New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-17

the systematic b0anst shows his tact, anu VIC ieeI
sure that those who make use Of " The Flora VIII
find that the eye of the author has lost none OF It's
early keencss, and that his perception OF the es-
sental characters is as acute as ever.
While we welcome this instalment of the Flora
of North America as an important event in the
history Of American botany, and announce its ap-
pearance with no little national pride. we utter the
wish of every American botanist when We express
the hope that its author may be spared to complete
the work so admirably begun.
sEoLA. 12mo PIP. 2jl. Lee Shepard
In this fanciful effusion the letter of revela-
ton furnishes materials for rhapsodical romance
The brief and ambiguous hints Of Scripture in regard to
the intercourse of the sons Of with the daughters OF
men are expanded into succession OF brilliant fables
According to the theory Of the writer derived rom the
traditions Of Genesis and the legends OF profane history
in the early ages Of the world certain angelic beings
left the service of the Lord, assumed the likeness OF
men, became frequent visitors to the earth, formed an
intimate acquaintance with the women OF the PERIOD
and were made the fathers Of nondescript race,
equally remarkable for physical magnifcence and
spiritual corruption In process OF time these wonderful
subyeted the government OF the earh ana
filled II with violence and crime. The Deluge was ap-
pointed a punishment for their sin. On this scany
basis OF primitive Oriental faith the author has erected
stupendous structure OF fantasy and hcton SURPRISING
in extravaganza the widest dreams OF poetry run mad
The dyllic travesties of Gesser and Rlopstock and
the gorgeous inventions Of Ingraham and Headley
are mild IN comparison, and the palm must
certainly be accorded TO "SeOla" Tor clothihg
the carcatures Of tho Bible in intOerabe splendors
In depicting tho scenes OF her exuberant imagina-
ton for the work could have proceeded only from the
pen Of woman) the writer displays preternatural
power of description. She calls upon all the resources
Of heaven and earth to lend their WINGS and soaring in
her adventurous flight reyels in the contemplation and
expression Of audacious impossibties. The dread
secrets Of supenal experience grow commonplace under
her touch while she deyOtes to their illustration the
same artistic fecundlty which would suffice for the
creation Of landscape or the composition Of epic.
Indeed she nmates that the work is not the fruit of
ordinary conscious power but tAe product OF an in
vouary impulse called forth by listening TO the per-
Torrance OF a strange and marvellous piece OF music
In essaying TO reveal the supernatural her method is
that of mystic inspiration.
THE PRINCIPLES OF RHETORIC AND THEIR AP'
PLICATIoN. By ADAM s. HILL" limo. PIP 2sS. Har'
per Brothers.
In this compact and convenient manual, the
Professor OF Rhetoric and Oratory in Harvard College
has presented the fruits Of bis own experience III prac
teal teaching together with numerous excellent sugges
tions from previous standard writers on the subject
Professor Hill considers rhetoric not science but as
art! aiming at the communication of thouGhtby means
of language His work model Of simplicity and clear
ness OF method treating first Of grammatical purity and
the choice and Of words. and then Of the application
OF rhetorical principles to the different kinds OF compo-
stion The rules which he lays down are illustrated by
a OF familiar examples training the student 10
the formation of good habit if he fails to find his
clearly through the intrcacies OF good English In
pointing out the right selection Of words distinguished
from vicious usage the author is especially severe on
the affected and fantastic expressions by which con-
ceited writers corrupt the purity OF the language In
addition to the stock phrases OF which the correctness
and absurdy have been frequently exposed Profes
Hill has gathered an abundance OF new examples
from standard writer's showing that the use OF idomac
English is no less difficult than keeping the Command
ments
The discourses on "The Early American
Spirit" delivered before the NewYork Historical soci-
ETY. at the celebration Of its Seventeen Anniversary.
and The Declaration Of Independence" delivered
before the citizens OF NewYork at the Centennial Ami
versary by Richard g. storrs, d. d. have been Tepub'
lshed in elegant large paper edition by A. d. f. Ran
dolph Co. Toe fine historical sense the ample learn
ing the vgor and beauty Of expression the spendor OF
illustration which mark these productions render them
snguarly worthy record OF the spirit and principles
Of American freedom nober tribute TO the honor OF
American history has been presented in more
impressive and admigs,11ie itr,p =