The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-24
A BIOGRAPHY OF WHITTIER.

DlOGhAPHf OF WHITTIER.
We have read with much interest Mr.. Francis H.
Underwood's interesting monograph about John G.
Whittier. The book was undertaken with the APP
proval Of Mr.. Whittier and in its preparation the
author has received valuable assistance from rela-
tives and friends of the poet. The subject of the
memoir is presented, not only as poet, but his
character and public services set forth. Begin
ming with his boyhood, Mr.. Underwood gives us a
pleasant sketch Of Whittier's home and family and
early surroundings; his struggles to obtain suita-
Bile education and the early development Of his
poetical talent. Later his success editor, his
friendship for Garrison and his efforts in connection
with him in the anti-slavery movement. Then Mr..
Garrison assals the church for its conservatism and
silence and deprecates political action. This causes
q division between himself and Mr.. Whittier, the
latter siding with the workers in politics. From
that time to the present the poets in ltera.
ture and reform is sketched with skill and enthus-
iasm which very attractive. Mr.. Underwood's
style is felictous that his subject gains fresh life
at his hands and it is pleasure to feo that one 80
revered and beloved both in public and private has
had so sympathetic and competent biographer.
The volume has several illustrations, two portraits
of Mr.. Whittier he looks at the present time
another from daguerreotype taken in 1888; por-
traits of the mother of the poet and of his sister
Elizabeth who also had gift for poetry. Until her
death she was closely connected with her brother
in all his interests and was the light of his home,
The other illustrations represent the birthplace of
Whittier Oak Knoll Danyers Mass. We must
greet, with his biographer, that Mr.. Whittier, has
never been even ordinarily careful to preserve let
tiers and memoranda which would have been most
valuable to posterity. But SO it is, and" says Mr.
Underwood. sit is only necessary to make a faith
full study of his works. and of the and events
he has illustrated in order to interpret the poet the
philanthropist and the man."
very bright, chatty, pleasant book is Mr..
Downes's Spanish Ways and By-Ways," and one
that is well worth reading. Perhaps no European
country remains so unchanged from its old customs
and habits as Spain. In the march of progress it
seems, in way to have beenleft behind; and to the
the traveller ii is all the more interesting for that
reason. Mr. Downes has very happily grasped the
prominent characteristics of the people, the archi
lecture and the amusements and while his style is
very concise he is graphic and conveys sense of
reality to all that he describes. His keen sense of
humor which reminds us of mark TWAIN is very
enjoyable and adds to the entertainment in reading
his book while it in wise detracts from the solid
infor nation which it imparts. Mr.. Downes snaly-
ses with power and knowledge the tot Velasquez,
Murillo, Ribera and Goya, and deyotes special
chapter to the Royal Museum of the Prado, the
greatest collection of masterpieces of art in the
world. The three score pictures which illustrate
the text are admirable and the volume is in all ways
a very charming one
W. w. Story the sculptor has Just published
new volume of poems. 1t is a delicate little vellum-
bound brochure and woven in with short intervals
of conversation as the old game Consequences
runs 'sWhat He Said" and What She Said"-are
poems grave and gay. ut will be like looking over
an artists .sketck-book, where things are half
DONE just begun, altered, erased, outlined un-
framed, and these always have peculiar charm
that finished work never has: freshness and care
less grace that elaboration tames and spols." The
result OF this pretty fancy in the little book before
us, is very successful. Such daintyfor 1T is that
inside and out-ought to be enjoyed in an ideal
library during ideal leisure among music and
pictures and the soft coors of tapestry and en-
broideries The work-a-day New Highlander may
have to omit these harmonies; but he appreciates
them and sees them with his minds eye, though the