National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

| MARY MARSTON: A Novel BY GEORGE MAC
DONALD, author of ANNALS of Quiet Neghbor-
hood " Robert Falconer," &c. New York: D. Ap-
pleton / Co. Washington: W. Il. d o. H. Morri
son.
This highly attractive story is written in the
authors best vein The characters are all strongly
drawn, and are mainly types of those met with in
everyday life. the interest is preserved to the
close. and there is an elevated sentiment pervad
ing the entire book that gives feeling not only OF
pleasure, but decided satisfaction after its perusal
| WANDERING THOUGHTS AND WANDERING
STEPS. By q Philadelphia lady. PhilaleI-
phia: J. D. Lippincott Co. Washington: VIII
liam Ballantyne.
Books Of travel are always interesting and this
little volume is peculiarly showing, it does,
the keen powers of observation possessed by the
writer as well also as giving some highly enter
tanning reflections upon the customs and habits of
the countries and people whom she visited. That
her mind was not turned By the titled aristocrats
of the Old World is fully proved by the deep spirit
of thorough Amerieanism that is met with in
nearly every chapter.
A VILLAGE COMMUNE: A Story BY "opIDA,"
author or Under Two Flags" Moths"
"Idalia," "strathmore, DC. Philadelphia: J.
B. Lppincott & Co. Washington: G. A. Whitaker.
"ouida's" novels are always fascinating and
powerfully written, although extra moral people
have expressed the opinion that there was not
much benefit to be derived from their reading.
Perhaps in some of her stories she has presented
characters and incidents which were too highly
colored, and which did not come up 10 the &C
cepted moral code. Yet it cannot be denied that
people with the same passions are daily met with.
Her power of description is wonderful, and the
scenes described by her gifted pen stand boldly
and sharply before the minds eye, does the
painting On the canvas before the natural vision.
In this work the scene is laid in quiet Italian
village and the characters mainly simple peas
ants. The aim of the work is evidently to show
that the administration of law is not always at
tended with justice, on account of the trickeTy
or hypocrisy of the administrators of that law.
There is a communistic tendency, if the ills of
maladministraton could be remedied by the
breaking up of all laws. The story is well told
and the theories advanced are presented with all
thesubtlety power, and fascination which Ouida
so well knows how TO employ.
AN ANECDOTAL HISTORY OF THE BRITISH
PERIODS 10 THE PRESENT TINE. With no
tees of eminent parliamentary men and exam
pies of their Oratory. By GEORGE Henry JEN-
NINGs New York: d. Appleton < Co. Wash
ington: W. II. & o. H. Morrison.
This is a most valuable work, and contains an
amount ofinformation rarely met with in single
volume Its arrangement is admirable. and the
anecdotes of the most celebrated English states
men who have illuminated the British Parliament
with their briIliancy and wisdom are both enter
tanning and instructive. In addition to the per
| solsl anecdotes there are histories of the most
prominent events that have taken place, stating
who were the actors and the influence those oe-
currences had upon the pending or subsequent
legislation. The remarkable expressions of emf
nent debaters which have passed into political
proverbs are set forth with historical accuracy,
/ and the circumstances surrounding these utter
anees are also sufficiently alluded TO to indicate
/ the motive which impelled them. 1t is a book of
ready reference, both to politicians and also to
those engaged in literary pursuits well as to the
general reader.
THE ATOMIC THEORY. By AID. WURTz, Membre
de PInstitut Doyen Honoraire de Ia Faculte de
Medicine, Professor la Faculte DIES Sciences
] de Paris Translated by E CLEMISsHAw NJ A.
+. c. g, F. /. C., Assistant Master ct SherboTne
| School New York: ID. Appleton & Co. Wash
ington: W. H. d o. H. Morrison.
/ This development of a theory which has for
ages-even since the Greek philosophers put for
ward the hypothesis of atoms-engrossed the at
tenion of the scientific world is logically wrought
out in clear and concise manner. The work is
divided into two books: Atoms and "Atomieity."
To chemists and scientists this volume, which is
one the International Scientific Series, will prove
| most valuable.
| SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL: HIS LIFE AND
| WORKS BY EDWARD 5. HOLDEN, United States
| Naval Observatory, Washington. New York
| Charles Scribners Sons. Washington: Robert
Beal.
| Mr.. Holden has brought to his work the thorough
| appreciation and sympathy in the undertakings OF
the eminent scientist and philosopher whose biog-
| rapiy he has here given in form which will be
! eagerly read. His data have been acquired prin-
cipally from the memoir of HerschePs sister and
his own scientific and philosophical writings, and
AZ
/ ries. The extracts given in the work are full of
interest, and in his presentation of the material
which he has 50 carefully gathered the author has
! plainly been aetuated by professional and per-
sOna admiration for the man who was the greatest
! practical astronomer and one of the most pro-
found philosophers of the present century.
! GIEANINGS IN THE FIELDS OF ART. BY
! EDwAED ID. CHENEY. Boston: Lee & Shepard
| The progress or art including painting sculp-
! turc and architecture, from the Greek down to
the present time is briefly sketehcd in this work,
and comments intelligent and carefully con-
sidered. upon the works of the great mas
tiers, as to the influence their styles subjects and
execution had upon subsequent eras are freely
made. This is degree of information and critical
suggestion which will prove of very great value to
the young art student, while the entire book will
be read with interest by all lovers of art and
/ art products.
| MOTHERHOOD: Pcem. Boston: Lee & Shep-
ard.
/ The elevated thought and chosen diciion of this
poem or rather series OF poems fully carry ont the
authors intention as set forth in the brief preface,
to portray in its purity and holiness the most
beautiful instincts of humanity" As a sample of
the simplicity and chaSteness Of thought the fol-
| lowing stanzas from Ny Nursling" are quoted:
Baby and are alone,
/ Just baby and II
His eyes look ND and mine look down.
And the love that flashes in sympathy
Is the gem in the crown.
J His dimpled hand is at rest,
Like a soft rose-leaf,
And cheek and lip lie OIL my breast
With pressure of trust, dear past belief
90 true, so blest.
PARLOR VARIETIES. Boston: Lee & Shepard.
I This little book contains an excellent selection
ofplays, pantomimes, and eharades, well-adapted
for parlor representation, and which win also be
found useful for school and society exhibitions.
WHEAT CULTURE: How to Double the Yield and
Increase the Profits. By ID. 5. CURTIss. New
| York: Orange Judd Company.
! The great importance of the wheat crop and the
necessity for proper knowledge OF the most ap-
| proved methods to be employed in its culture is
readily admitted by all who viii for q moment
think upon the subject. Colonel Curtiss, the au-
thor, has made the subject one OF CAREFUL ana dln
gent study, and has given forth a work which
should De in the possession of every farmer in the
/ land
| THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RED BOOK.
| Mr. c. r. Lord, General Passenger Agent of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, yesterday, through
the agency of Mr.. Scott the wellknown news sgent
at the Capitol, placed on the desk of each member
of Congress a copy of the new Baltimore and Ohio
Red Book tastefully gotten up little volume,
issued by that enterprising road to the double
purpose of advertisement and a book of refer
encc for persons taking an interest in things polit