Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-15

THE STORY OF My LIFE. By Hans Chris
tan Andersen. New York Published by Hurd
Houghton. There are many people who will
read this book eagerly. Anderson's Autobiog-
raphy has been written and published at differ
ent times, in Sections" so to speak. The first
part of twas written in 1896 for German ed
tion of his works. The next portion of it was
| written in 1855, for Danish edition. Now, he
has added third portion carrying on the story
from 1885 to 1867, concluding it with an account
of the great festival at 0dense, his birth place.
held on the 9th of December, 1867, to do him
special honor. He was born there in April,
1905, the son of a poor shoemaker He
seems to have had a very fortunate and
happy life, for he begins his story of il
thus :-"My life is a lovely story, happy and full
of incident" 1t is, certainly, a very charming
story, as he tells it, bright and full of human
interest; and it tells us much of Denmark,
Danish life, and of eminent persons connected
with literature, art, and politics, in Denmark.
The first part was translated in England, by
Mary Hewitt. The second part was never
translated into English, until now; and the third
was written expressly for Hurd s Houghton,
and translated here, from his manuscript. The
story of his life includes, of course, the history
of his principal works, and, for this reason, will
be attractive TO his many admirers. The book
has an admirable portrait of Andersen, taken
from photograph. For sale at Sanford's.
THREE SUCCESSFUL GIRLs.-By Julia Crouch.
New York, published by Hurd & Houghton.
The thought which the author of this book
aims to presents is that women can do some
thing if they try;" but her method of treating
the subject is not happy. There is no sugges-
ton that the something" to be done includes
anything beyond becoming musicians, writers,
or artists; and to "do something" they must
go away somewhere and find opportunities Such
teaching is ill-considered and unwholesome.
She makes three undeveloped country girls, SIS
tiers, leave home and go to New York where
they have not single acquaintance, to become
eminent, one as a writer, the second as paint
er, and the third as musical artist. The
story, which has no plot and no
great amount Of incident, is carried on
chiefly by means of long converse
| tons which are often tedious and sometime
very dreary. The youngest girl is soon mar
ried to an accomplished musician, and becomes
The others, aided by the money and counsel of
a Mr.. Worth, make good progress, become
successful" and visit Europe. After this, the
second sister marries a wealthy New Yorker,
said to be worthy of her. At the close, there is
mention of a letter which suggests that the
elder sister, who has not previously escaped
'heart histories" is likely to be married. These
are the "thrce successful girls" and such are
the methods and character of their success.
Generally, the literary execution of the work is
certainly not of high order; but there are a
few passages, such as the beginning of the third
chapter, Hannah's letter to Kate, in the oath
chapter, and portions of the 25th and 26th chap
tiers, which indicate that the author is capable
of better things. For sale at Sanford's
The AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL
SCIENCES, published in Philadelphia, by Henry
C. Lea, has been issued for April. 1t contains
in this number, the usual variety and abundance
of articles on medical and surgical topics, from
prominent physicians and surgeons, whose
learning and experience have qualified them tc
instruct Others. A large portion of the papers
present the results Of practical observation Of
disease. It is an ably conducted quarterly,
which seems sdapted to be very useful 10 the
profession
FaHz PCsL-c LIBR4EIEs.-Suggestio on
thar .o1z1215c2 sn5 administration, with a
st5s.1s- -lss q ha5Es- Published for the Amer
Ell S1glz- S,iaoss Essos5srsoa. by Hard &
Eg1g1,au- New Task. Ths ol5a,5 Of this
EElEE.l@s - 5itF-1tns pages : s1f85satly *
pressed II Is -iils- L contains raanv Tzl vain.
z.ls Suggestions, airaozga itz sdvic= Is SONG
il-sss TO minute snd sometimes TOO vague and
general Inexperienced persons having the
charge Of town library in its early stages will
noE be likely to 20 far astray if guided by this
little manual. 1t may be found at Sanford's