Page:Peterson's Magazine 1867 b.pdf/74

 REVIEW

OF NEW BOOKS.

77

THE EXAGGERATED STRAIN in which some publishers adDesigns for Country Residences. By John Riddell. 1 vol., vertise new books is greatly to be reprehended. We fre- folio. Philada : T. B. Peterson & Brothers.-We have here quently read advertisements to the effect that twenty a work of very great merit : perhaps, indeed, the best work thousand, or even fifty thousand copies of a new novel of its kind. The volume is a royal folio, illustrated by have been sold ; that the orders are so numerous that twenty-two colored drawings, and forty-four plates of presses cannot print the book fast enough, etc., etc. Occa- ground-plans, accompanied by descriptions, specifications, sionally, obliging editors are coaxed to put in a paragraph, and estimates. The book is intended as an aid to those stating that this or that author made ten or twenty thou- who propose building, and as a convenience to artisans sand dollars by his or her last novel. These statements and builders. For such a purpose it is invaluable, as the are made in the belief that they will help the sale of the plates of front elevations represent real houses, mostly book. But they really do very little in this direction, constructed under the directions of Mr. Riddell, while the while they create false notions of the popularity of certain estimates of cost are based on the cost of building at the works. Very few duodecimo novels reach an edition of time the several edifices were put up. It is a frequent more than three or four thousand at best. Such advertise- complaint with persons who order country-houses built, ments do serious harm by misleading young authors. We that the real expenses are very much greater than the frequently receive letters from comparatively unknown architect's estimate ; but a work like this, based on actual writers, who, deceived by these advertisements and notices, experience, would, we think, greatly obviate this risk. expect to make a fortune at once. To all such we would For this reason we recommend it to parties intending to say, that success in literature is always doubtful, and only { build. Price, in cloth, $15.00. to be achieved after hard study, and by superior writers. Nicholas Nickleby. Globe Edition. By Charles Dickens. If a book is trashy, rely on it, it does not sell by tens of 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Hurd & Houghton.- Still another thousands, no matter what editors or advertisers may say ; edition of Dickens. This one puts in its claim to popular and unless you can write a very much better novel than favor under the name of " Tho Globe Edition." The first it, you had better not attempt to write at all. of the series, " Nicholas Nickleby," is a very handsome GARLIC CAME originally from Sicily; the bean, pear, and volume, printed with good type, and having but one deation from Egypt ; the egg-plant from Africa; the arti- fect, which is that the paper is extremely thin. It is imchoke, horseradish, and beet from Southern Europe ; the possible, however, that this should be otherwise, considerpeach, walnut, and mulberry from Persia ; spinach from ing the small sum for which the book is furnished. The Arabia; rye from Siberia; the chestnut from Italy; the illustrations are by Darley. Price, in cloth, $1.50. Great Expectations. By Charles Dickens. 1 vol., 8 vo. cucumber from the East Indies ; parsley from Sardinia; Philada: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.-Another volume of and the potato and maize are natives of America. the " Author's American Edition" of Dickens. The illusGIFT ENTERPRISES are never to be trusted. They are trations are twenty-seven in number. The paper is excellotteries, and, as in all lotteries, somebody must be cheated. lent, and the type pleasant to read. For the advanced We constantly receive letters from the victims of such en- sheets of this novel, and for the privilege of being the author's recognized publishers in the United States, twelve terprises. We can do nothing, however, to help them. hundred pounds, or about six thousand dollars in gold, was " THE LAST NUMBER of Peterson's Magazine," says the paid, jointly, by Harper & Brothers and T. B. Peterson & Sidney (Ohio) Journal, " shows that the Christmas number Brothers. Price, in cloth, $1.25. was not an extra, but only a fair sample for the year." Coming Wonders Expected Between 1867 and 1875. By Rev. M. Baxter. 1 vol., 12 mo. Philada: J. S. Claxton.According to this author all sorts of troubles are to come upon the world during the next eight years. The Ottoman REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS. The History ofPendennis. By W. M. Thackeray. 1 vol ., 16 empire is to be dissolved ; Great Britain and America are mo. New York: M. Dodlady.- Under the title of "The Dia- to have a four years' war ; Napoleon III. is to capture Jerumond Thackeray," Mr. Doolady has begun the publication salem ; general war, pestilence, and famine is to set in; and the great battle of Armageddon is to wind up all. of a uniform edition of the works of the author of " Vanity finally Fair," leading off with " Pendennis." The volume before Price, in cloth, $1.00. Homespun ; or, Five-and-Twenty Years Ago. By Thomas us is an almost exact copy of Ticknor & Fields' " Diamond Dickens," and is open to the same cardinal objection, that Lackland. 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Hurd & Houghton.the type is too small. The illustrations, however, are very The books of this house are more elegant, usually, than much superior to those in the " Diamond Dickens," being those of any other in America ; and this little volume is no the original English ones. A handsome American edition exception to the rule. " Homespun" is an excellent picof this writer has long been wanted. The Harpers began ture of country life, as it existed five-and-twenty years ago, such an edition with " Vanity Fair," but stepped there ; and may even still exist in some of the remoter districts in had they continued it, they could have controlled the the older Atlantic States. Price, in cloth, $1.50. Aunt Margaret's Trouble. 1 vol., 8 vo. Philada: T. B, market ; but in the absence of a better one, the present edition, in spite of its small type, ought to command a Peterson & Brothers.- A story by an anonymous writer. very large sale. Though Thackeray is not so popular as But rumor says that a daughter of Dickens is the author. Dickens, he has many admirers, especially among culti- Whoever wrote the book, however, it is an excellent one, vated persons ; and the time has come, we think, when a quiet and simple, something like " The Story of Elizabeth," uniform edition of his works will be remunerative. The and one that will please cultivated persons especially. present volume has twelve illustrations in wood, besides a Price, in paper, twenty-five cents. steel portrait of the author. G. W. Pitcher, 808 Chestnut The Forlorn Hope. By Edmund Yates. 1 vol., 8vo. Bosstreet, is the Philadelphia agent. The series is to be issued tom: A. K. Loring.- A very well written novel, better than in monthly volumes. Price, in cloth, $1.50. most fictions, indeed. Mr. Yates steadily improves. A Beet-Root Sugar and Cultivation of the Beet. By E. B. cheap edition. Price, in paper, seventy-five cents. Grant. 1 vol., 12 mo. Boston: Lee & Shepard.- An excelBuried Alive. By Alexander Dumas. 1 vol., 8vo. Philada: lent little treatise, handsomely printed and bound. Price, T. B. Peterson & Brothers.-A cheap edition of a rather in cloth, $1.25. good sensation novel. Price, in paper, fifty cents.