sured defeats, magnified or undervalued victo- | a professional account, calm almost to coldries, and instituted unfair and even unjust ness, of each conflict, with a view to the exact comparisons relative to the force of the re- facts and an impartial exhibition of them, and spective ships engaged, their complement of also with a view to such deductions as have a men, and the skill, courage, and conduct of practical value as bearing upon the efficiency their officers and men, with the result not only of navies and success in naval warfare. There that their accounts of some of the more impor- | will doubtless be differences of opinion as to tant engagements are inaccurate and unrelia- some of Mr. Roosevelt's data and conclusions, ble, but are as exasperating to one set of read- and of this he is evidently fully sensible; but ers as they are zestful and flattering to the we are confident that these differences will be national pride of the other. Sufficient time confined to isolated instances among the great has now elapsed to make it possible to give an | variety of details with which he deals, and furaccount of the war which shall do justice to ther, that any errors he may have committed both sides by telling the whole story impar-will not be chargeable either to his partisantially. And this Mr. Theodore Roosevelt has ship, or to his lack of industry in collecting, essayed to do, and has done successfully and or to his want of intelligence in construing, with a degree of moral courage that is highly the materials on which he has relied for his commendable, in a monograph entitled The facts and opinions. After making due allowNaval War of 1812; or, The History of the United ance for possible errors and inadvertencies, States Navy during the Last War with Great Brit-professional readers will be inclined to accept ain. As the sub-title of his book intimates, | Mr. Roosevelt's monograph as the most accuMr. Roosevelt does not undertake to write a rate, as it certainly is the most cool and imhistory of the war of 1812 on a scale so broad partial, and in some respects the most intrepid, and philosophic as to include an elaborate the- account that has yet appeared of the naval acory of the causes which led to it, the principles tions of the war of 1812. which were involved in it, and the political and international acts, artifices, pretensions, and negotiations that invited it. What he undertakes is a far less complex task than this. After a commendably brief introductory statement of the political causes and results of the war, in which are included a rapid résumé of the general features of the contest, a discussion of the race identity of the combatants and the close similarity between British and American commanders and sailors, and an intelligent inquiry into the comparative systems, armaments, prowess, and qualities generally of the British and American navies, with a glance at the corresponding character and reputation of other European navies, Mr. Roose- | velt addresses himself specifically to the task of describing the preparations and operations, on the ocean and the lakes, of the contending navies in each year of the war, and of giving detailed accounts of each particular action, whether engaged in by squadrons or single vessels. These accounts comprehend particular examinations and criticisms of the tactics, methods, and skill of the opposing commanders in each fight, and at every period of it, and carefully prepared summaries, derived from the most authentic sources of information, of the relative armament, complement of men, and loss of the ships in each engagement. Mr. Roose-vate character and lives of the several pashas, velt's plan leaves little room for the display of rhetoric. He refrains from anything resembling dramatic descriptions of the vicissitudes of naval fights, and makes no attempt to impart interest to his relation by the introduction of stirring episodes of personal valor and heroism. Throughout, he adheres strictly to The Naval War of 1812; or, The History of the United States Navy during the Last War with Great Britain. By THEODORE ROOSEVELT. 8vo, pp. 498. New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons. THE Messrs. Harper have published in the "Franklin Square Library" a timely volume on Egypt for popular reading, by Mr. Edwin De Leon, late British agent and Consul-General in Egypt. It is entitled Egypt Under its Khedives,* and was originally prepared in 1877, but since then has been thoroughly revised by the author, and a preliminary chapter added, bearing on recent events in Egypt, more especially recounting the causes and incidents that led to the rise of Arabi Pasha to power, and that finally culminated in the Egyptian revolt. The work is an intelligent and interesting sketch of modern Egypt, comprising descriptions of its topographical features and characteristics, its principal routes of travel and transportation, its population and resources, its chief cities and historic sites, its civil and military establishments, and its political, social, educational, and religious institutions. Besides these there are elaborate accounts of the Suez Canal during its construction and since its completion; of the condition of the fallaheen, or peasantry; of the Egyptian methods of finance and taxation; of the improvements and public works that have been accomplished or projected by the government; and of the events of the reigns and of the pri from Mehemet Ali, the vigorous founder of the present Egyptian dynasty, to the present feeble and vacillating Khedive, Tewfik Pasha. Under this latter head are some interesting sketches of the sons of Ismail, and of other surviving scions of the royal house. A perusal of Mr. De Leon's timely volume will force Egypt Under its Khedives; or, the Old House of Bondage under New Masters. By EDWIN DE LEON. With Illustrations. "Franklin Square Library.' 