The morning call., 1892-01-10
LITERATURE.

LITERATURE.
THE FEAST OF THE VIRGINS AND
OTHER POEMS-By II. i. Gordon. Chicago:
Laird & Lee. Cloth and gold. 366 pp) In
this volume, which it is nCtlnappTOpriate to
note is a magnificent specimen of American
typography and binding, and is proof that
American publishers can produce work
equal to that offered by tne best in the
world, there Is presented collection OF
poems that have been written by Mr..
Gordon, who is an attorney of Nj Minneapolis,
in odd moments during an active and busy
life. The author spent much OF his life in
the Northwest, and while the opportunity
presented itself lie devoted a great deal Of
time to the study OF the language, history.
traditions, customs and superstltions OF the
ID. kOtaS. lie became acquainted with many
of he chiefs and braves of the DakOtas and
OiibaYS, and he has produced in excellent
verse much that Is Of interest concerning
these people. A great deal that be presents
in this volume is based upon personal OBJ
servatOn, and in his poems he has en-
deavOred to faithfully depict many of the
customs ana SuperstitiOns of the Indians.
A most remarkable poem Of this collection Is
THE Feast of the Virgins" which is
legend of the Dakotas. 1t Is merltorOus
from literary standpoint and is well, told
story in verse. Another Of the most at
tractive is Pauline" which, when first
published, was received in most ttatterlng
manner in this country and in England.
Some of the critics. as some critics always
viii, found fault with portions OF the poem,
and Mr. Gordon admitting the business OF
some Of the criticisms has retouehed the
poem and made it more acceptable than 1t
was al the first publication. A number OF
the minor poems have heretofore appeared
in magazines and in newspapers, while
number are given TO the public for the hrSt
time. Taken as Il whole il is most accepta-
BILE collection Of poetry, one that Will be APP
preciated by great many readers. Many
illustrations embelsh the pages OF this
volume.
THE QUEEN OF THE-AIR-By John Rus
kin, LID. New York: Charles 4. Mer-
Tiil IL Co. Cloth, 233 PIP, 81 so This Is an
other volume Of the works OF this world
renowned writer and lecturer. which is
issued exclusively by these publishers as
part Of the Brentwood edition, the only one
that has Mr.. Ruskin's sanction. 1t is
study Of Greek myths and cloud and storm,
and IS divided into three parts. the first be-
ing athena in the Heavens a lecture on
the Greek myths of storm; the second,
athena in the Earth" a study supple
mentary to the lecture of the supposed and
actual relations of Athena 10 the vital force
IN material Oganism. while the third part IS
on Athena in the Heart and is made up
Of various notes relating TO the conception
of Athena as the directresS Of the magma
tiOn and will. The closing portion OF this
book was written bv RuSkin while under
mental depression, and his thoughts therein
expressed are evidences Of his nature, but
the volume as a whole is a splendid study.
VOLAPUK-T new books in this grow
ing language have been issued by Alfred
a. Post, Boston, both in full cloth at 70
cents each. The first is Grammar" of a
pages, in which the attempt has been made
and with great success-to produce simple
aud COMPACT instructor. Tie other, a
much-needed and able work for the Students
practice, is Reader" of 60 pages by Fred
eric w. Mitchell.
The recent publication by Harper &
Brothers Of Won Moltke's notable book,
The Franco German War" lends interest
to the fact that the great soldier had an
other side than the one shown to the world.
A selection Of his letters to his mother and
to his brothers Adolf and Ludwig is promised
early in the year. These letters cover a
period Of nearly seventy years, and portray
the real nature and character Of the man as
perhaps no other publication could.
Magazines and Other Notes.
A unique experiment will be tried in the
February issue Of The Ladies' Home Jour
uted in prose. fiction and verse by the
daughters OF famous parentage, as proof
that genius IS often hereditary. The work
Of thirty Of these daughters" Will be rep
resented. These will comprise the daugh-
tiers of Thackeray Hawthorne, Dickens,
James FenmOre Cooper Horace Greeley,
Mr. Gladstone, President Harrison, William
Dean Howeils, Senator ingalls,. Dean Brad
ley of Westminster, Julia Ward Howe,
General Sherman, jefferson Davis ana
nearly a score of others. Each article, poem
or story printed in this number has been
especially written for il, and the whole
promises to be a successful result Of an idea
never before attempted in magazine.
very interesting and highly entertain
ing article opens the January number Of
81 lie New England Magazine" Ii is one
by julius II. Ward, Who gives IN d most
agreeable style an account of the life
work Of that eminent divine. the Rev.
Phillips Brooks. 1t is illustrated with a
number Of pictures, each as clear cut as a
cameo, and is one OF the very best ac-
counts OF the reverend Gentlemau'S life that
has ever found its way into print. In this
issue there is also presented a very enter
tanning sketch Of the city OF st. Louis, to-
gether with a great many pictures that
show al a glance the most interesting OBJ
j.ctS IN that city. The portion OF the mag
azne devoted to New E gaud is, as usual,
a special feature.
Without processing to make a Christmas
number at all the Review Of Reviews" is, in
fact, giving its readers TWO numbers so full
of extra aud timely attractions as to justify
a claim to very special recognition Of the
holiday season. Following the extra large
December number, the January number may
equally be regarded as Il midWinter extra
fne issue. 1t contains as its most cOnspic-
uOus feature ii very important sketch OF the
{ Jar n
ticulariy for the American edition Of the
Review" by Mr. w. L. Stead, the distin-
gulshed English editor. Mr.. Steal is the
only Englisn-Speaking journalist who has
ever had the honor Of interviewing the
Gar. and his knowledge Of Russian affairs
is exceptional
A literary event Of unusual importance is
10 be the publication in the March number
Of "Scribner's Magazine" Of a very remark
able aud noble p0em-the last one written
by James Russell Lowell, and the only one
of consequence which he left in manuscript.
This fact alone, of course, would give il an
extraordinary interest, but the literary i'm
p0Ttance aud the character Of the poem it
self are more impressive than the crcum-
stances Of its publication It's title, "0n a
Bust Of General Grant" marks it as belong
ing TO n group Of Mr.. L0welPs poems of pa
.rOtIsm and nigh public duty, among which
it will rank with the great passages of the
Communication Ode"
The January number OF Romance" is in
creased to 100 pages and 1t contains num-
Der OF short Stories many written for this
publication, and the others selected from
tie productions of the very best writer's Of
the time. In this issue there are seventeen
complete stories, any Of which will be found
interesting reading. This magazine which
enters upon the second year Gifts existence,
is one that is welcomed by all who desire a
collection Of short stories. any of which
can be read in a quarter of an hour, and
which furnish relaxation from reading that
requires deep thought and study.