The Portland daily press., 1875-02-27
Magazine Notices.

printed by the Leonard Scott Publishing Co..
Al Barclay st., New York, is received.
Mr.. Mills posthum0us work, Mature, Inc
Utility of Religion, and Theism, is the subject
of the first article. Those who have not ac-
cess to the work itself will find here sum-
mary of the authors opinions on natural per-
lection, the evidences of design in CREATION the
Immortality of the soul, and the claims OF rev.
citation; and the essays are welcomed for their
comprehensive and ineligible re-statements
of old problems" and for their courageous
originality"
The Bible and Strong Drink is short article
showing the probable effect of the passage OF
bill to prevent the sale, manufacture, pur-
chase, or importation of Intoxicating liquors IN
England, and also that the use of wine is not
only permitted, but enjoiaed in both Testa-
n1ents
Rocks Ahead, or the Warnings OF Cassan-
dra. is the review of recent work by Mr. Greg,
(which is remarkable alike for the gloomy views
il depicts and the great ability with which 1t is
written" 1t pOrtrays the difficulties hkely 60
arise from the parliamentary rulers OF the
country becoming more and more, members, IN
some sort, of the arstocracy.
Aristotle, the work which occupied the last
six years of Mr.. Grote's life, has just been CIV
EN- to the public, and is the subject of this es-
say. The object of this work, as we'll as those
on Plato and the companions of Socrates,
81 which preceded it, is to ''show the speculative
activity of the Greeks, by critical examna-
ton of the works of their chief thinkers. 1t
begins with sketch of the life of Aristotle, an
account of his works, of which there are two
distinct lists, and an analysis of few OF them
This analytical part of the work was terminal
ed abruptly by the authors death, and is there
fore very incomplete. The present article is
devoted principally to his treatment OF the
treatises known as the Organon
Charity, Pauperism, and Self-Help, suggests
a,modification of the English Poor Laws, and
sets forth plan for Friendly Relief Society.
The First Metallurgists, is an anthropologl-
cal article 1t mentions the traces left by pre-
historic man in the shape Of tumuli, etc,
which we find in all parts of the world, and
the gradual advance IN civilization proclaimed
by their contents. 1t is probable that the Tu-
rapians who were jewellers in caves, were the
first discoveries of metals, and the appearance
of the Serpent Symbol in all places where met
al implements are lOuuu 10 ihbCAooeihbJ WINS
mented on. The supposed case of the warrior
chieftain, armed with spear and arrows OF flint,
and a great stone hammer, attracted by gilt
tering yellow lump in some hollow OF cave
into which, perhaps, he has pursued some dead
IL serpent" is Ingenious, but we cannot help
thinking that his thought, "Surely this stone
so curiously malleable," ETC., sounds unlike the
utterance of an untutor ed savage.
The ALdine fer March is at hand, quite as
heavily freis GIFTED with good things as usual,
and with some peculiarities demanding special
attention. Artistically it has many features of
the first excellence. The first engraving is
The New Doll-admrably we'll done, but one
of those things which seem like waste OF
fine labor, until one knows that it is portrait
of the daughter of the French writer, Ed
mond About, by John S. Davis; knowing
which, the picture assumes marked interest.
Evening, Pigeon Cove, Mass, by Kruseman
van Elten, is a full-page picture, with good
feeling aud execution. Two charming smaller
pictures folow-The modern Adam and Eve,
and The Fisberman's Daughters, both telling
their stories to perfection Then we have an
other pair of companion pictures, Confession,
and the Stiffness of Death, both worth world
of study for their true conception and faithful
execution. Then follow Happy Hours of
Childhood, scarcely equal to the high Aldine
average; and another full-page picture by Mr.
Davis is Dews of Evening; three excellent
views of Hereford Cathedral (west OF Eng
land) conclude the art-contents of the number
Literally, the number is a trif1e less various,
but no whit less merit0rious. 1t is especially
rich in poetry-all the specimens good and one
noticeably so. Love and Skating, by r.. A.
Blaisdell, somewhat long, tells reasonable
story very prettily. Imprisoned, by Mrs. Eliza
beth Akers Allen, is in that writer's best vein,
but far too sad for any pleasant reading. Sor-
rowful Work, by Kenton Murray. is Of the
Bret Harte and John Hay order, and worthy
of those masters But the gem of theinum-
Der, POLITICALLY, is A Spur to Pegasus, by Ber-
tina Wythe, name new to the literary world.
In prose, the Aldine has somewhat long but
very well managed translation, The Flute
Tortures of Raphael Mengs, by A. b. Neil
son; Harry's Wait, a second story from the
fresh and playful pen, with dash OF sadness
beneath. of that new Morse writer, Emma
Stjerne Jarslen, which gave us the Second Lor-
lie in the January number; David Garrick,
an interesting but diseursive and badly grouped
sketch of the great player, by Joseph Watson;
an exciting continuation of the serial. Lost
Lillian Bracy, which apparently draws near
to its end; papers, lin the various editorial de-
partments) on Hereford Cathedral, the Wag
ner Fever, Wood Engraving, Late Books, etc.
We have an intimation that with the forth
coming number, the Aldine intends to step to
the front in the interests of the Centennial, by
commencing the publication of revolution
airy story of rare power and with many start
ling revelations, claiming to have been kept
back for the past forty years. after coming
from the lips of the actors in that wondrous
DRAMAS also by supplying illustrations OF
the great events of the conflict, in the first
style of Alaine art. If this proves true there
is no hesitation in saying that the Aldtne will
therein be opening mine of increased popu-
larity and prosperity. not easily measured or
calculated; as materials for few new revolu-
tionary stories can possibly exist and who will
enter the lists against this publication, in Illus
trating the leading occurrences of that unfor-
gotten "huudred years ago?'