The New York Herald Newspaper, December 23, 1875, Page 4

4 CHRISTMAS. Preparations for the Festival Throughout the City. HOLIDAY PRESENTS. | What the Institutions and Stores Are Doing. GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY. Once again old Father Time, in bis revolving course, brings us the great festival of Christmas Day. The observance of the Christmas festival gro in this broad land with the progress of | years. The Puritan who shunned it as o Romish foas, bas passed away, and now even his children, who intheir youth had no association with Christmas, encourage and participate in its cele- bration, It comes to us decked with evergreens and burdened with rich viands, of which the poorest may partake, if at no other season; and it brings mirth and joyful music in its train, With strong anticipations of delight the childres of to-day, unlike the youngsters of the Republic’s earlier days, await the approach of the happy festival that brings them recreation and relief from school day | tasks; that brings Santa Claus with his gifts and the | welcome Christmas tree, It is the great home fes- | tival, whose enjoyment is supposed to be enhanced by the prevalence of frost and snow without In | @ milder climate than ours there is a saying that “a green Christmas makes a fat churchyard.” | Whether this saying may have an application to us or not, the feeling is very general, even with those who cannot bear the cold well, that deprived of snow wo do not seem fully to enjoy the holidays. But, instead of growing severe as we approach Christmas, the weather has of late been assuming a springlike aspect. It is gratifying to note the preparations that on all sides herald the coming of Christ's natal day. The members of almost all the denominations of Christians join in decking out their churches with wreaths and crosses and other emblems of immortality, hey also augment their musical corps so that grander pawans of rejoicing may go forth that day than on any viher in the whole year, As Christmas approaches all avenues of trade in the tity evidence increased activity, life and cheerfulness, | while from the sonny Bane in the well fed and pam- pered carcasses of stall-fad ox and barn yard fowl, as well as tue different varieties of game that abound in the trackless wilds Dainties of ail kinds are here. Grouse and partridge and wood- rock and birds innumerabie, bears and deer by the dozen hang at the doorways of the restau- rants. For man’s spiritual and phys! comfort little | 1s left undone that should be done. Softened by the jufluences of the time, tho rich give liberally of their store, that the poor and the unfortunate may taste tie | Joys of the season. THE ISLAND INSTITUTIONS. Extensive preparations have been made by the Com- Tm issiouers of Charities and Corrections toward provid- ing @ substantial Christmas feast for the large number of persons in their charge. Seven tons weight of poultry have been contracted for and will be consumed by the 10,600 inmates in the different institutions controlled by the Commissioners. The number mentioned is di- vided as follows :—3,600 prisoners, 1,400 paupers, 2,200 lunati¢s, 1,600 children and 1,800 patients sick and disabled. ‘But the poultry will not be all. Other rari- | ties will be provided to ‘complete the feast, So there will be rejoicing fur twenty-four hours in the Island institutions belore the old year dies. At the Howard Mission, No. 40 New Bowery, the little ones will get their feast of turkey and mince pie as heretofore, but in order to enable the society to make the feast one worth offering it invites the charitabie | who remembered the children in the past to send again their gifts of provisions and clothing, that they, by jadicious distribution of the same, may help | 10 ward off in a measure the sufferings “of the poor — children of their neighborhood. Part of the day’s | celebration will consist of readings and recitations, | singing of Christmas carols and like exercises. This inission is designed for the protection of homeless and | neglected children, It is non-sectarian, and receives | most of its support from voluntary contributions. The | necessity of a continuance of past favors is, therefore, | at once apparent: } CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY. ‘An appeal is made on behalt of the Children’s Aid Bociety, whose managers ure trying to provide din- ners and more lasting gifts for the mmates of their different branches on Christmas Day. The society requests tbat con:ributions in | its aid may be sent to No 19 East Fourth street.“ They give the newsboys good dinners at the lodging house in William street; for the boot- | biacks and newsboys, in the Rivington street | house, they also procure a feast, aud they | have ‘other lodging houses and schools throughout | the city looking to them for help at this season. In | their appeal for public aid the managers say:— | ‘The Christmas season should bring a brief buppi- | ness even to the most outcast and miserable; and in | memory of what One has given to the world, those who have should give to those who have not. We earnestly | call upon the weil off and fortunate to do something | this year which shall make the Christmas tinge { their lives to the poor and houseless children. Yesterday the anuual Christmas festival of the Water street sebool ot the Children’s Aid Society was | held in the schoolhouse corner ot Water and Dover | streets, Mr. Brace, the secretary of the society, pre- | siding.’ Seventy-live of the poorest children in the city | are taken careof by Mrs. S.A. Seymour, the princi- pal, who distributed among them winter cloth- | ing, the gifts of charitable ladies, members of the s0- | ciety who are doing all within their power to lessen tue | sufferings of the poor, After the children had been made happy by receiving their winter clothing songs | were sung and several recitations delivered. THE FOUNDLING. At the Foundhng Asylum in Sixty-eighth street, be- tween Lexington and Third avenues, a Christmas tree | will be provided, and the litte ones’ will receive their Sth inst » Points House of Industry elaborate prep- erations are usually made for the Christmas celebration. The chapel is decked with ever- greens, and a great tree bows with ita load of gifts, including an interesting variety, useful aud palatable, from shoes to styar plums The chil- dren who get these gifts naturally long tor the feast that brings them such good cause for rejoicing. Tne will attend services in the chapel at one o’clock, and afterward participate in a programme including a | variety of exercises of a musica! and gymnastic charac- | ter, including an operetta entitied “Little Red Riding | Hood,” to be given in costume. Visitors are cordially | invited and contributions of books and toys solicited. | sides the dinners provided for the newsboys at | the different institutions that occasionally take care of these little waifs another feast will be served up for | them at Mouquin’s restaurant, This Christmas bau- | quet is the offering of the Evening Telegram. | These are but a few of the great many institations | whose inmates will bave substantial reasons for wel- coming the Christmas festival. | All the world seemed to bave been attracted to Sixth | avenue and Broadway yesterday. Thore were thousands of people gazing inwo the shop windows and thousands were waiting for a chance to do so. No wonder. The stores were in their best dress; the finest and rarest | Presents were on view. Nothing that the heart could desire or the mind imagine was absent. Naturally, therefore, the admiring glances of the multi- | tude were wooed by them, and acrush was the couse. quence. Only the energetic could get near enough to effect a purchase. Notasoul was there who did