4to, pp. 44. New York: Harper and Brothers. the conviction upon the intelligent reader that | acute if somewhat acid criticisms of the dehowever the present war in Egypt may ter- fects of our political system, more particularly minate, the case of the great body of the Egyp- as relates to the administrative and legislative tian people-its wretched and down-trodden branches, and his vigorous exposition of the fellaheen-can scarcely be made more deplor- frictions and conflicts that have occurred beable, and may possibly be rendered more en- tween the constitution and the practical poldurable. itics of the country. We would not intimate that this learned and capable writer is unfriendly to our country and its institutions, since it is apparent, even where he is most critical, that he has a profound admiration for the one, and sees great possibilities in the other. He is severe rather than inimical in his judg ments, and belongs to the class of philosophical thinkers in whom the critical faculty is more strongly developed than the constructive, and who are more skillful in dissecting than in building up a body-politic. If the popularity among readers of her own sex which Marion Harland (Mrs. Terhune) has won by her wholesome and entertaining writ THE third volume of The Constitutional and Political History of the United States," by Dr. H. Von Holst, recently published, continues the subject which the author has chosen for study through the administrations of Polk and Taylor, and a portion of Fillmore's administration, covering the period from 1846 to 1850. Like its predecessors, it is noteworthy for the abundance of its details, which are gathered from all possible sources, official and unofficial from pamphlets, newspapers, private and public correspondence, debates in Congress, speeches of prominent men, and government documents and there is scarcely a page but affords evidence of the industrious research, the inde-ings should secure from them a hearing for fatigable industry, and the keen sagacity of its author. The work is specially interesting to Americans, and peculiarly worthy of their scrutiny and study, for its able presentation of the views of a learned and thoughtful foreigner, from a stand-point that is certainly free from any violent prepossessions in favor of our country or its public men, on the practical workings of our constitution and institutions, under the strain of conflicting interpretations and applications of the one, and under the pressure of exciting political questions and ambitions | upon the other. Taking no pains to conceal that he is a pessimist as to our form of government and its administration by our public men, Dr. Von Holst is frequently betrayed into undue acerbity when describing the operation of our institutions, and when estimating the motives and the ability of our public men in connection with their dealings with large questions of domestic or foreign policy. He is also habitually disposed to deduce disproportionate and even extravagant inferences from trivial premises. But all this is probably the result of prejudice, or temper, or perhaps of self-conceit, rather than of a lack of candor; and after all these abatements are allowed, it still remains that the work deserves, and will reward, the serious scrutiny of our statesmen and historical students for its vigorous and incisive discussions of the grave historical events that occurred during the period he describes-including among others the Oregon Boundary Dispute with England, the Annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the Acquisition of California, the Adoption of the Wilmot Proviso, and the Compromise of 1850. Equally deserving of studious consideration are Dr. Von Holst's The Constitutional and Political History of the United States. By Dr. H. VON HOLST, Professor at the University of Freiburg. 1846-1850. Annexation of TexasCompromise of 1850. 8vo, pp. 597. Chicago: Callaghan and Co. her latest work, Common-Sense for Maid, Wife, and Mother, they will derive from it some vital truths concerning their physical and moral well-being, involving their duties and obligations to themselves, their offspring, and society, which it concerns them much to know, but which, from motives of false or morbid delicacy, are very commonly withheld from them altogether by parents and instructors as improper subjects for conversation, or are dribbled out to them so scantily and under such cunningly devised disguises as to make no sensible impression upon them. Mrs. Terhune has no patience with such motives, however deeply her sympathies may be excited for those who are the victims of the ignorance that results from them, and in this volume she dwells upon their destructive and even criminal tendencies with an earnestness that is never more kindly than when it burns with hottest indignation. In the form of familiar talks with maids, wives, and mothers, she describes with the utmost plainness of speech, and yet with true modesty, the distinctive physiological characteristics of woman, their offices and functions, and their relation to her physical, mental, and moral nature; and while prescribing the proper course to be pursued in the interests of good health and good morals, both as it regards the individual and the race, she specifies in detail and severely reprobates those prevalent practices and devices which are inimical to natural laws, and are not only destructive but immoral and criminal in their tendencies and results. Mrs. Terhune's frank, wise, and kindly talks with her sex should awaken them to the evils of many of the usages which are conventionally received as harmless or justifiable expedients, and if her counsels are heeded as they deserve, reforms Eve's Daughters; or, Common-Sense for Maid, Wife, and Mother. By MARION HARLAND. 