New-York tribune., 1879-03-25
APRIL MAGAZINES.

The Atlantic for this month is not remark
able for its popular attractions, in spite Of several
admirably written articles by favOrtc contributors.
Mr. II. James, jr.s description Of Geneva boarding
house abounds his dssectons Of character, and
touches OF grave humOr, so 10 speak, with wise COM
ments on American life and manners as seen in the
light Of foreign land Mr. Grant White has an anus
ing chapter OF his experience in London lodging 6hOusc
which found fur TO his mind that the ostenaous
living Of an American hotel brief memoir Of the late
Richard Henry Dana, by Mr.. Julius H. Ward, presents
the aged Massachusetts, poet in the latter years OF his
life as silent pensive man, who derived refreshment
from the compaDyof others, but greatly resrryed
and held his abilities somewhat in check" His reg
ious life is also referred the chief and best element
of his character lie separated from his relative. Dr. W.
T. Channingn regard to the Unitarian docrines in which
they had both been brought up but not satisfied with
the Cavinism Of his dav, and finally Joined the Epsc0-
pal communion in which he remained until his death.
His religious temper mellOwed as lie ripened into
years and he felt that practical goodness
important than correctness OF opinion. article
mcnting on Mr. StOry's design for the Washington
Monument points out some reasons for the prevailing
Indifference the subject and urges the completion OF
the work by Congress under the best advice of those
who qualified to give an intelligent judgment, and
with the stimulus of an enlightened public opinion.
There are poems in this number by H. ". LOngtellow,
Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge, and Others
An article IN Harper, on sculpture in America by
s. g. W. Benjamin. gives some interesting biographical
notices Of Hiram Powers. Thomas Bail, ". Story, and
other distinguished sculptors Of this country. with
critical remarks their works, Of which numerous
specimens are gwen among the illustrations OF the
bcr OF Mr. Clark Mills the writer asserts that he pos
sesscs dextcry and talent rather than genius that his
works show little ant feeling; and that we owe his
equestrian statues to the absolute ignorance OF art
the part Of the people. Picturesque Edinourgh, by
Mrs Helen Couant. IS exceedingly attractive descrp
A,11 fIa fnX NJ
Walter Scott calls It, with edy pictures Of the
manners and morals Of the people during the last two
centuries. II most uncOmmOnly Jolly state OF
society," and dissipation prevailed to incredible
tent even the best families. Carct, strong beer and
rum punch flowed streams, and ladies Of the
highest fashion freely INDUCED in the entcng beverage
Frank H. Taylor points out unnoticcd features iu
the "Strcot Scenes OF Havana" Olive Logan has an
amusing history Of the original negro minstrels, and
well written article by Mrs. NJ Rowland on the Phila
dephia Zoo affords very agreeable notices OF the
natural history OF animals. The Practical Illustration
Of Nature" by Dr. j. W. Draper describes the process
by which he obtained some OF the most important re-
suits OF his scientific researches. Mr.. Il. II. SOddard
contributes paper the late poet Dana, containing
curious details OF literature in Boston during the
first quarter Of the present century, and even back
the times OF Mistress Anne BradsjTee with an estimate
of Mr. Dsnas position among American authors, con-
cudlng that he "nOt much of poet as a Of
vigorous intellect who had determined TO be poet and
that reached this determination TOO late in life" In
an article the Kitchen Garden" Mr.. l.. T. Roe let's
the secret OF cuitivang early and cauli
flowers but gives hint 10 the art Of writing pOpu
lar novels. The Illustrations OF this number, usual
are nothing less than magnificent.
The local sketches which make mp a large part OF the
new number of Lippiaeoa comprise Visit to the Old
Shrnes OF Virginia" by Porte CrayOn, The HOOsers
ut Home" by Mary Deane, "a Ladys Life In Bra
I'll" and English Vignettcs." by II. James. Jr., a
series exquisite miniatures OF the lse of WigG the
old town OF Portsmouth. the cities Of Chichester and
Cambridge. and other famous places IN England and
Wales. The writer OF " The HOOsicrs at Home xpa-
tiates enthusiastically on the charms OF the Indiana
climate which she compares TO that OF Bordeaux In
France The Spring Is not brief dream of sweetness
after stormy March, but long gentle season. when the
east wind flows from fragrant hills and forests, and the
fields sprOut in the temperate warmth OF the sun But
the inevitable oompeDsaIoDs OF Nature are experienced