not | ‘ache to own more than its possessor could pay for, and | while joy thrilled their hearta chagrin inter- posed to fill them with regret for their in ability to gratify their desire. It is useless, how- ever, te speculate on the contending feelings of those who looked and louged tn vain. We have only to re- cord what they saw and again awaken the pangs that | burt them during the preceding week. A. T. Stewart's, Richard Meares’, the Stern Brothers’, Lissem'’s Pi Royal, Altman's, O'Neill's, Arnold, Constable & Co.'s | and Macy's were the emporiums most closely observed | by the Hunacp reporter yesterday. The first was even more than usually crowded. Indeed, it was filled with ladies and gentiemen, Carriages and splendid equip ‘gos encircled it, and well dressed groups of wealthy persons choked the doorways, rendering egress and in- (ress matters of some difficulty. As of yore, a 1 erewanr's Attracts an enormous custom and deservedly. The Superintendent, Mr, Jennings, carefully overlooks the workings of the vast retail establishment at the corner of Broadway and Tenth etre: He kindly put the re- porter in the way of obtaining an explanation of the mysteries of the several departments in this great mart of fashionable holiday ware After roaming through the labyrinth of dress goods, hosiery and millinery, the visitor was imipreseed with the grandeur of the display, and reached the conclusion that the silks were the finest in the market, The gentleman in charge of this branch offers very cheap lots of black material, some of them imported and some which were purchased at auction in this city (ar below their origi pal value. Indeed, be said, the retail pricea during | the holiday season are twenty-five per cent less than | were in September, aud he exemplified statement by marking that the Saee | jes «of Lyons fi! the best manufac. tures, were sold £2 t $6 0 yard | | women were | muillers, gentiemen’s | purchaser | Rensselaer, Smith Clift, NEW YORK HERALD, ‘THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1875.—TRIPLE SHEET. whtch marks an indisputable reduction on former raves. adapted to street, dining and evening costumes, the silk 18 disposed of at prices vary- ing from $1 25 upward. Then, too, there are special invoices of American and imported Dees Sed at $175 and $24 yard. Originally these were nearly $30 yard. The dark fashionable shades are also marked down, In fancy silks Mr, Stewart offers excellent goods at sixty cents a yard and upward, and i may be said in ‘this connection that these goods are the cheapest ever pre- sented to the public. Light gremadines, gauzes and Lissues for evening costumes are tendered as low as 50 cents a yard,or half what was formerly asked for them, Then, too, there is @ large stock of designs ‘of brocades, demasse and mat- which is now ber sold at a marvel lousiy reduced rate. While silks are nearest to the female heart, furnishing goods for gentlemen have & strong claim’ on the public. Iu Stewart's everybody, ‘even the most fastidious, may be gratified. Robes des chambre for the ex- quisites of New York in brocade of silk, and the lead- ing colors and styles are cheaply offored by the sales- menu in this particular department, So also are mate- lasse jackets and navy biue, seal brown, plum, black, with silver @ud gold tensils, lined with silk throughout to match. For holiday use there are gentlemen's hand- kerchiefs, with plaim and initial borders; Alexander kids, of one .amd two buttons, to be be- stowed by admiring maidens on their bachelor friends as marks of esteem and Christmastide. Dress- ing cases and totlet articies of choicest fabric and manofacture, umbrellas celebrated as being those of | Martin and Sangster, with the perfumeries of Lubin and Gerlang, and those famed as the begetters of sweetest odors, invite attention and indicate to friends how best they may expend a few dollars upon a young entieman at this season. There are besides these fe Joinville scarfs, hosiery, shirts vf most elegant make, cardigan and billiard jackets, and everything ip the most approved style that could be aesired by the Most fastidious young swell about town, They are sold cheaply aud in great demand, But, having glauced at thé dearest of little bonnets, sweetest of millinery, and all the mysteries appertaining to lovely woman's toilet, the shawl department, under the guidance of sauve Mr, Major, invited the most careful aod astounding inspection. There were shawis, and shawls of fabulous value and texture. They have been imported from India, and are marvels of color and beauty. It would puzzle a purchaser with plenty of money to select from them that which is best Each is best until something else is shown. | Thore is, for example, the Intest style, known as the | Cheeta Indian shawl, cashmere, camels’ hair and most ingemously tinted and woven. Then there is the tual valley cashmere, of finest make, worth ali the w from $1,200 to $5,000, This garment, it it may be so called, 18 4 gem tn itself, betng in reality four shawls, ‘That 48, alady, he fortauate possessor of one, can turn it each time she dons it, $0 as to make hor friends. believe that she has four cashmere shawls, There are no less than four different pat- terns woven into each of these wondrous shawis, They are expensive, but one may be par- doned for saying that they also seem to be invaluavle, Yet there have been and are one or two ladies wealthy and extravagant enough in this city, according to Mr.” Major, to use them as carriage iootwraps. He said that one to whom he sold a $5,000 shawl uses it now for that purpose to-day. Happy she! Then, too, a gentie- man gave $1,800 yesterday afternoon for one of these | shawls, which he sent to his lady love, it is pre- | sumed, as a Christmas present. So there is another | “sbappy ehe.” But less blissfully endowed mor- tals have been forced to content themselves with the Decea shawl, from Hindostan, which can be ob- tained at A. T. Stewart's, at pricea ‘ranging all the way from $15 to $500, and should these be too dear, why, anybody can bay his sweetheart a pretty Scotch’ plaid at @ very reasonable figure. In cloth goods such as sacks, French shape, half fitting | back, " long, loose pointed fronts, __ single and doable trimmed, with Titan braid, silk and fur and | others in colors, in silk and fur lined, there a1 bargains. Circulars trimmed with silver bea and Alaska sables; opera capes, dolman shape, somely embroidered, trimmed with fringe and a com- bination of velvet and silk, likewise dolman shape, | decorated with maribeau feathers, are displayed on the | second floor of Mr. Stewart's establishment and marked | low prices indeed. Besides these elegant are bewitching sutts for every hour in the day, -y hue—tea rose, blue, light green and pearl— | in the hands of careful ladies, who have been in. | structed to dispose of them moderately, at about $250 | apiece, A volume might be writien on Stewart's | holiday stock without doing it that justice to which it ig really entitied. On Sixth avenue is the house of THR STERN BROTHERS, who have as fine a stock on hand as any firm in the | city. They are importers and retailers, at Nos. 331, | 233 and 335 Sixth avenue, not far drom’ Twenty-third | street. Yesterday alternoon their establishment was | actually more crowded by the finest ladies in this city than “nine-teuths ot the other places in our | great thoroughfares. The young lady sales- kept as busy “as they could be and the cash girls were flitting to and fro bewilderingly. | The specialties of this firm just now may be thus desig- | this line at | iy | Arctic regions may readily be remembered) and Lieu- BOARD OF EDUCATION. LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR—SUCCESS OF THE NAUTICAL SCHOOL—THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEIR