The Portland daily press., 1885-05-16
Wheeling Intel.igencer.
New Publications.

Fireside Travels by James Russell Lowell
Boston Houghton, Mifflin q Co. Portland:
Loring Short & Harmony That it is worth
great deal to have-a reputation is well IL
Illustrated by this book Of James Russell
Lowell. for had it beer written by one who
had not already obtained hearing it might
never have come to the honor of being print
ed. The larger part of the book is made up
from the authors journal, and relates to
the common experiences of travel, and had
il been printed fifty years ago when books of
travel were somewhat of a novelty, would
have been interesting, but in our day when
everybody travels and has a Journal of writ
periences it will fail to elicit much interest.
The following taken at random from "A
Mooshead Journap'~is fair sample of the
book. 'tWe talked of the Winter Camps
and the life there, The best thing said
our Uncle is to hear a log squeal, thru the
snow. Git good, cole, frosty mornin' in
February say. an take an pitch the critters
on to a log that'll scale seven thousan' an
it'll squeal as poaty as an thin you ever
hearn tell yon.' A pause, Lessee.
Cal Hutchins lately? No, seems to mes
though | hadn't seen Cal sence the Roos-
tick war. WahP etc. etc. Another pause
To look at them boots you'd think they was
too large; but kind O. git your foot into 'em
and they're as easy Is glove Fireside
Travels forms one OF the beautiful Riverside
Aldine Series, but the publishers are unfor-
tunate in selecting for it such material as
this and the Luck of Roaring Camp, which
are no better than numberless manuscripts
lying perdue in the desks of writers who
never have had, and never will have the
luck to obtain a hearing.
Lives of Greek Statesmen. BY Rev. Sir
Geo. W. Cox. Bart. New York: Harper &
Brothers; Portland Hoyt, Fogg 6 Donham.l
The lives here published are those of leading
Greek statesmen down to the close of the
Persian Wars. A second volume is to follow
relating to the period Of, the Civil Wars, more
especially the wars between Athens and
Spartan. The object of the author is to
I'd frfe history III tryfflzattff6tn sfu the
| AiNCb Va piOullACAb AuiCAo Al tuC Sn1Ct 0lCCh
cities. The limitation is TO be carefully
noted, for strictly speaking, there was never
| Greek nation. The city was the nucleus
| OF Greek life, manners and patriotism, and
| in each city, certain men rose 10 g eat dis
tinction as in art aud literature, SO in arms
and civil government. There was, however,
| no line of separation between military and
| civil career. The man who had become pop
ular by success in pablo debates often stood
| the best chance of obtaining the leadershi D
in war. 1t was SO in the early stages of our
| civil war, or war OF the rebellion. and with
| the same results. The difference so far as 1t
exists, appears to have been in favor OF the
| Greek leaders. They OFTEN became great
| soldiers. But in our conflict with the re-
bellious Shareholders we reaped only dis
| aster by promoting to important commands
men who had no knowledge of scientific
warfare. The times are different. War is
not what it was, and is waged on such an
immense scale that only men bred to ito
principles and laws can safely be trusted
with the conduct of campaign.
Common Sense for Young Men. By ]. M.
Buckley LII. D. New York: Harper &
Brothers; Portland; Hoyt, Fogg & Donham)
The author of this book ia sensible man
and gives sensible advice to young men, on
great variety of topics relating to their
studies, manners, choice of profession or
business, habits, health, morals, religion,
etc. Nearly all he says Oh these topics is
wisely and well said. 1t is therefore, good
book to put into the hands Of young men, a
suitable present for birthdays and to give a
son on quitting home, or better still while at
home, where he can read and digest its pru-
dent counsels. The only doubtful thing
about this volume is the double title which
mars the title page and is adapted to make a
wrong and mischeyous impression. "Oats
or Wild OATS" the alternate title suggests
the idea that the book is sensational, abound
ing in narrowing pictures of vice and immor-
allty. Happily the fact is otherwise. Com
mon sense applied to life in all its phases is
the leading chai acteristic Of the work, SO
a wort and sufficient title.
The Crest of the Continent. BY Ernest
Ipgersoll. Chicago: R. R. DoDelley &
Sons.) Mr.. Ingersolfs volume is gay with
bright coloTs, and has, in fact, ON its covers
the fauna, the fora and good deal of the
scenery of the Rocky Mountains, as well as
some tolerably fair specimens of Indian pot
terry and weapons. As far as the ornate is
concerned we ought to feel that we have
Cor DR. 81 81 no
Crest of the Continent is an interesting vol
ume and contains much useful information,
together with bright and amusing way of
putting things. Mr.. Ingersoll and his party
i event to the Rockies and beyond" and he
makes the account of the expedition SO at
tractive taas many will be tempted by it to
do likewise. The type is TOO fine for any but
very strong eyes, but the book has illustra-
tions on almost every page-and very good
ones-and contains an excellent map of Col
orado and the adjacent country.
Fruit Culture, by W. G. Strong. port
land: Loring, Short &Harmon.) This book
is full of valuable suggestions on the culture
of fruit; and careful perusal might save
the amateur gardener, many mistakes, which
in point of time emphatically, cannot be af-
forded if he wishes to sit beneath his own
vine, and eat the fruit Of his own labor. A
well-chosen list of pears is given, which, will
without waste, supply continual rich
dessert for six months of the year. Like all
Injuries pears pail upon the appetite, when
they are SO plentiful that they must be con-
su,ned to save decay. The pear craze Of
twenty years ago resulted in an indiscfim-
nate propagation which has SUBJECTED the
the market with many poor varieties. Mr..
Strong has carefully pointed out the best
method of exterminatng the particular