The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-09-14
Recent Publications.

Pauline, by Hanford Lennox Gordon, New
YORK: q. p. Putnam's Sons; Portland: Loring,
Short u Harmony is q poem Of considerable
length, in blank verse. 1t is a story Of the
time OF the rebellion, although the romance Is
not connected with the incidents! of the war
but Is told by dying soldier to his comrade.
The poem contains many very good lines,
some of those descriptive of battle are forcbls
and fortunate. The verse is smooth, easy and
refined, with dignity and breadth of expression.
The cadences of Mr.. Gordon's verse show him
to have studied in the Tennysonian school,
Although pauline" is not poem of the high
est order, 1t evidences a good share of poetic
facility and talent. 1t has the merit of being
entirely American in Its subject and Is written
in manner that promises good work when
practice and some pruning Of fancy and ex-
preston shall have put Mr.. Gordon's talent in
Its best condition. OF the other poems con-
taned in the volume it may be said merely that
they are very inferior to the longer effort. The
Pioneer is a mild attempt at dialect verse,
that has not the least resemblance
to the picturesque expression Of the
West. 1t sounds like goody boy trying his
prettiest TO talk slang; and the quotation
marks that surround every phrase not strictly
in accordance with Johnsonian dictioD, gives
an apologetic and deprecatory air to the per-
formance. The rather elaborate effects Of
ALTERATION and assonance which are employed
in the poem give a still greater tone of palms.
taking and unnaturalness l'Manley" Is rather
better. The translation Of "My Hearts on
the Rhine" is easy and good. "Out of the
Depths is treated simply. but In a common
place style. "Isaber' is quite musical, but
also commonplace.
The Life of Madame de Ia Rochsfoucauld is
translated from the French. Boston: Hough-
ton & Osgood; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmon.( 1t is the story of the life OF one Of
those devout women of France whose religion
Is q romance, and whose self-abnegstion setting
Its foot upon the sublime, sometimes takes the
step beyond. Yet the tender earnestness Of
Nine. de Ia Rochefoucauld's pisty. the contin-
ued works Of charity in which she was en-
gagged, give poise and reality to the emotional
ecstasy of which her religion had SO large
proportion. She was the founder of the Society
of Nazareth and foremost in many benevolent
and pious works. These memoirs will be
especially interesting to Catholic readers.
Cleveden, by Stephen Yorke IN. Y: Har-
per Bros; Portland: Loring, Short s. Har-
mon). is a very charming told story and of alb.
sorbing interest. The plot is not intricate, bat
affords room for some excellent portraiture,
genuine pathos and refined and effective writ
ing. The fortunate ending Of the novel is not
the least of its merits.
Blush Roses, by Clara Francis Morse, Is in
cldded in Msssrs. Harper's very attractive
series of American Fiction portland: Loring,
Short & Harmony. 1t Is q story of French
boarding school life, of which the young hero
ines meet later in society. The story Is
piquant, original and refined. 1t is one of the
pleasantest novels Of the season.
Squire Paul, translated from the German Of
Hans Warning by Mary A. Robinson, is one Of
the volumes of Messrs. Harpers' Half Hour
Series cortland: IIoring, Short 8 Harmonl
and is an exceeding pleasant and well told
story, bright and in every way commendabls.
The translation is good.