The Portland daily press., 1875-01-23
Magazine Notices.

Ha7pers Magazine for February contains
four distinctively American articles, three of
which are profusely illustrated. George Al
fred Townsend gives a glowing but accurate
description of New w Washington, showing what
changes have been wrought in the national
capital by the improvements made since the.
war; this description being accompanied by
numerous illustrations. L. j. Du Pre-, of the
Memphis appeal, under the title of Wonders
of the Lowlands, contributes an entertaining
illustrated article on the Mound-Bu6ers Of
the Mississippi Valley. John Bigelow, from
the unpublished letters of De Witt Clinton to
Colonel Post, gathers together some very
curious materials, illustrating the acrimony of
partisan politics half a century ago. But the
most important of the articles dealing espec-
tally with American topics is the fourth paper
of the Centennial series, continuing the review
of Mechanical progress during the century now
closing. This paper, which is profusely illug-
trated, deals with the inventions connected
with domestic machinery, arms, and ordnance,
the telegraph and other applications of cleo
tricity, fire engines and fire-alarms, gas and
ice manufacture, mining machinery, sugar
making, glass and paper making, artificial
limbs, etc.
In this number is commenced an interesting
series of papers, by James Parton, richly il
lustrated, on Caricature, the first article deal
ing with Caricature among the Ancients.
George NJ. Towle contributes an instructive
paper on the French Institute and academies
illustrated with picture of the Institute
building, and portraits of leading academi-
clans.
A very comprehensive article on the field
and work of Christian Missions, illustrated by
four carefully prepared maps, is contributed by
Lyman Abbott.
One of the most striking features of this
number is the commencement of new serial
story by Miss Thackeray, entitled Miss Angel,
and based on the romance of Angelica KaIff-
mans life.
Moncure d. Conway contributes a graphic
sketch of Professor Fawcett, which is illustrated
by beautiful portraits of the professor and his
wife.
Mr.. Mason's serial story, Rape of the Camp,
is continued, with illustrations by Fredericks.
Two excellent short stories are given by Ellis
Gray and Kate Putnam Osgood.
The number opens with poem by Will
Wallace Harney, entitled The Angel of the
Twilight. with an illustration by Sol Eytinge.
Other poems are contributed by. Elizabeth
Stoddard, Harriet Prescott Spofford, aud Anna
c. Brackett.
The five editorial department Is are effectively
sustained in their respective fields constituting
the most admirable feature of this magazine.
The atlantic for February. The February
number of the Atlantic is noticeable for the
quantity and quality of its poetry, in which GER
tainy no late number has equalled it. 1t opens
with Bryant's remarkable poem of The Two
Travellers, gives an italian memory in Longfel-
low 5 Monte Casino, the convent founded by
Benedict, noble apostrophe to The Skull in
Gold Drift by Stedman, a sadly pleasant poem
by Trowbrdge entitled The Old BuryiDg
Ground, poem of shpwreck by Celia Thax
ter tenderly told, and Residue by Kate Z. Os-
good.
An appreciative review of Bancrofts Native
Races of the Pacific States is furnished by
Clarence King, who adds many interesting facts
that have come to his knowledge.
Two Girls that Tried Farming is freshly
told experience of life in the Northwest by d.
A. Shepherd.
Prof. G. w. Greene furnishes entertaip-
ing chapter of American history in The Hes
sian Mercenaries.
A Carnival of Venice is brilliant and pic
turesque story of the quaint old city by the Ad-
riatic.
The continued papers are Henry James pow
erful novel of Roderck Hudson, f. B. San
born's deeply interesting and instructive sketch
of John Browns attempt at Harper's Ferry
and the events that led to it, and Mark Twan's
amusing Old Times on the Mississippi, in
which the experiences of Cub pilot are re
lated.
The editorial departments are excellent, and
present all the recent features of interest in art
literature aud education,