Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-12

member. While the startling character of
the statements made in this book may
cause some skepticism as to their historical
accuracy, it must be conceded that they
make mighty interesting reading" The
book is sold only by subscription. J. A.
Morton & Co., Charlotte Mich, Supt OF
Agencies.
1.-THE Tower With Legends and Lyrics
by Emma Huntington Mason; Houghton,
Mifflin & Company; Boston and New
York. Price S1.25.
This volume embodies, in book form
Mrs. Nason's later and maturer work.
1t is a notable addition to the literary out
put of the year. Indeed we think it will
be accorded the first place among the
poetical works of 1895. There is in Mrs
Nason's work a permanency of character
They are written for all time, for the
nobler attributes of human nature are the
same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The verse in this work is characterized
both by grace and beauty of diction, and
by marked strength and originality of
thought. 1t is largely psychical in its
character 1t voices, with fine power
of analysis. those subtler and nobler ex-
periences of the soul, those inspirations
and emotions, often vague and dimly
defined that lift mortals above the thral-
dom of the flesh into world of spirit.
To catch the musicI of such moods, Is the
highest form of poetic art, and here Mrs.
Nason's work is seen at its best.
Among the many gems of this character
that shine in Mrs. Nason's latest volume
we quote the following extract from the
plant of Body to Soul:
"And there are higher. hoier things?
Is this a taunt thy spirit filings?
What is it Soul that thou woulds't say?
Thou erst had time to fast ard pray.
Give me one word, one loving sign,
For this spent life of yours and mine!
81 held thee fast by sordid ties?
trailed thy garments, yelled thine eyes?
Go on, come: but once did wait,
o Soul, for thee, at mornings gate.
Cans't thou not pause to give me breath?
Perchance this shadow, Soul, is death.
I stumble, fall; it is the grave;
am the prisoner; the slave;
And thou, strange guest, for eve art free;
Forgive me, Soul! could but be
The earth that soiled, the feshly clod,
The weight that bound thee to the sod.
Dust unto dust! / hear the knell;
And yet, o Soul, | loved thee well!"
But, Mrs. Mason S poems cover Wide
range of subject, and show versatility as
well as thought.
The following beautiful little poem en-
titled Spoken at Sea- has pathos and a
harmony all its, own,
"All men go down to the sea in ships;
With trembling hand and falteriDg lips,
We spread our sails on the deep unknown,
Each for himself and each alone.
The strong tide tloweth unceasingiy;
God only knoweth our destiny.
And ships may meet, as yours and mine;
With tender CLEAN, the deck-lights shine
There are wind-swept words OF kindly cheer
song, smile, perchance a tear;
Then on, Tor the ever-hurrylng sea
Sings of the shadowy yet-to-be!
| "And the light dies out of each shining track
The course was chosen: we turn not back;
NO hands are clasped DER the soundless blue
But hearts though severed may yet be true
And a sweeter story ne'er shall be
Than of memory's ship lights spoken at sea.
"Hallowell Bells is a charming bit o
verse, with a tenderness and beauty o
rhythm that will not fail to be appreciated
by the sympathetic reader:
1.-THE warm winds sweep from the south TO-
night,
The breath of the springtime fills the air;
OF OdOrous frs on the wooded height,
OF burning boughs in the gardens bare.
Cup the rivers bank, DER the grassy dells,
Now soft, now loud, with a sad refrain,