5

His commentary on Euripides is character- sion, and none the less likely is it to accomplish upon. They show by turns Scotch landscapes or ized by this fullness of notes, which often it, because of the grace and dignity and delicacy | rural interiors for background, abound with picwill supply more help to the student, espe- with which the task is undertaken. True, the turesque family groups, are always suggestive of cially in the way of translation, than is either house is not the home; the two stand to each the domestic virtues and joys, and are remarknecessary or useful. At the close of the vol- other in the relation of body and soul; but even able for the purity and elevation of the human the temple is to be purified and beautified for its countenances which they exhibit in great variety ume, the meters of the annotated plays are inmate, and so the joys and purities and peace The volume is an uncommonly choice one for carefully analyzed. This feature will, un- of the family find their indirect conditions, to a presentation. doubtedly, be of assistance to the student, considerable extent, in the disposing and adorn- By a happy stroke of the same publishers' art though scholars will sometimes differ from ing of the dwelling. As fast as we have houses four popular poems,3 by four favorite poets, are Dr. Anthon's interpretation of the more diffi- that are more convenient, sunnier, healthier, fin- presented in fine holiday dress; separately, in as cult chorus meters. His Livy, completed ished and furnished in better taste, and more in many volumes, and together in all, the typog after his death by Mr. Craig, is the latest addi-harmony with the principles of true art, shall we raphy of each being identical in both poems. tion to his long series, and will make many have homes that are sweet and bright with re- The four may thus be had in their individuality students regret anew that his labors for them finement and happiness. Art and taste in the or collectively. Mr. Whittier's "The River are forever ended. house help to create an atmosphere in which | Path," Mr. Longfellow's "Excelsior," Mr. Lowthrive the virtues that are the radiance of home. ell's "The Rose," and Mr. Aldrich's "Baby This is the key to which Mr. Cook's volume is Bell," are the poems, standing in their collective chords of material affairs, in which the higher attire in which their intrinsic charms are here prereally pitched, though it runs mainly in lower form in the order named. The elegance of the spiritual are involved. The readers of Scribner's sented consists in a very sumptuous paper of Monthly have had during the past year the en-rich tint, distinct and careful letter-press, and a joyment of the original papers out of which it is profusion of engravings, which are generally well composed. These are five in number: "The executed. These are interwoven with the text in Entrance," "The Living-Room," "The Dining-ingenious ways, and sometimes almost overload Room," "The Bed-Room," and "Words Here it, as upon pages where there are only one or two and There." More than a hundred designs, lines of poetry to several inches of picture; remostly of furniture and bits of interior, largely from designs by Francis Lathrop and engraved A knowledge of German has come to be an by Henry Marsh, embellish the text and enforce indispensable part of the education of men of the author's suggestions. Mr. Cook writes with an easy finish and much daintiness of touch, and science. Germany takes the lead in scien-his pages have a very fresh and pleasant flavor. tific research, and those who do not follow The publishers have so manufactured the work her closely are soon left far behind. But the that it might be called "The Book Beautiful." student of the German language often finds But the charm in it lies deeper than in paper to his sorrow that the ability to read German surface and letter-press and graver's lines; and letters does not mean the ability to read wherever it goes it will educate, inspire and German scientific works. In this emergency refine. Mr. Hodges's admirable little work will

Cox's School History of Greece seems at first sight a rival of Smith's, which is published in the same series, but a comparison of the two shows that it is intended for an older class of students. While not strictly a condensation, it follows the general plan of the author's larger work, and contains in a small space a great deal about Greek history. We doubt if it is the best thing for the recitation room, but it makes a most handy book for reference, and its price puts it within the reach of the poorest student.

8

prove of the greatest value. It will in a short

The series of Art Galleries in book form, which, by means of their heliotype process, J. R.

minding us of the slender vine bending almost to the point of breaking beneath the massive clusters of fruit. The artists, who are several, including Mrs. Mary Hallock Foote, Miss Jessie Curtis, Waud, Reinhart, Gifford, Winslow Homer, and Moran, have entered for the most part sympathetically into the spirit of the respective poets, though the tender pathos of Mr. Aldrich's ballad and the sheer ideality of Mr. Longfellow's famous lines are rather too much for them, the latter especially. The attempt to follow the Alpine climber with the pencil is too much of a materialization of the spirit for good effort, and lapses into contradictions, which some

time make one familiar with the terms and Osgood & Co. have been producing during the times barely escape being absurd. This is not

style of scientific German, so that he can read it with ease. Both the design and the exe cution of this book deserve the highest praise, and its vocabulary contains many rare terms not found in ordinary German lexicons.

addition of a volume devoted to the works of
past two or three years, is now extended by the
Faed, one of the most eminent of living En-
glish, or rather Scotch, painters. Faed was born
in Scotland in 1826, and gave early promise of
his talent; studied in Edinburgh under Sir Wil-
liam Allan, and in his twenty-third year was

5 An English Commentary on the Rhesus, Medea, Hippol-made an Associate of the Royal Scottish Acadytus, Alcestis, Heraclidæ, Supplices, and Troades of Eu-emy. Since then his rise has been rapid, and his

ripides, etc. By Chas. Anthon, LL. D. Harper & Bros.

