The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-02

them, that confess feel gratifed by dedication,
overwhelming as l may deem it. which may serve
outward sign that we are cordially linked to-
gether in sympathies and friendship" In return
Mr.. Mitchell in his prefacs Of 1858 pays touching
tribute TO the memory of Mr.. Irving, and gives an
interesting sketch of him, with many pleasant rem
iniscences Of days spent in his society.
Among the books of the season comes new Ghe
ntth) edition, of Mr.. Alger's "The Poetry OF the
Orient" Sixteen thousand copies of this were sold
when 1t first appeared in 1885, and for some years
the book has been out of print. fresh demand tor
1t has induced the author to enlarge the volume ana
present 1t again to the public by whom 1t is sure 10
receive a cordial welcome. Mr. Alger states IN his
preface that the field of Oriental literature. as ac
cessble through English, Latin, German and French
TRANSACTIONS, has long been favorite study with
him. and that he has been in the habit of versfyng
passages which especially impressed him. To this
fact we are indebted for the present valuable work.
BE gives particular attention to Hindu, Persian,
Arab, Chinese and Hebrew poetry, and the
volume opens with an historical dissertation which
presents brief sketch of the labors of modern
scholars toward bringing this unique literature to
the acquaintance of the Occidental world and gives
an illustrative analysis of its distinguishing charac
teristics. Starr King. in long and attering notice
of the work on its first appearance said: This
volume win richly repay study to all who can find
benefit in change of mental aliment, and who are
willing to be led by scholarly hand through the
gorgeous and crowded Athenaum of Eastern Liter
ature."
One seldom sees more interesting collection of
Ballads than that in the latest volume of the Clas
sic Series" Besides the fine old Scotch and English
Ballads with which we all are-or ought to be-fa-
miliar it includes the most noted ones of our own
and other countries down to the pres emit day. chron
ologically arranged. Lockhart Macauay, Burns,
Scott and Aytoun, Longfellow, Bryant Holmes,
and many other poets are represented The volume
is intended for young and DID, and contains the best
and most stirring ballads of heroism and adventure,
such as people of all ages are eager to hear. The
compiler truly says, 'Such poetry fills an impor-
tant place in true education by presenting lofty
IDEAL and stimulating the heroic SPIRIT There is a
fascination abou. these old ballads. They are to
poetry what melody is to music.
Books Received.
THE POETRY OF THE ORIENT By William
Housewife Alger. Boston: Roberts Brothers
(Loring, Short q Harmony.
HEROIC BALLADS Classic Series) Selected by
the editor of '.Quiet Hours" Boston: Roberts
Brothers. (Loring Short & Harmony.
DREAM LIFE, and WET DAYS AT lockwood.
By Donald G. Mitchell ok MarveD New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons. CLoring, Short g. Har-
mon.)
INDIAN IDYLs. By Edwin Arnold. Boston:
Roberts Brothers. (Loring, Short & "a armon)
THE PHILOSOPHICAL BASIS OF THEIsM. BY
Samuel Harris, d. D., LII D., of Yale Col lege.
CharlesScribner's Sons. vo. PIP. 504. $3.50
s----.---------v--.--