The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-04-04
LITERARY NOTES.

''Ine BOStOnlanS Is one OF those WOnueTIul pieces
of minute analysis In which Mr.. Henry James de-
lights, and resembles In this respect "The Ameri-
can" "The Europeans" and the rest II is strange,
by the way, that while he disclams the intention of
drawing general types of character, his titles indl
cate Just the contrary. His method is well known:
1t Is that of the ivory carver who works with infinite
patience upon his frail material, cutting sphere
within sphere in marvellous intrcacy until the eye Is
lost in the lnnermost maze. The criticism that Is
apt be passed in the end is, But what is the use
of it all:" Mr.. james sedaousy refralns from
proving anything, from approving or disapproving
of anybody, and the only mental attitude he holds
toward his personages seems to he that of contempt.
Yet there Is fascination somewhere, perhaps In his
finished style, and there must needs be to carry
the reader through the 45o pages OF the present vol
ume For one thing his heroine, odd as she Is, re-
mains perhaps the most attractive he has given u.s.
and as the story draws toward close 1t actually
begins to throb with healthy, fervent human emo
ton. Mr.. James seems to forget himself. The
dramatic climax In which the hero carries of Verena
from the very teeth of those who trying to make
her confirmed public lecturer is reminder OF the
knights Of old. But Mr.. James Is ready at the very
last with his dash of cold water, which brings forth
from his reader an indignant "Ugh" He closes
".Ah, now ] am glad! said verena, when they
reached the street. But though she was glad, he
was in tears 1t is to be feared that with the union,
SO far from brilliant, into which she was about to en-.
ter these were not the last she was destined to shed
Mr.. James and his school seem to be so afraid OF
a conventional ending" that, to borrow phrase
from another art, they prefer to end always with
discord. or course they have their excuses-that
novel IL only an episode cut OF the never end
ing now of human life-that the reader can imagine
his sequel and so on; but the fact remains tnat
own creations, and not throw the burden on his pat
ron of guessing their fate. II this arises from
weakness OF Mr.. Jamess invention, 1t Is only a
shade less irritating than II 1t is deliberate atfecta
ton. Much of the Incidental work in "The Boston,
ians" Is about the most inclsve and memorable he
has yet done, whatever may be thought about the
lack of klndliness in it. New York: Macmillan
Co. For sale by Robert Beal)
The frontispiece Of the Magazine OF Art for April
Is an admirable reproduction, In brown, of a head by
Franz Won Defregger. Miss Helen Zimmern writes
a biographical and critical sketch OF this interesting
painter which is illustrated with reproductions from
his best work. The opening paper OF the number
describes an old English mansion, and views are
given OF Its exterior and Interior chapter on fire.
places gives some excellent hints to the builders OF
line houses. The poem and picture combination
this month Is by COsmo Monkhouse and II. Blake
Wrgman. Mr.. MOnkhouse's verses are entitled
with Drawing by Boucher "rhe Youth OF llol-
bsn" furnishes the chapter on the "Romance OF
Art" An illustrated article, by William Davies,
takes us along the Tioer from BagnoIea to the
Source. paper on the "Annuncialion In Art"
| gives not only the history OF the subject, but
several reproductions from the more famous masters
who have treated this subject The most interesting
paper ln the number is on "a mercan Embrolderies,
| by y. X. KOehler. Mr.. ROeher gives very careful
account Of the rise and growth of this art industry
| In the United States, where II has attained an i'm
portance not reached elsewhere. 10 prove what he
says Mr.. Koehler gives engraved reproductions lex-
meits "Zuna dlr" and Miss Dora Wheeler q
| "Winged Noon and "Minnehaha." paper on
"Art In Pheneclan follows this, and then we are
American and foreign notes complete an interesting
number; The fl-page illustrations, besides the
Defregger; Forward" spirited De Neuville and
a reproduction OF one OF M0rlllo's most famous
paintings. Cassell 4 Company New York.
