A WEEK'S DELIGHT; or, Games and Stories for the Parlor and Fireside. Prepared for the use of the young. This volume of entertaining games and stories will, we doubt not, find a welcome reception in families who love their children, and wish them to enjoy themselves innocently.
From Harper & Brothers, New York, through Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia:—
HISTORY OF THE INSURRECTION IN CHINA; with Notices of the Christianity, Creed, and Proclamations of the Insurgents. By MM. Callery and Yvan. Translated from the French, with a supplementary chapter, narrating the most recent events, by John Oxenford. With a fac-simile of a Chinese map of the course of the insurrection, and a portrait of Tien-Te, its Chief. Probably no movement of modern times presents so important an aspect as that of the revolution now going on in the great empire of the "Celestials." To those desiring information with regard to its origin, leaders, and progress, the work under notice will prove interesting and acceptable.
THE CZAR AND THE SULTAN; or, Nicholas and Abdul Medjid: their Private Lives and Public Actions. By Adrian Gilson. To which is added, "The Turks in Europe: their Rise and Decadence." By Francis Bouvet. Like the foregoing volume, this little work has been brought out to meet the demand created by stirring events of the day. Giving a clear and concise statement of the character and antecedents of the two monarchs, upon whose doings the attention of half the world has of late been riveted, it also contains an account of the past and present condition of the Turkish empire, in which the manners, customs, and religion of the people are treated of briefly, but comprehensively.
HISTORY OF GREECE. By George Grote, Esq. Vol. 11. Reprinted from the London edition. In this volume, the learned historian brings down his narrative to the death of Philip of Macedon. One other volume, embracing the reign of Alexander, will conclude the work.
MEMOIRS OF JOHN ABERNETHY, F. R. S. With a View of his Lectures, Writings, and Character. By George Macilwain, F. R. C. S., author of "Medicine and Surgery," "One Inductive Science," etc. This work the author confesses to have been a labor of love. Both his heart and intellect were with the great physician, whose life and character he has so skilfully delineated that, while the medical practitioner cannot fail to peruse his account with profit, the general reader will find himself continually and deeply interested in it. With regard to Abernethy's rudeness, of which so many anecdotes have been related, Professor Macilwain remarks: "His manner was at times, and in all serious cases, and to hospital patients, as unaffectedly kind as could be desired. On many occasions of minor import, his impulsiveness of character led him to say things which, however much we may palliate, we shall not attempt to excuse." But "his roughness was really superficial. It was the easiest thing in the world to develop the real kindness of heart which lay beneath it."
LIFE OF BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON, HISTORICAL PAINTER, from his Autobiography and Journals. Edited and compiled by Tom Taylor, of the Inner Temple, Esq., late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; and late Professor of the English Language and Literature in University College, London. "My task," says the editor of these two thick volumes, "has been that of presenting the self-portraiture, which Haydon left behind him, in such a light as may show the work intelligibly.... It is not the biography of Haydon, but his autobiography—not a life of him by me, but his life by himself." And, truly, Mr. Taylor has performed his part with discrimination and judgment. Strangely interesting is the record that has thus been given us of the great but unfortunate painter's struggles through the world. Even as a study of character, it will not lack readers.
HISTORY OF THE CAPTIVITY OF NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA. From the Letters and Journals of the late Lieutenant-General Sir Hudson Lowe, and Official Documents not before made public. By William Forsyth, M. A., author of "Hortensius," and "History of Trial by Jury;" late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. In two volumes. Nothing relative to the first Napoleon, however trifling, can be valueless or unattractive. The work before us is an important one, and of deep interest, inasmuch as it is a very full, though not unprejudiced account of the captivity and last days of the great Corsican. But, while acknowledging the historical value of Mr. Forsyth's labors, we reserve to ourselves the opinion that his special pleading in behalf of Sir Hudson Lowe and the British government will fall far short of its intended effect.