The herald., 1895-12-29

book will be accounted irreverent.
while later times and later tastes will
vote 1T sort of compromise between
innocent trifiing and the high jinks of
literary audacity.
The volume is handsome one, and
the illustrations delightful. Many OF
our readers are aware that this fanciful
picture OF happenings on the dim bor-
ders OF death has been running as a
serial in Hsrper's Weekly, and is now
just put in book form.
One fine day Charon, the boatman, as
he rounded the bend of the Styx, es-
pied strange looking craft moored
near by. At once he concluded there
WAS an attempt to compete with him in
his ferryage monopoly, and 80 he suit
ably resented the intrusion. But later
on an adjustment of all difficulties was
secured by making Charon the janitor
of the new craft, which turned out to
, he house-bOat inhabited by the spir-
ts OF celebrities upon the earth. Charon
being allowed liberal salary and time
enough to do his regular work.
The questions discussed on the
house boat we're very much in the line
of those which make up the topics at
clubs. One very interesting contro-
versy arose over the authorship of
Shakespeare's works, in which Shakes
peare himself took spirited part, and
Bacon Was also mede to state his posi-
ton. Finally, it Was agreed to leave
the whole question to Sir Walter
Raleigh, who, on being asked who wrote
Shakespeare, felt compelled 10 confess
that he wrote it, A delightful spirit
of raillery runs throughout the chap
tiers, and it one could be wholly rid Of
the feeling that there is something of
mcckery all through it, one could
really enjoy the book.
EverytnlDg goes on very we'll, much
as thlngs 20 on upon the earth, until
Captain Kidd, who has had his weather
eye on the craft for some time, cap
lures her and scatters the crew. This
disaster. of course, WAS not to be re-
paired, aud closes the chapter 5ocra-
ties, as might have been expected, was
serene through it all, and ut the last
"ortsred up hemlock sour"
1t is not 4 book to live long or to
command great respect, for, as Am
brose Bierce would say, 1T leaves a
bad taste in the ear"
LIFE IN sHUT-IN VALLEY and other Pacific
Cons Tales. By CLARA -PAULDING BtoWN
The Editor Pub ishng company, Franklin
ohio
This is volume containing dozen
short stories, which came to hand at
the last oment for mention this
week, and thus without opportunity to
do more than glance at it. That they
are readable ought to appear from the
fact that they have found readers in
other publications. Mrs. Brown has
proved herself capable journalist and
has done excellent work in several
lines, and need not feel disheartened if
these sketches should not prove a
great success as distinct volume
something which time only can fully
settle. 1t is a pity the volume was not
made ready by the publishers for the
seasons trade, for that would have
given it chance along with the rest.
4 r =
Mr.. HeZskiah Butterworth tells how
Longfellow came to write some of his
best-known poems, and thus quotes the
poet: My poem entitled the Bridge
WAS written in sorrow which made me
feel for the Loneliness of others. was
widower at the time, and I used
sometimes to go over the bridge to
Boston evenings to meet friends, and to
return near midnight by the same way.
The way WAS silen.. save here and there
belated footstep. The sea rose or fell