Morning journal and courier., 1886-11-19
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

thors," selected and arranged by Charles
 Morris in four volumes, is work offered as
 a repertory of choice selections from the best
 writers of America. The selections are di-
 versifed as much as possible and include ex-
 tracts alike from the provinces of reasoning
 and description, such as science, theology,
 philosophy, travel, history and criticism and
 from those of the imagination such as poe
 try, fiction and humor. The work does not
 attempt to give survey of the entire field
 of American literature. The editor has been
 controlled more by the literary merit and
 diversity of interest in the matter than by
 the name of the author, and he does not of
 fer any estimate as to the comparative stand
 ing of writers. American literature to day stands fairly parallel with that of all other nations. The names of Irving, Prescott,
 Motley and Bancroft in history, Emerson and Thoreau in philosophy, Hawthorne,
 Holmes and James in fiction and Bryant,
 Whittier, Lowell, Longfellow and Poe in DO
 etry speak for themselves. In these and others of equal merit the thought of America has found it's voice and has poured out harvest of literary wealth unsurpassed by any other nation. The general reading public will become acquainted with the best selec tions from the best American authors in want and appear at very opportune time. J. B. Lippincott 6 Co.,, publishers, Philadel phia. For sale in this city by Judd the bookseller.
 'sStories of Art snd Artists" by Mrs. Cla- Erskine Clement, is complete historical and descriptive resume of the history of art, with accounts of the various schools, sketch es and anecdotes of the greater artists, with portraits and reproductions of their works. The subject matter of the book is based 1arOaIy mn epriaS Of artio1ao racnntlv h. ished in the St. Nicholas, which won high praise at the time, and which in response to general demand have been revised and en- larged and placed in the present permanent book form. The cover of the book is bril- liantly ornamented with a section of the front of St. Marks church at Venice, print ed in red on dark ground, below which is a medallion portrait of Albert Durer with his monogram. The book is in octave, whose pages display to the best advantage the choice cuts from wood and metal which illustrate the story of art. Portraits of Ra- phael, Michael Angelo, Titan and other great masters, with many excellent produc- tions Of their marvellous works. There are nearly one hundred of these pictures, giving us the very best of the ancient, medieval and modern art. The author is we'll known as charming writer and an acknowledged authority on art criticism and history. The literary style is simple, embellished only WlLu LuOS0 1uClOeutS WulCu db- tract the attention of all. The technical terms which usually worked into the lite rature of art are altogether omitted, and the deeply interesting and attractive facts of the lives of the artists are set forth with great literary skill and happy effect. Tieknor & Co.,, publishers, Boston. For sale in this city by Judd the bookseller.
 Of ''Perley's "Reminiscences of Sixty Years in the National Metropolis" volume I. is now ready. It is 8 work Illustrating the wit, humor, genius, eccentricities, jealousies, am bitions and intrigues of the brilliant statesmen, ladies, officers, diplomats, lobby ists and other noted celebrities of the world that gather at the center of the nation. It
 includes also descriptions of imposing inau guration ceremonies, gala day festivities, ar my reviews, etc. The author, Ben: Perley Poore, has especially endeavored to portray those who have enacted he laws and those who have interpreted and enforced the pro- visions of them. Some of his remarks are personal, but the public has 8 great desire for gossip about prominent men and meas ures and cannot but receive these heartily. The work is valuable for it's connection with historical facts and for it's personal "reminiscences. Hubbard Brothers, pub fishers, Philadelphia. For sale in this city by Judd the bookseller.
 A new work entitled ''Persia and the Persians," by s. G. w. Benjamin, has just appeared. The author was lately minister of the United States to Persia. In 1885. to power hs returned to private life in ac- cordance with the diplomatic service of the United States. The experiences connected with the establishment and conduct of the legation at Teheran suggested the present volume. Certain portions of 1t have already appeared in ''Harper's Monthly" the Gen tury Magazine and the Manhattan Nigga zine" The author has given especial atten- tion to Oriental words and their pronuncia- tion and elaborates this to considerable ex- tent. He indulges ill freedom of opinion, being no longer in official service, and he gives these opinions as based upon practical experience. He takes up incidentally his tory of Persia, it's different races, conditions of service, resources, products and trade well as the political situation there. It IS admirably illustrated and printed on heavy paper with gilt top, Ticknor 6 Co.,, pub fishers, Boston. For sale in this city by Judd the bookseller.
 Some excellent reading may be found in new novel by Martha Finley, author of 'The Elsie Books,'' ''Signing the Contract" Wanted, Pedigree" etc. It is entitled "The Thorn in the Nest" Its scene is laid in a sequestered valley in western Pennsylva- mia and the time is the last few years of the eighteenth century. The characters are well drawn and the description is pictured with lively intensity. The author has great force of imagination and gives it it's full sway in her work. The novel will occupy few hours very comfortably. Dodd, Mead & Co.,, publishers, New York. For sale in this city by Judd the bookseller.
 The holidays of the little ones can be made supremely happy by little book called "A Visit From Santa Claus" by Clement c. Moore, illustrated by Virginia Gerson. It is radiant with bright colors and charming pie lures. There is little story which goes along in company with the pictures. Little ones laugh at the sight of even the cover, upon which old Santa is pictured with his toys on his back and his pipe in his mouth. The book is so attractive that every child should have the pleasure of tearing it in pieces, an end which comes to all children's books. White, Stokes & Allen, publishers, New York. For sale in this city by Judd