Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-16
Daily kennebec Journal

MS trace OF Osmond," being the
portions of that nobleman.s life
omitted in the relation of his Ladys
story presented to the World of Fash
ION under the titles of "A LADY If
quality" by Frances HodRsdon Rur.
nett. New York: Charles Scribner.s
Sons. Price, $3.50
This book is a companion rather than
a sequel to Mrs. Burnett,s intersa,v
interesting and deservedly popular
mover wnlcn had such run last year.
ana winch Is still in active demand by
the lovers of good literature. While
we should not care to say that it is
the superior of that delightful hook II
Is certainly up to the same high stand
ara. Mrs. Burnett. by general con-
sent, stands among the foremost living
writers of English fiction There is a
ndeiity and delicacy in her define
alton of character that gives a distinct
ana pleasing individuality to her work.
ohe strikes the chords Of human nature
ana makes them vibrate with the
music of the SOUL There is a delicacy
OF touch, clearness and transparency
Oh treatment. and natural grace Of
movement in her stories. that lends to
them subtle CHARM and invests them
with life and warmth. His Grace Of
osmond' will take rank as one of the
best productions of writer who has
yet to contribute to literature any
thing of the commonplace order. It is
a fascinating story. Whoever reads
the opening chapter will never lay the
book aside until the last is finished
In typographical work the book is a
sem-thoroughly artistic and up-to-
date. 1t is emphatically the novel o.
the year.
General Grants Letters to Friend
1s61-1SS0." with introduction and notes
by James Grant Wilson. Boston: I.
Y. Crowell & Co.
This little volume contains 4S person.
al and private letters and parts Of
letters written by General Grant, dur
ing period Of 10 years, to his per-
sonal friend, Hon. Elihu B. Washburne,
a member of Congress from Illinois.
The book is valuable contribu-
ton to the literature pertaining to the
great commander who led the forces of
the Union to victory during the dark
days of the Rebellion. Wrote. for the
most part, amid the rush and pressure
of events, they. nevertheless. have the
clearness and strength which charac-
terized all of General Grants compost
tions, and throw new and important
side lights upon character that gains
in lustre as it recedes in history. We
are impressed as we read these letters.
with the wise discrimination and clear
insight that characterized his judg
ments of men and events-at trying
period in our national affairs, when
popular judgments We're many times
erroneous and often unjust. ..,.-.
The typographical features of this
little volume are excellent-good paper,
clear type, and strong, substantial
cloth binding. 1t Is work that
merits place in the library of every
American citizen.
The Children of the Night" a book
of poems by Edwin Arlington Robin
son. Boston: Richard G. Badger 4
Company. Price, $125.
1t requires considerable courage, in
this critical period of literature. -
launch a new book of poems. Mr.. Rob-
inson is fortified. however. in such a
venture, by the beauty and merit of
his verse. While much Of it is meta
physical in character, there are here
and there bits of description and gems
of simile which exhibit a close ac-
uuaintance with and love of nature.
The character of Mr.. Robinson's theol-
ogy is well shown in the following
verse from Children of the Night,
the short opening poem from which the
book takes it's title:
"And if God be God. He is Love;
And though the dawn be still so dim.
1t shows us we have played enough
With creeds that make fiend of Him..
Mr. Robiuson's verse abounds in new
ard striking thought, and many beauti-
full images and word pictures. The
typographical work is first class-al-
though there is an evident effort to
avoid conventional forms of arrange
ment that appears to us a trifle
strained and not altogether pleasing
Sometimes the conventional methods
are best.
Lullaby Land, Songs Of Childhood,
by Eugene Field, selected by Kenneth
Grahame. and illustrated by Charles
Robinson. New York: Charles Scrib-
rer's Sons. Price, 81 So
None of the great American writer's
have had q greater love for children,
or a more sympathetic appreciation
of childhood. than the late Eugene
Field The world Of juvenile literature
is Indebted to Mr. Grahame for collect
ing and to Mr. Robinson for illustrat-
ing, the sweet little songs to childnood'
which show so strongly the tenderness
and the delicacy of imagination that
we're characteristic of Mr.. f1eia. me
book is well named for it embodies-as
no other work has ever embodied-the
finer harmonies of that dreamy little
world which Mr.. Field SO well named
Lullaby Land"
1t was the gift of Mr.. f1elo 10 cio.ne
touched with the