The Portland daily press., 1878-12-21
Recent Publications.
Hasty Chances at Holiday hooks.

Hasty Chances at Holiday Books.
As the holidays approach the books come
crowding, and heap the reviewers table 10
admired confusion of romance, history, poetry,
fairy tales and nursery lore. Each no doubt
will find purchasers and recipients, tho msss-
ure Of whose content it will fill 20 the brius,
First-by right of courtesy, place aux danes,
for wsrlike Brynhild whose sword smose of
chains sHd nightly aided the oppressed--is an
exceedingly elegant reprint OF Mrs. Harriet
Bsecher Stoves great work, Uncle Toms
Cabin. What memories 1t is able to revive Of
the shudder and wrath that ran through our
New Eogland homes when the wrongs Of sla-
very were made known to them by this mas
terly description Uncle TOMS Cabin, as the
PREDATORY notes show, has world vide fame.
and is translated, in hundreds Of editions, into
all the languages of modern Europe Tue
present edition is published By Messrs. Hough-
ton & Osgood, Boston (For sals by LorIDg,
Short & Harmony. Mrs. Jsmeson's memoirs
written by her niece, Mrs. Gerardioe Macphsr-
son, is an interesting and remark ably veil
executed addition to biography. Mrs. Mac
pherson's style is clear, unaffected and grace
fol; and the readers admiration 10 not less en-
listed for her than for the more widely re-
nowned fame of the subject of the memoirs.
Some ungracious aud .upgenerous remarks m
the recently published diary of Miss Maltinesu
were the cause of this charming volume--as
they tended to give an unjust impression Of
ndrs Jameson, which the affection Of her niece
could not endure in silence, and mas refUted in
this direct and graceful manner Boston: Rob-
erts Brothers; Portland: Loriag, Shof: s aar-
men. The wonderful poem Of William Cullen
Brysnfs youth, Thsnatopsis, appears as boli.
day volume published By Messrs. Putuam's
Sons, Of New York portland: Lo,ing, Shoss s.
Harmony. The illustrations by Mr. Linton are
imaginative, grave aud powerful, as suit tho
poem they accompany. 1t is very appropriate
that this great, early song of the venerable poet
Do published 10 notable form At the close Of the
year that saw his death. The Blessed Life In
the title of lirtle volume of familiar aud
favorite by compiled BY the editor of TIE
Qaiet Hour. The Contents are selected with
much taste and care from the choicest dsvo-
tioaal poetry; and the volume will commend
itself as suitable and acceptable gift for ths
Christmas season. 1t will DO to very many
readers q continual source of comfort aud en-
joyment Boston: Roberts Brothers; Portland:
Loriog, Snort & HsrmoD.) Mrs. Celia Thax-
ter's volume Of poems, Driftweed, Is one Of the
choicest OF the season. The fresh, womanly
tone of her work; Its freedom from the blignted
quslity that somewhat pervsdes the work Of
many OF the most graceful feminine pens; her
ease and prsctced freedom in the treatment
of metres, and natural melody and richness of
song-give to Mrs. Thaxter place among the
foremost of the women poets Of America.
Boston: Houghton g. Osgood Portland: Lor-
log, Short 8 Harmony. The poems OF Mrs.
Sarah Helen Whitman are notable for their
delicAcy and strength. They have a lingering
tone of the fashion Of fifty years ago-and
little initiation of wording that was trait pre-
vsling at that time before the modern swift
ness of passion and music of phrase had been
attained. Mrs. Whitman was at one time
bstrothed to Edgar Poe, and her verse naturally
derived much from his influence. In 1860 shs
published a work entitled Edgar Poe and his
| Critics-of which Mr.. Curtis wrota a sympa-
l thetic and warm-hearted review in the columns
| OF Harpers Weekly. The poems of Mrs.
Whitman are published by Houghton 8
4 OSsoous DOotOu AL okkiduus OuOIL O
| Harmony. The well known hymn by Aq-
| gustus Toplady, Rock of Ages, is pnb.
ished as q gift book, with illustrations
| by Miss L. B. Humphrey. (Boston: Lee
| q Shepard; Portland: Dresser & McLellsn)
| Messrs. Harper's valuable series of biographies
l of Eaglish Men of Letters includea a memoir Of
| Shelley, from the pen of Mr.. john Addington
Symonds. and which gives clear aud reliable
history compiled from various sources, snd
dnely executed. of the brief, brilliant life of
1 he poet. Portland: L0ring, Short & Harmon. J
The Life Of Washington Aiiston is the subject
/ Of another volume Of Mr.. NJ. f. Sweet
ser's Artist Biographies, which are prov
ing themselves of great value as AZ
fording condensed and convenient in
formation. (Boston: Houghton & Osgood /;
Portland: Lorine, Short s. Hsrmon.) Mr.. J.
j. Patt's volume Of poems, entitled House aud
Home Boston: Houshtop & Osgood; Portland: |:
Lorug, Short & Harmony is notable among
the poetry of our day and country for its
strong and original quality, its force Of
uervs and beauty Of wording, and
for Its distinctly western tone-not ths
picturesque barbsrity or the superby auda-
oous sbsardity Of Joaquin Miller and Bret
HaEte, not the conspicuous, transitory phases
of western lfe-but its best esseUce, the
strength aud ferv0r of the spirit of the men
who will give to the West its solid wor aud
significance in the councils of the Union. Mr..
Pats fancy is rich, and his expression Is usu-
ally striking. dramatic and poeticsl. The
Blessed Bees is the pretty title of manual Of
Bookkeeping, pleasantly written 10 the form Of
4 sfor hr TDhx ~ n
Patnam's Sons; Portland: Loring, Short s.
Harmony A Short History of the Freuch
People Boston: Henry A. Young & 90. /;
Portland: Loring, Short s. Harmony is trans
lated from the French Of NJ. Paul Lscomoe.
aud gives rapid aRd comprehensve sarvsy of
the history of France, with its extraordinary
ups and downs. from the days Of the sooient
Gauls to the Revolution, with an additional
chspteE upon the political ecouomy Of the pres
snt times, in general terms rather than as d.
rect comment upon Ftance as it exists. Mrs
Mary Neal Sherwood's translation Of The Lit
sIe Gooofornothing, of Alpnonse Dsudet, is a
l good translation of an undesirable book. (BSs-
too: Estes s. Lsuriat) Raymoude, by Andre
rheuriet is ipcladed in Messrs. Applesou's :
New Handy Volume Series cortland. Dresser
| u mcLellan) anu Is readable aud pleasant
story, much in the vein of the authors varia-
lions UPON theme of Miss Rhoda Broushton.
N. Theuriet has the honor to import into
French romance the fast Young lsdy with
auburn curls who figures SO largely 10 curreut
English fiction, and whose faults are stoued
for by her babbling naiUete in way thas is
l easier to effect on paper than 10 actual life. A
Face Illum,ned is a story by Mr.. e. T. Ros
New York; Dodd, Mead & Co. Portland: Lor-
ing, Short & Harmony 1t is come what com.
monplacs bat written with good purpose, aud
will interest many readers. The personal
"reminiscences of Mr. R. B. Forbes-an adgeu-
turous citizen of Boston, VINO wandered the
seas over, and settled down after his voyages
for comfortable existence with the othsr good
people Of his town-sre contained in q volume
published By Messrs Little Sc Brown ofBos-
ton portland: LoriDg, Short s. Harmon J II
will be of especial interest to the circle of hi.
kinsfok and friends. Messrs. Harper of New
York add to their popular and low priced
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