The Portland daily press., 1880-01-10
Recent Publications.

These two volumes, not large, but of very at
tractive appearance, are made up from series
of Studies of the Greek Poets written by Mr..
Symonds, which have appeared in England
during period of several years. The author,
who is one of the followers of the modern
School OF English literature, adds to the superb
ahnnnding sense of the intrinsic value of words
and hesuhtle music of Speech which charac-
terizes the circle of writer's in which he moves
"a peculiarly fine sympathy with and under
standing of the direct luminous quality of the
Greek genius and an enviable power Of identi-
flying his thought and even sentiment, with
that of the antique lands and men. In bril-
liant and strongly contrasted chapter entitled
The Genius Of Greek Art, Mr.. Symonds de-
scribes the sunny landscapes, made of free light
and sharp shade, without the mystery, the
large, vague darkness of Gothic scenery-a
chapter written at the very height Of the au-
thor's swift delicate and imaginative manner.
Deploring the latter sorrows which time and
thought leave to the world, regretting its natu-
raj and simple youth-Mr. Symonds recognizes
the worth of the modern standards and in no
wise would lower them. He writes with con-
science, as well as with art; and is no blind en-
thusiast after the antique, but an artist OF to-
day who understands the value of olden beauty
and its adaptability to the pleasure and benefit
of the art Of the present time. Each one OF the
twenty-four chapters of which the work con-
sists, affords matter for thought and enjoyment
of which the limits Of a journalistic review do
not permit more than passing notice. A most
notable trait in Mr.. Symonds' work is the per-
sonal dramatic interest with which he clothes
the statue-like figures of the Greek plays. His
subtle and exquisite delneation of Helen; the
curious restraint and the patient fidelity of
Penelope; and the charming picture of Nausi-
caa and her maidens touch to the limits OF po-
etry and of painting. Mr.. Symonds notes the
Importance of the musical element in Greek
drama, and cites as example the scene with
Electra, and the chorus watch over the sleep
ing Orestes-a passage in which he finds the
musical parallel of the Ziti, zitti, chorus OF
Rossini, and clear indications of elaborate
and passionate aria for the prinaa doana. A
very interesting comparison will be possible to
whomever among musical critics, NOT unieafhed
in the classics, may wish to compare 'he trage-
dies of the olden Greeks with those Oh 'he
n,odorn Goth Riel,~ed Wagner. Mr.. Symonds
,rreariness: he brings his wealth Of creek liter
ature fairly into tAe everyday sunlight, with
the beauty of many dead suns still hanging
aboutit Exquisite in the art OF words-prose
poet, painter whose palette is the vocabulary,
musician striking in accord all sweet strings Oh
speech, modelling like sculptor the dehcate'
stately shapes that were known once III the
streets of Troy town-the author OF the studies
never forgets that he writes for his nineteenth
century. He notes the meaning and place OF
Greek comedy, subject which he renders as
clear as may be to modern minds--for nothing
passes SO soon as the fashion of satire and all
comic art. A few years, hundred miles break
the bubble and bead of jest. Lyric poetry
among the Greeks is finely commented upon
by Mr. Symonds In conclusion OF n review
which can glance but briefly over volumes
which in their large scope and beauty OF work
manship tempt praise at every page-it may be
said they will not fail to secure the admiring
attention of scholars, and at the same time
they give an artistic, brilliant and spirited pic
ture of the life, art and letters of Greece, by
means of which we in our time may under
stand something of the immortal charm, the
the power of ancient art
A fresh volume of the Series of Biog-
raphies of English Men of Letters, edited
by Mr. John Morley New York: Har-
per Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short
& HARMONY contains Mr.. Mark Patti
sons fine and spirited memoir of John
Milton Milton, the man, here appears some
what overshadowed by his own genius as a
poet. for the author Of Paradise Lost, and the
exquisite symphonic poems, L'Allegro and
II Penseroso, is shown to much less advantage
in his family and political relations. His politi-
cal pamphlets were-in painters phrase-mere
spot boilers" to gain notorety and dinner.
His practical example greatly discounted his
poetic expression as to the value and consider
alton in which women were to be held. Many
amusing anecdotes ere told in the volume of
the subsection in which his wife and daugh-
tsrs were kept. His second wife, Elizabeth
Minshuu, received his approval for the care
which she took of his personal comfort. The
graceful domestic sketch which is so well
known. of the blind Milton assisted in his
literary labors by his daughters has not its
foundation in fact Quite the contrary; for
they sold his books; combined with the maid
servant to cheat him in the marketing; and
the eldest made no scruple of declaring at the
time when his second marriage was announced
that it was no news to hear of his wedding;
| but if she could hear of his death, that was
| something" At length his daughters left
| him. to earn their living "by embroidery in
| gold and silver Deborah, the youngest, was
| something more dutiful, and occasionally read
| to her father. Milton had few friends.
| Though CHS literature was immense" OBJ
| serves Mr. Pattison, "there was no humanity
| IN it; it was fitted immovably into scholastic
| mould. Hence literature was not a bond OF
! sympathy between him and other men," He
| PLAYED on the viol but his favorite instrument
| was the organ-of which the full-voiced music
| is heard in the stately and rish melody of his
| verse. Mr. Pattison has made a very interest
| ing sketch of the great poet; and Milton.
| memoirs are curious portrait of a nature
| greatly gifted and OF commanding power il
one department, that of lofty verse while as q
| man and politician he was narrow-minded
| and unlovely.
| One of the strongest books of the day is the
novel A Fools Errand, recently published by
| Messrs. Fords Howard & Hubert OF New
| York portland: Hoyt, Fogg Donham). Ii
gives pictures, terribly vivid in their truth and
significance of the state of society in the South
after the war 1t is as powerful and striking
| as Mrs. Stoves Uncle Toms Cabin and the
situation of affairs in the period Of present his
tory with which this story deals, is even more
| complicated than in the dark days of slavery
| The book is written in the form OF novel
| with admirably good temper, honesty, force
| and evident truthfulness that carries instant
| conviction 1t is volume that should be
| read by every American; and when the name
| of its author becomes known to the public he
| will not fail to receive the praise due to his
| humane and patriot C work.
Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton's volume upon Civil
| Service in Great Britain New York: Harper
| Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon,
! is a bulky book, compiled at the cost OF consid-
erable care and money, at the suggestion OF
| Mr. Evarts TT is work in favor of the syS-