The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-09-27
NEW BOOKS WORTH READING.

''A Little Town in Ireland" by ali Oxonian,
first published in 1859, has been reprinted by
w. s. Gottsberger, New York. with John
Leach's rough but strong sketches 1t is a
breezily-written book, and even at this late
day is not uninteresting reading. For sale at
Brentano's.
Late issues in the valuable Evolution Series
OF pamphlets published by D. Appleton & Co.,
New York, are entitled ''Form and Color in
Nature" by William Potts, and "Optics as
Related to Evolution" by s. A. w. Alleman,
M. A., M. D. The econtents of these pamphlets,
it should be stated, consist of lectures and
discussions before the Brooklyn Ethical
Society and have been commended by Herbert
Spencer rs admirably adapted to popularize
evolution views" They may be had at
Breutanos.
substantial and handsome volume of
nearly 600 pages is ''The History of Modern
Civilization" just published by D. Appleton
81 Co. New York. The work is based on the
latter half of NJ. Ducoudray's 'Histoire Som
maire de la Civilisation," and is continue
tion of 1.-THE History of Ancient Civilization, -
based on the first part of the French work and
published year ago. The aim of this ad-
mirably written and admirably made hand
book of the history of the modern world is to
give young students and general readers a
comprehensive view OF the progress Of the
cadence of ancient civilization, through
medieval barbarism, until they emerge In
modern and advance to contemporary civiliza-
tlon. The attractiveness of the style and the
ciearness and continuity of the narrative of
the work can hardly fail to inspire readers
young ana old into whose hands 1t falls with
desire to pursue further their historical
studies. Notwithstanding the vastness of
the field which is covered, so wisely and care
fully have the important and pregnant events
of a,d dnalt xxytth 4 l.
ficant ignored, that there is none of that bald
ness and dryness, none of the mere catalogue
style in the book. 1t is very valuable CON
tributon to our historical literature 1t is on
sale ut Brentano's.
One of the handsome books of the week is
"The Bachelors Baby" by Coyne Fletcher,
published by Clark 81 Zugalla, of New York.
The authors fine head and face, with
characteristic bit Of chirography, adorns the
title page. The author declares in the brief
preface "that the purpose Of the book is to
raise the curtain that conceals the masquerad-
ing of women amid scenes of luxurious idle
ness and sponsibility-Why not ITO Offset
the fashion of the day, which has brutally
dragged before the footlights of the world the
errors of mems lives" The author touches
IN refined way upon the theme that Tolsto
and other realistic writers have worked with
a coarseness that is well nigh revolving Her
characters are clear cut, and they are of types
| found on both sides of the Atlantic. There
are many Mrs. Ponsonbys who maneuver to
bring about desirable matches right here In
Washington, as this character did In London
for the marriage of the hero darcy to her
| antiquated niece, Miss Slaughter Mrs
Ponsonby is an English dowager who angles
adroitly to catch him. Through her schem-
! ing the engagement becomes gossip in the
| society Journals. He was being dragged help
lessly into false positions and publicity most
unwarrantably. 1t was then the heroine's ar
| rival from America was announced by cable
| gram, which by its wording caused most
| ludicrous mistake and as much CONSERVATION
| in this bachelors quarters as the engagement
| scheme had. Geraldine Darcy, the heroine,
is an American girl of new type She is
independent, but not course or vulgar.
darcy expressed it neatly to his friend:
HTrayers, this is not an English girl An
| English girl follows. Miss Baby is an Ameri-
can girl consequently she leads and ue follow.
| That is why am here" The illustrations are
| by Kemble, OF Boston, each character study
and most happy hit. This story is not too
| long for an evenings reading. Consequently
| it will go with the lovers of short story, who
like to be amused and to take their daily novel
with spice OF dramatic favoring In 1t, as this
one assurredly has.