The Portland daily press., 1869-04-05
Recen, Publ,c.,,...

time most valuable books which have lately
appeared is Pictures from Prison Life; an
Historical Sketch Of the Massachusetts State
Prison, scih Scenes and Incidents, and Suoqes-
tions on Discipline, written by the Hon. Cd
con Haynes, the present Warden Of that in
stitu;ion, and Published by Lee & Shepard,
Boston. Mr.. Haynes's book shows him to be
not merely an intelligent, prompt and efficient
officer in the position he fills so well, but also
a man Of generous and humane sympathies
aud Of sound and enlarged views upoA the im-
portant subject of prison discipline and re-
form. His historical sketch is valuable as
showing the gradual steps of improvement
thus far made in prison system which, ii net
yet perfect, is the best and most enlightened
in this country; the incidents and anecdotes
which he relates have many of them touch
ing interest, and win secure for his book
wider popular approval than it would have
had without them; while the suggestions he
offers On the best modes of dealing with GRIM
inals are full of practical wisdom and of hu-
manity, and will commend themselves to ev-
cry reader. Mr.. Haynes gives it as the result
OF bis experience that at least eighty per cent.
of all convicted of crime may be reclaimed ard
made useful members of society by proper
discipline. This reform, he adds, @cannot Ie
accomplished by rash or cruel treatment, tr
any other process which has tendency
crush cut and destroy selfrespect The true
theory is to fan into blaze the smallest spark
of manhood they may bring with them into
the PRISON; they must be assisted and sncour-
aged in every possible way; an opportunity
should should be afforded them to work out
their own redemption-to do something fer
themselves" There Is sound philosophy "a
well as true humanity in these words. We
commend them, and the book from which they
are taken to every friend of the outcast classes,
as well as to all who have at heart the protec-
tion and well-being of society at large. (Re-
ceived by Bailey g. Noyes.)
Lee g Shepard have also published in neat
and attractive volume, Jtliette, or, Nop and
Forever, by the lady who writes under the nom
de plume of Mrs. Madeline Leslie. 1t Is q
story Of young lady who encounters some
rather improbable opposition on the part Of
her father to her desire to lead a true Chris
tian life, but who displays great steadfastness
in the pursuit Of what she deems her duty,
through long course Of hardship and sor-
row, and is finally rewarded by seeing her
father converted to her views, and herself pos
sessed Of all sorts Of worldly happiness and
prosperity. The tale is not particularly prob
able; nor are we much impressed with the
wholesomsness Of the moral We doubt
the advisability of holding up the idea that
wealth and a handsome husband are the fit-
ting rewards of Christian faithfulness; but lhe
conscientious purpose of the author is appar-
ent, and her attempt to show the beauty Of a
truly reiieians lifa, and the Influence for good
which such life may exert has not been un-
successful. The story will interest the young,
and its religious tone will commend It to pa
rents, and those who have the task Of selecting
Sunday School libraries. (Received by Bailey
s. Noyes.)
Claxton, Remsen b HaheliDger, of Phila-
delphia, are the publishers of q novel OF Scot
tish life entitled GEennGir, and written by Hell
en- Hazlett. A cIrsory examination shows
that its dransatis psrsone include the lovely
and suffering heroine, the high-spirited and
prosecuted hero, the proud old lord who hasa
way of fiinging curses about him very freely,
the faithful old servitof who talks broad Scotch
and blesses everybody, the dark villain, and
all the other personages that help TO make up
the"cast'' Of proper novel. Weprssume,i win
| find its readers. (Received BY Loring, Short
| B HARMONY
Fields, Osgood & Co., Boston, publish 1As
Bro,cnUize Papers, by Moses Colt Tyler. MT.
Tyler, being solicited by the editor Of the Her
all of Health to furnish for that periodical
series of articles on the subject of Physical
Culture, conceived the idea Of evolving his
views in colloquial and playful way, from the
exploits and conversations Of group of charac-
ters, such as might be found in q New Eng
land village. In this way the ''Brawnyilie
Athletic Club came into existence, and aha
reports Of its discussions and proceedings--
after having been for some time what II called
marked feature of the Herald of Health
are here presented In q collected form. The
book is entertaining, as well as sensible and
shrewd. (Received by Hall L. Davis-) -
Felt and Dillingham;, New York, have added
to their cheap reprints of "Cassell's Rspresen-
tative Biographies" memoirs Of Queen Rict0-
| ria and Of the Right Hon. B. Disrasli- tRe-
seived by Loring, Short and Harmony %
The February number Of Blaekpood Maya
zine reprint of the Leonard Scott Publishing
Co.. is received. It contains Part -Four Of
Doubles and Quits, A Comedy Of Errors;'
paper on "Army Organizations" Cornelius
o'Dowd's "win and Testament" Sc; ''In
Life and in Death thrilling story; "rhs
Chinese Mission to Christendom;" 'The Pull
pit of the Olden Tinie," 20 Why Should
Woman not get Degree?': "vapors, Fears
and Tremors;" and "Mr. Gladstone and Discs
| tablishment." It is an able and varied nam
bsr.