The Portland daily press., 1880-01-23
Ma.Oazine Notices..

Harper's Magazine for February is as rich in
illustration and as varied and entertaining in
its reaeing-natter any number that has ever
been issued. For massive strength Blackmore's
new novel; Mary Anerley, deserves first mem
tion. In every quality that marks great now
ell, this is the most remarkable serial now in
course of publication here or abroad. Those
who prefer lighter novel will turn with plea
sure to the chapters of Blacks White Wings.
Edward Everett Hale contributes a short story
Mr. Keesler's orse-Car-conceived and
written in his happiest vein. A brief story OF
interest, entitled A Night in an Avalanche. is
contributed by S. H M. Byers. The illustrated
articles cover wide range of subjects. How
ard Pyle writes and illustrates Bartram and
his Garden-an interesting sketch of an Amer
lean Quaker botanist of hundred years ago,
whom Llnneus pronounced the greatest of the
then living natural botanists. The Rev. b. f.
De Costa contributes humorous article on For
eign Tips, which furnishes motive for eight
characteristic pictures by Reinhart. Mrs. j.
w. Davis describes A Famous Breviary-the
priceless gem among the art-treasures OF the
ducal palace in Venice-decorated with paint
ings by Memling, Van der Metre, Hugh d AN
yers, and Lissen de Gand. Reproductions in
wood-epgraying of seven of the most striking
of these pictures are One Of the most
interesting articles that have been written
about General Washington is that contributed
to this number by William F. Carne, treating
Of Washington as Burgher, /. e., in his rela-
tions with his fellow-townsmen Of Alexandria.
The illustrations, number of which are
drawn by Frank Mayer, are interesting. The
Hon. John Bigelow contributes an illustrated
paper entitled A Visit to San Marino, from
which it would appear that the title of "repSb-
lic," as applied to this province of Italy is
misnomer A. B. Allen contributes an illus
trated description of the Percheron and Nor
man Horse to the breeding of which SO much
attention has recently been given in this coun-
try. A. A. Hayes, Jr. contributes his series of
Colorado papers, with an entertaining descrip-
ton of the mining districts of that State, with
twelve excellent illustrations by Rogers. The
Right-Reverend Arthur Cleveland Coke con-
tributes poem entitled The Drop-Star, an In
dian legend of Lake Kayutah, in New York,
which is beautifully illustrated by Reinhart.
A timely musical contribution to this number
is the paper on Hector Belioz. by Emily Royal.
Among the poems in the number is one by
James T. Fields, entitled A Lovers Peril. Now
that Mr.. Linton has chad his say" about wood
engraving in a recent magazine article, and his
still more recent book, Practical Hints on
Wood Engraving, the reader Especially the
reader of illustrated magazines) will peruse
with eager interest an article in this number
entitled A Symposium of Wood-Engravers, in
which some Of the most distinguished engrav-
ers in this country are given hearing. The
article consists of reports of conversations with
A. " S. Anthony, I. Cole, John P. Davis,
Frederick Juengling, R. A. Muller, John
Tinkey, and Henry Wolf. The Editors Easy
Chair renders a graceful tribute to Oliver Wen-
dell Holmes, apropos of his recent reception in
Boston, and discusses, in thoughtful essay,
the reaction against Dickens, due to that au-
thor's personal characteristics.