Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-13
hbW PUBLICATIONS

compact 8yo. volume, entitled "A Manual
of Classical Literature" comprising biograph
icaI and critical notices of the principal
Greek and Roman authors, with illustrative
extracts from their works. Also brief sur
vey of the rise aud progress OF the various
forms of literature, with descriptions of the
minor authors The work is by Charles Nor
ris. 1t is a work which will attract much
attention and excite 10 little criticism. The
critical treatment of his subjects by MIR.
Morris will run counter to the views of some
literary students, but none can examine the
volume and not concede that the author has
been conscientious and thorough. So far as
it has been possible for us to examine the
work critically, we are enabled to pronounce
in It's favor TRANSACTIONS of critical
literature abundant enough, hut few OF
them are adapted to the uses of the student
In school. This work aims to give a birds
eye view of all the Classics, and very evil
dently the author is capable OF pointing out
their salient typical features The informa-
tion Is given with such diIectnsss and def-
niteness as TO be easily remembered. he has
incorporated in his plan chapters descriptive
of the rise and progress of the different forms
of literature, and has grouped closely writers
on similar subjects, thereby giving tar clearer
ideas Of the theme than any strictly chrome
logical plan could, while his style is easy.
fluent and attractive. Though designed Tor
use in schools and colleges, it will be found
Of interest and value to the general reader.
Mr. Morris says of his work 10 his PREDATORY
note concerning the al II of his work: " Ii
this work succeeds in giving a just, though
necessarily very concise idea OF the history,
genius and style OF the various Greek and
Roman authors, and thus saves, in many in-
stances, the necessity If much more extern
sive course of stu6y, the authors purpose will
be gained while, if an extended course is
desired, this manual may prove of utility as
a handbook to the broad realm OF the Glass
les" The book is for sale by a. J.. Bancroft
IL Co, San Francisco.
Learning to Draw. or the Story of
Young Designer" is the title of an Svo., full
bound freely illustrated volume of over 800
pages, by the distinguished author, Voillet
lie Due, now deceased. 1t is translated by
Virginia Champlain, is published by G. P.
Pusnam's Sons, New York, and is for sale
by a L. Bancroft & Co. 1t is peculiarly
characteristic of the authors comprehensive
method of instruction and, while starting
from 50 simple a text as a child's sketch of
cat, It embraces IN its moderate compass a
very wide range of Information, all of which
is shown to belong to proper comprehension
of the business OF learning to draw. LIE Due
maintained that the perceptive faculties must
be thoroughly developed and cultivated be-
fore it Is possible to know whether or not the
student possesses any creative power. He
insisted, further, that it is possible to cause
art and what is admirable in mans handi-
work as well as The beauty of Coos creation,
to be comprehended by undeveloped as well
as by educated minds; and this belief formed
the keynote of much of his life's work.
With this end in view he addressed himself
.4yIfh nc 70 or Ganfc
as 10 sarants and always took pains to find
the simplest methods Of expressing the in
structiOn he had to give. The especial feat
ure Of this instruction, whether in his books
or his lectures, is its suggestiveness. The
volume will prove of service to American stu
dents and teachers, and will do its part in the
development in this country of the true prin-
ciples Of art-education.
g. p Putnam's Sons, New York, have is
sued a small book which ought to fall into all
hands. 1t is entitled "Hints for Home
Reading" 1t is edited with an introduction
by Lyman Abbott, and consists of series of
CT lte-s on books and their use, from the pens
of Warner. Sweetser, Perkins, Ham,i1, Ma
bic Hale, Cook, Beecher and Abbott. There
is included list OF books suggested as proper
for libraries. This list is compiled by George
Palmer Putnam. TIE book is not to be
wholly Endorsed by our opening statement.
Not all the holdings in the essays are to
be taken as gospel literary truth, but the book
should have general circulation because it is
En the line of the study of literature, and will
aid in the growth of the habit Of home and
library readiag. There is quite as much dam
age done by reading as by its neglect very
aften. What to read is question import
ant as how to read Whatever directs atten-
tion to either subject awakens thought, slim
ulates inquiry, and must result in good.
Every home ought TO have a library as well
kitchen, and filth, trash and numbering
up articles should be no mere tolerated in the
one than the other.
1.-THE Atlantic Monthly" tHoughton,
Mitflin & Co., BOSTON, is at hand for Decem-
Der. Its leading papers are Libel and Its
Legal Remedy" by Z. l.. Gcdkin; "All
Saints Eve" by Rose Terry Cooke; THE
Later Writings of Mr.. Mallock :" "The
Romance of Sunrise Rock" by Charles Egg
lem," by Emma E. Brown; 1.-THE Esthetic
Value of the Sense of Smell, by Henry L.
Einck "reminiscences of Washington :"
The Transitional American Woman" by
Kate Gammet Wells Benjamin PIERCE
Astronomer, Mathematician, by Oliver
Wendell Holmes; "Dr. Heidenhoff ifs Pro-
cess = Mary Wollstoncraft. by George E.
v.
William B. Weeden. III by Willard Brown
Norton's Medieval Church Building;"
a. The Memorial History of Boston,"
Another of the Harper & BrothersI' Eng
lish Men of Letters" series is entitled
Byron" 1t is by John Nichol who gives
US the ancestry and family history of the
poet and sketches of his early years and
school life. and then passes to the first period
of his authorship. From that out we are
given III . very concise manner, and in an adj
mirsble style, an account of Byron's travels,
his life in London, his correspondence, his
marriage and separation, his foreign wander
ings, his association with distinguished PEG.
pie of his age, and lastly are treated his chief
poetical and dramatic works. The volume
is concise historical record, and as a critical
work will take rank with the most impartial |
of the many reviews of Byron and his pro- |
auctions. The book is for sale by A. l.. |
Bancroft & Co.
Good Company" is a monthly magazine |
published at Springfield, Mass. 1t is jour-
nal of good order. 1t is designed for the |
great middle class of thoughtful American
readers, moving neither in the cloud-realm of |
criticism nor upon the low plane of trifing |
literature 1t is bright bold, simple, earnest |
and vivacious without being gaudy, hippant, |
radical or merely funny. Its stories articles |
and editorials appear to be on plane that is |
level with good thought. the practical in life. |
and the desire for light but wholesome, en-
PERTAINING and instructive reading. The |
magazine is new to our desk, and the judg- !
ment formed of it is the result of the exam
ination of three successive numbers. 1t is in
its sixth volume, and is of a character and
tone TO make it welcome to our table.
Cassell, Peter, Galpin & Co., New York,
have issued two small books for children that
are OF especial value. The first is The Lit
tie Folks Black and White Painting Book"
with accompanying rhymes and stories in
verse. The second is Sc Pictures to Paint,
with stories and vel ses. Both are aimed at
properly directing the natural tendency of
nearly all children to dabble in water-colors
and to sketch and draw They are admira-
n l . l. LIZ