The Portland daily press., 1877-02-24

Kismet (No Name Series; Boston: Roberts
Brothers. Portland: Loring, Short q Har-
mon). harmonzes in its fataistic title with the
piquant dsablerie that tinges this UNIQUE series.
1t is fresh and delightful romance which
promises well for the literary future of its writ.
er who is said to be very young lady The
local color OF the work is exceedingly 60 ID
both in description and artistic feeling; and to
have interpreted SO we'll the mystic brilliance
OF Egyptian scenery implies much Imaginative
power as we'll as that of delineaton The con-
struction OF the story is not especially goed but
the dialogue is easy and bright, and the author
has picturesque sense of words together with
capabilities for real beauty and pathos The
characters are pleasantly, though not remark
ably drawn; the hero in the world-w weary but
noble vein; the heroine with the irresponsible
gush, the extraordinary ignorance of appear
ances and skill in managing her own affairs
which form the curiously compounded nature
of the American maiden-at least in fiction.
In brief, Kismet is a very agreeable addition to
the novels of "Amours de Voyage" such as
the brilliant example of Mr.. William Black has
made popular, those in which human passions
are emphasized or contrasted by careful and
distinct pictures of scenery. The author of
Kismet will undoubtedly improve much with
experience and the ripening of the artistic
qualities which she manifestly possesses
Messrs Harper to whom, by the way, it is
due to say that their publications show almost
invariably an earnest desire to popularize the
best literature-have published very suitable
library edition of Mr.. William Blacks Prin-
cess of Thule, in uniform style with Madcap
Violet and with the works of George Eliot and
other standard authors. No more exquisite
novel than the Princess of Thule has been
written in late years-its wonderful pictures of
sea and sky the delicacy, force and beauty Of
its manner, merit the most unqualified praise,
needless here, because the novel has been so
universally read and appreciated. The present
edition will be found desirable in size, type and
binding. For sale by Loring, Short & Har-
mon.
The Sunmaid, by the author of "Artiste,'
Victor Lescar, &c. New York: Harper Brothers;
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon, is very
brilliant novel of life at the foot of the Pyre
nees. The plot is romantic, although its actors
are personages from the elegant existence of
Paris and London who have sought the retire.
ment of the Basque country. Sir Gilbert, the
hero, is fine character, brave. honorable and
full of fine and sincere impulse. The heroine,
Madame Zophee, is original, brilliant and
charming, with the cosmopolitan grace and
national fascination that are the attributes of
the Russian woman. "The Sunmaid'' indeed,
has sparkle, elegance and absorbing interest
together with singular refinement of thought
and design.
''Weavers and Weft,' by Miss Braddon.
New York: Harper & Brothers. Portland
Loring, Short & Harmony is we'll written and
has much interest, though not among the most
extended of Miss Braddon's romances. Thefe
is good degree of incident, and the plot is
well managed and dramatic.
'Anne Warwick, by Georgiana NJ. Craik.
New York; Harper Brothers.; Portland: Lor-
Ing, Short s. Harmony is a novel which dig
plays talent, originality and quiet strength Of
deineation. The movement of the plot owes
but little to incident, but IS exceedingly we'll
and pleasantly developed.
"Out of the Cage" by George w Owen,
author of "The Lsech Club" New York: G..
W. Carleton & Co.; Portland: Bailey s. Noyes
is exceedingly coarse, undesirable and poorly
written. Notwithstanding its avowed good in-
| tentiou, the reader is led among such scenes
| and people as not only disgust him with them,
! but with the book and the author as we'll No
literary merit, and quite extraordi aary vulgar
| ity and stupidity of style is the mos: lanleat
verdict it is possible to proaouoce upon tue
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