The Portland daily press., 1878-12-07
Recent Publications.

History NEW York: Charles Scribner's Sons:
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony is The
Normans 10 Europe, by the Rev. A. 81 John
SOC, historical lecturer to Trinity College, Ok
ford. The aim of the book is to present con-
nected view OF the Scandinavian exodus which
negan IN the ninth century and ended with
the Norman Conquest of EDgland The au-
tnor mas divided the exodus into two periods: :
tne hrst that in which the people Of Dsnmark,
Sweden and Norway harrassed Europe with
their inroads and formed definite settlements
IN the British isles, Russia and France: the
second that in which France itself became the
starting place for new series of incursions
led by men Of Scandinavian descent, who had
by that time adopted French customs ard
language To this period belong the settle
ments in Spain and Italy and the CONQUEST of
England. The Norman Conquest is made the
objective point, and the author contents him.
self with brief sketches of those settlements
which do not Intimately affect that event.
Ihis plan, It will be seen, does not include
full treatment of that mos. interesting of Nor
maa settlements, the one made in Italy. Toe
limits required by the character of the series
Will not permit that. But greater space is thus
given to the history of feudalsm and monasti-
cism, and to aa account of the methods of
Norman administration and its workings in
Eng and down to the close of Stephens reign.
The style of the author is vigorous and ami
mated, and he has given valuable sketch Of
the origin and progress Of the great Northern
movement that has shaped the history of mod
ern Earope.
Masque of Poets. No Name Series (Bos-
ton: Roberts Bros; Portland I.,ring, Short &
Harmony. This charming and ingeniously
planned volume is BY far the most notable of
is series The voices Of the poets here seem
like the winged choir singing behind thick leaf
sge-some sengs of them are not to bs mistak-
en-, again mocking-bird cries like robin or
trllls like woodthrush; and sometimes the
leaves part and we see the flutter of familiar
wings. Messrs. Roberts are fortunate in the
number and quality Of poets, of our own coun.
try and OF England. whose publishers they are
and the variety and worth which is thus af-
forded to the Masque Of Poets render it choice
and interesting addition to literature Its aver
age is quite equal to that of the poetry of the
best American magaznes-and one or two of
lantic-though half dozen occur which have
NO possible claim to the honors of print save
that they are of native growth 1t is a timor-
some task to assign the poems to their respec-
tive authors-so many snares may be laid for
the unwary feet Of a reviewer: some poets give
simply of their best, in their natural voice: 9TH
ers will initiate brother singers style; yet
again, the poet will even exaggerate his own
pecullarities, that his work bs mistaken-a
subtle bird crying off the nest-for an attempt
at the copying of his manner The vigorous
an high-ptched prelude has the fervor aud
sincerity Of Mr.. Bayard Taylor's voice, of
which the essential qualti.s never desert it for
an instant, even in his lightest work. Awaken
ing is poem which might bs written by any
one of dozen of the most refioed and graceful
of our women-poets, and has the warm touch
OF Mrs. Harriet Prescott Spofford-or some OF h.
or genuine woman. Bensdicam Domino has
something of SAKE Holm's tone. Toe quaint
grace and wholly Provene,l ring of Aucassin
and Ncolette must be credited to Miss Harriet
Preston's fine and critical studies of the Ro-
nance tongue. My Lady'S Voice has the color
less aud clear outlines Of Mr.. Frank T. Marzi-
81 "oAh' n 1nood VI SieOpatra IS plCturesQue
and rich enough to be the work of Mr.. r. FL
Stoddard. Carps Diem is perhaps by Miss
Dadu Fletcher. The sonnet on page 35 con-
tans some beautiful lines. Sunset-Soug is ut
terly silly, aud the on y compliment possible to
make to it's author Is not to make auy guess AZ
the name. To Alma is a set of three sonnets
stating that in spite of her mental shallowuess
and lack Of studious habits, with all her faults
he loves her still, +" aud this mixture of conde-
soending affection, self-analysis aud consequent
mental poise of superiority over the beloved one
must bs the creation of Mrs Alice Wellng-
ton Rollins. Husband aud Wife sounds like
Mss Ingelow's poorer work. A Song b. the
Way is not cheerful, bat has some excellent Ca
dences; it is not easy. however, to say what po-
ct is so young and so dyspeptic. The very next
poem-it must be DR.. Holiness wise wit and
lancet-lke pen-seems like the answer of
healthy coed sense to the foregoing wall. The
stately, thoughtful @ Qlstrsins souni like j. j.
Piatt. On Appledore belongs By hight of free
hold Of the barren, songtul island to Mrs Celia
Thaxter-only it is so obviously her work that
1T must have been written by some body else.
Starightis one Of the trapezs performances OF