The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

VIEW ODEiOfNb tSiNSs
The History of the German Struggle
for Liberty, by Poultney Bigelow, B. A.
New York: Harper & Brothers.; Port
land: Loriug, Short & Harmon, is al
ready familiar to the readers of Harpers'
Magazine, where it ran as serial. It
is the story of how the people of Ger
many wrested glory out of the dsgrada-
ton into which their country was
plunged by the aristocratio politicians
about Frederick William IL. of Prussia
1t is a period little known to American
people who can sympathize with the
sufferings of brave and patriotic ma
ton, betrayed by its leaders. Frederick
William III. had inherited the military
system and prestige beQueathed by Fred
eriok the Great. Before the battle of
jena, in 1906, Prussia was the first
military nation of Europe. The army
was to outward appearances the same or
ganization as had been such an imple-
ment for glory in the hands of Freder-
lex. But insensibly transformation had
gone on. The gallant officers of Freder-
capable of nothing but great pretensions
and large salaries. One touch of Napo-
Icons magic wand shattered this whole
military system, and laid Prussia pros
trate at his feet. Worst of all, large
number of the Germans we've rather
VII fo no
aristooraoy of their country Inundated.
But 1t was soon seen that Napoleon
meant the destruction of Prussia. Then
the national sense asserted itself, and
for six years, under the leadership of
Queen Louise, of Stein. Hardenburg,
Gneisenau, Schamhorst. Jahn, Schill
and others, the Prussian peopls did the
magnificent work of organizing which
freed them forever from Napoleonic dom
ination. In freeing themselves from
Napoleon they had in a large measure
also freed themselves from the oppres-
sive laws of the old arisaocracy. Prussia
touk on n new life, life that had In
it the possibilities of the German empire
of today. Mr.. Bigelow has given moi.
dentally a wholesome view of the char
acter Of Napoleon, which is refreshing
reading in these days of Napoleonic reyi-
walls. To Queen Louise, who is really the
central figure of his historical drama,
MIR. Bigelow gives some of the most
charming portions of his work. She was
the worthy mother of that Emperor Will
liam whom We remember in our days,
and who three times crossed the Rhine
into France at the head of oonquering
German hosts.
In the First Person. A Novel. By
Maria Louise Pool, author of Mrs. Ger
aid, etc.. etc., has the distinguishing
marks which are fast making this au-
thor prominent, without. in this case,
the unity that characterized Mrs. Ger
aid. In the First Person explains by its
| title the 81" which runs through its
pages in the presentment of q little
country girl, blessed Cor naned) by the
possession of a phenomenal, singing
voice, who encounters a great prima
donna-a woman who has also known
what childhood on farm means. The
great diva Is drawn towards "Billy''
(Wilhelmina, and undertakes to train
her as an understudy.
The command of New England dialect,
and ingrained sense of humor and a
knowledge of passionate heart are the
qualities which make Maria Louise
POOLS books SO well worth reading. In
the present instance these gifts are
shown strongly from time to time, but,
as We said before, ale not so well com
pacted as her recent writings have led
us TO expect. New York: Harper &
Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmon. Price $1.25.)
A Poritan's Wife, by Max Pembertop.
author of The Little Huguenot, is a
| story of the Restoration, and shows by
| it's fidelity to the tone of the time how
thoroughly it's author has entered into
the spirit of the political complications
| surrounding the royal court in 1865.
While A Puritan's Wife ia q love story.
it introduces life at Windsor, Hampstead
and Oxford and describes powerfully the
Plague of London and its attendant ter
rors, being of greater length than The
Little Huguenot and more extensive in
| design than that attractive sketch. The
book possesses sufficient interest to de-
serve special word of praise. New
York: Dodd, Mead & Company; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmon. PRICE
1920
| The Oracle of Bael. A Narrative of
Some Circus Events in the Life of Ho.