SUCH SOUND DOCTRINE. [From the New York Evening Post.] siastically, without an if or a but. At the [From a New York Editor.] "I have read the Literary World with unusual interest for several years, because of the fairness, intelligence, and discrimination shown in its treatment of books, and heartily hope that its field of usefulness may grow with its years and its reputation." [From a distinguished Virginia Poet.] must be denied him; but a more remarkable figure in its bold and salient individuality, and sharply marked light and shadow, is nowhere seen in American history. WE E know a teacher in our public schools, with eight hundred boys under his supervision. In thirty years he has not struck one of them. Per contra, we know of, - hapin this city, who whips on an average two of pily, we don't know her, a female teacher her pupils per day, not exempting little things of seven or eight years. A few days ago, a boy having been whispered to, and not answer"Allow me to thank you for all the delighting, as we hear, was cruelly beaten by this your criticisms have afforded me during the inhuman woman; who, on the demand of his past year. Your utter fearlessness is matter mother, made a grovelling apology, confessing of constant admiration to me, and the way in that she did it in a fit of passion. She uses which you dare to speak out your own honest the vulgarisms ain't" and "'tain't," in the conviction, unawed by authority,' this side presence of her scholars. Now we submit the water or the other, is something refreshing that such a person, one who has "fits of pasto see in these truckling times, when the out- sion," is unfit to have charge of a school of spokenness of moral courage is below par. I, young children. Corporal punishment in for one, thank you for it; and only wish that schools is a relic of the past, contemporary with your circulation was such that you could give the pillory and stocks. If a teacher is incapus the Literary World as a weekly or bi-able of controlling his pupils by mere mental monthly." [From a Correspondent at Brooklyn, N. Y.] "I should like to thank you for the pleasure and profit I receive from the Literary World. The fine taste shown in the extracts and criticisms of poetry is one of its especial attractions." a periodical as the Literary World must do much to help forward the growth of our young literature, and it is not easy to estimate the permanent value to American letters of this now firmly established journal of literary criticism. Its editor's view of the functions and the duties of the reviewer of books, as we learn it from his practice, is one which might be adopted with advantage in many places where a precisely opposite system prevails now. This view is that criticism, [From Francis Parkman's "Monarchy in America, under Louis XIV.," forthcoming.] to be of any worth either to literature or to COUNT FRONTENAC. power, he has mistaken his calling: the rôle of mule-driver would suit him better. The name of Boston, which has long boasted of its schools, takes shame from the tolerance of the barbarous practice of whipping little children. WE submit to our readers that, in this number of the Literary World, they have their money's worth. Twenty-four pages of so-so reading matter fresh from our private mint; and all for fifteen cents. This possibility strik the readers immediately addressed, must be in HIS own acts and words best paint his char-ingly indicates the cheapness of brains. Kind the main friendly, and altogether fair; that to 66 [From the New York Evening Mail.] The Literary World for December is a capital number. What we like specially about it is, that when it approves of a book it does not hesitate to say so plainly, warmly, and enthu sure. that he never was forced to recede from the reader, regard these teeming sheets as our gift for Happy New Year ! Again we are overwhelmed with books, and must leave many, which deserve careful atten tion, unnoticed. THE DEAD CHILD. Where Christ once lay in sleep; Their soft depths sacred keep. One finger fills her bud-like mouth, Around her stand two angel forms Around his head a flame; Quenched for aye in the mould! Shall we see him no more in his beauty arise Like the laugh of the Morn when she wakes on the wold, Heaven's roses her garments upon And a light from the Gods in her eyes? I sleep never more, DEIRDRE. Save of death's stony sleep By the side of my lov'd ones!-0 thou through their gore Of their grave, their cold grave,— That I rest where they slumber the sleep of the brave, A weak flower forgotten in the storms, Oh the dark noble face,3 Oh the long raven hair, Oh the glad heart and high! Oh the pride of his race! Who shall do, - who shall dare All for love like to him, looking death in the eye? Who shall lead us to gladness from lands of despair? Who shall fill in the banquet his place? In the battle when great deeds are nigh? Ah! the fires of my woe, DEIRDRE. They have burnt up my sighs, Scorching deep, till the tides of my heart cease to flow, And the tears of mine eyes: And I see as through blood, And I breathe as through fire, And I hear as one hears on the wide ocean flood . Lashed by winds in their ire, Ah! when shall I breathe my last breath, he And the flames of mine anguish expire? THE AUTHOR OF "DEIRDRÈ.” NOTES AND