The Portland daily press., 1878-06-22
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

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faults-and 1t is this one on which depend
most of the disagreeable qualities Of this
novel-is the unfaillng tone of repulsiSe COARSE
ness, sometimes hidden under aowery heaps of
words, sometimes lurkiDs in description or
even masked in t1e guise of charitable or per-
haps religious thought-but existing every
where. This is not the honest, though unat-
tractive roUghness that is sometimes met among
novels of strong aud real merit, but a weak
and vicious quality, that has attained some
false refinement on the surface. 1t is not often
tlat q review is obliged to set forth so strongly
tie worse than worthlessness of book-for
literary failure is no crime. But when to
afectation and bad style book adds insidious
Oarseness, it becomes necessary to point out to
the public how little literary pleasure and how
much WEAKNESS and disgust will result from its
perusal. 1t is to be hoped that with its first
volume the Cheveley series ends
His Inheritance, by Adeline Traitor, author
OF An American Girl Abroad, Katherine Earle
sc. Boston: Lee g. Shepard; Portland Lor.
ure that one recognizes the ripening and
strengthening of Miss Trafton's talent; the
fresh, delicate quality of Katherine Earle is
not less noticeable in His Inheritance, while
the power and interest of the story are much
more sustained. This is novel thoroughly
American in its quality, and far more finely
touched than is apt to be the case with stories
of decided local coloring. The action begins in
post-station near the Indian country, and the
heroine, Blossom, is returning across the plains
after her school days at the east. The scenery
and life of the station are brightly and keenly
described, without oVermuch insistence of
scenic effect, and with 10 attempt to initiate
the characteristic humor of the country, ac-
cording to Bret Harte and his school of writer's.
Yet Miss Trafton gives many bright touches
OF comedy and the social life Of the garrison is
naturally and charmingly drawn. Mrs. Stubbs,
the suffers wife, is remarkab character;
and the fierce maternal love of this woman,
like that OF a tigress for her young is portrayed
with real dramatic power. Captain Elyot, who
is the hero of the story, is by no means COM
monplace hero; and his very faults are not of
the kind that are apt to dilute the interest of
the men in woman's novel. The plot is ex.
ceedingly well sustained and is original; the
style is clear, refined and often poetic, with no
trace of sffectation. MISS Adeline Trafton has
won for herself place among the best Amer-
can novelsts; and the solid and decided prog
ress which she has already made proves that
sne understands the need Of study in the nove-
lists art and will develop her exceptionally
fine talent in manner that cannot fail to en-
sure her the most gratifying and entire sue
cess.
The memorial volume containing poems by
Miss Millie Colcerd, together with q sketch of
her lovely life-of which the earthly years
were so early ended-is a singularlY touching
tribute to sthe young girl, the loss of whom is
felt, not only by those who knew her person
ally, but those also who were comforted and
gladdened by the religious poems that she
wrote. Although her poetic talent was very
decided, and was soon recognized, Miss Millie
Colcord took no especial pride in it, writing
only as her school tasks obliged her to do,
until her mother suggested to her that her
talent might be employed in praise of its Giver
From this time the thoughts and feelings Of
the young girl found their glad expression in
verse; and, thinking Of the innocent and ten
der lfe full of girlish pleasure, it is inpossi-
BILE to read her simple trastful and Joyous
poems without emotion. The memoir gives a
charming picture of her-bright, unselish,
with all the graces that make goodness Iowa
be-and in reading it ones sympathy goes
out toward the homo that misses 80 sadly her
song and her smile. Miss Mille Colcord's
poems are often musical and original, always
singularly delicate and fervent in expression,
I and filled with the most sincere and happy
piety. One of these poems which well repre-
sents the grace and spiritual quality of the
young writer's talent will be found upon our
fourth page. ~.
The memorial volume. which is entitled For
Thy Names Sake, will be found for sale BY
Messrs. Hoyt, Fogg s. Donham, also by Mr..
j. W. Colcord, 143 Pearl street.
Child and Woman, translated from the
German of Clementine Helon, by ]. Zitella
Cooke. (Philadelphia: James A. Moore; Port
land; Hoyt, Fogg g. Donham.) This Is q re-
markably beautiful story, delicate and lifelike
10 Ito anality, and possessing much interest
IL Is simple anc natural in style; and affords
no dreary pictures of Passionate metaphysics.
as German novels are apt to do -uhe trans
lator has done her work well; and proves NO.
self to be able &, write good and agreeable
English-an accomplishment not so general as
might be supposed. A pretty Easter poem by
Mrs. Cooke Is folded between the pages of the
novel, but came to hand too late for reprint at
the appropriate season.
Mine is Thine, by L. w. NJ. Lockhart New
York: Harper Brothers; Portland: Loring,
Short s. Harmony, is published in the Library
| Of Select Novels, and is written in an exceed
ingly bright aud entertaining style, with skill
and liveliness. The dialogues at times have
slight flavor of the society dramas tendency to
| cues and to predestined points-but are usually
| good. The heroine is very charming; and the
hero is successfully portrayed. Mine is Thine
is very agreeable and readable story, and
| quite bsyond the average novel of the day
The Godson Of O Marquis, from the French
of Andre Thuriet, is included in the Collect
tion of Foreign Authors of Messrs Appleton,
New York. portland: Dresser s. McLellan)
1t is gracefully and brilliantly written; its tone
is rather of the idyllic provinces of France than
of Paris; and the story is told with the skill
l auu CudIu buds Oud IUOho III tuo Doot
French romancss. 1t is with but little reserve
that this novel is to be warmly recommended
to the readers of light and elegant fiction.
Footprints in the Snow, by Dora Russell
(Boston: Loring; Portland: Lorng. Short &
Harmony is novel of good degree of power,
but rather narrowing. It's end perhaps iasti.
fies the means, however; although some read
ers will feel that the dreariness is rather pro.
longed, before the happy close of the story Il
reached. 1t is slightly sensational, but is fair
lY we'll written, and Is of refined and good
quality in every way.
Five Thousand il Gold (Boston: Oliver Els
worth s. Co.. is lively, unskilful, hastily pu
together story, but quite readable withal. The
style is stilted, especially in the dialogue, but
the intention is everywhere good; the writer
evidences much refinement and literary ambi