The Portland daily press., 1884-07-07
New Publications.
MEMoIRs oF RUFUS cHoArE.

In this volume the author, Joseph Nelson,
an ardent admirer of the great lawyer, seeks
ITO revive somewhat the love and reverence
due to the memory of Rufus Choate," and If
It is possible to do this by a hearty apprecia-
ton OF his subject, an agreeable style and an
abundance OF interesting material, he will GER
tainly succeed. The book is made mp of the per-
sonal "reminiscences of intimate friends of
Choate.such men as DR.. Putnam, DIR. Storrs,
James L. Field, DIR. Hitchcock George p
Marsh and others equally well known. Hence
1t possesses freshness not usually found in
memoirs OF men who have but recently passed
from the stage of action. The author gives a
careful account of the causes celebres In which
Choate figured, and which have furnished am.
pie material for anecdote to the passing gener-
alton. These not only make the book
interesting to the general reader but
entitle it to the notice of legal stu
dents. Among the interesting cases pre-
sented is that of the murder of DR. Parkman
by Prof. Webster, whose friends wanted
Choate's services, but did not succeed in pro-
curing them. Choate was much criticized at
the time for refusing to take charge of the de-
fence. The reasons for this refusal are here
given for the first time. 1t seems that Web
eter would not consent to the line of defense
which Chcate would have adopted, and the
only line, as is now apparent, which would
have saved him from the gallows In preDar-
ing this book Mr.. Nelson has done valuable
service for the young men of the country. 1t
OauuO1 AdAA W Ineplf0 III tu0m an dQmlraClOQ
for those qualities which constitute real great
ness, and which Choate possessed in an emf.
nent degree.
Mr. Pierrepont, who writes Fifth Avenue
to Alaska" has given us very interesting
book, containing many valuable statistics. and
fine set OF maps prepared by Leonard Forbes
Beckwith, an accomplished civil engineer. The
volume is in large, clear type and beautifully
bound, so that it presents most attractive D.
no MF hAc
described in books and magazine articles over
and over again within the past few years; but
each writer sees his subject from different
standpoint and the present work has no less
interest on account of its many predecessors
We have Omaha and Salt Lake; San Francis
co and the Yosemite; chapter on tie Chinese
Victoria and Alaska, and the famous Yellow
stone Park; and in connection with each the
writer, in very graphic and picturesque style,
gives US some new ideas and fresh thought.
In fact the book is bright and readable, and
contains much useful information agreeably
given.
Perez Gald6s is a very strong writer-per-
haps the leading Spanish novelist of modern
times. His little story, "Mananela," was an
idyl not unlike Paul and Virginia in its sweet
ness and pathos. The present story, "Tratal-
gar" is semi-historical tale, as its title indi-
Gates. The recital Is in the first person and
runs, II have much to tell. Trafalgar, Ball
cug NuHuElu, IdEdSUZdl T0TUDdt Ar&pll6S-' ana
at the close of the book, "My fate, which had
taken me to Trafalgar, led me subsequently
through many glorious and inglorious scenes,
all in their way worth remembering. IT the
reader cares to hear the story of my life will
tell him more about it at future opportuni-
ty." This last clause strikes us as bit faulty
for English translation, but "the reader will
care for other volumes similar to Trafalgar" !"
for Gald6s is too charming romancer not to
make all his writing glow with thrilling Incl
dent and graphic description.
"Salt Lake Fruit. A Thrilling Tale of Nor
mon Life" is a large, elaborate and very fully
illustrated volume published by Rand, Avery
& Co., Boston. The book is written by "An
American" who prefers to remain unknown
position in Washington circles and to be
well qualified to write upon tine subject;
and it is represented that all the facts
related in the story have actually occurred.
The style is intense and exaggerated.
OF Mormonism she SAYS: "The mon
from its fanged tongue drops the poi
son of its accursed ereed,' and indicates that
it will soon have the Goddess of Liberty within
its clutches, which surely is not a pleasant
picture to contemplate. The story is written
with fervor, but certainly is not pleasant
one, or apparently very proba BILE.
"Wheels and Whims," and "One Among
Many" are two pretty volumes gotten up in the
usual attractive style of Messrs. Cupples, Up
ham & Co.'s publications. The first is narra-
tion of tricycle. trip, by four young women,
with all its incidental experiences, wri item
partly with view to influencing our girls to
out-of-door activity and vigorous exercise in
the sunshine and open air. The style is fresh
and vivacious, and the book has some pretty
illustrations. Mrs. Goodwin's story will be
read with pleasure by the many who remem-
ber her previous works. "Dr. Ro sell's Fami-
y" and "Christine's Fortunes" The writer is
very earnest and shows strong religious feeling.
Such stories should commend themselves to
the young in this day of trash and sensational
literature.
Blackmore is too we'll known by his "Lorna
Doone," "Alice Lorraine" and 1.-THE Maid of
Skier" to need praise as a novelist but the
oddity of the title of his last book will of itself
attract attention. "Sir Thomas Upmore"
comes in clear print, pamphlet form, from the
Harpers, all for the sum of thirty-fve cents.
Since Tommy Upmore's" history is a remark
able history we avoid any violation Of literary
secrets, and for English politics in narrative
form, recommend the reader to a careful peru
sal of the text; venturiDg this comment how
ever, that the title of the story is no more un-
like the authors usual selection of titles, than