Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-13

| No more important work. OF an
| historical character. has ever been I'M
dertaken in Maine. than that to which
Herbert Milton Sylvester has for sew
eral years given his time and attention.
and. which when completed will consist
Of five volumes published under the
general title of Maine Coast Ro-
nance"
No man could be found better quail
fled for a work of this magnitude and
Importance than is Mr.. Sylvester FOl
II number Of years he occupied a prom
inent position as leading member OF
the Suffolk county massachusetts
bar, and during his busy life as a sue
cesSful attorney, found time to
do literary work OF high quality,
which met with most gratifying sue
cess ana which marked him as a writ
ct Of exceptional cle3rness and force.
1t is characteristic of Mr.. Sylvester
to enter with enthusiasm into any work
lie undertakes, and to illuminate with
the results of Il wide research. and the
charm of a singularly graceful diction.
any subject that engages his attention.
He has been for many years d devoted
and ardent student of history. and pos
sesses, in marked degree the faculty
Of viewing the characters and scenes OF
the past from the standpoint of a warm
human interest: to make them not
mere shadows moving across the SOM
hre screen of days gone by; but living.
breathing men aud women: moving. IL
is true amid different environments.
and facing different conditions: yet i'm
bued with the same qualities. actuated
Icy the same motives aud moved by the
same passions that are characteristic
of the men and women of the present
Gay. and generation.
To present the characters and events
Of former days in this fascinating way
4 writer must combine. as does Mr..
Sylvester, the qualities of the poet
with those OF the historian.
Mr.. Sylvester is not only a close stu
cent of the past. with it's wealth Of
lore. but he is also devoted and SYM
pathetic observer of Nature-keeni..-
alive 10 her varying moods, sensitive to
the charm she Weaves about her de-
voices and with an appreciative eye
for her beauties. He has close
knowledge of the perpetual! charm and
interest of the New England rural life.
a sincere respect for its ruggec
strength and a genuine love for its
quaint numors.
with such high qualifications for the
task. the results already achieved by
MIR. Sylvester have more than met the
most Shn2uine expectations If the
mar. friends all over Maine who have.
from the first, felt a VAIN person al
interest i'll his work
The first Volunl" of Mr.. Sylvester's
v ork. "fe Romance of CascO Bay"
is work that may we'll delight the
heart OF every lover of books. and Of
every citizen of Maine. who feels an
interest ill having the historical rO-
mances and traditions. in which the
early life of our State is so peculiarly
rich. put into form for permanent
preservation and enjoyment.
Aside from the charm of the text.
and he would be dull indeed who failed
to appreciate it, the volume is a beauti-
full specimen of what is dalntiest and
best in the book-makers' art.
1t is sLperbly printed on an extra
heavy quality of coated, deckle-edged
book paper. 1t is issued in an authors
edition OF 1000 copies. each one of
which is numbered by the author No
small part of the charm of the book
will be found in it's copious illustra-
tons. which are reproductions of pen
and ink drawings by the author. and
| which are characterized by a high or
der of artistic merit.
The introduction to this initial vol
| ume is from the pen of Hon. James
Phinney Baxter of Portland. to whom
the book is dedicated Mr.. Baxter
has been very happy in giving us an
idea. in few words. of the general
character of Mr.. Sylvesters work. Il
conceive says Mr.. Baxter. that to
define the exact relation of the writer
of the Romance Of History to the
Historian proper is unnecessary here.
His sphere Of operation. however. is