The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-24

1913. 43o PIP. crown octave. $f,Vo, Lorhe, onort
s. Harmon.
We hardly expected to find a finished book
from newspaper correspondent, but the sub
ject was so striking and interesting that we
entered upon its perusal with much interest,
Independent Tartary was almost an unknown
land until Vambery's adventurous journey,
disguised as dervish, at imminent peril to
himself, made us familiar with it. Old le-
gends of the conquests OF Jenghis Khan and
Timur had given charm OF wonder to that
mysterious country; the admirable romance,
the Adventures of a aKuzzilbash," }" foundee on
the conquest of Nadir Shah over which we
pored in childhood has thrilled us with ad-
miration for the wild uncomfortable Toorko-
mans, and the campaigning of Alexander the
Great, with the fact that their race still hold
sway over Constantinople, lent historical
interest to the people who have finally yielded
to the arms of Russia.
But our author, in giving fine report of
the campaign, has also made an excellent
book, graphic in description. spirited in exc
cution, and faithful in observation. If his
literal pen draws aside the veil of romance, it
still pictures to us the desert warriors as a
noble race in whom we take warm interest,
and of whom we desire to hear more. The
Usbecs of Khiva, who submitted so tamely,
while the Toorkomans resisted, will command
little sympathy. His narrative gives most
favorable description of the Russian army,
and shows that their method of fighting in
Asia viii compare favorably with European
warfare. Some of his sketches of the COM
paign will be read with thrilling interest.
THE STORY OF HOUSE. Translated from the
French Of Viollet-Le-Duc by George M. Towle.
Boston: James R. Osgood &, Co. For sale by
Bailey & Noyes.
E Osgood and Company furnish an elegantly
gotten up translation Of the architectural ro-
nance of Viollet-le-Duc, designer and genius.
The aid of the heliotype is brought in for il
Illustrative purposes, and the volume is the
neatest thing of the sort ever issued from an
American press.
The enthusiastic Frenchman breaches the
gospel of architecture, and as is the fashion
nowadays, puts his good news into the form
of story. Paul, the descendant of an an
cient house in the west of France, comes
home to the family chateau-A very pictur.
esque and very uncomfortable edifice-with a
head full Of ideas. His elder and well-be-
loved sister is about to be married, and he
amuses himself by making plans for house
for her. The old chateau is continually
with him as the "awful example," and he
has the help of cousin, an experienced
architect. From the combined inner con.
sciousness of the three, brother, sister, and
architect-cousin, is evolved the house to the
warming of which the reader is invited in
the last chapter of the book.
The book is series of pleasant lectures on
architecture, collection of useful and enter
tainirg lessons on the building of pleasant
and attractive home-shelter. The illustra-
tions, which are eminently practical, add
much to the value of the book, and will be
of great benefit both to the architect and the
general reader.
MY SISTER JEANNE. boston: Roberts Brother s
For sale by Loring, Short g Harmon.
This is the sixth of the series of George
Sands novels published by Roberts Brothers,
and is translated from the French by s. R.
Crocker.
The book contains nothing of that des-
criptive, poetic or metaphysical element
which we encounter in other works of the
author, neither is the plot made of impor-
tance: the narrative portrays simply the
power of love over noble and passionate ma
lures. It is essentially and thnrnnohly
--,Inun-srury. The characters are drawn
Wild That wonderful inainsu----s--...,-.
icacy and bold vigor which only George Sand
can blend into harmony, while its intense
and glowing style, and the grouping of Incl.
dents keep the interest unabated to the end.
1t is hardly, however, one of her best,
and contains far more of the Objectionable
element of French literature than any of the
preceding translations of this series.
The book is cleYerly translated. but no
English words can give the music Of George
Sands French, which is as soft and sweet as
the italian.
PHYSIOLOGY. By M. Foster M. A., M. D., F. R.
S., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge One oil
the "Science Primers New York: D. Appleton
s. Co. For sale by Bailey u Noyes.
The excellent 'sscience primers" of Apple
ton and Company have earned considerable
and deserved popularity, being admirably fit
ted to meet popular and educational want.
The present of the series is, as stated in the
preface, an attempt to explain in the most
simple manner possible some of the most i'm.
portant and most general facts of physiology
In his descriptions and explanations the au
thor has supposed the reader to be willing tc
handle and examine such things as dead Iab
bit and sleeps heart, and has written ac-
cordingly, believing that actual observation
is necessary for the sound learning of ever
elementary physiology. At the same time hi
has tried to make his text ineligible to thos'
who think reading verbal descriptions les
tiresome than observing things for them
selves.
The book can be unreservedly commended
The many and excellent illustrations great.
aid in the elucidation of the text.
QUIET HOURS. A collection Of POEMS Boston:
r. Osgood & Co. Forlsale by Loring, Short 3
Harmon. tr r.-l
| The character OF this little collection OF pc
ems is sufficiently indicated by its title. Tn
selections have been made with singular ar
propriateness and rare taste, and includ
some of the sweetest poems in the language
Among them may be mentioned Emerson
"Problem;" Arthur Hugh Clough's SOU
Cursum Ventus'' and ''With Whom is N
variableness," Aubrey De Vere's "Humal
n,ro,- DryanUs w~snrfowl," Wordworth'
''Tintem Abbey" Celia Thaxter's "Sandpi
per-" Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Doves,
Christopher Cranch's Evening Primrose,
T. W. Higginson's fAGaina,u SAMUEL I.unsfa
lows "Golden Sunset" John Keble'
Morning" Coleridge's Evening Devotion,
Milton's "Sonnet on Blindness" Whittier
.'Shadow and Light" Phoebe Cary's "Recor
ciled,". Madame Guyon's "a Little Bird al
T." and Lord Houghton's ''Rabia."
FIELD, COVER, AND TRAP SHOOTING. By AdaI
H. Bogardus, champion wing shot OF Americ
Edited by Charles j. Foster. New York; j.
Ford s. Co. For sale by Hoyt Fogg.
The well gotten up volume which Messr
| Eord q, 10 Cantaip Rooardus And Mr.. EO