The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The third volume Of the History of the
Civil War in America" by the Compile
de Paris, and first in point OF his
tOrical value, is published by Porter & Coates,
of Philadelphia. The work OF editing the
translation and correcting the multtudiuOus
errors into which the Count naturally fell IN
writing Of events Transporting in terra inc5g,ifq
has been most faithfully performed By Colonel
John ?. Nicholson, Of Philadelphia and TO his
patient and conscientious discharges of this most
important duty American readers are indebted
for valuable contribution to the war literature
of the country.
Impartial histories Of great wars are rare,
and he who undertakes to follow a war Of such
magnitude as that in this country must needs
be endowed with the quality of judicial fair
ness TO an unusual degree.
In cOmprehensIveness Of view in minuteness
OF detail, and in apparent fairness in estimate
OF the military skill of the prominent actors on
both sides Of the arena, the Count may Iay
claim to the regard of his readers both North
and South. Indeed, he displays the most
charming frankness in dealing with military
regulations, and foreigners, whose judgments
OF our military heroes are formed solely by
reading his volumes, viii possibly be inclined
to marvel at the estimate placed upon them by
their eOuntrymen
Notwithstanding this, it is apparent to the
readers of recent publications purp0rting to bs
war histories, that the opinions of the Count Of
Paris have been pereeptibly biased by ass0eia-
ton with certain ciiques, in which military
regulations are torn TO tatters at the viii Of
self-eon5tituted military critics. His graphic
description Of the siege ana capture CT Vicks-
burg, where between the lines the air is poi
s0ned by the deeaying caFeasses Of dead animals
and where wounded men agOniZe until relieved
by death, is awful in its sublimity and truth.
The Fleksburg campaign occupies the central
portion OF the book, being preceded by the
Charlottesville fiaseO, and followed bv the
campaign and battle of Gettysburg General
Hooker is credited with skill in planning the
charlottesville campaign, and its lack Of sue
cess IS attributed more TO the fact that he had
too little TO do with its execution than that be
had too much. The frmness of Lee in refusing
to retreat from overwhelming numbers, and
JacksOnis brilliant flank attack, come in for
their full share of praise. The finest portion
of the work is without doubt that which is
devoted to the battle of Gettysburg. Volumes
have already been written upon this subject,
but the theme appears inexhausti5le Each
writer mas, or thinks that he has, touched a
new chOrd-One whose vibrations finds an echo
in the memories of survivors OF the conflict.
After fully ind0Tsing the movement Of Lees
army into Pennsylvania as sound, both from
political and military point of view. the author
points out the errors which proved fatal 20 ths
Confederates. Chief among these are the vas
clliatIng conduct OF General Lee upon the field.
lie missed the bold originality Of Jackson TO
plan and execute, and eOnteRted himself with
making suggestions instead of giving orders to
General LOngstreet. He formed too lone q line
OF battle, and when his wings attacked ir was
without cooperation. Every reason for failure
IS given except the right One-that the pluck
and endurance of the Union troops wruRg .
bloody victory from the jaws of defeat at CAS-
point Of the bayOnet
Taintor Bros, Merrill & Co, Of New York,
have recently issued series of three guide
books. which viii be found of great value TO
tourists and the travelling public generally.
One treats of the seaside resorts from the ST.
Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico, and IN
cludes reliable information concerning New
port, Long Branch, Cape May Atlantic CITY
Jacksonville, Fla, and other summer and
winter watering places. Another discusses the
Hudson River route, which embraces trips
from New York TO West Point, CatskiH Noun
Adirondaeks, Montreal, and Quebec. The
third dlscl0ses the advantage Of a visit 20 Mag
ara Falls, ChaatauqUa Lake, Thousand Islands,
and other charming places.
We have received from the publishers, 6. P.
Putnam's Sons, of New York, numbers TWO and
three of their bright and Instructive series, en-
titled Topics Of the Time" Number two
bears the title Studies IN Biography" and
includes sketches of Gambetta, Jonathan Swift,
Samuel Wilberforce, Lord Westbary, and others.
Number three contains Studies in Literature"
and treats of American Literature IN Eng
land, Hamlet New Reading" The Hu-
meFous in Literature The BolIandists,"
Isaiah Of jerusalem and Concerning the
Unknown Public" These publications ara
just what the reading public have long been
wanting.
Henry A. sumner & Co, of Chicago, viii
shortly issue new novel by AIrs. L. B. Porch,
formerly of Louisville, KY, entitled AN
Ideal Fanatic"