The New York herald., 1879-08-25


fatnomable mysteries-the mounds of the west-are
among the few proofs that have of antiquity.
and any new facts concerning them are sure to at
tract audience of interested readers. Mr. Conant
has spent his life in the shadow of some Of the
largest mounds. and their exploration has been one
his greatest delights He utterly scouts the idea
OF these mounds being relics of the Indians. for the
reason that they contain implements utterly I'M
known to the red men of North America.
Some of these mounds large that houses
are built upon them. with large gardens attached.
From MIR. Conant's point OF view no theory is
admissible which does not contemplate the migra-
tions of the tribes which appeared at differ
ent times upon the table lands OF Mexico during
period Of 1900 years or more. as the movements of
the different branches Of the Nahua race. whose
ancient must be sought for in the great auva
plains OF the Mississippi Valley. The territory oc-
cupied by the mound builders too large he argues
the evidences of dense population throughout its
length and breadth too numerous to permit us to
suppose that its occupancy was of short duration
There is also WIDE difference in the respective
ages Of many of the mounds Some manfestly
hoary with age while others of recent date. To
those who have but general idea of mounds we
advise the reading OF this book. which is small and
contains great deal of important and interesting
information.
LITERARY CHIT CHAT
1t is denied that the Marquis of Lorne is engaged
book about Canada.
NJ. C. vosmaer's translation of the 'Iiad" into
Dutch is progressing rapidly.
"Psyche'' is the name of DIR. George MacDonslds
forthcoming dramatic story.
A catalogue is beirg made of the Arabic manu-
scripts IN the National Library of Paris.
Mr.. George w. Cable author OF "Creole Days."
sal.l
'fhe Grandissimes."
'Ladies' Dogs" by Dr. Gordon Stables. is q book
containing complete description of the various
breeds of Trays Banches and swsethearts.
The August Lippinc0n is quite an illustrated num-
ber and very prettily draws the Caskills with pen
and pencil. Mr.. H. H. Boyesens "Reminiscences Of
Bayard Taylor" are exceedingly interesting. and
glad to learn that the widow of the poet has
large number of letters from him. written with an
eve to publication.
Bradstreet's Commercial Reports for July are pub
lished in Of the stout quarto volumes SO we'll
known in business offices, and containing the usual
valuable Information to the business standing of
merchants. manufacturers. bankers and business
firms Of every description throughout the United
States and Canada. n
The August North american coptains among other
things some extracts from "The Diary OF Pub
posedly by Thurlow Weed. There is also an
article on Garrison by Wendell Phillips, who
says:-"Of course he had faults. But was honored
to stand so near him for forty years that some I
could not and others have forgotten. As
Bolingbroke said Of one Of Marlborough's defects,
He was so great man that forgot he had that
weakness" Mr.. E. A. Freeman's paper "The
Power of Dissolution" deals with the power OF the
English throne to dissolve the Parliament. The
tcle by Richard Wagner has already been noticed in
this paper.
Mr.. Joseph W. Kirkland, who writes Of an expert
ment in paywriting in the August AAantic. must
have had the experience. he details it so true to ma
ture. Lydia Maria Child writes enthusiastically of
William Lloyd Garrison in the same number. and
Mr. Kelly. the artist deals gentle rap at Mr. Lin
ton. the engrsver, who seems to be getting some
pretty hard hits his foolish article in recent
atlantic. "H H." contributes a charming poem on
"Petite Marie and Benezet" and Richard Grant
White. having dropped words for while hnds him
self in Rural England"
In continuation of their series Of illustrated
biographies of "rhe Great Artists" Scribner 4 We'll
ford publish "aphael." from the text Of Passavant
and Springer. by N. d'Anvers. and "sir Antony Van
Dyck aud Franz HAS," from that Of Lemcke and
others. by Percy r. Head. The illustrations which
accompany both volumes somewhat better than
those of the hrst two of the which recently
noted In the work Raphael the drawing OF his
immense fresco 'The Battle Of Constantine" is ex-
cellent. In the part Of the second volume devoted
to Van Dyck the engravings Of the paintings Syn
die Meerstraten" and ''Ecce Homo" deserve mention
and the reproduction Of Franz Halls etched portrait
Of himself is effective.