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NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE HISTORY OF PROSTITUTION: its extent, causes and effects throughout the world. (Being an offical report to the Board of Alms-House Governors of the City of New York.) By Wm. W. Sanger, M.D., Resident Physician, Blackwell's Island, etc., etc. Harper & Brothers.

We design to be very brief in our notice of this important work, inasmuch as for reasons which will be well understood, as it has already received a far more than ordinary degree of attention from the public press, and so much of it has already been reproduced in the shape of extracts through that medium, that its nature and scope may be fairly presumed to be familiar to the reading community.

The subject on which it treats has been until very recently taboed by all except strictly medical writers, and the publication of the present volume destined for popular reading, even coming, as it does, from the experienced pen of Dr. Sanger¹ and bearing the respectable imprint of the Messrs. Harper, may be regarded as somewhat of an innovation upon established prejudices. Journalists appear to be divided in their estimates in regard to the propriety and usefulness of its issue--some complimenting its author upon having accomplished a good work for philanthropy and the best interests of humanity, and others affecting to believe or really believing, that the volume is calculated to do more harm than good, if indiscriminately distributed and read.

Our own opinion may be told in a few words. Without entirely endorsing the plan of the work in all its details, and without being able to appreciate the necessity that the author appears to think existed for going back as far as Genesis, and coming by slow stages down to the present day through the erotic annals of Greece with its Laises² and Phrynes,³ or that of Rome with its Messalinas,⁴ and through the abominations of France and Italy in the Middle Ages, we can speak in terms of hearty commendation of the value of his researches into that branch of his subject relating to our own day and our own people. It was high time, indeed, that the foul cancer which is now eating its way into the very vitals of our body social should be exposed in all its hideous deformity by some competent hand, so that the eyes of hte public, too long wilfullywilfully​ closed, should be fully opened, and ways and means of applying the cautery should be thoroughly discussed. Here, the author's full and interesting statistical tables; the conclusions which he draws therefrom, and the remedies which his long experience suggests, come into useful play and cannot be too thoughtfully and respectfully examined.

The chief object of this book of Dr. Sanger's will be attained, if he succeeds in informing and thus awakening the public mind on a few points that are of the last interest to the community. In the first place, its facts and figures prove beyond doubt that prostitution exists in New York to an extent undreamed of, even by those who believe themselves well informed on the subject. Again, it is proved that, in proportion, the system is far more costly than in any other city—the expense of illicit commerce in one year being shown to be (at a ridiculously low estimate) not less than $7,036,075—over seven millions—or nearly as much as the annual municipal expenditure of the City. Again, we are appalled by a statement of the extent and ravages of the venereal disease, which is shown to be increasing at a fearful rate with every year and to be assuming a more virulent form from the utter absence of any necessary measures on the part of the city Government for regulating in any manner whatever this enormous evil and its still more terrible concomitants and results. Placing all humanitarian sympathy for the fallen creatures themselves, or for their immediate victims, out of the question, as a sanitary consideration altogether, the subject must come home to every thinking mind. As may be shown very easily in a few words, had we space to discuss the matter, it is scarcely possible to imagine the extent over which the syphilitic poison may be spread, originating in the proud and wealthy city of New York, nor would it be an error to describe the Empire City as a hot-bed where from the nature of its laws on prostitution the disease may be cultivated and disseminated. It is strange, very strange, that the most stupid indifference has hitherto been shown to this gravest and most difficult of social problems, involving as it does, the interests of every member of the community. It is this apathy which has increased the evil to its present gigantic proportions.

That some remedy must be devised for the lamentable state of things that now exists in this connection there can be no doubt. Dr. Sanger boldly recommends the adoption, with modifications and improvements, of the system now in successful operation in Paris, viz.: that of placing public brothels under the immediate supervision of the municipal authorities, with a view to guard more effectually public decency and public health. Under the system it is shown that the physical results of immorality have decreased most sensibly and the virtuous are never shocked by such exhibitions in the public streets as make New York promenades impassable by decent people after nightfall. This not the place to debate the pros and cons of such a question. We can only express a hope that no false shame or fatal indifference may induce the public and the public's servants longer to tolerate this destroying evil in their midst, without making an effort, at least to circumscribe its ravages, if, as appears to be sorrowfully conceded, it is useless to attempt its extirpation. Meantime, hoping that Dr. Sanger's very elaborate and interesting volume may accomplish something to bring about a wholesome awakening on the subject, we take leave of it and him.⁵

The present edition of the "Book of Mormon" is an accurate reprint of the 3rd American edition originally published at Nauvoo eighteen years ago, under the official sanction of the leaders of the Mormon Church. It is quite a curiosity in its ways and should find a place in the library of every diligent book collector.

CARLYLE's LIFE OF FREDERICK II.—We have received the 2d volume of this interesting work which has created such a sensation in the literary world. We had anticipated its reception in our notice published a short time ago.

THE WESTMINSTER REVIEW for the current quarter has been received from the publishers, Leonard Scott & Co., 79 Fulton st. Although the number is a fair, average one, it contains no article of very especial significance, such as sometimes stamps an issue of this profound, thoughtful and large-minded serial.—Perhaps the most noticeable article is that on F. H​ . Newman⁶ and his Evangelical Critics—a paper which appears to have already attracted the attentive regards of the religious journals. The article on "Indian Heroes," is a just tribute to the skill, bravery and devotion of the British leaders during the great Sepoy mutiny.⁷ Other papers on lighter subjects there are, at sight of which the eye of the scholarly reader will light up with pleasure, but which we have no space to refer to here. The article on France under Louis Napoleon⁸ is the most discriminating and dispassionate examination of the character and career of "Napoleon le petit" that we have seen. The reviewer arrives at the conclusion, and shows by an elaborate examination of the Emperor's policy, that Louis Napoleon's talents are restricted to foreign affairs; his capacity is essentially that of a diplomatist; and his clear appreciation of the value of an alliance with England is strong proof of an independent judgment in one otherwise so entirely under the influence of Napoleonic maxims. Specific aptitude, fostered by study and travel, has acquired for him a correct insight into the relations of states, while the prominent feature of his uncle's misfortune has probably riveted his attention upon the danger of warfare to the neglect of those administrative faults which actively precipitated his downfall. It therefore seems to us that a marked difference should be justly made between Louis Napoleon the diplomatist and Louis Napoleon the administrator, the one being a man of insight and natural talents, while the other is a lay figure immovably set in an attitude. But no foreign policy, however able, is of itself sufficient for the permanent support of a government.

For a light and pleasant family periodical calculated to suit the tastes of the great mass of the lovers of current literature, commend us to "Godey." The number of his Lady's Book for December, just received, is a gem in its way. It contains, besides its stock of literary productions, and its richly colored fashion plates, two splendid steel engravings, the subjects of which are "Christmas for the rich" and "Christmas for the poor"—very suggestive and appropriate for the season.

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