QUERIES. "L. B. H.," Greenpoint, N. Y., asks where find some lines beginning, may -- "'Twas at Missolonghi's fearful fight." Query," Boston, writes: "Page 39 of Wit, Humor, and Shakspeare:' 'He's a good sailor, but a bad carrier.' Didn't the Nantucket captain mean to say of the rhetorician, He's a good sailer,' and isn't the point of his wit blunted by a misprint?" We see no chance for a misprint. Our correspondent evidently does not understand the nautical allusion. The Nantucket captain noted the difference between a sharp, swift vessel, and a broad-beamed, capacious craft. His meaning was that the preacher spoke well, but carried a light freight of thought. "T. W. H.," Newport, R. I., kindly enlightens us as to the origin of the line, "What grape-bloom knoweth Its fiery wine?" It is from Mrs. Rose (Terry) Cooke's "Doubt," and the entire stanza is as follows: "Rest in thy dreaming, Child divine; What grape-bloom knoweth Its fiery wine? Only the sleeper "They occur in the following poem by Rose Terry, whose name now I believe is Rose Terry Cooke: "The stranger wandering in the Switzer's land, Lieth thine Italy!'" "M. I. S.," Framingham, favors us with a long list of queries, which we answer as well as we can: 66 Will you allow me to present a list of questions for your column of Notes and Queries,' leaving it to your discretion to print as many or as few of them as you please in one number of your periodical? 1. By whom and in what work was written this line: Who all did wilfully expect the silver-threaded morn?' "11. What is meant by this expression in English history: Taking the seals and conducting the House of Commons'? fear I have hardly given you an • Ariadne clew;' but I shall be most grateful if you can help me out. I am specially anxious to get The holder of the seals, we believe, was it at once." the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 12. And this: The Rockingham Administration (1765-1766) sold no employments and obtained no reversions '?" It means that the ministry sold no ffices, and, we think, had none come back on its hands. "13. In the first volume of poems published by Helen Hunt, 1871, entitled Verses. By H. H.,' occur several poems addressed to certain persons who are designated by their initials only. One poem on page 58, to R. W. E.' is, of course, addressed to Emerson. On page 75 is one to A. C. L. B.;' is it known who is meant by these letters? On page 83, Friends. To A. E. P.' Page 104, Welcome. C. C.'. Can you tell me the persons meant ? " No doubt these names are local. CORRESPONDENCE. "THE VESTIGES OF CREATION." Editor Literary World : – In the November issue of the Literary World, I find among the "Notes and Queries" the following inquiry as to the authorship of that well-known book, "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation.” -"F. L. C.," Chicago, writes: "Will you oblige a reader by answering, in a future issue, who was or is the author of Vestiges of Creation'? "In an advertisement to the second Ameri can edition, published by Wiley & Putnam, New York, about 1845, Sir Richard Vyvyan, Bart., F.R.S., &c., is said to be the author. "14. Where is, or was, the island of New He is not so named, however, by Allibone, or Orleans?" We never heard of the island of New Orleans. The city is built on a bend in the "2. And these lines: The great English Mississippi, and may resemble an island. dissenter who hated all laws that were formed "To stretch the conscience and to bind Who was the great English dissenter?'” "6. Who was the most finished of the poet 18th century,' who boasted Envy must own I live among the great'? "7. Where is this line: : "With calm desires that asked but little room '? "8. And this: "The victory of endurance born'? 9. Who wrote and where, "The palm of martyrdom without the pain'? "10. Where can I find a description of the meadows of Christ Church and walks of Maudlin' - in Oxford? Is Maudlin the name of a person?" Maudlin is a mere contraction of Magdalen, of which Charles Reade is Bursar. In Chambers' Cyclopædia you can find an excellent account of Oxford. The Walks of Maudlin are, no doubt, along the many bridges over the Isis and the Cherwell. Oxford has a Magdalen College, and a St. Mary Magdalen Church, the former having a tower of the 15th century. We know not; but there is a Lafferde in the Countess of Caithness. She says in her Saxony. I have not been able, so far, to find this book (i.e., the countess's); and am, accordingly, at a loss for the grounds, if any are stated, upon which the Countess bases her opinions as to the sex of the writer of "Vestiges of Creation; " but, unless good and sufficient reasons are advanced in support of the opinion, it has a very slight chance of acceptance, "C. E. B.," Springfield, writes: "Can and will tend very little toward the settlement you give me any information, through the of the question. The internal evidences correspondent's column of the Literary World, the style, the method of reasoning, the comabout the frescoes known as Raphael's prehensive knowledge of science displayed on Hours'? In what building were they painted, every page, the discussion of subjects from and are they supposed to be the work of which the woman of forty years ago shrank — Raphael himself, or his pupils ?" would all