The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-05-28
Literature.


PROSE WRITINGS OF NATHANIEL PARKER
WILLIS. Selected by Henry A. Beers. The
editor of this handsome volume of 365 pages is
the author of the life of Willis, recently pub
lished in the American Men of Letters series,
and reviewed in these columns The latter
work supplements the first, and will enable
the reader of to-day to become acquainted with
| an American writer who was certainly very
popular in his time, whatever the critics NAV
now say of him. Even Prof. Beers Is not quite
confident as to the final verdict. After speak
ing of Willis as "for time the favorite maga-
zinist of America" he says: ''Whelher he
wrote anything really lasting, whether he is to
enjoy a fee-simpe on fame. is still in doubt;
but many will say without hesitation that his
lease deserves renewing for some years to
come, and in this faith the present volume is
offered to the public" The introduction from
which the foregoing quotations are taken, gives
summary of the life of Willis and an estimate
OF his literary qualities. The editor further
says: "In making my selections it has been
my aim, while choosing the best, to display
also, as far as possible, the range and variety
Of Willis's talents. The personal element en-
tered strongly into all his most characteristic
works. He did not often project himself sue
cessfully into scenes and incidents foreign to
his OVID experiences. With the exception of
'Pasquale' and The Inlet of Peach Blossoms
all the selections in the book have this peculiar
lily of drawing upon their authors stock of
"reminiscences" We are oId-fashioned enough
to hay hanp o1etI tI,,
are glad to have these capitallv edited seec-
tlons from his writings. II mo. $1.50. Charles
Scribner's Sons, publishers, New York.
MANS BlRTHRIGIIT OR THE HIGHER LAW
OF PROPERTY. BY Edward II. G.. Clark This
little book is dedicated to the memory of Wen
dell Phillips, as ''the noblest man American in
stitutions have thus far produced" and deal,
with probem-the regulation and distribution
of wealth-whch is receiving increasing atten-
tlon Mr.. Clark is confident he has found
solution, and perhaps he has; but the putting
of his ideas into practice is another matter.
His conclusions are quite different from those
reached by Henry George III progress and
Poverty" He is not in favor of the acquisition
for land by the government, does not assaiI
vested rights, or preach communism. To quote
from review in the Rochester Democrat and
Chronicle: 'He would simply subject all prop
erty to what he calls ground rent of two per
cent. per annum, representing the claim that
generation has to all existing property. Thi,
money Mr.. Clark would devote to paying take,
nrst, and then to public improvements. etc. In
this way every person would receive his exact
share of all property, and to this share be might
add as much as he pleased.N We commend the
book to all interested in the problem with which
it deals. 1t is ably and forcibly written. &.
T. Putnam's Sons publishers, New York.
NOTES.
Dainty pictures, delightful little stories, and
merry verses make up the June number of oul
Little Ones. 1t is Me little ones magazine.
Russell Publishing Co., Boston.
Edmund Hudson, the weII-known Washing
ton correspondent and editor, VIII soon pre-
pare and publish little volume in memory of
his late wife, Mary Clemmer Hudson.
The Bad Boy of whom we have all heard
and somt of us know, has at last arrived ''At
Home; !" and d record of his humorous expert
a.
tilted THE Bad Boy at Home" and it contains
more fun than we have ever seen between two
covers before. 1t is handsomely illustrated.
and his experiences in trying to become an
Editor are particularly funny. Bound iu paper
covers Price - cents, and it is sold by ali
dealers or it will be mailed on receipt of that
amount BY J. $. Ogivie 4 Go. the Publishers,
81 Rose Street, New York.
full and elaborate genealogy of the Conant
family Is now in preparation by r'rederich
Oden Conant of Portland, which the Adver-
User of that city says promises to be work of
unusual interest to those of that name, as well
as others interested in genealogical and histor-
lca research, 1t will include much interest
ing matter relating to the early English ancestr,
and the descendants of Roger Couant, the trsl
of that name who emgrated to thi, country
and who, in 1924, was governor of the Cape
Ann colony, and who subsequently,, in 1926
moved TO Naumkeag, now Salem, where he
built the first house.
In the May number of Outing the bicvcle as
usual, furnishes the subject Of several interest
ing articles, and is taken to Italy, Holland,
across the Continent, forming the basis of much
pleasant record Camp life and canoeing re-
etlVe attention. "A Yankee SroW ON German
Rivers" by George 5. Wasson, is novel and
bright. The TWO serial stories, THE Flag of
the Seven Upright Ones" by Gottfrled Keller.
and Julian fIawthorne's 'Loye-or Il Name"
are continued. In criticisms. MIR. Henry A.
Clapp's article on "Edwin Booth in Some Non
Shaksperian Parts,' shows experience and
careful study. Poetry deals with nature. and
from the Editors Open Window there are
cheerful glimpses of rural life and improve
ment.
A London despatch says that large majority
of nonco nformists and respectable minority
Of Churchmen do not favor adopting the re-
vised Bible in public worship, aud it is doubt
ful if it will ever di>place the King James
version. Besides this. the fact of revision be-
ing a copyright in the hand, of two publishing
houses adds to the difficulty of making its use
popular. There is an immense demand for
copies, but publishing experts say that this is
from curiosity and lite ary interest which will
soon decrease. The average English pres,
opinion may be summed up by saving that the
revt>ers' version is good, useful and learned
work, but its chief value is in showing how
excellent and on the whole, how faithful
rendering of the Old Testament we have in the
translation which for more than two and a
half centuries has been received.
The North American Review concludes its
seventeen year with it, June number It never
had so large circulation, nor greater influence.
nor a more brilliant staff of contributors. This
number discusses seven topics of vital public
interest by no less than fourteen eminent writ
ers, not including the short contributions In
comments" "ShaIl silver be Demouetized.'
is answered pro and con, by three distinguished
economists, Sumner, Laughlin and Walker.
representing Yale and Harvard Colleges and
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The Tardness of Justice is discussed by
Judge w. l.. Learned. and 'Prohibition i'll Pol
itics" by Gail Hamilton; "The Swearing Habil''
by +. p. Whippe, and "French Spoliation
Claims by Edward Everett. The policy of
the Roman Catholic hierarchy toward our Pub
lie Schools is assaiIed in learned essay by anew
polemic, Mr.. NJ. G. OByrne, of North Carolina,
and defended by Bishop keane, of Virginia,
with equal eruditon 1t is most interesting