The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-10-09
New Publication.

a Chapter of Erie and Other Essays is made
up of papers contributed by Charles Francis
Adams, Jr., and Henry1 Adams to the North
american RevieW. Readers of current litera.
lure are well acquainted not only with the
mastery essay that gives its name to the vol
ume but with several of the others, especially
San Erie Rad'' and 1.-THE New York Gold
Conspiracy" which a'one of these papers first
appeared in the Westminster Reviev. The
contributions of Charles Francis Adams Jr.
relate wholly to the railroad system of this
country while those of his brother treat of f.
nance here and abroad. We cannot speak
with too much enthusiasm of the value of the
formers facts and suggestions in regard to that
problem of pressing Importance, the railroad
question. 1t is problem with which we must
all sooner or later grapple. 1t may be said
that these essays by Mr.. Adams are almost the
only attempt to convey to the masses in pop
ular form comprehensive idea of the dangers
that threaten from the increasing wealth and
power OF the great railroad corporations of the
United States. We know OF nothing that
would arouse public attention to this great
peril and result in the timely overthrow of
monOpolies that are now in an incohate state
book. With this end in view we wish it could
be placed in the hands of every intelligent vot-
er, though we might as well wish every voter
to read Adam Smith. But it is some consola-
ton to know that the main points contained
therein have reached the masses through
newspaper extracts and abrdgements, while
those who make the subject of railroad agrees
sion speciality will refer to this volume as to
text book. published by James r. Osgood
& Co., and tor sale by Hall L. Dayis)
A new poem by Browning is an event in the
lives of the select company who read that
poet. Balaustion'sl Adventure, just published
from advance sheets by James R. Osgood &
Co., will perhaps excite wider interest than
most of the authors efforts because the only
function of Balaustion Is to serve as "a pre-
textEfor a most satisfactory English version Of
the Alcestis of Euripides, one of the most
thrilling of the antique dramas. Balaustion
is Grecian maiden who, during the war be-
tween Athens and Sparta, takes part with the
former, though her native island, Rhodes,
owes allegiance to the latter. In the course of
sea voyage her vessel is driven by a pirate
into the hostile city of Syracuse, where the in
habitants cruelty command her and her
companions to put back to Sea and
certain death. Learning, however, that she
can recite Earipldes, they receive her with
true Greek enthusiasm and send her to Ath-
ems in safety and loaded with presents. When
the ship sailed one handsome youth who had
heard her recitation of Euripides was found
on board, having a hunger to see Athens"
but ON the arrival of the vessel at that city
tue reader is not surprised to find that Balaus-
.,oh anu not Athens is the main attraction.
episode disposed of, there comes the
'ianSiatlon of VIII CHI competent critics sneak
WIN great favor. (For sale by Hall r.. Davis)
ihe readers OF the Atlantic will ba o,od .bot
hlggihsons contributions to that raoo,;,
from 1858 to 1871 have been published - 49,.
form under the title of Atlantic Essous H.
ginson is a well-establ shed nonrlaD ,
and his essays deserve preservation in nera,o
nent form. GA Plea for Culture at 49,,
ture az an Art, ""Amercanism in Literaturo
"a Letter to Young Contributor" and the
other essays in this volume are among the
best-remembered and most pleasant of the re.
cent contributions to American literature.
published by James r. Osgood & Co., and
for sale by Hall L. Davis)
The recent insurgent successes in the East |
ern department of Cuba do not confirm the |
news of the suppression of the reVot which the |
Spanish authorities have so industrously cir |
culated of late. During the whole three years
that the rebellion has been in progress. the
same story of its suppression has been repeat.
ed about every week, only to be disproved nv
news of continued insurgent activity.