Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-07


81
X p. Srss.dsn a,. Of Yale Soi,.Se Now York
ianiyne SON VIZ
President Porter's book seems to be rather in
the nature of theological treatise than dis
QUESTION on ethics, pure and simple, but, like
| all his intellectual efforts, it is vigorous and
able. He has doubtless been inspired TO his
task by the aggressive tendencies of the adj
vanced thinkers of the day, having in mind The
needs OF students who have already mad some
training In philosophical studies or shown for
them some aptitude or fonduess. His presenta-
ton OF the subject 10. therefore, especially
adapted for the class room out since the theory
aud practice aud also the claims OF duty are
fuliy discussed. its circulation may well be eN-
tended beyond that contracted circle. 1t may
be doubted. however, whether a majority OF
readers OF the present day will not prefer more
liberal views and expressions regarding the
claims ana theories OF modern science than DR..
Porter seems to be able to take.
THE CIVIL sERvI IN IHE UNITED STATES:
FROM the Reports OF lsst ACataioSue Of ali Nom
AID Full sn r sas % e G. ae
i've ESsnla =. uide he act Of isss $50
n odS -na Ma;sa9Lu.etts and Their Nun palites.
Chsrman Of the hoar Soa a o9asT r OK,
GH aIs1 ~ Service nsNew York City. New York:
II this fat volume Of 600 PAGES had been
title would have been shorter, and quite as
expressive aud appropriate as the longer one
quoted above. For II contains about every
thing that that large and constantly growing
class OF community needs 20 know In the way
OF preliminary Information, touching the Char
aCter, location and compensation Of every one
Ofthe one hundred and twenty thousand nol,-clec.
tive Offices Ia the civil service OF the govern
nent In these respects it is even more COM
prehensiye aud satisfactory than the much con-
suited Official Register or blue Book " and at
Tile same time less bulky and less eXpens We
So that thsIe is little risk III predicting an enor-
nous demand for 1t during the neXtfe months.
The BUNTLISd BALL: A GR4co- AMERICAN PLAY
Seins Me Satire on New York soei,ty illustrated b.
This is beyond question the literary hat of the
season. So clever lie 1t throughout alike in con-
ception, expression aud illustration. that the
question OF its auihorshipis he consuming puz-
zIe in literary circles, and this interest is height
ened In turn by the offer OF the publishers to
give a cash prize of one thousand dollars to the
lucky purchaser of a copy who shall guess the
name VI the writer, or a proport!opate part OF
That sum to as many successful suesscrs Us may
SEND IN the right name. The puzzle TO us is not
SO much who wrote It, as why one who writes
50 ceverly should be content to 90 it anony-
mou sly.
THE taEsIDEST xLHcT; March !. 1855, a BOX
- Il ny
Washington: J. j. Chapman.
NOT without Interest to the general public
| this timely volume will have special value to
| strangers in Washington, for the information it
gives Ia regard to the approaching inauguration
and Its attendant demonstrations and also in re-
atlon to the national capital. its attractions and
| ueighborhood surroundings. There is also, in
ADDITION to these features, considerable matter
historical and statistlcalin character, which will
rQafin opdr hi
| SONGS OF THE SILENT WORLD and Other
ioems. b EL1zABETH STUART PHELPs. Bos-
Eallaityus Son
Miss Phelps is not a great poet but her
| rhythmic etfusiOns show refinement OF thought
depth Of feeling. and delicacy of style Many
OF them touch the great problem of the future
| life, which, it vill be remembered. has been
| the subject of one OF two of her prose works
| Naturally these are somewhat sad in tone and
sometimes indennite or half mystic in express
sion. but full OF senslbility and tender suggest
iveness.
THE ECHO OF THE LAKE and Other Poems. BY
f EDWAhp l. DAZZLING New York: John ". Lowell
The title piece of this little volume is rather
an ambitious effort for new beginner
but it is only fair to say that he acqu!ts himself
eredltably, considering his years and inexper-
fence as writer. 1t may justly be regarded as
. promise Of better things in future; and when
that promise is fulfilled the author will doubt
less regret that some of the minor pieces which
follow it were put in print. Neither in senti-
ment nor style are they worthy of preservation.
Both for the character Of its letter press and
the quality of its engravings, the February
number Of The English Illustrated Magazine
must take rank as one of the very best issues of
that periodical yet published 1t is rapidly
closing the wide gap which existed between
some Of its earlier numbers and American mag
azines OF the same class, in the matter of illus
trations, and at the rate Of progress lately
shown 1t will soon leave little to be desired in
its examples Of engravings on wood.
Miss E. R. ScidmOre, of this city, has in press
book, to be published shortly by d. Lothrop
Co., Boston. entitled Southern Alaska. aud
the Sitkan Archipelago" Miss Scdmore has
had exceptional facilities for the intelligent
treatment of her subject. and her book will un-
doubtedly contribute much interesting and val
liable Information in regard to our remote and
comparatively little known possessions in the
tar northwest.