The Portland daily press., 1875-11-30
Literary Notes.

1t is understood that the author of "Singers
and Songs of the Liberal Faith" with the aid
of English friends, is still extending his re-
searches, with the view of illustrating yet fur
Their, in one or two additional volumes, the
richness of the literature of the liberal church.
Few books have received heartler commend
atious from the press.
Many admirers of Wordsworth who have
learned lessons of wisdom and delight from his
posms, win be agreeabfy surprised to learn that
his prose works, as now most carefully collected
and edited, with the sanction and assistance of
his family, by the Rev. Alexander Grosart. are
sufic lent in bulk to form three handsome &C.
tavo volumes. The contents are various, but
all eminenty characteristic, and impressed
with the unity of common origin. Many of
the articles are new to the world, and now first
published from the poets MSS.
The London "Athenaum' says of Mr. Long
fellows Book of Sonnets': lastly we have a
number of sonnets. which show an advance on
any that Mr.. Longfellow has as yet written.
That he should manage the mechanical struct-
ure of the sonnet with skill is only what we
should expect from his Italian scholarship; but
these sonnets have undeniable beauty, both of
thought and of expression Indeed, it appears
to us that Mr.. Longfellow is more likely to
succeed in this order of poetry than in the ~
RIGS, by which bis early fame was won, Lyric
al inspiration fades as the years pass; but the
consummate art which condenses the meaning
and points the application and pelishes the
verse of great sonnet, is an art which long
practice and experience may surely teach.'
Mr.. f. B. Patterson will soon publish, in
form suited to the holidays, series of essays
on the Bad Habits of Good Society,"" by Mr.
George A. Baker, Jr., author of Point Lace
and Diamonds
Leah Mordecai is the title of newell by Mrs.
Belle Kendrick Abbott to be published in De-
cember by Sheldon & Co. The scene is laid in
Charleston, S c. The heroine is from Jew
ish family of that city.
Mr.. Charles P. Button proposes to begin next
January the publication in Boston of the New
England Review. 1t is to be devoted to the 10
cal and general interests of New England, and
especially TO the promotion of the construction
OF the Caughnawaga Canal, connecting the ST.
Lawrence River with LAKE Champlain.
Roberts Brothers have ready The Eneid OF
Virgil, translated by the author of The Earthly
AoAooioC3 Dautc duu Ills SlTCe, trhDSiaL6u Dy
Dante Gabriel Rosett; Harriet Martineau's
Eastern Life. with new preface by the au-
thor and page Illustrations; The Sylvan Year,
by Philip Gilbert Hamerton, with 20 etchlngs
and Round My House; Notes of Rural Life in
France in Peace and War. by the same author
with illustrations; Etching and Etchers, also
by Mr.. Hamerton; Biography of William God :
win, author of Caleb Williams, with portraits !;
Susan Dimock, memoir, with portraits.
Mr.. Anthony Trollope is going to follow
George Elliot's example by publishing novel
in volumes, at stated intervals. 1t will be
called "The Prime Minister" and there are to
be eight divisions" at five shillings each
which make a work twice as large as middle
march," and much longer than Richardson's
"Sir Charles Grandson" The question may
arise, VIII the patient public, who submit to
pay guinea and half for an ordinary three
volume novel, cheerfuly pay forty shillings for
MI. Trollope's romaucs in eight parts? Novel
readers do not like distance of months be-
tween the beginning and the conclusion of a
story.
Harper & Brothers make some important
announcements, among which are new Life
Of Dean Swift, in three volumes, BY John For.
ster, who wrote the Life Of Goldsmith so well.
The first volume, A. D., 1667-1711, is in the
press: A translation from. the Spanish of
Emilio CASTELAR,, of a Dew Life of Lord Byron;
General Abner Doubleday's "reminiscences of
Forts Sumter and Moultre, in 1S60-6l; Baby
lon and Nineveh, by the Rev. DR.. j. P, New
man; The Students edition of Dean Merivale's
History of Rome