The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-04

SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 8. 1874.
Recent Publications.

NNETY-rHREE BY Victor Hugo. Translated by
Frank Lee Benedict New York: Harper & Bros.
For sale by Loring Short & Harmon.
Readers of "Les Miserables" and "Les
Travailleurs du Mer," will gladly welcome a
new work from the pen OF their talented au-
thor. "Ninety-Three" is most graphic and
thrilling description of life in France during
the terrible days of that year so memorable
IN her history, 1888: when she, in her terrible
struggle to rid herself of the tyranny of a
monarchy, was governed by Robespierre.
DantoD, Marat and their bloodthirsty parti-
zans; when in Vendee, the peasants, faith.
full to their king, were waging against their
republican brothers war, which for its fe-
rocity has never been excelled in history;
war in which the nearest and dearest ties of
social life were rudely severed; and in which
father fought against son, and brother against
brother, each feeling for the other such bitter
enmity, that mercy was never asked or shown
by vanquished or victor; war waged in q
country abouuding in immense, trackless and
apparently uutenable forests, to which upon
the approach of an enemy the inhabitants of
the surrounding country would fee; hiding
themselves amid the intricate underground
labylinths by which they were undermined,
whence they would noselessly rise, encircle
and destroy the unsuspecting toe, and. their
work of death accomplished, sink into their
hidden iairs leaving the scene as calm and
quiet as if no living being had ever invaded
it. 1t is of this and similar matter that the
great writer has woven the story Of ''Ninety-
Three" in the writing of which, the entire
dramatic power OF his nature seems TO have
been concentrated, and in which the inter-
est in his conflicting characters is so equally
sustained, that at its tragic close the reader
finds himself undecided as to which side he
sympathizes with the more fully, whether the
Royalist or Republican, Vendee or Paris. 1t
is story of the bloody tragedies OF war, yet
one so impregnated with the writer's own
hearty and enthusiastic views of life, that it
is to the reader like revelation of what life
is, and what it should be, and of the unseen
workings of the divine agencies, by means o.
which the world is approaching that perfec:
state in which we believe it will at some fu-
tue period exist.
ADVENTURES OF AN ATTORNEY IN SEARCH OF
PRACTICE. By Sir George Stephen. Boston, Es-
tes g. Lauriat. For sale by Dresser Mcclellan q
Co.
This book though written by an English
Attorney. and dealing only with cases con-
nected with the English bar, is replete with
advice which will be of practical value to the
young lawyer practising at che bar OF this, or
any other country. 1t is narrative Of the
nent in his profession, illustrated py anecdote
descriptive of numerous cases in which he has
borne prominent part Its perusal will do
much toward reconciling the young lawyer to
the struggles and disappointments which he
must inevitably undergo while striving to OBJ
tain position in his noble profession. One
piece Of advice which is given to clients is es-
pecially worthy of note, viz. ''If costs are an
object, settle your quarrel out OF court as best
you may"
IVAN DE BRoN; By Sir Arthur Helps, Boston,
Roberts Bros. For sale by Loring, Short and Har-
mon.
A historical novel the scene of which is
laid in Russia during the middle of the
eighteenth century. This the first novel Of
this noted writer, will in nowise detract from
his well-earned reputation. The style is re-
markably pure and simple, and its high
moral tone is in striking contrast to the trashy
sensational novels of the day. It is an in
structive commentary on Russian court life
OF the last century, showing the vicissitude,
of fortune to which those holding Office un-
der the supreme ruler were subject, and Wv
idly contrasting the barbaric splendor of the
court, and the barren wastes of frigid Siberia.
Life OF THOMAS JEFFERSON. By james Parton.
Published by j. r. Osgood s. Co. For sale by
Bailey & Noyee.
Margaret Fuller once said that we all like
gossip,-the only difference being in the
choice of the subject. Those of us who are
fond of historical gossip will derive pleasure
from the perusal of Mr.. Parton's latest book.
That authors life of Aaron Burr gave him a
place in the first rank of modern writers of
memoirs. The present work will not add
much to his reputation, though it will 60 to
sustain it. 1t lacks the element Of surprise
which gave to the lite of Burr so much popu-
larity; for majority of Americans hold the
same views regarding Jefferson as does Mr..
Parton, while the minority are neither to be
reasoned nor surprised out Of the opinion that
s'the dreaming Condorcet," as Hamilton call
ed him, was the Devil in domino sent to us
as punishment for some great national sin.
The work however possesses that vivacity of
narrative, that realistic power, that attention
to details which marked its predecessor One
at times, feels persuaded that Mr.. Parton
must be an occidental old Parr, man of the
period when the constitution was "extorted
from the grinding necessity of a reluctant ma
tion," fierce partizan who swore by the ia
ther of the Republican party, and who hated
AL xanGer Hamilton and all his works. The
book is intensely partizan. 1t is lavish in its
praise of Jefferson, quite as lavish in its abuse
of Hamilton. One is inclined to suspect that it
Jefferson were alive at this moment he might
in the light of Communism, ard Tweedism,
and Trade Unions, and July days, modify his
'lItTduCcS dS " CuC iiSuto VI mdu duu IhO
social contract. A man of his sagacity might
include tie unchecked rule of the majority
among the "banded despotisms' against
which he Illuminated. But Mr.. Parton makes
no allowance for the difference Of time and
men. He scarcely ever takes into account
the wild enthusiasm of the French Revolu-
ton, which quite unsettled mems heads.
This injustice is quite as noticeable in his es-
innate of Hamilton. The only great finan-
cier which America has produced is called a
third-rate statemaI, is denounced as quack
in politics and debGuchee in morals. Though
these statements are made positively, and
are clothed in very readable though slovenly
English, they are so unmistakaby er parte
judgments they cannot exercise much dele
terious influence upon readers, nor seriously
impair the incontestable merits of the book.
Mr.. Parton proves himself the most enter-
tanning of gossips, and exhibits regard for
details worthy of Dutch painter. Nothing
is too trivial for his notice. He knows the
height to an inch of the desk upon which the