The April Wiis Awlke opens seasonably with an
ideal Easter picture, "on Easter Day." very lovely
drawing by W. L. Taylor; this Is followed by q
charming springtime poem, "Willy's Garden" by
Kate Putnam Osgood. Lucy Larcom also has a
notable poem, "a Ballad OF the Iiemlock tree" for
which Taylor again furnishes fine inll-page draw
ing together win text illustrations. Mary Lalhonry,
| TOO, has an illustrated poem, very plqnant, A
Fairy story" There are some excellent illustrated
stories: "faz aTaz.n by T.. l.. stealeyn Button
BOy,"by A. NJ. Grimm, "rhe hoy Soldiers Of Cherry
Valley" by caro- Lloyd, and "Diccon The Foot.boy, 7"
yybst Pros LIVED 'T Tsrong the 'a asiructvs i've
| papers IN the number are admirable and OF great
variety: Mrs. Sherwood In "Royal Grls' writes Of
| "Carmen sylva,' the Queen OF Roumania Mrs.
| Fremont OF Madame Recamler and her fatifuness
10 early friends, q r. Holder "fealhered Giants,
pheasant Authors" Mrs. Treat Of "Caye splIers,'
Julian Arnold OF IAN Arab Dinner Party" O. II. Vim
cent OF Jnyenal the sarist," 4 Is. GuIton Of slow
| to make an Aquarium" susan Power Of "What to do
| In Emergencies" while Mr. Adams goes on with his
'search.puesiions In English Literature There
| are also three line serial stories In progress. d..
| LOihrop Co, publishers, Boston.
! The Art amateur for April gives a striking de.
Sign OF Easter lilies for embroidery, another OF black
berries for wood carving one OF birds for oil paint
ing, cup and saucer decoration, uorge-me-nOt.,)
and 1--WE pages Of nOnograms, figure sketches, old
ecclesiastical embroidery, aud simple designs for
rep0usse work. The special feature OF the number
is an exceedingly fun and interesting account OF the
famous Morgan art sale, wiil complete list Of tue
picture sold, the buyers tho prues tney paid aud
ihe prices Mrs, Morgan gave, together win The
names OF the dealers who sold the pictures TO her.
The Paris Water Color Exhibition IL reviewed with
attractive Illustrations, ana 1Ower painting In oils
and amateur photography receive special attention.
suggestions In great variety are given for Oriental
Turkish fireplace, salon In Turkish style, and yarl-
ops decorative furnishings OF Oriental sort. Mon
tague Marks, publisher New York
|
I,"A Tale Of Lonely Parish" IA ihe latest work OF
Mr.. +. Marion Crawford, the successful author Of
"Mr. Isaacsp and ts SUCCESSORS In this he beiakos
himself TO rural England for subject, and his ro-
nance IL much more conventional In style aud treat
ment than those that have preceded II. The
"LoRely PARISH is mol 80 lonely but quite an ex-
citing series Of events goes on within IL, nanly
turning upon me love Of lhe squire ioI supposed
lurking iu tue nei9hbOrho0d. After many adyen-
lures. IN which the squire behaves with great mani
ness and magnanliDlly, the convict merclfully des
and his wife Ia free 10 reward hor suitor by "yes
The merits OF the book lie In ts being wholesome
stragh,iorward love story, told ln very readable
way. New YORK: Macmillan Co. For sale by
Robert Beaill
The Aprll number OF tue MlgaziHe Of American
history " splendid II has for ils rontlspiect
a fine portrait OF don. Hancock, and contalns d
graceful tribute by Mr William l.. Reese To thai idea
soldier The Iuost Important aud valuable article 10
This number Is Gen. William v. Smiths "sbioh
The First Days Battle, April O." Gen. smith show.
clearly that the Union troops were surprised Ia a
week aud Insecure position, and tha The battle ol
that day was fought by The troops and division and
brigade commanders without head. lie pays Z
nigh tribute ~ Gen. w. L. Wallace, VINO fell, and
10 Preltlss, who was captured after keeping up
the unequal contest III 10 the afternoon.