National Republican., 1885-01-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


studied by Intelligent people, will be
found to contain an abundance Of useful
information. Tho tendency which has
sprung up in late years Of writing short
treaties on common diseases is to be CONF
monded. Especially is this the case whom
the authors bearing In mind tho fact that
they are writing principally for the gem
eral public, avoid as much as possible
technical modes Of expression. Patients,
for example, who arc practically in
structed in the laws of hygiene must prove
u source Of comfort to the educated prac-
! titiouer.
| Whom We tako into consideration tho
fact that in round numbers 5000, 900 of
| people die annually from consumption,
we realize more fully tho terrors of this
dread scourge and arc better prepared to
thank any one who even evinces q do
sire to prevent and cure so terrible a
malady,
The author of the volume before us is,
we take IL, regular practitioner in good
standing, for no has given us no nero
combination of facts to bo used as an ad-
vertsoment of some special place famous
for its complete euro of tho worst cases of
| consumption, or rs means of introduce
ing to public notice n proprietary panacea
| in which he has personal and pecuni-
ary interest. Indeed, rarely havo we
read a medical book intended more
especially for tho laity, In which sO little
can be found to which exception might DO
taken. II is worthy of the most careful
perusal, and will abundantly repay
thoughtful study. The plan of tho work
is excellent. II is divided into short
chapters, each being clearly descriptive
Of the distinct point under consideration.
After a short Introductory the author
| proceeds Immediately to give succinct
account Of tho anatomy, physiology, and
hygiene of the pulmonary structures. This
Is one of the best chapters of the book,
and the author has drawn SO vivid pic
ture that 1t is sure to mako q lasting I'M
| preston upon the mind Of an attentive
| reader.
The chapter on the possibilities of cur
ing the disorder occupies little more than
| two pages, and If we arc to judge from
tho results hitherto produced we are in-
clined to think that the author has done
full justice to the subject.
| In addition to what we have said con-
| cerning the first chapter We would call
especial attention to the chapters on the
general principles which should govern
the treatment Of the disease the causes of
phthisls and the relation Of mans sur
rounding conditions to phthisis As to the
political duty of the people in relation to
phthisis, while we agree that "it is the
duty of tho government to provide for the
sanitary welfare of the people who have
created it," we doubt very much If our
citizens are willing to concede that ian
enlightened government owes to its people
such regulation of tho marriage relation
that the production of worthless progeny
would be brought down to the smallest
possible per centum."
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE. Dramatist. Poet,
| Actor aud author of Home, Sweet Home"
Ills Life aud Writings by GABRiEL HAR.
RlsoN. With illustrations. Revised edi-
| tion. Philadelphia: J. d. Lippincctt & Co.
Washington! w. IL. Morrison.
This is revised edition of Payne's
Life and Writings, which was first issued
in 1875 by Mr.. Harrison, friend and ad-
mirer Of the dead poet and dramatist
Since tho first edition much additional
data has been discovered and many inter-
esting circumstances have happened in
connection with tho re-interment of
Payne's remains which serve to invest the
subject of this biographical sketch with
now interest. Whoever undertakes tho
perusal of the volume with an idea that
he is about to read so many pages Of unin-
teresting facts and fancies, or, at the
best, q stilted eulogium dictated by
tho over weening affection of q
friend, will be doomed to an agree
able disappointment. Mr.. Harrison.
| while warm admirer of Payne,
proves himself candid biographer and
displays such skillful analysis of the
poets life, character, and writings as is
rarely excelled. Tho book which he has
written embraces 400 pages, among which
are included not only q full account Of
the interesting funeral exercises attend
ing tho re-interment of the remains at
Oak Hill Cemetery, but also fair selec-
tions and specimens from the pen of tho
"vanished hand" No portions of the
book will be read with more interest than
those containing Payne's account of the
condition and progress of tho dramatic
art during his stay in London and Paris
and his ill-starred connection with Drury
Lane and Covent Garden Theaters We
read with Interest the narration OF the
association enjoyed by him with the
literary men of the day and the great
actors and actresses who have long since
made their final bow and exit from
this brief stage. As to the life, how II
was lived and how IL ended-its strug'
, giles, triumphs, and disappointments-thC
, story Is a pathetic one from the time the
/, departed actor trod the boards, q youth
, of IA years. until he drew his last breath
, In the little bedroom at Tunis, far from
! homo and friends. This is hardly the
place to enter into any extended review
as to the merits of Payno's literary
achievements. Alter all, genius is q rela
tive term and often misapplied. Haw
> thorne was not far astray when he said
that the line of genius is not very Ions
one There are many diamonds but few
Kohinoors. Let us be thankful for the
. muse which gave US Home, Sweet
Home"
: Some Of the earlier criticisms by Payne
: written at the age of IA, upon the dra
L matte performances witnessed by him
= give evidence of great talent and lead
t ono to regret that he had not devoted
: himself in larger measure to this style o
Q work in later years. His letters from
{ abroad are models in their way, and con
{ tain SO many interesting notes of traye
!, and such keen comments aud observa
|. tions upon foreign costumes, scenes, ant
people, as to render them worthy o
preservation. Some of his plays, too
have won for their author an enviabl,
:, distinction, aud incline the reader Il
Il agree with the biOgrapher, that haC
D. Payne devoted himself exclusively to any
e one of the several lines Of pursuit il
d which he achieved excellence he nigh
D. have gained an enduring reputation.
Ie The chapter in which Mr.. Harrison dis
y cusses the removal Of Psyne's Temain
D. from Tunis to this country, and hi
= criticisms thereupon, constitutes the onl!
Ic flaw in the very readable biography ant
n seems to have been conceived in ques
" tionable taste, although the writer pays
high compliment to Ar. Corcoran's inten
IN tions and princely action in the matter.
i. Americans, however, everywhere will
r. find in this thoughtful tribute by ou
G, philanthropist to the memory of tn
is friend he knew and honored in othe
~ days additional proof that great woalt
,e does not necessitate tho decay Of earl
affection, and will honor the man VIII
"a brought back to his native soil all tina
40 was mortal of John Howard Payne.