The New York herald., 1878-11-25
BAYARp rAyLon's NEW RELIGION.

"Prince Deukalion," lyrical drama by Bayard Tay-
lor (Houghton, Osgood Co.. BOSTON,, is one of the
most ambitious works Of erudite Minister TO Ger
many. The author furnishes clew to what would
be otherwise labyrinthino work, at least far
the full development of his conception to the under
standing of many. The central design is to picture
forth the struggle of to reach the highest ustes
happiest hence most perfect condition OF human life
on this planet. The end of all things being pre-
figured in their beginnings, the attainment of such
condition belongs to mans original destiny. But
knowledge, religion political organization art and
the manifold assumptions Of the animal nature. by
turns promote or delay the forward movement. make
after of promise decetfu and not
continually to assail the faith Of humanity in much
that it possibly may. and rightfuy should, possess.
Such struggle. prolonged through period Of more
than two thousand years. the author hath cndeavorcd
herein to present, using the device Of making per-
sonages stand for powers principles yet without
losing that distinctness Of yisage and those quick
changes Of blood which keep them near to the general
heart Of man." For this end Eos the goddess Of tho
dawn, Earth. Eros. Prometheus and other representa-
tive powers which influence mans career upon
earth arc introduced The passing away of
the NEUROLOGICAL faith before the dawn Of
Christianity is forth in the first act OF the drama
The voice OF the unthinking multitude is heard from
the lips Of . shepherd, and the delightful art and
poetry of the classic find beauteous interpreters
in the nymphs Prince Deukalion and Pyrrha rep
resent in theourse of the drama the ideals OF pos
sible manhood and possible womanhood. The
clssastical system Of the Middle Ages represented
in the second act in the person of Mcdusa. In act
ILL., the development of the ideas and thoughts of
the nineteenth century is portrayed and in tho last
act the veil of the future is slightly lifted to show
,1i, ofv in nf haf cor
diton Of life the attainment of which belongs to his
original destiny The poem. based upon such broad
principles il noble and dignied in all its details
save where the Of the nymphs, the muses., the
elements other poctca spirits permit the author
to depart somewhat from the grandeur
Of the subject and drop into tender and romantic
vein. The plaint of the nymphs is particularly
beautiful and may be compared to some of the pas
sages in Manfred" There are. indeed. In every
part of the work passages OF rare loveiness never
before equalled in the many inspired poems Of the
prolific author.
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.
ssrhe Mystery of Roaring Meg" is tho title Of Mr..
Farjeon's Christmas story. The name suggests Bret
Harte.
The AltenGnm gives Mrs. Francis Ann Kemble's
Records OF . Grlhood" very pleasant notice.
Mrs. Louise Chandler Moulton is the Anne ricsn
respondent Of the -GteaaNm. position fllcd with
grace by Miss Kate Field previous to her residence in
England
Edwin waugh's complete works arc to be published
in London by Christmas.
new volume by Richard Watson Glider, entitled
1.-THE Poet and His Master and Other POEMS, is an
nounced by Charles crbners Sons for the early part
Of December The same Arm have In press novelette,
by Charles dc Kay.
Flowers of the Sky is tho title Of Professor Proc
tor 8 Forthcoming book.
The first volume of Talboys wheeors History Of
India" has been translated into the French.
Mrs. Mortimer Collins has in press edition of
her husbands 1.-The British Birds
Mime. Mohl announces . reprint of her late hus-
bands yearly reports on Oriental literature in one
volume.
"Bjorn and Bera' is tho title of poem by
b. Montgomerie Ranking.
..Michelets History Of France is being repub-
lshcd.