Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-10
Literary Reviews.

Literary Reviews.
FIVE THOUSAND IN GOLD. Boston: Oliver
Ellsworth Co.-This is a very pretty story pub
lshed anonymously. 1t is particularly appropri- |
ate to the hard times now prevailing when bust
ness embarrassments and failures are prevalent |
Though inclined to be somewhat stilted" in
spots, it is nevertheless a tale Of interest and
merit, prettiy presented to the public in becom
ing dress For sale at Phinney's
BLUFfroN by NJ. J. Savage Boston. Lee &
Shepard. The scene OF this tale is in the West,
but this will in manner detract from its inter
est for Eastern readers Some Of its incidents
and accidents at first might little over
drawn but for the fact that the author assures the
public that they are the ones for which most of
the foundations facts The story is good,
Astounding in lively dialogue and discussion, and
we predict very good success for it. For sale at
Phnney's
HIS INHERITANCE By Adene Trafton Boston
Lee & Shepard.-The literary reputation of this
lady was so fully established by her former books
-" An American Girl Abroad" and Katherine
Earle that the reading public will joyfully
welcome the latest product from her pen. The
scene Of this story is in the far West and on
many accounts, il Of unusual interest. 1t is re-
markably well written-perhaps better than any
previous story by this writer-and cannot fail to
attract much attention. The style is the same
condensed and practical one that has always
characterized Adelne Traftons works. and may
be taken as model OF terse, comprehensive
diction. For sale at phnney's.
HAMMERsMIrH: ellis Harvard days" BY
Mark Sibley Severance, Boston: Houghton, o.
good & Co.--This is one OF the most delightful
college stories we ever read 1t deserves to stand
beside tom Brown at Oxford" but it is far
more Ineligible to American readers, and, in our
opinion, a much more interesting story. OF course
it is founded on the college experience of the
author. 1t has the genuine sparkle Of reality
about it, abounds with interesting events, and al
together is so natural AS to send one back TO his
own college days with sigh OF regret In a
word, it is just precisely the book that every COL
lege man will want, but its interest is by no
means confined to colegians. Phinney keeps it,
In THE WILDERNESS By Chas. Dudley Warner
oUstun rIUugnIon, osgood Uo-Most If not all Of
the sketches Of which this book IL composed have
appeared in the Atlantic Monthly previous to their
issue in book form. The book consists OF seven
short stories Of tour in the Adrondac region !;
| the seventh is most perfect travesty on Victor
| Hugo's style, by Reader of '93'" The
| nimtabe humor throughout the book is very en-
| ioyable. lu all of Mr.. Warner writings the wit
is neither coarse nor obscure. 1t is pure, legiti-
mate wit, sparkling and delightful. OF course,
| thousands have read and enjoyed these sketches
| in the columns Of the Atlantic, and those who
have not cannot find better investment than to
purchase and read them. Phinney keeps it.
WATCH AND WARD. BY Henry James, Jr
Boston Houghton, Osgood & Goa novel by
Henry James, Jr., is always welcome" Watch
| and Ward " particularly so. The story is of a
young man, who, after proposing to one lady,
finds and adopts an orphan, whose father has
| committed suicide He carefully rears and edu-
Gates the girl and finally determines to marry her
| himself. But there must be nothing OF gratitude
| for her education, etc, in her love for him He
wishes to leave her free to choose for herself and
thereby nfets numerous and grievous trials on
both himself and the girl, which terminate hap
| PLY to the joy Of the hero, heroine and reader
There is nothing affected or artificial about the
book. 1t is natural and interesting throughout
and deserves as Of course it will receive, gem
erous welcome from all readers OF frst-class
novels. Phinney has it for sale
| RoTHMELL BY the anthor OF " That Husband
OF Mine" Boston: Lee 4 Shepard.-Those who
have read the former works Of this writer will be
somewhat surprised. Instead OF being light,
| witty story, Rothmell is m intensely dramatic
novel. As novel; 1t is very good and highly in
teresting. OF course there are numerous things
In 1t that are open to criticism but on the whole
| It IL very good romance. One may criticise
that which he Is utterly unable 10 better or even
equal, on the principle that the cat may look at
the king But after all there very many incon-
sistencies, and we were going to say almost vulgar
ties, in the book However, these are less noticea-
BILE nasmuch as all the interest OF the reader is
absorbed in the progress and detail OF the skiful
plot. Whatever faults are To be found in the
book it is certainly an interesting story, and will
undoubtedly meet with rs good success as former
books by the same author Tor authoress) Phn-
ney has it.
| VISIONS: A Study OF False Sight By Edward
II. Clark, NJ. D. Boston Houghton. osgood &
Co.--Ths book has received the most flattering
consideration from scientific men throughout the
country. As might be presumed, 1t is somewhat
scientific in its character, perhaps more so than
the average reader would relish; but the expana-
tions are clear and comprehensive that, with a
little patience the least scientific person can read
lily understand and appreciate them. To the prac-
tcing physician this work is invaluable as an ad-
junct and continuation OF his professional studies
Most of our readers will recoect work by the
same author entitled Sex in Education" which
attracted much attention at the time Of its publ
cation, and which, though somewhat in advance
OF public sentiment at the time 1t appeared, was
received with marked favor by the most intelli-
gent thinkers OF the country. The preface to
Visions was written by Oliver Wendell Holmes
the poet and physician who eommends the book
in the highest terms. DR.. Clark who died last
November has left behind him works which ties
tify to his culture and industry, and which have
given substantial and enduring name among
literary and scientific men. For sale at Phinney's
d. APPLETON & Co. OF New York, have giver
out two new series; one series OF novels know
as Appetons Handy Volume Series;' the othe
a series of educational works, known rs Iiterl
| ture Primers" OF the first mentioned we hav,
received the two first ISSUES" jet" by Ami,
Edwards, aud A Struggle" by Barnet Phillips
They are both very interesting stories, and II III,
list keeps up the promise Of these two, there
be no donbt OF Its popularity. The object Of Thu
issue OF novels set forth by the publishers, is u
meet the later developments OF the literary taste
OF American readers, which demands two things
frat, compact and lucid outlines OF historic o.
literary periods and stories which, while within
the compass of single reading, shall have tn,
characteristics OF the lengther novels; second
books which are Of convenient size Ms 10 b.
carried In the pocket and thus made available a
all times, in steamboat, cars, etc, The demand I
fully met by the appearance OF this neat, conyen
a lent and interesting set OF novels.
The second series above referred to Is of al
educational character, and the first issue Is OF
g. English Grammar Exercises" by Rev Richar,
Q Morris, Ii. d. and IL. c. Bowen, Al. A. Both O
/ these gentlemen occupy high positions in educa
tiona circles In England aud these little books ar
vast improvement ON the tedious method O
Q teaching grammar which has been 80 long In force
For sale at Phnney's