The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-08

Street knew that many Of the poems of the
day would live in the future, AMI by adopting
the same title as some famous lyric, he has
hoped 10 make posterty confo1nd his eifuson
with sthe simon-pure production. We rather
pride ourselves on the originality ofthis theory,
as it seems to explain satisfactorily his curious
taste in the choice of his titles.
We can publish no extract from the work,
because, as we have already stated, they all so
closely resemble the average newspaper
poetry, that we deem illustration unneces-
sary. To sum up our judgment on the
two volumes, we should say that if any one
desires a rather weak dilution of war lyrics
and solloques on School House, "Forttude,n
and the like, we commend the very prettly
prntedwolumes before us. But as for vitality,
force, or originality, they possess none. They
read pleasantly, and if they contained any new
thoughts, or expressed old ones in any notice
able way, would be very excellent verses.
ESSAYS ON ART By Francis Turner Palgrave.
New York: Hurd Houghton. Philadelphia
Agent: D. Ashmead, No. 724 Chestnut street.
Mr.. Palgrave has already secured foremost
place among the art-crtics of the day, and we
are glad to see his contribution to the iSatur-
dag ReuieW compiled and issued in more
permanent form. While, for the sake of the
fine arts, we welcome this contribution to that
department of literature, too much neglected in
our Anglo-SaXon literature, yet we cannot but
feel sad at the contrast afforded us of Eng
lish and American art literature. At least three
fourths of the work before us is rendered point.
| less, and almost uninteligible, by alIusons
! to English paintings and painters, whose styles
! are utterly unknown to the American reader.
| That part which treats of Crulkshank
and of 'Lost Treasures" is pleasant
reading, but that which critlcizes the
"Royal Academy" and the British artists,
loses all interest when translated to this side of
the water. We hope to see the day, and that
speedily, when we can have an art literature of
our own. 1t would pay handsomely if but
competent critic would appear, and give us just,
unbiased essays on the fine arts. The only kind
that ever come under our notice is an occasional
essay on painting" by Tuckerman, very plea
SAINT, but not attempting TO cover the ground,
and few newspaper articles. 1t is shame to
our painters that, while they are supplying
works of national pride, no taterateoT has ap-
peared who is competent to point out their
beauties or defects. Mr.. Palgrave's essays are
very pleasantly written and illustrate the kind
of contributions needed to elevate American art.
| CAMERON HALL. BY NJ. A. c. Philadelphia:
j. b. Lippincott d Co.
| Miss Mary A. Cruise, of Alabama, is the
authoress of the work before us. She has pre-
viously issued several minor novels, of no espe-
cal merit. The present work is her best, and
we must say that is, when compared with the
average of modern novels, very good story.
1t treats of Confederates, and with the exception
of being another addition to the surteit of war
novels, is, in all respects, welcome. 1t is writ
ten with considerable force. The plot and
characters are natural, the one being well
worked up, the others we'll portrayed. 1t is of
the "Rutledge" order of fiction, affords us
an insight into the Rebellion during the war,
and gives us a readable love story.
MADONNA MARY. Novel. BY Mrs. Oliphant
! New York: Harper & Brothers. Philadelphia
Agents: j. B. Lippincott q Co.
About once month Mrs. 0hphant pres ents
the world With new Minerva, fully armed,
which springs from her teeming brain. The latest
| madonna Mary is written in her usual happy
vein, with her usual unhappy love of pro.
liXity. 1t is run out too far. The story is goods
the characters are, of course, original, yet nau-
ra But there is too much given for the money
We are glad, however, to detect gradual
change of the fancy for details. 1t reached
its zenith in 'Miss Majoribanks." 1t is now
on the decline. If Mrs. Oliphant writes and
| lives for ten years more, with her old power of
description, and new power of condensation
she will be at the head of female novelists.
SERMONS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECTS OF
! THE BOOK OF GOD. By Rev. William Barnes.
Philadelphia: j. G. Miller
A cheaplY got up book, of excellent con-
tents. 1t is fitted for general circulation and
is probably designed for sale among the poor.
1t does not exhibit any great power The
writer has not genius: yet it is evidently the
production of godly man. 1t is written with
the earnestness of faith, and will bring convic-
ton rather by its evident honesty than its supe-
riOr argumentatiye ability.
FoNETTE. By Edward Laboulaye. j. e. Titon
Il Co.: Boston.
CHRISTMAS HOLLY By Marian Harland. Shell.
don d Co.: New York
HsoP's FABLES. Fowler x Wells; New York.
Philadelphia Agents.
We have before us the three little books,
whose titles we give above. They are all exc
cuted in the highest style of typographical art,
and are most suitable for holiday gifts, recon-
mending themselves both by their contents and
the beautiful style of binding aud printing.