The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-07

LIFE OF LUTHEB.
At the close of the four hundredth anniversary Of
the birth of Martin Luther, the attention of the
reading world has very naturally been drawn anew
to the life and teachings of the great theologian.
The leader of the Reformation has been the theme
for magazine article, sermons, studies and poems,
both abroad and in our own country, and new
collection of his hymns set to music, has been
published. In page Of Luther" illustrations In
a late number of the London Illustrated News one
picture especially attracted the eye, from the fact
that on the wall was represented an immense
black stain, designated as the mark left on the
wainseoting when Luther threw his inkstand at
the devil. This is little realistic and somewhat
suggestive of criminal court ease but it may serve
prove that at least on that occasion his satanic
majesty was as black as he is painted. While
short sketches on Luthers life and character must
OF necessity be inadequate to the purposes of a
study of his history, permanent contribution to
Luther biographies in English has been made in
the authentic Translation from the German of
julius kostlin's Life'of Luther. The book Is Illus
trated by copies of old wood cuts and engravings
and fac SMILES OF historical documents. Professor
kostlin published years ago learned work upon
1.-The Reformation In Germany" and also In 1875,
the volumes on the "Life and Writings of Luther"
to which readers of the present work are referred
for further research. Mr.. Froude in 1.-THE Con-
temporary Review" speaks in glowing terms of this
biography. 1t is beyond doubt one of the most
valuable books published In late years. 1t will
fasten the students interest from the first page to
the last and will give that satisfaction which only
the "best of its kind" can.
Mrs. Mace's poems are well known among New
England lovers of song. Perhaps the most familiar
are the beautiful lines, beginning
Only waiting till the shadows
Are little longer grown,
Only waiting till the glimmer
Of the days last beam is fiown
and those entitled "The First Robin "Far and
Near" "Forest Worship" Isolation and saint
Cecilia There are also a number of longer
legends and lyrics. Many friends looked forward
with pleasant anticipations to the coming of this
little volume and new friends will be added to the
number now that it ispublished. 1t is tastefuily
bound in prettily colored flexible covers Unless
we are very dull of comprehension, there is an
omission In the last stanza of sBaldur The Beauti
full" page 35.
Around the career of Marie Antoinette romance
has always clustered more than about the life of any
Queen of France. What was her life but a dra-
matte tragedyfrom its opening its close; her be.
trotha at fourteen; her easy gaites her life after
her marriage at Paris; the story of the diamond
necklace; her terror before the mob; the partir q
from her children; her trial and executioni Hen
RITA Keddie, better known "Sarah Tytler," un-
der which name she has written novels and various
handbooks of art, is the author of new biogra.
ply Of this unfortunate queen, and has added to
the "New Plutarch Series fine sketch, particular
ly adapted to young readers.
DR.. Gilbert says of his "Home Physician" sIt is
the intention of this book to give useful and avala
BILE information, regarding diseases and medicines
to seamen and persons situated at distance from
physicians Simplicity and brevity have been stud
led. and theory and reasons avoided, for the pur-
pose of making the matter as distinct as possible
and avoiding confusion" The vol ume is very light
and could easily be carried in mans coat pocket
The treatment recommended in accidents, as frac-
lures, disocations, burns, poisoning etc. is pract-
cable, and forms a valuable feature of the work,
which is throughout marked by good sense, ability,
and an absence of elaboration.
Under the general heading "Minor Wars of the
United States" comes history of the war with
Mexico, by Horatio Oliver Laid, a graduate
ter of John S. c. Abbott, and is President of the
University of New Mexico, Santa Fe. In the pre-
face he expresses the hope that his work may
an interest in the New West The modest claims of
the author will be more than realized, for he has
written graphic and striking narrative. Its de-
scrptiye style and illustrations will attract young
readers, while historical students will find its chap
tiers stocked with facts and statistics. map and
well arraged index form the closing pages of the
book.
The collection of English verse; edited by w.
j. Linton and r. H. Stoddard is now complete in
five volumes "Chaucer to Burns" az yrics of the
Nineteenth Century, Ballads and Romances >
Dramatic Scenes and Characters" and "Trans
lations." We have already given the plan of, this
work and have but to repeat that Mr. Stoddard's
scholarly introductions to each volume, the inter
ing notes attheir close the extent of ground gone
over. in selocting-yet always with discrimination
andgood taste-and the plain elegance Of bind
ing make this set of books very attractive and yau
able.
The issue of second edition indicates the inter-
est felt in Mr.. G. F. Thwings American Colleges
In this version, three chapters have been added
Wealth and Endowment" National Uniyer-
sity" and "Woman's Education. A very full table
of statistics is appended, taken mainly from the re-
turns made to the o. S. Commissioner of Education
for 1S8O-3l. The book will commend Itself at
once to those for any specially interested in
the work of students in our colleges
convenient and useful little volume is the
Handbook of English Authors" by Oscar FAY
Adams. 1t contains the names of well known
writer's dates of their BIRTH and their death if NOT
living. and mention OF several of their leading
works. Sometimes few remarks are added. and
usually good reference is given so that anyone
possessed by the spirit of inquiry will be aided in
his search. These small dictionaries of authors,
are excellent things to have at hand as au occasion
al help in looking up dates and titles of books.
Books Received.
ENGLISH VERSE. Edited by W. Linton and R. TT
Stoddard. New York: Charles Scribners Sons
(Loring, Short g. Harmony
MARIE ANToINETTE. By Sarah Tyler. The
new Plutarch series. New York: G. p Putnam,s
Sons. Nering, Short & Harmony
AMERICAN COLLEGES. Their students and work
BY Charles f. Thwing New York: G. P. Putnam's
Sons Qoring, Short Harmony
Prrr,T n