The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-06-28

But Miss Larcom's occasional lapses into
verse in which the improving element is chiefly
conspicuous, are so evidently the result of
sweet and helpful life in which goodness and
beauty are inseparably blended, that criticism
of her words must give place to appreciation of
her thought. There are very many beautiful
passages scattered through the work; the
descriptions of the White Mountain scenery are
carefully and lovingly drawn. can Idyl of
Work. is book that will give much pleasure
to readers in our own country; and will afford
to strangers clearer idea of the tone of
thought and ambition that dignities the toll of
our working woman. Need we add recon-
mendaton to tourists preparing for tour
among the moutaius, to include this volume
among their indispensable possessions.
HOME SKETCHES IN FRANCE and other Papers By
the late Mrs. Henry M. Field. New York; George
p Putnam's Sons. For sale by Loring Short &
Harmon.
This little volume opens with some notices of
the life and character of the author of the
sketches which follow, Mrr. Henry Field. Born
and educated in Paris, living in an English
family, afterward, upon her return to France
in that of the Duke de Praslin,as goyerness,she
came to this country, lonely and stranger, in
1849.
Her history could it be written would be ro-
mantle and most interesting, but it was her re-
quest at the close of her life-she died in the
city of New York March g. 1S75-that nothing
of the kind should be done. Her words were
"When 1 am gone let me rest in peace. Do not
publish anything to attract the attention of the
world. The world is nothing to me. 1 am GO
ing to God. Let me live only in your heart as
sweet memory aid in the hearts of those that
love me-"
Her husband, therefore, has collected in this
book only what has heretofore been given to
the public and has prefaced the work with
short account of her last illness and death, and
with notices which appeared, latter that event, in
the Evening Post, the New York Tribune and
Times, in a French publication Courier des
Etats Unis,' the Springfield Republican and
other journals, kind words written by friends who
had long known and appreciated the lovely
character Of this remarkable woman.
We quote from one notice: "For these
twenty years, Mrs. Field has been one of the
most distinguished women of New York. She
was eminent for w.t. for acuteness, for an in
tellect capable of grasping the highest subjects
of human thought. She had read largely, not
only in her native tongue, but in English,
which she spoke fluently and correctly. Her
conversational powers were remarkable, and
even long and severe illness could not dull her
genial vivacity, nor depress her habitually gra-
eious wish to please and interest her visitors
Her house in town was long famous for its re-
ceptions at which gathered regularly all that
was most eminent in the city in literature and
art, whether residents or strangers"
She was an accomplished artist for three
years principal of the Female Art School at
the Cooper Union.
1t is hardly necessary to add that her
Sketches of Home Life in France here pub
lished in collected form, are exquisitely writ
ten and full of interest, running over as they
do, Ancient Brittany" "Paris Grave and
Gay" Religion in France" "Father Hya-
cinthe at Notre Dame,' Education In
France" "The Old French Noblesse.' "The
Author of Adam Bede in her own Home" and
other subjects.
To read her own words and those spoken of
her is to be filled with admirati on for her tai
ents and accomplishments, with respect for the
nobleness of her life and character, with rev.
erence for the beauty of her Christian faith and
death