The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-21

people began TO borrow hints for decoration. Mrs
sponord shows The influence women hao In bringing
about the comforts Of The greater part Of this
volume il dsvoted racing Of the history OF DIFF
terent articles OF household necessity. such the
seat the bed the table. sidsboard mirror: and the
different styles OF furniture-the Gothic "reminiscences
Eiixsbethan, Jaeoocan. the Louis, many others,
down 20 the Eastake which cold, uncomfortable style
she zoos not swallow whole like many household art
reormers In chapter devoted 10 carpets the writer
sAys-swhasever DO the carpet the richest Administer
or the cheapes, Ingram. border always be found
20 atch t. and should be used whore u possible 10
compass shs additional expense, since carpet Is al
much enhanced by the border az . jewel is by the
settingn The next chapter treats OF curtains, and
gives many hints on the subject. Wall paper is the
subject OF the next ehaptsr.-sIt Is very far from
being an affair Of small consequence, as
many ssem 10 think u 10, what the paper
may be in . ROOM since with cabinets and pic
tures and brackets and sconces and and busts
and old china, nearly cover II very far, be-
cause whatever be the furniturs large share 9th
whole temperament OF the room Will be given by the
wall paper; and - II only now and then that come
across person with any transmitting power capable
Of saking ugly paper that may be removed and
by means OF different ones representing dado and
iriezs and edginga, securing . harmonious and
quite satisfactory whole" For the benefit OF those
who have bus money. want 10
disngure thar walls with cheap paper patterns, Mrs
sponord suggests the rough kitchen iourpenny paper
thar put wrong side out, when It's pattern 10 out
slightly stamped presents q uniform gray surface
like something . great deal more expensive and.
where the pattern heavily stamped, presents .
damascened gray surface. This 10 not . bad doa for
those who cannot afford Morris paper but want
good background Tor pictures and fans The chapter
the dining room ,s very interesting aud contains
sl,ctk sail
upon. "Furnishing." says the writer "ai,nougn
really trivial to be left ocntcmptuously TO
the and girls Of the family. Its study Is as i'm
portant in respects the study OF politics; for
the private homo the foundation OF the public state,
subtle and unmagined Influences moulding the men
who mould; tho date and the history OF furniture it.
SELF indeed involves the history OF nations. The art
OF furnishing comprehends much more than the Knack
Of putting pictures and tables and chairs into suitable
correlation; comprchends largo part of the art OF
making home attractive and OF shaping the family
with the gentle manners that make lie easier to one
and pleasanter to all and il would seem as II the
people who como out Of pleasant homes would have
their sympathies and humantes cultivated by the
influence OF their surroundings that they would be
more earnest TO mako homes possible for ALL" Mrs.
Sponord's book Is prousely illustrated with pictures
made from antique and modern designs, and will, we
are sure be q welcome visitor many homes. The
information in this volume Is largely made up from
standard works the subject OF furniture, with tho
authors own ideas given at the end.
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.
A universal Portuguese dictionary, to be embraced
in three quarto volumes, is In press at Lisbon
Mr. Thomas Hardy's new story, ''rhe Return of the
Native" will begin In the January number Of Bel
grauia
A forthcoming biography Of Abd-sLKader will DO
written by his son.
Philip G. Hamerton's latest book, Biographies o +
Modern Freuchmen,n will be reprinted by Roberts
Brothers, Boston.
A Mohainmedan criticism Of Dickens, founded on
the last page Of David CopperAeld, runs thus:-"I
surprise that this books author being the composer
Of many other novels, has got such a style without
taste Though its style Is very regularly made. yet
the mind OF the reader 10 willing even
page thoroughly. II seems to me that its author
was not an Ineligible Those dimcu.ies which suf-
fered during OF the study hts idle book
can't express them. Sometimes the wretched author
tries write and deliver some Grafton, yet suddenly
no falls In at OF dulnesa In short, this book Is quito
an unpleasng TO the heart Of the glowing heart Let
the reader see and confess my observatlon!"
NJ Ernest Renan has written report to the Asiatic
Society OF PARIS greatly prasing n Darmestester's
s.Ormagd ct Ahriman."
.Havorty's Irish American Almanac for 1872 is pub
lished by p N. Havsrty, No. q Barclay street, New
YORK. It's neat and ample book OF reference, taste
fully illustrated
'.rhe illustrated Catholic Family Almanac for 1872
calculated different parallels OF atitude) is issued
by the Catholic Publication Society, No. Barclay
street, New York.
s.vennor's Almanac and Weather Record for lS78,"
with blank leaves for memoranda. is printed by
Messrs. John Dougaii 4 Son, Montreal, Canada
The Appletons are hurryng Mr.. Davis up on his
memoirs Jadge Tsnney has gone South to see II Mr.
Davis will got his second volume ready time TO
be published with his FIRST.
On tho LIST Of January D. Appleton Co. win publish
the North American RevieU, heretofore published by
James r. Osgood ca Mr. Thorndiko Rice will con-
tnue editor and proprietor.
Mr. George W. Carleton 10 author who has the adj
vantage OF being his own publisher and his artist,
He has just issued little book, called ''Our ARTIST in
Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algers" which 10 . carcature
Of his travels, and ID exceedingly amusing. The
thors trademark II a miniature chicken, that mimics
In a corner OF the page whatever the people IN the
main drawing may be dong. The book is fun Of fun
and will keep person laughing good hour