The Portland daily press., 1897-01-07

Joan. A Tale OF King Messiah by
Katharine Pearson Woods, author of
"Metzerott, Shoemaker etc. etc. Miss
Woods has been for years working over
the lnaterialsfor this book which to be
one of trilogy, following the line here
started into apostolic times. She Is also
entirely conversant with the details OF
Hebrew life. Because of this serious
preparation and equipment, as wen as oy
reason of some good work done hereto-
fore, the book should not be lightly run
over, as is tho fashion in story readihg
but should receive careful attehllon'
For such attention ono is repair ana uhe
narrative will be delightedly read by all
who love the old old story OF Jesus anu
his following The tone CT the book is
deeply spiritual. Where tEe authors I'M
agination is freely employed, one rabilef
demure. The simplicity and granaeur u
the original is enough and finely para
phased will not bear enlargement or
adjoining. HJohn, a Tale CT King Mes
siah" is noble telling of tie history OF
the Jewish nation oppressed lly Rome
and the coming of the Dsliverer. The
home lie of -Nazarette, John OF Eeth-
saida, the miracles, the imprisonment OF
the Baptist-the Last Supper, cruclhzion
and trium oh. 1t carries no trace of SEN
sationalism AID will be welcomed and
treasured in many Iii rections. (New
York: Dodd, Mead g. Company; Port
land: Loring, Short &c Harmon. Price
S1.25.)
The Mystery Of Sleep by John Bigelow,
plainly but tastefully bound is devot ed
to plea for sleep not rs rest and rebuild
ing but as a.distinct spiritual and men,
tai phase Of existence which wo mlsun-
derstand and from which we do not de-
rive the development we ought. In the
process Of working out his hypothesis,
Mr.. Bigelow gives US Shakespeare, the
Bible ard lesser authorities, as they
throw light upon the theme. Inc
treatise lacks action but really "The
Mystery of Sleep should hardly he ex'
peoted to be too exciting. There Is a
good deal that is both pleasant and sug-
gestlve here writ down, but the subject is
capable Of more effective handling and
its philosophy in the presen case eeem'
not to reach any definite goal. (New
York: Harper & Brothers; Portland
Loring, Short & HARMONY
| The Little Regiment And Other
Episodes CT the American Civil War by
Stephen Crane, author Of "Ihe Rec
Badge of Courage and "Maggie.
There can be no doubt Of Mr.. Cranes
marvellous conception Ct war ana 1T
effects upon body, mind and soul. ~
read the experiences he outlines is tt
burn with fever and shiyer with horror
| This is not agreeable. Nevertheless
is tragedy out Of this worlds history
and one which in this writer has fount
8 painfully adequate master. In the 81
short stories Of this volume, one is light
ened by some episodes in love. grin
humor isTapparent but Mr. Cranes lead
ing qualities are the placing before US c
| brutally hard things without shadow
mitigation-w let or hindrance
His dan" and ''BiIlie'' are as good a
Kipl1ng. Anent dreary wool G, til
sharp lieutenant snys-"War change
many things hut it doesn't change ever
thing, thank Godl" And bere We hav
first battle described" troubl
was,' said the old man, 81 thought the
we're all shooting at me. Yes, sir,
thought every man in the other arm
was aiming at me in particular. And
seemed so darned unreasonable, yo
know. wanted TO explain to 'em wha
an almighty good fellow was; becaus
[ thought then they might quit all try
ing to hit me. But couldn't explain
and they kept on icing unreasonable
bliml -blam bang So I rum!
(New York: d. Appleton & Company
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon.
Captain Cores Courtship. His Narrt
tive of the Affair Of the Clipper "Cont
1naugh" and Loss of the Countess {
Warwick, as set down by his Frien
and Counsel 7. jenkins Hams. Illu
trated, is one Of the pretty little Lout
Library volumes and has clever compan
in lis predecessors. In this insurance /
you like sailors yarn, dealing wit
higher life socially than most "clippel
'boast but trimming over with fgh