Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-24
BOOK NOTES.
RECOLLECTIONS OF CURIOUS CHARACTERS
Edlnburg: David Douglas. Washington: James

Anglim Co. ~" '"n'es
Its title well defines the character of this
DOCK; ana where an author is SO we'll known rs
MT. Lanman Is tn Washington it need not be said
that It's contents are interesting and the literary
WORK well done. The authors acquaintance
with men and nature has been extensive and in
innate and his recOectiOns are told in a 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
a.s iocai interest, particularly to the older Class
Oh readers; others. again. are philosophical
romantic. historical and descriptive, and all are
marked by an attractive out door flavor and appre
c'ab!ve rove OF nature. A sample Of the lighter
quality OF the book liz presented in the sketch
entitled 1.-THE Potomac Fisherman reprinted
elsewhere In tO-days paper.
New ioas! + kor sSs ny
i Txtnn New G York; g. P. Pusnain's sons Wash
NHHWFoUNDLAND TO MANITOBA. By ". FRASER
t kAE- New York York: G. P. Putn2m's Sons. washing
sAf th aI5 = f1 sy uas yeREn
Robert Rob- fq Bean Charles se1nsr' Sons ~.shins'0n
one would suppose that the railway trip
across the continent with its 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
ana interesting to say on the subject Of her
years stay in this country. 1t il not an impor-
tant book that could not be expected; but the
author thoroughly enjoyed her experiences in q
good hu!HOred way. Her recital of them is there
lore pleasant, 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 rs herself, while to her English
readers. for whom the book was mainly written
IL VIII have real value for it's intelligent pre-
sentatl0n of facts and its accurate descriptions
Lady Hardy is an enthusiastic adnirer of Wash
ingtOn, which she pronounces, San
francisco, that stands unique and alone,-the
nnest and faifest of all the modern cities she
ever saw or expects ever to see
Less can be said of the "Scandinavian 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 Gay annoy
ances OF travel and that kind of cyclopediac pad
ding 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
OF one In the outset of her journey. But such
must needs be the case. when one undertakes
weeks sojourn in any country of which the
language is not understood
MI Iae's book is o collection of letters writ
ten 0y him for the London Times during the
summer OF 1873, and gives an intelligent and re-
ilaDle 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
toDa and the districts west of it, which, he de-
ciares. in all physical advantages and pOten-
tial'ties- cannot easily be matched, and cannot
any where De surpassed"
In Mr. 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 q most ex-
citing point the second part will be anyiOuSly
looked for by those who have so far followed
the fortunes of the adventurous party
HOME IDYL, AND OTHER POEMS By JOHN
70 TEowBRTDGE Boston: Houghton Miflin
Co. Washington: +. b. Mohun.
If the general reader cannot accept the esti-
mate OF Mr.. TrOwbridge by the literary editor
of Hd1pers AOatthly-"tbat there are few
among our living American poets (none perhaps.
save LOngfellow and Whittier), who are more
perfect masters than he of the simple cadences
and musical harmonies Of our English verse or
VINO unfold story with more persuasive art :"
1t must at least be admitted that no one but a
genuine poet could have written the title piece
OF this volume. 1t is swaety and touchingly
told family history, Astounding in appreeiatiye
sketches from nature, and fine poetlcal pas
sa@es. Though shorter. many of the other
poems are nearly as good in their way and.
miCon of hott
things in future.
Under the title "Seven Voices of Sympathy.n
Charlotte Fisk Bates has complied quite stable
volume of extracts from the poetical and prose
writings of LOngfelOw intended for the soace
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-DeDial and Philanthropy; Neglect, Disap-
pointInent and Injustice Retrospection and Old
Age These titles sufficiently indicate the char
actrr OF the volume, which illustrates, in
striking way, the strong vein Of sweet human
running through all Of Longfellew'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 HOughton, Miffiin & Co, and for sale in
Washington 10y T. b. MOhun.)
III A0PPy DVy, ny DJOFnSC)eTnc B}OrnSOn
published by Houghton, hiffiin l. Co., for sale
by F. b. Mohun.) George at the Wheel" bv
Harry Castlemon, published by Porter 4
Coates, for sale by ]. j. Chapman and 1.-The
Quartet" by w. o. Stoddard, published BY
Charles Scribner's Sons. for sale by Vim. Ballan-
tine x Son. will be found three capital books
for boys. The last named is a sequel to ..Dab
klnZer;" the second belongs to the p0pular
'ROu9hing 1t" series,-b0th of which the Young
folks know all about; while the first is trans
lation from the talented and fascinating Nor
wegian whose writings have lately become so
popular with all classes of readers This ia re-
%arded as his very best story Of peasant ljte.-a
field in which he confessedly excels. 1t strans
lated by Prof. Anderson, OF Wisconsin Universe
ty. who is recognized by Mr.. Bjornstierne "A
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 Years last
past has rendered desirable if not absolutely
necessary 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 yOnpg
folks, will nevertheless be of great service t0
the general reader who desires to trace the con-
nection between the past policies of that eoun-
try and current events 1t is prOfusely but
not very handsomely Illustrated Published by
Es+av & I e., al,e,