The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-03
New Publications.

is to love it seriously nationally, but above ali
sincerely. Paris letter.
New Publications.
The Epitome of Universal History, by Carl
Ploetz, appears in a seventh edition. The
original value of the book is enhanced by the
pains-taking care of the translator, William
ii. Tllllnghast, and the valuable additions he
makes TO its pages, impartiDg copious amount
OF information with praiseworthy conciseness
and accuracy, giving prominence, under the
classification of ancient history, to the relative
ethnology OF the early people, but modestIV
stating in his introduction the uncertainty of
such knowledge and announcing all theories
IN this direction as merely speculative. Beside
the mythical history of Greece and Rome, Mr..
Tillinghast has placed that of England, Ire.
land and Scandinavia, and he admits belief
that fabulous tales, if kept distinct
from authentic records, may have not only a
literary, but historical value. The transla-
tors additions are compiled from reliable but
easily accessible sources and include history
of China, Japan, Parthia and Persia under
the Sassanida omitted by the author. The in
dex to this volume is complete and the chrome
logical arrangement develops the leading
events of nations and countries in regular sue
cession, making, as it were, distinct and sepa-
rate paths which lead the student to one COM
mon highway. AS scholars manuel, teach
er's book of reference and desirable adjunct
w 0AJ l1DAdAyy VIC Odu CuO0Elully recommend
this volume.
In Judith; chronicle of Old Virginia."
plantation life is faithfully exemplifed. It's
insight into the character and tendencies of
the negro, it's apt reproduction of their dialect
and its familiarity with their superstitions,
proclaim the writer's knowledge of her sub
Ject. The character of Judith, thoughtful,
sensitive Child trusted by all, and betraying
the confidence of none, is natural and pleasant
to contemplate, but the book falls short of its
possibilities when its heroes and heroines sum-
marily fail to fulfil what they have promised
Spoiled, coquettish Harry Macon reveals Gimp
Sos OF her tragic character and fate when first
introduced to the reader but Mr.. Bradley, "a
gentleman-ingrain," surprises us by presenting
"hippant travesty" of his early love affair,
and when Virginia, whom we have learned to
consider type OF womanly beauty and good
ness, marrles out of sheer wantonness, noble
self-sacrifcing Uncle Archie, grows faded and
fretful and wastes her life in Worshipping a
memory, The story loses its interest and we
close the book without regret.
'The Greek Question and Answer by Prof.
Louis Dyer, treats of subject which has re-
Gently so agitatated the literary atmosphere as
to become of almost universal interest Prof.
Dyer, in his paper, which was originally read
before the Harvard Club of Rhode Island,
does not favor the diSconnection of science and
the classics, believing that separate prepare
tory courses for college would frustrate the
moral influences of comradeship. Besides
boys at ten or twelve cannot choose Intelligent
ly between science and literature. The study
OF culture aud language gives no control over
the moving force" of beauty, which uses
gravity, electricity, and all other forces as its
own. During the short career of the Greeks,
beauty came down 10 earth, and there is put
one position analogous to theirs-that of the
children OF Israel in every education which is
to establish sane and religious convictions,
The literary man needs the new light of science,
hence 1.-THE Greek answer to the Greek ques-
tlon-Greek and Science, Science and Greek"
Accordingto popular decision, led by the Lon
don Academy, ''The Picture" purporting to be
from the pen of the late novelist, Chas. Reade
is to be judged as liberal (if not literaD trans
lation of Rayband's Madame Malepiere' pub
lished in 1856. The story though OF too moral,
is quite clever and has an air of improbability
entirely in keeping with Mr.. Reades romances
and is an intensely interesting narration.
Apropos of the alleged appropriation our atten-
ton is called to "The White Elephant"
claiming to be his production, but already
dlscountenanced as cheap reprint of his
Jack OF all Trades" being apparently an at
tempt to profit By the present zoolog ical sensa-
ton.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, pamphlet purport-
ing TO be the authors "reminiscences of the
poet-philosopher, is but reteration of facts
already we'll known. It deals almost wholly
with Emerson's tendencies to Neo- Platonic
Mysticism and Pantheism and while admitting
his genius and power seeks to show that his
life was largely wasted through the agency of
these beliefs. In closing the essayist alludes
to Emerson as one whose lifeWork ''sbows a
great waste of power" and illustrates the text
he that gathereth not with me scattereth
abroad
"Clesr Light from the Spirit World" is a
book recounting the circumstances which led
the author to belief in Spiritualism and de-
tails her experience and progress in her after
Investigations. Descriptions of seances and
communications from spirit friends and nota-
bic people recently deceased are given with an
air of sincerity and earnestness which pro-
claims Miss Irving an enthusiastic adherent
TO her chosen belief.
Mrs. Barbaulds "Tales," long since widely
known, and celebrated for their simplicity and
purity, appear In a new and attractive edition
accompanied by an interesting memoir of the
author, Mrs. Letitia Barbauld. The binding
is in delicate tints of green and gold and the
neatness and taste discernible in the arrange.
ment and Typography of this volume are very
creditable to the publishers.
Books Received.
THE PICTURE: By Charles Reade New York:
Harper & Brothers.
THE WHITE ELEPHANT: By Charles Reade.
New York: Gibson & King.
MRS. BARBAULD's TALES. With Memoir nv
Grace A. oliver. Boston: Roberts Brothers.
JUDITH: A chronicle of Old Virginia, by Marion
Harland New York: Fords, Howard Il Hubert
CLEAR LIGHT FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD: Bv
Kate irving New York: G. W. Carleton Il Co.
PLoETZ's EPIToME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY:
Translated by William H. Tilinghast Boston.
Houghton, Miflin & Co.
The GREEK QUESTION AND ANSWER: By Louis
oyer. assistant professor of Greek and Latin in
Harvard College. Boston: James r. Osgood Il Co.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON: A paper read befora
the New fork Genealogical and Biographical So
ciety, Dec. IA, 1888; With Afterthoughts. by VIM
hague, ID. ID. New York: G. P. PutHam's Sons.