The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-12


prised; and he has ready common sense.
His first impression of the West is that
it is big place, a very big place, indeed
and that some time is needed to grow up
with the country, or even to understand
the conditions of its growth up to date.
All the picturesque contrasts, the incon-
gruities, the routine of military posts
the romantic history of Texas and New
Mexico, the phenomenal upspringing OF
cities, the curious standards which pre-
vail ON the frontier are material for
lively and appreciative comment on the
part of Mr.. Davis. He finds, however,
that the West is only picturesque in
spots, and as the dramatic critics say,
the interest is not sustained throug-
OUT Mr.. Davis sums up his experience
very neatly.
The West is very wonderful, large, unin-
ished and out-of-doors portion OF our counsfy,
and a most delightful place to efsH. -. .
and the course OF empire will eventually West,
ward take its way. But when it does 1t Will
leave one individual behind it, clingine closely
to the Atlantic Seaboard Little old New YORK
| is good enough for him.
New York: Harper & Brothers; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmon. Price
S125)
The Desire of Beauty. By Theodore
Child. Mr.. Child appears to be an Amer
lean esthete with some natural gifts Of
reeeptiveness and expression, aided by
careful cultivation. His ambitions as a
stylist are at present rather too evident
Some of his very clever and just obser-
vations sound mufded by too many
words, and these often heavy and I'm
persuasive. AT the same time, the dain-
ty little volume contains interesting COM
ment upon some modern developments
of art, the work the young French ex-
tremists, the various topics of criticism,
the curious didacticsms of the London
Academy-with its s'constaht attention
to poor literature" and it's catalogue "a
veritable repertory of quotations, flor
ilegium of choice poetry, a promptuary
of proverbs, and a dictionory of conun-
drums yet full of true national char
|
Mr. Child's definition of the ideal critic,
who, in brief, ought to be interpreter,
not judge; questioner, not oracle, of art.
When Mr.. Child shall have outgrown
the conscious struggle with literary form
and the somewhat formal attitude of an
esthete, his work will prove valuable in the
cause of beauty. New York: Harper 6
Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmon. Price, rs cents.)
A Little Swiss Sojourn. By W. D.
Howells. In one of the piquant small
volumes of the Black and White series,
Mr.. Howells tells of pleasant trip in
Switzerland. The time was autumn;
the weather was rainy ninety per cent.
of the time, but the wholesome geniality
of the authors mood lent glow to
everything. The vintage and its unap-
petizing process of the wine-press; the
pension of Mademoiselle, with its dis
tinguished cat that stood upright on
the sill of the window, paving the
glass until she was admitted; the senti-
mentalized Chillon; the local politics,
legends and customs-all are described
in Mr.. Howells's best manner, inimitably
light, human and agreeable. This
charming little book is as good as a
journey, and without drawback or dis
count in the enjoyment. New York:
Harper & Brothers; Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmony
Field-farming. By Martha McC. Will
Jams. These sketches from nature have
brilliant and subtle color and close and
enthusiastic observation, but are very ar
tifcial in manner. Evidently the author
has been interviewing creation in the in
terest of copy" Nature for natures
sake is motto sometimes as opportune
as art for arts sake. Probably the elab-
crate and over-fanciful style would be
more acceptable if one of the sketches
were to be read alone. But collectively
they are quite cloying. The author evil
IDENTITY has sensitive appreciation and a
copious gift of language; she should now
4
study for simplicity, denying herself GER
tain satisfactions of semi-rhythm and of
lyric tone. Some of her clear, significant
phrases give the assurance that here is a
talent worth serious training in order to
free it of affectations and sentiment
talities. At present she writes
neither prose nor poetry. New York ::
Harper 6 Brothers; Portland: Loring,
Short & Harmon. Price: $1.25
Maid Marian and Robin Hood. By j.
| E.. Muddock. The brave old legend of
Sherwood Forest is very well retold by
Mr.. Muddock, with careful reference to
the historic period, it's customs and
| speech. The interest of the story is well
maintained, the dialogue is good; and if
| sometimes the authors observations
sound rather modern, these are not heavy
OF prolix. The romance has not the pc
culiar sylvan quality of the famous Maid