Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-07-04
New Books Received.

THE EASTERN QUESTION By James NJ. Bug
bee. Boston: J. K. Osgood & Coin addition
tn their former publications on this fruitful topic
Messrs. Osgood 4 Co have issued three new ones
First, the one with the above named title, whicl
is remarkable as combination of brevity anc
omprehensiyeness, thus giving in nutshell jus
the Information which every one wants in orde
to insure an intelligent understanding of th'
causes of the present war The resources of boil
hellgerents are carefully given and an abstract
the treaties existing between each and the United
States. Second Brief History Of Russia b
Frances A. Shaw. This little book takes up tn
history of Russia from the earliest times an,
carries it down to the present time, giving yer,
short account of the successive dy Dasties Third
4 BRIEF History Of Turkey translated from tn,
German of DR.. johannes Bloch WITT, by Mrs. NJ
Wesselhoeit. This is just what its title would in
dictate, compact and very entertaining accoun'
of the rise and formation of the Ottoman empire
which is appended an index explaining man,
Of the unintegbe Turkish erms, which are So
constantly met with in all accounts of Eastern
affairs. All of these books contain singularl
complete and ineligible maps, which add great,
to their value. 70 be obtained at Phinneys.
AFrERGLow: A Novel Boston; Roberts Broth.
.--Tls is the latest of this already famous
series, and is in some respects the best. Lacking
the marvellous metaphy sical powers of its immed.
late predecessor, "A Modern Mephistopheles, "
and the pure simplicity of Mercy Philbrick's
Choice" it still may be said to deserve Il higher
place in the ranks of fiction than either. The
style and character of the story more nearly re-
semble those of Ksmet," the first Of the series
The plot is simple, and yet not simple as would
appear from a superficial perusal. Altogether
we think it is far more wholesome than any of the
others, unless it be Mercy phibricl's Choice. ~
The scene of the tale is laid in Dresden, and il
treatment of society and social customs of the
American and English Coonists in that city i,
peculiarly noticeable, This novel has the same
mi-pathetic ending, characteristic of the
novels of this series, and which certainly does moi
detract from their interest or their popularity
| There has been a good deal of speculation Il
the name of its author, but in the midst of SC
many conflicting opinions of good judges nothing
definite can be decided upon, and indeed after al
it doesn't matter so much to most people whC
writes such interesting books so long as they
have them TO read. For sale by Phinney
GARTH; novel by Julian Hawthorne New
York: Harper Il Brothers Very many reader
of Harpers Magazine have, of course, read th
novel in monthly installments as it appeared
The scene is laid in New Hampshire, though 1
| large share Of the business pertaining to it wal
transacted in Europe The characters are strongly
| drawn, and the author has made them strikingll
consistent throughout the book Although sew
eral critics have been at a good deal of pains :,
detmct from the merits OF the story, we are quit
certain that the reading public will, us a rule
widely disagree with them To say that Mr.
Hawthorne is as fine writer as his father, is 60
ing good deal too far; but to state that Garth
is not great ways above mediocrity is goinl
inst AS far the other way. In reality, the stOr,
represents wonderful conflict of mental force
arrayed against each other; and the dexterit,
with which the conflict is conducted is certiinl,
remarkable. The plot is full OF subordinate plot
aud counter-plots, which are related with extraor
binary skill Julian Hawthorne is pretty gener
ally regarded rs the author of " A Modern Meph
tophees," in which the plot is almost who'll.
In the minds of the characters To write such
book as that would, of course, require create
skill and keener insight into the working of tn
human mind than 10 produce such n work u
"Garth," but still the latter is the better novel
the two. In the former tho characters are NOR
dramatic and sensational, aud In the latter the
are more rational and truer to human nature BE
yond doubt, Garth is very decided success
and will be received with the heartiest oordialit
by the reading public, For sale by Phinney.