New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-19
BOSTON LITERARY NOTES.


DONALD IN THE LECTURE FIELD.
fPRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
BosroN. Jan. 17-Mr. r. H. Horne, the author
Of "Orion" the Farhng Epic has theory OF his own
about book making III the Z" Brief Commentary" win
which he prcfaccs the new edition of his poem, which
Roberts Brothers Just now repu6lshing ne says nat
the unusual circumstance of the book having been given
away Mt first ouqht to be common enough As there had
been scarcely any instance Of epic poem attaining
any reasonable circulation during It's authors lifetime
the first, second and third editions OF "Oron' were
published gTatuitousyhat is, they were published at
nominal price, the least coin Of the realm, to
avoid the trouble Of presentation copies. After the
third edition, there several Others at remunerave
prices but it has been for some time out OF print and
now to be brought anew before the public In the
Brief Commentary" the author explains the motif OF
his book Orion the hero of the poetic fable is meant to
present type of the struggle OF man with himself, e.
the contest between intellect and the senses, when
powerful energies aro,equay balanced. Orion is man
standing naked before Heaven and Destiny. resolved to
work really free agent to the utmost extent or his
powers, for the good Of his He is truly practical
believer his gods, and in his conscience; child
with the strength of giant; innOcenty wise; with
heart expanding toward the largeness and warmth OF
Nature and spirit unconsciousy aspiring to the stars
presents the picture OF great and simple character
struggling develop all its Hottest energies. and seeking
its own reward in the consciousness of wel-ordered
life and the possession Of perfect sympathy cnshrined in
some lovely object
"The Infinite and the Finite."is the title Of a now
book by Theophlus Parsons Professor of Law at Har
vard which the Messrs Roberts have just brought as
far prOofsheets. 1t is written with force and sim
picity of style which will commend it to readers tired of
gltterng generaes and transcendental vagucnesses
Mr. Parsons evidently knows what he believes and he
believes much and reverenny. His work is tinctured
somewhat by SwedcnbOrgianism Of which faith he is
devOut adherent but he displays wonderful lberality
as when he says;
every various are the systems OF religions truth and
ous states Of those to whom they are given No Chris
tan man doubt that Christianity is, in ITSELF better
than heathenis but it is better for some, and not for
all and there Is not and never was heathenism winch
means Of salvation and 1t seems only reasonable In
ference from all and learn, that this day as many
persons md and use these means as there are who nd
lively"
Prof. Parsons is a opponent Of the Darwnian
theory. He thinks that animals cannot enlarge their
faculties generation OF them transmit to its
successors what il has learned by experience Revelation
the foundation of his faith, and Of revelation lie takes
the Swedenborgan view.
The publishers of 80 Old and New have been seeking
justify its name in the February number, Of which
have seen the proofs 1t to he washington number
in colnmenoraton Of the fact that the Father of his
Country born in February. The aud fame of
Washington Old" but many of the letters from
INN and facts concerning him which the magazine
tains New" to the world published for the
first time. II is delightful to get the human nature
| of the demi-god before whom we have burned
| so much ignorant incense-to find him
anxious about his hats in Of toeraby gcntool
but not expensive candlescks," hankeriug after nice
china exercised in mind concerning lottery tickets
which he had bought lie writes: please to examine
II any the Enclosed tickets have up prizes and II
anything is to he made OF them, be Obging as TO do
It for me-" why did tell me-" asks Mrs. Carter
that the Father Of my country bought lottery tickets
bought myself the year left school; and though
beg You to believe disapprove the lapse of hero,
now understand that he is of my blood and Of his
The demi-god also troubled about tabecloths He
bought dozen, and only OF them reached him in
camp. But Gen Greene received tabecloths he takes
| notice, about the time
| "Who got that whisky skin ?"
Besides all the curious and entertaining original let
tiers, which bring rapport with the lOng-dead
hero the magazine will contain study. by the sculptor
GreeuOugh, of Washingtons character in his face;
account by Mr.. Williams of the original HoudOn mask
| WashngtoD's Agricultural Letters; Contemporary
WashngtODian Poetry and various other references to
and "reminiscences of the man celebrate There is
rOom besides for story about rowing for the cOnnu
alton OF six of One by Half Dozen Of the Other,
book reviews art criticism and rhyme. Among
the latter quaint, little Nursery Song by Christina
Rossetti, with which somebody who reads this letter
may like to sing little, wakefu eyeids down. Here
| tits:
We built nest compact aud warm,
| But cruel boys came round our way
"They crushed the eggs so neatly laid;
! And watch the ruin they nave made
Too late TO build, too sad TO sing"
What good thing that il is only birds for whom il il
sometimes late 10 buildtlat only their musical
hearts too sad TO singP Life is such merry
gorOund the of that we can afford plenteous
/ pity to the spaTrows' plant.
Lee & Shepard thave commenced the publication OF
serial which they do not call magazine though it Is
10 he issued tha
world extend it so long right hand of fellowship. 1t
will he called Halfhour Recreations in Popular Sci
ence and will be made up OF familiar lectures essays,
and other papers scientific matters, modern dscov-
cries. natural phenomena lsOcia statcs &c. The ed.
will admit article too abstruse technical 10
comprebended by the general reader and the arrange
ments Of the publishers such that they safely
promise popuarization Of science such as has not
hitherto been attempted.
No one writes speaks good words in England with
out speedily finding American audience The Rev.
George Macdonald loved Of saints and respected even
by sinners has for some years found his American
stituency quite large his English one. American
magazines have eagerly reprinted his serias-AmercaD
publishers have caught at his novels And now Redpah
FAN Of the Boston Lyceum Bureau about afford
opportunity TO Mr.. Macdonald in person.
Under their auspices he will make lecturing tour In
the United States i'll the Of 1928 Tackeray and
Dickens came-we and heard, and they conquered.
Our memories OF life richer by much, forever.
Macdonald s author Of very different type from the
two great n0vets above named though readers not
wanting who like him better than either OF them. He
the story-teer OF soul not sense you do not
much for what his people do for what they think
say There is so general interest In his books his
coming among us will be Of the sensations OF the
next season. Lem
WILLIS GAYLORD CLARK AT NIAGARA
That was q sensible clerical Derson Ubo wrota