The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-05
Recent Publications.

mencement of the Christian Era to the Pres
eut Time, is volume written for the use of
students of music by Prof. Bonavia Hunt of
Trinity College. London, (New York. Charles
Scribner's Sons; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmony 1t is arranged upon a plan which,
differing from that of other histories of the art,
has some advantages. 1t is written with a view
to subsequent examinations of the student by
means of questions appended to the work. and
is in consequence little dry and unattractive in
style 1t aims, in fact, to be a work for study,
and is not especially designed. as are some
other musical histories, to interest aud
instruct the amateur. The first section
contains biographical sketches of mu-
sicians, the enumeration of their principal
works, and comprehensive sketch of tne
notable epochs of musical history. The second
section is made up Of chronometrical charts,
ingenious in design, aud of value as aiding to
arrange events and artists in their relation of
time-but unat.ractive except to the student
preparing for examination upon these topics.
The third section recounts the history of the
art itself = from the development of the
modern system of harmony it traces the course
of music through the centuries, fettered by the
curious contrapuntal puzzles Of the Flemish
school, set free by the brilliant and dramatic
song of Italy, or the rich orchestration of the
German School of which Beethoven may be ac-
couutsd master. Prof. Hunt distinctly says
that this volume is intended for text book, and
the care, accuracy and excellent consideration
of the subject fit it for its destined purpose;
yet such work will not be likely to reach,
nj md ipHn lave
such History of Music as the admirably ar
tistic volumes of Prof. f. L. Ritter of Vassar
College-a work to which Prof. Hunt, indeed
frequently refers for facts and criticism, and
which, accurate in its historical view, is per
vaded with the artistic quality of musician
to whom the beauty and spirit of music far ex
ceed tie worth of its accidents of history
Messrs. Harper's franklin Square Library
receives a valuable addition in volume Of
Selected Poems of Matthew Arnold, that charm
the reader by the large and serious majesty Of
their manner, the rich and unmsasured bursts
of poetic expression, and certain isolation of
thought 1t is true that Matthew Arnold is
not among the masters Of musical technique of
words-but his unrhymed, unequal measures
have grandeur, lawless aud yet self-restrained
for example such poems as The Strayed
Rsveller, and The Future. In tha same series
are also published Among Aliens, well-tod
story of artist life in Rome, by Mrs Frances E.
Trollope; and The Baoble Reputation, a novel
by Mrs. Katharine King, too long and finally
too abrupt 10 its denouement like a charge of
guupow Ter fred by slow match. cortland:
T,orinp Short &, Harmon
Prof. Quackenbos has prepared an exceeding
ly valuable work for students, The Illustrated
History Of Ancient Literature. (New York: Har-
per Bros; Portland: Loring, Short s. Harmon.
1t contains much curious and interesting learn.
ing relative to the earliest period OF writing,
giving clear and comprehensive view of the
literature of the ancient Oriental tribes; the
rise and progress of poetry and prose in the
Greek and Roman empires and giving numer-
Gus translatiOns as examples. 1t will be found
of great assistance to the special student of
language and letters; and its agreeable and
compact manner of conveying information
adapts it for the large class of readers, who,
without devctng themselves to ths study as a
speciality, wish to enrich their pleasure in read
ing by some idea of the history of literature
and the relations OF the Languages.
Messrs Harper's Half Hour Series includes
Primer of English Literature of the Classical
Period, written by Mr.. Eugene Lawrence,
which gives very readabls and compact sketch
of the time of which it treats. The short bio
graphical notices of the principal authors of the
middle period of English literature, are spirited
aud clear in style. Other volumes of the series
contain the papers from the Spectator which
relate to Sir Roger de Coverley, with agreeable
notes By Mr. w. Henry Wills; and Prof.
Presseusee, Materialist aud Inventor, story
written with excellent purpose and skill BY Mr..
John Esten Cooke; and the Romance of A
Back Street, by f. w. Robinson. Portland:
Loring, Short s. Harmon.
Tae memoirs of Van Dyck are now added to
MIR. NJ. E. Sweetssr's series of Artist Biogra-
phies; aud this volume, like the othsrs, is relia-
bly, and attractlvely written Mr.. Sweetser is
exceedingly genial in his records Of the lives Of
the great artists and proves himself to possess
the first requisite of portrait painter, whether
with brush or pen-sympathy with his subject.
Speaking of Van Dyck's well known picture of
the children of the Earl of Strafford, the writer
allows himself sentence somewhat comic in
effect: "Auother interesting picture shows his
three children Lord William, in his sixteenth
year; Lady Anne in white satin, and Lady
Arabella."