Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


ANNUAL. New York: R. worthing
ton. San Francisco: A L. Bancroft Co. One |
volume, quarto 81 90.
The art Of book-msking for children has
advanced to the upper levels Of such excel
lence that not few volumes are now issued
which are worthy OF q note in reviews
Among these we class one just at hand, emit
tied az above. It Is noticeable for the ex.
ceediugly varied character of its contents
and the admirable taste manifest In choosing
papers to entertain, elevate and instruct the
youthful reader. It'll not often that so choice
a selection of matter is made by the COM
n;lers of ANIMALS for children. The engrav-
ings are in keeping with the text, and not
onlv are of high order IS to theme and con.
caption, but convey ideas through the me-
dunn of q superior art; the engrsvlngs are,
In short, wonderfully expressive and exqui-
sitely executed.
In rBg CARouISFz WOODS. Novel. By Bret
Harte Boston Houghton, Miitiin 4 Co. Sacra-
rnento W. A & @. S. Houghton. VOL, l2mo 81.
This story has lost something of its interest
in this form, from the fact that it first ap-
peared as serial. California readers, espe-
cially of the old time, very naturally turn to
any new product of Mr.. Hartes genius. They
have q loyal attachment to their own. Mr..
Harte was California discovery, and here
his ability had its early development-indeed.
we are apt to reflect that the best efforts of
his life were made here. 1t is moot point if
he has ever written anything so we'll since he
left these shores as during the time he was
with us. The Californian will be more and more
Inclined to this belief when he shall have
read ia the Csrquiuez Woods" 1t is not
Mr., Harte's best worb-it falls below q num-
bar of his previous efforts. 1t lacks that orig
inality which once so characterized him.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that peculiar
style-that illustrative of the pioneer era and
pioneer msnners-has been so much INDUCED
in by Mr.. Harte that, when he sbandons it,
his work seems less fresh to US, less vivscious
and less original. The story is of Cali.
fornis. but not that California of
which Mr.. Harte's stories generally
treat. There are some rare good pen pictures
in the book, some finished work in scene
sketching some admirable touches of nature,
but these hang upon the volume as orna-
ments they are not of the story, and the
theme does not depend upon them. The tale
could have been told and the interest main
tanned without this establishment. The
location of the scenes in California are within
the probabilities, but the action is not. The
theme moves upon plane very like all Mr..
Hsrte's California stories, but the diction
that gave them a peculiar attractiveness and
concealed the defects of the work, is missing
in this novel It stands out raw. boned and
f4shless. In short it is thin work, the
Cruel of fiction. Then, teo, its character
treatment is unreal-it goes into the depths
for personalities to exalt, when in real life
experience teaches us that such things are IN
true, that they are at the best phenomenal,
and that even California ideals are not con.
jured from the abodes of degradation and
crime.
LIFE og WAGNER. By Louis Nohl. Translated from
the German BY George P. Upton. Chicago jan
sen McClurg Co 4; Svo; 81 20.
This is one of the series entitled "Biog.
raphies of Musicians" 1t is an admirably
compact and deeply. interesting story of ro-
mantle life. It carries the reader inter.
estedly along the whole course of the efforts
of Wagner to found a school and through the
development of his remarkable powers and
into the very heart of his great conceptions.
What gives especial interest to this attractive
work is the knowledge that the prize offered
by the Prague Concordis for the best essay
on "Wagner's Il fluence upon the National
Art " has been sdjudged to Louis Nohl, the
author of this volume.
From w. A & G.. S. Houghton we have
package of holiday books for little folks that
are charmingly attractive. The resources OF
art are heavily called upon in these days to
contribute to the pleasure of children, while
some of the most cultured of literary men
and women devote their best talents to their
entertainment. OF the books to which the
Houghtons invite our attention, all are from
the press of Lee & Shepard, Boston,
and Charles T. Dillingham;, New York.
The first is one of Sophie Mays "Flsxie
Frizzle" stories, entitled "Flaxie's Keilty-
leep," small, neat volume, selling at rs
cents 1t is the sixth of the series, and is for
girls especially. 1t is a charming little story.
The next in order is an 8vo vol 81 %, BY
Robert B. Dixon, entitled Fore and Aft"
and is story Of actual sea life. It is for
boys, of course, and is full of information
and interest. The narrative is plainly,
simply presented, but with force and
the charm of the gifted story teller"
Another volume is entitled His Triumph"
and is by Mary A. Denison, an accom-
plshed writer for Youth" The book sells
at 81, and is a very interesting story, with
the tone of purity and the vigor of right
thinking and elevated sentiments characteriz-
one by Oliver Optic wv. T. Adams), con-
corning whose ability there is no need
to make remark; the boy world knows
him too well tor that. The volume, retailing
at 81 %, is entitled "Snug Harbor,
or the Champlain Mechanic" 1t is freely
illustrated. Still another book for youth is
by J. T. Trowbridge, and is entitled Phil
aud His Friends" 1t is octave, and cells at
81 %. 1t is an admirable story, well told,
and teaches lessons that will benefit any boy.
The name of the author is guarantee for its
purity. In one chapter (p. 22ll we are told
of courageous, manly and truthful act on
the part of Phil. the hero. that makes the
blood tingle, and that must inspire every lad
who reads it with high resolves and de-
termination to love the truth and adhere to it
for truths sake. 1.-The Bear Worshipers of
Yezo and the Island of Karafuto," is the
title of an quarto book for youths that comes
to Us from the same firm, and sells at 81 70,
1t is a continuation of 1.-THE Adventures
OF the Jewett Family and their Friend Otto
Nambo." 1t is by Edward Greey. 1t is pro-
fusely illustrated after sketches made by
Japanese artists They are graphic and cor
rect pictures. The text Of the book is of
strange interest and full of valuable informa-
tion. "Our Boys in China" is the title of a
quarto from the same houses, and sells for
81 70. II is thrilling story of two young
Americans in the China seas and the En-.
pire of China. 1t is by Harry w. French,
and contains 1888 fine illustrations. 1t gives
interior glimpses of China in the form Of a
most attractive story, told with view to in
terest young people especially, but not devoid
Of interest for their elders.
The Belle of Australia is the title of
large Svo. volume, received from w. A. & c.
s. Houghton, Sacramento, and selling at
81 So 1t is from the press of De Wolfe,
Fiske & Co. The story is by William H.
Themes 1t is well enough told. but it is SO
wholly improbable as to destroy the interest
the narrative derives from the readiness of the
author in dialogue and fancy. 1t moves
upon plot which brings young American
lust landed in Melbourne into all sorts
of trouble because he is mistaken for
an Eoglish Lord. As such he is absolutely
compelled to marry a woman bis double had
courted. and. despite his denials, is claimed
by the bride, her friends and the police as the
scion Of an aristocratic house. He marries