Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-09
LITERARY NOTES
OUR FIRST CENTURY.

OUR FIRST CENTURY.
Judge Devens, OF Massachusetts,
brother of the ex-Attorney General, is
the author of an exceedingly attractive
book bearing the above title. IL con-
tains over one thousand pages, printed
in new type and on heavy paper. 1t is
elegantly illustrated and attractively
bound. This volume is not, as its name,
unaccompanied by any explanation,
might seem to indicate, consecutive
history of the nations first century. 1t
is made up of one hundred separate mar
ratiyes of mOmentOus political occur
rences of absorbing public interest; i'm
portaut military eyents-battles, sieges,
instructions, etc brilliant naval en-
gagements and heroic exploits; superb
achievements of American oratory on
national occasions; celebrated criminal
cases, trials, tragedies, mutinies, duels,
ETC.; wonderful phenomena OF earth,
ocean and heavens; extraordinary
discoveries and inventions, and the
sDlendid tliumphs OF mechanical
genius; remarkable reforms, delusions
and excitements in the moral and relig-
ious world; appalling public calamities,
disasters, panics, etc. Joyous and happy
events, pleasant and sparkling scenes,
sensations and national jubilees. 1t is
much more readable than the ordinary
histories OF the country. 1t stands IN
much the same relation to such works
as anecdote biographies. 1t relates about
all the momentous events in all the
walks OF life without deadening the
work with undressing details oil IN
terest only to students. The point we
make will be better understood by some
reference to the index. Thus We have
a striking dramatic narrative OF the
birth of the Republic; the story OF
first American naval victory, that
of John Paul Jones, OF thrill
ing memory, and his "Bon HOmme
Richard" over King Georges great war
ship "Seraphis;" the wonderful Ozark
Day" in New England in 1850; Arnold's
treason and Shay's rebellion; formation
OF the first Constitution; first Presiden-
tial election and inauguration; various
Indian wars; the Pennsylvania insur-
rection; the death of Washington;
founding of the National Capital; whip
ping of the Barbary States by our navy;
the Burr and Hamilton Duel, and the
Randolph encounter; numerous
great inventions, such as that OF the
cotton gin, steam navigations, the
Morse telegraph, telephone, and the
electric light, &C.; La Fayette's visit
to America, and so on to the Gen.
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia in
| 1876, Each OF these is treated
in much the same style as it would be
by modern journal within whose scope
it had occurred. The result is a really
unique book, which marks new era in
the preparation of histories for popular
reading. While the book under consid-
Grafton cannot be called n complete his
tory of the country, 1t is full topical
history OF the first century. 1t is as in
teresting as fiction, and at the same time
more valuable than history, since the
graphic manner OF the recital serves to
| fix the facts more firmly in ones mind.
| An agent is now in the city selling the
work, and its good points, reviewed
above, with others which il seems to
possess, combined with the very model-
ste price at which it is sold, ought to
secure for the book An extensive sale
among our citizens.
y. Z. hNONu > DlNAAONhhi'
Messrs. A. s. Barnes & Co., New York,
have Just published something unique
in the field of literature. kwong hi
Chiu, late member OF the Chinese Educa-
| tional Mission in the United States, was
formerly principal teacher Of English
in the government school at Shanghai
for training young men to go to head
| quarters OF the Educational Mission at
Hartford, Conn. He has prepared a
complete Dictionary OF English Phrases,
with Illustrative Sentences" a large
&C ayo OF over 900 pages. These phrases
are classified as Idioms, Colloquialisms,
and Slang; and after being defined, ex-
amplrs are given illustrating their use.
such phrases as ito beggar description,
ITO eat humble pie, Ito sloP over,
"chrodile tears" qualified negative"
may be cited as specimens. The list IS
very complete, much more so than can
be found in any of the unabridged
dictionaries OF the English language; a
fact which will Be preceived when il is
stited that more than 5000 phrases are
| treated.
Additional matter is also found in the
book-such as collection and explanation
OF English Proverbs; OF Chinese Pro-
verbs and Maxims; and list OF the
| Cainese dynasties-tne date OF which
are hsrmonized with the Christian Chro-
| nology-with some account OF their
rise and fall; also short sketch OF Con.
fucius, the Chinese sage. Names OF
emperors and dynasties are printed in
| Chinese type as we'll as English.
Kwong HI Chiu has expended several
years labor upon the work, and has had
the assistance of several able American
scholars. No similar book has been at
tempted ,before, and it must prove ex-
ceedingly useful to students OF the
English language in American and
English schools, or pursuing private
studies; inasmuch as it not only pre-.
sents the idioms and phrases OF the lam
guage, but teaches how they are TO be
used. The book is thus great saver OF
time to the student, in that il brings
before him definitions and linguistic
uSages which it might take him hall a
lifetime TO find and become familiar
with. 1t will be even more useful to
foreis ners, as Chinese, Japanese, French
men, Germans, Spaniards, and the like,
DESTROYS OF acquiring the English Ian
/ guage in the easiest and most practical
way.
1t also possesses great value as a book
OF reference in the family or public
library; and csnnot fail to be useful to
every person, inasmuch as il covers q
II kaiA n