seem, to my mind, to preclude the probability of the writer of the book being a lady. As I turn over the pages of the work in question, I find a point which may throw a little light on this question of sex. In the "Vestiges," the author refers to certain experiments in crystallization made by a Mr. W. H. Weekes, of Sandwich; and in the Sequel to the Vestiges," which was put forth a year or two after, as an explanation and defence of the author's position, appeared O. M. E. R.," Boston, inquires: "Can you tell me where to find a poem written on Thackeray immediately after his death? It first appeared in an English magazine, and was a letter from this same Mr. Weekes to the largely copied in America. I cannot quote author, addressed "Dear Sir." Now, in accurately a single line; but if I mistake not the long and angry controversy which ensued it opens with the idea of the Angel of Death from the publication of the " Vestiges," the coming down upon the heart of London, question of authorship must have been very where the great man lay asleep.' It also thoroughly canvassed; but, from the fact above contains allusions to his last written words, stated, it will be seen that an eminent scientist my heart throbbed with an ecstasy,' &c. I of the day did not consider the work to be the have vaguely connected it with Dickens. I product of a woman's pen. 46 truth of which we have no reason to doubt, proaches the accuracy of the Gregorian style." Curwen says, p. 247, A book appeared about this time, entitled Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation,' which was written to prove that the Divine Governor of this world conducts its passing affairs by a fixed rule, termed 'natural law.' The orthodox party professed to be alarmed at the temerity of the writer; and by them the book was hailed | Magazine for July, 1871. with contumely. It was known that the proofsheets had passed through the hands of Mr. Robert Chambers, and, on no better authority than this, not only did the public believe the story, but the Vestiges' was entered in the catalogue of the British Museum under his name. A writer in the Critic boldly stated, on eminent authority,' that George Combe was the author; and though this was contradicted, and though the authorship is still a mystery, it would appear that Combe had, at I have heard, I know not how truly, that the "Vestiges " is attributed to R. C. in the Catalogue of the British Museum. all events, something to do with the work. In 1848, Robert Chambers was selected to be Lord Provost of Edinburg. He was requested to deny the authorship; but his refusal to plead, and his consequent retirement, were probably due to his contempt for people who could make the authorship of a book a barrier to civic honors." Sir Walter Scott felt justified in refusing to plead to the authorship of the Waverley Novels: why, therefore, should not Robert Chambers have felt justified in refusing to plead to the authorship of the “ Vestiges of Creation," especially when he had pledged himself (supposing him to have been the author) to be, if not indeed, like Junius, the sole depository of his secret, at least to have but few sharers of his confidence? "For reasons best to be appreciated by myself," says the author in his Note Conclusory," "my name is retained in its original obscurity, and, in all probability, will never be generally known." SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 7, 1876. To the Editor of the Literary World : · 66 The lines beginning "The moving finger writes, and having writ," whose authorship is asked in your current number, are from the Rubáiyát" of Omar Khayyam, a Persian poet, as translated by Edward Fitzgerald, in England. These strange fatalistic poems have been quoted in pretty nearly every paper in the country that ever pays attention to literature, within the present year, owing to their republication in London, and the promised appearance of a new work by the same hand, like the first published anonymously, and like the first a translation, but of a classical instead of an Oriental author. C. G. W. We give below extracts from "Rubáiyát," and some biographical particulars which we have gathered :— "We are no other than a moving row Of Magic Shadow-shapes that come and go The Ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes, "Poole's Index to Periodical Literature " indicates that an article on the authorship of in the latter half of the eleventh century, and the " Vestiges" may be found in the American Whig Review, Vol. iii. pp. 168-383. Editor of the Literary World: BOOKWORM. Your correspondent "F. L. C." raises a question in your November number which I supposed substantially settled years ago, though one which those capable of giving an authoritative solution of are least likely to be communicative about. Doubtless, we all can recall statements regarding others, the died early in the twelfth. His history is writ- MINOR BOOK NOTICES. 