12mo, pp. 455. New York: John R. Anderson and Henry S. Allen. mood, and, with the exception of a few old favorites in a new dress that have been added at the instance of the thoughtful publishers, so novel as to keep youthful curiosity actively on the alert. All of them are gay and animated, without degenerating into boisterous ness. ALTHOUGH it may not be obvious to the cur will be induced that will promote the physical | sufficiently varied to suit children of every and moral vigor of woman, and contribute to the permanent improvement of the race. Incidentally to her discussion of these special subjects, Mrs. Terhune introduces a large amount of eminently practical information relative to household and domestic matters, to regimen, food, clothing, the treatment of children in health or in sickness, etc., and many sensible suggestions and counsels concerning the intellectual and moral training and educa-sory reader, because of the skill with which it tion of children. The volume is the sympathetic and courageous effort of a thoughtful and loving Christian woman to enlighten the women of America to the needs, the failures, the sins, the capabilities, and the possibilities of the sex, to emancipate them from the thrall-ed Rose. The answer is not vouchsafed in set dom of ignorance, and make them sensible of their religious and social obligations, and to impress upon them the important truth that the fate of the coming race-its deterioration or its advancement-rests largely upon them. THE union of practical good sense and refined taste that was conspicuous in a little book on Beauty in Dress, by Mrs. Dewing (née Oakey), is no less noticeable in a companion volume she has just written on the kindred topic of Beauty in the Household.' More particularly addressed to her own sex, so far as it relates to the technicalities of household management and economies, it is nevertheless affluent of practical hints, suggestions, and directions for rendering a home beautiful as well as comfortable, that may be profited by alike by readers of both sexes. To young housekeepers just beginning life with moderate means her chapters on the selection of a residence, and on the choice, arrangement, furnishing, and adornment of the library, diningroom, drawing-room, nursery, hall, and bedrooms, and the equipment of the kitchen and laundry, are invaluable for their suggestions of simple and inexpensive expedients for investing each with an air of quiet elegance and a sense of genuine comfort, for gratifying the love of the beautiful in form and color, while ministering to all the requirements of practical and commonplace utility. THE traditional aunts and elder sisters on whom it falls to direct social entertainments for young folk, and one of whose chief cares in life is to devise amusements that will keep the spirits of their protégés up to the point of effervescence till night-cap time arrives, will find a serviceable auxiliary in a collection of New Games for Parlor and Lawn, by Mr. George B. Bartlett. The out-of-door games described in the volume are bracing, exhilarating, and thoroughly decorous, and the parlor games are Beauty in the Household. By Mrs. T. W. DEWING. 16mo, pp. 183. New York: Harper and Brothers. 8 New Games for Parlor and Lawn. With a few Old Friends in a New Dress. By GEORGE B. BARTLETT. 16mo, pp. 227. New York: Harper and Brothers. is subordinated to the action of the tale and the development of character, Is polite society polite? is the problem which a graceful anonymous author attacks in a fresh and vigorous story of New York society, A Transplant terms, but is unconsciously suggested to the reader by the incidents of a tale in which the envy and jealousies, the cold heartlessness and downright cruelties, of what is known as polite society, and its sweetnesses and gracious amenities also, are depicted with fine precision. Without rifling the story of the enjoyable bouquet of freshness, this much of the plot may be revealed: The heroine is a Rose from a faroff Western wild-fresh, fragrant, beautiful, and buoyant with health and intelligence, but thoroughly unconventional and untutored in the usages of refined society. Richly endowed with physical and mental gifts, and with the courage and self-reliance that life in the wild West promotes, a fearless horsewoman and huntress for whom even the "grizzly" of the plains has no terrors, this Wild Rose is transplanted, without any previous training, into the very cream of New York society, and is subjected to its snubs and sneers because of her ignorance of its social canons. Perhaps the author pushes the heroine's ignorance of the details of these canons, especially as relates to her style of dress, her pronunciation, and her table manners, to the verge of caricature, but in the main the portraiture of the beautiful and high-spirited savage is just and relishing. All her courage oozes away under the supercilious stares and mocking smiles of rival beauties and their fastidious cavaliers, and she who had no fears of man or brute is vanquished and made a coward by the stinging slights and covert insults of polite society. How at length under friendly tutelage she overcomes all her social short-comings, and by dint of resolute effort and training masters every social requirement, and how she at last wins the man of her heart and the social distinction she deserves, we leave the reader to gather from this well-told tale and charming manual of the etiquette of fashionable life. A secondary character in the story, which serves as an admirable foil to the heroine, is an underbred rich woman, whose struggles to enter the pale of polite society, and whose vulgar sufferings • A Transplanted Rose. A Story of New York Socie ty. 16mo, pp. 307. New York: Harper and Brothers. |