MISSION. ‘The Board of Education held an adjourned meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr. W. H. Nelson presiding. ‘There was a full attendance, The minutes of the pre- vious meeting having been approved, several commu- nications were read. The chairman announced that the holidays for the | schools would commence to-morrow and terminate on | January 2. A communication was read from the Comptroller's Department assigning the premises on the southeast corner of Lexington avenue and Sixty eighth street to the Board of Education for a grammar or primary school, Commissioner Wetmore introduced a resolution Providing for the use of a piano on the nautical school- ehip St. Marys. Commissioner Patterson said the idea was absurd. Commissioner Wetmore submitted that the youths gow betng educated would be elevated by the moral fove which music was sure to create. Commissioner Pattersou—The youths are taught only to handle ropes, and with tar on their hands sailors would look nice —_-- pianos, Commissioner Wetmore—The object was not to teach them the plano, Sailors as a general pie can | sing, and tt 1s certainly better that they should be | taught to sing good songs than that they should learn | bad ones, which they are apt to do, | | After some discussion the resolution was adopted, | having been warmly advocated by Commissioner Wood, PROGRESS OF THE NAUTICAL SCHOOL. Commissioner Wetmore submitted for the inform: tion of the Board the report of « committee appointed, in connection with the Chamber of Commerce, in re! | erence to the Nautical School, 1t set forth that on th day bya for inspection and examination they found the St. Marys clean and well ventilated and that there were good arrangements for the comfort and care of the scholars; that the Superintendent Commander, R. L. Phythian, of the United States Navy, was a gen: 4leman of experience at the Naval Academy, and his assistants, Lieutenant Commander George H, Wadleigh, Lieutenant G, W. De Long (whose daring feats in the | tenant H. W. Jaques, were graduates of that institution and were well fitted for their present dutios. The re- port spoke tn the most eulogistic terms of the scholars, their general efficiency and discipline, A vote of thanks was as unanimously to the Chief Clerk, Mr. Lawrence D. Kiernan, for the unremit- ting attention and ability which be had displayed dur- ing his multitudinous and Jaborious duties during the year. A vote of thanks was also tendered to Mr. John Da- venport, the Auditor of the Board. ‘The Chairman, Mr, Neilson, responded pleasantly and | with feelmg to a unanimous yote. A SCHOOL RECEPTION. The primary department of Grammar School No. 68, in 128th street, near Sixth avenue, gave its closing exer- cises yesterday morning, in presence of a large number of visitors, who’ appeared to take a lively interest tn the proceedings. The programme afforded the pupils » chance to distinguish themselves, and also gave proof of the great care with which they had been trained ‘There were choruses, solos, recitations, a charade, the distribution of rolis of honor aud prizes, as well as ad. dresses by friends of the school, The aflair passed off most enjoyably. THE WATER STREET SCHOOL, The schoolroom corner of Dover and Water streets was yesterday filled with about seventy of the poorest and worst clad children in the Fourth ward. The occa- sion was the Christmas festival, and the little children made every endeavor to look clean if not handsome A number of friends of the principal, Mrs. S. A. Seymour, and of the school were present to witness the exer- cises, The little girls, aged from three to thirteen years, were decorated with paper scarfs and head bands, and after partaking of a good wash Inthe schoolroom made @ favorable appearance. .The boys, of course, | appeared in their costume, ' shoeless, shirtless and without head gear, When Mr. | Dnpuy opened the programme with a short | address each little heart leaped with delight, for be- fore them was a Christmas tree laden with ‘clothing, toysandcandy. Their singing and recitations were { very good, and at the close each little hand was pre- nated :—Good customers, prompt attention and capital | merchandise. As an indication of the latter may be | mentioned the Parisian and Viennese fancy goods, | smoking sets, oxidized and gilt goods, jewel cases, | inkstands, toilet. cases, portemonnaies, Rus- | Sia leather articles; an elegant coilection of | fine Purisian fans,’ of enti new — design | in painting. Pretty ‘bijouterie and articles of vertu, | gilt, silver and inlaid shells, real and imitation laces, | capes and streamers, Dutchess ties and ends; Couro- | visier’s celebrated Parisian kid gloves, Lupin’s and | Windsor of different colors and styles anda thousand and one things in’ greatdemand at this season of the year, Besides the above should be noticed the Splendid collection of ribbons, silk handkerchiets, | furnishing gooda, _ ludie: hoxiery and trifles such as are best adapted for holiday | presents. Tho crush ut Stern’s was very great, yet it | was no greater, the reporter was informed, than it had been during the previous week. Mr. Stern remarked upen the class of customers th: were at that | moment attending his store. It was such as usually comes to buy, not to gratily mere idle curiosity. AT RICHARD MEARE, | lower down the avenue, near Nineteenth street, at No. | 307, there was the same busy, stirring scene. The place was thronged by’ ladiew and gentle. | men, and they wero for the most part | purcbasers. The help had scarcely a moment to them. | selves; but w ngaged ull the time, Certainly the very fine collection of goods warranted this popularity, | and one might ,be purdoned for specially | indicating the palpable excellence of the tadies? furnishing and outiitting gdepartment The mere | enumeration of the different articles to | be had at Mr. Meares’ would take more space than any | one journal at the present time can really spare. There | are large assortments of elegant costumes of the latest | designs, varying tu value from $50 to $200 each. There | are silk costuines, suitable for carriage, dinner and | evening dress, worth from $69 to $275, Also Cashmere | and silk suits of all colors, very stylishly made, and costing only $25 and $39. Swiss suits of good make and fine fabric, trimmed with lace, ave sold for $10 and $20, and trimmed hats, from the hands of the most celebrated Purisian modistes, are marked down as low as $20 or $30, This house imports largely | in silks, making {tarule to have the newest shades when first they are introduced. Colored gros grain is | sold by Mr. Meares at this me as tow as $125 and as high as $250 per yard. Besides these special features, | there were exhibited yesterday dress goods in every vari- | ety, many having been imported and purchased for epe- | cial holiday trade, to be disposed of at prices ranging trom fifteen to fifty cents a yard, In this connection it | would be just to remark this prepafation in the way of | laying in a good stock for the season was made by the head of the firm to secure such articles as would | be most suitable for holiday presents. There are the | Chancellor, the Creedmoor, the Argyle scars for gen- | ‘lemon, in ‘different colors, at $1, $1 25 and $1 50 each, | Beautiful silk handkerchiefs’ are sold at sixty- five, seventy-five and eighty-eight cents each. ‘There are also the different varieties of fine laces in | point, point d’applique, thread and the fashionabie | white cashmere | t es. They are sold at 38 cents and $layard. The assortment of tes for ladies is very large and fine and the class of customers such as might be desired by any firm in the city. Mr. Meares is sell- ing his stock of toys at a great reduction