Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-21
LITERARY NOTES.

WEIRD TALhS BY f. T. W. HOFFMAN,. New
icSI Memoir by J; !. BEaLsy. BA.. formerly
Two Toumes New YoS 1e'',s rs Ta.r IN
sons Washington VIM Ballantyne & Son
In choice OF subjects, personal tastes and lit
erary style, HOFFMAN, was a sort OF heavy Ger.
man combination of Edgar A. Poe and Heinrich
Heine, possessing much the same gits and
yielding 10 the same vices and excuses He
was, however, something more than either, or
rather, perhaps, he was better equipped IN some
respects. for In addition to being a writer OF
rare grace and power in certain ines and with
In certain limitations, he was also a clever mu-
stefan, and "A painter OF no small merit His
stories are consequently often enriched by en-
PERTAINING illusions to both arts and their
cnafm Is often materially heightened by this
feature In all collections of German stories one
pt more by HOFFMAN, is pretty sure 10 be found,
, nul TINS is, we believe, the first time that so
setner and presented TO English readers sew
srai OF those included are fair EXAMPLES Of hts
t'c s mSfk, and while most OF them fanias-
49, e s nnprohahle. they show an extraordi-
naS,, iiaglnation, coupled with an ingenious
ne, ,aTai'y ior construction. and are healthy I'm
out II Is on the whole doubtful whether the
expense OF translation and publication will be
Jostilea oy the probable demand for the work
LIFE AND TRAVEL IN INDIA: Being Recollec.
lions Of Journey before the navs of Railroass
d% ANNA HARRIErTE LKoNowrNs author of
and The Romance OF the Hareem. !" Pbiladeinhia.
Porter d Coates Washington: Vim. Balaniyne &
As their title indicates, Mrs. Leonowcns' re-
collections refer 10 period somewhat remote
"a history is made nowadays; but when IL ia re-
memOered that changes I'm India are few
and slight at once a railway line is out OF sight
IL will be seen that her observations aud ex-
periences VIII serve about as well for the pres
ent as for the time when her visit was made In
some respects. indeed. her narrative is more in-
teresung and satisfactory than most travel
ers could now furnish, for the authors woman
Ol init fgernrN ma TO-
cernment, and she moreover enjoyed opDortu-
mites for studying social and domestic Ute. and
especially the peculiar status of her own sex,
which are now commonly withheld from Stran-
gers. She Is unnecessarily dieuSe at Times but
mgr powers oi description are good, and as a
Whole her record is an entertaining and instruc-
i've picture of a strange and interesting people
and their complex life and customs.
oBtIER DICTA New York; Charles scrsners
sons. Washington: VIM. Ballantyn & Son.
Blbhophosts will be instinctively drawn To
this little book for its dainty and attractive
getting up; but after they have acquired Il most
OF them VIII be puzzled more than a little to
understand just why il reached five editions in
England In few months. and why copies OF
the first edition should now be bringing more
than three times their original cost Mr. Bis.
sell Is evidently a cultivated gentleman and ne
writes gracefully. but he presents little that is
new or striking IN any OF the seven light and
airy essays which make up his anonymous
offering; and in his estimates OF CARLYLE and
browning, as well aS in his view OF the regard
"A
large number OF his readers will not be dis
posed 10 agree. Nevertheless "Obiter Dicta' is
most charming addition To current literature
ana as an example OF tasteful book-making it
Is In the highest Cegree creditable to the pub
fishing house whose imprint IL bears.
MY LADY PoKAItoNTAs: A True Relation OF
grim With Notes by loirN Estes COOKE Boston;
Houghton. Miftn q Co. Washington: Robert
In Typography and binding this pretty little
is I'm nd mir al,l
the quaint and attractive style In which Il f.
written, and in its way it is a long time since
anything better has appeared. Mr.. Cooke is
always readable, and he here shows himsel
master OF the stately and graceful English style
peculiar to the period OF which he writes, and
ia WHICH he follows the romantic history of the
famous Indian princess with charming effect
Keeping close enough to history TO avoid confl-
son si OF truth and fiction, aud yet taking liber-
Ties enough with characters and events to give
the narrative all the attractions OF romance.
DORIS AND THEoDoRA- BY MAReAREr VAN
ington: VIM. Ballantyne q SON.
An excellent story this for young girls, for
whose wants and tastes IL is not always easy 10
provide. Their attention will be held by their
interest in the two heroines, the refined style OF
the author, and the air OF truthfulness or proba-
bility observable throughout, rather than by in
trcacy OF plot or sensational situations The
scene is laid in the island Of Santa Cruz, prior
to the adjustment OF slavery there by the Dan
ish government, and in telling the story the au-
thor manages 10 introduce some very graphic
pictures of "A social life which no longer exists
and not little useful Information pleasantly
conveyed.
REPRESENTATIVE GERMAN POEMS BALLAD
MD LYRICAL. Original Texts, with English
Versions, by Various Iranslators. Edited with
Notes, by KARL kSoRTZ. New York: Henry Holt
* Co. Washington: Brentano Brothers.
This collection is one of interest and value to
any lover of poetry. TO one fond of German
poetry it must be peculiarly acceptable. because
1t includes the best OF its class in that language
and 10 students or those interested in transla-
tions it has an added value in the fact that the
original text and the English version are placed
on opposite pages in each case. Ii contains also
brief biographical OF the authors represented.
There seems 10 be a steady and by no means
small demand for Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stoves
well known and popular novel, :" Pink and
White Tyranny" To meet which Roberts Bros
have issued new and cheap but attractive
edition in paper covers. Received through
Brentano Brothers.
Charles Scribners Sons will soon bring out a
new novel by Mrs. Julia Schayer OF this city,
entitled :" The Story OF Two Lives"