Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-03-02
LITERARY NOTES.

The year 1879 was not favorable 10 lit
erature, yet the publishers OF Germany
coutriyed To Issue li,I79 new works, a.
follows: Collective works, 27s, theology
1904, law and politics 1858, medicine iJ2,
natural sciences Stl, philosophy l39, edu-
cation I7ll, Juvenile 1874, philology 900, his
tory aud biography ESQ, geography 800
mathematics and astronomy los, military
art 3J5, commerce aud trade $40, engineer
ing and mining 3s4, forestry 1903, agricUl-
ture 42I. bellies Iettres ITO, fue arts 3si,
almanacs 6I2, FrcemasOnry u, aliases 300,
miscellaneous 35S. Germans print far
more than any other nation, and nowhere
are indifferent publications Issued more
recklessly than In Germany. The one item
of l7il educational books covers a null
titude OF mischief. IL Is not probable that
more than one book out OF hundred VIII
have any value iifty years hence. Yet the
Germans publish also the most valued, the
most learned and the most profound books.
Col. Hlgginson has just ready at the
press OF Messrs. Lee & Shepard, little
volume containing u half dozen short but
very appreciative aud interesting studies
OF American authors. The sketch OF Thor
eau is noteworthy in particular as contain
ing the following passage, never before
printed, from Thoreag's manuscripts, show
ing with what genial and good humored
philosophy he bore his disconragements
For q year or two past my publisher,
Munroe. has been writing from time TO
time 10 ask what disposition should be
made OF the copies OF y Week on the Con-
cord and Merrimack Rivers still on hand,
and at last suggested that lac had use for
the room they occupied In his cellar SO
| had them all sent 10 me here aud they
have arrived today by express, piliDg the
mans wagon, seven hundred aud SIX cop
les out OF an edition of one thousand,
which bought OF Munroe four years ago,
and have been ever since paying for, and
have not quite paid for yet. The wares
are sent 70 me at last, and have an oppor-
tunity 10 examine my purchase. They are
something more substantial than lame, ~
NV back knows, which has borne them up
two flights or stairs 10 place similar 10
that TO which they trace their origin. or
the remaining two hundred ninety odd,
seventy-fye were given away, the rest sold.
have now library OF nearly niue nun
dred volumes, over seven hundred OF which
I wrote myself. Is II not well that the
author should behold the fruits Of his IL
Dor? My works are piled up In NV cham
Der half as high as my head, my oiaTa
omHid. This is authorship. These are
the work of my brain. There was just one
piece or good luck In the venture. The
unbound were tied up by the printer four
years ago in stout paper wrappers aud IN
scribcd III. ID. ThOIeau's Concord River,
dry copies SO Munroe had only u cross
out River and write Mass, and deliver
them To the eXpresSinan at once can
see now what write for, and the result OF
my labors. Nevertheless, In spite OF this
result, sitting beside the inert mass OF my
works, take up my pen tonight TO record
what thought or experience | may have
had with a. mnch satisfaction as ever. In
deed, believe that this result is more in
spring and better than If a Thousand had
bought my wares. Ii affects my privacy
less, and leaves me frcer.'
Books FROM LEE :. SHEPARD, BosToN.-
About Grant. by John l.. Swift. This is
book OF the right sort. 1t tells US all about
Grant, in brief, pointed, enthusiastic
way. IL warns the blood rs the man Is
brought before our notice. II gives Us the
deepest love for our country,-and shows
the signs OF the times that we may I'M
prove by them. IL should be owned, read,
given to his friends and neighbors TO read
by every man that cares n dollar (the price
of the book for his country. Its cry IS,
Liberty, Union, and Progress.
Kings In Exile. by Virginia Champlin,
sl.00. This is a famous French novel, and
shows In a stirring manner some OF the
shows the temptations that come to their
position and how they may rise or fall.
There is strong spirit of passion ana plot
running through IL, and II will be great
treat to those who love TO look out on the
ways Of the world and the manners of high
life.
Ten-Minute Talks on all Sorts OF Topics,
by Elihu Burritt This book should have
large circle of readers. tits a wonderful
production from the pen of the learned
Blacksmith. He gives US as an introduce
ton, his biography. 1t is told in clear
and winning style. 1t would prove an in
centive to all young men with any ambl
ton; it shows the power Of labor and pur
pose, toll, steady and sure will accomplish
wonders, and no youth need feel at loss
for an opportunity with this life before
him. Some think college necessary for
education, but Burritt at the anvil shows
learning may be won anywhere. Fathers
ought to give their sons copy OF this
book as they start out in life. The
rest Of the book is full OF lively in
cidents in daily life, glimpses in history,
wisdom In social and artistic science, and
good ventilation Of some important In
dustrial, political and international ques-
lions.