The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-09
Recent Publications.

Low L IN The NINETEENTH CENTURY. by
Harriet w. Preston. Author of Aspen
dale.
Miss Preston is rapidly winning for herself
place among the best of our writers and
her thoroughly refined nature, just and deli
cate appreciation, power of expression at
once keen and graceful, and brightness that
is never fiippant or torced-qualfy her for
awarded her as one of the representative
writers of New England. Her translations
from the French have given proof of her pos
session of rare gifts in that department.
they are not formal renditions, word for word,
but an Interpretation, intelligent and faithful
of the original work. Her metrical transla-
ton of Frederic Mistrars exquisite ''Mireio'
was assurance that Miss Preston was herself
a poet. And Aspendale, her foimer novel,
gave evidence of much earnest thought and
fine descriptive power. Those who have en-
joyed these works will surely accord a warm
welcome to her present romance, Glove in
the Nineteenth Century,"
The title of this charming and delicate
work seems to us a little too comprehensive.
1t describes rather, phase of love in the
latter half of ::the century, and whose locale
could hardly be outsidel of Boston or those
neighboring towns whose tone of thought
and feeling is derived from that CITY. The
hero and heroine of Miss Preston's graceful
romance are clearly the result of condition
of society where culture of soul and brain is
regarded as the greatest attanable good.
Their sweetest unreason is the product of
previous reason. They analyzc each other
and themselves; it is by comparing thoughts
and opinions upon intellectual and social
topics that they arrive at the satisfactory So
luton of the problems that most nearly con-
Germ themselves.
The character of Clara is most delicately
and finely drawn; she is a sincere, refined and
bright woman, such an one as is often to be
found in the quiet, beautiful old towns of
New England; girl reserved and calm, but
full of gracious womanly instincts which
await their development. The hero, Julius
May, is equally well drawn-a brilliant, ready
and sympathetic nature. The slender thread
of incident in his very original and lovely ro-
nance hardly assumes the proportions of a
plot; Hiss Preston herself has modestly
styled it ga fragment" but fragmentary in
any sense of incompleteness it is not. There
are to be found there no startling incidents,
none of the hackneyed devices of the ortlina-
ry novelist. 1t is the story, simply and ar
tistically told, of the progress of the relations
of these two people, whose first flashing of
bright wit-weapons was the prelude to the la
ter interchange of deep and genuine thought,
and who continue by letter these talks, grown
so full of interest to both. The end is readily
foreseen-yet the readers enjoyment of the
lively style, the genial, kindly and delicate bits
of satire and the wholly sweet and healthful
tone Of the book, is not lessened but on the
contrary heightened by the pleasant prospect,
hidden from the reader by no barriers of coun-
terplot or sensational episode.
We had at first intended transferring to cur
columns some Of the many bright and wise
sentences that sparkle throughout the vol
ume-but after all, is it not better to leave
gems in their setting; warmly and earnestly
commending Miss Preston's beautiful work
to the attention of our readers.
Published by Roberts Brothers, Boston.
For sale by Loring, Short & Harmon.
INNOCENT. By Mrs. Oliphant
The charm of Mrs. ELEPHANTS novels largely
consists in the minute perfection of detail,
the power of presentingl everyday people and
events with lifelike- reality, and, by clearness,
refinement and brightness of style, giving
interest to scenes and occurrences wholly
within the limits of ordinary possibility.
Her delineation of character is very delicate;
and CONSTANT Improvement is noticeable in
her works.
'Innocent', is very original novel, and
full of interest. The character of the heroine
Is unique, and writer less skilful than Mrs.
Oliphant would hardly have been able to depict
It successfully-this nature, wholly undevel-
oped, without thought or emotion, yet lovely
in its passing existence. 1t is remarkable how
clearly this figure OF Innocent stands defined
before us with its colorless outline. Nelly,
the other heroine, is bright, sweet English
girl, whose fortunes will be followed with
much interest; the characters Of Mrs. East