The Portland daily press., 1881-02-05
Recent Publications.

Sir William Herschel His Life and Works.
By Edw ard S. Holden, New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons; Portland: Loring Short &
Harmony. This biography of he great astron-
omer is as charming in literary way as it is
valuable in the department of science. The
reader is inclined to admiration of Herschel's
character, at sight of the spirited, gentle and
firm cou ntenance that looks forth from the
frontispiece (Which is, by the way particu-
larly well executed piece of steel engraving)
The biography is evidently congenial task to
Prof Holden, who occupies position at the
Naval Observatory at Washington, and whose
daily work is in the line of this chosen subject
of his literary labor. 1t seems strange that
full memoir of the life of man so eminent as
Herschel should not have been written before
"a life which was so full of energetic efforts
and rich results-but this one was worth wait
ing for. In compliance with pressing request
from the editor of the Gottingen Magazine of
Science and Literature, Herschel noted some
of the facts concerning his life. He was born
in Hanover, in November of the year 173S.
His father was musician and wished his son
to follow his profession; so at an early age
young Herschel was set to the study of the
theory and practice of music; and as part of
the complete understanding of harmony, he
studied mathematics. His tastes also led to
the study of languages. AT the age of fifteen
he enlisted in the army, and at nineteen re-
signed his place as soldier, and became
civilian and an organist at Bath, England.
"When," says he, Il took up astronomy, de-
termined to accept nothing in faith, but to see
with my own eyes everything which others
had seen before me-" He made his
own telescopes; and scanning every
part of the heavens with his twen-
ty foot glass, soon found the planet
Georgiom Sidus The king desired Herschel
to bring his telescope to Greenwich, and gave
him pension, SO that he might be free to de-
vote himself wholly to the pursuit of astronomy.
The ancestors of Herschel were Jewish, and
the name is found in Poland, England and
Germany. His father, Isaac Herschel, was
man of strong character and mind, and ready
always to aid his sons to such advantages as
were to be had. After the Seven Years War,
Isaac Herschel left the army, and enjoyed his
simple home, his family of wife and ten
children, and his musical engagements
When William Herschel settled in Bath he
took with him his sister Caroline, who devoted
her entire strength to assisting him in every
possible way She drilled the choruses and
sang the solos for his choir, she polished his
astronomical mirrors, kept his house, and even
fed him with spoon that his hands might be
left free to continue his work. In 1882 the family
moved to the observatory at Datchet, and Her.
schel after this left his home only from time to
time to submit his records to the Royal Socie-
ty. Herschel married in 1888 the widow of
John Pitt Esq, daughter of Mr.. James
Baldwin. She was greatly interested in her
husbands pursuits. Their son was born in
1892. In 1922, on the 9TH of August Herschel's
busy life and great labors ended. Thus very
Prof. Holdens valuable memoir, which also
contains much information concerning the
astronomical discoveries and theories of Her
schel. An excellent photography is ap-
pended.
Glimpses through the Cannon. Smoke By
Archibald Forbes: Boston: j. R. Osgood &
Co.; Portland: Dresser Mcclellan & Coz TIE
brilliant journalism of Mr.. Forbes is SO well
known that public interest will readily seize
upon new volume from his pen. The
sketches of which this one is composed, are
varied in theme and style; for the most part,
short and well-told stories They are not de-
scriptive of war-it is at the peaceabe mo-
ments-mere episodes in a war correspon-
dents life-when the battle-smoke is blown
away, leaving a clear view of quieter scenes.
1t seems almost needless to say that Mr..
Forbes's sketches are strong and spirited, and
that the material for them, collected in the
course of wide wandering, is very effective.
A Memoir and "reminiscences of Governor
John A. Andrew. By Peleg w. Chandler.
Boston: Roberts Brothers; Portland: Loring,
Short S Harmony is lifelike and complete
portrait of this notable man. 1t was prepared
at the request of the Historical Society of
Massachusetts,, in April, 1880, and is now re-
printed with the addition Of some personal
"reminiscences and two literary discourses
written by Governor Andrew. John Albion
Andrew, like many another strong and efficient
man, was Maine boy He was born at Wind
ham, May 81, 1918. His father, Jonathan An
drew, was (says this memoir) quiet, reticent
man, of much intelligence and keen percep-
tion of the ludicrous. Firm, courageous and
resolute, he was at the same time so unobtru-
sive as to pass for less than his worth, except
to those who knew him well. Mrs. Andrew
was woman of admirable character, and every
charm. She was fine singer, and exceeding
ly fluent in conversation. John Andrew
studied at Gorham Academy, and entered
Bowdoin College in 1888. He was not great
student, but was full of intelligent interest in
current affairs and in literature, and took
great pleasure in discussing politics. He was
possessed of an active mind, but his genial and
easy temper did not spur him to emulation in
his classes. After his college terms were
ended, he entered the law office of Mr.. Henry