The Portland daily press., 1883-06-09

etc. portland: Loring, Short & Harmony.
Il is doubtful whether this author can ever
write book so popular as A FOOLS Errand,
for 1t fell upon a community Of readers in
tlamed with the spirit which peryaded its
very purpose, ard moreover it had re
markedly happy plot and the most engross-
ing episodes-episodes co-existent with the
very problems of the country. II was
happy thought, bold and swift execution,
and an unqualified success. Judge Tourgee
has been prolific and spirited writer ever
since his first venture, with very high ambi-
ton. The present volume Is the
last of a series of novels of
political and historical character, in
which figure some men and women who
wrought in the great events just before the
outbreak of the Antl-Slayery agitation. II
Is well written and handsome book that
will have many readers, but very much few
er than wonlS have turned to 1t before GER
tain social and political questions were for
ever settled.
Nan. BY Lucy G. Lille. Illustrated.
New York Harper & Brothers; Portland:
Loring, Short & Harmon. This is the last
issue OF the "Young People Series hand
some little volume that tells bright and
clean story for younger folks, and can be
safely commended as healthful as well as
interesting.
The Ladies Lindores. by Mrs. oliphant.
thew York: Harper Brothers; Portland:
Loring, Short u Harmony 1t is marvel
how one can write so much and so well as
this writer does One of the busiest Of au-
thors. and yet every book is patiently
wrought out. This is one of her quietest
and yet strongest stories of domestic life.
that can be most conseieniiouslv commend
ed as safe and healthful fiction.
For the Major. A Novelette,. BY Con-
stance Fannimore Woolsen, author az Anne.
(New York: Harper 4 Brothers; Portland;
Lofing, Short 4 Harmon Most of our
readers Will remember that this story orig
inaly appeared in Harper's Magazine. 1t is
less ambitious than Anne, but more satisfy
Ing. Indeed, it is one of the most even and
natural and best sustained species Of story
writing Of the year, and in execution it is d
gem Of book making.
Comparative Zoology. BY James Orion.
thew York: Harper & Brothers; Portland:
Loging, Short & Harmon This is work
Of 400 pages. very fully illustrated, and has
most elaborate index. The scope and pur-
pose Of The work viii be best understood
from the authors preface wherein he de-
elares that it is treatment Of the whole
Animal Kingdom as a unit at is de.
signed solely Jas manual for instruction.
Il Is not work Of reference, nor treatise.
but IS prepared on the principle of Just
enough and no more The work is de-
signed to present. Ia 3 somewhat new form
the admitted facts aud principles Of Zoology.
and written In the light Of the most recent
phase Of the science.
4 Sea Queen. BY w. Clark Russell
sNew York: Harper 4 Brothers; Portland
Lorirg, Short & Harmon Mr.. Russell
does well to keep to his chosen line Of fiction
for as writer Of sea stories he has few
equals. His books have the magic charm of
description that Mr.. Blacks have. And in
this last story of his are in turn presented
with the yiyidness of illustrations by Dore,
word paintings Of dead calm at sea in the
seoFching southern attitudes, OF brisk gales,
Of fierce storms in which we can hear the
shFieking Of the wind in the cordage and the
roar of the thunder and the sea, ef mutiny
OF the whole ships crew against their young
captain, sho with his wife is left on board
the burning vessel in the next scene,
Of the young couple at night in
an open boat, ana Of the fever
stricken ship which they board, con
tanning the one living being, like the An
Gent Mariner, with ''the dead at lis feet. =
But there are also pleasaater pictures, Of
brilliant sunsets. charming bits Of eaest
scenery, North Of England shore life aud
quaint character sketches The motif OF
the story is 10 show the hardships and perils
Of sailors and shipmasters, and to urge
more consideration for them on the part Of
ship owners and landsmen in general.