The Portland daily press., 1891-12-12

SJhnty chaugiuS ou"JHc1 lie DotnDarOtu
modern education which foohsnly spares
the rod. makes child en- pref school to
| home and prepares pessimlstIc genera
! ton, depresses men to the level OF women.
I'M tead of raising women to the level of
men. he WAS full Of humor, 10 fact the
best monoogulst have ever met"
Is not this the Geprge Meredith of both
his novels and his poems?
Among the holiday books, one cannot
fail tu notice richly illustrated volume
entitled ''Art and Crlticism," by Theodore
| Child Wide margins, clear type, fine illus
trations and tasteful binding make the
book beautiful specimen of the publish.
| er's art; while the value of the thoughtful
| and discriminating criticism of MIR. Child.
who has lived for years in an atmosphere
of painting and sculpture. will find ready
| recognition.
The subjects of criticism are 'Sandro
Bott'ceili;' "Some Modern French Paint
e's;' American Artists at the Paris Ex-
POSITION" "Mllet;" "Munkacsy :" "Im-
prtsSlonist Painting !" "Bayre :" ''Rudlni,"
Modern French Sculpture;" together
with several general articles.
As critic. Mr.. Child Is free from prejn-
dice. He evidently is not Influenced by
the thought Vt another, but boldly asserts
his own opinion, aud although it may not
be possible tn agree with him always, one
Can out respect his independence. He is
also tolerant of the opinions of others.
In the study of works OK art, 1t is we'll to
De provided with a strong dose of liberal
Ism and large reserve of tolerance" says
MIR. Child. He quotes the remark: ~
know nothing about art. but know VIVA
like" and adds. ''This remark SO CON-
monty heard, is wo thy of respect 1t is
the obscure cry of the natural man who
yearnS and Graves sincerity The reao-
er must necessarily gain much from an
author who introduces him to works of art
In this spirit. Ii he cannot always look upon
picture with the enthusiasm displayed by
the author, he may SUSPECT that his own
taste Is not so fully developed as that of
the cultured critic.
The work deserves the place il has gained
among holiday issues, and will prove an
acquisition to any library. (New York
Harper q Brothers; Portland: Loring.
Short q Harmony
Among the most notable novels nv
American authors published this year is
In the Stranger Peoples Country, by Miss
Murfree CHARLES Egbtrt Craddock). The
story itself is of intense interest aud holds
the reader in spite of dialect possibly
unfamiliar. The Stranger People" were
prehistoric race who found their last
resting place in the mountains Of Tennes-
see. Their origin and history are shrouded
in mystery. The s'pigmy jewellers" of
tennessee are supposed by some to have
been diminut've race now extinct: by
others to have been Aztec children, buried
apart from their kindred for some un-
known reason; by others still the stone
sepulchres are thought to contain infant
relics Of the Cherokee Indians. As Miss
Murfree says: who they were and
whence they came none can say. The
mountains where they found their home
their long home-keep silence. The stars
that they knew look down upon their
graves and make no sign" The .sLeetle
Stranger People" sleep well, however.
'for they are guarded by people who look
upon them and their resting place with
sup.rsttlous awe, believing that a curse
Will come upon him who dis urbs their
bones, and they prevent others from dis
turblng them by means no less decisive
than riff bullets. The action of the story
Is Centred about the burying ground of the
Leetle Stranger People and the attempt of
valley lawyer" to investigate the graves
from a love OF scientific research.
The characters in the story are we'll
drawn We cannot at once forget in lay
ing the book aside the impression which
their acquaintance leaves with us. The
absorbing passion of Fee Guthrie which |
brooks no rivalry nor opposition, together
with his untimely death, give him a strong
claim to our sympathy; while In L. titia
Peftlngill. the author shows best her great
power of characterization.
The style OF the book is simple, the local |
coloring True, the representation of life
and manners among the mOuntaineers
faithful, and the manner of relating the
Incidents of the story charming. In short.
Miss Mnrfree l. at her best in this produe.
ton. New York: Harper 81 Brothers.
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony
One OF the most novel and dainty of
the holiday books is entitled Drift from
the Sea. The significance of the title is
found in the makeup of the book. Well
known passages referring to the sea have
been selected; and these have been Illus |
trated by sketches of some marine vjew-a
lighthouse. yacht, torn SAIL, fl ,ating
hulk, ETC. These sketches are printed in |
colors. and are of course, the main feature |
of the book. They are excellent from the |
artistic point Of view; and the book makes |
an excellent work for the parlor table. II |
Is by Q: Mcknight Smith. New York: |
Frederick St"kes Co.; Portland: Loring |