The Portland daily press., 1881-04-29
MAGAZINE Notices.

The May Atlantic is the first number in
which Mr.. Aldrich's hand as editor appears,
and is a number with which any editor might
well be satisfied. The leading essay, Some
Personal Recollections Of Carlyle, by Henry
James, Senior, is one of the most interesting of
the many interesting papers called forth by
Carlyles death. The Martyrdom of an Em.
pire, by E. III. House, who has spent several
years in Japan, gives a startling picture of the
ruin wrought in that country by the greed of
dominion of Great Britain. Walter H. Page
writes from intimate personal knowledge a
Study of an Old Southern Borough, which de-
scribes graphically and sympathetically former
and present life in the South. Major Ben:
Perley Poore in his chapter of "reminiscences
of Washington, gives very interesting ac-
count of the Fillmore Administration. j.
Brander Matthews, who always writes Of dra-
matte subjects with so much intelligence and
discrimination, contributes an excellent article
on Eugene Scribe. Richard Grant White
prints letter from an English purist critic,
and then shows up the critics errors and igno-
rance with refreshing skill and pungency.
Lawn planting for Winter Effect, by Samuel
Parsons, Jr, will find many eager readers.
The fresh installmenrs of Henry James Jr.'s
Portrait Of Lady, and Miss Phelphs' Friends,
well sustain the high interest which previous
chapters of these serial stories have excited.
Mr.. Whittier contributes characteristic poem,
Rabbi Ishmael; Mr.. Trowbridge has three SON.
nets; and Edith Thomas tells in smooth verse,
the story of Demeters Search. Reviews of
new books, including careful running de-
scription of all the books of the month, and a
variety of bright things in the Contributors
Club, complete capital number Of the Atlan-
tic. Mr.. Aldrich's career as editor begins very
auspiciously. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Bos-
ton,
Appleton's Journal for May gives the sec
ond and concluding part of Professor George
Ebers Greek novelette,, A Greek Idyl. This
story is said to have been suggested by paint
ing by Alma Tadema 1t certainly presents a
very charming picture of domestic life in an
cient Greece. Helena Faucit Martins delight
full papers On some of Shakspeare's Female
Characters are continued, Desdemona being
now treated. Lady Martin is very original
and suggestive in many of her views, and she
writes in an entertaining manner. There is
searching and effective paper on Byron, by
Matthew Arnold, and two capital sketches,
embodied in one article, on Keble and DR..
Newman, by James Anthony Froude. Mad
anne de StaGl, The Metternich Memoirs, and
an article on Thompson, the new English poet,
form the distinctive literary papers. Art Nee
dlework is discussed by Lady Afford, Vice
President of the Royal School of Art Needle
work, and the well-known painter G. F. Watts.
A readable paper on King Lear and short
story called Robert Wyeth complete the body
articles Henry Georges Progress and Power
ty, and his argument against the Justice Of
private ownership of land, which has recently
attracted so much attention, is subjected to a
close analysis by the editor, who makes several
good points against the new philosophy, Notes
for readers makes very agreeable depart.
ment.