The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-18
Recent Publications.

bring scandal on the cause.
| Recent Publications.
The LIFE THAT Now Is.-SERMoNs BY
ROBERT CoLLYER. Lee and Shepard: 1872.
Ordinarily volumes of sermons are not our
favorite reading. We are not inclined to
pause land probably we do not differ much
from the public in this respect) when we
reach the alcoves of theology, but rather to
pass along, with vague idea or a ponderous
sense of the vast amount of education and
dulness, that may be reposing upou the
! shelves.
Nor do we think that any large proportion
of the volumes of sermons, which issue annu-
ally from the press, are destined to change
the currents Of public or of private life or to
attain any immortality save that of dust and
the bookshelf in unfrequented recesses of
libraries.
But from what we knew of Mr.. Collyer, of
his remarkable life aud his previous literary
works, we opened this little book with pleas
ant anticipation, and have read it through
with increasing interest.
The sermons, like the preacher, are
thoroughly in earnest, and many passages of
them rise to the fervor of genuine eloquence.
What, perhaps, we admire most in them is
the clearness with which they reflect the
characteristics of the man. A broad and kind
ly spirit, sympathy and charity for all, love of
truthfulness in thought and life, freedom from
bigotry and dogmatism and an increasing de-
votion to human interests in the life that now
is, a disposition to work with, and for man
kind and to find holiness in helpfulness, these
qualities pervade the book and shine like
lights on every page
The volume contains 16 sermons, closing
with one from the text "Beauty for Ashes"
and entitled cat the Soldiers Graves" 1t
will be long before a more fitting, or beautiful
tribute to those who died in the war will be
written. In it, sorrow for the dead or blend
cd with the same ferver of patriotism which
animated him through all the war. (For sale
by Bailey & Noyes and Loring, Short & Har-
mon.
''BENcH AND BAR" April, 1872: Callaghan
& Co., Chicago.
This enterprising Western Law Review ap-
pears quarterly, and has just entered upon the
second year of its existence. Its list of con-
tributors includes the names Of Hon. Emory
Washburn, Theophilus Parsons and the fol-
lowing judges of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: Thos. NJ. Cooley, ]. v. Campbell
and B. F. Graves. sts
The present number has several articles of
interest to the profession, among which may
be mentioned discussion of ''the Construc-
ton of Guaranty and Suretyship," by J. A.
L. Whittier, which appears iu serial form,
and is probably an except from larger work
on the same subject in preparation"
The article on Judicial Legislation" ex-
hibits clear and forcible treatment of a
somewhat difficult subject. The opinion of
the writer is summed up in the following
sentence: 'that judicial legislation is an insep.
arabic, necessary and invaluable concomitant
of an advancing civilization" The adyan-
tages and dangers attending the exercise of
this power by judges are fairly stated. The
digest of recent decisions includes notes of
cases decided in the U. s. Supreme Court,
and in the courts of last resort of New York.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Indiana
and Iowa. The last few pages are devoted to
odds and ends, including scraps of judicial
wit, and from them we learn that the Club,
mas 762 lawyers, and that Mrs. Appolonia
Threedouble is the name of Louisville
litigant. @
GUsrAvE ADoLF-an historical novel. by T.
Topelius, translated from the Swedish by
selma Borg and Maria A. Brown G.. w.
Carleton d Co., Publishers, New York.
However Swedish the author of this pow
erful novel may be in his style, in his
thoughts, views and writings. he is unmistak-
ably Finnish. He has from his birth belong
ed to Finland alone, for he was born after his
fatherland was severed from Sweden. and he
now ranks highest among romance writer's
OF the North. The undertone of Topelius'
works is melancholy and mild, but at the
same time faithful, firm and strong. The
strings OF his harp are not many, but their
ring is pure. He is peculiarly adapted to
works of an historical character, as he pos
sesses in high degree the art of describing
brave and selfsacriicing deeds in such man
ner that ne unavoidably stimulates to imita-
ton in like circumstances, bravely exclaim-
ing:
Give me world to struggle fer, and then
Give me another vorldsto struggle against"
Topelius' great power shows itself to advan-
tage and most glowing light in the series of
novels entitled ''The Surgeons Stories" of
which, this work, Gustaue AdoE is the fore
most volume. For sale by Bailey & Noyes.) 1
The Deer7stayer by Fenimore Cooper, Illus
trated from drawings by F. o. C. barley.
Published in paper covers by d. Appleton &
Co. tFor sale by Bailey & Noyes. Price rs
cents
Harper and Brothers, have published
us Cesar in their series of Shakespearian
plays, in beautiful form for convenient use.
The book is finely bound in handsome cloth
covers the print is clear and distinct and the
volume is enriched by an elaborate historical
and literary introduction at the beginning and
by copious notes and vocabulary at the end.
The illustrations are abundant and well ex-
ecuted.- tFor sale by Loring, Short & Har-
mon. % gn
Mrs. A. d. T. Whitney's book of poems
''Pansies" is variagated collection, as the
name suggests, of her poetical works. Some
of them are really very beautiful with rich
germs of thought and sentiment Her dedi-
cation gives very good account Of what fol-
lows-"Only handful of thoughts that have
blossomed to words and so been gathered.
In pansy-colors-for life is; sad and rich with
tender purples; veined even with black; vet
glad with contrasting and prevailing gold,-
the sunshine that lies always at the heart of
it." We cannot forbear to quote one little
poem which is type of several others and is
called 'tLarv@:' -.-.-
My little maiden of four years old
No myth, but genuine child is she,
with her bronze-brown eyes and her curls of gold
Came, quite In disgust, one day, to me.
Rubbing her shoulder with rosy palm,
As the loathsome touch seemed yet to thrill her
She cried, 80 mother! found on my arm
A horrible, crawling caterpillar"
And with .ini mi.chievous smile she could scarcely
Yet glance In Its daring half awed and shy.
She added, while they were about it. mothcr
wish they'd just finished the butterfy!' -,
turns o soui 'nat
, From the coarser form of partial growth.
hesPHrosacning sHs the infinite patience that yearns
WIN an unknown glory to crown them both. a..
An, look thou, largely, with lenient eyes.
- On Wnatso beside thee NAV creen and Cling .-. .