The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-05

and toward the close of his life occu-
pied himself with the task of transla-
tion. His versions of the Odes, of which
he attempted all but score appear in a
volume entitled Horatian Echoes Dos
ton: Houghton, Mifflin & Company;
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony with
an Introduction by his life long friend,
Oliver Wendell Holmes, and biographi-
cal sketch. Mr.. Sargent's versions are a
| distinct addition to Horatian literature,
and if not great English verse are
scholarly and correct, and faithful,
spirited and sympathetic interpretations
OF the poet he loved so WELL Usually
his scheme of close translation impedes
the movement of his verse, but in those
rare instances where he permits himself
the liberty of paraphrase he gives render
ings that are not only felicitous but
poems in their own right cit is a
privilege as DIR. Holmes says, s'to be
introduced to the great Augustan lyrical
poet and critic by one SO thoroughly con-
versant with his author, and SO deeply
imbued with all the distinguishing quail
ties of this refined, genial, clear-sight-
ed thoroughbred Roman gentleman
Price $1.50.
A year or two ago there appeared in
Harpers Magazine, it will be remem-
bered, three papers of Personal Recol-
lections of Nathaniel HAWTHORNE, by his
college classmate and lifelong friend,
Horatio Photographers which attracted
wide attention. These papers were made
the basis of a volume bearing the same
title and containing considerable new
material in the shape of letters and remi-
niscences, prepared by Commodore
Bridge shortly before his death though
not published Until this spring. This
volume is characterized by the same
chatty style, simplicity of diction and
freshness of matter which made the
magazine articles so charming. The book
contains two portraits of Hawthorne and
one of the author. (New York: Harper
& Brothers; Portland Loring Short 6
Harmon. Price $1.25.)
DR.. D. o. S. Lowell, a Bowdoin gradu-
ate of and now master in the Roxbury
Latin School, has, under the title Jason's
Quest, retold for youthful readers, and
in great detail, the Greek legend of the
Argonautic Expedition. 1t is by no
means Hawthorne's Golden Fleece, with
which it will be inevitably, if unjustly,
compared, but the old myth is recounted
with great spirit in good English that
has often an old-time quaintness as of
one brought upin the society of the Brit
ish essayists. Many allied myths, as the
authors tells us, are outlined in passing,
and his constant endeavor has been to
arouse the interest of the reader so that
he may investigate for himself. The
version is that of scholar, and while
patent to the comprehension of youth
worthy the attention of men. tits only
when he attempts to be funny that MI.
Lowell fails, his sense of humor being
rudimentarv.
The volume, spiritedly illustrated by
c. W. Reed, is published in Boston by
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn.
One of the best done in the Stories of
the Nations Series New York: G. P.
Putnam's Sons) is The Story of Poland,
by W. R. Morrill,, author of the Story of
Russia in the same series, and Reader in
Russian at Oxford University. 1t is the
latest volume issued. The story of the
rise and fall of the famous kingdom that
once extended from the Baltic to she
Black Sea, and whose fate has for CEN
fury been the favorite theme of poets
and rhetoricians, is here told with vigor
and vivacity. Within the limits of four
hundred pages it's history is traced from
the half legendary times before Boleslas
the Brave to the suppression of the latest
revolt against Russia in 1868. The story
Of the three partitions between Russia,
Prussia and Austria, knowledge of
which so many historians take for
granted, is here made clear, and it's COM
prehension aided by an excellent map.
A final chapter is given to the literature
of Poland, which is richer than most of
us suppose. The book is profusely illus
trated.
The Story of Poland is for sale by Lor-
ing, Short & Harmon. Price $3.50.
Tenting on the Plains. BY Elizabeth
b. Custer, author of Boots and Saddles,
Following the Guerdon, etc. This book
was originally published in an expensive
form and sold only by subscription.
Many persons who had read Boots and
Saddles were anxious to read Mrs. Gus
ter's next book, but were in many cases
deferred by its high price. This new
edition which is now published to meet
this demand, contains all the illustrations
OF the more expensive edition, is printed
from new plates and tastefully bound.
Tenting on the Plains is one of Mrs. Gus
tis's best books. New York: Charles
L. Webster 81 Company; Portland: Lor