The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-04

The opening chapters of the new "Life Of
Lincoln" in the Century for November gave
promise Of one Of the most readable biogra
plies Of the decade. Not only is the subject,
the immortal Lincoln, one Of surprising in
terest, but the authors write unusually well,
wreathing their evidently superabundant
supplies into q most graceful and fascinating
narrative. The picture of pioneer life in
Central and Southern Illinois is certainly
the most vivid and brilliant that has yet
been given to the public, even taken apart
from the fact that it is but an apparent de-
erosion from the main threads of the nara
tive. Therefore, when this week the Century
for December arrived it is certain nine out
of ten Of its readers turned first to the Life
Of Lincoln" dealing with Lincoln as Sol
der, Lawyer and Politician" and with the
former chapters presenting complete pic
ture of Illinois social and political life down
to lS35-to the close of Lincoln's pioneer
life into his first years of his legislative ex.
perience-to the earlier events that brought
him into prominence before the world. The
number is otherwise interesting. Art and
literature are represented in Contemporary
French Scripture" and "Old Chalsea !"
economics in "The Food Question in America
and Europe" history, in "A Little Miller.
tie, and 1.-The Second Day at Gettysburg !"
stories, sketches, poems, &c.
The colored study in The Art Amcteur for
December is n fac smile of an exquisite fig
ure in water colors, "ln Dreamland,' by
Madeleine Lemaire, the famous Partisan
flower painter. 1t represents beautiful
girl who has fallen asleep in a quaint old
armchair the big old-Iashioncd book in her
lap is evidently responsible for her sumbers
There is holiday profusion of decorative
designs, including beautiful rose quilt OF
the size for a baby cradle, two fine exam
Piles Of chasuble ornamentation, n portiere
with waterlily decorations, china painting
designs for Greek vase (narcissus) and an
oatmeal set (Oak leaves and acOrns), an ex'
eellent study Of chrysanthemums, panel
Of birds and foliage for wood carving, and a
figure design Tor tapestry painting, besides
page of outline sketches, and another OF
monograms lMl. The articles on flower
painting are concluded, and new series on
fruit painting is begun. An excellent des.
criptiOn Of "wet" water color painting is
given by II. W. Ranger, an expert in that
form Of art there are valuable hints for the
simple decoration of unadorned apartments
articles on American silverware, and on
church vestments, and the usual minor de
partments. Montague Marks, Publisher, 90
Union Square, New York.
The Magazine Of American History IS a per
petual delight, both to the student and the
general reader, for it grows in value and in
terest to the student with each new issue
The frontispece for the December number is
aportrait of Gen. lIalleck, the accompany
ing text being the Misunderstanding Of
Hallock and Grant by Gen. Fry. They may
be q trfe late, but, notwithstanding, the
Thanksgiving papers, of which there ar,
two, have historical interest none the les:
interesting that they are read after thanks
Among other papers of the number ar,
"Ohio as IIospitable Wilderness" "Creol,
Peculiarities," The Swamp Angel, the CUR