The Portland daily press., 1878-08-03
,ERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

Old Martin Boscawen's Jest is brilliant and
exceedingly readable novel written by Marian
g. L. Reeves, the author of wearithorne, and
Emily Read, the author of that exquisite prose
idyl In the Camargue. The scene of the ro-
nance is laid in Cornwall and in Brittany,
two localities that retain since antique time,
certain correspondence of tradition The
English part of the story, one fancies, is writ
ten by Miss Reeves-The Breton legends and
scenes could belong to no other novelist than
Miss Read. The plot of the story is quite dram
attic, but not especially noticeable while the
literary work is far above the common, ard the
chapters IN which the touch of Miss Read is 80
clearly recognizable are fairly exquisite. The
pathetic poetry of Brittany, the dusky glow of
its skies, and sad monotony Of its shores, are
transferred with rare fidelity and feeling in the
scenes of the novel, whose happy ending allows
a brighter tone than that of In the Camargue,
of which the sadness shuts down like the end
of gray, stormy day. New York: d. Apple
ton; Portland: Dresser, Mcclellan & CO..
Klrogan Cottage is story of life in Ireland,
well and pleasantly told by Matilda Despard,
and published in Messrs. Harpsrs' Library of
American Fiction, to which-though it has
only reached its sixth volume-one already
looks with confidence for fresh, readable and
well-selected novels. portland: Loring, Short
& Harmony
Six to One is lively story of Nantucket
society by Edward Bellamy, brightly and agree
ably told, though with no very marked degree
of talent. 1t will pass an afternoon of the
summer vacation very pleasantly. New York:
G.. p. Putnam's Sons; Portland Loring, Short
&HarmoD.)I
Among the inexhaustible little volumes of
Messrs. Harpers' Half Hour Series Portland:
Loring, Short g. Harmony are Back to the Old
Home, quiet story, but told with the feeling
and beauty that one associates with Mary Cecil
Hays novels; The Lady of Launsy, pretty
little tale of true love, by Anthony Trollope,
and the Curate of Orsisres, dreary and not
very agreeable story, translated from the Ger
N an of Otto Roquette, by Mary A. Robinson,
who translates fairly,l but with. no special
grace or aptitude.
Somebody Else is an amusing and witty little
extravaganza by Mr.. G. z. Lsthrop. Its merit
consists more in the bright points that occur in
the dialogue than in the story itself, which is
irresponsible to the last degree. But it Is
bright, refined, and will be very entertaining
volume for summer reading, and when one is
too much confused by the mistakes of identity
and preposterous comic scenes of the story,
he can lapse languidly off into sleep, under
the trees, and give himself away to the severely
consequent logic of dreams.
| An indispensable manual for the political
student and for all men who take an active and
intelligent interest in public affairs is the Hand
Book of Politics for 1878, by the Hon. Edward
Mcpherson, late clerk of the United States
House of Representatives washington: Solo
mons & Chapman). 1t is an admirably ar
ranged record of the political history of the
country since the publication of the Handbook
of 1876, being brought down to July Is of this
year. 1t treats of the electoral commission,
the fnaHcial legislation of the last two years,
and all other subjects of interest which have
been brought to the attention Of our law.
makers, and gives in the form of statistics
vast amount of information concerning the
political, financial and industrial interests Of
the country. A full index renders its contents
instantly available. The sole agent for New
England is Charles E. Pierce, 264 Washington
Street, Boston.