The Portland daily press., 1868-12-15

Recent Publication.

George w. Carleton & Co., have published
in handsome duodecimo, 1ontaban, novel
by an anonymous author 1t has a murder in
the first chapter, and the plot turns on the eff
forts Of the murderer, a very handsome villain
with something sinister" in his bold dark
eyes, to possess himself of the hand and for
tune OF the heroine with whom he is madly in
ioVe' He fails, of course, and the most rigor-
% ous poetic justice is dealt out all around. The
0""iscters are all of the very gentselest and
i"''t iis'oeratic description, and each one Is
Pro'iueu WIN little private mystery of his
or her own, which is satisfactorily explained
at the end. Those who buv the bool, iii ro+
a great deal for their money. tReceived bv
LoriDg, Short & Harmony
Carleton has also issued The Christmas Font.
story for young folks, by Mrs. Mary j.
Holmes, the very popular author of LENA
Rivers" and other novels. 1t is very pretty
volume, the binding in admirable taste and the
colored illustrations attractive. (Received by
Loring, Short & Harmony
Roberts Brothers, of Boston, have Just
brought out the most beautiful specimen of
picture-book for children which we have seen
for many day. 1t is the Narratiue of a voy-
age Round the World, Planned by -Four Adven-
turers. The story IS translation from the
French, by Miss Luyster, and relates how Miss
Lilly, her cousins, Masters Paul aud Toto, aud
little Peter the gardeners son set out in boat
to sail round the world. They embarked on
river which ran by their house, and sailing,
according to Captain Paurs reckoning, about
thousand knots an hour, they naturally soon
came to Robinson Crusoe'5 island. Very nat
urally, also, they here encountered a savage
sitting under tent, with wnom they had va
rious adventures. To be sure, the savage prov
ed to be only an artist, sketching the scenery,
and having big umbrella over his head, and
he proved very useful to the little people
whose imaginations had run away with them.
The book is in form a large auarto is printed
on beautiful fine paper, on one side of the
page only, bound in Develled boards and illus
trated with between forty and fifty spirited
and humorous designs by Lorenz Fr6Iich 1t
is a book to gladden. the eyes, not only of all
children but of all grown people who have not
forgotten the charming dreams and illusions
OF childhood, (Received by Loring, Short and
Harmony
Another delightful book for the young folks
is Little LOUIS Sayings and Doi,lgs, published
by Hurd aud Houghton, New York. Lou Is
very droll little boy, but very natural; dear,
bright, warm hearted. curly headed, naughty
little fellow, one of those who need to be all
ternately spanked aud kissed dozen times in
an hour. The account OF his sayings and do
ings is very sweetly given; and the book, q
handsome quarto, printed in large type and
enriched with numerous pleasing illustrations,
/ 4
shelves. (Receved by Loring, Short & Har-
| mon.)
The S,ceet Clover Stories, published by Will.
liam II. Hill, jr., & Co., have established them
selves among the favorites of the young peo-
pie. The latest issue in this series is Ruth
LoreH; or Holidays at Home, by Mrs. May,
which is as interesting as those which have
preceded it, and is very prettily printed and
illustrated. (Received by Carter and Dresser }
The Handy Volume Series is the general title
| of series of a small, convenient and cheap,
but neatly printed and attractive books which
Messrs. Roberts Brothers are now issuing. 1t
is proposed to give very varied character TO
these volumes. They will entertain the reader
with poetry as well as prose; now with fiction
then with fact; here with narration, there with
inquiry; in some cases with the works of living
authors in others with the works of those long
since dead. The first issue of the series Is
Happy Thoughts by F. c. Burnand, collection
of humorous sketches, which have been great
ly praised in England, but which we have not
had time to read. The general idea of the Sc
ries is good one and we think it will succeed
(Received by Loring, Short & Harmon.).-
Hurd & Houghton, New York, are the pub
fishers of a handsome pamphlet upon The
Modern System Of Painting in Water Colors
from the Living Model the author of which ia
Mrs. Elizabeth Murray, the accomplished wife
OF the British Consul at this port. The high
position achieved by Mrs. Murray in her favo-
rite art must make her an authority iu what
ever relates to the practice of It, She treats
her subject with singular clearness, directness
and breviiy, not complicating her directions
with any superfuous words. Her little book
will have high value for all interested In the
art of which it treats, either professionally or
as amateurs. (Received by Bailey 8 Noyes.)