The Portland daily press., 1880-01-31
MAGAZINE Notices.

Magazine NOUlC0S.
The most prominent feature, perhaps, of the
Midwinter February) Scribner is the paper on
Edison's Electric Light, by his mathematician,
Mr.. Francis r. Upton, which is endorsed as
the 'tirst correct and authoritative" account in
a letter from Mr.. Edison, printed in fac-simile,
in this issue of Scribner. The inventor has
been so often and so greatly misrepresented as
holding theories most opposite to his own that
it will be of interest to just what he is will
ing to put himself on record as claiming for the
new invention. The first of Mr.. Eugene
Sehuyler's illustrated papers, on the life OF
Peter the Great, given in this number, covers
a wide range of interest, placing most fascin-
ating historical era clearly before the reader.
In his preface, Mr.. Schuyler offers to reply to
any question respecting the topics he may
treat. Incidentally, this series will shed much
light on contemporary Russia, and in the
illustrations, will exhibit some of the best pic
torial art of the Empire, past and present.
The first instalment contains some remarka-
BILE cuts The frontispiece is the one of the
400 portraits of Peter which was best liked by
himself. Mrs. Burnett's new story, in four
parts, entitled Louisiana, is also begun in this
number. The scene is laid in the North Caro-
lima mountains, the characters being chiefly
some literary people" from New York, and
the ingenious young lady from whom the
story takes its name. Mr.. Cables Grandissi-
mes is full of action and character, and con-
tinues to reveal strong basis for the high
claims which are made for it. AS an exposi-
ton of Creole life, in the beginning of the
century, it seems likely to go at once into the
common fund of historical novels. Two sug-
gestive essays, of more than transient value,
on topics now occupying much attention, are
Present Phases of Sunday School Work,
by Rev. Edward Eggeston, and The Political
Outlook, by an anonymous writer. Apropos OF
the Raikes Centenary, Mr. Eggletton makes a
number of keen but friendly criticisms upon
popular methods of conducting a Sunday
school work The writer on politics gives
business reasons for thinking that the next
Presidential election will be a dangerous one,
and suggestions looking toward the lessenlng
of the peril. A biographical sketch of John
Bright is made timely by his recent speech on
America, and by the revival of political inter-
est in Great Britain A rollicking holiday pa
per, on Bicycling, is contributed by Mr.. Charles
E. Pratt, of Boston under the caption of A
Wheel around the Hub 1t relates the. Adven-
lures of party of forty riders, dur
ing a two days run of one hun
bred miles, in the vicinity of Boston.
The drawings in this paper are unique, and full
of "go." Country subjects are not forgotten;
in fact there are contributions on this class of
topics by three practical farmers: Notes of q
Walker, by John Burroughs, New England
Fences Gllustrated), by Rowland c. Robinson,
and A Southern Strawberry Farm Gllustrated),
by e. p Roe, being the fourth of his series ON
Success with Small Fruits Mr.. Boysen con-
tributes short story of Norway and Chicago,
entitled A Knight of Dannebrog A poem by
Charles de Kay, entitled Booty Little Bat is
illustrated by Kappes, and there are others by
W. c. Wilkinson, Marie Mason, Laura Win
throp johnson and r. w. Glider. In Topics
of the Time, DR.. Holland says A Word on Pol
itics (favoring Civil Service Reform) and dis
cusses Temperance Education and Familiarity.
A Communication from r. W. G. discusses
the proposed but now abandoned Restoration
of st. Marks The reviews include books of
poetry, travel, art, biography, country life and
photography.