Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-12
LITERARY NOTES,
HENRY d. THOREAU. By FRANK B. SANBoRN.
Boston, Houghton, Hifiiin 90. Washington: f.
b. MOhup.

public eye entirely disproportioned to his real
consequence. Aany-perhaps majOrity-hold
the different view, however, and those who do
viii welcome with pleasure the handsome
volume named above, which constitutes the
third OF the american Men Of Letters" series
projected some time ago by Messrs. Houghton
Mfhin & Co. But how well Mr.. Sanborn has
accomplished his task seems to be an unsettled
question with Thoreau's admirers. Their gen.
eral verdict Ia that he has failed; but we cannot
help the impression that the difficulty lies with
the subject Of the book rather than with its
author Whether there was any real need of a
biography, appears to be the true point involved
Mr. Sanborn Is man OF ability, and knew
Ihoreau we'll; he Is perhaps as competent for
the work as any one who would undertake it.
and on the whole he seems to have performed it
credtably to himself if not in all respects salts
factOrily to the Walden Pond cult The book is
prefaced by a steel-plate portrait Of Thoreau.
which cannot fail to give it additional interest,
to the general reader, as well as to his admirers.
ON !, HioRSsBACK In the School and on the Road.
Holt 4 CO. washington: j. j. Chapman -''ni'
IN THE SADDLE A Collection of Poems on Horse
hack, Hiding. Boston: Houghton. Mifiiln Co.
''Your head and your heart keep boldly up;
YOur hands and your heels keep down;
Your knees keep close to your horses sides,
And your elbows close to your own"
Such was the old rhymed formula for becom-
couple of centuries ago. All this and much
more has Mr.. Anderson put in his timely trea-
tise on the subject There are likely to be diff
ferences Of opinion regarding the authors esti-
mate of the value of what is commonly called
school riding and training, for both rider and
horse; but as whole the rules laid down seem
TO be simple and judicOus. In short. the book
throughout Is written with commendable hu-
name feeling for the brute creation, and bears
nunc fhn ths.pf f,,,.
1arity with his topic, well his interest in it.
fitting companion for Mr.. Anderson's trea-
tise Is the handsomely printed little collection of
poems. whose title is given above. Like all
books of its class, its contents comprise many
good things. but more that are Indifferent,
Wnile some which many people think ought to
be there are omitted altogether 1t is OF course
hard to tell just where to draw the line. and
much more difficult to please all tastes; but
why. oh. anonymous compiler was Bayard Tay-
lor's "Hassan to his Mare" passed by?
LhA asES OF R GsA Ms By WALT WHITMAN Phila
The foolish raid recently made upon Walt
Whitmans poetry by some of the Massachusetts,
state officials appears to have created demand
for new edition of his poems which has been
met by the volume before us. The plates seem
to be new, but In peculiar typographical APP
pearance and arrangement it is somewhat sim
liar to the editions previously issued. 1t is
illustrated by a handsomely executed steel plate
half-ength portrait of the author, when he was
young man.-the same. We believe. which
adorned the first edition of his poems, put in
type and published by the author, in Brooklyn
many years ago.
THE BRIDAL MARCH. AND OTHER STORIES. By
B'ok kndGsId BJoRSsqH Translate by Rasmns
Washington: F. b. Mohun.
There are eight short stories in this well-got-
ten up volume, beside that which gives it it's
title, and which delineates in faithful and in
teresting manner the daily lte customs and
supersttiOns of the better class of Norwegian
peasantry. AS the author has become more
and more interested In the great social and po-
litical questions of the time" it is announced
that he will probably never produce another
novel OF peasant life,-a conclusion greatly to
be regretted. since in that field he had no supe-
riOr The volume is handsomely illustrated by
Tour weli-executed wood cuts, after drawings
expressly made for the title story. by Tidemand.
Norway's most distinguished genre painter. who
died in 1876 and which give it an added value
TANIAS PERIL Or the Edge of ali Abyss. A Russian
George by aESE6 EyIhtE TRANSLATED by
Brothers. = -: = = -
There is almost sure to be strange interest
in romances whose scenes are laid in that mys-
ferrous land. the Russian EMPIRE and "Iania's
Peril is no exception to the rule. The actors
are middle-aged man, who has married a
young and beautiful heiress, Tania and young
and handsome man of fashion, the friend OF the
husband. He is invited to their country seat.
and Immediately falls in love with Tanfa, and
she does the same with him. as Russians are
apt to do They both struggle against their
passion, however and conquer it, as Russians
generally do not The descriptions of peasant
life and OF the country are vivid and interest
ing. and the pastoral pictures are said by those
who have visited Russia to be life-like in the
extreme.
ANTIN0Us,, A Romance Of Ancient Rome By
S Sasaa TAYLOR. From the German by Mary j.
F. f? Moinn M W Is
Taking his Inspiration from the busts of
Hadrian and his young favorite, Antinors, the
author of this story has undertaken to give in a
sort of romance-study the short sad history of
the latter. who ended his life. by drowning. as a
sacrifice. intended to pr0ioRg that of his noble
patron and friend. The descriptions of Roman
habits. the building OF the temples. the sacrf-
cla scenes in the amphitheatre. and the journey
OF Hadr!an to Egypt are all admirably done, and
cannot fail to be interesting alike to the classical
student and the lover Of art
THEIR WEDDING JOURNEY. By W. D. Howr11s
Bos ,;a Haughton. Mifiiin& Co: Washington: F.
CHANCE AcQUAINTAScE By W. D. HowxL,s
b. Mohun.
cheap but attractive edition of two of Mr.:
Howells' most popular minor works. They are
essentially summer books, and in the form now
sent out are just the thing to be put in a
satchei. for reading while travelling or at a sum-
mer resort. Both are somewhat profusely but
not very artistically Illustrated the first named
by HOppin, the other by Sheppard.
EYES DAUGHTERS; Or. Common Sense for Maid
Wife. and Mother. By MARION HARLAND New
YORK: John Il. Anderson Il Henry s. Allen Wash
ington: w. Ballantyne & Son. ~
The character Of this volume Is pretty clearly
indicated by its title, and the reputation Of the
author Is sufficient guaranty that the subject ia
treated in an able and interesting manner That
portion relating to the health of girls is most
excellent, and should be read by every mother
in the land. Indeed, the book as whole is one
which might be in every household to great ad-
vantage the only objection to it being it's bulk.
and little too much diffuseness at times
THE ADVENTURES OF A vIRGINIAN BY OLIVER
THURsroN. Philade phia: l.. Claxton.
romantic love story runs through this little
book, which purports to be series of
letters written from various European cities,
during the beginning of the present century.
The quaint elaborate style of that period is well
simulated. and the volume makes a half hours
pleasant, If not very instructive, reading.