The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-09
LITERATURE.
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.


The FISHER MAIDEN; a Norwegian tale. By
Biornstierne Bjornson. Translatedby Nj. K.
Niles. Published by Lsypoldt & Holt.
Philadelphia agents: ]. P. Lippincott q Co.
Messrs. Leypoldt & Holt have made for
fishers Of good books that are permanent addi-
tions to our literature. They have shown
excellent judgment in catering to the tastes of
the better class Of readers, and in introducing
to the American public the new Norwegian
prose-poet Bjornson they have rendered
genuine service, which, it is to be hoped, will
be repaid by an extensive sale of the very
attractive little volume before us. Bjornson
has achieved the greatest popularity in his
own country and in Germany, and one or two
Of his stories which were translated and pub
Eshed in England some months ago were
greeted with the warmest praise by the lead
ing literary journals. The story of "Arne,"
which made the authors reputation in Eng
land, is now in course of preparation by
Messrs. Leypoldt Il Holt, and will be pub
hshed shortly. In the meantime they have
issued ''The Fisher Maiden," we believe in
advance Of its appearance in England, the
translation having been made expressly for
their house.
Bjornson reminds us Of no one unless it be
Fouque or Hans Andersen, and his resem-
blsnce to those writers is more in the poetical
air with which he surrounds his subject, and
in his exquisite style, than in the form and
substance OF his work "The Fisher Maiden"
can be read through in an hour, but there
are few who read it once who will not be
tempted to go through it again, and it will be
found to improve on the second perusal. As
to plot, there can scarcely be said to be any;
but there is human experience described with
genuine poetical insight; the characters,
sketohed with few decided, artistic touches,
are lifelike, and the fisher maiden and her
mother may almost be said to rise to the rank
Of dramatic creations. Bjornson has the eye
Of an artist for scenery and incidents, and his
word pictures are bright and sparkling. The
character of the heroine is as much of puzzle
to the reader as it was to her friends and &C.
quaintances, and the manner in which it is
developed indicates genius of no mean order
The account of Petra's first visit to the theatre
is delightful bit of description, and the de-
tense of the drama and refined amusementi
generally which is elicited by Petra's deter
nination to go upon the stage is one Of thu
olearest, most impartial, and most conclusive
that has ever come under our notice. 9Th,
Fisher Maiden" we are sure, will find larg,
circle OF appreciative readers, who will extenC
10 this new story-teller as cordial welcome
as he has received in Europe.
From Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfnger, tn
fhilaoelphia agents, we have received tn
bound volumes of Harper's Magazine, Har
PeT's Weekly, and Harpers Bazar for 1865
HaTpeT'S Magazine has had an unlnterrupte
career ofprosperity from the issue of the fri
number in June, 1850. 1t is, with one exceI
tion, the Oldest publication of its class in th
United States; and from the commencement
has been edited with rare tact, and is to-da
the most popular magazine in the countr.
HarpT's Weekly was the first permanent
successful illustrated papers issued In Il
United States. It forms a complete illustrate
history Of the times; while its pages are mac
attractive by stories, novels, and sketches |
the best writer's Of the day. Hdrper's BaS
supplied a desideratum, and it was brillia
Sueoess from the first number. AS an illu
trated chronicler of the fashions it has
rival. The bound volumes of these public
tions will form an attractive and useful add
tion to any library.
From D. Ashmead we have recsiv
several Of the publications OF ID. Appleton
Co. The second bound volume of their che
edition of the Waverley Novels contains
Legend OF Montrose," "The Talisman
"The Antiquary," "Redgauntlet," and "S
Romans Well" These novels are print
on good paper, are illustrated by wood a
steel engravipgs, and are handsomely bou
IN green cloth, at the very low priOO Of q
per volume.