Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-12
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

A short biography of Charles Dickens, by | Charles H. Jones, is added to the Appletons E'New Handy Volume Series." Ia writing this book MT. Jones has put the whole Dick ems literature under tribute, and has very
 judiciously and skillfully condensed the abun-
 dant materials into the compass of Q brief volume, making 1t an agreeable biography, short enough to be read at sitting, yet suf fciently full to satisfy the need of most read CTS in this direction. For sale in this city by Judd the bookseller.
 The republication by the Appletons of the remarkable Memoirs of Napoleon, his Court and Family" by the Duchess D'Abrantes, is very timely, and readers of the Memoirs of Madame de Remusat and of Metternich will
 hasten to read the Memoirs of the Duchess, who
 had special facilities for knowing Napoleons chara cter from the beginning of his career, on
 a,count of the intimacy existing between her
 family and his. Unlike Madame de Rsmusat
 and Metternieh, she worahipped Napoleon
 through much of his reign and never doubted
 his mission to regenerate France. Her Me
 moirs not methodical, but ramble about in all sorts of details and "reminiscences. They are, however, never dull, and in addition to what they reveal concerning Napoleon and his family, give striking picture of the society l of the time. That she had pretty correct from the following: "A point worthy of re- | mark in our character is, that leyity governs l and guides everything within But there is a class in France in which this ievity attains such degree of force, if I I may so express myself, as to acquire con- sistence. Then, indeed, it ceases to deserve ! the name of leyity it become reckless, ip- tolerable self-conceit-a confidence in every | scheme-a contempt for all advice. that bor- ders on insanity. And do you know where this quality is to be found, in spite of experi-
 ence which cries out to them-naks use Of your reason? Why, in the sams Faubourg Saint -Germaine. There you will find togeth CT with the most brilliant valor, the most chivalrous honor, and hundred distinguished qualities, this absolute lack of reason, of judg | ment, and of brains. The most absurd plans rank first" Those who have not read this | book of gossip will find it immensely enter taining, and those who have win find pleasure in rereading it at the present time when so much light Is thrown upon Napoleon and his times. For sale in this city by Judd, the book | seller.
 | "The Life and Writings of St. Johu," by | the late Dr. James M. Macdonald, of Prince ton, New Jersey, and edited after his death by the Dean of Chester, the Very Reverend J. s. Howson, is an important contribution to theological and religious literature The plan of the book is to present in one view all | parts of St. Johns life in their connection with one another and with his writings, and | also in connection with the life of Christ and \ the founding of his Church. Modern criti- | cism has assumed that the author of the ! fourth Gospel and the Revelations could not | be the same man. Dr. Macdonald took for ! granted the authenticity of the writings at | tributed to St. John and placed the date at ! which the Book of Revelations was written
 between the Gospel and the Epistles- The | biographic element is traced out with affection ! and much insight, the legends and traditions are recounted and digested, and fair com mentary on the apostles complete writings is \ offered, together with the full text in the &C., | cspted version. The book is illustrated with maps and full page engravings of cities and places connected with the life of St. John. \ Published by Charles Scribners Sons, New | York, and for sale in this city by Judd the