to close them out, and he says he does not intend keeping any but the finest class of goods after this season. AT THE PALAIS ROYAL, corner of Broadway und Fourteenth street, Mr. Liss- ner’s elegant fancy goods store, there is a grand display of splendid wares eminently suitable for holiday pres- ents. The collection of fans is remarkably unique. They are of pearl, ivory, ebony, ostrich feathers, with amber shell sticks, welaine watches in crys! | balls, shell, ebony and silver are protty things, cheaply sold and really valuable, The assortment of shet] goods, such as sets of necklaces, pendants neatly carved, combs imported from Naples, card cases, work boxes, tablets, pocketbooks, cigar cases and match safes, are of the vory best quality, The ivory dressing cases, Jewelry, toilet ornaments, bronzes, Rassiau leather articles, opera glasses, albums, One French dolls, mechanical toys, belts, cinctures and articles of rare merit are dis- ed of at very low figures. All these things have MM attracting general notice, by the crowds of peeple’ who gaze through the windows daily and fill the store. The sales- women bave as much as they can doto fill the orders pouring {m upon them momentarily, and yet every away satisfied. One feature of this ea tabhishment {8 the promptitade and courtesy with which everybody 1s waited on, and the desire to please | aud accommodate evinced by the proprietor. CHRISTMAS AT THE CUSTOM Hous. ‘The Custom House will be closed on Christmas Day, | save between the hours of nine and ten A. M., for the entrance and clearance of vessels, INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. Ata meeting held yesterday afternoon by thove in- terested in the [netitution for the Blind, located at the corner of Thirty-fourth street and Ninth avenue, the fol- lowing gentlemen were elected managers for the ensuing year:—Augostus Sebell, Robert 8, Hone, D. Lydig Suy- dam, Nathaniel P. Hosack, Theodorus Batley Myers, John Treat Irving, James M. McLean, Alexander Yan William Whitewright, Jr.; William ©, Schermerhorn, Charles De Rham, Francis A. Stout, William B, Hoffman, F. A. Schermerhorn, Petor Marié, Fredertck W. Rbinelander, Frederick Sheldon, Chandler Robbins and Charles &, Strong. OUTDOOR CHARITY. and Correction yes- terday adopted the following resolution, which will ex- plain itself — Resolved, That the experiment be made of giving the of lif to the outdoor poor, instead of muney or orders on etecery mores, a8 beretofore dons. 8 may be attested | sented to receive the coveted prize, The distribution | of the presents was a scene never tobe forgotten, as, in fact, the little ones thought more of their stock- | ings, pants, shirts and jackets than they did of the | candies and tore. | Among the visitors were Mrs. Jobn- sou, of Staten Island; Mrs, Rev. C. L, Brace, Mra 3. orms, Mrs, J. L. Smith, Mrs, M. Leary, Mrs, Sarah | jactartan, Mrs. J, Smith and brother, and many others, ail friends to the schooL* CHARITY COMMISSIONERS. The above Commissioners are now making a thorough | private investigation’ of the several institutions under their jurisdiction, with a view to bringing about better dis- ciplino among the officers and a more stringent enforce- ment of the rules. It seems that for some time the Workhouse and one or two other departments have had in reality no head. In fact, the present oflicer in charge of the Workhouse is the engineer | of that institution. Tt seems that there has been a great deal of — insubordination, owing to the fact that keepers, being pets of the sev- eral Commissioners by whom’ they were appointed, | defy the wardens, and thereby cause a great deal of dissatisfaction. ‘Were the wardens allowed the ap- pointment of their own keepers and beld responsible for the Same escapes among the prisoners would be Jess frequent. During the past week the Commission- ers have been obliged to dismiss two keepers for aliow- ing prisoners to escape. They now begin to see that | they must take some action to obviate this difficulty, | or the Legislature will do it for them, WASHINGTON IRVING'S MONUMENT. | The ladies who have associated themselves together for the patriotic purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of America’s favorite author, Washington Irv- ing, are receiving hearty responses from many parts of the country and meeting with fair success in collecting funds, The association was initiated by ladies of New York, Westchester and Kings counties, Mrs. E. F, Wait, the present Secretary, being among the first to } move in this truly national undertaking. The several | committees are made up from the best circles of our | metropolitan and national society. The following la- dies compose the Executive Committce:—Mrs, B, H. Van Auken, Mrs, Algernon 8. Sullivan, Mrs. M. E. Win- chester, Mrs. Governor Heary Howard, Providence, ; Mra Ur. ’. . McDonald, Mrs. | EF. Wait, Mra, C. W. Cornell and Mra | C. K. Garrison, The General Committee contains the | natnes of twenty-five ladies of distinction in New York, Brooklyn, Croton, Sing Sing, Scarborough, Irvington, | Fordham, New Brighton, Washington, D. U.; St. Louis, | Mo., and elsewhere, The honorary committee of gen: | tlemen who have signified their willingness to act com- | | prise such names as William Cullon Bryant, Governor | | Tilden, Thurlow Weed, Peter Cooper, Major, General | Hancock, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mayor Wickham, Secre- | tary Fish, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Governor Henry | Howard, of Rhode Island, and many others. | Ex-Mayor Gunther bas sent in a liberal donation. Mr. Jay Gould contributed $250 and Mr. Jefferson, the inimitable Rip Van Winkle, has given $500, which is | lodged im the hands of Mr. Tiffany as treasurer. Mrs. | | George W. Curtis,Srs, Livingston Satterlee and other ladies of Staten Island are lending a hand to the good | work. | ‘As stated on a former occasion in these columns, it | has been decided to raise a fund of $26,000; and instead | of erecting a colossal bust, as was first proposed, a full | | length statue of the great Irving will soon grace Cen- | | tral Pi Nevertheless, a bronzed copy of the great | bust, as at first intended to be cast, will be placed on | exhibition next year at Philadelphia. The Secretary of the Ladies’ Association has written | $0 Queen Victoria, the ex-Empross Eugénie, tho poet | Tennyson and other distinguished personages; rightly | Velteving that If Americans are to contribute’ toward a monument for Lord Byron, it is not too much to ex- pect a return of the compliment from Englishmen in | the present case. OTHER WORLDS THAN OURS. To THe Eprton ov THe Herao:— | In his lecture last night on the above subject Profes- | sor Proctor gives it as his opinion that Jupiter is not | tmhabjted by life like oura, Of course this ts an unde- | niable fact when we como to consider Jupiter's physi- | cal constfuction, but still this does not quash the theory | of the plurality of worlds. When we analyze our own construction as living beings we find that we are made | th exact accordance with the physical construction of the planct Earth. If the sun gave out double its ac- | customed heat and light, or if our atmospheric pres. | sure was more than it is, life Nke ours would cease; but | 1t does not follow that the world would be devoid of in- | habitants, We have daily proof that beat and cloc- | tricity will produce life everywhere. Therefore I say there is no legitimate argument to prove thas Jupiter | is not inhabited by beings with souls, They may be | | gianuike and mighty in their form, perhaps of a diffor- | ent color than us, and formed in accordance with Jupl- | ter’s attraction of gravity, as we are fortned in accord- ance with the earth’s, They may be far more wise than us, and