REVIEW
OF NEW
VELOCIPEDS ARE Going out of FASHION, as they are found, } in many cases, to produce dislocations of the upper extremities, fractions and sprains. Accidents, too, are very frequent. In short, they are dangerous as toys, and, on the whole, not beneficial to health.
“ WE THINK THIS THE CHEAPEST, and one of the best Magazines in the Universe," says the Bryan (0.) Democrat, speaking of Peterson's Magazine. "No one can do without it." www . REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS . He Knew He Was Right. By Anthony Trollope. 1 vol. 8vo. New York: Harper & Brothers.-The second part of this novel, completing the work, has now appeared. To us it is not a pleasant story. The dissensions of a young married couple are always painful to hear of in real life, and merely painful things, which do not rise to the heroic in their tragedy, are hardly fit subjects for fiction. " There is as much genius in choosing your theme," said a great writer to us once, as there is in developing it afterward." In “ He Knew He Was Right," both man and wife act with contemptible silliness. The motive in the main plot is indescribably mean and petty. Mr. Trollope seems to have realized this, when too late, for he introduces other plots, so to speak, that interweave themselves with the original one, and lighten up and dignify the book, at least in a degree. These subsidiary stories, with their heroes, and heroines, and other characters, are the best parts of the work. Miss Stansbury, the eccentric old maiden aunt, particularly, is a real original. The volume is illustrated. Three Seasons in European Vineyards. By William J. Flagg. 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Harper & Brothers. The author of this volume is a son-in-law of the late Mr. Longworth, of Cincinnati, and himself a successful grower of grapes and maker of wine. A few years ago he visited Europe ; and this little book is the result. Mr. Flagg went to all the great wine-growing districts, from Bordeaux to the Rhine, from Naples to Burgundy, and treats fully and understandingly of vine-culture ; vine-disease and its cure ; wine-making and wines, red and white ; and wine-drinking, as affecting health and morals. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the raising and drinking of light wines, especially red wines, as cheap and healthful substitutes for tea and coffee; and thinks the time will come, when every farmer, on half an acre of land, will raise enough wine to supply himself and family for breakfast, dinner, and supper. The Sacristan's Household. By the author of "Mabel's Progress." 1 vol., 8 vo. New York: Harper & Brothers.— The writer of this excellent story, we understand, is not a daughter of Charles Dickens, as has been asserted, but the wife of Adolphus Trollope, author of " Beppo," " Gemma," "Leonora Casaloni," etc., etc. The scene of her novel is laid in Lippe-Detmold, a little known, but picturesque German principality. The tale is fresh, genial, and natural. The characters have a certain old-world air about them, which is as spicy and exhilarating as the fragrance of their own pine forests. The volume is handsomely illustrated. Five Acres Too Much. By R. B. Roosevelt, 1 vol., 12 mo. New those York:enthusiastic Harper & Brothers.-This bookwho is intended to quiz agricultural writers fancy that only half a dozen acres, well-tilled, are enough to suppert a man and his family. It is a pretended narrative of expe riences, something in the vein of the " Sparrowgrass Papers," and will raise many a hearty laugh. My Daughter Elinor. 1 vol., 8 vo. New York: Harper & Brothers.-This is an American novel, by an anonymous writer, but it is, what is rare, a really praiseworthy one. The characters are types of the American people at large. Stretton. By Henry Kingsley. 1 vol., 8 vol. New York: Harper & Brothers -Not as good as " Ravenshoe," by the same author, but still a novel full of stir and life.
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Dream Numbers. By T. Adolphus Trollope. 1 vol., 12 mo. Philada: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.- The Italians, even in this advanced nineteenth century, are much given to lotteries, and to believing in dreams. One of the most curious things, in Rome or Florence, is to see the crowds around the lottery-offices, on the day that a drawing is to be announced. The present novel is founded on a real incident, that of a person who dreamed of certain fortunate numbers in a lottery, and is written with that thorough feeling for, and knowledge of, Italian life, which makes these stories by Adolphus Trollope so interesting and instructive. One might travel in Italy for months, if not years, without learning as much of the habits, manuers, and modes of thought of the Italian people, as by reading one or two of these tales For ourselves, we never found them dull, but always regret when we have finished them, Athaliah. By J. H. Greene, Jr. 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Carleton. This is a story of ancient Jewish life, and turns on the rebellion of Absalom against King David. It is full of stirring incidents and of glowing pictures of Palestine, but is too long, like nine-tenths of the novels now written. Is no one, in these latter times, capable ofwriting a tale with the unity, precision, and power of " Ellen Wareham," where the reader is taken up, as it were, in a whirl. wind, and remains breathless to the close ? We believe that " Ellen Wareham" is out of print, for it was a novel of the last generation ; but it would pay some bookseller to republish it: that is, if every person who was about to write a story, would first buy and study this real master-piece before inflicting their own sham one on the public. Hans Breitmann's Ballads. By Charles G. Leland. 1 vol., small 8vo. Philada: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.- We have here, complete in one volume, handsomely bound in morocco cloth, gilt and gilt-edged, or in half-calf, the entire ballads of the now famous " Hans Breitmann." The humor of these ballads is universally acknowledged, not only in this country, but in England also : in their way, they are nearly perfect. We are glad, therefore, to see them in a dress so entirely worthy of them. "Hans Breitmann" ought to be in every library ; for it is a book that will live, like the "Bigelow Papers," and be quoted, years hence, as an exponent of real American humor. Problematic Characters. By Frederick Spielhagen. 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Leypoldt & Holt.- The two most popular novelists of Germany, in our day, are Auerbach and Spielhagen. While everybody is reading " On the lleights," and "The Villa on the Rhine," by the former writer, we thank Leypoldt & Holt for introducing to the public, in this admirable work of fiction, his great cotemporary and rival. Like Auerbach, Spielhagen is rather long-winded, but not quite so much so, and in that respect he is to be preferred, for, really, life is too short to read many such books as "The Villa on the Rhine." The work before us comes within five hundred pages, whereas the " Villa" makes a thousand. Artemus Ward's Panorama. 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Carleton. This little book is edited by the executors of the late Artemus Ward. It is the series of lectures that was delivered at Egyptian Hall, in London, and is illustrated with thirty-four engravings, all full of fun. The volume deserves, and will have, an immense sale. Mopsa the Fairy. By Jean Ingelow. With Illustrations. 1 vol., 16 mo. Boston : Roberts Brothers.-A charming little book, which, though written for children, grown-up men and women will be glad to read. There are several pretty songs scattered through the volume. Sights and Sensations in France, Germany, and Switzerland. By E. G. Buffum. 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Harper & Brothers.-A racy narrative of a run through Europe, full of point and force, and well worth reading, even by those who have been over the same ground themselves.
