The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-04-27

Canoeing in Kanuckia is the lively if not
precisely musical title of an exceedingly pleas
ant book for which Mr.. @. L. Norton and Mr..
John Habberton are responsible (New York:
U. t. Putnam's Sons; Portland: Loring, Short
u Harmon 1t is illustrated in comical fash
Ion, with more spirit than skill, and is ded-
icated to the memory of the late King Canute,
tribute which distance aud time alone pre-
vent his acknowledging by cable. 1t seems
that disputes ran high in a select circle
composed of the Statesman, the Editor, the
Artist and the Scribbler as to the relative mer-
its of their canoes, two of which were of the
Chrysalis pattern, two built upon the Red Lake
model. A journey through Canada 10 these
canoes was the result-verdict, each better than
the other. The adventures of the boats and
boatmen are told 10 chatty, lively style, some
chapters are added as to the building of boats,
prices, outfits etc. etc., and the whole volume
is just the thing to take upon a fishing or boat
ing trip-where pleasant jollity is the order Of
the day The tasteful binding of the book de-
serves word of praise all to ITSELF
who used to write for old-time magazines, and
was known vaguely as "a Lady Of Qaality"-
but they lack the construction, energy and fin.
ish OF writer who takes pains and works in
good, practical fashion. Again, as in this case
very minute and overdons analysis takes the
place of action where the characters speak
healthily for themselves, and the writer's part
in the work is more conspicuous than that of
the hero and heroine. There is not enough In
cident to make the story move-aud the reader
Is obliged to take upon hearsay things that he
would learn for himself by the progress Of the
action. This amateurish quality is the danger
to these novels-and one which 1t is better and
less unpleasant to critcise In their general tone
than to aim the rebuke at one in particular.
There is enough brightness, but not enough
good work in them. The present volume is
perhaps as much like Mrs. Rose Terry Cooke
as any writer-but might be from the pen Of
any refined, thoughtful and observant New
'England woman, with an eye for quiet humor,
and little lack of physical vitality-which
last trait is not to be ascribed to the pleasant
writer just named, if her stories are a sample
of her quality. Gsmini is to be commended
for its high tone, graceful style, and the con-
slant interest of its story, and will bs found
one OF the best novels yet published in the
very popular series to which it belongs.
Poke O'Moonshine, is a legendary poem of
theLamoille Valley, written By Mr.. Latham
U. Strong NEW York: G. P. Putnam's Sons:
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon) The
legend upon which it is founded is very ro-
mantle, and we'll suited to the purposes of
poetry; and Mr. Strong has treated it in smooth
and agreeable verse. little resembling that of
MIR. Joaquin Miller, but free from the extrava-
ces.of that writer. Mr. Strong gives evidence
OF musical ear, imagination and fancy, and
considerable poetic taste. He has read m uch
good verse. evidently, and has formeda pleasant
and effective style for himself, without copying
any one poet too closely. Briefy,the poem may
be characterized as graceful unpretending and
refined The very tasteful binding, with moon
light scene in silver and black, is appropriate
and unique.
Two volumes of the Half-Hour Series Of
Messrs Harper contain A Sussex Idyl, a
charming story by Clementina Black; and
Seven Years and MAR, pleasant tale by Anna
L. Sadlier. portland: Loring. Short & Har-
mon.)