The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-21
New Publications.

The literary growth and development of Miss
Julia Constance Fletcher, whose nom de
plume is "George Fleming" has been watched
with much interest by her many friends in
America. She has more than fulfilled the
promise given in "Kismet," Mirage" and
1.-THE Head of Medusa," for her new novel,
'eVestigia" is work of real power The title
is q part of the quotation from Virgil, which
the author has taken as the motif OF her story
--"Vestigia nulla retrorsum"-no steps back
ward. The chief character is the young Ital-
ian Dino, or Bernardino di Rossi who is an
enthusiastic republican, or under the influence
of one Valdez, and as member OF the Circolo
Barsanti, agrees to 60 to Rome and assassinate
the King; thus forsaking his widowed mother
and the beautiful girl Italia, whom he loves.
At the last moment Valdez attempts the act
instead of Dino, who returns to love and duty.
Miss Fletcher has made of the loves of Dino
and Italia !charming idyl. Throughout the
story she has shown much versatility and grace
in characterization, as we'll as dramatic force.
Her touch is both delicate and brilliant and
'svestigia" leaves delightful impression up
on the mind of the reader.
No matter how careless or Indifferent youth
NAV be,to the thought of death or future life,
we all, sooner or later, come to regard it with
intense interest. not unmingled with curiosity.
AS the wears go by and our best and dearest go
from us to enter upon the unseen, we long for
a glimpse of the other world, and eagerly well
come every word of hope or inspiration, from
whatever source it may come. Thus "The
Gates Wide Gpen," and "The Little Pilgrim
were read with keen interest; and now Mrs.
Oliphants last venture in the literature of the
spirit-"Old Lady Mary: A Story of the Seen
and the Unseen,'' comes to delight and disap-
point us. 1t is tender, sweet and sympathetic;
it is intensely imaginative, and withal, singu-
larly practical; but so far human imagination
can 90, and no farther. Thus the only purpose
that such writing can serve is through the NOR
al influence it may exert upon our lives.
AS literary production Mrs. ELEPHANTS
work is exquisite; but the amount of hope,
comfort or knowledge it may inspire depends
upor the temperament of the reader.
q -t4Hg. f
= Al jolly, rollicking story for boys, big as well
as little, Is Mr.. Stevenson's Treasure Island
with its maps and charts and illustrations.
FaIl Of sea-breezes and pirates and hidden
treasure, and queer old sea-dogs and one good.
boy-of-a-character who has the benefit of it all,
and whom the boy reader will imagine himself
to be. The author'slines 'To the Hesitating
Purchaser" will give better idea of his inten-
tions than anything else that could be said
eff sailor tales to sailor tunes,
~ e Storm and adventure heat and cold,
If schooners, islands or maroons,
And Buccaneers and Buried Gold,
And all the old Romance, retold
Exactly in the ancient way,
Can please, as me they pleased of old,
- ~ VI The wiser youngsters of to-day:
$50 be it, and followi If not,
'iesis IF studious youth no longer crave,
= T.sosa Els ancient appetites forgot,
Fst Kingston or Ballentyne the brave,
Or Cooper of the wood and wave:
.f So be it, alasl And may
ssb And all my pirates share the grave
thaaa am their creations lie -