The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-11-13

One OF the most useful books published this
year, we have no hesitation in saying, is Eng
tlsh Lessons for English People by j. r. Sseley
Cambridge Professor of History, and author Of
Ecce Homo, and Elwin A. Abbott. These dis
4i-aS-'.r-~l s-sSloIo nave nsu assIsGauUo vi
some of the best practical teache IS of the Eng
lish schools in the preparation of their book.
Is is an unfortunate fact that our colleges are
liable" to make of their pupils good scholars
in everything but the English language. All
the instruction that our people get in English
is impaired at a time whea the immaturity of
their minds precludes the possibility of their
receiving much benefit from it, if, indeed, they
mprehended it at all. Even our higher a.
cadamies and seminaries disdain to occupy
themselves much with tongue which is at
once the most difficult and the most ind:spen-
sable of all that their pupils learn. The Eng
lish lessons in this book presuppose knowl-
edge of grammar, and begin with the defini-
ton ofworis by usage and by derivation. The
genealogical treatise is quite full ard extreme
~ instructive. The rest of the work treats of
the diction of prose, poetry and metaphor,
faults in diction, has an exhaustive explana-
ton of metre, hints on selection and arrangs-
ment. and an appendix with hints on some err
rors in reasoning, a table of contents and ques
tons and references to exercises The volume
can be used as textbook, and we heartily
wish it could be introduced in the schools OF
every town in Maine 1t contains the results
of the experience of teachers in a country
where instruction, like everything else, is thor
ough. But whether it is made Textbook or
not, persons who wish to improve their style,
and avoid the error of inelegance, on the one
hand, and the still greater error OF inc writ
ing, on the other, will find pleasure and profit
in reading it carefully. (Published by Roberts
Brothers and for sale by Loring, Short & Har
mon.) .Haa .id -}G .rtr.,
Encouraged by the success of the first series
OF Dialogues from Dickens Mr. w. Eliot Fette
has issued second series. Mr.. Fette has
changed his plan little since he brought out
the first series, and we now have regular dra-
mas, but so arranged as to be easily broken up
into separate dialogues, if desired. published
by Lee & Shepard, and for sale by Loring,
Short & Harmony
Miss A. nj. Douglass, the author of the pop
ular series of juveniles called "Kathie's Sto-
rles, has Just added three valumes thereto.
They are OF course charming, and are called
Adthse's Harvest Days, Kathies Soldiers, and
Kdttie's In the Ranks. published by Lee &
Shepard, aud for sale by Loring, Short and
Harmony
The ever fresh and new story of Reynard the
fo1' which for several hundred years has de.
ilghted the old and young Of every generation.
mas taken many forms. The poem written in
Low German, which appeared at Lubsck in
the year 1893. gives one of the most pleasant
versions of this Juvenile classic. 1t has been |
translated into English by person not named,
and published in an exquisite volume by Lee &
Shepard. The translation into English eioht-
Syllable rhymed verse makes volume of 200
pages, wherein one may read how that rare old |
politician, Reynard, preyed on the family of
onanticleer," the cock, led "Brown," tho |
bear, to grievous harm, outgeneralled "Gib.n |
the cat, III mastery manner, and showed his
enterprise" in nnmberless similar ways, at
the same time being able, by his superior ad- |
iress, to escape punishment and rise to posi- |
ions OF the greatest honor-just like Tam.
n any sachem before the late earthquake. The
attire is as obvious as in CULVER, but the mo,
u is not SO conspicuous as to injure the story |
ven for adult readers who NOWADAYS fight
by of such things. The "Rsd Line" Edition.
Win ats gilt edges, profuse illustrations and
eneral attractiveness, will make dainty holi.
ay gift (For sale by Loring, Short & Har.
nOn.)
Inc same publishers have issued a "Red
.'ne edition OF Burns Poems, edited by Rev.
Nop0r' Afis Wilimot. 1t has the same text
'nu arrangement as the "Damondn edith,
lot long since mentioned in these oolumn,
t IS truly sumptuous book, with silt edoa,
inted paper and thirty-two illustrat ons
dition OF Burns with which we are famil.
ar possesses so many attractions. (For sale
y Loriug, Short & Harmony
Hannah a novel by Miss Mulock, (now Mrs.
raik). has been published by Harper g. Bros,
paper covers. 1t has attracted much atten-
on as serial in the Bazaar. 1t belongs to
he class of ''novels with purpose" 1t is de-
gned to show the absurdites and hardsbips
the English law forbidding man to marry
is deceased wife's sister. Paper covers Price
cents. (For sale by Loring, Short s. Har-
lon)
All OF Tennygon's Poems, even to what might
. GATED Tennyson's Apochrypha, including
,oria written in youth and thrown on tbs
Iuded IN eneir stony-hearted author, are i.
nle covers ies edition OF that poet with flex.
cry handy n9cI ee ny j. r. Ossood & Go. A
hich IN not wanting in kind o1 ,l;otr anoe Vi
ess. For sale by Hall L. Davis te'otesque' /.