The Portland daily press., 1874-12-18

shown. The extracts given above, together
with these titles of chapters, will indicate the
comprehensive scope and method of the work.
This "fragmentary supplement consists, Tor
the most part, of grand outlines OF thought
drawn with the bold sweep of master hand.
To give an Ineligible presentation in brief OF
these outlines is impossible, and the only al
tentative, exhibition by chips, has been pur-
sued far enough to show the general character
of the observations presented by the author.
In dignity of style this little work is unsur-
passed. 1t is needless to remark upon the ab-
sence Of those minor but most common offences
in works of this sort, rhetorical gauds and
flourishes Of fine writing" there is no waste of
words every thought is severely stratened to
exact expression. The writer is not unfre-
quently committed by the very grandeur of his
theme to passages of uncommon beauty and ell
oquence, but even in these passages he only de-
scribes with concise exactness the idea that he
seeks to communicate.
This elevation of style is noticeable in fine
superiority to possible dissent on the part of
the reader, and to his possible unenllshten-
ment. There is a subtle persuasive charm in
the conspicuous assumption that every reader
will agree with the writer, and that no reader
can fail to understand him. There is no conde-
scension to opposition, none to ignorance. But
what is thus gained in elevation perhaps costs
something in effectiveness. There will be those
who will wish that the author had connected
his work with the philosophical discussions of
the present time by exhibiting its polemical
significance and it bearing upon the issues of
nd fboro will ba
those who will wish that some regard had been
paid to the readers possible lack of informa-
ton. When the author ascribes to symmetry
in time not only music but color and heat, and
passes ON without explanation, he leaves the
ordinary reader in a state of bewilderment
The ordinary reader pausing in perplexity over
this statement: "Heat also has its colors, or
tones. as is known to all who have noticed that
the suns heat passes freely through glass,
which is impervious TO the heat of a fire.
is entitled to the authors sympathy. 1t is
enough to say, in reply to such regrets that the
book was not intended for the ordinary reader.
but that gives occasion for new regret, that
work on theme so sublime and embody-
ing reflections so exalted and SO charged with
inspirations for the common heart and mind,
could not have been more completely adapted
to the common intelligence.
Let it not be inferred, however, that the book
is too difficult to be read with pleasure and
profit by person of average information. 1t
WILL indeed, require attention, but it will am
ply reward attention, even though it should be
in some parts not fully understood. And who
ever will take it up with desire to understand
in no p,ood Of will hardly ii nj Sh
the perusal without wishing to express to the
author grateful appreciation of the knowledge
and insight which could offer to the public this
rare fruit of wisdom q. w. IL.
THE HANGING OF THE CRANE. By Henry Wads-
worth Longfellow, Published by James r. Osgood
s. Co., Boston. For sale by Bailey G. Noyes.
A poem by Mr. Longfellow cannot but be
among the choicest of the treasures of song
and story that every winter come to make
| glad the place of summer birds that have
| flown, summer bloom that has fallen. Gray
stretches of winter skies, long white folds of
snow, strong winds blown from the ice-felds-
have taught us, of northern lands, the worth
of the fireside, have set among our precious
| words "home."
| "The Hanging of the Crane" is an idyl of
| the home. 1t is poets vision of the history
| old and ever new-of a household. beginning
with the day when the crane was first hung in
| the fireplace, when guests hocked in to wish
| joy and prosperity to the newfounded family;
| it tells of the little king who wandered from
| the moon where all wonders are, to reign des-
| politically over the household; of the fairy
| princess that came to divide the love and pow
err with her brother; of the circle that widened
| the mother-love that must reach across seas
| and lands, yet never shall fail to find its own
| and how at last the house made rich in the
| days and deeds it had seen, and fragrant with
| unfading memories, opens its doors wide
| again, and again happy guests come with good
| wishes for its master ard mistress; while
| around the crane, the fire burns as red as
when, fifty years before, it was new-lit on the
hearth.
| Everywhere, throughout the poem are the
| familiar traits of Mr.. LongfelOw's genius ap-
parent-the richness of learning illustrating
the fine poetic fancy; the tenderness. delicacy
and warmth of treatment-especially notice
able in the charming description of the baby
boy, picture soft, rosy, and full of celestial
unconscousness as cherub of Raphael-and
| the equal finish of verse, the noble modera-
| ton of manner of poet whose nature and
art combine to give him his place.
| The illustrations by Miss Hallock and Mr..
| Thomas Moran are worthy of the poem. Miss
Mary Hallock has, we believe, no superior in
this country as an illustrator; her designs are
uniformly delicate, spirited and finished, and
her style, without exaggeration or mannerism,
is all her own. The admirable interiors" the
| dainty figures, with which her pencil has
| graced the volume, need only to be seen to be
appreciated. Mr.. Moran's landscapes are full
| of intention and finely executed. The vignettes
| by Mr.. j. j. Harley are also good, and add to
| the attractions of this holiday edition of a
| poem which win soon be counted among the
| household treasures of many home.
| Ten DAYS IN SPAIN. Illustrated. By Kate Field.
Published by j. R. Osgood Sc 90. For sale by
Bailey q Noyes.
| This is sketchy series of letters, written for
| some newspaper, and now collected together.
Kate Field is ubiquitous and dashes off her
| impressions of all she sees and hears, flnging
this way and that her ideas about one country
| and another, one great man and another, evil
IDENTIFY on the spur of the moment, just as q
man throws his boots sprawlngly over the
| floor at night. She sees CASTELAR,, and tie lis in
| a sharp and decided way what she thinks of
him, gives rather hazy opinion as to the flu
ture of Spain, and most of her adventures are
extremely exaggerated and high colored. The
book is however quite readable, but the less
said of the illustrations ~ the better
THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE By the author OF John
Halifax, Gentleman. Published by Harper Broth
ers. Sold by Loring, Short s. Harmon.
Mrs. Dnah MULCH Craig unlike many lady
writers, did not commence her literary caree T
with child's story and work up to a more
ambitious height, but after years of care
full study and labor, she brings her experience
and wisdom to the task, and these, added to
her own natural style and taste, make delight
full books for little people.
In "The Little Black Prince" the charm that
surrounds all her later and better works is un-
broken. She writes as Que who loves children
and loves to write for them. Those who have
been reading it, as it appeared in serial num-
hers will he Glad to know il is in hand in pret-