The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-14
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

From Capetown to Ladysmith. BY G.
w. Stevens This volume gives the un-
finished account of the South African war
left by Mr.Gw. Stevens, late correspon-
dent Of the London Daily Mail. The
work shows that the author desired to
give q truthful and impartial statement
of the views and policies of the conflict
ing parties in Natal and throughout
South Africa. 1t also shows that the
author had a large talent OF observation,
and that he chose the details carefully,
and from them produced strong and
vivid picture of events as he saw them.
From the chapter entitled The Battle of
Elandslaagte of which he gives very
graphic description, this sentence Is quot
ed: ut was a surging wave of men
Devons and Gordons, Manchesters and
Light Horse all mixed, inextricably;
subaIterns commanding regiments, sol
diers yelling advice, officers firing car
bines, stumbling, leaping, killing, faH-
ing. all drunk with battle, showing
through hell to the throat of the enemy.
The work is Just what one would expect
from the gifted pan Of the young jour
nalist. His lamented death at Lady smith
last December ended ali expectations of
what would have been, probably the best
history Of the war, and perhaps the high
est literary achievement of Mr.. Steevens's
brief career. The last chapter in the
book is by Vernon Blackburn, who gives
very interesting sketch of Mr.. Stevens
and his life work. The whole sketch is
eulogy. Fame, happiness, friendship,
and that which transcends friendship"
Mr.. Vernon says, "all came to George
Stevens before he was thirty" New
York: Dodd, Mead g. Co.; Portland:
Loring, Short g. Harmon.
The Northwest Under Three Flags.
i6s5-l196 By Charles Moore. With Maps
and Illustrations. This new chronicle of
the pioneers of civilization In the North
west is an exceedingly interesting work.
In it the author relates the inspiring
history of this region under the success
i've rules of France, England and the
United States. The book Is full of the
adventure and interest Of that important
period and the makers Of the republic,
who were also the makers of the North
west. In the preparation Of his narrative
Mr. Moore has had access to the govern
ment sources as well as the famous Park
man Collection of MSS, and many Others
of almost equal value The work is of
historical Importance, as 1t corrects
number Of errors and misapprehensions
sanctioned by previous narrators. 1t Is
illustrated with fine portraits, and other
subjects of interest 1t is also furnished
with maps and an index. Both maps
and illustrations are of exceptional value.
New York and London: Harper &
Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmon.
Bird Homes. The Nests, Eggs and
Breeding Habits of the Land Birds Breed
ing in the Eastern United States: with
Hints ON the Rearing and Photographing
of Young Birds. By A. Radcliffe Dug
more Illustrated with photographs from
Nature, by the Author. This work is
popular and intimate account OF the
nests, eggs and breeding habits of the
land birds that nest in the eastern United
States. 1t is the first time that this
fascinating subject has been adequately
treated for the general reader, and the
book is a revelation of bird personality
in many ways. Particularly notable are
the illustrations, In colors and in black
and white, all of which were made direct
ly from the nests and birds, by the au
thor. The notes on bird. photography and
the rearing of young birds give -informa-
ton not obtainable elsewhere, and of
great interest to nature-lovers and stu
dants.
The object of the book, the author says,
is to stimulate the love Of birds; and al
though descriptions OF nests and eggs are
given. as well as instructions for egg col
Letting, it must be borne in mind that
it Is generally neither necessary nor adj