The Portland daily press., 1879-09-20

Maugars, story representing society In
small town of France. The characters are
sketched with grace and point: the story is
agreeably told, though the construction hardly
is equal to Nine. Reybauds best work. 1t is
however, a very readable and delicately written
romance, and may be recommended without re-
serves.
The Distracted Young Preacher, by Thomas
Hardy; and Hester, by Beatrice May Butt
form together one Of the volumes of Messrs.
Appletons Handy Volume Series portland:
Loring, Short & Harmony. The first of these
is an exciting and readable story Of young
divine who loved a smuggeress-if such a
word be coinable. Hester is a sad and not
very healthful story quite well told, by the
author of Miss Molly, Delicia, etc.
The Barmaid at Battleton (Harpers Half
Hour Series; Portland: Loring, Short & Har-
mon) is an interesting and pleasant novelette,
from the pen of f. w. Robinson.
In the Half-Hour Series OF Messrs. Harper
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony is pub
lished Mrs. Mary Treats Chapters on Ants-a
little volume evidencing the closest and most
kindly observation of the little people of the
hill, exact and intelligent science of the en-
tomologist, and bright, feminine and attrac-
tive manner of setting forth the Information
which her work contains 1t is q most curious
and beautiful little book. Mrs. Treat has
already the honor of having a tribe of ants
named after her by DR.. Forel of Munich,
4ph@nogaster Treati; and the womanly way
in which she relates her discoveries gives grace
to their scientific details. One of the two
papers of which the little book is made up was
originally published in Harper's, the other in
Lippincott's Magazine.
Wayside Leaves, by j. Luella Dowd New
York: G. p Putnam's Sons; Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmony is a prettily bound and
printed volume of poems and prose reflections.
They are written with good intentions, but are
hopelessly commonplace. They are such writ
ings as the author may enjoy with her own
circle of friends who know the circumstances
under which they were written, and care for
them for the sake of the good feeling which
they express; but the public has right to re-
quire more literary qualification and skill in
writer who comes before it for favor.
The Life of Charles James Mathews. chiefly
Autobiographical, with selections from his cor
respondence and speeches, is edited by Mr..
Charles Dickens, and forms a very attractive
number of Messrs. Harpers Franklin Square
Library Series cortland: Loring, Short q
Harmony. The life of the stage and the green
room has always powerful charm-especially
for those who know it from the front. Anec
dotes of actors are always diverting and inter
esting; and it is suitable that the listener,
when he has been moved by the powerful inn
presentations of some great player, should
desire to know something of the circum-
stances of the actors daily life. Mr..
Matthewss biography is very pleasant
reading; he was man of gay and fortunate
temperament; improvident and impulsive;
ready for adventure and change. His letters
and journal arc bright and unaffected; and
they give much information about theatrical
affairs during the many years that Mr..
Mathews was an ornament of the English
stage. His wife was Mrs. Davenport the
favorite actress; and the glimpses OF their do
very pleasant, and honorable to them both.
1t is not possible to sketch the varied life OF
Mr. Mathews in a newspaper review; it must
be read and enjoyed in his characteristic letters
and journal. But this may be said that it
forms one of the most attractive volumes of one
of the best series of books-style, variety, liter
airy value, convenience and cheapness all con-
sidered-which has ever been printed by
Messrs. Harper or any other publishers.
The Second Part of Messrs. Harper's Ger
man Principia portland: Loring, Short q
Harmony is a Reading Book made up of selec-
tions from the best Fables of Lessing and otheI
German writer's, anecdotes, narratives and ex-
tracts from the legends in which German liter
ature is so rich. The volume is arranged pro-
gressively, from anecdotes in easy wording for
beginners, printed in English letters, to selec-
tions from classics in German characters.
Grammatical questions, notes and a vocabu-
larry will aid the student, and are convenient
in arrangement.
and Latin texts, for the use of schools and
academies, is Ciceronis Epistole Selecte.
Its compact form, clear type and neat and sub
stantial binding commend it to those buying
school manuals. portland: Loring Short &
Harmony
The Apostolic Fathers, and the Apologists of
the Second Century, by Rev. Geo. a. jackson.
(New York: d. Appleton & Co., 1879. "a mo Pr
203). This is the first of series of early Chris
tian literature primers, edited by Prof Geo. p
Fisher of Yale College. 1t opens with dozen
pages showing the value Of patristic literature
to the theologian and its interest for every well
informed Christian. Next follows chrome.
logical table showing the place of every Chris
tian writer in the first and second century.
These writer's are then taken up in order, and
abstracts and exact translations are given of all
their more important writings. To clergymen,
Sunday school teachers and to all who are i'll
terested in the earliest history of the church.
this "multum in paryo'' will be worth many
times its cost T.. H
Ethics or Science of Duty. By John Bascom,
(New York: G. p. Putnam's Sons. l6 mo PIP
37S). Al. admirable discussion of the whoie heId
of ethics, by writer who has very decided
views of his own, but who states also, with i'm
partial clearness and force, the views of those
who differ from him. In an introduction Of
half dozen pages, he explains the field OF
duty, and the limitations of our knowledge re-
specting it, The first book of 80 pages points
out the physical, intellectual and social condi-
tions of duty. The second book gives 20 pages
to discussion of the various theories of morals.
The third book occupies 237 pages in review
of the various forms of duty which we owe to
ourselves and to our fellowmen, and to God;
in the family, in society, in the State, and in
the church. The concluding book of 20 pages
is devoted to consideration of the develop
ment of duties, coincdent with the develop
ment of man and of society.
This brief resume shows what topics are
treated in the volume; and they are presented
with clearness both of thought and expression,
in a. form adapted to interest the general read
er, and yet to serve well as text book in High
Schools, Academies, and Colleges. TIL.