they may live to be hundreds of years of age. They may be far richer than us in t%® gifts of knowledge, and they may live in perfect harinony and bliss. [ think, whon we survey the beavens and find | 0 many worlds constructed on the same scale as ours | (thongh some are far more grand), receiving their share of heat and light from the sun’ and revolving | even more grand than ours exists there. The we study astronomy the more fully we become con- vinoed that such is thi | card superstition, Yours, ke, | New Yous. Doc. 22 1875, THOMAS DEAN, | with 150 plates in outline after this famous sculptor, around the contral power from the same cause that | by Aimdé Humbert, rules ua, we have @ perfect right to believe “or life | late Envoy Kxtraordinary and Minister Pleni jonger +) ag case, if we accept facts and dis- | the ' edition of Francis Wey HOLIDAY LITERATURE. ° A Glance at the Gift Books of the Season. The Publications of All the Leading Houses. ° Books for the Pocket and to Suit Everybody’s Pocket. Ifany man be bold enough to say that wo are not @ reading public he need only glance in at the windows of any of our book stores to see what a misstatement he has made, Crowds of people elbow one another around the book lined counters and all the stores have hud to put on large extra forces of clerks and keep open through the evening. One gentleman bought $3,000 worth of books in one afternoon at a popular Broadway store, and was almost ready to weep when he saw what alittle way toward founding a library his purchases went, There are few more attractive Christmas pres- onts than books; they are the best of friends, It is a little singular that people leave the delicate task of selecting these treasures until the week of Christmas and often until the very day before, If they only began earlier they could take their timeto it, It may bo that they like the excitement of buying In a crowd; there is something in that, People always attract people, It is pleasant tobe wedged in between smiling faces and to hear the general hum of holiday talk feat, ing through a well filled store. The publishers have done everything this year to tempt the nimble sixpence, and he must be a miserly old fellow, indeed, who can resist the attractfons spread before him. There are not so very many books gotten up expressly for holiday sale, with everything on the outside and nothing between the ‘covers, this year. Books that should find » market on their own merits are offered, and binding has become such a fine art that almost every book that looks up at you from the coun- ters or out at you from the shelves is made attractive by its tasteful cover. HARPER & BROTHERS make no especial holiday announcements, but they offer some unusually tempting books at this season, Miss Virginia W. Johnson’s ‘*Catskill Fairtes”’ is one of the most charming books of fairy lore we have met with in along time. It peoples the Catskill Moun- tains with wonderful little people, who promise to be- come real to the girls and boys who read the book, Joseph Rodman Drake was the Orst in this fleld, which 1s now in the hands of Miss Johnson alona The book fe profusely illustrated by Alfred Fredericks, Will Carleton's ‘Farm Legends” are gotten up handsomely enough to be ranked among holiday books, Fifty thousand copies of this book bave been sold, although ithas been out but a shorttimea ‘The book is illus. trated by designs by Reinhart, Sol Eytinga, Jn, R, A. Abbey and others. This firm has also ready the first volume of John Forster’s much talked of “Life of Dean Swift,” handsomely bound and—oh, rare luxury to the unhurried reader!—with uncut leaves, This vo + ume ts said to o@ of higher literary excellence than the “Life of Dickens,” by the same author. Besides this in the biographical line is the very entertaining “Life of the Rev, John Todd,” told mainly by himself, and Castelar’s “Life of Lord Byron.” For those in- terested in Bible history there is Newman's ‘Babylon and Nineveh,” being @ history of the thrones and palaces of Babylon and Nineveh, from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, and Van Lennep’s “Bible Lands.” This latter is certainly a very interesting and attractive book. It contains 800 illustrations and is handsomely bound. It is so full a book as scarcely to omit any in- teresting fact in the fleld which it covers. The first part deals with customs which have their origin in the physical features of Bible lands, and the second part | with those that have an historical origin. The style has the freshness and flavor of one who writes from personal observation. New facts are stirred in with the old—incidents which carry the charm of an East- ern tale, The physical characteristics of the coun- tries, the products, methods of cultivation, animals, with a description of the people and their domestic, social and religious life and institutions, all find a place in this book. It bas been prepared with great care, and may be relied upon for accumacy. Altogether it is @ book which Bible students will welcome and prize, General Doubleday’s “Reminiscences of Forts Sum- ter and Moultrie in 1860-61" must be counted among | the holiday publications. The most attractive an- | nouncement that Harper's Monthly makes for the New Year is of George Eliot's new novel, which is said to bea portrayal of English social life of the present day. The Weekly promises a serial by R. D. Black- more and one by Miss Thackeray. The Bazar will | print stories by F. W. Robinson and Miss Braddon. SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & CO. This is Scribner, Armstrong & Co.'s first holiday season in their new home, and @ beautiful place'it is Notwithstanding the great size of the store, it is full to overflowing all day long, so that it has to be kept open during the evenings of this holiday season, and offer @ fine Iine of fancy goods as well as books. The most noteworthy of this firm’s holiday books ts Rousselet’s “India and its Native’Princes,” which has been ro- viewed at length in these columns. A more elegant book typographically, illustratively and in binding it would be hardto find. The book was bound in New York, and is a much finer specimen of the binder’s art than the English edition. The ‘New Day,” by Richard Watson Gilder, with its fame of peacock’s feathers on the cover and the delicate designs insfte, not to men- tion the poem itself, isa tempting little Christmas gif. Then there is Dr. Holland’s “Sevenoaks,” of which 40,000 copies have already been sold; and a new edition of the always popular “ Bans Brinker,” by Mra Mary Mapes Dodge, editor of St Nicholas. This book has had several Eng- lish editions and been translated into French and Dutch, and wasn’t it one of the first books that stared out of a shop window at Mrs. Dodge, when travelling through Holland last year? A new volume, by Mr. Frank R. Stockton, “Tales out of School,” one of the most attractive juveniles of the year. Mr. Stockton knows just how to amuse the young folks, and the old ones, too, His books abound in quiet | humor, and are of absorbing interest, Among the earlier publications of this firm, which still hold their own among holiday books, are Dr. Holland’s ‘Kath. rina” and ‘Bitter Sweet,’ in the illustrated editions; Pouchett’s valuable work, “The Universe,” and the standard histories of Froude, Mommsen and Curtius, with the works of Whitney, Marsh, Max Muller, Ik Marvel, &c., in fine bindings, as are ‘‘Lange’s Comme! tary” and “Tho Speaker's Commentary.” Tho ten first volumes of the bric-a-brac series, of which over 70,060 copies have been sold during the past two years, have been handsomely bound in vellum and haif vellum, and are sold together, in a neat case, Bound volumes of Scribner's Monthly and St Nicholas may be foynd on the