Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-14
LITERARY NOTES.
THE EARLY DAYS OF CHRISTIANITY By r.
". FAnRAR d. D.. f. RS. New York: Cassell,
Peter, Galpin Co.

| W.. EAhRAR. DD. FRS. New York: Cassell,
Perhaps the best idea that can be given of the
esteem in which Canon Farrar's latest work il
held by what might be called the higher class
OF readers is by stating the fact that for many
weeks after it appeared the publishers were I'M
| able to supply the demand for it. Nor is this
strange. The book is one of great merit. both
in historic and literary point of view The
authors purpose was, to use his own language,
ito set forth in their distinctive characteristics
| the works and the writings of ST. Peter, St
James. st. Jude. St. john and the author of the
epistle to the Hebrews" This task has been
performed in most satisfactory manner. and In
addition some new and much interesting light
! is thrown upon the early days of the christian
church and upon the political and social condi-
tons under which it grew up. The learned
| author also brings forward many results of the
| late Investigations touching the general subject
under discussion, and reaches at least one con-
ciuslOn which can hardly fail to be gratifying to
the present generation. namely, that the type
OF christianity now prevailing is as pure and
elevatng as that which existed durin;: the apos-
| tolic era,-when the discipline of the church was
| often imperfect and the morals of many Of its
| members were far less to be commended than
| most persons suppose. The work. which is
marked throughout by DR.. Farrar's graphic and
glowing style, must take high and permanent
place as an aid to the clear understanding of the
| New Testament
THE EH LIFE OF E. MAJOR IA GENERAL GEORGE H.
| Robert Besl. e wa
As it is understood that Chaplain Van Horne
was General Thomas chosen historian OF the
Army OF the Cumberland, it is reasonable to as
sumo that that gentleman's purpose of writing
biography of his beau ideal of soldier must
have been acceptable to the relatives and friends
pf% hat, -
| the volume before US will be received as an all-
thorized and standard exposition of its subject
! In this view OF the case one cannot but wish 1t
| had been Less OF history and more of per-
sonal biography. Thework in the latter respect
IS fairly well done, as far as 1t goes. but it does
| not give SO full and clear a portrait Of the man
| as the world would like to see Touching mat
tiers OF history it is, however of great value In
| explaining some points that have not heretofore
| been FULLY understood and others that have per-
| maps oeen mlsrepresented or at least not fairly
set forth. There is very satisfactory steel
| plate portrait OF General Thomas for frontis-
piece to the volume, whose value is still further
| enhanced Dy cOpious appendix and number
OF well engraved maps, which serve to make
| clear the accounts of battles, etc
| THE ODYSSEY ON HOMER Done into English
Prose. By s. II BUTCHER. MA and A. LANG
MA. Boston, D. Lothrop Co.
Many readers will prefer this to any of the
TRANSACTIONS done into verse. The aim of the
authors, who are perhaps unsurpassed as Greek
scholars. has been to give, nearly as possible,
the exact sense Of the author. and they have
produced what is admitted to be the most
| literal rendering yet given to the public An
| idea ofthe esteem in which it is held in England
may be formed from the fact that three editions
OF IL nave already been demanded in that coun-
try; and it can hardly fail to be equally popular
| here.
| CAMPAIGNS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
Critical History of the Operations in Virginia
nsn e tic Close Of Var iss is 5 0 BY Wiz
| Sons. Washington: VIM. Ballantyne Son.
, This is new and revised edition of what has
long since taken its place as one of the ablest,
most graphic and most reliable works published
in relation to the late war between the states
| 1t won testimonials of appreciation from high
military and civil officers. competent to Judge of
its merits, when it first appeared and it is in
| obedience to continuing demand for it that
| this handsome edition is issued.
the E, MARGH TO n TIL Us, SEA FRANKLIN AND
9orks Charles Scribners Sons. Washington
| THE MISSISSIPPI! By Francis v1NTox GREENE
Charles seribner's Sons. Washington: VIM Ball
| .The two latest issues (being volumes VIII
and K OF Scribner's justly popular Campaigns
Of the Civil War" series.
| AGAAMnIEMNOS. La sAIsIAz AND DRAMATIC
iDYLS BY ROBERT BROWSING Boston: Hough-
ton Mifiin Co. Washington: Robert BeaI.
The small but enthusiastic band of Mr. Brown
ing g admirers will welcome this volume with
pleasure; the mass Of readers will have little ill.,
terest in it. The characteristic excellences and
faults of the authOr-his depth of thought, his
| great dramatic power, his Obscurity of diction
and his involved Observation-Disclosures every
page OF the volume, and are observable as well
no WIFI oh hat
us he intended to make entirely LITERAL as in the
original productions which follow.
T ops ~ A. ss New New Charles
Son.
It could hardly be deemed extravagant to
pronounce this book, in many respects the most
important contribution made to poetical litera-
ture during the present year. OF course there
is nothing new to tell in connection with the old
story; but Mr.. Lang takes the most favorable
view possible OF the character Of his fair hero
| Inc, and what he says is said SO simply so deli
cately and so POLITICALLY. that it must make for
her new friends and find much favor with those
who enjoy beautiful word pictures and Quotabe
passages,-in which the pretty volume abounds.
DRAKE. TIE SEA KING OF DEVON. b. GEORGE
n. IowLE. Boston Lee e shepard Washington:
Mr.. Towle. who has acceptably performed the
| same sort of work in the other volumes of the
''Heroes of History SERIES has given here a
very attractive sketch of the career of Sir
Francis Drake There is no better way of teach
ing history than by the plan adopted by Mr.
Towle, Of making the narrative as fascinating
as romance, yet adherirg closely to the facts,
thus not only attracting and holding the atten-
ton OF the reader, but at the same time firmly
fixing in the mind the main actors and events
PRoVERB STORIES. By LOUISA M. ALcorr Bos-
tom iOberts Brothers. Washington: W. II. Nor
Tison.
Another volume of the collected short stories
of Miss Alcott, already familiar to most of the
young readers of the country. who will be glad
to get them in this neat, compact and durable
form.
WIT AND WISDOM OF DON QUIxoTE Boston:
Roberts Brothers Washington: W. II. Morrison.
To the large and constantly increasing num-
Der ofreaders who desire to get taste of the
flavor Of Ceramics, but who have not the time
or the inclination to follow the chiyalrous Quix-
Ote and his trusty squire through all their ad-
ventures this handsome little volume will prove
veritable treasure. The selections are Judi
ciously made and those who read them for the
first time will be- surprised to see how many
bright sayings in common use came from that
loo Era