The Portland daily press., 1875-12-18

in them" his admirable knowledge anu appre-
citation of literary worth, render him peculiar
ly ant for this editorial work, and the selections
receive added value for his choice CT them. 1t
is this personality of thu poet, unobtruded but
potent, that sets fresh seal upon these well
known songs. In finely written preface, MIR.
Whittier says:
s.The selections have made indicate, in general
way, nv preferences; but have not felt liberty
to oppose my own Judgment or prejudice to the best
critical authorities or to attempt reversal OF the
judgments of Time. Judging from nay own expert
ence IN looking over selected poems, cannot doubt
that nv readers will often have occasion to question
the wisdom of my choice, and regret the omisso of
avorte pieces. 1t is rarely that persons OF equal
capacity for right Judging can be found to coincide
entirely in regard to the merits of particular poem
The canons Of criticism are by no means fixed and
inalibe and the fashion of poetry, like that OF the
world, "passeth away"
This admirable quality of independent judg-
ment, without arbitrary caprice, or on the 9TH
er hand, convential compliance with the opin-
ions of others is entirely characteristic of Mr..
Whittier; and it is this that gives to volume
compiled by him its prestige Of individuality,
its worth beyond the scrapbook of this man or
that; and reading the songs sung of others that
are dear to the poet, it is possible to understand
more fully the value and meaning of his own
poetry, the influences, the natural traits that
have gone to the making of it.
THE Boy WITH AN IDEA. By Mrs. Eiloart. New
York; G. P. Putnam's Sons, Publishers. For sale
by Dresser, Mcclellan s. Co.
John Ashdell, the boy with an idea, or rather
superabundance of ideas, is described as Thor
oughly kind hearted and good tempered, and,
80 far from being lazy, if he had taken half the
pains to do things in the ordinary way that was
good enough for other people, that he did to try
and do them in some newfangled manner of
his own, he would have accomplished more
work than half the boys of his years: while as
to abilities, he had plenty of them, almost too
many, only he never seemed to know how to
put them to good use, letting his imagination
run away with him ia fact, and leading him to
do all sorts of absurd things, just because he
considered that he was much too clever to do
anything like anybody else.'' John was very
self suffi cient, and was in the habit of volun-
teering advice on all occasions, as we'll of I'M
dertaking all manner of remarkable achieve
ments His performances are very funny, as
the undertaking to bring up a calf on sawdust
broth, the experiment of managing bear by
moral suasion and finally terrible drubbing,
from an automatic figure which he attempts to
endow with Promethean fire, which latter Cir
cumstance Gained his youthful ardor so that
he settled down to something like practicalness,
are capitally told and and will be very laugha-
BILE reading for old and young. 1t was one OF
the most popular holiday hooks of last year and
will prove such this season.
TIE AsBURy TWINS. By Sophie May. Published
by Lee s. Shepard Boston: For sale by Bailey &
Noyes.
The Prudy Series won such instant recogni-
ton for Sophie Mays fresh, lively style, that
the mere fact that she has written new book
is enough to ensure it rapid and extended sale.
"The Asbury Twins" is story for girls of
sixteen or eighteen and is vivacious and
amusing. Exaggerations of style aid in the
sketches of character, and an occasional Curl
Gus misapprehension of foreign words are
blemshes in the workout Sophie May has
given SO much hearty enjoyment to her readers
that tits more appropriate as we'll as pleasant to
dwell rather upon the merits of her writings
than their defects. Her forte is in writing for
young children, whose cunning ways and
quaint thoughts she understands exceedingly
well, and it is in this charming department
that her best successes will probably always be
made.
RoDDY's REALITY. By Helen Kendrick johnson,
author of "Roddy's Romance New York: G. P.
Putnam's Sons. For sale by Loring, Short g. Har-
mon and Dresser, M'Lellan g. Co.
Some time since the Putnams published
book bearing the title "Roddy's Romance"
which received high commentator as spark
ling with wit, running over with fun. and yet
borne along by tide of healthful, genuine
wisdom and good sense. ''Roddy's Reality" is,
contrary to experience, rather better than his
Romance" That entertaining volume, it
may be remembered, dealt with Florrie's con-
ception of Roddy, and the haps and mishaps of
the :wo The present work is story within a
story. Roddy has taken to writing, and the
hearing which the finty hearted publishers re-
fuse to him is gladly granted by the sympathiz-
ing Florrie. The tale, which is entitled
''Thurston Schuyler is given to the world by
the indefatigable Florrie, and very bright
and entertaining tale it is.
s'NEARER MY GOD, To THEE.'' By Sarah Flower
Adams. Boston: Lee g. Shepard. For sale by
Loring, Short Harmon.
Sarah Adams's beautiful hymn, Nearer, my
God, to Thee" which has appealed 60 strongly
to many devout hearts, receives fitting dress
in the elegant edition of Lee & Shepard. The
firm furnishes the hymn on heavy calendered
paper, printed in clear, handsome type. The
volume, bound in cloth stamped in black and
gold, is profusely illustrated. To say that the
illustrations are designed by L. B. Humphrey,
and engraved by John Andrew & Son, is per-
haps praise enough; but the felicity of the de-
signs, and their admirable engraving, COM
mand warm commendation. The volume as
made up is one of the most attractive gift
books of the season, and its low price places it
within the reach of all.
MARGERY KEITH. By Virginia F. Townsend. Bos-
ton; Loring, Publisher. For sale by Loring, Short
g. Harmon.
A pretty enough child's story which the
children will find interesting. The characters,
children and adults, talk in ludicrously stilted
fashion, but their grammar is faultless and the
influence Of the story will be wholesome so far
as it is felt.
The MILLER OF SMcoTT MILL. novel. By Mrs.
Bennington Desmonde. New York: G. W. Carls-
ton & Co., Publishers. For sale by Loring, Short
& Harmon.
A cheap novel with improbable plot and un-
natural characters The story is poorly con-
structed of the conventional noveistic phrases,
but will probably be read with interest by a
&c class of novel read ers.
The JEFFERSON BORDEN MUTINEERs Com