The Portland daily press., 1872-08-24
Recent Publications.

OMBRA; by Mrs. Oliphant, author of ChrOni-
cles of Carlingford, The Perpetual Curate,
Agnes, &c.
"Ombra" is in Mrs. Olphant's we'll
known style, a little diffuse and heavy, per-
haps, but entertaining and quite above the
ordinary Sensation novel. The heroine
Ombra is ''what that name might imply
somewhat shadOwy, and in cheerful contrast
to the charming but depressing young lady
we have the conventional "Kate" of fiction,
generous impulsive, high tempered girl,
whom the two hundred and seventy pages of
the book are hardly enough to tame. This
is certainly an interesting story, and will
please very many readers. Published by
Harper Brothers. For sale by Loring, Short
and Harmon.
YALE LECTURES ON PREACHING; by Henry
Ward Beecher: New York, j. b. Ford &
Co., 1872: PIP. 263.
This is a series of ten lectures, delivered
before the Theological Department of Yale
College early in the present year. They were
wholly unwritten,-familiar, conversational
addresses, reported by photographer; and
so the reader of the book becomes, as it were,
an actual hearer of the "talks''. The book
will attract others than those of "the COM
pany of the preachers throughout the land.
We are all interested to learn the secret of
the marvellous success of plymouth Pulpit"
For twenty-five years, now, that has been be-
yond question, the most popular pulpit
this side the Atlantic. One who reads this
1f . +l,a ,hvy Mr.
Ward Beecher-as the English critics style
him-carries his heart always upon his sleeve,
and we are all well acquainted with him, but
in these pages he takes us with him, in the
most familiar manner, to his platform at
Plymouth Church, through the stage door at
its back into his retiring room, into his study,
into his very head and heart. Even they
who are fondest of criticising Mr.. Beecher's
'Beecherisms" cannot but be pleased with
these revelations of nature which, however
peculiar, is always large and generous and
loving.
We do not feel at all prepared to make
critique upon what is technical in the book,
except to say that sthere are no snakes in
Ireland:" but our readers may like the ante
relish of few quotations.
81 consider myself Calvinistic, you know;
but in this way: believe what Calvin would
have believed if he had lived in my time and
seen things as l see them. My first desire is
to know what is true and then / am very
glad if John Calvin agrees with me, but if he
don't so much the worse for John Calvin"
(H. W. BIS motto is, evidently, "Nullius ad-
dictus jurdre in uerbis mGgistri. "
= nf fhn tam dana
towards short pastorates in churches now
adays?
Mr.. Beecher.-Largely, 1 think, the Di-
vine mercy toward the parish"
"-let yourself alone. Do not be spy
ON yourself A man who goes down the
street thinking of himself all the time, with
critical analysis of himself-turning himself
over ~ if he were goose on a spit before
the fire. and basting himself with good reso-
lutions-is simply belittling himself"
there may be 'propriety in preach
ing that will damn half the congregation"
"'Why father, said 1, 4 never heard you
preach so loud in all my lifep
That is the way said he, L always holloa
when / haven't anything to say"
"An:illustration is never to be mere orna-
ment. If q mans sermon 10 like boiled
ham, and the illustrations are like cloves
stuck in afterwards to make it look little
better, 1t Is c0ntemptlDle.
To make your audience laugh is sometimes
| allowable and laudable. "When you are
| fighting with the Devil, shoot him with any
thing"
QWould you preach, He that believeth
not shall be dap'ned'?
Mr.. B. Yes, sir, assuredly. l always
preach aoith shddo,o; there is always an
alternative. But do not need, you know,
| to have whip right up over the kitchen fire.
| place, where the boy can see it all the time.
| If you you have given him one good whip
ping, he will remember it, and then, when
| you say John P-that's enough"
| WILD OATS SowN ABROAD; by I. b. Wit
mer. Published by L. b. Peterson & Bros.
For sale by Bailey & Noyes.
This book is republication of series OF
letters issued twenty years ago which ought
to have become extinct beyond the power OF
resurrection with the first edition or rather it
ought never to have been printed. Its only
salient point is its nastiness, and it seems to
have been written solely to develop that
point.
| A GOLDEN SORROW. By Mrs Cashel Hoey
| This latest work of the authoress, dedicated
| to Jean Ingelow, is a well and powerfully
written novel, although the plot is somewhat
improbable. The character of the heroine
Miriam, is an unlovely one, though the ple'
of extenuating circumstances surely may b.
made in her favor. The hero is fine, but w
hear very little of him until he appears il
time to ring down the curtain upon the happ
denouement. The character of Florence is
very beautiful delineation, full of sweetness
dignity and womanliness, and shining all tn
brighter by contrast with the proud and les
lovable Miriam. The book will be found
very pleasant volume for summer reading
and is for sale at the book store OF MsSsrs
Loring, Short & Harmon. Published b.
Harper Brothers, New York.
UNAwAREs. By the author of ''The Ros,
Garden"
This is a beautifully written and delightful
story by an author already favorably know
from previous book, ''The Rose Garden.
The writer has wonderful perception of tn
poetic and picturesque side of everyday life
and describes with the appreciativs perfectio
of detail, and distinct outline, of the trr
artist. The plot of tie book is not an even
: full one, but the interest of the reader is kel
up constantly. Among many well indicate
characters, that of the hero NJ. Deshoulere'
is admirable in its generous manliness. Id
heroine, Therese is original and charmin
and the developement of the character
finely managed. The whole tone OF the DOC
is elevated and heathful, and it is Win plea
ure tbat we recommend it as one OF IL
r choicest books of the season. 1t print(
i and bound very tastefully. Published
Dos+op Tor oaIo