The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-12-19
New York Ledger Christmas
Number. -

Number. y
/ The Christmas issue OF the New York
Ledger is sovenir worth Of the source from
whence it emanates 1t contains choice
selection of articles by George Bancroft
Morgaret Deland, James Russell Lowell
and others, who would certainly wear the
palm-embroidered coat" were there an
American academy of "immortals."
The veteren historiographer contributes to
this periodical the second Of his papers on
SOLVER Hazard Perry and the Battle oil
Lake Erie,'' portraying with rare ability
incidents of the carnage and the fate of the
flagship Lawrence. In Watching the vivid
scenes depicted here the reader is deeply
impressed with the phenomenal activity Of
the nonogenarian, enabling him 10 rise su.
perior to physical inirmiry, and, like an
other Titan, continue to cover his canvases
to the admiration of mankind.
Amelia E. Barr, author of several much.
admired stories, begins in this number 1.-THE
Beads Of Tasmer," a novel Of prime interest
whose scene is laid on the shores of Wesl
Ross, off the coast of Scotland Between
VIM. Black and Mr. and Mrs. Pennell the
Land Of Mist and the stormy Minch seem
familiar localities.
Robt. Grant begins mrs. Harold Stage, .
lively story Of American life, displaying
profound knowledge Of the life he describ.
es. The opening chapters contain striking
illustration, drawn by H. G. Edwards.
Mrs. Deland's novelette,. ITO What End?'
is brought TO close, and SO is .'Old Eliza.
beth" by the Marquise Clara Lanza.
| An admirable dialect story is Fore
fathers Day." by Josiah Aliens Wife,
who is much appreciated member Of the
community. DR.. Julia Holmes Smith gives
sensible advice in the current number Of
Common Sense for Mothers and Nurses !
A beautiful Christmas story of West
Jersey village is "A Happy Leaf" by
Marion Harland, writer who never fails to
touch some secret spring of happiness, and
set II vibrating Tor all TO hear.
| Mr.. james Russell Lowell's poem, ssMy
BROOKE was written especially for this
paper, and is feature ofprime importance;
| in recognition Of Its value the publishers
print it as supplement in loose leaf, with
series Of appropriate illustrations by Will
son de Meza. In My Brook" the poet re.
l.
verts to the days of his youth "when the
hours were so many, the duties so few" and
sings some of the dreams suggested by the
brook. The imagery is aerial in its delicacy
ana adapted TO the evanescent "will-o'-the-
wisp'' character Of the fancies exhibited in
the verse. While rejecting On the "Land
Of Lost Days." as he calls the past, Mr..
Lowell sings ina regretful strain, as if he
mourned .he idyllic days.
The closing stanza implies reconciliation
with the Fate that had changed the rural
stream, with suggestions of naiads and water
lilies. into poor drudge, supplying
power" for prosaic factories. But the
memory ofihe old joyous days abides with
the poet:
"As the Moors in their exile the keys treasured
still
OF their castles in Spain. so have I; and ne fear
But the doors will fly open. whenever we will,
To the prime of the past and the sweet of the
year."
The sentiment expressed in INV Brook"
places Mr.. Lowell on plane with Mr..
2uskin regarding the want of poetry i'm
piled by the fourishing era of manufac-
lures. When the industrial arts, machine
iinpelled, come in at the door, bringing
wealth, plenty and luxurious comfort in
their train, poetry-according to these two
voices-hies out at the window.
The Christmas number the New York
Ledger comes with cheerful exterior, in
keeping with the festal season. The cover
displays New York girl. with her arms
full of parcels Christmas shopi,ing), has
ienins forward to greet the subscribers and
wish them 'Happy Christmas. "-Phila.
Ledger.