The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-12-09

interesting books ever written for young people |
1t is not Inappropriate to express here appre- |
citation of the writings of the elder MI Albeit |
for his son has done so very emphatlcally In
proposing to take them as his own model. Long
Look House is a very pleasant book, full Of
sound sense and information, but they are con-
veyed in manner often rather too dry aud too
difficult of comprehension for children Of six
to twelve" for whom it is written. Again. Mr.
Abbott gives proof of the possession of share
of the ease and minuteness of style that were
the charm of his fathers books 1t is very like.
ly that his next volume will be an improvement
upon this one. The silhouette illustrations by
Miss Kinds are charming.
We Boys, written by zone of US" Boston:
Roberts Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short q
Harmony, is calculated to delight every boy
who is so fortunate as to read it, 1t is much
In the style of Mrs. A. NJ Diaz's William Hen
ry. and has the same healthy boyish fun and
robust lovableness of that favorite book. 1t is
quite admirable as a sketch of school and home
life in New Eogland town, and its jolly good
ness will recommend it to boys and their par
ents alike.
1t is not possible to thoroughly commend
Frank in the Fo-ecastle PORTER & Coates,
Philadelphia. Portland; Dresser g. McLellan).
This is story of adventures at sea, and has
tendency to increase the wish for lawless adj
venture and life on the ocean wave which
most boys 60 through with by way of mental
measles.
Shifting for Himself, by Horatio Alger, Dos
ton: Loring. Portland Loring, Short & Har-
mon) is written with good intention but is not
up to the standard of desirable books for boys
Oliver Optics Vine and Olive; Young Ameri
ca abroad in Spain aud Portugal (Lee & Shop
ard, Boston. Portland: Bailey & Noyes,) is
both entertaining aud instructive. 1t contains.
full and carefully prepared details of places and
customs of Spain and Portugal and
is better written and more desirable than some
of the authors former stores. 1t will prove
great favorite with the boys and very deserved
ly so.
Jan of the Windmill by Mrs. Juliana Hora-
tia Ewing, author of'the charming Six to Six
teen, is for the older boys and girls. 1t is a
very beautisul and original story, in the clear,
delicate manner of Mrs. Ewing; and
has much of interest in its sketches
of rustic life in England. 1t is one
of the choice books of the year. Published
by Roberts Brothers, Boston. For sale by Lor-
ing, Short and Harmon.
The Young Trail Hunters, by Samuel w.
Cozzens. lice & Shepard. Portland: Bailey
& Noyes) is decidedly sensational, OF the dime
novel order Of literature and by no mears a
model volume to place in the hands of boys
Snip and Whip by Elizabeth A. Davis,
Boston: Lee & Shepard Portland Bailey &
Noyes) is silly, coarse and generally undesira-
BILE. Although some touches of amusing boy
nature give it a degree of interest, the impress
sion left upon the readers mind is that he has
been in the society Of tiresome and vulgar peo-
pie, and that their good nature and energy are
not enough to atone for lack of native refine
ment and that excellent thing a ''good bring
snglup.''
The Boys of 76, by Mr. Charles G. Coffin
New York: Harper Brothers; Portland: Lor.
ing, Short g. Harmony is an admirable work
Under the guise of story it presents spirited
and accurate history of the Revolution and q
lively interest is given to these scenes by the
introduction Of some representative boys Of
the time" who take active part in the great
struggle. Carefully drawn maps and number
less beautiful illustrations add to the worth of
the volume. and the style of the letterpress is
at once easy, entertaining and matchmaking
the historical information pleasant without
childishness. The binding, engraving and
printing are correspondingly good
Last but not least among the books to be
noticed is Mr.. P. 7. Barnum's Lion Jack, a
sizeable volume filed with delightful adven-
ture from cover to cover. 1t is the account oil
the life of party of men and boys detailed to
hunt animals In Africa for menagerie. In
his story, as in his shows, Mr.. Barnum is care
full to admit nothing Objectionable for the
young people, and this narrative of wild and
adventurous life is in every way to be COM
mended. 1t is one of the very best gifts that
boy could find beside his Christmas stock
ing-its portly proportions preclude its en-
trance inside that receptacle. Lion Jack is
published by G. w. Carleton & Co., New York.
For sale by Bailey g. Noyes