The Portland daily press., 1876-02-26

the memory more lasting. The character of
the curate, Mr.. st. John, in its exhibition of
patience and oblivion TO the uncertainty Of his
situation is refreshing to contemplate.
The BIBLE WoRD.BooK. By William swinton,
author of "Harper's Language Series," Edited by
Prof. t. j. Conant. New York: Harper & Broth
ers. For sale by Loring Short & Harmon.
In the modest preface to this valuable little
manual Professor Swinton expressly disclaims
pretence to originality, referring to several
learned and elaborate works on the vocabulary
OF the Scriptures as its sources. But the great
merit OF the book is in the very absence of
learning and elaborateness, in a treatment of
the subject which brings the matter down to
the comprehension of readers who do not DOS
sess any special theological training. The
word-book is a glossary of the scripture terms
which have changed their popular meaning, or
are no longer in general use. The entire yo-
cabu!ary does not exceed three hundred words.
The general plan is, in the case Of words that
are obsolete, to give their significance; and in
the case of the larger list of terms that have
undergone transformations of meaning, TO state
the Bible sense of the word and then to bring
it into comparison with its modern definition.
The Scripture significance of important words
is further illustrated by the citation of passages
from authors who wrote contemporaneonsly or
nearly so, with the publication of our transla-
ton. In each case the word is introduced eth
er by the textual quotation of Bible-passage
in which the given word is found, or else by a
reference. During the two and half centur-
les since the first publication of the King
james version of the Scriptures many words
have gone quite out of use, and others have
come to be used in different sense from that
intended by translators. The value of this
manual consists in the light thrown by it upon
both classes of these words. Though it is in
tended for a regular study in Sunday schools
and Bible classes, and is admirably suited to
that purpose, it will be found of great interest
and no inconsderable value to nearly every
one, and is to be heartily commended to the
general public.
HIS NATURAL LIFE. A Novel, By Marcus Clark.
New York: Harper & Brothers. For sale by Lor-
ing, Short s. Harmon.
If any one opens this book with the expecta-
tion of finding single incident that may hap
pen in the course of his natural life he will
certainly be disappointed. The author has un-
dertaken to picture the misfortunes that ser
les of mistakes and crimes, for which the hero
is in no manner accountable, may bring down
upon him-and ne has succeeded in the worst
degree. Richard Devine, the bastard son of a
nobieman, is condemned to transportation for
life for murder he did not commit Under
the alias Of Rufus Dawes he spends his life on
board prison ships and in different convict sta
tions of the English government. The reader
is introduced to the most degraded characters
conceivable and is not once taken from their
company. The horror of the punishments and
practices at these convict stations is only
equalled by the cold blooded minuteness with
which they are described If any pleasure or
profit can be derived from this book it must be
similar to that dirved from witnessing a pub.
lie execution. ...v
UNION WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN His
PRINCIPAL MYSTERIES. By the Rev. Father
John Baptist Saint Jure. New York: D. and j.
Sadlier & Co. For sale by 7. P. MGowan.
John Baptist Saint Jure was one of the most
distinguished Of the ascetic writers of the sew
enteeth century, and his "Book of the Elect
and some other of his works have long been
hCio III hiSh iCputO W SuC OothohN
Strangely enough the "Union with our Lord, "
one of the most characteristic of his writings, and
admirably rejecting the opinions and manner
of teaching of the school to which he belonged,
has been allowed to drop out of memory. Only
of late has the edition been in print since the
death of Father Saint Jure, and the present
English translation is the first which has ever
appeared. 1t will be of great interest to all
who are in any degree familiar with his life and
works.
Cicil Hay. New York: Harper & Brothers, Pub
fishers. Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon.
A novel not very good, nor particularly bad.
1t reads smoothly and has characters that
would be strong if they were not conventional,
and situations that would be effective if they
were not told in bookish manner. The book
contains las pages, in paper covers, and is, on
the whole, better than the average novels of
the kind.
HALVES. A Novel. By James Payn. New York:
Harper g. Brothers, Publishers. Portland Lor-
ing Short & Harmon.
An uncomfortable and unsatisfactory story,
with some strong characters. 1t is powerfully
told, but is inferior to his first novel "Bred in
the Bone," which is the only really good novel
this author has ever written.