The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-18

TIE WISDOM SERIES. Selections from the thoughts
of Marcus Aurelius. Selections from the Imita-
ton of Christ Boston: Roberts Brothers. For
sale by Loring, Short g. Harmon.
Under the title of the "Wisdom Series" Rob
erts Brothers announce series of volumes, two
of which are now published of handy form and
of sufficiently small for the pocket,
learly printedand handsomely bound in
olive-oolored cloth. In these little
books the publishers purpose to give
the best thoughts of the sages of all time.
OF the two volumes now out one comprises Sc
lections from the book known as the Thoughts
Meditations," or reflections" of Marcus
Aurelius Antonieus, who stands almost alone
among the Roman Emperors as man dlstIn-
uished for wisdom and virtue both; the other
comprising selections from the limitation OF
Christ of Thomas A Kempis.
DIAMONDS AND PRECIOUS STONES. Translated
from the French of Louis Dieulafait, by Fanchon
Sanford. New York: Scribner Armstrong & Co.
For sale by Loring, Short & Harmon.
This new volume of the Library of Wonders
Is popular account of gems, containing their
distinctive properties, AMI description of the
most famous gems, with chapters on gem cut
ting and engraving. In addition to the strictly
scientific information to be given regarding pre-
cious stones, many of the fables and supersti-
tions of which they have been the subject are
given and the result is very entertaining vol
ume. The number of the engravings has been
unnecessarily enlarged by pictures of fossil
beasts like the anoplotherium and by wood
cuts of VOLCANOES, all of which have little con-
nection with gems and are very suggestive of
padding
ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MAGo. A Ph@nician.
Expedition B. c. 1000. By Leon Cahun. New
York: Scribner, Armstrong s. Co. For sale by
Loring, Short & Harmon.
In its make up this is the most attractive
book of adventure Of the season, and the illus
trations by P. Philippoteaux are admirable 1t
details the supposed voyage of Tyrian nsviga-
tor sent by King Hiram to Tarshish, or SPAIN
In quest of silver for his friend David, King of
Israel. He is successful, meets with wonderful
adventures, circumnavigates Africa, visits the
Queen of Sheba and returns home through
Pharaoh's ship canal. A great deal Of excel
lent information from learned sources is given
mixed with romance and speculation. If chill
dren fail to extract it they will not fail, at
least to be entertained
The SKELETON IN ARMoR. By Henry W. Long
fellow. Boston: j. R.. Osgood & Co. For sale by
Bailey & Noyes
The Messrs. Osgood & Co publish in holiday
shape Longfellow's "The Skeleton in Armor,' -
poem which is not only beautiful in itself,
but is admirably suited to the purposes of the
artist and engrayer. The illustrations are done
by Miss Hallock, who made herself name by
her illustrations of ''The Hanging of the Crane
and mabel Martin" This volume is pre-
pared in the same general style as those, and is
notable for the beauty and finish which char
acterize all the holiday books issued by this
house. Its typographical and mechanical ex
ecution is be autiful and worthy of the subject.
The borders are designed by Ipsen and the
illustrations engraved by Anthony Altogeth
er the volume is as charming bit of holiday
literature as can be desired.
Oh WHY SHOULD THE SPIRIT OF MORTAL BE
PROUD. By William Knox. Boston: Lee &
Shepherd. For sale by Hall L. Davis.
One Of the daintiest gift books of the season
is tn edition just put out by Lee 81 Shepard of
Abraham Lincolns favorte poem, "Oh why
Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud?" The
poem, grave and tender in theme ant sad il
the mournful swing of its rhythm is one tina
impresses many as it impressed the lofty and
melancholy spirit of Lincoln, many who will
be glad to possess it.n this beautiful dress. The
typographical execution of the volume is thor
oughy excellent The designs, beautiful and
appropriate, are by Miss L. B. Humphrey, and
are engraved by John Andrew & Son.
SELECTED POEMS. By Ralph Waldo Emerson
Boston: j, r. Osgood & Co. For sale by Bailey
g Noyes
Tho da;p Vas al; nf
sons works is completed with this volume. To
those who are not so fortunate as to possess the
works of the great mystic this edition is most
cordially commended. 1t is handsomely printed
and tastefully bound, is compact and conven.
lent in shape, and enjoys the advantage over all
other editions of thorough revision by the au-
thor. Of the poems those have been selected
which Mr.. Emerson deems worthy of preserva-
ton, an opinion which all lovers of poetry will
accept
THEORETICAL MECHANICS. APPLIED MECHANICS
BY William Rossiter. New York: G. P. Put
nams Sons. For sale by Loring, Short g. Har
mon.
These two volumes of the Elementary
Science Series" are handsome books. the one
OF theoretical, the other of applied mechanics
and tell about all that is necessary to be known
on the subject. They are prepared by William
Rossiter, of the Working Mems College, Lon
don, with special view to the collegiate exam
ination.H andl are authorities in the matter.
Each volume is literally illustrated with dia-
HIDDEN PERILs. By Mary Cecil Hay, author Of
grams.
sold Myddleton's Money" etc. New York: Har-
per Brothers. For sale by Loring, Short & Har
mon.
A novel decidedly narrowing in its nature;
the plot turning upon the mistaken idea of du-
ty, which added to a superstitious regard for
the deceased wife's sister bilr' caused the
long drawn out unhappiness of two very agree
able young people, 1t is quite well written but
is by no means the best of its authors works.
Numbers % to % inclusive of Zeu's Eacyclo-
psdia, extending from fire-kiln to Greek EN-
pire, have been received. Number % contains
An excellent map of Europe. The merits of
this valuable work, the best of its kind, have
been SO frequently mentioned in these columns
that there is nothing to add now The gen.
oral agent for New England is Horace King,
Thompsonville, Conn.,. and the agent for this
city and vicinity is N B. Medbery, As Ex-
change street.
The fine poem entitled "The First Fire
of the Season." which appeared in the issue of
the PRESS of the 18th inst, should have been
credited to Harper's Bazaar, in which periodical
it originally appeared. The credit was omitted
by mistake.
Rapp's Commercial Calculator is a compila-
ton in pocket-book form of convenient tables
showing the value of various kinds of merchan-
disc, the measurement of lumber &c., the d.
mansions of cisterns, tanks &c., simple and
compound interest at various per cents, and
new and practical methods of rapid calculation.
1t is published by Christian Rapp, jr, Bloom
ington, Illinois, and is for sale by Bailey &