66 -"A French View of the Grand International Exposition of 1876," by M. L. Simonin, and translated from the French by Samuel H. Needles, is a very amusing brochure. Menand bitter prejudice against the Germans perdacity is its most conspicuous characteristic, vades it. The writer condescends to praise the architecture of the Centennial Buildings, but he censures their internal arrangements. machinery, saying that there will never He deigns to be pleased by the show of again be seen in any Exposition such an array of useful machines, all ingeniously contrived with the view of forcing machinery to do the work of men." Of the Corliss engine he gives a detailed account; the public schools he praises even to the disadvantage of France. He speaks of the Woman's Rights party as profiting by the Centennial as far as possible to awake new agitation;" and adds, "they know well that all this movement, all this efflux of female eloquence, will soon vanish like smoke; that the principal agitators have not the sympathy of the mass of women; and that the advocates of Woman's Rights will long demand in vain what Nature itself seems to have refused to them. Who would care for us, who would pet and court us, who would submit to our caprices, when we become the equals of men?' said a beautiful girl to us, when we were in New York; and the beautiful American lady was right." The author sees no merit in the German exhibition; "her products which she [Germany] exposes, if they are remarkable by their cheapness, are also distinguished by bad quality and bad taste. lery she has had the bad taste to recall, by heart-rending paintings which are the objects of general criticism, the success which she the field of battle." obtained in 1870 on As to the French exhibition, he says: "The palm of good taste has fallen not from our hands, and we maintain the front rank for delicacy, finish, and ingenuity of work. Finally, by a host of other diverse productions, France In the Art Gal marches as ever in the van of the nations. . . . No; the French School [of Art] has not deteriorated [it had but a short distance to - Of making baby-books there is no end. The latest comer into the arena of juvenile literature is "Classics of Baby-Land," versified by Clara Doty Bates. It is one of the most attractive books of its kind that we ever saw, crowded with funny verses, and embellished with many fine illustrations. [D. Lothrop & Co.] 66 "Nor that, you will deteriorate] either in good taste [remember feature, not a hair, is forgotten. If he had girl, she fell victim to the brutal lust of Sir the glaring nudities of her exhibition!] or in taken minute notes daily in his course, he Randal Platt, a hardened roué, but afterwards the delicate choice of subjects." He thinks could not have produced a more detailed married a worthy clergyman. Tom was desthe expenses of the French and American description. He begins with the opening of perately in love with Hessie, but he hoped in expositions must not be "too severally the year, when Sam Wentworth is matric- vain. The relation between these two was on balanced." He does not appreciate our musi- ulated, and attends him through his whole her part entirely sisterly, on his furiously lovercal talent, declaring, "Happy it is, if no course, as a modern interviewer" follows a like. Intimate with Platt, he grew dissipated, American lady mingles her voice with such public notable, reporting his every word and drank, and gambled; but Hessie brought him music, for the ladies of the United States sing act. In fine, the book is not unlike a photo- back to decorum. Hessie endures a terrible like their English sisters." He thinks that graph transcript of a whole academic career; spiritual discipline, struggling against her "America will learn to dispense more and every nook and corner of which is delineated inherited hatred of her brother's murderer, more with Europe, and Europe cannot dis- as if with the finest brush. We wonder at the with only her melancholy love to help her. pense with her." She can dispense with such author's courage in telling the truth, and the But Fortune manipulated the chess-men in a prejudiced and inaccurate chroniclers as M. L. whole truth, about the tyranny of Sophomores long and complicated movement to bring ber Simonin, however, and not feel the loss. over Freshmen; his account reads like the his- victory at last. Her love was stronger than [Claxton, Remsen, & Haffelfinger.] tory of a war of beasts, and casts everlasting her hate. They were married, and the book disgrace on the government of an institution closes with these tender vows: Dear one, which permits and endorses such outrages. look up and give me an answer to my song. We never read a more brutal narrative than She took the caressing hand in hers, and laid that in which is portrayed the savage raid her cheek upon it; but she did not even then on the Freshman, Allyne. No reasonably look up as she spoke. I don't think, Dougjudicious reader could but rejoice in a supple-las, that the stars will ever fall, nor that the mentary episode, and the instant death of the angels will ever be weeping.' assailants. The brutal element in the book is Go on, my dearest." Nor that, too disgusting to dwell upon; if the govern- ever cease to love me." One thing more, my ment of Harvard College can calmly read its wife. Nor that?" Nor that I can ever records, that body has more fortitude and less cease to love you." This is a lovely novel; humanity than we had given it credit for. In we never read one with more enjoyment, and glaring and unfitting contrast, there are many Hessie is a sweet little nobody. [Harper & pleasant pictures in the book, which show that Brothers.] the author's skill is not limited to the treatment of scenes of savagery. His sketches of -"A Houseful of Children" is a fitting inner college life are graphic and satisfying, name for a home that shelters seven youngsters. and the incursions of his male personages into The story of their lives is very pleasantly told the society of Cambridge and Worcester show by Mrs. D. P. Sanford, who knows and apprethe touch of a skilled writer. The affectional ciates the tribe. The jolly boys and girls live elements of the story are exquisitely handled, in the country, and enjoy all sorts of rural and the love-affairs are veritable bouquets. sports, never quarrelling, and dutifully obeyThe regatta at Worcester and the succeeding ball possess many panoramic beauties, and the assemblage of chivalry and beauty at Mrs. Wentworth's almost realizes a dream of English festivities in the olden time. But, mazed by the charms of these affectional vicissitudes, one still recalls with a shudder the dreadful drama in Allyne's room, the ten cowards hurling themselves on one man. Is such the chivalry of Harvard? These accounts may be exaggerated; but we think not. The book is admirably written, witty, forcible, and flowing; but unless one has an urgent taste for the horrible, we would not advise its perusal. Certainly it cannot be commended to nervous females. [Lockwood, Brooks, & Co.] - White's "Progressive Art Series" has won great popularity. It comprises fifteen cards, enclosed in an envelope, a Manual of Instructions for the teacher, a Black-board chart, and packages of exercise paper. In this system, a diagram of guide-points is laid out, the points being placed at regular intervals, and on these the pupil draws his lines from point to point; the latter suggesting the direction of the lines. This series has been quite generally adopted, and its simplicity and effectiveness have been warmly approved. [Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor, & Co.] 46 Dr. William Smith has bestowed many benefactions on the student, but he has done none more worthy and beneficent, than the preparation of a Student's Classical Dictionary," such as we have before us. The large books of its class are too bulky to be conveniently handled; and though the contents of this volume are, of course, materially reduced from the original, it contains all that the student would seek, save in emergencies. [Harper & Brothers.] Miss Farman's story, "Mrs. Hurd's Niece," seems fitted to do good. The heroine, a poor girl named Lois, goes to the city to live with her Aunt, Mrs. Hurd. She is coolly The Arundel Motto," by Miss Hay, is received by the Aunt and her daughters; but a capital novel, the author's best, we think. they soon learn to love her. She makes her- A more ingenious study of human nature we self very useful to them, and is introduced to have rarely seen. How hate burned to love, their friends. Seeing them to be worldly-love in its strongest in Hessie's fair bosom, minded, she tries successfully to reform them. is told with a tender feeling that brings tears She aids two servant girls in establishing an to the eyes Lord Leaholm, in his youth, eating-house for the poor, and does good to had killed Hessie's brother in a duel, and all about her. The characters of Saidee and Elizabeth are well delineated, and Elizabeth's conversion is progressive. [D. Lothrop & Co.] We have not been able to get up much enthusiasm over "The Barton Experiment." It is a temperance argument derived from the history of Barton. Not one of its personages is agreeable, and the action is rather dreary. It is difficult to believe that this book and "Helen's Babies" proceeded from the same hand. [G. R. Putnam's Sons.] "Student Life at Harvard " was evidently written by one who thoroughly understands his subject; all of it he has seen, and part of it he was. Every phase of college life comes out like a photograph under his hand; not a ing their mother. The account of their visit to grandpa's is one of the pleasantest things in the book. The volume contains a multitude of pretty pictures. [E. P. Dutton & Co.] Several sermons of the late President Walker of Harvard College have been gathered in a volume called "Reason, Faith, and Duty." His many admirers will welcome this posthumous expression of his fine mind. The editor makes a note to the effect that the author should not be held responsible for the publication, though just before his death he consented to the printing of a part. The topics are mainly spiritual, though the practical element is not wanting. Titles like these are suggestive of thoughts found in daily experience, The Daily Cross," "On Keeping the Promises we make to Ourselves," &c. In The Daily Cross," there are some striking passages as to the elements of strength in religion, and to the practice of self-torture in vogue in early times. Of the practitioners of this rite, the preacher says, quaintly: “ It would be well for us if we lived up to our idea of what makes a good man, as nearly as they did up to theirs." The book is marked by earnestness of belief and simplicity and directness of expression, and may be read with spiritual profit. [Roberts Brothers.] Hessie had learned to hate him with a heartful |