Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-16

The Story OF Alchemy" by M. M.
Pattison Muir. Fellow and Praelector
in Chemistry of Gonvine and Gains
College, Cambridge, with IS illustra-
tons. 16 mo. Cloth, IS cents. Postage
4 cents additional. New York: d. An
pleton and Company.
THE Story of Alchemy" as the ALL
| thor well says in his preface, aside
| from it's interest historically furnishes
"a pregnant example of the contrast
between the scientific and emotional
methods Of regarding nature 1t H.
Illustrates. too, the difference between
well-grounded, suggestive hypothesis,
and baseless speculation. The volume
opens with the explanation of material
changes given by the ancient Greek
thinkers then follows a sketch of the
Alchemical theory, and the alchemical
conception of the unity and simplicity
of Nature. Further chapters deal at
length with the history and theory Of
Alche'ny-the whole making up
scholarly work Of exceptional interest
and value.
Literary Pilgrimages in New Eng
ie'hu, NY IuWil NJ. Bacon, author OF
Historic Pilgrimages in New Eng
land" has led the author to prepare a
Price, $3.50.
The marked popularity attained by
Historic Pilgrimages in New Eng
land has led the author to prepare a
companion volume dealing with liter
airy, instead of historic subjects.
tn foil -
the beginnings and development of
American literature by New England
writer's, by means of visits to their
haunts and homes and the scenes
which figure in their writings. Inter-
woven with this is much interesting
data about their literary lives, their
methods of work, and their influence
upon their times.
The connecting thread of the various
narratives is the conversation between
two friends who make these Pilgrim
ages together. They cover a wide ter
ritory,-from Portland to Hartford,
from Boston to the Berkshire Hills
Beginning at Andover with the story Of
Anne Bradstreet and her writings, the
narrative is brought down to include
the latest literary light of our own
times. Poets, novelists, historians,
journalists, theologians and reformers
figure in these pages. No worker of
any claim to prominence in any liter
airy field is omitted. Some writer's,
such as N. P. Willis, who are not usu-
ally associated with New England, but
who have at some period of their lives
lived upon her soil are also mentioned.
The stories of the authors are told
on the very spots where they lived and
worked. Now in Celia Thaxter's gar
den, now at the ''Wayside Inn," now
in the historic Craigie house now
in Hawthorne's study,-the sprightly
narrative goes on, and never fails to
hold the readers attention.
Besides the facts contributed by Mr..
Bacon, he has incorporated extracts
from the journals and letters of many
authors, with quotations from their
writings, thus giving the book a dis
tinct literary flavor. Bits of descrip-
tons of this or that author from the
pens of his contemporaries aid in
bringing the man before us lin his
habit as he lived"
Mr.. Bacon is sure of his facts. and
his criticism is sound; consequently
his book will be of permanent value.
While it does not smack of the guide
book, yet it would make an excellent
companion for the tourist. 1t will find
a place in the library of the general
reader, and will be a valuable supple
ment to textbooks on literature.
There are over hundred and
fifty illustrations. consisting of por-
traits of authors at various periods of
their lives, views of their homes, their
haunts, their workshops, and scenes
closely connected with their literary
lives, as well as many facsimile pages
of manuscript, letters, etc. An excel
lent index adds to the value of the
work.