Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1893-01-26
WITH PEN AND INK.
MAGAZINE NOTES.

Houghton, Miffiin & Co. have recently
published new collection of Famous
Verse" selected by the gay essayIst,
Agnes Reppli-r. This particular colIec-
ton is intended to stimulate love of
poetry in young people, and is gathered
from many sources, both modern and
classic. In the introduction Miss Rep
plier says: 'The enjoyment which
children receive from poetry is far-reacil-
ing and OF many kinds. Martial strains
VIII oh fire the blood. fairy music ringing
in the ears, half-toli tales that set the
young heart dreaming, brave deeds, I'M
happy fates, sombre ballads, keen joyous
lyrics, and small jeweied verses where
every word shines like a polished gem
all these G cd things the children know
and love-" and all they may find be-
tween the compact covers Of this we'll
printed little volume The selections are.
on the whole, very wisely maze, and
various enough to be sure of striking
some responsive cord in any imaginative
boy or girl. There are more love lyrics
than one would expect to find in book
Of its scope. and here and there, some
what contradictory, poem that seems
. concession to immature taste. As in
all small and exclusive gatherings, Of
another's bidding. one feels that a few Of
the guests might have been spared to
make room for certain others. Tenny-
sons commonplace, LADY Clare" for
instance, could better be spared than
Alexander's Burial of Moses" with its
solemn mystery that appeals straight to
the religious sentiment inherent in most
children. It NAV have been wis- to have
included thirteen numbers from Long
fellow and Whittier aud found room for
only two Of Burns songs. and neither OF
those the "Wee, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous
beastie ;" but it is not the sort OF wisdom
one looks ior in the valiant champion OF
joy, who has pleaded for humor. SO
huanorously, and maintained that it is
better tc be happy than to be taught
In Miss Repplier's volume, Bret Harte
has no place, and yet surely some Of his
early swinging lyrics Of the Sierra's have
just the quality to awaken interest in the
boy who thinks poetry too sentimental
and ''girlie" for his needs. Walter Scott,
who has something of the same power of
allaying youthful cynicisin, is generously
represented by long list of poems.
With the manly boy and sturdy girl, love
Of poetry often begins with a little
aversion, and poem of the character of
"The Charge Of the Light Brigade" will
WOO quicker response from them than
that Of "The Lotus Eaters"
But Miss Rcpplier has anticipated just
such criticism in her preface when she
says that the heart-breaking part of edit
ing little hook like this is the exclusion
Of SO many well-loved poems. GLOW in
the ripened orchard, can We bear to fill
one small basket, and 20 away leaving
the boughs heavy with unplucked fruit 2"
No collection Of verse is the ideal col
lnotian nraruro urrSu, WV.
Palgrave's famous Treasury" since
every one who truly loves poetry is con-
stantly editing and re-editing private
collection of his own, wedding out. year
by year, tn re out-worn loves of youth
and filling their vacant pla.es with Others
that once, through inexperience, were
meaningless. Bet with young people the
case is somewhat different, since they be-
gin to I'll in their hearts somewhat in
discriminatelv, friendship for men and
books finding in propinquity its reason
for Icing. Miss Repplier's collection is
admirably adapted as ground work from
which the boy may begin that private
collection whose expanding delights will
some day put stamps and buds-eggs
to everlasting confusion.
tHoughton, Miff1in & Co., Boston,
Mass.