The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-05-24
Recent Publications.

hecent PUBLICATIONS.
A new book by Mrs. Whitney is sure to be
every where warmly welcomed and eagerl
read, and will exert deep aid widely extend
ed influence. Writing as she does, chiefly
for Young girls; assisting them to solve the
questions, great and small, that life is begin
ming to offer them,-she sympath.zes sincere
ly with them. translating often into words
the haIfformed thoughts and fancies of girl
hood. Yet in this very trait, which so much
sndears her and brings her so near to many q
thoughtful girl who reads her books-lies IS
1t seems to US, the source of danger to her
books best infuence-the danger of self con-
scious, introverted analysis Of thought and
feeling. Stories, such q Mrs. Whitney
writes, are by no means to be passed over
with brief, slight notice; they deserve, and
should receive, sincere criticism; touching,
among the many points TO praise, upon the
few to dispraise; and it is in no faultfnding
spirit, but in entire recognition Of tie power
OF her books that we write. A peculiar use
oflsnguage, strangeIy-concocted words, high
toned slang-ifsuch an expression be allow
able-and an apparent aHectation of simplici-
ty is at times noticeable in "Other Girls,
though in less degree than in some of the au-
thor's former writings. We also protest in
behalf of the heroes and heroines of Mrs.
Whitney's stories, against the names that
she gives them-often in the style of Miss
Careless ard Master Goodchild Of nursery
love, for exam lie "Cousin Delight and "In-
crease Muchmore Argenter;' or else seem
ingly selected for their utter unattraciiveness,
Luclarion, Xerenhappuch, among
others. And still more we object to the sed-
ulous search-''pious and paiLefulle" in good
Cotton Mathers quaint phrase-for an obvi-
Gus moral, orsymbolical signifcstion in every
thing, to which Mrs. Whitney Is so much
addicted. There are, no doubt sermons
in stones - but still we decline to
have stones thrown at US. It is, we think,
. false taste in art that looks for too complex
an intention in an object; that would reduce
. fairy tale to an allegory, and tell the baby
whose blue eyes stand vide with wonder,
that the giants of bis favorite story were
Steam, my dear, and Electricity and above
ali, my dear, Perseverance, or would find
for children of a larger growth, mystical
meaning and raison d etre in the worldfamous
statues whose "beanty is its own excuse for
being'' and standing by the restless ocean, or
watching the red Of the sunset, would remark
as in duty bound ''Sueh is life." And now
that we have said all that we have 10 say
against Mrs. Whitney's books, we come to
the far more pleasant pat Of our work-ttat
OF expressing our warm and sincere admira-
ton for the sweet womanliness, the gracious
charity, the truth and purity of her writings.
They are such books as mother will consid-
er it q privilege TO place in the hands of her
aushters, knowing that their influence will
harmonic with and supplement her own.
And we surely need not recommend the pres:
ent volume to the attention of the thousands
of young people who have enjoyed the previ-
Gus ones. ''Other Girls" is a story of the
life of some not situated above the need of
working with their own hands; and some so
cial problems e carefully touched upon in
particular that of the desirability and honora-
bleness of domestic service as compared with
some other occupations that seem more at
tractive; although some of the writer's ideas
seem rather more suitable for millennial
menage than for the present. We hope and
prophecy for ''Other Girls" an immense sale
and popularity. The illustrations are very
poor in design and execution, but in other re-
spects the volume is published in style wor-
thy of itself and its publishers, Messrs. J. R.
Osgood & Co. For sale by Hall L. Davis.
From Messrs. Scribner, Wexford and Arm
strong, New York, we have received Rob
Roy;" the fourth volume of their Pocket edi-
ton of the Waverly Novels. its compact
ness. neatness of mechanical execution, and
low price will render this edition very popu-
lar one. For sale by Loring, Short and Har-
mon. .-
The Transnisaisn Of LIfs.-By G. m.
Napheys m. ID.
In this volume DR.. Napheys treats difficult
and delicate subject with excellent discretion.
The work is both scientific and pi actical. Its
style is very clear and simple. while its sub
ject matter is treated with delicacy to which
the most Gu tivated taste cannot object. The
information which it contains is of incalcula-
BILE value to every man, however situated,
and in language, moral tone, and purpose, the
book is unexceptionable. 1t treats Of deli
cate topic, but one upon which information
is urgently needed by the multitude. The
work has earned the commendation of many
of our best medical thinkers. We would sug-
gest, however, that the publishers announce
ment might as well have been omitted.
Published by ]. G. Fergus & Co., Philadel-
phia. For sale by subscription only. An
agent is now canvassing this city for the work.
A Fair saxsn. ny yassin Me Carshy.
This novel-by an author whose clear
judgment, welttrained thought and brilliant,
unaffected style have won for him a very en-
viable place among the writers Of the present
time-more than fulfils the high expectations
called forth by the announcement of its pub
lication. IL is one Of the finest novels Of the
day; even surprising in excellence the au-
thor's former WI rk, Lady Judith" As a
study of society tits admirably keen and graph
ic, without cynicism; and as work of fic-
tionit is refined, elevated and healthful in
tone, with well constructed and developed
Mot. and interest maintained from the first to
the last page.
Mr.. Mccarthy, among his many valuable
qualifications as iterateur, possesses that
of impartial sympathy, so far as is justifable,
with the various aspects Of bis subject. In
writing of America and its people-a task not
easy to an Englishman, to whom our country
must often appear surprising, exaggerated
and audacious--Mr. McCarthy rec ,gnizes the
vigorous and successful traits of the younger
country as well a. the merits of the conserva-
tive traditionalism of the elder In "a Fair
Saxon" the interest turns largely upon Feni-
an:sm-and here again the writer di PLAYS
the same appreciation of each side Of the
question, and writes with no bitterness Of
feeling, while his style loses nothing Of il, ac-
customed clearness and force. l..aa ae
The dramatis persone of this fine pov,l
are drawn with Skin. delicacy and power
Jennie Aspar is a Charming sketch of !
bright, pure and passionate woman; Tyrone