The Portland daily press., 1878-01-12
Recent Publications.

The AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF Edward Gibb0n (Bos-
ton: j. R. Osgood & Co. Portland: Loring,
Short & asrno0) which is included in the Sc
ries edited by W. d. Howslls, is valuable rsth-
er because of the great eminence of the subject
in his department of literature than for person.
al interest or individual attraction-so large a
component of the biography of Godoni, pre-
cedng volume of the same seris5. Mr.. How
ellis gives lively and evliently inst sketch Of
the character of Gibbon. whom he designatss a
snob. while he pronounces brilliant and warm
e llogy upon the historiao's STYLE The man who
recorded the,story of a nation with such force
and magnifcence, made somewhat sorry and
even laughabe figure in his private biography
In early lifs he was engaged to marry Mile.
Susan Curchod, who later became Mme. Neck
er aud the mother of Nine. de Stael. The IA
ther of Gibbon opposed ths marriage coatem-
plated, and the youth, to use his own words,
"sighed as lover whils he obeyed as a SON.
the commands of the caprice of his father.
Viewed in the light of this mild and well-regu-
lated romance, how wholly in character was the
latest act of Gibbon:
AT twelve he drank some brandy aud water from
teapot. About quarter before he
ceased to breathe.
AuuCcO OlouuJ Wdbcr lrOm teapot
seems to be the fitting beveragein in its miuglngo of
and the lawless innocuous-for Mr.. Gibbon. He
appears to have been an exceedingly careful and
conscientious writer, whose sup perb command of
rhetoric was alike the result of genius and
study A born historian, he shed floods of light
over the annals that his pen illuminated; his
life was enriched by acquaintance with many
eminent men; and though lacking the rich and
generous impulses Of warmer natures, he ap-
pears to have led an honest worthy life, i'm
proving his resources and acting like an En-
glish gentleman and man of letters His biog-
raphy, sdmirs bly, arranged by Mr.. Howells, is
valuable and agreeable addition to the series.
Poems of the Old South, illustrated, (Bos-
ton: W. Z. Gill & Co. Portland: Dresser s.
McLsllan) is volume 10 holiday dress, con-
tanning poems by various prominent writers in
behalf of tue ancient landmark of New Eng
lands liberties, which has lately been threat
ened by the Vandals of architecture aud the
Goths of gain. Mr.. Longfsllow's Ballad of the
French Fleet il powerful and has a distinct sea
SAVIOR, and true dramatic spirit DR.. Oliver
Wendell Holmes is, as ever. appropriate. feel
ing and facile in style. Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe's contribution opens with great show of
mental muscularity, but soou falls fiat. 1t also
contains such rhymes as stint and content,
jotn and diUine-opening out into fearful
vistas of vagary in the pronunciatory meth
DDS Of the strong-minded among women
Finest and most worthy of all these poems
is that of Mr.. Whittier; in its genuinely an.
tique tone, its tense phrase and rich dusky col
oring of words recalling the poetic fervors of the
prophets of the Old Testament. Mr.. Whittier's
genius seems to have taken on a new youth in
the richness, true passion and music of his verse,
never quite as entirely artistic as as the pres
ent time. Poems by Mr.. e. E. Hale aud Mr..
James freeman Clarke are, as a matter of
course, good and written with earnestness, but
as verse, are not especially notable.
1t is rather more gratifying to those curious
in literature than favorable to the memory of
Charles Lamb that the Poetry for Children,
written by him and his sister, has been re-
vived and reprinted. In no department of
literature has greater change taken place or
greater progress been made than in that of
writing for children. A few immortal classics.
nursery tales and song, survive all temporary
fAshions-but the contrast is striking between
the stories told to our grandparents aud those
exquisitely natural and bright books Of which
our holiday market is full. These poems of
Charles and Mary Lamb are conventional,
weak aud stilted, aboundng in iaiceless NOR
ais; and the quaint quality of Elias talent
seems here straight and bare as bean pole
before green leaves and perfume and tender
1aaf md 10, -
rhymes are preposterous, and her cut-and-dried
teaching is very mummy of morality. (Pub-
lished by Scribner s. Armstrong, New York;
Portland: Loring Short g. Harmony
Windfalls, by Thomas G. Appleton (Boston:
Roberts Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short s.
Harmony is collection of essays upon various
topics, written in an easy style. Mr.. Apple
tons work is entirely Bostonian; its qualities
excellent aud less desirable, are appropriate to
the locality. It possesses considerable imagin-
alton rather of the brain than Of instructive
fancy, and not of the most refined tpye or es-
pecially facile in management. His views
upon politics, as expressed in the essay en-
titled The Kingdom of the Commonplace,
though little Brahminical, are rather more
lively and illuminated thaa the average Massa-
chusetts political thinker is apt to compass.
Were the Slave States part Of the Nation
contains some exceedingly fine passages.
Among the lighter chapters, Three Months In
the Shadow, and The Loom Of the East are
notable, the frat for its genial tone and pleas
ant expression, and the second for Its grace and
interest.
Life Of Edward Norris Kirk, d. D. By Da-
vid o. Mears (Boston: Lockwood s. Brooks:
Portland; Dresser s. McLellau.) This Is
bulky volume, containing at length the expe-
riences OF Dt. Kirk, an influential preacher in
the sect to which he belonged. He began life
as lawyer, bat was much impressed with the
perils which appeared to him to surrouud
profession not Immediately connected with
polemical things He locked himself into his
room and stated in prayer his resolve to re- main
there until converted or corpse The former
contingency took place and Mr. Kirk emerged
successful preacher. He appears to have
been man of great energy, persistence aud
zeal and to have won In no common degree the
affection and esteem OF those around him. The
biography is evidently a labor of love and re-
CARDS every detail as of interest and value. The
volume contains much that is excellent and
also great deal Of very weak twaddle.
Good Old Times, by Elijah Kellogg Boston:
Lee & Shepard; Portland: Dresser s. McLel-
LAM is a graphic and interesting story of the
early settlers in Gorham 10 this state. 1t gives
lively and faithful picture of those days and
should be read By the rising generation of Maine
who need go through no bitter struggles with
Iudans and with want before they can enjoy
the comforts of home.
The Curse of Everleigh, by Helen CROWN
Pierce New York: G. w. Carleton; Portland:
| Bailey s. Noyes). A sensational but well-n-
tended novel OF average merit The situations
are meodramatic bat the influence of the book
| is good one, as showing how an inherited
curse OF evil disposition may be averted by sem
sib.e effort. The action of the story is rapid
| and interesting
One Happy Winter. By Mr.. s. s. Robbins