The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-12
LITER RATuRE.
VIEW OF VIEW B00K

twenty years ago. As work OF reference lt
occupies place that no other biographical
dictionary can fill, and it is valuable for the
general accuracy of its statements as we'll as
interesting from the fact that it presents an
admirable review of the deeds of noble
women from the creation to the present time.
Mrs. Hale devoutly believes ia the mental as
well as the physical superiority Of her own
sex, or at least she goes into long and in
genious argument in her preface to prove
that such is the case, and one of the chief
faults of her book is that her prejudices in
this direction do not always allow her to
appear as an impartial historian.
Except in very bad cases, where the facts
are all so decidedly against her that she can
not do much with them, Mrs. Hale repre-
sents her heroines as angels of light, whom
nobody but coarse, brutal, and wicked men
could possibly suspect of wickedness. Most
readers, however, can afford to smile at this
popularity and appreciate the book for its
real and substantial worth. The copious ex-
tracts which Mrs. Hale gives of the writings
of female authors add greatly to the value of
the book, while her good taste in making
selections much increases it's interest.
third edition of the "Women's Record, " with
numerous additions, has Just been published
by Harper & Brothers, and has been sent us
by d. Ashmead. The peculiar plan of the
book as it was originally published, by divi-
sion into eras, and the mention of q number
of the heroines as 'living women" thus
rendering numerous supplements and expla-
natory fly leaves necessary, gives it in its
present shape a rather mixed appearance.
ha of MI
defect, however, is obviated by very full
index, and the "Women's Record" stands as
an almost unique performance, and it
fully deserves place in every library.
j. B. Lippincott & Co. send us the fell
lowing of their recent publications.
Dorothy Fox" and ''Fernyhurst Court"
have appeared serially during the past year
in Good Words, where they have interested
a large number of readers. They are quiet
and pleasant pictures of some of the most
attractive phases of English life, and while
they lack the sensational element that many
persons have a special fondness for, they
present more legitimate attractions to per-
sons of pure and refined taste than do many
the most popular works of fiction of the day.
Both stories are beautifully illustrated by de-
signs from the pencils of artists of ability.
''Ruined Statues and other Poems," by
Louise Billings Spalding, is marked
by deep religious feeling, refined poetical
taste, and graceful versifcation. The writer's
muse does not soar to very lofty heights, and
candor compels us to say that she appears in
the volume before us as possessing poetical
appreciation rather than poetical inspiration.
Some of the verses, however, appear to have
the genuine poetical stamp upon them, and
many readers will find pleasure in their pc
rusal.
j. B. Lippincott & Co. also send us the
following new books from the press of Fields,
Osgood & Co..
1.-The English Governess at the Siamese
Court" by Anna Harriette Leonowens, gives
the substance of the very interesting papers
published in the atlantic Monthly during the
past year under the same title, with some ad-
ditional matter. Mrs. Leonowens for several
years occupied the position of governess of
the children of the Supreme King of Siam,
and living as she did in the most private
apartments of the royal palace, she had op-
portunities for studying closely some of the
most remarkable phases of Siamese life and
character, such as probably no foreigner
before has ever enjoyed. Mrs. Leonowens
literary style is not remarkably
good, and she has not always
Disseminated closely between the important
and the unimportant in her narrative, and it
therefore is at times exceedingly dull. Not
withstanding this, the book is one of great
interest, and is valuable contribution to the
department of literature that treats of life in
the Orient There are numerous illustrations
from photographs presented to the author by
the King of Siam, and the work is elegantly
printed and bound, SO that it makes beauti-
full presentation volume for the holiday.
90 Miriam and Other Poems" is
the title of Mr.. Whittiers new volume, the
only fault of which is that there is too little
of it. Mr.. Whittier holds place of his own
among the poets of America. Strong and
sweet, his verse is always pervaded by sem
timent of the broadest Christian charity, by
an appreciation of the weakness of humanity,
and by keen sense of enjoyment of the
phases of external nature. Besides the title
poem the volume before us contains ''Nau-
haught, the Deacon" Norembega," ''The
Hive at Gettysburg" Howard at Atlanta
and others that have appeared from time to
time in the magazines, with some that have
not before been published. This little volume
of verses will make very pretty gift for the
holidays.
Another attractive holiday book is Charles
Dickens graceful little story of ga Childs
Dream of a Star" which Messrs Fields