The Portland daily press., 1876-09-23
Recent Publications.


world. 1t more largely defines human types
than does either of her previous works. A
| story of the present time, and wholly respon-
sive to the spirit of to-day, it will never grow
old and outworn with time, or alien with
| place. 1t is also written in brighter, more
| sympathetic manner than is, for instance,
| Middlemarch; there is more action, more dra-
matte fervor, and this quality is emphasized by
| the reflections, suggestions and thoughts, i'm
personal comments with which, in the ancient
choral spirit, George Eliot always accompanies
the dramas that she displays for us. Her
books are read with the eager interest that
must always invest the study of human nature;
a study to be pursued with more surety and
pleasure under such guidance as hers, by
means of the models she places before us-than
with the limitations, mistakes and imperti-
nences to which experiments in real life might
be liable. The personages of George Elot's
novels are like stereoscopic views, they have
visible and recognizable substance.
At first, the development of the plot of
''Danel Deronda" seems unequally divided
between the two volumes that contain it. The
movement of the first half of the story is slow.
mute look of disapproval disturbs Gwendolen
in her perilous play-after this keynote is forci-
bly, and unmistakably struck-the story turns
aside to describe some circumstances in Gwen
dOlen's life a few months earlier; turns back 10
Deronda's childhood to note the peculiar in1u-
ences that surrounded his youngest years, and
filled him with thoughtful sympathy, and love,
that having no definite way, grew wide instead
OF being stifed and repressed. This quality of
sympathy; this trait ofnot merely feeling for, but
feeling with; this power of putting himself in
another's place, while fully retaining his integ-
rity of individuality-is the characteristic of
Daniel Deronda. 1t is possible to draw more
brilliant and fascinating hero than Deronda-
indeed it is rather in what he is than in what
he does-that he proves his claim to the title,
but it would be difficult to find in the range of
literature character that grows upon the mind
of the reader with closer, surer sense of
friendliness and reality than does his. The
rich, tender maniness, the noble poise of this
grand nature, that the lighest touch eau cause
to vibrate, but the rudest force could not make
swerve-are support and confirmation Of
ones best belief in man. The character of
Gwendolen is also touched with the fine varie-
ty and harmonious contradiction to which
George Eliot accustoms her readers-this wise
woman who gives delicate depths of shadow in
angels wings, and allows occasional ''high
lights to the blacklist painted prince of dark
ness, giving even to Grandcourt the virtue of
cold civility.
The growth of Gwendolen's soul and heart
;s al; nj IN Of 81; g..
beautiful creature might have been born in
some planet where no obligations existed, free
and irresponsible as some superb wild thing n
| its forest. The subtle delneation of this char
acter is amazing even for George Eliot, and no
quotation or description can give more than a
hint of the manner in which the reader, fasci-
mated, .repulsed and pitying is led to follow the
story of Gwendolen's errors and misery, and
its strange dull ending.
The dramatic proportions of "Danel Deron-
da' which, we have alieady said, appear at
first open to question, are wholly jastifabe
and will be recognized to be after all entirely
consistent with George Eliot's manner of work,
which always depends chiefly upon development
of character, and regards events as secondary
to and even dependent upon it. The plot is in
degree incomplete, and most artistically So
its threads too tangeled to be woven into Or
derly aud conventional patterns. But the
reader will be glad to see Deronda's goodness
| rewarded in the happiness hs desires-even
| though we rather take Mirah's loveliness upon
| the direct testimony of George Eliot, and the
depth of nature that Deronda's love for her
implies, than upon any especial interest that
she excites in ones feelings.
Ezra who seems rather an embodiment of
| the Jewish ideal tb an an active parsonage of
| the story, is a character somewhat impractical
BILE even in the hands of George Eliot His
rhapsodies are out of harmony with the voices
| of the present, and elevated and filled with
| the spirit of ancient Hebrew poetry as they are,
become vague and wearisome. 1t is difficult
to reconcile this rapt and singular existence
| with the everyday scenes and circumstances
that surround it; and the monologues of Ezra,
| are-compared with George Eliots own re-
| Elections, unfettered by dramatic personation-
| as uncertain and delusive dusk to strong SUM-
| light. 1t may be that Deronda's acceptance OF
| the bond to the nation of his fathers and his
clinging to the newer and higher religion in
| which he was taught-are the solution that
George Eliot wishes to suggest for the problem
of this peculiar people.
| POEMS OF PLACES. Edited by Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow. Vols. and II: England. Pub,
lished by j. R. Osgood s. Co. Boston. For sale BY
Bailey g. Noyes.
1t has lately become literary fashion with
some of our first poets to form collections of the
poems by other writers that have especially
i al kI,o.u fonn GnI hi. .,,I~
1t is graceful task that these noble singer!
have set themselves, and greatly enhances ant
sets off the value of the poems they select
sealing with the touch of the master the praise
of the people. 1t is, moreover, exceedingly
interesting to learn what selections from othe
mems writings an eminent poet will be led
whether by sympathy or the law of contraries
to make. In the two volumes which are de-
voted to poems descriptive of, or Immediately
suggested BY, various places in England, is rep
reseuted-as might bs expected in compila
ton by MIR. Longfellow-a wide range of au
thors, from the curious ballads of Percy
Reliques, and the early Anglo-Saxon verse
with its pathetic striving after whatever musi
cal effects might be made from its rude am
limited instrument-to the brilliant manner o
Teunyson, polished and crowned with ever
grace of delicate dicton. 1t is impossible t.
sketch the design of this series of poetic guide
books, for the exquisite words with which MI
Longfellow has prefaced it lose too much b.
any paraphrase, and must be quoted entire:
Madame de Stael has somewhere said tina
travelling is the saddest of all pleasures.
But we all have the longing of Rasselas in ou
hearts, We are ready to leave the Hspp
Valley of home, and eager to see something G
the world beyond the streets and steeples
our native town. To the young, travelling ia
boundless delight; to the old, pleasant mem
| ory and tender regret.
have often observed that among traveller
| there exists kind of free-masonry. To hav
visited the same scenes is a bond of sympath
| between those who have no other point of cor
tact. A vague interest surroupds the ma
whom we have met in foreign land, and eve
reserved and silent people become communics
tive when the conversation turns upon tn
countries they have seen.
have always found the poets my best ira,
elling companions. They see many things tha
are invisible to common eyes. Like Orland
in the forest of Arden, they "hang odes O
hawthorns and elegies on thistles." They il
| vest the landscape with a human feeling an