Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-16
LITERARY NOTES.

IFS Remains "Mycen@" etc The Preface by
Dorpfeld With iSs Woodcats. "a Plates in Chro-
Autobiography. Map and = Plans New y Ork;
Brothers
While DR.. Schlemann's sumptuous volume
will probably possess but little attraction for
the ordinary reader. Il will prove very interest
ing to those whose attention has been directed
70 the subject Of oriental explorations in gen.
eral way, and Of absorbing interest To students
of classic literature and especially TO archeol-
ogists. Tiryns, the reputed birthplace OF Her
cules, utterly destroyed about the year
46S B. c., and was never rebuilt. The remains
OF its fortress palace, with Its enormous walls
is the most remarkable ruin In Greece. The
CARDS it as highly probable that both Tiryns
some great revolution-a revolution so destruc-
tive In its effects, so terrible In Its consequences
overthrown. and upon its ruins rose a new and
wholly different culture in all the branches of
human industry. In 1876 the energetic ex-
and in 1885 he laid bare the lines
lines of the whole structure, bringing to light
vast quantities of relics in the form of vases
Idols, household utensils, and many other art-
cles. which serve TO give an idea of the history
and life or the Inhabitants Of the place, most
OF which are accurately and handsomely Illus
trated- BY those competent to judge this is the
best and most important of all Dr. Schliemann's
works In field In which he stands pre-emi-
nent, and it certainly forms very considerable
anu really valuable addition 70 the Scant STOCK
OF knowledge on the subject Of which II treats.
vALESTINo An Historical Romance Of the Six
ieen5s Century IN Italy BY WitL. ,sn MsLeORF
Washington: Brentano Brothers.
However obtained Mr.. Astor's first venture
In book-making has succeeded In getting an
amount of favorable attention, both before and
since publication. out of all proportion to its
consequence as literary performance. A
novel valentino is not, in the ordinary
i7y of hiatt farm INIT fbor
historical tableaux, whose characters const-
tute the worst conceivable array of vile women
and viler men. but In the presentation of which
commendable care has been exercised, and a
fair degree OF success attained by the use of
what might be called local coloring, Joined to
effective stage setting. judicious arrangement of
they do passably well. but taken a whole, in
the form of a connected narrative, they present
hopeless confusion OF vice and corruption, in
Guiding all phases of intrigue. conspiracy, alb
duction and murder, that becomes tedious
as IL is revolving before the reader is well done
with it. Mechanically considered, valentino
is one OF the most attractive books of its class
published in a long time, and in that respect it
is creditable 20 ali concerned in its production
II is only fair To add here that il has reached a
second edition; but, in spite of that tact, Mr..
Astor will hardly be ranked by critical readers
with the popular romance writers OF the period
SARAH AND ANGELINA GRIslKE= The First
american Women Advocates of Abolition and
Boston. Lee shepssd WasbinStop "A VIM s,i
lantyne & Son.
Mrs. Birney-who, by tine way, Is a Washing
ton lady-has done a good work in making
the history of these two remarkable women
known to the present generation, TO which, it
Is quite safe to say, even their names are un-
familiar. They did SO much for their race and
under such unfavorable conditions in the be-
ginning, and their lives throughout were such
noble struggle against odds and such an I'M
broken record OF self sacrifice, that the tribute
Mrs. Birney has paid to their memory was well
earned, as it is also well worthy of the perma-
nent form In which II now appears Mrs. Birney
enjoyed the advantage OF intimate acquain-
tance with both sisters, and had access likewise
10 their diaries and letters, SO that while her
Work In preparing their memoir was labor of
love, her effort has also the merits of authenIi-
city and completeness. Ali essential points are
embraced. but the narrative is never dffIse,
and the style of Mrs. Birney is singularly clear
and pleasing, though she very properly lets her
heroines tell their story in their own words
far as possible.
The GREEK ISLANDS AND TURKEY AFTER
THE WAR, By II EsRY NJ FIELD pD: author of
etc New YORK: Charles Scribners Sons Wash
ton: Brentano Brothers.
Dr. Field is an experienced traveller an intel
hgent and careful observer, and a charming
narrator of what he does and Sees He knows
where to go. what to see. and how To tell about
ii, as all the readers of his previous books know
and his good qualities never appeared to better
advantage than in the present volume. 1t is
not only an entertaining description OF people
and countries OF great historic interest but it
gives an intelligent insight into the causes
that led up 10 the Late Turko-Russian war.
and the existing troubles which are the after
matte of that contest, thus making it specially
timely and welcome contribution TO the litera-
ture OF the day.
Al h0ha- 90 r Novel BY MARY AeNEs THICKER
aldiuis Niece etc. Philadelphia: ]. B. Lippin-
colt Co. ashingtoa: Brent.sno Brothers
Miss Thicker always writes we'll, and this
novel, II not her best, as a whole, has some
qualities and passages which are equal to any
thing she has yet done. 1t Is a sort of sequel to
The Jewel in the Lotos,' and is sure to be spe-
eially enjoyed by the readers OF that charming
quickly transferred to Italy where the author
Is completely at home, and in the delinea-
lions OF whose people and attractive seen
cry she has few, If any, superiors.
OBLIVION. An Episode. By G. MCCLE1L,Sp
Leisure Hour Series, No 1.5l New YORK:
Henry hoit Co Washington: Brentano
This story introduces to the public a writer of
more than ordinary ability and power 1t is
written with true feeling. and in its descriptive
Passages il gives its readers an excellent idea of
of North Carolina, where most OF the action of
tne story taxes place \ second work from the
same pen wifi be looked for with interest
boNNYBoRoUGH- By MIRA A u. I. WHITNEY
author Of Path Gartney's Girihood' etc, elc
Bo.te.,: houshion Aiiiiia x Co Washington:
VIM b.ailani yne Il SON
Mrs Whitney's stories all have a clearly de-
fined individuality, and "Bonnyboroush' has
her strongly marked characteristics in as great
acegree as any OF them. IL Is story OF calm
New England lie, without much external incl
dent, but the Characters are admirably drawn
with q heaIthy tone and excellent moral, con-
veyed without formal preachment
The Patent and Court Record" is the title OF
new monthly journal published by Louis
BaSger & Co., the well known firm OF patent
agents, and edited by Mr.. Peterson II consists
oi Twelve well filed pages, neatly made no.
az u, 20 ir a. can be judged rom the first mum,
Der, Is ably and carefully edited
OiAer Publications Received.
TIE LOUISIANA PURCHASE I'm its Inauepca
upon The American system BY he Plight Rey-