The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-11-29
Literary News and Notes.

George Meredith has written long philo-
sophcal poem and is now at work on a narra-
tive poem dealing with social problems.
Rev. DR.. Thomas Hill of Portland, an accom-
plished student and polished writer, has just
publishefthrough Boston house, a volume of
poems entitled 'In the Woods and Elsewhere"
Outing for December is seasonable and
welcome number. The articles on the athletic
organizations of the country are excellently
handled, while the illustrations merit high
praise.
A Christmas Magazine must have special
Christmas story and IIarper's for December
has capital one written by Grace King. 1t Is
called "The Christmas Story Of Little Church."
Full of pathOs and tenderness, yet, like all
stories appropriate to this merry season, 1t ends
well.
The pages devoted to poetry in the Christmas
! Number of Harper's Magazine are numerous
and attractive. The most striking poem is "a
Sou-Drama." by Anna d. Ludlow. with re.
Elihu Nedder then comes morgan" (the
Buccaneer), by +. e. Stedman. For this
Howard Pyle supplied the full-page drawing, !
which is printed on plate paper. :" At Read
ing" shows what an impressionabie heart i.
b. Aldrch still has; while 'The Men Of the
Alamo" is a stirring war poem by James def
fries Roche. The verses in the Drawer are also
most clever.
| Some months since a book was given to the
public which caused quite sensation in the
| literary world. The interest has increased. and
now the book iseagerly read by many, and mas
been republi>hed in Ticknors popular Paper
/ Series. The name Of this work is 1.-Two Gentle
men of Boston," and it is novel Of intense in
tercst. 1t was thrown upon the world with
| out its authors name. and its success Is owing
solely to its own merits. 1t has curious quality
of intensity and strength that gives II a high
degree of inpressvencss. The heroine, who
tells her story. is the central figure around
which the others are grouped; and there ~
profound art in the manner in which the
| literary quality of the novel il made to
refine and expand with her mental growth.
There is vitality in the book that makes itself
felt. and will cause it to he widely read and
well liked.
Ultimate Finance: A True Theory Of Coop
Grafton, by William Nelson Black Is written IN
an exceedingly attractive style and with very
remarkable clearness. Surely this is no slight
recommendation to give to an essay on politi.
cal economy. But the work before us Is not
less noteworthy for the originality and the
practical wisdom which mark 1t than for Its
grace OF style. 1t is an exposition of method
of organization by which persons without ac-
cumlIated capital, through the resources OF a
fund derived from reserved percentage OF
their income, may obtain the means OF paying
for a home and insurance against the financial
eml,arassments caused by sickness, casualty
and death "Utopian." the reader will doubt
less cNcam But he would better suspend
| ;rl,maut ill no has read Mr. Blacks clever lit
IL, volume. II i. published as No. IO2, Of the
.!iumhnl1, Library of science"
During The ~ years OF us existence that
sterling weekly magazine Litters Living Age
has steadily maintained It's hlSh standard: IL
Is ia thoroughly satisfactory computation OF tne
| most valuable literature OF the Gay, ana as such
| Is unrlvalle,i. As periodicals OF all Sorts con-
tnue to multiply, this magazine continues to
increase in value; and ii has become Iuitc lndls,
pensable TO the american reader: ny us aiu
alone he can, with an economy OK tihe' lapoT;
ami money otherwise impracticabie. keep wen
abreast With the literary and scientihc pro-
.rcss OF ne age ana win the work OF inc apiesl