The Portland daily press., 1867-07-01

A wonAS's sEcRnr.-By yrss Caroline Fair
field Cerbln:-l2mo. PIP 40 E9sago; Cen
1t is not often that we take up 4 paIeso gen
uins and so individual as this 1t ia novel,
indeed but it has not been written for the pas
time either of the author or OF the reader, but
for purpose The writer is terribly in ear
nest. She has thought over certain subjects
till her mind, heart and soul were SO iuli Of
them that writing became a necessity. AS IA
natural result the book which she has produc-
ed is more interesting as a vivid representation
of certain phases of human life than as liter
AIRY work of art. 1t purports to relate the sto-
ry Off woman of education and refinement
who has been made the victim OF false mar
riage, and being abandoned by her betrayer
tries to earn a livelihood for herself The va
rious social and legal Disadvantages under
which a woman so circumstance must labor,
are exhibited in the story of her vicissitudes.-
There is but slender thread of plot. and the
continuity of even this is broken by frequent
digressiens, and chapters devoted to the dis
cussons of political and ethical questions
Some OF the situations appear to us rather UNI
natural, and the scenes are occasionally a lit
tie labored.- But despite these drawbacks the
book is one which it is impossible to read
without deep interest. The characters which
figure in it are studies from life, and they are
drawn with fearlessnsss and absolute truth
fulness which we seldom see. Mr.. and Mrs.
Gladstone and Mr.. Linscott are eminent ex-
amples of this; photograph is not more Sc
yerely true. DR.. Gaines, the village physician,
quaint compound of simplicity, shrewdness
and chivalrous generosity is happily define
ated. Moses Moss and his wife Hannah, with
their brood of children. are sketches which
give evidence Of close observation and much
delicate skill. Thr villain il. like most villains
drawn by women, better in the conception
than the execution. The author knows there
are such depths of depravity as this man, Cla-
vering, dwells in, but she cannot realize the N,
and therefore when she attempts them the
picture lacks force.
Another characteristic Of this work is its
plain speaking. There is a great deal of ter
rible truth told in it. The writer shows a
earlessness in calling things by their right
names, and an earnestness in dealing with
topics which it is the custom to thrust out of
sight, which we cannot help wishing were
more frequently emulated. Yet with all its
plainness, there is no faint of coarseness in
the book, nothing which can minister to per-
verted Imagination. Its purpose is manifestly
pure and high. 1t handles some delicate
themes but they are touched with a pure
though firm hand which lifts them into the
| light not because it loves to busy itself with
| them, but to show the world how hideous and
| dangerous they are. 1t is work which can
| not fail to exert healthful influence wherever
it is read, and we wish it might be widely cir
culated.
| GREYLINs POULTRY BREEDING, with a Pre-
face by Charles L. Flint, Secretary of Mass
| Board Of Agriculture. Boston: A. Will
lams q Co. at.s .A r..-
Here is book the effect of which nigh
| well be to revive the "hen fever" OF which We
heard SO much few years ago. 1t presents
the subject Of poultry breeding in CONNER
cial point of view, showing how the business
may be made profitable; introduces us t.
methods of natural and artificial Matching, o
rearing and fattening. exhibits plans of mode
poultry establishments in various countries
| and furnishes an immense amount of varied
and useful information npon the latest ant
most improved methods and principles which
connect themselves with this business Ever,
farmer should buy it and have it. At the pres
ent prices the products of the poultry yart
would seem to be easily susceptible of being
rendered profitable. Carter & Dresser have it