The Portland daily press., 1892-07-25


contempt, only with half amused, halt
sad recognition that all is changed Tor
her-in the primitive society OF the VII
lage. Then she goes to Boston to pursue
her art, taking with her the sister, 'oa-
rah Kinball." This young person
energies alarmingly as heroine of more
than one underbred romantic episode;
she is an admirably drawn figure of the
American type of girl who is audaclous,
innocent, uncouth, attractive, vulgar and
shrewd; who means no harm and walks
safely through dangers by force OF the
Unborn talent for taking care OF herse II
Meanwhile, Rowena-and this is no small
praise-fully conveys to the reader the
charm with which the author has in
tended to equip her. She is as American
as the terrible little sister; but she is
quite unlike Sarah Kimball, extremely
winning and sympathetic. 1t may be at
least limited that absence strengthens the
bond between MI and Mrs. Keats Brad
ford-on his part, indeed, it had re-
manned solid; on hers the fault was only
one of the ,dissatisfactions which modern
nerves ndrtheories cause to be made by
very good and lovable wonderland all
ends happily. The novel deserves to be
one of the most popular of the season.
(New York: Harper & Brothers; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmon. Price
$1.25)
The Master of Silence. By Irving
Bachelor. This striking title-of course
some impertinent critic will arise to say
that there never could be a Mistress of
Stencils that of a first essay in litera-
tire by Mr.. Bachelor, who in his ca
pacity of syndicate editor, has been the
cause of so much literature in others.
The Idea of the little romance is original
and odd; the style is unaffected and
pleasing. The Master of Silence is man
who, because of grave disillusions, has
brought up his som in a lonely house,
guarded by lion and by a courtyard
haunted by rattlesnakes, in order that
the boy shall not hear human speech.
To this amazing locality comes relative
| from the outside articulate world, who
at the death of the old relative, leads
Royal out among men. The extreme
sincerity of the young master of silence,
causes discomftures and enmities in
social circles. There are ideality and
| generous imagination in this romance,
| it's weakness is in its fantastic unhealthy,
brought face to face with conventional
and ordinary conditions. The volume is
| printed and bound in the admirable good
taste of the Fiction, Fact and Fancy
Series, edited by Mr.. Arthur Stedman,
| one of the ablest and most enterprising
of the young literary men of New York.
New York: Charles L. Webster and Co.
Price: Is cents.)
City Festivals. By Will Carleton. Mr.
Carleton's work by no means belongs to
the realm of pure poetry; and it would
be an injustice to criticize it by means of
artistic standards. It is the result of
poor taste applied to the best of feeling;
| it is commonplace, curiously mingled of
simplicity and of cheap showiness; it is
| the sort of volume to accompany the
melodeon and the bouquet of wax flowers
and the framed photographs of relatives.
Also, like them, it is in place where true
and honest sentiment abide, not knowing
| the want of more sensitive ideals and
| instincts of art. Mr.. Carleton's rhymes
annoy the critic by their awkward and
sometimes pompous jingle; their stiffness
| and ambitious moments, like those of a
schoolboy's graduating poem; by their
many inadequacies and general effect of
vulgar volubility. And atthe same time,
there are touches of warm and genuine
nature that refresh the reader like a
watt from the hayfelds, sweet country
air full of wholesome inspiration. Mr.,
Carleton's crowd of admirers probably
| like him just as he is, and will find de-
lightful every one of his celebrations of
| national and social festivals. So it will
be of small use to assure him that the
| simple heart-hreak of one of his poems,
Under the Wheels, is worth volumes of
his attempts to revive the epic experiences
| of Columbus, or the Talmage-like mix
tllre of vulgar materialism and distaste-
| full imagination of his Festival of Family
Reunion, where a person newly gone to
heaven and politely referred to as IAN
| Aged Lady, meets her departed friends
in ways that seem suggested by the reve-
lations of spiritualistic seGnce. The
volume is rather showily printed on large
paper and furnished with illustrations
| (New Nork: Harper & Brothers; Port
land: Loring, Short and Harmon. Price;
$2.O0.)
Anthony Melgrave. By Thomas Nc
Caleb. This novel seems like literary
Rip Van Wrinkle of fiction, that after
half-century's sleep on the top shelf of
circulating library, should come out,
and claim notice. The style is impossibly