The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-27
A FLYING Trim. Around tho World hv

A Flying Trip, Around the World. by
Elizabeth Bisland. is prefaced by very
pretty picture Of the young lady herself in
becoming lace gown, without suggestion of
the haste of the title page save it be in
somewhat blown about condition of her
curly locks An autograph indicates force
of character to those who read by handwrit-
ing and Seven Stages take us around the
world with this far-famed and energetic
traveller. 1t is but justice to say that all
traces of desire for notoriety, masculine
push and vulgar display are absent from this
chronicle. Doubtless those who knew Miss
Blsland in private life and in her editorial
connection with the Cosmopolitan are not
surprised at this. but to those who judged
her after the newspapers and in vague asso-
citation with Nelly Blye the information will
be agreeable. Miss Bisland's crisp, terse
style of writing seems to convey to the read
er sparkling account of places and people
without diffusion and In the fewest possible
words, yet here and there charmingly DO
etic description contrasts we'll with the au.
thor's usual brevity of writing A sprinkling
Of real wit, and throughout her sketches a
certain companionable sweetness of manner,
charm the reader into continued interest.
Starting on her trip Nov. 18th, 1889, and
leaving San Francisco on the 2lst, our brave
little globe-grder reaches Japan Dec 9Th,
and gives us enchanting glimpses of her
stay in that fascinating country. 1t is a
platitude. to be sure. that some persons see
more In two days than others In as many
months. Yokohama. Tykio, and on the 18th
Hong Kong. Thence by steamer to Singa-
pore, Penang and Ceylon. From Ceylon to
Arden, Port Said. Gambia; Jan. 10th, Brin. .
dist, then France, England. home A tour
of the world In seventy-six days!
or sailing Miss Bisland says:
ut was much as had imagined the other
pieces; luggage humping down the COM
panion-way; people running back and forth
with the apparent purpOseleSSness of ants In
q hill; and the friends Of the departing stand
ing about In that helpless discomfort and
uselessness that make even those whose
hearts are torn by the separation long to be
misery"
And later:
Il was young woman, quite alone, and
doing somewhat conspicuous and eccentric
thing. Yet throughout the entire journey /
and unfaillng courtesy and consideration !;
and II had been princess with suite of
half hundred people could have felt no
safer or happier. 1t seems to me this speaks
very highly Tor the civilization existing in all
travelled parts Of the globe when woman's
strongest protection is the fact that she is
unprotected"
Miss Bisland has an art In adjectives-she
says:
"The night is cold, top-gallant sails are be-
ing set to catch the rising evening wind, and
the cues OF the pig-tailed yellow Seamen
lChinese) are shrill and rauc0us, like the in
terJectional and acrimonious talk of cats on
back fence.
Very gracefully she says. of the bay at
Yokohama:
The queerest crafts come to meet us in the
Day-light-winged junks with sgray and
russell sails, so carelessly and crafty built
that were the sea to but.give them playful
slal she would crush them In an instant to
kindling-wood. Their feebleness insures her
gentleness, 1t would seem, for they spread
their great butterfly wings, and skim along
ing" 81 u =
New York: Harper & Brothers; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmon. Price 81. 25
James Freeman Clarke. Autobiography,
Diary and Correspondence. Edited by Ed
ward Everett Hale. Boston: Houghtop,
Miffiin & Co.; Portland: Loring, Short &
HARMONY This book will be treasure to
the many loving friends of Dr. Clarke and
to the thousands who have felt the strong
influence Of his noble character and work.
Not only will Unitarians be interested in
this record of his life, but all. Irrespective of
creed, who admire and revere true and con-
istent Christian minister. whose unselfish
life was devoted to the service Of God and
the cause of humanity. The autobiography
gives an account Of his parentage, childhood.
school and college life, and his first pastoraie
lin Louisville, Ky. The extracts from the
diary and the correspondence which follow
contain such wealth of thought that it
would be useless to attempt to give an idea
of 1t In a review. His long pastorate over
the Church of the Disciples, his interest in
public education, his Efforts in the anti
slavery movement, are the subjects most
fully touched upon in the selections which
DR.. Hale has made for this admirable biog-
raphy.