The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-11
Recent Publications.

ened and made practical regarding the techni.
cal part. Never before was there time when,
as now, every epoch, every country was laid
under contribution to furnish materials and
models for q period Of poetic achievement
which--let men mourn as they may the him
ORANGES that too fine philosophers and the dull
ness of unfaith set up against arts fast prov
ing itself to be one of great richness, variety
and progress. Poetry is now in transition
stage, but its lack of fixity is amply atoned by
the brilliant experiments that are being made
everywhere. This may appear somewhat
ponderous preluding upon strings to be touched
to so simple and homely theme as Dorothy
yet in reading this anonymous poem, those in
terested in the technique of verse will end mat
ter for thought. 1t seems long step from the
finished and refined elegiacs of the Greeks to
the telling of so plain and even uncouth tale
as this of the hard-banded maid-ofall-work at
White Rose Farm. Heroine and story seem
purposely, even aggressively, made English,
everyday and rustic. The significance of the
writer's art is in showing how admirably the
spirit of the Greek metres lends itself to Ian
guage and theme most essentially English. He
handles the metre exceedingly well, if seldom
with the haunting music OF Clough or the lord
ly large resonance Of Swinburne, yet with
satisfying and unstrained manner, an ease and
freedom that will go far to prove his desired
point, that elegiac verse is in every way suited
to purposes of English poetry. As to the wo-
mans rights business of his story, it is given
out with a sort of serious humur, whimsical
and earnest force that is quite agreeable.
The Making of England. By John Richard
Green, M. a, LID. (New York: Harpers;
Portland Loring, Short & Harmony
This admirably brilliant and authoritative
work tells the story of England's early times
from the Roman Conquest to the reign OF Eg-
bert. Professor Green's wonderful instinct for
seizing and presenting the most salient and nc
table points Of history; and the interest, alive
and energetic, which fills the dry bones with
breath, reviying dead folk from the dust OF old
years, make this one of the most picturesque as
it is one of the most reliable and just of historic
works.
English Literature in the Reign Of Victoria.
By Henry Morley. (New York: G. z. Put
nam's Sons; Portland: Loring, Short 81 Har-
mon) While this volume contains very much
that is good and interesting to read and remem-
ber it belongs to bookmaking rather than lit
erature. 1t is indscriminate, without propor-
ton, hasty, and sometimes misleading. 1t
dwells upon the biography and doings OF per-
sons inconsiderabe in literature, and jauntily
passes by some greater lights with an indiffer-
ent nod of recognition. 1t is not a trustworthy
guide in the highways of letters. 1t is written
at the desire of Baron Tauchnitz, as the 20O0th
volume Of his successful, liberal and deserved
ly popular series of publications.
The New Testament ia the Original Greek.
Text Revised by Brooke Foss Westcott, ID. D.,
and Fenton John Anthony.Hort ID, (New
York: Harpers) consists Of extended comments
upon the emendation of texts in the transla-
tion OF the New Testament. 1t is work by
and for scholars; and the less learned reader
will be 9s a,,, To- % at f6ere Is Comparative
" little need to change many of the forms OF
speech grown dear to hearers OF tue WORD.
An Analytical Index to the Works OF Ma
thaniel Hawthorne, with Sketch OF His Life
Boston: Houghton, Miffiin & Co.; Portland;
Loring, Short s. Harmony gives full and con-
venient index of topics more or less fully treat
ed in the writings of Hawthorne; and the
sketch of his life is brief, interesting and sym
pathetic.
School Sermons. By William Everett
Boston: Roberts Brothers; Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmony. These addresses, deilv-
cred from time to time before classes OF boys at
Adams Academy, Quincy. Massachusetts, are
admirably suited to their purpose, and full OF
the most practical, warm-hearted and attrac-
tive Christianity. They do not assume that
boy is bad by nature and subsequent tendency,
but that he is full OF all possibilities; that he
is capable of feeling and thinking, that In
short, he wants to do we'll in this world and
the next The frank and friendly tone OF the
sermons will instantly commend them to the
liking of yoang readers.
| The Worlds Witness to Jesus Christ BY
| Rt. Rev. John Williams, d. ID. (New York;
G. P. Putnam's Sons: Portland: Loring, Short
| & Harmony. This eloquent and vigorous ad-
| dregs upon the Evidences Of Christianity and
its pezer as means of development of mod
ern civilization was delivered before the Theo-
logical Institute of Ohio by Bishop Williams
of Connections as one Of a series OF lectures
provided by gift from Mr. and Mrs Bedell OF
Ohio.
| Old Greek Education. By j. p. Mahatfy
| Author of Social Life in Greece, ETC., etc
New York: Harpers; Portland: Loring' Shor'
s. Harmon) Professor Mahaffy's learning Il
so profound and his acquaintance with the de'
tai Is of antique life so thorough and ezact' ina
he is able to present clear and complete ple
ture IN the brief space of this small volume
He de scribes the minute care, the many-sided
training with which the Greek youth were
fitted fpr their social life and political duties
Especially notable is the great emphasis which
! shey laid upon the power of music, not only tc
raise or quell passions, but as forming an actu-
| al part of the character and subsequent career
| of the man. And here it may be said thai
| Prof Mahaffy's consideration of the limitations
| and power of musical expression in our mod
erp modes and notation is one of the most sen
sibIe, appreciative aud artistic comments yet
made by musician OF layman upon the subject;
aud one that the devotees of programme-com
nosition or the class, not less large, OF thost
| who deny tho power of music TO convey i'm
pressions will do we'll to read. Professor Ma
| haffv deserves the thanks of musicians for Sc
able a setting forth of the possibilities of mu
sical speech, at once more potent, subtle and
universal although less definite aud limiteC
| Than spoken or written language.
James Abram Garfield. By George Z. Hoa
(Yoston: Houghton & Mifflin; Portland: Lor
inc. Short 81 HARMONY. The eloquent ant
beauti euI eulogy pronounced by Senator Hoa
at Worce >ster, Mass, is reprinted in suitable
book form, and is among the most apprecia
tive and soli,.' memorial uttersnces concerning
the nations he loved and lost President.
Every Day T. ,pios. By j. G. Holland
New York: Cha. lies Scribner's Sons; ror'
land: Loring, Short 3 Harmony. This vol
ume of short essays upon popular topics was
made up by the author, rous his editorial articles
in the scribners Mon shiy Magazine for the
five years previous. DR.. Holland enjoyed the
greatest popular favor and hearing. His hon
esty and good-hearted co unlon sense were
much appreciated by a large class OF readers
ind