New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-07
AsPBSDALB BY HARRIKT W. PREsroS. l2no PIP ls Robert


AsPRSDALK BY HARHIEr 12o. PIP no Roberts
Brothers.
The air of literary culture and social refine
ment which pervades this volume gives 1t similar at
traction to that of a charming domestic circle in which
the quiet 6Ow of resie talk takes the place Of amb
tious dselrso although the conversation relates to
themes wich nothing in with the favorte
topics OF village gossip fashionable scandal In ar
ranging her plan, the writer has made slight frame
work Of fiction the vehicle for the exhibition OF character
and for critical suggestions in regard to certain
prominent literary and social interests of the day. Her
book has no faint OF dOgnatsn, it is free from the
crotches of SOLITARY and Onesided experience is liberal
aud comprehensive its tone and although making no
pretensons peculiar originality or prooundneSs, be-
trays the signs OF wise reflection and sagaOus insight
Fur part prefer the descriptions to the ds
cussons The few characters who figure in the scene have
decided individuality and represented IN manner
to call forth the wish for better acquaintance But We
do not get much nearer 10 them after listening to their
conversation and find that after all chief interest
has been excited by their portraturcs deity painted
by the writer Christine and Zoe, the herones of this
story (which story a. all, two women who have
parted with the of youth though retaining the
innate poetry their nature and have retired TO cherish
a g-tred friendship in modest common home in
0uet rural village of New England The elder Of the TWO
reveals sinularly gracious presence as she appears IN
the glowing colors Of the description Her naturally
sweet temper had not lost its serenity under the
discipline of life to which she had been subjected She
retained the lingering traces OF youthful beauty, cal
though the pomp Of her early comelines had fallen from
her like the gay petals a flower" Her mental gifts
were of an unusual character yet fine and even in
their proportions that those who knew her wc they
suggested distinct Consciousness OF her intellectual
superiority. Her younger companion was OF a more
mpusive and vehement temperament Her spirits ebbed
and flowed like the tide and she had not yet found IN
her own mind permanent center Of repose Her ma
Ills
charged with the conditions OF storm. The two cherished
each other with lOveTlibe tenderness and felt risk
in submitting Their long attachment to the sovereign test
Of a common household. The scene OF their experiment
is dcseribed With graphic hdety TO the life, which II II
does not enable III to identity any special spot may
call many locality among the brown hills OF Massschu
In the circle friends, the village doctor sturdy
old humOrist, with obstinate temper, but a kindly
heart, nils a conspicuous place. He was pOus, posi-
tive, chOeric SOUL conceang vein of genuine goodness
gnder rough exterior with clear head perhaps, not
without slight suspicion Of naiOw-nindedness, and
certain love of acute and quzzical questioning which
among his intimate friends had given him the title Of
socrates. dreamy professor of obsolete philosophers
in a neighborng college, and the parish minister
pete the masculine elements Of the group unless add
young student with the fancy name OF Acibades who
IS introduced rather mysteriouy odd acquaintance
when he is first presented and who now and then fits
across the with hrs sOphOmorcal Importance A
raey piece Of New England rustic life Is introduced the
person of Old female domestic, whose quaint prmeval
depicted with admirable effect greatly enrich
ing the human everyday interest OF the scene The
charming daughter VI The medical sage, in the graceful
peuance Of lovely youth, but small part i'm the
burden Of conversation bat acts Ike brilliant work OF
art IN enveniRg the circle, and relieving il from the
danger Of tamen1ss and mOnotony Apart from the in.
tcreSt OF the characters, do place in high rank
the ethical and literary dispositions to which the vol
ume mainly devoted Reduced to the form OF essays
they would not be likely long " dotan the attention Of
the reader They Of too and fragment
airy texture Ia stimulate thought although the grace
and elegance Of their composition afford an agreeable
recreation for an hour OF LssHre.
The discourse of DIR. o. w. Holmes before
the Harvard Phi Beta Kappa Society published under
r. OsgoOd Co., popular scientific talk on Che rea
tons OF body and mind. II consists mainly OF a coeo
tlou Of curious anecdotes and incidents illustrative Of
the subject set forth With the sparkling yivacty with
out which the author wogd not he himself The sttenpt
10 hold the attention OF literary audience on festiye
occasion by an h0Ars discussion az this kind WAS a ven
tureaome experiment. bat whom we can to mind ure
oiauant delivery u the orator aud the flashing hnmor
of his exuressisn We can weh imagine its complete
.poeess The printed osiition before contains many
notes and other adiitlon- ssOxug wide range Of
search and keen scnaf for every fact which may bo
supposed 10 throw light on the question In hand DR.
Holmes takes care present his ideas as SUGGESTIONS
and even faDcles ratAer than dognas, bat readers