The sun., 1873-12-27
SOME NEW ROORs,
Volume of Very sweet aud Wholesome
Poetry.


Talk and Bits Of Travel" Qioberts Brothers),
is all that the title page tells Of very tastefully
made little volume Just from the press. Any
person of dlscernment who has read either Of
the former works of II. II. will expect to find
nothing in these pages which is badly done, and
much tat is excellent, and will not be disap-
pointed. The work is one OF uncommon merit.
The versncation, the rhyme and the diction, al
most without exception, are notably good.
There is no apparent striving for effect, no
hankering after strange words, no attempt at
verbal tricks. purist might, indeed, condemn
the one use OF the word "wltIng" as not ap-
proved in elevated style by the best and strictest
authorities, and some seekers after petty faults
might find offence in undue prominence given
to the pet epithet "rhythmic," used In the
beginning Of the FIRST poem
o Christina. star. your pregnant sientne.
Mute syllabled In rly thmic Hight.
Again on the 10Th page,
- Of stars with rhythmic light.
On page 30,
rhythmic motion.
And on page 143,
rhythmic silence.
II must be conceded that at worst these are
defects Of the minutest and most trfing kind,
and we make this note Of them because they
are almost the only ones that a candid and lib
cra critic will remark In what may be called the
mechanical part OF the versincation.
A more important fault Is an occasional want
OF clear and distinct expression Of the authors
meaning. This obscurity Is not produced bv IN
versions or inyolutoDs, or hard words. but some
times results from lack Of strongly marked out
lines and completeness Of form IN the authors
mind sometimes from the very subtlcty OF the
significance TO be insinuated. and the instnc-
tive feeling that such meanings are impressive
in proportion to the subtleuess with which they
are conveyed. sometimes the moral OF a sonnet,
for instance, b. rareacd till 1t eludes the grasp,
and seems to escape in a sudden mist. instead
OF being condensed to a point. The verses en-
titled, My ship" and " Land" are illustrations
Of this fault, from which much the larger part
OF the ioems are absolutely free.
The work Is characterized throughout 10y
femir ne delicacy and sweetness, rather than
by N IS, ,ulinc emphasis and strength. The au-
tho flights are short and well sustained while
thtv last nearly all made at about the same
altitude and In much the same direction the
soaring OF the lark, not that OF the eagle. From
which statement IL might he inferred tha the
work is all done between certain limits not
widely separated. and that certain likeness to
each other exists in the Is poems contained in
the lgl pages OF the book and this is true, at
| least as regards many Of them. They are mainly
/ subjective, were evidently written on different
/ occasions during somewhat extended period
/ Of time In places far apart, in divers crcum-
stances, and represent the various phases 81 re-
curing moods IN person more than ordinarily
well balanced and constant. Hence the varied
expression OF similar sentiments Hence also
/ the effect of monotone felt 10y a reader who
/ attempts TO peruse the book in course and al
one sitting. It's Mt fruit to he SO gathered and
deyoured. Rather should 1t be tasted carefully,
attentiyey, a little at time. In this way II
may be thoroughly enjoyed.
For an Illustration Of the resemhances Of
tone in one or more qualities, which may
be noticed between many OF the poems, lie,
the reader compare those entitled respectively
The Prince is Dead" "when the Baby
Died" and "Two sundays" They also well
/ Illustrate the authors skill in. presenting
striking poetic contrasts forclbly and a
certain fondncss for emphasizing a moral
| In this way. No doubt OF the meaning here /:
/ no obscurites no confused outlines. All is
distinct. The contrasts in the pictures are har-
| monized by the sombrc ground work and by
tints Of sadness. Indeed, a tinge OF sadness is
mingled largely with the coorinG throughout
the book sadness suggested by the comparis N.
/ ever visible to the authors mind, OF what Is
with what a lofty and generous soul conceives
and desires for others and for itself Yet It is
altogether a healthy sadness, never morbidly
sentimental, never complaining, taking things
as they come contenteGly, because assured that
/ al things come right; though never forgetting
the change that IL to he whcn It will be right
for all things good and lovely, unmiXed with
sorrow and suffering. and for It waiting patient
| ly and for II hoping confidently. The constant
expression IN 1ne form or another Of broad
faith, simple and strong, and the healthy ana
| oquabe temper which such faith nourishes, Is
one Of the marked features II the book. The
| closing lines Of the piece called MY Home Not
Made with Hands set this forth clesrly. Indeed,
J 1t sthe keynote tomost ~ the haImouies which
the author plays: