The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-11-20
New Books.

OSBORNE OF ARRACHAR, by Amanda NJ.
Douglas. Lee & Shepard, Boston publish
ers. This is story of much dramatic in
terest that is well sustained to the end
Though somewhat conventional in respect
to characters and inciden. -, there is nothing
commonplace in either The writer's style
is strong, her portrayals vivid and the com
plexitics Of the tale sufficient to stimulate
and hold the attention of the reader. For
sale at Longs bookstore Montpelier Vt.
Price S1.50.
Pens AND TYPES, or Hints and Helps for
those who Write, Print, Read, Teach or
Learn A new and improved edition by
benjamin Drew, Lee x Shepard, Boston.
This work is especially prepared for the
benefit of persons connected with the press.
1t will be found, however, valuable as
sistant and reference book among persons
of all professions, and particularly to
teachers who are trying to train the young
in habits OF accuracy in the use Of their
mother tongue. The author has been a
teacher, is printer by trade, and was for
many years proof-reader in the government
/ printing-otliCe at Washington. For sale at
Longs bookstore, Montpelier, VT Price
125.
The HEROES OF THE CRUsADEs, by
Amanda NJ. Douglas. Lee & Shepard, Bos-
ton, publishers Nothing in the realms Of
fiction surpasses in dramatic interest or in
the exhibition of lofty heroism the story of
the Crusades. In this volume the author
! has grouped in historical order the great
| leaders of those chivalric expeditions to re-
| cover Jerusalem from the possession of the
! Moslems. In the story of the deeds of
| those ancient worthless, from Peter the Her
| NIT to st. Louis, is comprised all the essen
| tia facts of the history of the Crusades.
The history is strongly written, and in
| spirit and dignity of treatment is in keeping
with the heroic and pious character of those
| expeditions. The work is a valuable con-
! tribution to popular history. The younger
| class of readers should find it more intensely
| interesting and far more wholesome than
modern fiction, with its tendency to mental
ctfeminacy. For sale at Longs bookstore,
Montpelier, VT. Price S1.50.
IL A FAIR COUNTRY, by Thomas Went
worth Higginson, illustrated by Irene f.
jerome. Lee & Shepard, Boston, publish
ers. Truly a sumptuous piece of book
work, whether considered with reference to
! its stately proportions, its literary quality,
its practical value or its heavy cream-tinted
pages, with their exquisite pictures of birds
and flowers and captivating landscapes.
The first division of the book, April Days, is
certainly chapter in natural history as un-
| conventional in manner as it is thoroughly
entertaining and instructive. The first de-
lightful days of spring, with all their infinite
charm of sunshine and shower, of returning
birds and bursting buds, of blossOming wild
flowers and fragrant woods, are reproduced
in Hgginson's breezy story of natures an
nual resurrection, enforced by ILLUSTRATIONS
that are artistic in so true sense that
while we see in them the faultless handi-
work of mechanical art we discover also
scenes and objects and incidents that tell
of an intimate acquaintance with animate
and inanimate nature, and an eye and soul
for all that is artistic in nature. NV Out-of-
Door Study follows, with increasing wealth
of literary treasure in the papers, and of il
lustraton in the pictures, as the developing
foliage and gathering volume of floral rich
ness add TO the glory of summer and WOO
the author to freer intercourse with nature
in her wilder retreats. The Life of Birds is
the third aud last division of the book.
Here, as in the previous pages, literary ex-
cellence and superb illustration invest the
facts of ORTHODOXY with charm no tech
meal work on the subject could impart.
We entirely sympathize with the author
when he SAYS: " 1t is no wonder there is
so little substantial enjoyment of nature in
the community when we feed children ON
grammars and dictionaries only and take
no pains TO train them to see that which is
before their eyes" And we sincerely hope
this fine book will contribute to the work
of inspiring in youth love for the study in
the realm of nature herself, of the mind and
soul-eXpandug natural sciences. To this
end the publishers should put it in sort of
rough and reedv shape, adapted TO popular
use as well as for ornament Price SIS. For
sale at Longs bookstore, Montpelier, VT.