The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-20
Recent Publications.

RECENT tuDllcatlOnS.
The RIVER OF DREAMS. By G. e. o. Author Of
"Thurid and other poems." Published by Lee and
Shepard, Boston. For sale by Dresser Mcclellan
&Co.
The poem which gives its name to the vol l.
ume is long, decidedly heavy, allegorical rep
resentation, embodying the not very novel idea
that Life is river, set with rocks and shoals
and everywhere inculcates the desirabiity of
distinguishing sirens and ''other fabulous ami
| mails from the angelic voices that sing keep
true to the dreams of thy youth" These ex-
| cellent and wholly incontrovertible views are
| developed in smooth verse, often very well ex-
pressed and musical sometimes including really
| excellent lines. The general effect is, however
vague and overstrained to an uncomfortable
point OF wordy solemnity. "Aslanga' is
| graceful subject, treated briefly but with good
detail and some skill The song which occurs
in it is particularly musical. ga Lily is elab-
crate and too heavy for its stem. "a Sonnet"
is thoughtful and contains some good lines, but
the singular dissonances Of the alternating
| rhymes OF the last six lines mar its WORTH
Fortunes Fayorte" and "A Song of the
Woodbiue" present no special points for no
| tice differing from those already mentioned.
The value of these poems is in their excellent
intention and earnestness which far excel their
| literary worth.
The GERMAN ELEMENT IN THE WAR OF AMERI-
| oAN INDEPENDENCE. By George Washington
Greene. New York: Hurd and Houghton. For
sale by Loring, Short and Harmon.
Professor Greene's historical researches,
| prosecuted for many years, entitle him to speak
i wit H.
| those connected with the American war for in
dependence. His contributions to publ shed
literature have not been so extensive as schol-
ars had right to expect, and this latest work
of his will be heartily welcomed. 1t treats of
topic which has been little handled, even in
the elaborate work of Mr.. Bancroft On both
sides, the American and the British, Germans
did good service. The colonsrs were
officered, led, and drilled, in part by German
volunteers, and Germans from Brunswick, and
Hesse-Cassel and Waldeck swelled the British
armies. Into the history Of both Prof Greene
fully goes. In his preface he says that he
makes no pretenson to original research, but
he has certainly brought to the notice Of
| American readers matter hitherto inaccessible
to them, having made liberal use of the ex-
cellent monographs of Friedrich Kapp. The
material too is presented in attractive shape,
and the volume is a valuable contribution to
American history. Two chapters are given to
Steuben and Kalb, to whose discipline the
Colonial army owed much of its efficiency, and
one to the German mercenaries sent over by
George III.
A FARMERS VACATION. By George A. waring jr.
Boston: j. R. osgood s. Co. For sale by Bailey
& Noyes.
The collection of Col. Warnings papers have
been issued in a profusey illustrated and ele-
gantly bound and printed octave. The series
describe the life and methods of farmers in the
low countries of Europe, and in Jersey Sark,
and Guernsey. The author is both a pictur-
esque and practical observer. While his
avowed object is practical observations upon
farming, nothing that is Of general interest and
value in the occupation of which he treats is
suffered to escape his quick eye. He has put
in peculiarly attractive form the information re-
specting methodsiof farming in the older ccun-
tries which is of great value to our own agri-
cultursts, and at the same time he tells much
that is curious in regard to the people and the
countries he has visited. Tue volume is of in
terest to all thoughtful readers, and of especial
interest to those engaged in agriculture.
HANS BR1NKER, or, The Silver Skates. By Mary
Mapes Dodge. New Edition. New York; Scrib-
ner, Armstrong 8 Co. For sale by Loring, Short
s. Harmon.
This superb holiday edition of Hans Brinker
will be very welcome to the young.people The
Silver Skates have lost none of their brightness
with time. but CLEAN with ever fresh lustre, as
good metal should. The new edition, bound
in handsome gilt-stamped cloth, and printed In
clear type on thick paper, contains sixty origi-
nal illustrations handsomely designed and en-
graved, some Of them figure pieces, and many
of the quaint Old Dutch houses and streets.
The volume is handsome ore, and will prove
a most acceptable holiday gift The author has
added postscript bearing the date of Novem-
Der of the present year to her Introductory let
ter, thus establishing new claim to the favor
Of her readers as well as asserting the immem-
oral privilege Of her sex.
On TEACHING: Its Ends AMI Means. BY Henry
Calderwood. New York: G. P. Putnams Sons.
For sale by Dresser, Mcclellan s. Co.
A new edition of Professor Calderwood' work
on teaching will prove very welcome to young
teachers, and indeed, valuable aid to
many who have been long in the profession.
The chapters, treating as they do of self govern.
| ulcut. SCuUOl utsCipHue, luSLuCtlOu, duu 1Ot-
nation of character, contain many suggestions
of great worth, conveyed in a striking and en-
tertaining form. The edition is fashioned
similar to that issued last year.
WEST INDIA PICKLES Diary of cruise through
the West Indies in the yacht Josephine. By W.
P. Talboys. Illustrated. New York, @. w.
Carleton g. Co., Publishers. For sale by Loring,
Short & Harmon.
This little volume tells of the winter cruise of
yachting party am.ng the West India island
and on the Spanish main. 1t is an easily
written but rather crude narration, giving Of
ten graphic and inviting pictures of tropical
life, but marred by peculiarities of style which
which would have been perhaps less prominent
had the author written the journal originally
for publication instead of as private diary.
In DOORS AND Our, OR Views from the Chimney
Corner. By oliver Optic Boston: Lee s. Shepard.
For sale by Hall L. Davis.
Twenty-one years ago Mr. William T.
Adams issued a volume containing score Of
sprightly stories, aimed at social absurdities
and vices. The book was very favorably re-
ceived and warmly commended. The republi.
cation will be quite as likely to attract the pub
lie favor. New illustrations have been made
for the new edition, which is neatly gotten up.
| and handsomely bound.