The National tribune., 1884-05-22
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

From Porter & Coates. Philadelphia we hays
an excellent manual OF Photographic manipGIa-
tiOn, emitted The Amateur Photographer by
DIT. Ellerslie Wallace Jr. As the uame iBdi-
Gates, 1t Is designed especially a. a guide 70
beginners in the practice OF tbs art szlIi il not
only describes the various methods OF photOg-
raphy, but offers practical Suggestions as 70 the
choice OF apparatus and OF processes. IL takes
up, hFst, the different Varieties OF photographs
apparatus, lenses, cameFas plate holders,
darkroom fittings. eIc-,-and then proceeds 20
consider the comparative valCe Of the several
emulsions used IN coating the plates and the
developers employed IN bringing out the image.
Much space IS also devoted 20 describing the
preparation of gelatine plates, and the chapter
on printing Is particularly lull and exhaustive.
The work concludes with some admirable
suggestions as To pose and arrangements of sub
jects, and the essential rules To be observed n
composition Altogether. this manual is one
of the best practical trea5ises on photography
that has yet been devised, and il must prove an
invaluable aid TO the Intelligent study and
practice Of the art
From the American News Company, New
York, we have love story Of the war, entitled
81 Virginia Graham, tho spy OF the Grand
Army" by Harry Hazel. the author Of a num-
Der of popular tales. The title is rather mis-
leading, since the term Grand Army has
come TO be applied exclusively 20 the military
Order OF that name and the heroine Of this
romance appears 70 have been attached 70 the
Army of the Tennessee Nevertheless. the
story IS extremely interesting, fuli of exciting
incidents, and sufficiently IN accord with the
facts Of history To give it the appearance Of
plausibility. The scene IS chiefly Laid al Vieks-
| burg during the siege, and the author gives
pretty good description Of life in the belsaguered
city. Possibly this narrative OF the hazardous
| exploits OF female spy Is based on actual ex-
HFyr Fss-e. NtaaM 81
the adventures recorded are not more surpris-
ing than many OF which the War Department
has official record. The story IS eleverty told,
and while IN some respects il borders ca the
sensational il is well calculated to interest and
/ please. Tbs price IN paper covers is but lily
/ cents
! without having achieved. as yet, any really
1 great performance in the 6eld OF American liz
/ eratnre, MT. Frank <. Stockton has certainly
/ come to be known as one Of our eieveresg story
teiiers and the collection Of tales which Charles
/ Seribner's Sons, New Ycrk have juss published,
under the title Of the Lady. or the Tiger" con-
/ tains some very entertaining fiction. Sir.
/ Stockton possesses q most subtle and delicate
/ fancy, and there Is scarcely one OF the twelve
| stories in this collection that does lot bear
/ the stampOf bis individuality. They are iRge-
Nous, speculative, drol. sometimes intensely
/ humorous. and occasionally entlmental, though
| seldom pathetic. 1t can scarcely be said thai
| they touch the feelings, bat they product
| i've of the keeneSt intellectual pleasure. They
delight and entertain, which. after all, Is the
real business of the sGOry-telcr- The NEST
amusing OF these stories are, unquestiOnably,
/ "The Transferred Ghost His Wile's De-
ceased Sister" and "A Piece OF Red Calico"
but as an artistic study, there is nothing that,
| In our judgment, is so or ginai and carefully
/ worked cut as his Afr. T0l1nan." But in
deed IL is a characteristic of all these stories
that they pique the readers Curiosity and en-
tirely absorb his interest. aim0sS before he has
finished the opening paragraphs and no one
| who opens this book Is likely 20 lay it down
until he has reached the last page. IL is for
sale in Washington by W. Ii. Morrison.
| To their new and elegant edition Of the works
of Donald c. Mitchell f. * Marvel : Charles
Scribner's Sons. New YORK. have added Out
of-Town Places: With Hints for Their Improve
ment originally published under che title Of
- Rural Studies" 1t embodies, it may be said,
the practical results OF Sir. Mitehells varied
| experience as landscape gardener and IS an
| appeal from the taste Tor lavish display OF the
present day. to that for comfort ANA homeIi-
ness which should prevail The opening pa
per gives Q delightful picture OF an old-styls
New England farm, and Mr.. Mitchell thea
goes on to give his supposIti2us elSy rclsEd
(Lacklandl some sensible advice as 20 tue 80
lection and management OF . country home,
! reeiting the amusing mlshaps WhleA res3ls
from the latteFs inexperlence, aud pointing
out how they may be avoided. AnosaeE
Fart of the book IS entitled "Wayside Hints"
In which the author chats away "a the mess
pleasant vein. vet IN the Hast Instructive man
ner. about porches, woods and shade hedges
village greens, &c. Another chapter Is devoted
To the LAYING out OF Grounds, IN which Mr.
Mitchell displays the NEST artistic taste and
abundant information, whlle TIE closing chap
ter is occupied with the story o. how certain
Mr. Urban came to purchase a fftv-acra farm,
and the pleasant home he established thsrs.
Aside from tine practical value that ths book
NAV be said 70 possess, it IS written ia snch o
delightful style that il cannot fail 30 pleass
and entertain any reader. Ir Is ior sale in
Washington by W. n Morrison.