The Portland daily press., 1875-12-04
Recent Publications.

Boston, For sale by Loring, Short & Harmon
A charming holiday volume, profusely illus.
trated and containing poems not included in
any of Miss Ingelow's previous books. 'The
Shepherd Lady" is mystical ballad, with the
singalarly musical quality of the authors man
ner, and a medieval tone, faithfully echoed by
Mr.. Hughes strong, finely designed, though
little careless, illustrations. The pretty, ring
ing lines of "Above the Clouds are, if not
meaningless, at least vague and enigmatical
"Love's Thread of Gold" is charming in color
and melody. Failure is most admirable
sonnet-strong, tender, original and finely ex-
pressed. "One Morning. oh so Early" has
the fault of over-assonance and triteness of too
obvious rhymes "The Day without Alloy"
has fine, fresh ring, joyous poetic tone, and
strength of outline. sThe Leaves of Lign
Aloes" is graceful. "On the Rocks by Aber-
deem" has the quaint sweetness and unaffected
wording of genuine Scottish ballad. "Feath-
ers and Moss" is pathetic and tender in de-
sign, but marred by the recurrence of its re-
frain, that has an effect slightly comic. Sweet
is Childhood" affords opportunity for charm
ing illustration of two little children fishing.
"The Gypsy's Selling Song" has the peculiar
tone of some of Christina Rossetti's songs
'My Fair Lady" is a curious example of the
sacrifice of reason to rhyme. "Sleep and
Time" is simply absurd. "Master, quoth the
auld Hound is fine ballad, natural, bright
and spirited. Like a Laveroek in the Lift is
clear, strong and sweet. CAT One Again is
an idyllic poem in several parts, simple, grace
full and possesses the spontaneous music and
charm of Miss Ingelow's best verse. While,
as whole, the present volume will hardly
add to the poets fame, it contains much that
is beautiful and original, and the faults which
her critics, who all are also her warm admirers,
will be obliged to point out ia her work, are
not necessarily connected with her fresh, gra.
cious and womanly talent but are those of
diffuseness and of mannerisms which she can
discard to the advantage of her style. A word
of praise is due to the illustrations by Darley,
Mitchell, Miss Hallock and others. These
graceful designs add greatly to the attractions
of the volume. Miss Hallock's illustrations of
the sonnet entitled 'sFsilure" show increasing
dramatic power. Mr.. Eytinge's design "The
Lady in her charmed bower is imagina-
tive and delicate; while many others are wor-
thy of special praise.
RoDERIcK HUDSON. By Henry james, Jr. Bos-
ton: j. r. Osgood & Co. From Bailey & Noyes.
Mr.. James's writings are always graceful
and charming, but sometimes his descriptions
get little cloying in their sweetness. This
novel is more direct in its movement, the des-
criptions of scenery are woven in more dex-
terousy than usual, and the interest is kept up
to the end. 1t is careful study of character.
Ayoung sculptor is taken from New England
village by wealthy patron, taken from his
doting mother and maiden to whom he is be.
trothed, and transplanted to Rome. The
growth of his artistic nature under the warmth
Of Italian skies and art-culture is finely des-
cribed. He soon meets wonderfully beauti-
full girl who steals his heart from ths-New
England maiden, ,uiths.at, however, returning
his affection. In the meantime the wealthy
patron, who was stout, forid, blue-eyed gen.
teman of thirty years, has fallen in love with
Mary Garland, the betrothed of the artist.
Roman society and art circles are graphically
described. Little Sam Singleton, the patient
toilng American painter, who wins success by
his perseverance, sitting open.mouthed listen
ing to the enthusiastic young sculptor as if
Apollo himself were talking, and the Teu.
tonic Madame Grandoni in her b.ue satin dress,
who used to say that she had not always been
30 ugly, but once had golden hair the color of
her wig must be easily recognized by American
dwellers in Rome. The young scalptor gets
deeper in love until he is untitled for work.
The mother of the beauty, who is an adven-
turess, forces her to marry wealthy italian
prince The artist is in despair, his mother
and betrothed are sent for; they seek to restore
his composure by sojourn in the Alps where
he meets death by fall from cliff. The
mother and the New England girl return TO
their homes, the young patron fails to make
any impression upon her, but is left at the
close bearing his griefs patiently. The beauti-
full heroine is exquisitely painted-wilful and
very charming-and when it is found that she
had all the time loved the young patron, her
inconsistencies are excused and all the readers
sympathies are with her. As a story it is
more complete and consistent than any of
the authors previous writings and the de-
scriptions of Rome and the artistic circles are
vivid and must be very satisfactory to those
familiar with them; but his aim was evidently
a character study of an artist of genius and
strongly susceptible nature, and as such it is
great success
ROSE AND RooF-TREE. By George Parsons La
throp. Published by j. R. Osgood s. Co., Boston.
For sale by Bailey s. Noyes.
These poems contain deliclte fancy good
degree of originality, and some very charming
lines together with decided affectations which
seem those of the dilettant in poetry. The
metrical structure is occasionally faulty and
the want of technique and study of models in
dction is apparent. Mr.. Lathrop's apprecia-
tive and keen observation of nature and di-
rectness of expression in his descriptive verse
give an excellent quality to his work, which is
everywhere earnest and high toned When
some rudities and mannerisms are subdued,
and he will have corrected certain weakness
of wording rather than thought, Mr.. Lathrop's
poetic gift, genuine one in its way, will be
seen to full advantage. In his work, as in
that of many of our recent poets, there is so
much to praise aud build hope upon, mingled
with traits that detract from its worth, that a
difficulty exists in.criticisipg first volume un-
til after second has appeared, in separating
unripened promise from frutless labor. Among
the many poems that deserve praise, the limits
of the review allow of but brief mention of
few. San April Aria" and ga Rune of the
Rain"-in spite of the affectation OF their titles
contain some delicate and strong realistic
touches in the latter poem is to be noted fine
Intensity and movement. ''Griefs Hero is
elevated and thoughtful. "Helen at the Loom
is well designed and contains some fine lines.
"Jessamine" is smooth and melodious, and is
one of the most finished of these poems. The
"Burial Song for Summer" is stately, and un-
stinted in its eulogy, but lacks large proper
ton of design; and there is certain ex ,ggera-
tion of detail that mars the harmony of the po-
EN- as whole. The closing lines repeat Mr..
Longfellow's thought of the Charles River.
Occasional strong lines and numerous digni-
fed and finely expressed passages evidence
Mr.. Lathrop's sincerity of poetic thought.
"The Silent Tide" which is the longest poem
of the volume, is not one of the best;. the dra-
matte element being as yet undeveloped ir Mr..
LathrOp's talent.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. FLETCHER. Published
by Roberts Brothers, Boston. For sale by Loring
Short z, Harmon