The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-10-21

ly compact of leaden heayiness that tbsv .s.
no fun in the ballad of the "Jabbe,wockp p,
This state of mind is partially To he exn,.inad
oy tne lacs Ina1 IN the poem just referred to.
and in much of Mr.. Carrolrs similar worL NO
real hdmor exists. The Hunting of the
Shark" is, to be sure, little more poinsless
and dreary than the "Jabberwock," but eriti-
cism of the one applies to both. The merits
OF Mr. CarrolPs nonsense are its utter harm
lessness, its freedom from coal seness or vul.
garity, and an responsibility which, since the
days of Mother Goose, has been often sought
and rarely attained but with which Mr.. Car
roll has not been able to combiDe the indis-
pensable grace of naturslness, want of effort,
ard Inconsistencies. He has succeeded, how
ever. in making some very musical and rbyth-
mical combinations of nonsense, and his verse
often shows traces of the fine swing and poise
that have made Mother Goose famous among
metrists. His nonsense words are sometimes
Ingenious, but more often tiresome; and the
same thing had been earlier and better done.
In English, by Mr.. Bsyard Taylor, as a chance
diversion by no means meant for publica ton;
aud earlier still, by the young Mozart in the
clever letters written to his sister, written in
imitation Of Italian words. 1t is difficult to
understand how or why 'The Hunting of
the Snark' was written. 1t is not parody, II
contains very few hits at the topics of the time;
its chief absurdites are not those which were
Intentional; in brief, there seems no excuse
for its being, except that words, shaken up in .
hat might fortuitously have fallen together In
this disorder. It is utterly pontless, and 1t Is
by no means creditable to a writer that he
offers such slpshod nonsense to the reading
public. The world has right to demand an
authors best, and in kindly justice to Mr. Car
roll let it be hoped this il his worst. Thoss
who have hidden themselves from the light Of
day, covering beneath the denuncistons OF
the essayist who divides the world into two
classes, those who admire the "Jabberwock"
and those who do not, will Jet, we trust. feel
encouraged to emerge and retrick their beams,
as discerning critics and men who do not laugh
without reason. The Illustrations BY Mr.. Hem
ry Holiday are admirable.
OFFICIAL CATALOGUE OF THE INrRRsATroSAI,
EXHIBITION, PHILADELPHIA: Centennial Data
logue Company. For sale by Dresser, Mcclellan q
Co.
This revised edition of the Exhibition Cata-
logue is handsomely bound in cloth, contains
100 pages. and comprises the catalogues of all
the departments, complete lists of exhibits,
Illustrations of the principal buildings. brief
descriptions of the geography, natural features,
Industries and educational development of ev-
cry contributing country, and much else that is
necessary to complete record. The informa-
tion is furnished under the supervision of the
official representatives of the several nations.
The work is handsomely gotten up and Is a de-
sirable souvenir of the exhibition.
POEMS OF PLACE: Edited by Henry wadsworth
Longfellow. Vol. w. England and Wales
This volume is, of course, similar in design
to those preceding it. 1t is pleasant to note
that Mr.. Longfellow has not chosen to exclude
with false humility, his own poems. His ex-
quisite sonnet on Chaucer, which Is to be found
under the head of Woodstock" is q gem
among the many that he has selected to set in
thiscollecton. Published by James r. Osgood
& Co. Boston. For sale by Bailey & Noyes.