The Portland daily press., 1893-12-21

partiality and declaration of his pur-
pose to avoid controverted points; and
thensproceeds to argue questions like an
advocate But this controversy, useless
though it be, makes entertaining book
that might 9th erwise prove dull. Profit.
less, except to the publishers, it certainly
may be called; for the general opinion
is that Thomas was in the right and his
critics in the wrong. The heat with
which this biographer pleads the cause
only serves to raise a suspicion that the
general Judgment stands in need of revis-
ion. The book would be better were
the author to condense his long extracts
from official reports. They might do
well in many-volumed biography, but
overl cad an epitome like this. (New
York: ID. Appleton & Company; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmony
The American Girl at College, by
Lido Roe McCabe New York: Dodd,
Mead & Co.; Portland; sLoring, Short
q Harmon,) is the outcome of flying
visit to the woman's colleges of New
hs3heth0 anu uliC EOouii, UuoCl VOhSh LII
the interest of a newspaper. The collec-
tion of sketches has the merits and de-
fects of newspaper work, lightness and
rapidity of touch and animated style
conjoined to haste of Judgment and
looseness in construction and STYLE But
like a faithful journalist the author has
made sure of her facts, and presents them
in an attractive manner. The book is
readable in every page-pralse that cam
not be conscientiously bestowed upon
some more pretentious treatises. The
chapters treat of practical topics like
the relative cost of colleges, the advant-
ages of co-education, the work done at
different institutions for the physical
development as well as the aesthetic
culture of girl students, scholarships
and fellowships, the social side Of college
life, the association of collegiate alum
nae, and other but like matters now at
tracing the attention of scholars and
educators. One of the most entertain
ing chapters is that given to personal
gossip about college presidents and
professors. Throughout the book
militant spirit runs, as of one not quite
sure of her position and on constant
guard aaginst the encroachments of the
in the volume is the motto following
the title page: All the adventures of
knights will not prove one lady's valor.
She must fight her own battles" This
one does it, bravely.
A Hillside Parish, by S. Bayard bod,
author of A Highland Chronicle New
York: Dodd, Mead & Company; Port
land: Loring. Short & Harmony, is a
serious story, the burden of which is
relieved by touches of mild humor, that
takes its title from the stage setting,
"Clintonville, town on the upper Hud-
son. The tale deals with the trials aud
triumphs of young clergyman and the
humors of his parish. 1t is pleasantly
told in smooth sentences, without much
pretence at art and certainly little per-
Torrance. The intent is better than the
execution, but the book can be COM
mended for its sweet, pure tone, the
goodness of it's teachings, and it's entire
freedom from unhealthy sentimentalism.
Of collections of short stories there
seems to be no end. 1t has ceased to be
mere fashion and has become an insti-
tuition. Twenty years agosthere was little
call for these collections It was
difficult to float an edition. Today they
are among the best selling of books.
The latest conner into the field is H. D.
Lowry, whose collection of fifteen tales
takes it's title from the first, Prisoners of
the Earth" New York. Dodd, Mead
& Company; Portland: Loring, Short
& Harmony Mr.. Lowry is an impression
ist, and one suspects that he has studied
the strong, virile, ausuere manner of
Ambrose Bierces' advantage There is
more of promise than performance in
these stories, but the promise is fair,
and the first fruits of Mr.. Lowry's pen
worth the garnering.
The Boy Traveil ers are still a travell-
ing, and on this trip the delightfully."-
garrulousCol. Knox takes them to South
ern Europe. Starting from sBuda-Pesth,
where the preceding volume of the series
left them, they make their way to the
classic shores of the Mediterranean.
firststurning their faces toward Venice.
Amid the charming cities and ports of
Italy, the famous islands that stud the
blue land-locked sea, and the romantic
shores of Spain with their legends of
Christian and Moor, the boy reader will
eagerly follow his guide; and sigh when
the long journey that seems SO short is
ended. Before these fascinating pages
the long winter nights will pass swifter
than a dream. (The Boy Travellers in
Southern Europe. By Thomas W. Knox.
New York: Harper & Brothers; Port.
land Loring, Short & Harmony
In the forefront of the luxurious edi-
tions in which this book-nublishino