counters of this store, Profusely illus- trated editions of Jules Verne’s “Mysterious Island,” in two volumes, tempt the wonder loving boy aad girl. Scribner, Welford & Armstrong take the lover of fine books by storm with an clegant edition of “Doré’s Spain," which contains 120 fall page illustrations and a number of smaller wood cuts by the gifted Frenth. man, Another beautiful book 1s the Canova volume, Shandos Poets" and other standards aro among the books bearing the imprint of this house, one of whose specialties is the “Roso Library of the Popular Literature of All Countries,” sold at the very low price | of iifty cents per volume, , D, APPLETON & CO. The de resistance of tho house of Appleton is Lacroi The Eighteenth Century: Its Institutions, Customs and Costumes. France in 1700—1739,"" Illus trated with twenty-one chromo-lithographs and 361 | wood engravings, alter Wattenu, Vanioo, Rigaud, Bou- chor, Lancret, J. Vernet, Chardin, Jeaurat, Beauchar- don,’ Saint-Aubin, Eisen, Graveloue, Moreau and others. Polychromatic ornament, Another band- some volume is Shakespeare's ‘Midsummer Night’s | Dream,” {illustrated by Alfred Fredericks, The “English Poets,” twelve essay: Gustwick, author of German Poets,” volume, 'It is illustrated with twelve photographic portraits, among which wo find our own Longfellow. Atmong other new gift books we find the ‘Amazon and | Madeira Rivers,” sketchos and descriptions from the note book of ‘an ‘explorer, by Franz Keller, with sixty-eight illostrations ; ‘Japan and the Japanese,’ | illustrated by Aimé Humbert, tentiary d by Mra. Cas to the Swiss Conteder nt Secretary to | ‘al Geographical Society, and a new and cheaper nd edited by H. Bates, Aas “Rome,” illustrated with 846 @ plau of Roma with am in ougravings on wood. and deaths and other interesting events. Taine’s works, | Best Thoughts of Charles Dicke: troduction by W. W. Story. The publishers look aby ei itn SUBlaked a: two, sper seat “ea wo - bound. Even the American umes and handsomely Gener Puts on a festive look and offers itself up @ holiday sacrifice. It would be an uncommon! handsome present, as it 1s a complete library in 1 The “Art Journal” for 1875 is not a bad Christmas gift. Itcoutains thirty-six steel engravings and 542 wood engravings, G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS. Tho Putnams offer a fino lot of children’s books, among them “Tho Big Brother,” by George Cary Eggleston, a book full of adventure; Mra. Johnson’s “Roddy’s' Realities," an offset to ‘Roddy’s Ro- mances;" ‘The History of My Friends,” translated from the French and prettily illustrated, and ‘The Realm of the Ice Kin; Besides these they have new edition of ‘*Moonfol one of the most attractive of last year’s story books This frm has on hand some fine editions of Prving’s works, of which they are the publishers, The “Brief Biographies’? make good Christmas presents, an way of fine arts, what could be prettior than Mrs’ Graatorox's etobing a “Old New York, from the to Bloomingdale,” in thirty etch! Another art + ia the american Lan "of steel engravings, A now edi- tion of GeyaniinO mene the Trees” is ready for tho poetically inclined, and the {revelling mind will revel in the “Abode of Show” and “Travels in Portugal MACMILLAN & CO. There is a calm and classic air about the house of Macmillan & Co, You know when you run your eye over their list of publications that you are pretty sure not to find anything that the man of culture wi not want in his library. The newest holiday book of this house is the ‘*Correggio Gallery,” from the German of Dr. Julius Meyer, director of the Royal Gallery, Berlin, edited, with an introduction, by Mrs. Heaton, with twenty Woodbury type tilustrations. Uniiorm with this aro ‘Michael Angelo Buonarotti, Sculptor, Painter, ‘Architect;”” the story of his life and labors, by ©. C. Black, M.'A., illustrated with twenty Woodbury type reproductions of his most important works ‘‘Leon- ardo da Vinct and His Works,” by Mrs, Charles Heaton and C, C. Black, M. A., with twenty Woodbury typo illustrations, and '‘Kaphiacl of Urbino and His Father, Giovanni Santi,” by J. D. Passavant, formerly director of the Museum at Frankfort, with twenty Woodbury type illustrations, “Str Joshua Reynolds as a Portrait Painter” js an elegant collection of a series of portraits of distin- guished beauties of the Court of George IIL “Wolrs Wild Animals’ ww cno of the most elaborate and most costly holiday books that we hat . Itconsists of a series of pictures de- signed by Joseph Wolf, and engraved by tho Messrs. yinper, with letter press iy) D. G. Elliot Large paper copy, natty chee” fore letters of the illustra- tions, in royal folio, French morocco, published and hand-tooled by J. B, Hwwes, of Cambridge, England. One of the most entertaining books published in a long time is “Holland House,” by the Princess Marie Liech- tenstein, with five steel engravings by 0, H. Jeens, and numerous illustrations by Delamotte, engraved on wood by J. D. Cooper, Jewitt and others, ‘The large paper edition contains forty additional illustrations by the Woodbury pri and India proofs of stee! en- gravings Noone lorm any idea of the of “Holland House” without soeing these pictures, and even then it is hard to believe that such a fairy palace, surrounded by eighty acres of land, is to be found in the heart of London, Tho Marquis of Lorne’s “Guido and Lit illustrated by the Princess Louise, may reckoned among holiday books. The idea of this noble couple making s book together is quite romantic. Masson’s ‘‘Milton,” Jo 's “Plato,” Van Ranke’s “England” and Freeman’ ‘Norman Conquest”? may be enumerated among the indispensable standards, The “History of Dramatic Literature to the Death of Queen Anne,” by A. W, Ward, M. A., Professor of His- tory and English Literature in Owen's College, Man- chester, is an invaluable book to the general reader as woll as to the student, BP. DUTTON & CO. pretty little edition of Faber’s hymns {s about as ticing a book as BE. P, Dutton & Co. hat ablished for some time, F the children they have “Frisk and His Flock,” of the ‘Pussie Tipton’? series, by Mrs, Sandford, This book haga remarkably gay and pretty cover, which the children cannot failto admire, “The Haven Children,” by Emilie Foster, tells of the frolics at the funny old house in @ funny old street; and “Stumps” and “From Seven to Seventeen” are not without their faseinations, This frm keepa full line of James R. Osgood & Co.’s books, which are anusually tempting this year. HURD & HoUGETON. One of the most delightful books of the year lished by this a, and is Mr, John Burroughs’ ter Sunshine.” The book is well named, for it is as bright and invigorating as the rays of the December sun, It isan out-of-door book and by a keen student ofnature, Another bright book is Mr. Scudder’s “Do- ings of the Bodiey Family, tn Town and Country.” The children have only to see Mr, Scudder’s name on a book to cry for it This firm bas now ready the ‘Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife, Abigail Adams, During the Revolution, with a Memoir of Her,” by Charles Francjs Adams. This volume is not without a centennial flavor, The same flavor clings to “The Ger- man Element in the War of American Inde; nce, ”* by George Washington Greene. “A Glimpse at the Art in Japan,” by James Juckson Jarves, is a book sure to attract attention at this time, when Japanese art is s0 popular. Mr. A. P, Russell's “Library Notes” is one | of those delightffll books that can ve taken up at any time anywhere, for the reader is sure of alighting updn something witty or wise, 4. W. BOUTON. Mr. J. W. Bouton turns the head of the book lover with bis “Monumental Christianity,”’ by the Rev. John P. Lundy, which treats of (he art abd symbolism of the ‘imitive Church