Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-07-31
CURRENT LITERArURE.

The August CENTURY, the midsummer
holiday number, commands the best efforts of
its best contributors. John Burroughs
glances at British wild flowers with renewed
content in our own more delicate and abun-
dainty scented fora. Edith Thomas gives
characteristic paper. Henry James is at his
best, as also Gable. Frank Stockton throws
out another scintillation from genius, which
is little on the Verne order. Ivory Black
gives San Effect in Yellow, the charm of fresh
opera bouffe, il any of us can remember
when that dawned upon us. General Sam
Houston was truly Homeric. which from his
early acquaintance with the Iliad, was I'M
doubleday his aim. A thoroughly good sketch
OF his tangled career shows that never was
american hero with racier flavor OF the soil.
The exploits OF Chinese Gordon summed up
in clear sequence and language commercially
succinct, justify enthusiasm over this modern
hero Of the knightly heart and iron will.
Following Mrs. Van Rensselaer,, in trip
down broadway, is replete with interest
drawn from "Commercial Buildings" Yet
the palm is awarded to Boston and planted
upon the Bedford street stores, built by Mr..
Richardson. These are all that stores should
be, strong, solid, 'warm," ornamental, not
ornate, quiet, harmonious, varied.
The sketch Of Carmen sylvia, otherwise,
Elizabeth, Queen OF Roumania indicates that
she rounds out her sphere we'll 1t is pity
that 30 good woman should write indiffer-
emit poetry, especially as to do it, she rises at
in the morning, while her regal state seldom
permits her to retire at one.
The most serious writer is Mr.. Rice on
"Work for constitutional convention His
views will raise bowling opposition should
they go beyond the visionary stage. Edward
EFWfTla .atFa a..
our over occupation and lack OF recreation
Prof. Shllman throws a cheering light
athwart the ancient path Of Ulysses, and
washington GLADDEN. conceiyes our chief dam
gers to be intemperance, disregard of the
family tie, and gambling, particularly in
stocks.
Nothing in the August ATLANTIC is more
charming than SIN War Time" 1t is truly
living with the 'best people" with their
faults and foibles, Iehnements and courtesies.
In the erring career of Wendell opens deep
human interest. Edward Morton recalls
Ralph Toughett. Spite of DR.. Mitchell's
plan, perhaps, the heroine is Alice Westerley.
To be unable to centre interest in that per-
sonage par excellence follows the lead of the
best noyelists. Withal, the story is light and
AIRY mOuebL anu mero1iu1 IN It's demands
upon the reader, nobly negative of psyche
logical study. For all this it is choicest vaca-
ton reading.
On the other hand, 'The Zig Gag Tele-
graph" makes up for any metaphysical def
ciencieB, if such they be, in the /. regoing or,
indeed, all the rest Of the number. It recalls
a painful part of "Romola." The Cooks
Tourist" proud and scornful in her economy,
records Seville as memorable for clean
gypsies, a wondrous Alcazar and bewitching
pottery. The latter is maryelously cheap
but unattainable, till the vendors will take
the trouble to pack it. That they should do
so, they resent as unnecessary insult. N. p.
Willis is rescued from growing oblivion with
a graceful touch and modest claims.
Would Grant White make Shakespeare, in
any sense, snob? If 30, had not 'iAnatom-
izlng" better rest2
Kate Cannot Wells discloses the virtues
and some OF the frailities of her goodly
ancestor, President Stiles OF Yale. No aristo-
crat could have taken more pains for the
perpetuity of his family.
MIR. Leland compares the legends of the
Algonquin Indians with the Scandinavian
Edda. With them remains grand store of
archaeological lore, which it were wisdom to
garner, before extirpating its holders,
Mr.. Liscomb describes the haps and dan
gers, which the few remnants Of classical
sculpture, which persisted in coming down to
us, had to survive. 1t is wonderful that we
know the old world at all by tangible evil
dence.