In its military portions the work is decidedly weak, and much of interest and value is omitted.  For facts, the author relied chiefly on Moore’s Rebellion Record, Victor’s History of the Southern Rebellion, (embracing important data not found in the Record) and Pollard’s Southern History of the War.  After a later survey of the war-literature, Mr. Greeley felt justified in the candid claim that his work “is one of the clearest statements yet made of the long chain of causes which led irresistibly to the war for the Union, showing why that war was the righteous and natural consequence of the American people’s general and guilty compliance in the crime of upholding and diffusing Human Slavery.”

This work won such popular favor that it soon reached a sale of one hundred thousand copies.  But when, in 1867, its distinguished author signed the bail-bond of Jefferson Davis, its sale was suddenly checked.  The act was an unselfish one; its propriety, however, was questioned by many persons.  Whether, on account of it, Mr. Greeley be blamed or applauded, his work merits commendation as a valuable authority on the political history of the American civil war, and ought always, as such, to be consulted.

The history of the civil war in America:—­Comprising a full and impartial account of the Origin and Progress of the Rebellion, of the various Naval and Military Engagements, of the Heroic Deeds performed by Armies and Individuals, and of Touching scenes in the Field, the Camp, the Hospital, and the Cabin.  By John S.C.  Abbott.  Illustrated. 2 vols. pp. 507, 629.  Norwich.  Conn:  The Henry Bill Publishing Company.

The author of the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte was never too particular in regard to his facts, but those which he made use of he could array with such skill as to completely captivate the judgment of the unwary.  In his History of the Civil War, all the enthusiasm of the writer, his easy flow of rhetoric, his vast fund of anecdote, and his characteristic inability to discriminate between truth and falsity, assert themselves.  The chief importance of the work consists in its treatment of events, as army-correspondents saw them, and, hence, it comprises many minor features, usually omitted by more sober historians.  As a political history, it is almost worthless; as a military history, it is even worse.  Still, it possesses a marked value, for the reason already stated, and is attractive by reason of its numerous illustrations, all engraved on steel from original designs,—­comprising portraits, battle-scenes, diagrams and maps.  The first volume was printed in 1863; the second in 1865.

  A HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA:—­By The Comte de Paris. 
  Translated with the approval of the author.  Edited by Henry Coppee,
  LL.D. 3 volumes. 8vo, pp. 640, 820, 954.  Philadelphia:  Porter and
  Coates.