The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-01-25
Magazine Notices.

a perusal of the table of contents Of the
Midwinter (February) Scrbner shows it to be
number of unusual variety, and of notable
features of the kind the public is accustomed
| to expect In this particular issue. The first of
these in popular interest is, perhaps, Mrs
Frances H. Burnetts serial, A Fair Barbarian
which Is considered good enough to be re-
| printed from "Peterson's"-the audience of
the two magazines being thought sufficiently
different to insure welcome for the story in
its new home. Norway's Constitutional Strug-
| gle, by Bjornstierne Biornson, the Morse poet,
Will have special interest from the authors
present solourn in this country, and from tho
contumely he has received at the hands of
King Oscar for his pronounced Republican
views; it is a clear statement of the attempts
of the crown to override the popular will. The
Music of Niagara, by Eugene NJ. Thayer, the
Boston organist and musician. Is curious pa
per, containing thorough Analysis and ammo
tation of the actual musical notes produced by
the great waterfall, which the author says does
not roar but sings. How the New Testament
Came Down to Us. by Professor George P.
Fisher Of Yale College, a recognized authority
on such subjects, will be eagerly read by those
who are looking forward to the new edition Of
the New Testament-whicb, it IS announced,
Professor Fisher will review for an early mum
ber of Scribner. Thackeray's Relations TO
English Society, by E. s. Nadal, is thought
full study, which will interest readers of
Thackeray, whether they dissent from its con-
clusions or not. 1t Was written before the pub
lication in Endymion of Lord Beaconsleld's
satiri,al treatment of the same theme. Agri.
cultural Experiment Stations, by Charles Bar
nard, is the first magazine account of a grow
ing public educational influence Some
Quacks is humorous paper by Edward Eggle-
ston. Notes of Walker consists of memoran-
da by that acut3 observer and delightful writ
OF, John Burroughs. Aunt 'Clnda's Ranch Ia
sketch of prairie life by Henry King. The
most striking feature of the humber Is, howev
er, the illustrated papers, embracing a number
of beautiful engravings of more than transient
value. Mr.. g. P. Lathrop's essay on John La
Farge is critical sketch, with pictorial pres
entatlon OF some OF this artists best work; An
Old Virginia Town, by Robert Blum and r.
IL. Iungren, who also contribute the profuse
pictorial work, is full and careful portrayal
OF old times at Alexandria. The former con-
tributes striking drawing-A Colonial Gov
ernor Taking his Ease-to a paper by Mr..
Rideing on Garrison Life at Governors Island.
Several fine portraits accompany paper on
Foreign Actors in America, by j. Brander-
Matthews including Rachel as Phedre (after
Gerome's painting), Ristori as Mary Stuart,
drawn by Blum, a portrait of Salvini and 9TH
ers. Peter the Great is also illustrated, and
deals largely with the personal life of the Gar.
The Thackeray paper is accompanied by
sketch, by Blum, of Boehm's statuette of the
novelist. Dr. Holland writes on Art and tho
Stupidities of the Tariff, Woman and her
Work, and The Drama There is communi-
cation on the frst-named topic, and one (by
Mr.. W. j. Linton) on Thomas Paine. Home
and Society is given over to Floors and Rugs.
The book reviews include interesting notices
.oi tha-t tifa Of lilist, Tsnnysonis New Ballads,
Recent Works on Poe. ETC.. and notice OF the
W orA incslssss xs.s.s~
ground Telsgraphy, Prevention of Diseases of
Cattle Now Steelyard, New Variable Water
leEs, and Fire-proofng Iron Columns. Brio
a-Brac is short but pointed.