Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-02-18
DUB BOOK TABLE.
WEBSTER - HOLLANDS ESSAYS = EHG.
LANDS CONSTITUTIONS.
Eovels-sals Lake Revslations-ForP Farm.
ers-rranklin Square Library Is
sues-science Studies.

by Prince Richard metfernlcn. ITsnsiateu oy
Gerard W. Smith. New York: Charles SeribnerS
Sons. San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft d Co.
Large octave; pp 476.
We have noticed the early volumes of this
work Ct length. Concerning the present is
sue, it is TO be said that the period covered
by its narrative represents tempestuous
year and four eventful oLes. The whole ps-
riod embraced is that between 1880 and 1885.
In the p ace of the private correspondence
of MetternIch. which proved SO interesting
III the former volumes. We ale given selections
from the diary of Princess Melaine and
many letters that passed between the Chan.
cellcr and Count Apponyi, then Austrian
ambassador at Paris. There ia given, also,
correspondence with other ambassadors,
and many like diplomatic papers. The
design, says the elitor, has been to pre-
sent an uninterrupted view Of Prince Met
ternich's life in the Cabinet and n the family
circle during thu whole of this period" But,
however earnest the effort TO give interest to
the period referred to- it is comparative
failure for at least four of the years-the four
years of political Inactivity aud quiet when
the wheels of the Government moved with
little friction, and there were no startling
changes. advances or retreats. But this is
fully compensated for by the charming &C
count by the Princess of the life around DER.
and the matters which were of daily Interest
in her eyes in the splendid court where she
moved. She was the third wife of Meter
MICH and most industrious recorder Of pass
ing events. She was beautiful woman, a
modest and unaffected pne, q devoted vile
and mother, aud u lady of rare refinement OF
character Some idea of her literary dilig.
ence NAV bs had by remembering that be-
tween 1920 and 1865 she made of her personal
recollections, diary entries aud notes, thirty
full volumes. Il is certain that this gifted
lady never dreamed of her work being pub
lshed IL was to her simple Intellectual ex-
ercise, literary recreation. In these records
we have the clearest insight into s life as
sweet aud pure as is often given to man to
know. Shs stood by the side of Ter husband
as his trusted friend and counselor, and thus
her records come down to US with much OF
the weight Of official authority. The editor
remarks birth and education, beauty
wife of the Chancellor in a pre-
eminent degree for the part she was
called upon to play in the world.
Undoubtedly it was owing in great
part to the brilliantly. gifted Princess Melaine
that, side By side with the Cabinet of the
Chancellor, the salon of the Princess grew to
be center whence emanated, during so long
period, the impulse by which the policy OF
the world was regulated, and that
the influence exerted by the Princess
Melaine was, aud continues to be, looked upon
by contemporaries and eoigoni as an historical
fact, is vouche5 for by The circumstance that
the gifted wife shared and still shares
with her husband the favor or obliquy
Of different parties. Quick to OBJ.
serve and form judgment upon all
that passed before her eyes, she allowed
free play to her skillful pen, TO SET down each
thought as it arose in her mind. But the
Princess wrote only for herself. She would
have been the last to believe that the secrets
of her Utmost thoughts and feelings
which she confided to paper might one
day be divulged to the outer world"
In this volume, therefore, we have political
history as written by woman, and one who
was wholly unconscious OF the fact at the
time she made her simple record. Under the
tutelage of one of the master minds of the
age, her political education advanced with
marvellous rapidly, aud she became as we'll
versed in the affairs of state as was possible
to woman in her situation. She looked,
naturally, at everything through her nus
bands eyes, for he was to her the source of
all authority and information. From her
simple, often touching record, we CLEAN of the
life of princes and noblsmen, of the throngs
of statesmen and soldiers, of the courtiers and
beautiful women by whom she was surrounded,
and learn of the affairs of state as they we're
viewed at the time. and of the daily trial and
triumph of diplomats life. The woman was
at no time lost in the politician, and she Goes
not fail to make her diary interesting in some
minor detail, as to costumes of the court,
ETC., but as she possessed little vanity, these
topics never became prominent. As has been
well said, she loved her husband and hon.
orei her sovereign, and she never wearies of
extolline their noble qualities. She delighted
to represent them as honoring each other in
an exalted spirit of msgnanimity."
