The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-12-10
Literature.

ASHES FOR FLAME, AND OTHER POEMS.
By Caroline Dana Howe. A Maine book by
a Maine author is always welcome to our table,
for the journal aims to record the progress
and successes of our people in art and litera-
ture as well as in agricultural, mechanical and
business pursuits. In both art and literature,
1t may be said Maine has already scored some
notable successes, and her list of authors bids
fair to be a long one at no distant day. The
modest little volume before us is the first book
of a Portland lady who has won more than a
local reputation by her poems and devotional
songs set to music. and who at the request of
friends has prepared this collection for the hoI-
lday season. OF the seventy or more poems it
contains, about one-third have never been in
print, while most of the verses have long been
popular favorltes, including those set to music
by kotzschamar and other composers. The
Portland Transcript says: Mrs. Howe has
spent nearly all her life among Us, and by her
graceful verse has contributed much to the lit
erary reputation of our city and State. Her
song, Leaf by Leaf the Roses FALL is sung
wherever our language is spoken, and her
i-t'9tel II iih anu nave DteH stJ
TO delightful music" AS appropriate to the
season, as well as a specimen of Mrs. Howe's
dainty verse, we quote the following short
poem, entitled Bring Christmas Gifts
Bring Christmas gifts. Bring Chr stm.s gifts {.
Rlch blessings to confer.
As wise men brought, that first Chri,t-morn,
Franklncense, gold and myrrh.
W hen in the royal ways of Love,
Our footsteps are enticed,
Her guiding star, like that of old,
VIII lead us near TO Christ.
Then bring your gifts.
And join the song
That angel hosts
in Heaven prolong.
GLORY to God,' Good will to men,"
So let our anthems ring
In the grand chorus up to heaven
As we our tributes bring.
And let us keep, for ChriSts' dear sake,
The star of love undim.
That every deed of ours may prove
Our fellowship with him.
Then bring your gifts,
Or rare or few,
But all afresh
With Loves own dew
In conclusion the Maine publishers. Messrs
Loring, Short < Harmon, Of Portland, merit a
word of commtndaton for the handsome man
Eer in which the volume is printed 1t is a fine
specimen of book work.
TIE EARLY HISTORY OF MAINE. The
Travelling Man of the Somerset Reporter SAYS
1--WE are told that ''of the making of books
there is no end" For this reason am encour-
aged to believe that one day there Will be pub
lished work which to my mind will be very
interesting reading. The Maine Historical
Society should designate some one of their
member, to write the early history OF Maine
with special attention given to the discoveries
recently made along the coast. Such Il book
would be of great value to people of the world
who do not have time to follow the discoveries
made from time to time by the untirng IIi>tor-
ical Society. | would nominate as The author
of that work, II. W, Richardson, ESQ, the able
editor of the Portland Advertiser. He will
write it il q clear, comprehensive manner and it
will be work Of great value no. omly to future
generations but to busy men Of to-day who wish
to keep posted on evoEt> OF the past This i.
an excellent suggestion and we move that it be
unan' mousIy adopted.
TIE PErrBoNE NAME. BY Margaret Sid
ney. This Is No. l. Vol. | of the Household
Library to be issued monthly at - a year or 90
cents number. 1t has an attractive cover and
the book is printed from clear bold type on line
paper, no slight Instrumentation to those whose
eyes are yeXed by much fine type and dingy
paper. As to the literary merits of this inita
volume little need be said, for Margaret Sidney
has now large and appreciatiNe circle of read
ers When we add that the publisher, are d.
Lothrop Il Co., Boston, everybod! will know
that the succeeding volumes will be pure in
tone and moral in their teachings. rhe Hou~e-
hod Library ought 10 fulfill its name, as We
trLlnl ANiL