The Portland daily press., 1885-11-28

William L0yd Garrison. The story of his
life told by his children. New York: The
Century Co. TO students of history these
volumes have fascination peculiarly their
own, as they unfold the progress Of one Of
the greatest moral reforms in the history of
the race In them we see the true inward
ness of the abolition movement, the small
beginning from which it dated, the zeal and
courage with which it was prosecuted by the
few bold and intrepid spirits who devoted to
it the full measure Of their strength and
lives. 1t is a story that needs to be told to
this generation, which took no part i'll the
struggle and finds scanty materials for a
comprehensive understanding of the move
ment in the historical writings OF the day.
The history of slavery is the history of our
government from 1925 to 1865. Its abolition
is the greatest moral revolution accomplished
in the century. How great an incubus it was
upon our government few can really appreci-
ate who were born since the election of Abra-
ham Lincoln as President. How it rent So
ciety, divided families, controlled the pulpit,
perverted morals and politics the pages of
these volumes fully disclose. The part that
Garrison played in this movement was that
of great agitator and leader-a consistent
and fearless champion of an unpopular cause.
1t exposed him to social ostracism and pub
lie obloquy, but he lived to see the triumph
of the cause to which his life was devoted,
and died in the fullness of a fame which his
successful philanthropy merited.- These two
volumes bring down the history of his life
only to the year 1910, but they cover many OF
the most important events Of his career. His
boyhood, apprenticeship, editorial expert
ments. establishment of the Liberator, or
ganization of the anti-slavery societies OF
different States, the Boston mob, the history
of the colonization movement, attitude OF the
church, with its pro-slavery tendencies,
the schsm in the American ante slavery So
ciety. the worlds convention in 1910, oppo-
sition of the clergy to Garrison as developed
in the Chardon street convention-these are
few of the numerous subjects treated in
these volumes with fullness of detail and
historical reference that leaves little to be
desired on the part of the student. The sons
of Garrison have done their work with rare
Judgment, candor and moderation, and have
raised to their fathers memory worthy me-
mortal of his life and labors.
The Eve of St. Agnes. By John Keats.
Illustrated by Edmund H. Garrett, under the
supervision Of Geo. T. Andrew. Boston
Estes & Lauriat; Portland: Loring, Short q
Harmony No poem can be lovlier than The
Eve of St Agnes, and the Illustrations are
exquisite and fitting, from the the Griffin
with his tail fiercely curled in the form of a
I, .o1 of tbn tIpmhInp
world, which surmounts the first page, to the
sketch of the lovers galloping away to safety
in the murky morning, which serves as a
| tail-piece The medieval spirit of the poem
has been carefully studied and finely rem
dered The old barefooted monk creeping
along the chapel aisle is lifellke; Inc
pageant streaming downthe stairways, With
| the quaint little jester at the foot III deep
obeisance admirable; the great carved tre-
place where sit the old DANES teaching spells
| to the maiden is strong and fine; while For
phyro coming over the moor with heart on
| fire. is thrown up against the sky as forcl-
bly, as by Dore. Porphyro behind the pillar
with the torch faring against the doorposl
and the stars shining in the black SKY
through the open doorway as the OLD Del
dame meets him, is powerful and striking, al
is the beautiful figure of the maiden where
she meets the aged woman on the stairs
The prayer by moonlight, the dream and the
awakening are equally well conceived ane
the two closing scenes Of the lovers steailns
down stairs, and the unbarring OF the dool
are very charming. The plates are excelen
examples Of the advance of art in the line o.
wood engraving and reflect great credit on th'
University Press, which executed it.
Italian Popular Tales. By Thomas freu
erick Crane, A. NJ Boston and New OK
Houghton, Miffiin & Co.; Portland; Loring
Short e. Harmon. To students OF compare
tive folklore these stories taken, MI. VI M
says, from the mouths of the Italian pee ne
will be valuable, and to the general re; le
on+ar.toinino ond intaroctinO They arc I'll