New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
"rur RACuFLORp AGAIN.
" THE bAILtELbh AbH'+N'
.no--,r ~ !, e1,OpV TETIFPs Bv DONALD q, MITCHELL
NV - mo no 2@7. ScrbGer Armstrong, q CO.

.porTorI sroRy.TFILFRs. BY DONALD q. MITCHELL
~ mo pp 2s7. ScrbGer. Armstrong, 60
In this charming volume, the beloNco IN
Marvel OF nearly quarter Of century SINCE rehearses
en-, l ~ some favoria old storyelers. with all tho
freshness and grace Of his early youth hut the most dc
sbtfl passes Of the book those In which he reap
pears in person upon the stage, recountng the eNpe
euces his boysh days al school, describing ms rst IN
pressons Of the great authors whom he now eommemo
rates and recalling auonce which they eXeried on ms
youthful feelings and purposes. The Arabian Nien's'
Goldsmith Swift Defoe Maria Edgeworth, Sir Walter
Scott and other names which fade from the mem
orv of the lovers Of literature afford tie occasion for
series Of personal "reminiscences which VIII renew ue
tie so gracious and friendly which has always existed
between the author and his throng Of cheerful readers
One OF the most agreeable sketches in the vol
ume is devoted TO Miss Edgeworth whose
"honesty and common and good man
ners and good morals and all chariues" are
noted vita warm and lust appreciation I'm my school
DAYS" SAYS Mr. Mitchell the fellow who had not read
'Eton Montem. and Forester and Waste Not Want
Not was not counted much OF reader" 81 don't
think" he continues. Il shall forget 10 the last day OF
my lfe the long white chalk near punishable where
Paul and his little sister 'scotched the wheels OF the
chases that went tong up, that the horses might
take breathng-Spell. The story in the Parents
Assistant and there was quaint old cut showing Paul
with his scotcher' and sister Anne and the old grand
Misunderstanding the guinea which had been given
the children nv accident Would he keep III would ne
return i'll or knew how it would be; ana INC
sturdy honesty and pluck Of the lad as he went busting
through the np-yard Dunstabe more refreshing
than the eighth commandment repeated ten times
over Some OF made 'scotchers 20 look Ike
Pauls, out OF blocks and broom handles out
there were no chaisc-whCeis and no long chalk
hills 10 help us out; and guineas dropped into
our hats by accident otherwise II there had BEEN
think we should have caught--a the samc-the mfec-
ton Of good Miss Edgeworths Straightforward honesty
Healthy CHEEKY unheSatng honesty, is always catch
ing In this recent production. Mr. Mitchell has ost
nothing Of the fascination in the OF words which
throws the magic OF poetry around prosaic details
His apness OF expression produces the most admirable
effects with the simplest means, giving perpetual
charm to his compositions and bcguiling the hearts OF
his readers by the melody OF his language as well as by
the beauty Of his descriptions. The exquisite illustrations
Of the are perfect keeping with lhe refinement
and purity Of the eteIpess sketches They are models
of spirited design aud delicate execution, consprlns
with the natural grace and artistic finish of the contents,
90 complete volume less agreeable to the eye than
enticlug TO the literary taste.