The Portland daily press., 1882-07-03

thy, NJ L. New YORK: ScrlDnerS; ForLanu'
Loring, Short & Harmony The interesting
and suggestive period Of progress in the politi-
cal history of England, chosen by Mr.. McCar-
thy for the subject of his contribution to the
Epochs of History Series, comprises the years
from the INTRODUCTION of Lord Grey's inst Re.
form Bill to the death of Sir Robert Peel
During this period, the condition of English
subjects was notably and rapidly bettered.
basis of popular suffrage OF representation, etc.
was established by Lord Grey's bill, which al
so overthrow many political anomalies of long
standing The 1.-THE system in Ireland was
abolished; and slavery exterminated from
British colonies. The employment of women
and children in mines, and their oyer-work in
factories was looked into and regulated. Pos
tai rules, corn law reform, penal regulations,
etc., were also among the important episodes of
this time, which represents most lively and
effectual era of Eugish history
"Reminiscences, chiefly of Oriel College and
the Oxford Movement. BY Rev. L. Motley.
(Boston: Houghton & Mffiin; Portland: Lor-
ing, Short s. Harmony In the course of these
two volumes of easily written and diffuse rec
objections the reader, who may have no espec-
ial interest in the affairs of Orel College will
find many entertaining and curious notes con-
corning the characters and doings of distin-
guished men, For readers interested in the
departure in theology which was set in motion
at Oxford, these volumes record with the de-
tail of an eyewitness, the persenages and scenes
of that episode.
Three in Norway. By Two of Them phil
adelphia Porter & Coates; Portland; Hoyt,
Fogg & Donham. A lively off-hand nara
tive of a journey through Norway, Sandertaken
by three young men who possessed an mex
haustible fund Of good temper and the happy
knack of seeing the fun in everything. The
reader will be amused and interested by the
artless narrative of the travellers to the extent
OF pardoning some poor witticisms. The vol
ume is a cheerful companionfor 8 summer s. day
when the critical faculties are lulled by the
heat, and one wishes to be kept from sleepi
ness by lively book.
Asohenbroedel. No Name Series (Beston
Roberts Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmony A charming, frank. fresh novel,
elninently suited for reading aloud on Shady
piazzas or under the GOODNESS of pine boughs.
1t is written in an unaffected and agreeable
style; the sketches OF character are excellent,
without over-elahoration; and the sound and
sweet nature of the story, free from conyen-
tionalities and narrowness but natural and we'll
poised, will commend it to readers tired o. the
too subtle and pointless fiction which ahounds.
Dicks Wandering. By Julian Sturgis (Bos-
ton: Houghton Mifflin s. Co.; Portland I.or-
iag, Short & Harmony Nothing can be more
exquisitely touched than Mr.. Sturgis' little
comedies. They have a most delicate charm
of flexible art, at once dramatic and poetic;
words, and point and grace of movement that
make them an ideal of the miniture drama, so
greatly favored in Partisan saloons At the
same time, these comedies are entirely
Of English quality, they have the direct
descent from the old English drama
though they are modern az one of
of Mr.. du Manrier's charming cartoons. These
comedies, and few words by Mr.. Stursis,
prepare the reader to sxpect much of Dicks
Mr.. Sturgis gift does not lie especially in the art
of constructing complete and involved plot,
but rather in the finish and grace of his pic
lures of society and exceeding delicacy in
touch by means Of which he quietly and With
ly illustrates the manners of the time.
Anne By Constance Fenimore Nroolson.
(New York: Harpsrs; Portland: Loring, Short
& Harmony This etory which has attracted
very great interest and much discussion during
its publication in Harper's Monthly Magazine,
reads quite as well in book form Like most of
Mrs. Woolson's novels it evidences genuine
literary and story telling talent but in the con-
struction Of its plot fails IN some way to hold
the belief and imagination of the reader as
stories OF less actual merit often succeed in do
ing. The opening of the story is simply per-
feet; the picture Of the little north western
town and its inhabitants is real masterpiece
Of sympathetic and intelligent genre painting.
But toward the end, when the author hastens
story, the novel falls into the rank and file Of
fiction Miss Woolson is 3 reporter, both pc
etc and faithful, of what she sees, but the
talent Of imagining an effective plot is not hers
by nature. Should she, by examining and de-
finipg for herself her own talent, write a novel
which shall be equal throughout to tho early
chapters.of Anne-Miss Soolson will place
herselfin the front rank of American novel;
lists.