New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-10

The simple pathos of Mrs. DORIS poems Is no DOUBT
their most peculiar characteristic. many OF which
cannot be read even by the most case-hardened Ola
stager without a throbbing heart If not fearful
eye.
The volume entitled All Quiet Along the Pc-
tomac" consists of poems which have been con-
tributed to several different periodicals, ana are
now collected for the first time IN separate iorm'
The poem which gives its title TO the collecuoh
has been wandering about for several years, IKE a
dog without master. since its original publication
in Harper's Weekly" in the Autumn of 1861.
Numerous claimants have contended for the author
ship and it still makes its appearance under various
titles at regular intervals. II ascribed by The
London Times to a Confederate soldier. in whose
pocket II was said to have been found after death
an American newspaper copied II as the production
of a private soldier in the United states service,
who sent il homo to ms wife; the credit OF II mas
been given TO Fitz-Jamcs Oiirien young lrlsh
poet who was killed III the war soon after; ana IT
was published as a Southern production IN MI W.
g. SImms's " War Poetry of the South" and In the
earlier editions of Bryant's " Library OF Poetry ana
Song as the composition of Mis-. Howland lhe
poetry of lie volume IN general. rs 81 an uhpfe-
tending character deriving MS chief interest from
local incidents ana personal "reminiscences, ana
challenging thcp attention of the private family
the themes are suggested by the events Of the civil
War; but for the most part they are drawn from the
quiet scenes Of rural life. describing the familiar
routine of the SprnP-time planting and the Autumn
harvest with an occasional touch of Doric humOr.
The collection Of american Poems" consists OF Sc
lections from LOnglelow, Whittier Bryant, Holmes,
Lowell. and Emerson including some OF the favor
tie productions of the respective writers, aud form
ING rich and delightful anthology of our native
poetry. 1t is stated in the preface that the volume
has been pre- pared with special reference 10 The IN
terests of young people both AT schooland at home
but, in fact, it is better adapted 10 the rIpest
student of poetry and the amateur of the choicest
literature in the English language. With such
poems as 'Eyanecline" "Ihe Binding OF the ship"
"Snow-Bound.v Among the Hills" "Maud
Muller "ihe School-Boy," Under the VII
lows." Under the Old Elm" "Ihe Adiron-
dacls." "Monadnoc," in single, compact vol
ume, the lovers of the trIest and highest poetry
may find treasure of incompatible value, for
which they might well exchange large portion of
the rubbish which crccps behind the elass-doors of
their Libraries. The advantage Of the present work
j. the richness of its contents with Its breyiiy of
space ; each poem Is given without ctrtailment;
and is of sufficient length to afford characteristic
illustration of the genius Of the author. The bio
graphical sketches and notes which are contained
in the volume are of superior character, cyncing
n cultivated literary taste and pure literary SYM
paihies. with no flavor of the literary Worship or
scmi-nc chanical drudgery. The statement that the
father Of James Russell Lowell was Unitarian
clergyman would call forth vehement protest from
that venerable man, If still alive who always dis
claimed every distinctive theological title but the
old Purltanic term of Congregatonalist. 1t may
be questioned Also if not perhaps denied, that Mr..
X. w. Emerson belongs TO an unbrOkcn line OF
ministerial descent on both his fathers and mothers
side from the seventeenth century"
Mr.. Matthew Arnold has conferred n great benefit
on the readers of English poetry In his admirable
selection, from the poems of Wordsworth. In the
introduction to the volume, MIR. Arnold Offers many
pregnant suggestions with regard both TO Words
wort.s poetry and English poetry in general. He
maintains that although Wordsworth Is not fully
recognized ut home, and not recognized at all
abroad, his poctical performance after that of Mil
ton and Shakespeare, is undoubtedly the most con-
siderable in our language from the Elizabethan Age
to the present. lie has left body of poetical work
superior in power. in interest, IN the qualities
which give enduring freshness. to that which has
been left by any one Of the others on the roll of
the chief poetica names of England. Nor is this
all. Compared with the great Continental poets of
Europe, since he death of Moliere not one of
whom has left memorial of such enduring worth
as the honely poet of Rydcl. his precninence Is still
conspicuous.