Morning journal and courier., 1882-06-05
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

'"Montesquieu's Grandeur and Decadence
of the Romans New Translation, together
with an Introduction, Critical and Illustra-
tive Notes, and an Analytical Index by Jehu
Baker; Being incidentally Rational Discus
sion of the Phenomena and Tendencies OF
History in General is published by D. Ap-
pleton & Co., New York Montesquieu' g
work is really part of the esprit of Laws, v
but seemed to Montesquieu altogether too
large subject to be printed as chapter or
seo,ion of that work. 1t was first published
in 1874, when the author was in the 45th
year of his age. A great many editions of 1t
have been published since, and great many
will be issued for the next generation MIR.
Baker has used La Harpe's edition for this
translation. He retains all the notes of Mon
tesquieu and La Harpe. His own notes are
much more extensive, and they add much to
the value of the work. For sale In this city
by Judd the bookseller.
"Onesimus Memoirs of Disciple of st.
Paul." by the author of Philochristus,
purports to be an account of the life of Ones
linus, the convert of whom mention is made
By st. Paul in one of his eplstles. 1t is
marked by the same felicity of expression,
depth of feeling, sympathetic good taste and
historical erudition by which the pre-
vious work of its anonymous author
was to such an eminent degree distinguished
The task which the author set himself IN
s'Onesimus" is not an easy one, but he has
done it we'll and produced very readable and
instructive book. Published by Roberts
Brothers, Boston and for sale in this city by
Fl. II. Peck.
The History of the Formation of the Con-
stitution of the United States" by George
Bancroft, is published in two volumes by D.
Appleton & Co., New York. This great work
is divided into five parts, as follows: 1. The
Confederation to the Disbanding of the Army
in 1888 seven chapters. 2. On the way to
Federal Convention, 1888 to 1897; eight
chapters, with an appendix of 234 pages.
g. The Federal Convention, 1887; eleven
chapters. 4. The People of the States in
Judgment on the Constitution, 17S7-88; five
chapters s. The Federal Government; three
chapters and there is an appendix of 1872
pages, filled with letters and papers, illustrat'
ing the formation of the Constitution. Mr..
Bancroft's story is clear and unbroken from
the very beginning of the life of the Consti-
tuition to the GROWING glory of its compile
ton and adoption. Mr. Bancroft says that
four causes, above Others united to press the
necessity of more perfect union. THE
new Republic as one nation must have power
to regulate its foreign commerce, to COLOMBO
its large domain, to provide an adequate rev
enue, and to establish justice in domestic
trade by prohibiting the separate States from
impairing the obligation of contracts Each Of
these four causes was of vital importance, but
the necessity for regulating commerce gave
the immediate impulse to more perfec'
Constitution" Then he shows what were
the helps and hindrances to this consumma-
ton, and how certain great leading minds
discerned the need clearly and dragged Their
tagging associates after them. The gr.at so
cial, religious and domestic differences found
conflicting expression, and seemed destined
to avert any prospect of union. But ther'
was patriotism sufficient to carry through tbs
work and at last it was successfully done
Readers who desire to become thoroughly &C
quainted with the early days of this govern
ment cannot do a more profitable thing thai
to read and study Mr.. Boncraft's profound
and interesting history. For sale in this cit,
| by Judd the bookseller.