufacture Represented at the Centennial Exhi
b,tonn The volume ISSUED In parts. Of which there
will be twenty-five Each part contains two illustra
lions in chromo folio size, with descriptive letter
press in English aud French The design Of the wort
s to illustrate the celebrated exhibits Of the Old
and New World that those who visited the Exhbi-
ton may refresh their memories, and those who did
not may see what they missed The parts before
contain faithful represent IN color OF the Gen.
tury vase manufactured by the Gorham Manufacturing
Company; ..Lovc Binds" statue, by Barcaglia, Of
Itay: a group OF Bohemian glass from the Austrian
department. and pulpit IN carved oak from Belgium;
| nv a cer
embroidery and views OF buildings and many other oh.
iecs OF interest The editing Of this work wcIl done
nv General c. b. Norton, VINO was connected IN OIL.
cia capacity with this and ohcr International sxhb
| tons We have seen Centennial memento gorge
| Gus and elaborate ths Both In letter press and
illustration t is attractive and fail apprecia-
| tion as a mcmento Of the great exhibition
THK WALTER CRANE TOY BooRs.
OF the making OF chdrens books there Is no end but
to nd just wants for the boy or grl OF SIX OF
eight wears is not always easy task The old
Juveniles such .Jack and the Bean Stalk, valcntine
md orson,m 'Blucbcard," "Beauty and the Beast -
..puss In Bootsn ssOld Mother Hubbard" Little Red
Riding Hoodn ..CindereIa," and others that could be
named have never been cqualed by the modern
tcrcr to childish tastes. These old favortes have
been gotten up in every style Of type and iustra-
| ton but have never until the Walter Crane edition,
published by Routledge Il Sons, had justice done
them Mr. Cranes illustrations will 1.-Two as long as
the sores for the very simple reason that they are
real art The most captious critic could not hnd fault
with either design painting OF these Illustrations
II MIR. Crane had been making pictures for grown
folks he could not shown or taste The
guras are graceful and the accessories as pictorial ~
in hand painted picture When be draws an interior,
tho furniture and old china no decoratos with are
enough to make the heart OF tho brlc-a-bac hunter
beat high Mr.. Cranes latest contribution to Juvenile
literature is .Thc Baby's Opera" In this are the
words and oi such old songs as Girls and Boys
Come Out Play. DING Dong Doll." ing Cole and
s.Three Blind Mice" In all nttysix Of tho classic
! nursery songs" Each song Is surrounded by oes
,oratiyc border, which Is as admirable TO tho grown
folks as It is fascinating TO tho children