OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON THE PREVIOUS EDITION OF THIS WORK.

“This is an exceedingly interesting little volume, and one which deserves to be carefully read and studied. It is not only a very interesting publication, but a very timely one. There is a tendency, even with people who know better, to use phrases which are far from correct, at first by way of fun, but gradually they come to be incorporated into general use. Dr. Peabody’s Address is very beautiful and sensible, and treats of the principle and sentiment of conversation from a high point of view. It is a very valuable compilation, and should have a wide circulation.”—Boston Daily Advertiser.

“This little volume is dedicated to American teachers, but it has words of wisdom worthy the attention of all classes in the community. We commend the work not only to those who have but little acquaintance with grammatical rule, but even to scholars, for even they sometimes are guilty of great enormities in English syntax. The name of Dr. Peabody is a full and sufficient voucher and authority in this case, and this little work deserves extensive circulation.”—Boston Evening Transcript.

“A pure and graceful style of conversation cannot be learned from books; but much may be done in the way of suggestion, which is well done in this volume. It deserves to be studied.”—Watchman and Reflector.

“The design and execution of this work are alike felicitous. It is intended to secure the legitimate end of conversation, by correcting what is amiss, and elevating its general tone and character. It consists of several lectures and brief treatises, partly American, and partly English, which, taken together, form as good a manual on the subject as could be desired.”—Puritan Recorder.

“Conversation: Its Faults and its Graces.—A little volume, but instructive and highly valuable.”—Christian Register.

“We welcome this volume as a timely and valuable auxiliary in the cause of polite learning—a branch of the education of the present day which does not receive sufficient attention from our authors and teachers of grammar and rhetoric. It is not, however, a book for teachers alone, but one that is happily adapted to general use. It should be read and consulted by all persons who desire to speak the English language with that elegance which adorns the conversation of ladies and gentlemen of genuine cultivation, of taste, and true refinement of mind.”—Christian Examiner.

“This is a very useful little work, pointing out the true ends of conversation, and exposing a number of current improprieties in writing and speaking.”—Methodist Quarterly Review.

“One of the most useful books the season has produced. It should be in every family.”—Boston Mercantile Advertiser.

“It is a work of great use, and should be in every family. The hints here given would tend more to purity of language than a year’s study otherwise devoted.”—Portsmouth Journal.

“The greatest faults in our conversational habits do indeed require a more deep and vital cure than is to be found in simple external omissions or improvements; and these are admirably treated by the compiler in the address delivered by him before the Newburyport Female High School, which introduces this little volume. We cannot too earnestly commend this Address to the consideration of readers of all ages. The compilation is most judiciously made, and should be widely circulated. We welcome this little volume as indicating the gravest dangers which threaten sometimes to make conversation more of a hindrance than a help, and also as one which in a lively manner will suggest to young people the absurd errors into which so many unconsciously fall.”—Salem Gazette.

“This neat little work is made up of a lecture by Rev. A. P. Peabody, and several English essays. Its aim is not only to direct us in conversation, so as to make it entertaining and morally pure, but also to furnish rules against the most common verbal faults. It carries out its purpose admirably.”—Portland Advertiser.

“There are few subjects connected with art in relation to its history, to matter, and to mind, which Mr. Jarves does not touch upon, and with so much freshness of thought, enthusiasm tempered with judgment, and sensibility to the beautiful, as to render his remarks no less pleasant to read than they are instructive.... His remarks evince sound discrimination and good taste. It is when we have such a book as this under our notice, that we find most occasion to regret our inability, from want of space, to quote from it.”—Art-Union, London.

“Fervent and useful—clever and well-written. Mr. Jarves’s language displays a strong nervous structure, that indicates a strong thinker.” “America has at last produced a writer who may help to educate her in art, guide her infant steps, and to point out the pitfalls that surround the pilgrim of Art.”—London AthenÆum.

“This is the only way in which it is worth while to write about art, and Mr. Jarves founding on high principles, and honest and acute in applying them, will be found, without at all rivalling such a man as Ruskin in depth or originality, well worth the hearing.”—London Spectator.

“ ... We have seldom indeed read a book which excited more respect for the author and sympathy for his opinions—his criticism is in general at once refined and elevated in spirit, animated by a thorough and patient knowledge of what he is describing, and for the most part singularly just and sound.”—London Guardian.

“The work is one that may render good service to students in this country as well as in America. It is a suggestive as well as instructive volume, and deals with the philosophy as well as the facts of the history of art.”—London Literary Gazette.

“We commend the volume for its pleasant style, its varied historical facts, its fresh and honest criticisms, its rare good sense, its interesting analysis of Art in different countries, its hopeful and healthy tone, and the importance of the theme to which it relates.”—Boston Transcript.

“It does one good to fall in with such a book as this, one that shows intimate knowledge of the subject it handles, and is yet free from pedantry or pretence; one in which the author’s glowing enthusiasm is tempered by judgment and discretion. From its earnestness and loving tone, you might suppose it the work of a tyro; from its moderation and respect for the opinion of others, it impresses you with the belief that the writer has pondered much, ere he gave his opinions to the world. Not that he is deficient in boldness; very far from it, he sometimes runs counter to the general voice; and—what is a far better token of moral courage—he does not minister to national self-love.”—Albion, New York.

“Gracefully and elegantly written, this work is destined to take rank with those masterly criticisms which have given the name of Ruskin such a world-wide reputation.”—New York Herald.

