Middletown transcript., 1883-03-30
BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.

piece illustration of George H. Bough-
toms beautiful picture, Snow in
Spring-time, - and some charming
springtide verses by Avis Grey, called
" The Summons" which are followed
by Katharine R. McDowell's April
Fool story, entitled "Louis's Little
Joke" Edgar Fawcett tells in delight
full style fanciful story, called 1.-THE
Sad Little Prince" for which r. B.
Birch has drawn some characteristic
illustrations and H. II. contributes an
interesting sketch of Chinese life on the
California coast, under the title of " A
Brave Chinese Baby" st. NichotdS'S
numerous Agassiz associates will eager
ly read Professor Holders article on
"FIying Without Wings" which de-
scribes some of the curious ways in
which certain gifted animals laugh at
Sir Isaac Newton and his attraction of
gravitation.
HARPER's MAGAZINE for April is an
exceedingly interesting number of this
popular monthly. There is not dull
article between its covers. The timely
paper on Washington Irving, by George
William Curtis, has already been re-
ferred to in this column. Phebe
Earle Gibbons's English Farmers is
a close study Of rural life in Sussex, and
Mr.. Remnants sketches Of the subject
are delightful. Colonel Higginson, in
the sixth chapter of his American His
tory, entitled can English Nation"
gives a concise and comprehensive re-
view of the early English settlements
in this country. This chapter is very
effectively illustrated from drawings by
Howard Pyle and other sources. The
Hon. John Bigelow, in an article en-
titled ''The Heir-Presumptive to the
Imperial Crown Of Mexico," gives an
interesting chapter Of secret history
connected with MaXimilian's unhappy
reign in Mexico. Miss Woolson's "For
the Maior,'' and Blacks "ShandOn
Bells'' are both concluded in this num-
Der and a very strong short story is
contributed by CA Working-Girl."
FRANK LEsLIE's POPULAR MONTH
LY The April number is already out
filled with delightful reading and
elegant embellishments. The chrome
presented with it, "A Basket Of
Flowers, = is a gem. " The Archi-
tectural Progress of New York City,"
the opening article, has twelve illustra-
tions of prominent new public and
private buildings. THE descent of
the British Crown" by A. II. Guern-
sey; Edinburgh" by Noel Ruthven,
g Leon Gambetta, =" Ancient Laborers
and Princes Of grand Chimu and New
Granada" etc., etc., are exceedingly
interesting and profusely illustrated.
The serial, "TRe Countess Of Clair
vile, " is continued, and there are ad-
mirable short stories, sketches, adven-
lures, etc., by popular writer's. Geo.
Meredith, Geo. Weatherly, etc., con
tribute some excellent poems, and the
miscellaneous articles, paragraphs, ETC.,
abound with entertainment and infor-
nation. There are 1913 pages quarto,
and over 100 establishment in each
number Of this favorite magazine the
price Of single copy is 25 cents only,
50 a year, postpaid. Address, Mrs
Frank Leslie, Publisher, ,453, 50, and 81
Park Place, New York
The APRIL CENTURY.-Mrs. Bur-
nett's story, Through One Admins
tration,' y which has steadily grown in
interest, reaches an effective and tragic
conclusion in the April Century, The
third part Of "A Woman's Reason"
Mr.. Howell's new and striking story,
reveals the heroine Helen reduced al
most to poverty after the settlement Of
her fathers estate. Stedman's essay
on Emerson" the most important
article in the number, reaches the high
water mark of literary criticism. 1t is
appreciative and discriminating, and
deals mainly with Emerson as a poet.
Accompanying the article, as frontis-
piece, is fine engraving by Cole, from
photograph Of daguerreotype Of
Emerson in the prime Of life, which is
instinct with ideality. Most conspic-
uous among several profusely illus
trated articles is Ben Perley Poore's
description of 1.-THE Capitol at Wash
ington, including anecdotes of famous
men who have been leaders in Con-
gress. In "Plotters and Pirates of
Louisiana" i" Mr. Cable offers the most
fascinating chapters yet printed Of his
Creole papers, the principal feature be-
ing graphic sketch Of the pirates Of
Barataria, whose leaders were the no
torious Lafitte brothers. In Bric-a-
Brac, Robert Grant satirizes the chief
attraction imputed to the typical bellies
of New Y ork, Boston, Philadelphia and |
Baltimore.
Catching The Eye of The Speaker.