The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

History Of the Nineteenth Century In the
United States and Europe. BY Henry Boyr-
ton. Augusta: Press Co. For several reas-
0ns, we should be glad to give this volume
unqualified commentator. 1t is not only
an American, but Maine product. published
at the Capital of the Slate. In all that re-
lates to the printers art, evidently no pains
have been spared, and the general style Of the
volume geographically considers d, would do
credit to the Riverside. or any other press.
The contents OF the book are varied, and the
subject is second TO none in interest and i'm
portance. This is all we can trnthfully say
In praise Of the volume. The publisher
claims for the author. that he has studied
his subject deeply and spent much time in
the work Of preparation. He visited Europe
twice to investigate Original documents in
accessiblein this country" This and other
similar assurances Of the publisher raise ex-
pectati0ns in the mind of the reader (which
are not fulfilled. The divisions of the
book are arbitrary and disjointed. The
authors knowledge is superficial, and
he is sadly wanting in what is called 1.-THE
historic sense" He gives his readers scarce
ly any idea Of the causes and connections of
the events which he narrates in slipshod
style, many Of the sentences drawing their
slow length along like wounded snake and
ending in total collapse from gradual ex-
tlncti0n of vitality. He has queer trick of
emitting the two articles and the before
nouns, apparently to give an appearance of
originality. The authors style is compound
of Carlyle and Walt Whitman. II be made
Carlyle his model. he has succeeded admira-
bly, In initiating the contortiops OF the proph-
ct without catching breath of his inspiIa.
tion. Mr.. Boynton should learn to write
English, before assuming the role of an
historian.
History of Poland. Illustrated. Embrac-
ing period Of over a century, by H, A. &
g.. w. Poole. Mechanic Falls: Poole
Bros publishers Town histories are mul.
tiplying, and indicate constantly growing
appreciation of the Importance Of historical
study in education. The men who under
take this benefcent work for communities,
not only merit the gratitude of their contem-
poraries. but that Of future generations, who
but for them might be left in ignorance of
past events, which have been the germs Of
movements I'm which their own welfare is in
vOlyed.
The history before us embodles many in
teresting particulars of the town OF Poland
from the grant by Massachusetts in 1876 on
the petition Of the heirs of the officers and
soldiers engaged in the Canada expedition
OF 1880, to our own day. Not only have we
an account OF the aborigines and early set
tiers; but considerable portion of the
book Is devoted to the more practical affairs
in which the present generation is engaged :
the railroads. manufacturing and Industrial
enterprises, political, religious and educa-
tlonal institutions. To the active and busy
man of affairs this will prove commenda-
BILE feature of the book. though the man of
antiquarian instincts will be disappointed at
| not finding more relating to the past. The
book is illustrated by many portraits, bits Of
| pretty landscape and views of buildings.
which in the future will be of even more in
terest than they are:today. or course every
body who buys historical works relating to
Maine. will purchase this book to add to his
collection OF Maine town histories.