The Portland daily press., 1890-06-09

belonged, and who have been as types of the
several national ideas. The list of subjects
announced as in preparation or as under
consideration begins with Pericles and ends
with Bismarck. The publishers explain,
however, that it will not be practical to issue
the books with any approach to chronology
cal order, and, as has been stated, the first
actually In readiness is Mr.. Russelrs Mel
son.
The volume is evidently in certain respects
quite distinct in its plan from the others
that are to comprise the first group of the
SERIES The greater portion of these are to
be written by university men who are the
authorities on the several subjects assigned
TO them. and these subjects are, 1t appears,
to be treated in the main from scholarly
standpoint Nelson was, however, emphati-
cally peoples hero, and the story of his
life has been very properly confided to
writer, who, himself an old sailor, is also
master of marine description, and who has
written some of the most brilliant and most
popular sea novels of the century. Curl
ously enough, no one Of the previous biogra-
pliers of Nelson had any personal knowl-
edge of the sea, and Southey, whose memoir,
slight as it Is. has shown the most enduring
popularity of all, was probably entirely ig-
norant of nautical matters.
Mr.. Russell's narrative, however. while
evidently carefully studied rs to the facts
andlthe history, is as breezy and as briny,
and as full of stirring incidents and dramatic
situations as any of the best of his stories.
The stirring narrative of all the naval op-
erations with which Nelson had to do, and
which, in connection with the first defeat
caused by them to the plans of the conqueror
OF Egypt ana of Europe, had such an impor-
tant influence on the history of the world, is
exceedingly well told. The book will be
eagerly read by the young people. and by
all lovers of dramatic story, while it will be
accepted as trustworthy authority on the
history of the man and of the great events
which he helped to shape.
The volume is very fully Illustrated and
handsomely printed and bound. portland:
Loring, Short & Harmon. Price $1.50
Java: The Pearl of the East. BY S, J
Higginson Riverside Library for Young
People,. In this volume the author has
SeNsH' W ei'O thO yOuuS poOpl6 an luea Oh
Java, It's people, and its productions, together
with sketch of its history. The best route
to the island is pointed out and the character
and habits of the people, the animal and veg
etable products, the agricultural and other
industries of the inhabitants are truthfully
and wildly described. The volume is one
which will appeal strongly to the young, and
their elders can read it with much profit.
Boston: Houghton, Mif1in Co.. Portland:
Loring. Short & Harmon
The Physical Properties of Gases. By
Arthur l.. Kimball Riverside Science Sc
ries). This is en- interesting treatise on the
physical properties of gases, arranged under
the heads of pressure and buoyancy, elastic
ity and expansion by heat, gases and yapors,
air pumps and high vacua. diffusion and &C.
culsion. the thermodynanics of gases, Ayo
gadro's law and the Kinctic theory, Geissler
tubes and radiant matter. The text is illus
trated by numerous cuts. Boston: Hough-
ton, Mifflin & Co.. Portland Loring. Short
e.