The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-14

powerful. 1t is a book which will do very much
in clearing the air between earth and heaven
OF the pestilent vapors risen from the cor
rupt morasses of false science over which
fit such delusive, feeble will-o' -the-wisps as
the adversary whom Mr.. Perry has honored by
selecting for annihilation.
The Age of the Antonines, By w. w. Capes,
M. A., of Queens College and Oxford, Eng
land, is included in Messrs. Scribner's Epochs
of Ancient History Series. 1t gives an ex-
ceedingly clear idea of the state of the times it
records, not only of the military glories which
are accustomed to be associated with the very
mention of Rome in its palmy days, but of the
social domestic and literary characteristics of
the age. 1t is precisely this quality which
raises history above the bare recital of names
and dates; it is this which links the reader of
to-day with the men of old days. To read of a
soldiers of Rome makes less impress
sion on the readers mind than the mention of
some familiar trait, or homely deed that leads
us to exclaim
o warders of Troy town, strike hands
through the darkness
For we too are with you
some touch of human feeling that runs
through all length of years In conclusion it
may be said, that Mr.. Capes has the advantage
of an excellent theory of history, and his per-
formance is wholly adequate
Library Notes, by A. p Russell (Boston
Houghton & Osgood; Portland: Loring, Short
& Harmony. This is somewhat curious and
very entertaining volume of anecdotes, sayings,
facts and fancies such as the notebook of an
omnivorous reader, of good taste and ready
wit, would naturally accumulate in his free
and uncontrolled ramblings through a we'll
stocked library. The semblance of connection
is preserved by the arranging of these notes
under such classifcations as Insufficiency, Ex-
tremes, Disguises, Standards, Rewards, etc..
etc. The volume is ingeniously designed, and
for the most, well written. The chapter on
Paradoxes is very badly constructed; all its
clauses, for twenty-eight pages, connected by
chain of ''thats" to its opening sentence-an
unique specimen of literary affectation. But,
as whole, this desultory and curiously COM
pacted volume is very agreeable and even fas-
cinating reading
How to Get Strong (New York: Harper
Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony
is an excellent and practical book upon mus
cular development as regarding health, and is
the work of Mr.. William Blaikie, an expert in
the subject. 1t is full of sound sense, and its
teachings are easily applied and reasonable.
1t starts from the natural theory that mans
health and happiness largely depend upon the
proportionate development of his pow
ers, and that each muscle is capable of
degree of cultivation without impair
ing that of any others to the destruc-
ton of the bodily balance of power. Mr..
Blailie's views and remarks upon exercise
and muscular development are, throughout,
sensible, moderate and such as might be ex-
pected from an educated gentleman, whose
physical ideal is a sound mind in sound body
and are in every way removed from the vul-
gar and excited charlatanry of such writer's as
Dio Lewis, with his incalculably mischievous
theories of hard exercise and scant nourish-
ment Mr.. Blaikie's prescriptions of the kind
and amount of exercise for various persons,
strong men or delicate women and children,
he quotes will be very cheering to persons with
tendencies to lung troubles, or of deficient
muscular build
Farrars Guidebook to Moosehead Lake and
the North Maine Wilderness is very attractive
reading. 1t gives many useful particulars as
to routes, trains, boats, etc., and is as chatty
and full of picturesque anecdote as an old
trapper guide. The great Northern Wilder
ness offers rare opportunities for camping out
and has singular and powerful charm, a:
travellers through its long stretches of woods
can testify. Nowhere is the summer silence
deeper, or the summer shadows darker and
cooler than in the odorous heart of the pine
forests of Maine. The guidebook is for sale by
Bailey & Noyes.
Travels with Donkey, by Robert Louis
Stevenson Boston: Roberts Brothers. Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmony is the recital
of a journey on foot; with the little animal
above referred to as carrier of the light lug
gage of the tourist. 1t contains some very
graphic descriptions, but there is a tone of in
sincerity and affectation throughout, which
the reader will note in its guises of sentimen-
tality, q certain conscious eoarseness, and a
conventional treatment of both landscape and
figures The hard and stupid unconcern with
which the tourist records his cruelty to his pa
tient little donkey adds to the general impress
sion which the reader will hardly fail to re-
ceive, of coarseness, and lack of perception Oh
genuine feeling. The volume, with its attrac.
tive scenery and material, succeeds in awaken
ing no sentiment in the reader, except that oi
recorded.
Two more volumes of Mr.. Longfellows Po
ems of Places are devoted to British America
and to Oceanica, thus concluding the delight
full tour around the world, with poet as guide
1t was a most graceful and fitting task for Mr.
Longfellow, who is known wherever readers
exist-to take his readers thus kindly by the
hand and make them known to each other and
welcome in each others homes, however widely
remote. The Epilogue-good George Herbert''
seems as though the poet opened each man.
own door for him again, saying with thought
full smile, "There's no place like home.
Boston: Houghton & Osgood; Portland Lor
ing, Short & Harmony
Messrs. Houghton & Osgood publish a manu-
al written by Mr.. Charles E. Pratt, called the
American Bicycler, which gives full instruc.
ton in the art of guiding the horseless, tandem
wheeled chariot. 1t also contains much infor
nation as to clubs and their rules, desirable
routes, dress, care of the bicycle, etc. Mr.
Pratt's remarks upon the courteses of the road
and the care and consideration due from the
bicycle-rider as to the prevention of accidents
to passers, or by frightening horses, should be
read and acted upon by all bicyclers.
Practical Boat Sailing, by Douglas Frazal
Boston: Lee & Shepard; Portland; Bailey s
Noyes) is convenient little manual of yacht
ing, with full explanation of nautical terms
and plain and explicit advice upon all point.
OF sailing, and the emergencies which may
arise. The author has had much experience
in several seas; and his excellent treatise will
save many an amateur sailor from danger,
Fresh volumes of the Vest-Pocket Series OF
Messrs. Harper Portland: Loring. Short &
Harmony are two containing Swift Congreve