The Portland daily press., 1891-10-21
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The Spanlsh-American Republics. By
Theodore Child. Illustrated. New York:
Harper & Brothers; Portland: Loring.
Short & Harmony South America is a
country about which the people of the
United States know comparatively little,
though within few years strenuous efforts
which have been to certain extent sue
cessful, have been put forth to bring about
better understanding between the two
countries and closer commercial relations.
Mr.. Theodore Child's sketchs of his Obser-
vations in the more important of the South
American states will go far to improve the
understanding and to heighten our interest
in our neighbors the South The sketches
originally appeared In Harper's Magazine
and to the readers of that periodical no
word Of commentator is necessary The
territories treated of are Chill, Peru, the
Argentine Republic, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Mr.. Child did not go on an exploring expedi-
ton In search Of natural curiosities, his tour
was one of observation in the accessible
parts Of the five before mentioned states with
view to examine the actual state of the
town and county populations in 1890; to
study the commercial and social life of the
capitals and ports; to see how people live
and labor in the rural districts; to give an
account of the various special Industries; to
describe the real aspect of the countries in
question; to note the characteristic features
of the inhabitants; to make modern report
OF the progress Of civilization south of the
Equator. Mr.. Child was thorough ly
equipped for his work, uniting as he did the
power of quick and intelligent observation
with literary skill of high order. The re-
suit is series Of sketches of great interest
and value. The volume is pr0fusely illus
trated with engravings of the best descrip-
ton, and in printing aud binding is model.
My Little Margaret. A Story by Mary d.
Brine, author of Grandma's Attic Treasures,
&c. Illustrated by A. G. Plympton. New
York: K. L. Dutton Il co., This is story
for the little folks, somewhat sad In tone,
but having a happy ending, and like M RS.
Brine's other stories, can be heartily recon-
mended to the readers for whom it is es-
pecially designed. 1t is. prettily illustrated,
printed on thick paper In large clear type,
and Its cover is very beautiful
The Young Emperor, William III. of Ger
many, A Study in Character Development
on Throne. By Harold Frederic, author
OF In the Valley. With portraits. (New
York: g. P. Putnam's Sons; Portland: Lor-
ing, Short q Harmony Mr.. Harold Fred
eric Is well known to the American public
by his foreign correspondence, which is pub
iished weekly in the New York Times, and
which is among the most intelligent and
readable which come to this country. The
present volnme is sketch'of the life of the
present Emperor of Germany, and dlscus
sion Of his policy since coming to the throne.
Mr. Frederic is evidently warm admlrer
OF the young Emperor, yet on the whole his
treatment of Williams character and career
Is discriminating and furnishes little around
for cavil. 1t is rather too early to pronounce
a verdict upon Williams career as soyer-
has been more successful than was feared
when he assembled the throne.
Abraham Lincoln. By Carl Schurz. Dos
ton: HoughtoD, Mifiin & Co.; Portland;
Loring, Short & HARMONY This essay is
revision Of an article first published in the
Atlantic Monthly. 1t is an epitome of the
Life of Lincoln by Hay and Nicolay. Those
who wish to know the life, character and
position in history of Mr.. Lincoln will not
have to gorge themselves with the great
mass of comtemporaneo history and biog-
raphy that has been published as part OF
MS lie by these biographers, for they will
ma In this shOlt essay. the character OF Lin
coin presented in clearest outline. The lights
and shadows are plainly revealed, there is
no extenuation of his faults or Qualification
Oh nlS. virtues: he appears as he was-a plain,
simple, great man,