Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-16
Ne10 Publications.

SoNds FROM THE SOUTHERN SEAS, and
other poems. by John Boyle OReilly.
Boston: Roberts Brother. 1873.
Tho author Of these poems was a Fenian
prisoner in the penal colony of Western
Australia, whence he escaped in an open
boat in February, 1860, aud was picked up
by Il New Bedford whaler, whose captain
gave him money to help him TO this coun-
try-a fact to which Mr.. O'Reilly graceful
~ alludes in his dedication Of his po-
ems. We have not read volume of new
poems in long time in which we have
been so much interested, or with which,
ON the whole, we have been so well pleased,
as with these. One of their most noticca-
BILE features is their simple and unhackney-
cd style, and yet they are marked by a
warmth and viyidness of expression, by a
I glow and vigor, which we like. There is
also about them realism which makes us
readily believe the author when he says
that the scenes depicted are memories, not
imagiuings taken from a land
blessed by God and blighted by man.
Penal Colony" The longer poems are all
Stories told in verse-good stories well
told. The King of the Vase, whith opens
The volume, is a fine production, and CON
tains some as good specimens of word
painting as one often meets. In the de-
scription ola drought, for instance, the sue
cceding rain, and the growth of the rank
tropical vegetation after the rain. one al
most feels, rs he reads, the bisterng rays
of the sun, hears the patter and pour of the
II welcome rain, and secs the qnickened
growth of vine, and tree, and "vclvet green
of underground" And about the whole
poem there is an indescribabe weirduess
which is very fascinating. OF the other
poems, the Monster Diamond, the Dog
Guard, the Flying Dutchman, and others,
are excellent, but Of them all none seems
TO us to take so firm hold on the imagina-
tion as does the Dukite Snake. The story,
and the manner of telling it, are touching,
pathetic, thrilling. We shall take early
opportunity TO publish this poem complete.
The shorter poems are many of them COM
monplace, aud there are points about the
volume which severe critics will ccnsure,
but not harshly, we think, in consideration
OF the very modest pretensions which Mr..
O'Reiily makes in his lines predatory to
pie this unassumed modesty and readiness
to acknowledge its faults, will OF them
selves, furnish the readiest recommended
lion of the volume. For sale in Brattlebo-
70 by j. Steen.
We are in receipt o! circular from
Briggs & Bro, the famous seedsmen and
florists, informing us that the January
lao. e lao; l1rg oil i-
now in press, and that it will he the grand
est work orthe kind ever issued and eclps-
ing their famous catalogues of '73 and -
that the list has been thoroughly revised,
prices still further reduced, and the work
arranged to conform to he necessary de-
mand of the public. From the well known
Character Of this house, we may expect
something elegant in the coming number,
and it will be advisable for our readers not
70 order seeds until they have seen Briggs
u Brothers January Catalogue. 1t is sent
with the three subsequent issues, TO SUI
scribers only, for twenty-five cents. Gus
toiners for Sl.OO OF over are credited with a
yearly subscription.
The Christian Union gives good promise
That for the coming year it will sustain its
well-earned reputation as an active, enter
prising, and readable religious family
Newspaper. 1t is now publishing Edward
Eegeslon's new story (his 6cSD 1.-THE Cir
cuit Eldcr," and it has a corps of the best
Contributors OF all shades of Christian opin-
ion, while its pages give ample evidence
that Mr.. Beecher's heart and hand are thor
oughly enlisted in the good work which
the Christian Union endeayOrs to fulfil.
Tho pair of chromos, "Our Boys" which
arc offered as Il premium 10 every new
subscriber, are really very fine pictures
and worthy place in every home in the
land. Mr.. Geo. c. Hlskins IS the agent for
this town and vicinity, and all persons who
have not made up their list of reading for
the year will do well TO see how much is
here offered for their money.
We have received ''Vol. /, No. l" of THE
CoTTAGE HEARTH, published by Milliken
&Gould 81 Bromlleld street, Boston. This
L. 10 be a monthly journal of home arts
and home leisure, and in respect to appear
ance and makeup resembles the House
hold, publ he'd ut Brattlebogo, in which
Mr.. Miliken was formerly partner with
its present owner, Mr.. Ctowell. The first
number is devoted mainly to articles on
The fashions, cooking receipts, selected pc.
otry and various light and pleasant para
graphs on the economies of the household
OF interest to the mistress of the average
house, for whom it is especially designed.