as witnesses and toachers of the one ‘atholic faith and practice, The book contains over 200 {Ilustrations, with several large folding plates, and is beautifally printed on superior paper and tastefully bound in cloth and morocco, This unique volume has met with the most flattering reception, and the pub- lisher is now getting out a second edition. The follow- ing are some of the most attractive of Mr. Bouton’s im- portations:—“Examples ot Modern Etching, edited, with notes, by Philip Gilbert Hamerton, editor of tho Portfolio, ' Twenty platea, by Balfourier, Bodmer, Bracquemond, Chattock, Flameng, Feyrin-Perrin, Sey: Haden, Hamerton,’ Hesseltine, Laguillermio, La- 0, Legros, Lucas, Palme: Rajon, Veyrassat, &c., beausltully rinted on heavy paper and tastefully bound in cloth, Agile Among the contents of this choice | volume may be mentioned, “The Laughing Portrait of Rembrandt,” by Fi ; “Twickenham Church,” by Seymour Haden; The Hare—A Misty Morning,” “The ‘Thames at Richmond,” b; Lalanne; “The Ferryboat,” by Veyrassat, &e ‘Etchings from the National Gal lery,'7a series of eighteen choice plates by Flameng, Le Rat, Rajon, Wise, Waltner, Brunet Debaines, Gau- cherel, Richeton, &c., after the paintings by Masaccio, Bellini, Giorgione, ‘Moroni, Mantegna, Velasquez, | Rembrandt, Cuyp, Maes, Hobbema, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turper an Landseer, with notes by Ralph 'N. Wornum (keeper of the National | Gallery). The text is handsomely printed on heavy paper and tastefully bound in cloth, full gilt The volume offers several of the most notable of recently executed plates, among others the “Portrait of Ren- brandt,” by Waltuer; “The Parish Clerk,” after Gainsborough, by the’same etcher; “The Burial ot Ww ‘after Turner, by Brunet Debaines: “Portrait ofa Youth,” after Masaccio, by Leopold Flameng, &o, “French Artists of the Present Day,” a series of twelve fuc-simile engravings after pictures by Gerome, Rosa Bonheur, Corot, Pierre Billet, Legros, Ch. Jacque, Voyrassat, Hebert, Jules Breton, &c., with biographi- cal notices by René Ménard; folio, tastefully bound in cloth, gilk ‘The bound voiume of the Portfolio for 1875 | is one of the handsomest of gift books. Volumes one and two of L'Artare now ready, handsomely printed on heavy toned paper and illustrated with several! hun- dred engravings on wood from drawings and pictures by celebrated contemporary artists, examples of antique apa modern sculpture, objects of art industry in all branches and a series of superbly executed etchings by | the best living etchers, executed expressly for this work, being principally from the more noticeable pic- tures’ exhibited in the salons of Kurope, carefully printed on Holland paper. Among the contributors to | these volumes are some of the best known writers on | art. Fach volume contains upward of twenty etchings | and nearly 200 woodcuts, fao-similes, &c, MENKY HOLT & CO. “The Family Record Album’’ is offered by this firm | as a holiday book, The young couple just starting out in life would do well to possess themselves of this handsomely bound set of blanks to record the memorial of their family livea Not domestic brouls, but births, new uniform edition in three volumes, aro a valuable addition to the library. Last yPar's gilt books, ‘Vers de Société” and the ‘faine-Doré Pyrénées" are still favorites and justly. G, W, CARLETON & CO. G. W. Carleton & Co. offer no special holicay book of their own, but they Keop those of every uther publisher, and their counters display a tine line of fancy articles. The popular authors for whom this house publish are always welcome whether in holiday garb or plain work. a-d Augusta J. Evans, Mary J, Holmes, d and Mrs Fleming, among American novelists, have hosts of readers who are glad to seo | them atany and all times The “Culprit Fay’ is | always in order as a Christmas book, and Mr. Talboy’s “West India Pickles’ are palatable at any season, B J, HALE & SON. j A most appropriate Christmas book published by EB. | J, Hale & Son is Mr. De Fontain Lyclopmdia of the ns; Paul H. Hayne’s “Mountain of the Lovers,”’ with poems of nature and tradition, 1s a pretty gift book, and Maurice Thomp- son's ‘Hoosier Moraics’’ is just the book for Western: John t write bis Susan’s nawe in on Christias morn. in, xf DODD & MEAD. This young firm are celebrating their first holiday Season in their new store, which is one of the most in- viting on Broadway. Among their most recent books Charles’ “Diary of the Bertram Family; ‘\sie’s Womanhood,” by Martha Finiay, and the vol. umes comprising the ‘‘Hall-Hour Serves.” The pro- life Johu G, Abbott bas just added George Wash- ington and the Revolutionary War" to his series of morican Pioneers and Patriots.” Boys who love the herote will enjoy this seriea, The “Sacked Tabernacle of the Hebrews,” by Roy. E, & Atwater, D. D., is a handsomely gotton up volume, with ity illustrations, | award Garrett's story books are interesiing as Sunday school books, This drm publish the Rev. John Hall works and Rev, EB P. Roe’s works Sixty-five thon sand copies of these latter have been sold, “Tarn Jest to Karnest” is the latest addition to the series, and ts a pleasant story of American lifo, ROUTLEDGK & SOX, This English firm has @ branch house inthis city, wihere some unusually attractive books are offered, Their “Dresden Galery” is a very elegant collection of be Hoy from the pictures in this (amous gallery. By way of general literature they have just published the “Sunlight of Song,” made up of pooms, with origt- nal music; “The Hamlet,” an ode tllastrated by Birket Foster, and the “Golden Harp Albu There are no more beautiful toy books than those published by this house and iilustrated by Walier Crane. They aro works of art, and will go « 4 way toward cultivat ing the taste of a child. INELDON & 00. Sheldon & Co, are closing out heir retail trade and offer spfetal {inducements to purchasers. A second so ries of ‘‘Our Poetical Favorites,” and Te) line edt tion ef “Heaven in Song” are their holiday offerings. MISCELLANBOUS. Kilburne Tom " tastefully boand and carefully series of “Selected Poems’ bring good litera ‘ure within the reach of all, forthe poorest among ut can afford ten cents for Goldsmith's “Deserted Vib lage,” Schiller's “Song of the Bell,” and other stana pod te gd Particularly when gotten up in such attrag style. “Point Lace and Diamonds," by George H. Baker, Jr., published by F. B, Patterson, is a happy though! for a Christmas remembrance, Mr’ Patterson will soos publish the ‘Amenities of Verbal Criticism,’ by Charles F. Cox, which promises to make some amusing disclosures, JAMES R. OSGODD & CO. Of out of town publishers there are none who offes any more beautiful holiday book of Amorican make- than “Mabel Martin,” published by this firm and re cently roviewed at length in these columns. Mr, Whit tier has been ably interpreted by Miss Hallock and Mr, T. Moran, and the book is superbly gotten up. Every taste may be gratified in Osgood’s publications. Those in quest of high art will be suited with the new editions ofthe “Raphael” and “Toschi” volumes, and the en- gravings from Landseer. ‘Child Life in Picturos’’ ts illustrated from the works of Correggio, Soples nolds, Murillo and other masters, an ‘Mrs. Sh famous painters and en on rs, W. J. Stillman’s ‘Poetics, Localities of Cambridge” is an attractive work. As welcome a present as one need care to give the little cl edition of Hawthorne, of which sevea volumes are already published, or the vest pocket se ries, Then there is Emerson’s new volume of **Essays,” that many will consider the book of the season, and Btedman’s “Victorian Poets,” and poems ig Bayard Taylor, Cranch, Lathrop, Browning and hosts of others. ROBERTS BROTHERS. “The Shepherd Lady,” by Jean