FAMILIAR sclEScs STUDIES. By Richard A. Proctor.
New York R. Worthngton. San Francisco: a.
L. Bancro t g. Co. VOL, $40; PIP. 422
The author of this book Is the celebrated
English astronomer. The work is not treat
Use, but very interesting collection OF arti-
cles that have (nearly ally appeared IN the
London Times, Scribner's Magazine, The Gen
aeman's Magozine Belgrav5a, The Contenapo-
ra1y Revsew, The CorhiI, etc. The articles
are brief but clear and simple accounts of the
accepted doctrines on infnity, science and
religion, the comets, meteoric dust, msseors
and Biela's comet, movements OF Jrpiter's
cloud masses, the origin Of the week, the
problem of the great pyramid, the pyramids
of Ghizeb, sun spots and financial pauics, our
winters, LOTTERIES. gambling superstitioirs. the
fifteen puzzle, ASsna, weather forecasiing,
strangely fulfilled dreams, suspended ANNA
blO0, tn6 Ao6foGOiloIS INOfei, anu tuS ey5JSin
of taking the horse in motion as introduced
by Governor Stanford and worked out by Mr..
Muybridge, of California.
EVERY DAY TcPIcs; BOOK or BsrBFs By j. C
Holland Second series). New York Chas Scrio-
ners Sons Sacramento: W. A. 81 c. s. Hough-
ton. vol, Svo.; 81 Is.
In 1876 volume appeared from the pen Of
the laneuted DIR. Holland, which bore the
same title as the volume under notice, Il
was received with such favor that one OF the
last works of his lie was to prepare second
work on the same plan. TIE book is 4 col
lection of essays on 8 great number of topics,
and. more than airy other work Of the Doc
tore, gives us an insight into his heart, and
the broad and liberal Christianity Ia which
ne believed, and which he also so faithfully
exempli6ed in bis daily walk. Mepy of these
have been seen already by readers Of his edi.
torisls; Others are new TO the literary world.
They are on great variety Of subjects, aud
relate to society matters, the ethics OF every
day lie, re igion, etc. IL is g book Of osisf
discussions of popular topics, and there is net
word ia the volume that Is at all trivial. nor
is there a paragraph but is pregnant with
thought.
THE FATE OF MADAME La Tour. A tale Of Great
Salt Lake. by ars. a. c. Paddock New York !:
Fords, Howard & Hubert Saeramento: W. a.
& c. s Houghton. vol, sTo. 81.
This is very graphic narrative of the
trials of family forced into Mormeudon,
and pretense of adhering to the Mormon
faith as expounded by Brigham Young. It
is thrilling story-almost repulsive in some
of its sorrowful details. 1t is well told, and
is evidently no creation of the fancy. Mrs.
Paddock had ample opportunity to know
whereof she wrote, and she has had the
courage, ia more than one instance, to make
revelations in print concerning polygapy
which have never been and cannot be refuted.
This little book alone. unpretentious as it is.
should be sufficient to convince the world Of
the iniquities of that system which is a crime
under the cloak OF religion.
HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION :
for beginners. By David Watson Rannie New
York Charles Ssribner's Sons San Francisco A.
L. Bancroft & Co. l vol, Syo.
This little book appears to be very care
fully arranged, and by the free use OF bold.
faced type throughout the text the attention
Of the scholar is directed to these topics which
are induces TO the treatise. 1t gives very
clear insight into the group of arrangements
by which the English Government is carrisd
~, opd xrhioh 1. NJ Ranpto,a 1afuftion of q