The Prelate (by Isaac Henderson, 12mo, $1.50) is a romance of the American colony and native society at Rome, with most intense and dramatic situations, and rare power of description. The weird and brilliant designs for the covers of "The Prelate" were made by Elihu Vedder, who is a friend of the author.
The Boston "Budget" thus recognizes one of the unseen beauties of Howells's new novel, "Indian Summer:"—
"Mr. Howells, in this the latest of his completed stories, paints life in Florence with a truthfulness begot of long acquaintance with the localities he is describing, and with that literary skill for which he is justly celebrated."
Next week will appear the new "Artistic Homes: In the City and Country." By Albert W. Fuller, Architect. (Fourth edition, revised, enlarged, and improved.) This rich new edition will have 76 full-page illustrations, many of which are from gelatine, supplanting designs discarded from the earlier editions. There will also be one handsome colored plate (folio, $3.50). It is doubtful whether any of the numerous books of similar purport have succeeded so richly and steadily as Fuller's "Artistic Homes."
The Cambridge "Tribune" says of Lowell's Chozön (illustrated and richly bound, 8vo, $5.00):—
"Mr. Lowell's book is one of rare interest and value. He has seen that which is wholly novel; and he tells his story with delightful relish, evidently enjoying the telling as well as the rest of us do the reading. He begins with a vivid monograph on the myths and traditions of the far-off East, and the geography of the peninsula. He then gives an amusing description of the journey from his landing-place in Korea up to Soul, the capital of the country, and adds scores of episodes of his life in that great city, — diverting, pathetic, and all full of quaintness and originality. The book is rich in allusions to the architecture, costumes, government, superstitions, landscape-gardening, and other interesting features of the Korean people, set forth with scientific precision and literary grace, yet without undue obtrusion of the author's personality. The book is full of quotable passages, describing the customs and oddities of the people, and giving many enticing glimpses of beautiful scenery and enjoyable experiences."
An admirable suggestion to architects and persons interested in interior decoration is contained in the following paragraphs from the "Scientific American" referring to Professor Edward S. Morse's "Japanese Homes, and their Surroundings" (300 illustrations, 8vo, $5.00):—
"For cultivated people of small means, desiring to build for themselves, and having tastes which lead them to take pleasure in beautifying their homes and surroundings where this can be done in an inexpensive way, we know of no other publication so brimful of suggestion and valuable information as is this handsome and profusely illustrated volume. We do not mean, in saying this, to have any one infer that the book is not equally well worth the attention of those who can build brownstone houses, or of the architects who design the most costly residences; for, of the latter structures, too many are wanting in many of the essentials to comfortable living, that are generally found in less pretentious buildings. But the conditions of life in Japan, and the genius of its people, are such, that we often find in their work the development of an exquisite taste that makes the commonest articles they produce a source of constant pleasure. How this taste and Japanese constructive ingenuity are manifested in their residences, in those of the humblest as well as those of the higher classes, the work of
