The Portland daily press., 1878-03-30
Recent Publications.

Brothers, New York, Loring, Short & Har-
mon, Portland,) is an octave of 500 pages, with
star maps and 112 engravings, which gives q
comprehensive and very interesting account of
astronomical discovery up to the present time.
Some of the statements will be new to the gen.
eral reader. He states that the tide producing
power of the sun is four-tenths that of the
moon. At new and full moon the two bodies
unite their forces and produce the "spring-
tides" At the first and third quarters they
oppose each other and produce the "neap-
tides"
The first telescopes were made in Holland
about 1908
Experiments show that electricity travels
about 5000 miles second on telegraphc wires,
while light travels about 1856 900 miles second.
The earth moves in its orbit about eighteen
aud third miles q second, and our sun with
its attendant planets is approaching Arcturus
at the speed of forty-one miles second.
Sirius is often said to be the nearest fixed
star. This is incorrect. 1t is four times as
distant as Alpha in the Centaur which is the
nearest and which is twenty millions of mil
lions of miles distant. The next nearest US is
No 81 in the Swan. Sirius is receding from
US at the rate of 25 miles second, while Alpha
in the Swan is approaching at the rate of
Al miles second, and in about 100000 years
will be the nearest and brightest star. To
illustrate the distances of the fixed stars the
author says that if spectator starting from
the Sun could travel with such rapidity as to
pass Neptune (2775 millions of miles) in "a
hours, his speed being about $4,000 miles
second, 1t would take him eighteen or twenty
years to reach the nearest fixed star, and as
much. longer to reach the next.
Another idea, popularity believed in, that all
the stars are revolving around central su
(Alcyone suggested), he pronounces without
foundation. 1t is only known that the stars
are moving and that our system is going in the
direction Of Hercules.
he says "the views of Swedenborg are re-
markably in accordance with recent views of
the subject as regards the actual changes which
took place during the formation of the
planets.''
The latest theory of meteors is that they fol-
low In the track and appsrtain to comets Of
comets, that the tail is a vapor, flying off from
1t like the smoke from locomotive. In speak,
~Ae ~ ~AASASaAy hO eeyo ~ oAiuCo Wltu UIil-
liant white light, brighter than any fixed star
except Sirius. 1t can be best seen this year on
April 14th, August 9th. and December 9th.
DR.. Hill informs US that it can be best found
April 4th or 9TH, as it will then be nearly in
line with and between the new moon and the
sum- April 4th it will set 81 minutes after the
sun; 9th, 60 minutes; 10th, "a minutes; 22d,
IS minutes. The sun will set at from 6. "a to
6.43, from the 4th to the Goth. Many of our
readers have doubtless tried in vain to see this
planet, and will avail themselves of this favor
able opportunity. If they fail they can con-
sole themselves with the reelection that Copper
nicus also failed and died without the sight.
The Manual Prepared for the Training
School of Nurses Attached to Bellevue Hospi-
tal is most timely and valuable contribution
On behalf of a class of benevolent institutions
where claims are more and more acknowledged
IS the world advances farther in practical
Christian work. The present volume is COM
pact in form, simple in style, easy of reference.
1t is the result of much experience and ac-
indebtedness also to other author-
lies who have best treated the subject. It aims
10 place under the authority Of the physician
and surgeon trained aids who shall know what
10 report to him and how to intelligently
larry out his direction. There is much beside
hat pertains more entirely to the personal
iuties of the nurse, whose avocation is by no
means lightly considered.
Promising that "there is perhaps no calling
n life which demands a more constant exer
of .U <ho A., L.. .ne
nursing the SICK" it proceeds to give directions
n detail not only as to the larger and more OBJ
'ious duties of the nurse, but also those little
liceties of treatment on which the recovery of
ppetite and consequently of strength will often
epend; trifies seemingly to the we'll ones, but
ften vastly importans to sensitive invalids.
seing designed chiefly for hospital nursing
many of the directions refer to the care of pa
tents in wards-to those suffering from acci-
ents, or such as are under surgical treatment
Fith the favorable surroundings that good
ospttal affords; but nearly all is more or less
vailabls ia such cases at home, while some
ortion of the manual is devoted to "home
ursing." The chapter on the care of sick
hildren will be found full of good suggestions,
specially when sudden emergencies call for
rompt action before the doctor can arrive.
New York: Putnam s. Sous; Portland: Lor.
ng, Short & Harmon.
By Celia's Arbor, is the pretty and fanciful |
tile of Messrs Besant and Rice's latest novel. |
Harper Brothers.: New York, Portland: Lor-
ng, Short & Harmony. This is brightly and
Tel written story, with several OF the
humorous characterizatons in VIII ich the |
uthors succeed so we'll to amuse their
eaders, even though the por traits be
setched a little more vividly than
probability warrants. The healthful, manly
md not seldom genuinely poetic style, the fine
md rapid movement that are associated with
be novels of Messrs Besant and Rice in the
mind of the reader Of current fiction-will be
ound here in good measure. There is also a
peal flavor of London life that is very artistic
nd pleasing. The illustrations are good.
By Proxy (New York: Harper Brothers; |
Loring, Short & Harmony is fairly |
Tell written novel by James Psyn, already |
nown as the author Of several works of fic-
ion. 1t contains vivid but disagreeable por-
raitures of the life of English residents in /
,hina, and the plot, which is quite ingenious,
) we'll carried out. 1t is not especially pleas
ng; and the co uversations, when they aim ct |
Brightness, are apt to fall into tiresome verbal |
eats of punning and other far-fetched GYM
lastics of the vocabulary. When it is more |
erious Mr.. Payn's style is very good.