Lngelow, ts the great holiday work of this ‘house. It contains some of Mi Ingelow’s best as well as newest verses, und is beauti- fully illustrated by Miss Hallock, Arthur Hughes, Sol. Eytinge and Mitchell Hamerton’s ‘Etchings and Etchers” {s filled with specimen’s of the author's skill, and is written in his usual attractive style. The art lover wili find ‘A Painter's Camp," ‘fhe Unknown River” and “Thorwaldsen’s Life and Works’ among the publications of this firm. The lover of poetry will revel in the works of the Rosset Joaquin Miller, Miss Preston and William Morris, berts Brothers offer @ tempting array of children’s books, among which are Miss Alcott’s “Eight Cousins,” = Susag Cootidg ‘Nine Little Goslings,” Ned Forrest's ‘‘Micd Puy,” P. Thorne’s “Jolly Good Times” and Miss Ewing’s “Six to Sixteen.” OTHER BOSTON FIRMS. Emerson's (not R W.) ‘Trees and Shrubs of Massa. chusetts,”” in two volumes, Little & Brown, is one of the most elaborate books of the year. It \s'profusely illustrated, and treats of the flora of many other States, ‘This firm ' publishes such modern standards as Carlyle, Ruskin, Thackeray, Michelet and Mill. The ‘Mansions of England in the Olden Time” is one of their bhaud- somest books. Lee & Shepard have a very pretty holiday’ book in “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” with full page illustrations, by Miss 'L. B. Humphreys, Atnong their most attractive : books are “The Great Bonanza,” ‘The Four Footed Lovers,” ‘The River of Dreams and Other Poems,” ‘Une Hundred Gems from the London Art Journal,’* ‘The Asbury Twins,” by Sophie May; ‘Tho Readi Club,” and many others that will turn the heads of the children with delight William F. Gill & Co. have a fine holiday book ts “Laurel Leaves,” uniform with ‘‘Lotos Leaves.”’ It is made up of papers and pooms, chiefly of Bostoa writers, and {8 profusely illustrated. The “Horn ot Plenty” is another attractive holiday book, which com tains choice selections and illustrations A timely ublication by this firm is a volume contaluing Biekens’ Christmas storica, J. B, LIPPINCOTT & CO., &0. “Contemporary Art’? {s one of the handsomest books of the season; {t contains thirty etchings and colored i after original pictures by eminent artists of the present day. This firm also offer “The Amazon aid Madeira Rivers’? and ‘‘Allibone’s Prose Quorations,” containing nearly 9,000 quotations from 644 guthors, an invaluable book of reference, “Irving's Christmas Logends’’ are just tssued by thia firm, profusely illustrated and handsomely printed. Among their latest publications are “The Literature of Kissing,” a book of amusing*interest, and ‘Sidney Lanier’s Florida” Porter & Coates publish a timely book, entitled “Bvening Amusements for Every One.’ Their ‘Handy Volume Poets,’ in ten volumes, leather, bindings, gilt tops, m neat cases, will tempt the nimblo sixpénce. ae Yomeph Coates suggests that his publication, ‘Tha Count de Paris’ History of the Civil War in America,"” will make a valuable Christmas present, and he ia right, no doubt. Tt’. Peverson_& Brothers offer cheap editions of Dickens, Dumas, Scott and other popular writers, and sets of Mrs. Southworth, Mrs. De Puy and Mrs. Wood. LITERARY CHIT-CHAT. Mr, F. ©. Grove’s book on’ “The Frosty Cau- casus” opens a new field tor those afflicted with the all- absorbing passion for mountaineering. It conveys much information on a very interesting and almost un- trodden country. A forthidable undertaking tn translation of the entire works 6f Proudbon is contemplated by Mr. B, R. Tucker, of Princeton, Mass. The first volume, under the title of “What Is Property ?” will soon appear. The American Catholic Quarterly Review will be com- menced in January, at Philadelphia, by Messrs. Hardy & Mahoney, The London Bookseller says the people who are fond of uncut books are not bound to give any reason for their fancy. ‘One might as well ask why every literary Scotchman thinks himself capable of editing the Times, or why conservatives have such intense faith in Mr. Disracli,” The love of cutting open a new book is an {diosyncrasy with which few Americans can sym- pathize, The Prayer Gauge Debate of Professor Tyndall, Fran- cis Gaston and others, against Dr.‘ McCosh, the Duke of Argyll and the Spectator, of London, will soon be published by the Congregational Publishing Socioty of Boston. Several contennial histories of the United States and alot of rival centennial cook books are announced by various publishers, Some of thom are not aware that a court of the United States has decided that no one can secure by copyright or otherwise a monopoly of the word “centennial,” as applied to a book or any article of manufacture, The exclusive right apper- tains to the contents, and not to the words of the title, “Tho Memoirs of the Lato Charlies G. Finney,’’ the Oberlin revivalist, written by himself, are in the preas of A. 8. Barnes & Co. Mr. Charlies Sotheron has written a little book on Percy Bysshe Shelley, a8 a philosopher and reformer, which ©. P. Somerby, of New York, will print. Oliver Optic's Magazine is now added to the long list of perished juvenile periodicals, “An Englishman's History of the United States,” by John A. Doyle, published by Macmillan, 1s praised by the Saturday Review as clear and simple, accurate in facts and meritoriously {ree from prejudice, An elaborate defence of Prince Bismarck's policy inst the ultramontanists Is M. Ernest Strovhiin’ “LEtat Moderne ct I'Eglise Catholique en Allemagne,” published at Geneva. Recent French literature exhibits no really good works in novels or in poetry. The late Bishop G. W. Doane’s poems are to be pub- lished under the title of “Songs by the Way,” Edmond About bas & long article in the Atheneum on M. Taine’s “L’Ancien Régime,” which he says ia the work of a refined and lettered man, but of one prejudiced deeply in favor of the priviloged classes, who is still compelled by the mere facts he records to Justify the rebellion of the people. “Never,” says About, “has a book been written against the Revolu: tion so full of arguments in favor of the Revolution.” Thomas Carlyle was eighty years of age on tho 4th of December. Mr. Swinburne’s new play on the Greek model is out, and has about 1,700 lines, Boccaccté’s contenary was celebrated at Gertaldo on the 2st of December. The anthropology of the voyage of tne Austrian frigate Novara has appeared at Vienna, and is devoted to the cranta, To the roll of enthusiastic collections of obscure poets is to be added the name of Lord Houghton, who bas Much increased his collection during his visit to America. Mra. Oliphant’s Christmas story, ‘An Oda Couple, | forms a charming supplement to the London Graphte. ‘The prize of twenty-five guineas for the best essay on “The Application of Sanitary Science to Rural Dis- tricts’ drew out nmeteen essays, and the prize was awarded to Mr. ©. F, Gardacr, whose work will soon be published, Mr. Gladstone drops theological polemics for his ancient flame, classical criticism, in @ new book on ‘The Time and Place of Homer in Histdty,” which Macmillan & Co, will print, Mr, Serjeant Cox will publish hia book on the “Mechanism of Man’? early in January. — EVENING AUCTION SALES. Several days ago Wossrs. Leavitt & Co., a well known auction house, widely advertised tho sale of a large quantity of art furniture, a surplus stock remaining in the warehouse of Messrs, Herter Brothers, of No, 877 Broadway. The salo was to have taken place last even- ing. About three in the afternoon a messenger from the Mayor's oilice called upon the auctioncers and not: fled them that ifthe auction proceeded they would lay open to arrest, Word was at once sent to the owners, but, of course, {t came too inte for any ac- ton, and quite a mumber of oroanective buyers were disappointed. so