National Republican., 1881-11-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS,

THE DECORATIVE SISTERS, BY JosErurNB
New York. Ansen D. +. Randolph & Co.
This poem of two sisters who we're
struck with the decorative craze is decidedly
amusing, and the illustrations are in perfect har
mony with the subject. The result Of their mstheu.
clsm is thus told
Dorinda wed an artist-and twas not the least sur
prising
That he used her as mOdel-for she had pretty
shape;
And SO many hours daily was she attitudinlzing,
That she wearied Of II truly and would fain have
made escape
The other sister was moro practical, for the poem
says-
Dorothea wed a farmer, ono who long had loved her
truly,
And though not at all aesthetic thought the maiden
"sweetly sweet"
And having told his passion, like an honest fellow,
duly
feet
The last stanza moralizes as follows:
As the Decorative Sisters wander arm and arm to-
gether.
And their maiden meditniions and absurdites re-
view,
A single glance at them. rm sure will soon convince
Doro,hea or DorInda Is the happier of the two.
sEvERA A NOVEL FROM THE GERMAN OF f.
HARTNER. Philadelphia J. B. Lippincott 4
Go. Washington William Ballantyne.'
This story is one of peculiar interest
and will be read with pleasure. The plot is not a
new on but II is very skillfully worked up, and
in none of the incidents are the bounds of pruba-
bilty overstepped. The character Of Severn IS
finely drawn and shows development OF the beat
elements and impulses Of womHn's nature stand
ing out In strong contrast with the heartlcssncss
| aud intrigue of the wealthy widow Ada. No more
| manly type OF hero than Gerhard Won Hellern
be desired His grief at the deceit Of his early
love, severa's mother, is sympathized with, his
noble generosity in taking the child from its dying
mother and making her his ward is applouded
and one closes the book with satisfaction at the
appropriate transfer OF his love to the daughter
and In the belief that the eternal fitness of this I,
preserved The translator Mrs A. l.. wister, has
ably performed her task, and has given work
| free from any diomatc taint OF n foreign tongue
but Of clear and forcible English.
BACHELOR BLUFF; HIS OPINION. sENTI.
MEN1'S, AND DIsPUTATIONS. by oLvEr
BELL BRUCE. New York: d. Appleton q Co
Washington: W. II. Morrison.
The synical and satirical sayings of the
well perserved Bluff will be read with keen inter
est by men, and may be read with decided proh
by many indies, both married and unmarried
| Many of his criticisms are easily accepted as de
served, aud although his tendency is perhaps 4
overdraw tho scenes, his descriptions and dcduc
| tons nro generally near the truth. The range o
subjects touched by the interesting Bachelor COW
almost every variety Of topic, ana his views OF
domestic bliss, feminine tack and Intuition, The
privileges ofwomen, and his political notions are Sc
| forth with n freedom and originality which ar'
decidedly refreshing.
BALLADS IN BLACK. Boston: Lee b nppard
The ballads are by +. Il. Chase, and tn,
illustrations by ]. L. Goodrdac, and the book is
series OF original shadow pantomimes with slhou
ette illustrations and full directions for pro
ducing shadow pictures with novel effects. Th'
representation Of shadow pantomimcs is attended
with omparativey little labor as TO rehearsal nn'
expense as TO presentation, and hence will be o
great interest In adding to the attractiveness o
the home circle during the long winter evenings
Careful directions are given In this book for tn
| proper arrangement OF scenery and lights so as L
make tho shadows effective, and the reading O
either OF the ballads accompanied by shadoN
illustrations will furnish most agreeable nmuso
ment for the parlor or for school exhibitions
There are six ballads and forty eight illustration
III the book.