Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-24

Anxim a Go.
Its title well defines the character of this
book; and where an author is SO well known as
Mr.. Lanman is in Washington it need not be said
that its contents are interesting and the literary
work well done. The authors acquaintance
with men and nature has been extensive and in
Innate, and his recollectiOns are told in STYLE
That recalls the delightful old English essayists
now. alas. going quite out of fashion. Severa {.
OF the papers constituting the volume, which,
oy the way. is beautifully printed have pleas
ant local interest, particularly to the older class
vi readers; others. again. are philosophical
romantic. historical and descriptive. and all are
marked by an attractive out door flavor and apnre-
ciatiVe love of nature. sample of the lighter
quailty OF the book is presented i'm the sketch
entitled THE Potomac Fisherman" reprinted
elsewhere in tO-tay's paper.
THROUGH CITIES AND PRAIRIE LANDS By
Wal ington: J. G.. Parker.
A rsCASDINAVIAN SUMNER By KATHERINE E.
ington: j. j. Chapman. ''
NEWFoUNDLAND TO MANITOBA. By W. FRASER
ton: J. J. Chapman. '''' ""'-'is
TIE GAST on EA 4Hk Gas EIGHT RH
HHew lorh: Charles Scribner's Sons. Washington:
One would suppose that the railway trip
across the continent with it's attending Incl
dents had about been exhausted in the way of
furnishing fresh material for book making; but
Lady Hardy manages to find something fresh
and interesting to say on the subject of her
years stay in this country. 1t is not an impor-
tant book: that could not be expected; but the
author thoroughly enjoyed her experiences i'm a
eood hiinored way. Her recital of themis there
IoFe peasant, and. as she is an accomplished and
experienced traveller her impressions Ofwhat she
saw ana heard are worth reading, even by those
WHO are more familiar with the subjects dis
cusSed than she is herself, while to her English
readers Tor whom the book was mainly written,
IL VIII have a real value for its intelligent pre-
sentatiOn of facts and its accurate descriptions.
Lady Hardy is an enthusiastic admirer of Wash
ih@ton, which she prOnOunces,-eXcept San
FRANCISCO. that stands unique and aone,-the
hheSt and farest of all the modern cities she
ever saw or expects ever to see.
Less can be said of the "Scandnayian Sum-
mer This book is not without merits as the
record of visit to strange scenes; but it is too
largely made up of the petty every DAY annoy
ailces OF travel and that kind encyclopaedia pad
Jung In regard to people and places to be found
IN guide boOks,-which. we are forced to be-
Heve, the authoress finally succeeded in finding
somewhere. in spite Of her bemOaning the want
ol one III the outset of her journey. But such
must needs be the case. when one undertakes
To oilild four-hundred-page book on a six
weeks solOurn in any country of which the
language Is not understood.
MI Raes book is collection of letters writ
ten by him for the London Times during the
summer of 1873, and gives an intelligent and re-
liable account of the commercial, mineral and
agricultural resources of those portions of the
Dominion through which he passed. He believes
IN a great future for the basin country of Mani
t0ba and the districts west of it, which, he de-
ciares. lin all physical advantages and poten-
tlalltles cannot easily be matched and cannot
any where DC surpassed
In MIR. Verne's profusely illustrated volume,
which purports to be the experiences of family
descending the upper Amazon on mammoth
raft, that prolific and highly Imaginative writer
manages to weave in his usual proportions OF
scientific information, thrilling adventure
graphic description. and captivating romance
AS the volume before us closes at most eX-
citing point, the second part will be anxiOusly
looked for by those who have SO far followed
the fortunes of the adventurous party
A HOME IDYL. AND OTHER POEMS. By JOHN
TOWNSEND TRONBRIDGE. Boston: HOughton Miffiin
Co. Washington: f. b. Mohun.
If the general reader cannot accept the esti-
mate of Mr.. Trowbridge by the literary editor
of Hdper's Monttty-'.that there are few
among our living American poets (nOne perhaps
save LOngfellow and Whttier), who are more
perfect masters than he of the simple cadences
and musical harm0nies of our English verse, or
who unfold a story with more persuasive art"
1T must at least be admitted that no one but
genuine poet could have written the title piece
of this volume. 1t is sweetly and tOuchnoly
told family history, Astounding in apprecatiye
sketches from nature, and fine pOetical pas
sa@es. Though shorter. many of the other
poems are nearly as good, in their way. and,
good as they are. all give promise OF still better
things in future.
Under the title ''Seyen Voices of SYMPATHY
Charlotte FISK Bates has compiled quite stable
volume of extracts from the poeticai and prose
writings of Longfellow, intended for the solace
OF those in bereavement, and arranged under
the general heads of Bereavement and Suffering;
Weakness. Struggle and Aspiration: Labor and
Endurance: RestleSSness, Doubt and Darkness:
Seif-Denial and Philanthropy; Neglect, Dsap-
pOintment and Injustice; RetrospectiOn and Old
Age These titles sufficiently indicate the Char
acter of the volume, which illustrates. in a
striking way, the strong vein of sweet human
running through all of LOngfelIOw's
writings The book is. OfcOurse rather sad in tone
for the general reader, but on that account it
will be priced all the more by those for whose
benefit the compilation was made. published
by HOuehton Miff1in & Co., and for sale in
Washington by F. b. MOhun.)
In a Happy Boy" by BjOrnstjerne Biornson.
NP""iiShCu W IOuShtOl, MliuIu u Co.. sale
by F. b. MOhun.) George at the Wheel" bv
Harry CastlemOn, published by Porter 4
Coates. for sale BY j. J. Chapman.) and The
Quartet" by w. o. Stoddard, published by
Charles Scrbner's Sons. for sale by VIM Ballan-
tine Son. will be found three capital books
for boys. The last named is sequel to Dab
kinZer;' the second belongs to the popular
ROughing TT series,-bOth of which the yOunp
folks know all about; while the first is a trans
latiOn from the talented and fascinating Nor
wegian whose writings have lately become SO
popular with all classes of readers This is re-
earded as his very best story of peasant ife.-a
field in which he cOnfessedly eXcels Itistrans-
lated by Prof. Anderson, of Wisconsin Universe
ty.. who is recognized by Mr.. Bjornstierne as
the most competent person in this country to |
interpret his spirit and style
The interest in Russia and Russian affairs
which has grown up within the few wears last
past has rendered desirable if not absolutely
necessary a brief but somewhat comprehensive
history of that country. This want has been at
least partially met by the volume prepared by
Mr. Nathan Haskell Dole, which. though in
tended. as its title indicates specially for youno
folks. will nevertheless be of great service to
the general reader who desires to trace the con-
nection between the past policies of that coun-
try and current events. 1t is prOfusely but