The Portland daily press., 1880-02-07

strong points with skill and precision, and ha
collected much interesting material. The vol
ume is not biography of General Grant, bu
rather represents the hero in connection with
some notable events of recent history, crises Of
the rebellion, finance, and as seen by the for.
eign nations. Naturally-as might be ex.
pected in volume written by a man right
minded enough to hold Gen. Grant in such
honor as to choose him for the subject of q
prose epic-Gen. Swift's work contains much
wholesome political doctrine on various points
more or less intimately connected with the i'm
mediate theme. He alludes to certain sections
where sit has been discovered that the CHIEF
end of man as voter, is to mutilate his ticket
to make it perfect" and says later, in more
serious vein:
While it would be unwise needlessly to offend the
worthy portion of our countrymen who rally under
the banner of independence it is not the time to
follow doctrinaires to forget experience fret
the inevitable The fact is irrefutable, that our
the party ranging with the 'solid North" or the
party ranging with the 'ssolid South" They are
blind leaders of the blind, whether they stand in
pulpts or write at editorial desks, who teach that
there is choice of parties and that it is of little
moment which wins By an eternal law parties
differ, and by the same law they differ for good or
PANTY paraded by clipper critics. strikes at that in
herent and fundamental morality upon which alone
the social and political structure can be wisely
reared.
1t is interesting to read how gracefully Gen
eral Grant responded to the courtesy of the
continent that rose and uncovered before him
and the self-respect, patriotism and nobility OF
his attitude in presence of Europe is in de-
cided contrast to that of certain individuals of
the rose-water school of politicians that criti-
cised General Grant for supposititious lack Of
society polish. and who go abroad to represent
their country by picturing it as a corrupt and
hopeless land from which they have escaped
to chant the jeremiads Of her judgment to
come. Mr. Swift recalls several anecdotes of
the beloved Abraham Lincoln, and his rela-
tions with General Grant. This volume is a
welcome and strong addition to the mass of
good political writing which the present state
of affairs has called forth from men who have
their countrys good at heart.
1t is one OF the advantages connected with
the troublous times of campaign year, that the
gratitude of mems minds is rekindled by the
recital of the deeds which have given to our
heroes their claim upon that gratitude Thus
it may be that the account of the honors
which General Grant received abroad, and the
appreciatiye remembrance there of his COM
manding military excellence serve also to
increase the enthusiasm existing in this coun-
try for the great general. arts Is and 16 of
Mr.. John Russell Young's Around the World
with General Grant, give interesting particu-
a pf Ii inn oh ell Of IN
teresting conversations which the general held
concerning tine rebellion and subsequent polti-
cal conditions. The American News Company
publish this work of Mr.. Young's in admra-
BILE style, with heavy paper, good type and in
teresting woodcuts 1t ia sold only by sub
scription-and will be found fully worth its
price.
Messrs. Harper Brothers publish in their
handsome and practical Library Edition. the
first volume of Mr.. Justin McCarthy's History
of Our Own Times. This thoughtful and
spirited addition to the literature of contem-
poraneous history has been already reviewed
in these columns; and it is only left to the re-
viewer to recommend this new and excellent
edition of live and valuable work. portland:
Lorlng, Short q HARMONY
Leaves of Healing Boston: A. Williams &
Co.; Portland: Hoyt, Fogg & Donham) is
book Of consolatory selections, arranged, it is
understood, by a lady residing in Deering,
with the kindly purpose of giving comfort to
invalids. The selections include both prose
and poetry, and are of cheerful and hopeful
tendency. 1t is not at all sectarian volume,
but contains tasteful and refined collection of
religious passages suited to its purpose chos-
en- from various authors. The compiler will
be gratefully remembered by many readers to
whom her pious and charitable work will
bring consolation.
Poems. By H. B. Wardwell portland;
Hoyt, Fogg & Donham) are well-intentioned
and commonplace, with some ease of versifca-
lion.
The Art of Cooking (New York: G. P. Put
nams Sons; Portland: Loring, Short & Har-
mon) is a volume Of practical lessons in cook
cry by Miss Matilda Lees Dods of the South
Kensington School. Many of the receipts given
will seem rather elaborate to New England
but others again will be found
more simple and easily followed. Miss Dods
received one of the first diplomas given by the
school of cookery at Kensington, and her witty
preface shows her to be bright woman likely
to do well in whatever profession she might
adopt.
The Art of Speech. Vol. 1. Studies in Po-
etry and Prose. By L. T. Townsend, d. D.,
(New York: d. Appleton s. Co.; Portland:
Dresser & McLellan) is the rather ambitious
title of work upon rhetoric. 1t has an anus
ing lack of literary quality, is narrow-minded
and dull, and its attempts to be witty, never
become exceedingly reprehen-
sible when the author travesties most sacred
and tender passage OF the Bible by translating
the exquisite 23rd Psalm into Johnsonian
English by way of showing the supe-
riority Of simple speech. When the au-
thor in his preface announces, with some ap-
parent self graduation that he Occupies the
chair of Sacred Rhetoric" one marvels at the
insolent freedom with which some persons
feel that they are privileged to handle sacred
things.
sebastian Strome. By Julian Hawthorne
New York; D. Appleton; Portland: Dresser
4 McLellan). Mr.. Hawthorne's talent has
undergone healthful and desirable change, of
what extent or duration his future work will
prove. He is beginning to turn toward less
fantastic manner, and more solid and COM
mendable tone of thought 1t seems curious
that any novel by the author of Garth and
Bressant should remind the reader of George
Macdonald's works-but such resemblance
exists in Sebastian Strome. 1t is not an agree
able book, not thoroughly wholesome one, but
it evinces desire to be upon the right side of
things, which is as good in novel as in man.
1t shows traces of the traditions of slow and
morbid analysis, which, with his fathers fame
oshind him, it must be hard for Mr. Haw-
horne to escape; but it also contains some
very highminded and clearly written passages.
II Mr.. Hawthorne continue to improve as he
las done since the publication of the novel
previous to Sebastian Strome, the public will