The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-04-14

lish temperament and English convention
alities Mr.. Barholm is also good. A hero Of
fiction is difficult parsonage to treat well; the
novelist is too often left to choose between the
muscular and uncivil man as depicted by the
author of Guy Livingston, or the milk-and
water ideal of the Heir of Redcliffe; but
10 this crucial test Mrs. Burnett scquits
herself well. Mr.. Derrick is man with
an identity beyond his mere role of
hero, vivid. rounded and distinct personation-
Another charm, to many readers at least. is the
spirited manner in which the characters are
left to speak for themselves; the autbor me-
where predisposes the readers Judgment by
her own impressions or assists it by explana-
tions; with much refinement of skill she keeps
herself aloof from the story. and tells it with
directness, force and beauty that stamp
with the touch of genius and make It one of the
finest novels of its time.
Nora's Love Test, novel by Mary Cecil
Hay. New York: Harper & Brothers. Port
land: Loring, Short s. Harmony is q graceful,
pleasant and well written novel. The heroine
Nora is quite irresistible with her pretty Irish
ways, and Mark is not at all the ordinary hero
of fiction, but a character possessing strength
and interest. The plot is well managed, and
is at times quite exciting. The minor charsc-
ters are good, and the bits of scenery are well
sketched.
Faithful Margaret, by Aunie Ashmore,
New York: Carleton & Co. Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmony will be found to be q novel,
of the most pronounced sensational order, one
of those that supply hebdomadal horror TO the
household in bo of ctr al
and are bound to contain at least one murder
il each installment, "prize in every pack
age The hero thus describes himself aud the
heroine: "Your purity, my simple Margaret
reminds me of the immaculate heights of snow
capped Gaurisankar-serene, majestic, while
/, lava-crusted, thunderous, cslcined volcano,
lasbed by the fires of many passions come to
cool my fevered blood by your chill radiance
From Dawn to Noon. By Violet Fame,
New York; Carleton & Co. Portland: Loriug
Short & HARMONY Is volume of short poems
in which the same qualities are evident as In
the authors previousi work, Constance's Fate
smoothness and facility in verse, q degree of
passion and some grace of expression, together
with much sentimentalty and want of poetic
reserve, commonplace thought, and an un-
healthful tone. Violet Fane's work seems like
the sentimental "Mes Larmes'' of the literary
Blanche Amorys that fourished some years
since, adorned with the verbal grace that who
ever reads much of the brilliant and musical
modern poetry can scarcely fail to adopt.
Notes.
Clarence Cooks eleventh instalment of Beds
and Tables, Stools and Candfesticks, In Scrib-
ner for May, brings his present series Of papers
to close. Mr.. Cook has received large number
of letters from those interested many Of whom
have made practical use Of his suggestions in
their house-furnishing 1t is said that ths'illus-
trations to this series have cost in the neghbor-
hood of 5000. The publishers announce that
during the coming twelvemonth Mr.. Cook will
have other illustrated papers in the magazine
on matters of taste.
G. p. Putnams Sons have in hand, under the
title of Academy Sketches, brochure contain
ing fac-simile reproductions Of drawings, by
the artists themselves, after one hundred Of the
principal pictures in the National Academy
Exhibition now in progress. A well-known art
critic will furnish descriptive notes. The fac
similes will generally be larger than those of
the illustrated catalogue. The publishers in
tend, if this venture meets with the encourage
ment which it deserves, to repeat it for every
spring exhibition.
Dr.. J. G. Holland has written Talk with
Big Boys" which is to appear IN st. Nicholas
tor May, the grand Spring nUmber. The aim
Of his strong and manly utterances In this arti-
Gle as announced by the publishers, ,is to do bat
lie in the cause Of temperance.
Professor Ritter Of Vassar College intends
continuing his History Of Music by adding .
volume to Music in America He wishes pro-
grammes of concerts, constitutions OF societies,
| aud all documents relating to musical culture
Il, ,,arioa IN ha sent him tn Aid this work