“Hardly a page of this book but abounds with thoughtful comment and valuable suggestion.”—New York Churchman.

“Next after Ruskin we are disposed to rank the author of Art-Hints.”—North American Review.

“Mr. Jarves has written upon a subject with which thought and taste, education and travel, enthusiasm and observation, have made him most familiar. He has written well, because with fulness of knowledge and clearness of expression. At times, his language rises into eloquence but it is always lucid, nervous, and harmonious.”—New York Times.

“Mr. Jarves’s views on Art are as remarkable for their calmness and good sense, as for their requisite appreciation of every form of genuine beauty.”—Courier and Inquirer, N. Y.

“A work which every American tourist in Europe should read carefully before setting out, and consult frequently while among the art-collections of the old world.”—Godey’s Ladies Magazine.

“A noble sermon on Art.”—Christian Examiner.

“A better picture of Paris, in so narrow a compass, we have never seen.”—N. Y. Courier and Enquirer.

“As a shrewd observer, a stinging critic of society, and a lively narrator, we have not seen his superior for many a day,—one of the most amusing books of the time.”—N. Y. Tribune.

“Without question one of the raciest books ever written upon Parisian life and manners.”—Boston Post.

“In variety of style, truth of description, and piquancy of criticism, Mr. Jarves has few competitors among tourists.”—New York Independent.

“Mr. Jarves combines many important qualities which are essential to the character of an intelligent tourist. He is, evidently, a person of education and refinement, conversant with the principles of art, as well as familiar with its chief productions; cherishing an interest in religious systems, apart from their external ceremonies, and accustomed to carry a critical spirit into his observations of nature and society. Hence, the sketches, of which this volume is composed, are not only spirited, but informing. They furnish an impressive idea of the grandeur and the glory, and the degradation and shame of modern Italy. They are not merely brilliantly colored pictures addressed to the eye, but pregnant illustrations of profound social truths. As a writer on art, Mr. Jarves will well sustain his reputation in this volume; while his description of ecclesiastical ceremonies, local scenery, and popular customs, will place him in the front rank of recent travellers.”—Home Journal.

Extracts from the Preface.

“In my youth I spent several years in different parts of the Pacific Ocean, but chiefly at the Sandwich or Hawaiian Islands. While engaged in procuring materials for their history,—first published in 1843,—I was much struck with a tradition relating to their discovery by Europeans, two and a half centuries before Cook so accidentally stumbled upon them. Briefly it was this—

“Eighteen generations of kings previous to Kamehameha I., during the reign of Kahoukapa, or Kiana, there arrived at Hawaii, a white priest, bringing with him an idol, which by his persuasion, was enrolled in the calendar of the Hawaiian gods, and a temple erected for its service. The stranger priest acquired great influence, and left a reputation for goodness that was green in the memories of the people of Hawaii three centuries later. Another statement adds that a vessel was wrecked on the island, and the captain and his sister reached the shore, where they were kindly received and adopted into the families of the chiefs.

“Without enlarging here upon the tradition, and the light my subsequent researches threw upon it, I will simply state that I became convinced that a Spanish priest, woman, and several men were rescued from a wreck, landed and lived on Hawaii, acquired power and consideration from their superior knowledge, and for a while were even regarded as gods. Some of them intermarried with the aborigines, and their blood still exists (or did recently) among certain families, who pride themselves greatly upon their foreign origin.

“Other traces of their existence are perceptible in the customs, ideas, and even the language of the natives, which last has a number of words strikingly analogous to the Spanish of the same meaning. Captain Cook found among them a remnant of a sword-blade and another bit of iron. They were not strangers to this metal, and as no ores exist in their soil, they could have derived their knowledge solely from foreign intercourse.

“Soon after the conquest of Mexico, Cortez sent three vessels upon an exploring expedition to California. After sailing as far as 29° north, one was sent back to report progress. The other two held on and were never heard from. Why may not one of these be the vessel that was wrecked on Hawaii? The winds would naturally drive her in that direction, and the date of the expedition agrees, so far as can be made out from Hawaiian chronology, with the time of the first arrival of white men on that island. Indeed, at that period of maritime discovery, white men could come from no other quarter. For my part, I believe that a port of Mexico was the starting point of the wrecked party; a conjecture which derives some plausibility from the fact, that, when the natives offered the whites bananas and other tropical fruits, they were familiar with them, which would be the case, if they came from Tehuantepec, whence Cortez fitted out his vessel.

“To absolutely identify the white strangers of Hawaii with the missing ships of Cortez, it is not now possible. But the interest in them, left thus isolated from civilization amid savages, upon an island in the centre of the then unknown ocean is peculiar. Especially have I always been curious to trace the fate of the solitary white woman,—a waif of refinement cast thus on a barbarous shore,—and of the priest too,—to learn how far their joint influence tempered the heathenism into which they were thrown, or whether they were finally overcome by paganism.

“Twelve years ago while amid the scenery described in this volume, and the customs and traditions of the natives were fresh in my mind, I began to pen their history; but other objects prevented my going on, until the past winter, when leisure and the advice of friends, pleased with the subject, prompted its completion. The descriptions of the natural features of this remarkable island, of the religion, customs, government, and conditions of its aborigines, as well as the events in general, are as faithful transcripts, in words, of the actual, to my personal knowledge, as it is in my power to give.”