The Portland daily press., 1881-03-26
Recent Publications.


bined to render her a representative woman
often IN advance, 1t is true, of her century
and always illuminating and guiding the not
able circle of which she was the ornament
DIR. Stevens says that of the sketches and es.
says of which Nine. de Stael and her genius
are the theme, not one presents any connected
biographical record of her. The best of these
memoirs, that written by her cousin, Mme
Necker de Saussure, which is entitled Notice
on the Character and Writings of Mme de
Stael, was prepared for the first edition of her
published works, but is critical rather than
biographical. DR.. Stevens acknowledges obli-
CATION to various sources from which he has
collected the material for his copious and inter-
esting work; and, rightly judging that the fig
ure of Nine. de Stael appears yet more impos-
ing and brilliant in her historic relations with
the First Empire and the era of the First Rev
olution than in the merely personal events and
surroundings OF her life-he has painted her as
central parsonage distinguished against the
dramatic background of history. Admired
and praised by the greatest men of the litera-
ture, politics and society of the time, Mime. de
Stael is, even now, type of tie brilliant and
society. DR.. Stevens writes without affecta-
tion and agreeably, the ease and force of his
style developing in the course of the work.
He is to be congratulated upon graphic and
carefully arranged picture of most notable
period of the civilization of France.
History of Greece. From the Earliest
Times to the Present. By I. T II nayenis
(New York: d. Appleton & Co.; Portland
Hoyt, Fogg & Donham.) This very clear,
we'll arranged and strongly written history of
the Greek nation is-says its author, who is
himself Greek-founded upon the narratives
of his great ancestors. A careful examination
of historical authorities with the works of
Gibbon and Grote has led Mr.. Timayenis to
differ in some instances from the Eng lish his
torians. Beginning with the Neurological
Age, and the Dawn of History, the records
of Greece are Systematically and intelligi-
bly, traced down to the present time,
thus affording a larger and more uni
ted view of Greek history than has
been before presented. 1t is pleasant to
observe that Mr. Timayenis takes no part
in the modern ''sun-myth' explana-
tion of the folklore of early Greece. He
tells the legends in the simple fervid and di
rect fashion that BELTS them his gods and he
roes are not dreary personifications of natural
forces-but are at least godlike men made large
and luminous as seen through the golden mists
of the morning of history. The arrangement
and system of Mr.. Timayenis work, as well
as his general treatment, merit much praise
The Power of Movement in Plants By
Charles Darwin, LIZ D., f. R. S., assisted by
Francis Darwin (New York. d. Appleton &
Co.; Portland Hoyt, Fogg & Donham) This
work, which will be especially interesting to
students of botany, is a learned and complete
treatise upon the movements of plants, the
rotatory motion by which growing stem bends
successively to each point of the compass; the
sleep during which their blades take vertical
position that the plant may not be chilled; the
following or avoidance of light, etc. The mi
mute research, the ingenious experiments, and
scientific conclusions need little commendation
since the name of Darwin insures their ready
welcome among savants and students.
Schiller and his Times. From the German
of Johannes Schurr philadelphia: Ig. Koh-
ler) This is carefully written and
full narrative of the life of the great
German poet. and is very we'll translated
by Mrs. Elizabeth Mcclellan; who has not,
however, been able to clear the work from
some foggy mysticism and rather lengthy and
sentimental reflections. If the reader have
time and inclination not to be deferred by a
manner quite alien to the compact and clear
cut forms which now vail in biography, he
will be rewarded by careful and intimate ac-
quaintance with the events of Schiller's life.
The biography contains much that is interest
ing and valuable as an addition to the more
generally known records of the poet
The Demon'of Cawnpore. By Jules Verne.
Translated from the French by A. d. Kingston.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons Portland
Loring, Short & Harmony This delightful
and thrilling story is Part First of tale of
travel in India, which as whole will be called
the Steam House. This house, drawn by a
marvellous mechanical elephant, was, accord
ing to M. Verne, the temporary home of par.
ty of gentlemen travelling through India ten
years after the close of the Sepoy rebellion;
while Mana Sahib, the Demon of Cawnpore,
was in hiding. Every chapter is exciting, and
ingenious to the degree that readers of M
Jules Verne have the right to expect. The
contest between the real elephants and thei1
iron-clad cousin; the tiger episode, the wan
derings of Mana Sahib and his brother are re-
lated with the utmost spirit and effect. 1t il
one of the cleverest as it is one of the most fas
cinating of M. Verne's stories. The vigor, in
terest, ingenuity, rapid and telling touch and
entire refinement and manliness of his storie:
| are beyond praise. The translation is excellent
! The illustrations are numerous and very effec
| tive, and the appearance of the volume is very
elegant.
Messrs. Harper publish complete Index t.
the first sixty volumes of their Magazine, GOV
ering period of thirty years. The indexing il
done according to a careful and convenien
system, affording every help to the seeker fo
some one of the treasures herein recorded. The
constant and incre asing public favor in which
Harpers Magazine is held; the value and vari
ETY. of its matter; the enterprise and good tast'
of its management and the rare talent at worl
for its pages, ensure it long and healthful life
and the satisfaction, not only of good literary
conscience, but also of the eager welcome it re
ce:yes in households wherever the English Ian
guage is read. Long life to Harper's Magazine
says the PORTLAND PKrss, and may its vol
umes be many as the leaves on the trees or tn
sands of the seashore!
Books Received.
| Rome and Carthage, the Puuic Wars. b.