The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-19
Literary Notes.

1t is said that 10000 copies of Mrs. Burnett's
Lass O 'Lowries have been sold in England dur
| ing the year and half since the book first ap-
| peared.
Twenty-one of the early poems of Longfellow
all of which except five have been rejected by
the author from his published works, have ap-
peared in London in a small volume Seven
teen of them were printed originally in the
United States Literary Gazette when the au.
thor was eighteen and nineteen years of age.
Lttell's Living Age, in its issue for the week
ending October 10Th, begins the publication,
from the authors advance sheets, of a new
serial story by George MacDonald. The new
story is entitled Sir Gibbie, aud promises to be
one of much interest.
Among the announcements at G. p. Put
nam's Sons are an edition of Bryant's Thana-
topsis uniform with the Flood of Years pub.
lished in 1877, an edition of the two poems
bound together, under the general title of
Bryant's First and East POEMS AID bearing on
the title the respective dates of publica-
tion, 1917 and 1876; cheap edition of Irving's
Sketch-Book, and American Colonial Litera-
ture, by Professor Moses Colt Tyler, forming
the first part of his History of American Liter
ature which is published in two volumes in
stead of one, as first announced.
The November Atlantic gives the opening
chapters of Mr.. Howells' The Lady of the
Aroostook, which promises to bs one of the
most thoroughly charming of all this authors
stories. His usual close observation, rare in
sight into character, subtle and delicate humor
and exquisite gracs of style are here shown in
full measure, and after reading this INSTALL
ment one is more than ever inclined to rebel
against the custom which now compels us to
read the best stories in monthly parts.
Beautiful naval extract from recent English
novel, Lilies Hazard; "'Lst go the painterp
shouted the coxswain, excitedly; it must bs
done. Oars ready? and the boat noiselessly
moved from her anchorage. you will never
pull her through that sea- they were surprised
to hear the lady say, 'and, she added, there is
only one way in which you can succeed
'Arrah! how, yer ladyship?' Jim inquired with
eagerness. Hoist the main sheet and mizzen:
then with single reach we will make Mala-
hide If the wind holds as it is,' was the calm
reply. 1t is very dangerous to tack in this
water, yer ladyship,' said the coxswain. tack
ing will not be necessary. Keep the sail free
and the helm well on hand"
When Talleyrand died. in 1887, he left yolu-
minous memoirs to be published in 1865 This
publication was postponed by Louis Napoleon
to avoid injuring the descendants of persons
mentioned in the memoirs. The period of post
ponement has passed; the Emperor has fol-
lowed the diplomat, and the speedy publication
OF the work is again promised. Singulafly able;
highly educated; the son of o nobleman; edu-
Gated in the Church and elevated to bishopric;
excommunicated, but secularized so that he
could retain his connection; Minister to Eng
land; refugee to and speculator in this coun-
try; Minister of Finance under Napoleon; in-
stigator of the death of the Due d'Enghien; the
foe to and plotter against the Emperor; foreign
Minister for Louis XVIII; Grand Chamber
lain and Embassador to England-when this
great outline is filed as it may in part be
through the memoirs, with clear statements of
the cause of this unaccountable act or the agent
OF that inexplicable event, what stream of
light will be admitted to dark places. Posthu-
nous memoirs have generally proved worthless.
Very few have ever realized expectation. The
character of Talleyrand, the events with which
he was connected, and the decision of Louis
Napoleon, all confirm the idea that his journals
will not bs like most, but filled with varied and
striking knowledge, which he certainly en-
joyed.