The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

the leading phases of socialism, and consists
OF essays by several well known authors, Vim
cent, Mackay, Afford. Howell Herbert and
others. The contributors have common
purpose, and each writer is responsible for
MS own contribution. The survey of social
ism is not complete, but embraces most of
the topics Of general interest. The aim is to
show that socialistic schemes are not practl-
cal and would lead to waste and loss of ill.,
erty. The working classes are making prog
ress now faster than would be possible under
socialism. The true way to help people is to
teach them to help themselves, not to weaken
their sense Of responsibility or habits of self
reliance. Even education would be more
valued II paid for by parents. For the same
reason and others the publiclshould not be
taxed for free libraries, much less for the
peoples amusements Such legislation robs
all to please part of the population. The
general argument is that State interference
is demoralizing and sure to drag the merito-
rious down to the level of the meanest ca
pacities. Besides, the slavery of the masses
would surely follow, since few selfish and
able men would not fail to get and keep con-
troll OF the machinery, which would be run
WnOlly IN their own interest
The conviction common to all the writers
Is that the tendency to regulate human af-
fairs Is becoming excessive and should be
restrained. Paternalism in government is
now popular, yet 1t is the peoples worst
enemy, and they should combat 1t accord
ingly. Individual initiative is the true prin
ciple, and the only one which can insure per-
manent prosperity. Let us beware, there
fore, how we surrender one point after an
other till all the affairs of a community are
swallowed up by universal despotism, I'M
der the plea of providing for the common
welfare. So runs the argument of this Plea
for Liberty.
A Group of Noble Danes. BY Thomas
| Bardy. New York: Harper 81 Brothers;
Portland: Loring, Short .& Harmony The
stories included in this volume are repre-
sented to have been told at meeting of the
Mid Wessex Field and Antiquarian club"
The business OF the meeting had been tran
sacted. lunch had ended, and the afternoon
excursion was about to be undertaken, when
rain began to steadily fall, and nothing re-
NAMED for the club to do but to stay in
doors. Various members beguiIed the time
by relating legends and traditions of gentle
and noble ladies renowned in times past in
that part of England. The stories are told
In Mr. Hardy's best and most Characteristic
vein, and are full OF romantic incident and
curious adventure. The book is prettily
bound, and a few.good Illustrate ms add to its
many attractions.
Jinrikisha Days in Japan. BY Eliza r.
Skidmore. New York: Harper 81 Brothers
Portland Loring. Short 81 Harmony Life
In Japan has changed so much In the last
decade, with the introduction of foreign Gus.
toms and dress, that book written even a
few years ago gives us but faint idea of the
Japan Of today. Much of the picturesque
ness has departed with the adoption of Paris
fashions, of course, but the advancement of
the people land especially the womep) tow
| ard freedom from the bondage of hereditary
custom has been wonderful. In the book be-
| fore us the author gives us vivid pictures of
the varied phases of Japanese life as it is at
the present time, her sketches being the re-
suit of three years sojourn in Japan. The
"1inrikish" is big twO-wheeled conveyance
IAN American inventory drawn by coolie,
which has been generally adopted all over
the East Very delightful must be the
"spins" through the fascinating streets in
these curious vehicles, as described in this
charming book. 1t is profusely illustrated
and handsomely bound.
A Book o. Nine Tales, by Arlo Bates, is a
collection Of short stories, as its name i'm.
plies, the odd lumber being made up by
series of Interludes. Very choice bits of
society satire are clothed in these latter
where they deal with, An Evening at Whist,
Mrs. Fru Aes at Home, Such Sweet Sorrow.
and A Business Meeting. The last named,
in its depletion Of ladies deep in parliament
tary forms is what the young people call SIM
| ply immense. Memory lost and recovered,
the witchcraft Of flower, and hypnotism
| furnish themes to this talented writer, while
perhaps The Radiator is the drollest, and
Aprips Lady the prettiest of the numbers
covered by A Book O. Nine Tales. Boston:
Roberts Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short
& Harmon. Price $1.0O)
Beyond the Bourn by Amos K. Fiske
| author of Midnight Talks at the Club, is SUBJ
mitted to the world.as Reports of Traveller
| Returned from The Missionary Country.
| The MSS here published is supposed to have
| been intrusted to the hands of its editor and
publisher. by one Mr.. Jameson who, as the
| result of railroad accident, lowered be-
1 tween life and death for space Of three days
and was finally resuscitated. In that length
of time the other world was visited, leaving
the discoverer on his return, but an exile on
earth, awaiting his permanent entrance into
| spiritual life. Ia the speculations before us,
nothing specially new or striking is en-
| countered. The difficulty 10 making heaven
/ ly visions absorbing to most men and women
Is the lack of attraction. am not speaking
now of ecstatic glimpses vouchsafed to the
religious soul, those are sacred and cannot
be described. But when writer attempts
to portray life after death, he fails some
where to make it such life as mortals yearn
after For instance. in this picture, people
Scat about in space. never knew human
beings who contemplated floating" with
any pleasure whatever. give this seeming
ly trivial illustration merely to indicate the
idea. As heaven is drawn in books, few
people want to 60 there. The strong features
of the work are its conceptions of space, so
we'll given that we ought to grow less narrow
as to our own little planet as we peruse
these pages; its comprehension of the faults
of our past and of Gods wisdom and love
towards us as shown In evolution and the
whole scheme of development; and certain
poetic beauty that at times rises to touch
of inspiration.
In the authors chapter on Progress of a
Perfect Race and Life In distant Sphere
the entertainment is fine but the tracing of
methods quite too vague We read that
races in distant planets become grand and
glorious in earthly living, but we are left In
dimness of sight as to how matters reached
these desirable results. An essay on Mans
Revelation to Man followes the main text
TO the thoughtful reader, here and there, in
the course of Beyond the Bourn are beauti-
full suggestions and some harvestings will no
doubt be cleaned to help the traveller on his
earthly journey. New York iFords, How
ard & Hubert; Portland: Loring. Short &
Harmon. Price $1.O0
| A Violin Obligato and Other Stories by
Margaret Crosby. These short stories, some
of them read in the magazines will be- well
In hAAl 4.