The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25

the Young woman chances to be we'll developed
and healthy, and the lover took the one precau-
ton of examining her teeth previous to offering
himself. the probabilities are that any possible
offspring will show no deterioration from their
thoroughbred male parent The idea is conveyed
by the author that this careful cultivation OF the
species cannot be successfully carried on under
the artificial conditions of civilized life; but the
reader is left in the dark as to what benefit the
world is to derive from a race of perfect beings
who hold themselves apart from their kind.
The novelty of the subject and the fact that the
writer's name is unknown has caused the book
to be considerably discussed in literary circles.
Mrs. Emily Thornton Charles whose colec-
ton of verses entitled Hawthorne Blossoms"
made her name familiar to Indiana readers, has
entered the literary field again with a volume
bearing the title OF Lyrical Poems" These
poems are as indicated by the author, in the
shape of SONGS pastorals, roundelays, war
poems and madrigas In the preface, Mrs.
Charles gives her idea of poetry with clearness
which more noted defners of the subject have
failed to attain, and dwells upon the pleasure to
the poet of so expressing his fancies that any
possible criticism is forestalled She further
takes occasion to disArm the reviewer by such
mildly sarcastic lines as these:
1t were the merest sophistry
For critic to depose
That only fools write poetry,
While genius sticks to prose.
The measure of her work is taken by herself
in the following lines:
gathered sweet wid.fowers that grew along my way
Because they gave pleasure, each cherished little
spray;
Nor did dream the poses that grew meath natures
The blossoms of the wayside would meet the florists
Who may pronounce them worthless and bid me cast
aside
The modest, clustured garland that erstwhle my
pridef
With this modest and deprecatory appeal
under his eye it would be harsh critic to pull
to pieces the wild flowers" gathered into this
volume. Mrs. Charles is facile and prolific
writer, and the with which she puts her
thoughts into metrical form leads her too often
to embalm ideas not poetical Had she, to use
her own language, culled her 'poses" with
more sparing hand the collection now offered to
the public would have been none the less at
tractive Her war lyrics are, perhaps, her most
am bitous and best sustained efforts but the muse
to whom she so frequently refers leads her
oftepest in the direction of tender and senti
mental speech. AS she puts it,
sing of love and kindred themes
IT'S true, and wherefore saould I not2
Love smiles upon our brightest dreams
And sits enthronedin every spot
Where dwelleth joy. In heaven above
Love reigns. for God himself is love.
The gentle love songs and sweetly religious
verses will please many who are not attracted
The book, which is issued by Lppncott is
handsomely bound, printed in clear type on
heavy paper and is peasingly illustrated. An
excellent portrait OF the author adorns the first
page Price. 81
Uncle Sans Medal of Honor by General
Theo. f. Rodenbaugh, U. s. A., is unique and
interesting book. 1t is a narrative OF some Of
the heroic deeds and acts of bravery during the
late civil war for which Congress awarded the
medal of honor Many of the narratives are
furnished by the actors, while others are com.
piled from authentic sources. Some of the
stories are very thrilling, and they have the
merit of being true. 1t would be difficult to find
anywhere else in one volume equal number
of tales of true heroism. There are numerous
portraits and illustrations New York: G. p
Putnams Sons. Indianapolis: The Bowen Mer-
rill Company. ($2.)
"a Short History of Parliament" by B. c.
Skottowe, is history of that body from its
formation, tracing its origin back to the Anglo
Saxon tribal meetings and following it down to
the times of Gladstone and Disraeli The work
shows much research, and the writer has sue
ceeded in investing naturally dry subject with
n considerable degree OF interest. It is valu-
bic contribution to English history New York.
Harper e Brothers Indianapolis: The Bowen
Merrill Company
"How2 or Spare Hours Made Profitable" By
hennedy nOlDrOOk, new IOrk. w OrtnlngJOn "
Co.. Indianapolis. This is valuable compend-
ium of amusements for indoors for both boys
and girls, by which their spare time may be
pleasantly and proftaby spent. II meets the
wants of children of all ages and every condi-
ton of life and is entirely free from every sub
ject which might be a source of anxiety to care
full parents It is a valuable and delightful
book
New novels received are: ''Half Married, by
Annie Bliss Mcconnell u. B. Lippincott Com
pany, Philadelphia Taken by Siege" story
of young journalists experience in New York.
originally published in Lippincott's Magazine
d. B. Lppincott Company, Philadelphia
About Money, and Other Things" by the author
of John Halifax, Gentleman" collection of ten
short stories. Harper & Brothers, New York
All for sale by The Bowen Merrill Company.
''Modern Idols" is a collection of biographical
and critical essays by William Henry Thorne,
for several years literary editor of the Phila-
delphia Times. Some of the essays appeared
originally in the columns of that paper. Phiia-
delphia: The j. B. Lippincott Compa-v In
danapolis The Bowen Merrill Cor. oanv.
Psychology" by Prof John Dewey. of Michi.
gan University. is woTs written expressly for
classroom instruction, and deals entirely with
questions 81 abstract philosophy. It Is likely to
take a front rank among works Of its class.
, New York: Harper & Brothers. Indianapolis
The Bowen Merrill Company
The old nursery stories never lose their popu-
larity with the children, and, acting upon this
knowledge, Roberts Brothers (Boston) issue
Beauty and the Beast" and Hop O. My Thumb"