The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-06-17
Recent Publications.

THE FORTUNES OF Miss FoLLEN. By Mrs. Good
wln-Talcott, author of "Madge," "Sherbrooke"
and "Dr. Howeps Family" Published by d.
Appleton & Co., New York. For sale by Bailey &
Noyes.
A charming, refined romance-scarcely, in
Its simplicity of plot and uncomplicated action,
to be called novel. There is an essentially
womanly tone in this authors writing, deli
cate, luminous quality which gives to it gen.
ulne worth quite above and apart from the
usual range of fiction. The story is pleasantly
easily and unaffectedly told, the characters are
well drawn-that of the heroine. Christine, is
noticeably lovely and well poised-while woven
IN and adding charm to the romance, are sug-
gestive and beautiful "reminiscences of conti-
mental journeyings. The description of the
Passion Play at Ammergau is very vivid, an
prec;ative and full of delicate. artistic senti-
ment. In brief, The Fortunes of Miss Follen
is an exceedingly choice volume, and Mrs.
Goodwin-Talcott is to be congratulated upon
true success in the line of literary work she has
chosen, which although modest, displays the
grace and cultivation of her fine talent
HISTORY OF THE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
OF EUROPE. By John w. Draper. In two vol
uines. NEW 1Ork' ddTper N brOtnerS. For sale
by Lorng, lShort & Harmon.
This revised and low-prced edition of DR..
Diapers brilliant work will be heartily well
coined by the host of his admirers. Whatever
we may think of his philosophy, however diff
cult we may find it to accept his scheme of
progress, and his alteration of the Arabans, we
must admire the vastness of his resources, and
the great value of the immense store of facts
which he has collected His two volumes form
great treasure-house of knowledge. While
of the school of Buckle he is measurably free
from the errors of fact of that theorist, though
quite as sweeping and hasty in his generaliza-
tions. But while grateful for the multitude
and systematic classification of DR.. Draper's
facts, and thankful for his clear and pictur-
esque narrative, We are not obliged to accept
his deductions. The work is worthy the atten
tion of all who make pretensions to culture or
who aspire to wide knowledge, and in the pres.
ent convenient and low-prced form is within
SILVER PITCHERS. By Louisa NJ. Alcott. Pub
lished by Roberts Brothers, Boston. For sale by
Loring, Short s. Harmon.
A volume of short stories in Miss Alcott's
irrepressble style. That which gives its name
to the volume is the history Of the temperance
crusade of three girls who by their brightness
and charm did a good work for the cause.
"Transcendental Wild OATS is very interest.
ing and curious sketch of model community.
"By the River, for all its sadness, has more
Imagination and poetic quality than is usual in
the authors writing Independence is a
pretty Centennial story. For the rest they are
in Miss Alcott's we'll known style, earnest
unconventional and bright, with tendencies
toward extreme festivity of expression
and decidedly pronounced views of llfe-but
very genuine in its way.
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATE. BY George
Bancroft. Centenary Edition. Vol. v. Boston:
Little, Brown s. Co. For sale by Loring, Short
& Harmon.
The fifth volume of the Centenary edition
of Bancroft covers the time from the assemb-
ling of the Continental Congress in midsum-
mer 1775, to the occupation of Philadelphia by
the British in September 1777. OF the remark
able merits of this edition of the standard
American history, mention has frequently
been made in these columns, and there is no
need of indulging in repetition of praises. An
other volume, to be issued in July, completes
the work.