The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-06

REvIEW OF VIEW BooKs.

Hermann and DorOtnea, IraublaCeu ny
Ellen rockingham, is very successful
attempt to render Goethe's exquisite idyl into
English hexameters. So far as we are aware
no poetical translation of this characteristic
work has ever been made in the English Ian
puape. and vet of all Goethes poems it is
perhaps the best calculated to impress ordi-
nary readers with a favorable idea of his
genius. The subject is homely story of
poor girl who was beloved at first sight by
well-to-do young man, and who is met by
proffer of love and marriage in the home
where she imagined that she had been simply
introduced as o servant. The fine art of the
poet in the management of this simple theme
is shown by the entire absence of any attempt
at mere poetical establishment. There is no
effort to raise it above the level of the COM
monplace in any of its outward characteristics,
but the poetry, pathos, and quaint humor OF
the story are such as appear to actually be-
long to it, and are not added as mere embel-
lishments. The translation of Miss Frothing-
ham is very close to the original, too
much SO at times, and it would be improved
by the absence of some of the German idioms
that she has apparently not been able to get
rid of. The reproduction of the hexameters
of Goethe has also been an embarrassment to
her at times, and necessitated some awkward
ness of expression. The version, however,
is for the most part exceedingly spirited, and
certainly deserves an extensive popularity.
1t ought to make Hermann and Dorothea" as
well known and as highly esteemed by Ameri-
can readers as it is by Germans. The book
is beautifully printed, and it is bound in
tasteful and elegant manner.
San Old-fashioned Girl" by Louisa NJ.
Alcott, is an attempt in the same
vein as the very popular Little
Women that first brought Miss Alcott into
favorable notice. 1t is distinguished by the
same pleasant characteristics of style and the
same ability in Characterization as 'Little
Women, and we commend it heartily to those
who have enjoyed that work, with the assur-
ance that they will be equally entertained by
the adventures of 1.-The Old-fashioned Girl"
Porter g. Coates also send us "Home In
Huence," by Grace Aguilar. Published by d.
Appleton d Co. This is the first volume of
uniform edition of Miss Aguilar's stories, the
publication of which has been commenced by
Messrs. Appleton & Co. 1t is deservedly one
of the most popular of that authoress writ
mirers in this neatly bound and nicely printed
edition.
OF their own publications, Porter & Coates
send us 1.-THE American Chess-Player's Hand
Book" This is a condensation of Stauntons
work, and it is designed for the purpose of ini-
tiating the beginner into the rudiments of the
game. description of all the rules of chessis
given, sufficiently full and exact for all practi-
cal purposes, and then all the principal open
ings are analyzed and their variations exem-
plifed by actual games played by Morphy,
Harrwitz, Andersen, .Staunton, Paulsen,
Montgomery. Meek, and others. This little
manual will be found exceedingly useful to
young students of chess.
-Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfnger send us
"a Brave Lady" by the author of John
Halifax, published by Harper d Brothers.
This story during it's serial publication in
HarperS Magazine was perused by an extern
sive circle of readers, and many who enjoyed
it while appearing from month to month will
be glad to read it again in its completed
form. 1t is marked by all the characteristics
of Mrs. Craik's style, and for those whose
tastes do not incline them to strong meat it
will doubtless be appreciated quite as highly
as her previous writings. The subject is
rather an unpromising one, but her manner
of telling it makes it interesting, and the
story is one that is well worthy of the con-
sideration of those who appreciate pure and
elevated fiction.
From the same house we have received ''A
Hand Book of the Sulphur-Cure," by William
j. Flagg. Published by Harper & Brothers.
Mr.. Flagg is we'll known as the author of
'"Three Seasons in European Vineyards, " and
in the present treatise he has embodied the
results of his observations with regard to the
sulphur-cure for vine disease and its applica-
tion to the vineyards Of America. The work
is plain and practical in its suggestions, and
it should be in the hands of all who are inte-
rested in grape culture.
II. B. Peterson & Brothers send us
"George Canterbury's Will" by Mrs. Henry
Wood. The manuscript and advance sheets
of this work have been purchased by the
Messrs. Peterson from the author. 1t is a
story of English life, written in the peculiar
style that has made Mrs. Wood SO popular
with many readers, and it will undoubtedly
be read with interest by those who have adj
mired her previous works.
From j. B. Lippincott & Co. we have re.
ceived the fifth part of 'Lippincott's Pro
nouncing Dictionary of Biography and My,
thology," by j. Thomas, A. NJ, NJ D., which
lrinoc fha uOrlx doUn tc tbo +;tIo GGLo5o.;,,,