The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-06-30

o OSoNo AZ WHICH, unuer general
harmonious tone grace of manner and ele-
gance OF language, the poison is so concealed
as 70 pe'unperceiyed by the young reader.
The chapters on The Public Library and
How to Use 1t, and on photography, are
particularly to be commended. An Appen-
dix gives good list of reference books.
The Last Athenian. From the Swedish
of Victor Rydberg. Done into English by
W. w. Thomas, Jr Philadelphia: T. B
Peterson & Brothers; Portland: Loring,
Short & HARMONY The appointment of the
Hon. W. w. Thomas to the Swedish Mis-
sion has brought afresh to notice the trans
lation of a famous Swedish novel that
canght public attention decade ago. The
Last Athenian is remarkable book. and
was pronounced by Eredrika Bremen the
best historical novel ever written in the Swe-
dish language verdict to which students
OF literature have given hearty assent. The
scene is laid in Athens, at the time of Juli-
an the Apostate and the incoming of the
new Christianity; and the 1esolute but ever
losing resistance of the old religion, with its
sole worship of the beautiful, is portrayed
with the vividness of a great historical
painting. The sweet daily life of Grecian
philosopher the teacher of Jullan-the
Christian mob that surges through the
streets OF Athens; the sensuous Roman pro-
consul; the dissipated pastimes of the aiddy
Grecian youth; and the pure and noble
character of Herinione, the philosopher
daughter, are admirably portrayed. Es.
pecially to those who enjoyed Kingsley
Hypatia and Ebers's stories of ancient times
will this book commend itself. Events in
that most trying period in the history of the
early Christian church are well pictured.
The disputes which grew fercer after the
Council at Nice, on the question of the iden.
tity of Christ with the Father, resulting In
the formation of two distinct sects, each be
lieving the other to be hereto and therefore
to be exterminated, and the many fierce and
bloody struggles which followed, both sects
being united in bitter hatred towards the
Jews and the heathen-all are described
and illustrated powerfully and dramatically.
The Christians, given up to fanaticism and
every passion, urged on in their violent
courses by unprincipled, polite leaders,
ready to turn with every political tide and
lead the prosecutions against their former
adherents, presents a striking contrast to the
noble, calm, harmonious followers of the
Neo-Platonic philosophy. After the acces-
sion of Julian, who proclaimed to the world
universal freedom of religion, came a time
of comparative peace to Athens, hostilities
only to be renewed with increased bitterness
after his death. A love story runs through
the book of absorbing interest. The charac-
tiers are drawn with power and feeling, the
general tone is pathetic, but with many
bright touches, and the end is tragic. as
accords with the wildness of the times.
The translation is done In strong, sinewy,
idlomatic English.
The book has passed through three eds
tions. There is now an increased call for it.
doubtless on account of Interrogation by the
Administration Of the work and merits OF
the distinguished translator.
Germany Seen Without Spectaces, or
Random Sketches of Various Subjects.
Penned from Different Standpoints in the
Empire. By Henry Ruggles, Late U. S.
Consul at the Island of Malta and Barcelo-
ma, Spain. Boston: Lee & Shepard; New
Yord: Charles I. Dillingham;
Mr.. Ruggles's volume on Germany is very
readable and interesting. Not that 1t con-
tains anything especially new, but his point
of view is often quite original. The author
favors free discussion, and claims that wri-
tiers have perfect right TO criticize the hab-
its, characteristics and customs of the coun-
tries they visit; and that "crlticism is often
the means Of correcting social; eyils-absur-
dities which nothing but the pen can inn
Prove or exterminate." Doubtless this ia
true of just and kindly criticism, and those
writer's must be pardoned who mistake ex-
ceptional cases for the rule, and thus occa-
sonally misjudge. Mr.. Ruggles seems
greatly impressed with the degradation of
the German peasant women, the custom of
dueling among the students Of the UNIVERSE
ties, and the beer-drinking, which, however,