The Portland daily press., 1881-12-17
Recent Publications.

Eastern world. by George haWllnSODt u. a.
Camden Professor of Ancient History in OK
ford University. sc. New York: Dodd &
Mead; Portland: LoriDg, Short & Harmony
This reprint of Professor Rawlinson's re-
markably full and authoritative work upon an
cient civilizations is among the noteworthy
publications of the year. 1t is to the east that
the world, on its westward way, looks back for
the beginnings of human history, speech and
arts. All life arises where the sun begins his
course and spreads, broadening light, over
the earth Discoveries and researches have,
during the past few years, very greatly enlarged
and stimulated popular interest in the chroni-
cles of the ancient peoples; while each newly
found inscription, or buried treasure brou ght
to light, has supported with its com parative
testimony the theories Of the saUants. Cunei-
form writing, and mysterious drawing upon
obelisks and tablets are not at all limited in
interest to the austere studies Of the antiquari-
an, but are-when translated for our under
standing-singularly direct and full Of life,
even Of the beginnings Of poetry.
Professor Rawlinson treats his subject de-
lightfnlly; he is not over-rapid in his deduc-
tions nor too eager to accept the very latest
tuCOrAoo pEOscu1 WHO lOuhdth6 AAo "S@N
entirely upon the conclusions Of the best learn
ing of the age, he flls the volumes with fresh
ness and interest The illustrations, in which
the work abounds, show the state of art, the
household utensils, architecture, picture-writ-
ing and letters of the five ancient monarchies
of Chaldaa, Assyria, Babylon, Media and Per-
sia. The completeness of this work is a mat
ter for wonder, so thoroughly does it record all
that is known concerning the religions, the ge-
ography, arts and daily life of the early king
doms. The chapters upon the History
and Chronology of Chaldea and Assyria have
been added since the first publication of this
work, and follow the researches made by the
authors brother, Sir Henry Rawlinson. with
Museum.
Seven Voices of Sympathy. From the Writ
ings Of Henry wadsworth Longfellow. Edited
by Charlotte Fiske Bates. Boston: Hough-
ton, Miflln & Co.; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmony. The worldwide friendliness and
fame that hold the name of Longfellow attest
how swiftly and surely his songs go to the
heart Of the people. He has, in peculiar meas
ure, the poets alchemy that changes common
things into the liquid gold of verse. Hence it
is no wonder that volume of extracts, each
fitted for comfort of some human trouble, can
easily be selected from Mr. Longfellow' Is works
The idea Of this collection Of poems was sug-
gested by the late Mr.. James I. Fields, whose
sympathetic understanding Of literary wants
was remarkable. 1t is one of the choicest of
gifts for those and they are maDy-to whom
-. A. HL.;ok 10 eba
with sorrow.
Washington Irving BY Charles Dudley
Warner. American Men of Letters Series
Boston: HoughtoD Miffiin & Co.; Portland:
Loring, Short & Harmony Mr.. Warmers BIZ
ography of Irving is delightful one. 1t is
vigorous, picturesque and touched with ge-
nial grace that would surely have much COM
mended it to his subjects liking were he alive
to read the memorial. The literary period in
which Irving lived is set forth by Mr.. Warner
with point and distinctness. When Washing
ton Irving began to delight the public he stood
almost alone in our literature. He was, says
Mr.. Warner, our only man OF letters who had
reputation beyond seas When he returned
from Europe in 1882 he found far different
state of things. The group of writers that in
cluded Whittier, Longfellow, Bryant, awaited
him to join their number. Soon arose peri
cd of pathos-which Mr.. Warner describes
with effective humor. Next arose in his might
the humorous writer, the Funny Man, "whose
existence" says the biographer, "is justified
by the excellent service he performed in clear
ing the fearful atmosphere" He refers to the
sentimental era of our letters in order to give
his testimony against the opinion held by ma
ny, that Irvings tender and meditative man
ner set the fashion for the gushing crowd of
writers, who missed-Mr. Warner observes
'shis corrective humor as completely as they
failed to catch his literary art" The care
with which the literary period is described,
with its early influences and its later outcome,
is an excellent preparation to the following
chapters of more strictly biographical matter.
Mr.. Warmers characterization of Irving is as
just as it is charming. 1t is more than mere
literary balancing of his art and fame; it ia a
sympathetic. subtle and brilliant summing-up
Of the traits that won for Washington Irving
the instant and lasting approval of two conti-
nents, not the least among these the tender,
luminous yagueness that fills his work with a
charmed atmosphere.
James 7. Fields. Biographical Notes and
Personal Sketches Boston: Houghton, Mif
fin & Co.; Portland: Loring, Short s. Harmony.
1t was particularly fitting that memorial vol