The Portland daily press., 1868-03-14
Recent PubIica,ion.

Among the recent works of tiction which
r Sc decidedly above the usual drearv Laval Of
sensational commonplace, we may menti,r
8 S'oneT or Later, by Shirley Brooks, lust nub.
Ii shed by Harper & Brothers, New York. IL
is interesting not merely as a skllliully to
story-thoush it certainly is that-but from Il Q
manner 1t holds the mirror up to modern Err
sllsh life and manners. Its satire is all tie
more severe that 1t seems at times to be un-
conscious, the author writing with that pitt
less truthfulness which knows nothing of fear
or favor, and troubles itself not at all about
consequences. The characters of the tale
are well conceived and skillfully brought out.
the dialogue is spirited, and though the devel-
oplnent of the story is somewhat unnecessarily
protfacted, the interest of the narrative never
nays vi the moral tendency of the book
there VIII very likely be different opinions.
There is class of readers who find Thack-
erays vanity Fair" immoral, and sucb will
object to the pictures in Sooner or Later. The
authors reply to this class is that it is a book
for grown-up people, mol for children, it is 1t
milk for babes but meat for men, and conven-
tional ictions may be allowed to pass for
what they are worth. We do not undertake
here to arraign or defend his position, but he
has written more than ordinarily powerful
novel; The book is very handsomely got up,
and the illustrations by George Du Maurier,
are in that artists best manner. (Receiyed by
Hall L. Davis.)
ID. Appleton s. Co., New York, are still add
ing to their cheap edition of Dickens. Dduid
Copperficld and The Old Curiosity Shop ale the
Latest issues, and are soli at 80 and 80 cents
respectively. The same house have also issued
Iranhoe as the second volume of what may be
called the Tartan Edition" of SCOTS works.
1t is evident that the era of cheap books has
returned upon us, and we cannot too warmly
congratulate the public on the fact so long as
books are of the high character of these we
have mentioned. (Recelved by Hail L. Davis.)
From the Harpers We have also two pleasant
books for children, of grade somewhat above
the average of what is absurdly called '.juve-
nile literature" The first of these is A French
Country Family, by Madame de Witt, nee Gui-
zJ', translated by Mrs. Dinah Mulock Craik
tue author Of "John Halifax" 1t presents a
very attractive picture of what some supelf e.
cial observers have declared to have no exis-
tence, viz, the home life of the French people
A domestic atmosphere sweeter, purer and
more wholesome than we are admitted to In
the home of the Bessard family it would be
difficult to find anywhere; and we are glad to
note half promise on the part of the transla-
tor that the book will be succeeded by others
of a kindred character.
Quite similar to the above in spirit, though
different in execution, is little volume by Miss
Anna Warner, the author of "Dollars and
Cents" 1t is entitled Three Little Spades, and
is intended to interest children in the cuItiva-
ton OF flowers, by relating to them the pleas
ant experience of three little sisters who had
gardens of their own. Every child will like
the book, and some grown folks will not find
it dull reading. (Received by Hall L. Davis.)
Among the latest issues of Harper & Broth
ers, we notice a novel entitled Ny Husbands
Crime, written by M. R. Housekeeper, an au-
thor of whom we do not remember to have
heard before. We have dipped into it little,
but do not find much to encourage a more in
innate acquaintance with its sontents. 1t aims
to be sensational, but is merely overstrained,
and, on the whole, rather dull 1t has numer-
Gus illustrations which are execrably poor
(Received by Hall L. Davis.)
From d. Appleton s. Co., New York, we
have an admirable little book for the use of
schools, colleges, and private students of the
French language. This is NJ. de Fivas' new
Grammar Of French Gramnsars, work
which comprises the substance of all the most
approved French GIammars extant, (there
are said to be one hundred of them in ally but
which is more especially modelled on the
'Grdmmatre des Grammaires," sanctioned by
the French Academy and the University of
Paris. 1t has numerous exercises and exam
Piles, illustrating everything In the French
language which can be reduced to rule. IRE
ceived by Hall L. Dayis.)