The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-11-20
Recent Publications.

pleasurable interest no preceding WORK Oh tno
author has exceled, perhaps it might be said,
equalled the pres ant one II is not SO pervaded
with the metaphysical element, at once curious
ly subtle and simple, which sometimes charac-
teriz-s the Scottish mind. 1t deals with no
supernatural or morbid phase of the imagina-
ton, no overstrained processes of brain or
soul but is strong, sweet and fresh as breeze
has healthy yraisenablance that harmonizes
with its groundwork of fact; and the spirit,
strength and unstudied quaintness of the dia-
logue, and the well-managed machinery of the
plot of the story, attest Mr.. MacDonald's fit
ness for his task-that of creating for our day
portrait of olden times, in many respects
similar to those noble romances of Sir Walter
Scott that charmed the generation before US.
and descend to US as rich inheritance. In the
Waverly Novels, indeed, there is an epic ring,
freedom of scope and breadth of treatment
chat is not to be found in ''St. George aud ST.
Michael;" but the younger work has much of
the minute care, the enthusiastic tenderness,
and the far stretching mental vision that have
won for Mr. Macdonald such praise and ad-
miration. In it, too. it is pleasant to note the
absence of a certain quality of coarseness,
which. hardly perceptible in his first novels,
took clearer shape in his latter writings. This
trait is not 50 foreign to the better ones of
his work as might at first appear. Quick, en-
tire delcacy of perception is not prominent
trait of the Scottish mind; aud when, more
over, there exists, as in the case of Mr.. Mac
Donald. an insight reaching far for intangi-
BILE things" resembling the physical prescience
which his nation names second sght"-what
wonder that in the crowding truths that throng
lin his view, the fine lines that bound the per-
feet fitness Of things are sometimes overlooked
This in some degree excuses the fault-but to
excuse is to accuse; and no surer mark of the
progress of Mr.. MacDonalds genius is to be
found than the calmer, higher and simpler
tone of his latest novel. He has chosen
manly theme, in time that affords opportuni
ty for his best traits-the struggles of the Cav
alters and Roundheads. The action is spirited;
and the descriptions of the great castle, with its
lilied moat, its cumbrous defences, the noble
artisan who expen led time and skill upon the
early type from which was later to be evolved
the steam-engine, the chivalrous deeds of man
and horse, the grotesque play of the castle jest
er, form varied and striking historical sketch.
One may say historical of such fiction as
this; it is thus that we read between the
lines of chronicles the true life of the period.
The characters are keenly drawn, with fine,
sure touch. Dorothy, the Puritan heroine, is
at first not wholly loveable, for lack of Ger.
tain softness thai her early surroundings were
not fitted to develop; but as the noble and
true qualities Unborn in her surrouud themselves
with ripper and more rounded lovelness, in the
course of the story, she becomes very charm
ing. The sincere, brave Richard i, well con-
trasted with the graceful, airy but aimless Scud.
amore. But finest and tenderest picture of all
is the group that comprises Lord Herbert, his
wife, Lady Margaret, and the quaint, sweet,
overwise little Molly-a bud of rosemary, of
whom death left but the remembrance. A pa
thetic touch of mothers nature is that where
Lady Margaret, in learning of her husbands
elevation to higher title, lo1gs afresh for har
child. The tenderness and rapid, piquant
charm of her warm. hearted nature, and the
grand, sincere traits of Lord Herbert are define
ated with rare skill. Tbs story is not compli-
cated-the curious superstitions, the adroit
though imperfect art of those days, the polem.
ical controversies the remains of feudal ira
d'tions. supply full material to the novelist.
Mr.. MacDonald's cleatness of mental vision.
high aim and ideal, wide charity and faith in
the universal possibilities of good, and a warm
genuine tenderness of close ob.ervation of
heavens work in nature from sun and star to
harmless beast and white field daisy, give HIM
his IF nd his r,uh to ba ord
HISTORY OF MAINE: From the earliest discovery
of the region by the Mortimer until the present
time. By John s. G. Abbott, Boston: B. B. Rus
sell. Portland: John Russell.
This volume attempts to condense into five
hundred pages history extending over period
of eight hundred years. The effort has not
been attended with as much success as could
be wished, and the result is not calculated to
add much to Mr. Abbotts literary reputation OF
to the pre-exsting knowledge of the history of
the State of Maine. The chief defects of the
book result from want of a we'll conceived plan.
The author seems to have had no time to lay
out bis work or sort his materials, but as facts
came to hand he worked them in as best he
might but not always skilfully or to the best
advantage The result u.s. of course, that the
narrative is not woll woven, but oftentimes
presents a patched appearance Mr.. Abbott
misses thu hero, the central figure which we
find in most of his works, and about which
events naturally group themselves. He misses
the stimulus which partisanship affords and
finds himself in the uncongenial role of the
simple chronicler of events, and confined to
limits which forbid elaboration. In this situa-
tion he attempts to crowd into bis book all the
facts possible, plan which at times compels
brevity to dryness. By this process also the
logical relations of events are to great extent
lost, and what should be harmonious picture
is series of sketches, panorama of incidents.
A more fortunate result would have been pro-
duced by the elimination of some of the minol
details and closer study Of the salient points Of
the narrative. 1t is agreeable to have minute
reproduction of the landscape when it can be
done without marring the general effect, but
the former is to be sacrificed in preference to
the latter. These defects arise from no inner.
ent inability in the adthor, but rather from the
circumstances by which he was surrounded
the constrsint of time and space which he was
under. 1t is to be regretted, however, that such
was his situation, for it lies in Mr.. Abbotts
power to make any story interesting, if his tai
ent is left free and unfettered. The book, how
ever, Notwithstanding its defects, is one full of
Information for the rea der not thoroughly con-
yersant with the subject Of which it treats,
and many of its chapters, especially those re-
lating to the Indian wars are full of romantic
interest. 1t is an impartial record of facts, and
as such will commend itself to the sons and
daughters of Maine, especially, coming, as it
does. from one whose birth was in the land of
which be writes and whose career has done
nothing but honor to his birthplace.
LINCOLN, STANTON AND GRANT. Historical
sketches by Major Evan Rowland Jones, U. s.
Consul at Newcastle.upon-Tyne. New York:
Scribner, Wexford q Armstrong. For sale by
Lorng, Short s. Harmon.
In this handsomely printed octave of 342
pages we have biographical sketches accom-
panied by finely executed steel portraits of
President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, and
General Grant. These sketches are evidently
written for English readers, and SO care is
taken to give full explanations of many sub
-ects with which all Americans are to.erably
familiar. The explanations do not however
detract from the value of the book on this
side of the water. The standpoint of the