6 Livy. Books I, II, XXI and XXII. By Charles Anthon and Hugh Craig. Harper & Brothers.

7 School History of Greece. By George W. Cox. Harper & Brothers.

rather. They are above the reach of such methe fault of the poems, of course, but their merit, and delicate its touch. Mr. Whittier's and Mr. chanical interpretation, however fine its instinct Lowell's verses are far less etherial in quality,

and yield to pictorial embodiment much more

kindly.

Of Mr. Avery's handsome volume4 it is a little

difficult to say, as it is often too easy to say of known works are numerous. Among representa-works resembling it, whether the pictures in it tives of the Wilkie School he now occupies a were made for the letter-press or the letter-press foremost place, and his fondness for depicting for the pictures. The author was formerly the scenes of rustic and humble life has given him wide popularity. He selects his subjects from 8 A Course in Scientific German. By H. B. Hodges. popular Scotch poems, or from experiences of the common people in daily life. less Bairn," "Home and the Homeless," "Sunday in the Backwoods," "War News to an Old Soldier," "Our Washing Day," "The Cradle," "The Highland Mother," are

Ginn & Heath.

ART PUBLICATIONS FOR THE
HOLIDAYS.

at

"The Mither

titles which

In

The place of honor upon this list we give to Mr. Cook's The House Beautiful, not because it neconce suggest his peculiar tastes. essarily excels all of its companions in artistic America Faed is best known by his "Evangeform, although it is the peer of any of them in line," prints and photographs of which have that respect, but because the striking elegance gone wherever pictures go. This same "Evanof its mere externals are subordinate to a high geline" is the first picture in the present volume, internal purpose, which concerns the welfare and which contains twenty-four plates, with accomhappiness of the people. The book has a mis-panying descriptive text, and a brief prefatory biographical sketch. All are pleasant to look

editor of the Overland Monthly, now defunct, in and verse" here presented first appeared. His whose pages a portion of his "pictures in prose found in the natural scenery of the Pacific slope; subjects are generally, though not exclusively, but avoid such tolerably familiar localities as the

Yosemite Valley and the Big Trees of Mariposa, and dwell rather upon sublimities and beauties of mountain peak and lake and valley, not often looked upon. The artists who have reinforced his graphic pen with graceful pencil are Moran, Kappes, Vanderhoof and Gibson. They have worked from photographs or hand-sketches

8 Christmastide. [One volume or four.] James R. Osgood & Co.

Californian Pictures in Prose and Verse. By Benjamin Parke Avery. Hurd & Houghton.

made upon the spot, and the fidelity of the result is not therefore to be questioned; the execution is often exceptionally good. Costly paper, large print, spacious margins, gilt edges, and a very tasteful cover, combine to give the book a dressy and distinguished air.

to be one or two more than there are poems, are of a common grade, in both drawing and engraving, and one or two of them are of very poor quality. Not a few are marred by the seams in the composite block from which they are printed. The binding of both books we consider decidedly tawdry.

The Book of Gold and other Poems. By John Townsend Trowbridge. Illustrated. Harper & Brothers.

the Christmas season can bring no more accept able gift-book than some precious religious poem, arrayed in fresh and beautiful dress. Such a volume is to be found in the enshrinement which Miss L. B. Humphrey, designer, John Andrew & Son, engravers, and the workmen of the UniIt was probably rather a bold act to select versity Press at Cambridge, have given to Lyte's The Scarlet Letter 5 as a subject for pictorial and matchless hymn of Christian trust and restful- Of The Book of Gold 9 it is not too much to typographical embellishment with a view to the ness and filial longing, Abide with Me.6 This say that it presents five of Mr. Trowbridge's best wants of the holiday season; but we are inclined hymn, as ordinarily printed in our church poems in an outward form of greater artistic indito the opinion that the experiment has been collections, comprises but five stanzas. Here | viduality than that of any publication of the translated into a success, and that the volume eight are given, these lines being distributed present year. Indeed, we do not remember any will prove a very acceptable one. No wealth of through as many as fourteen pages. To each book whose covers display such striking origipaper, no adornment of border, no mechanical skill page some one complete sentiment is allotted nality of design, such fine appropriateness of senof illustration can eclipse the subtle charms of with accompanying illustration. The designs are timent, such nicety and beauty of workmanship, this master romance, or withhold the mind from characterized by great variety not only in spirit such subdued brilliancy of color, and such a genits inward spell. Of the story itself we need say but in outward form, and the ingenious manner erally rich but chaste elegance of effect. We nothing here; nor of the typography and press- of their combination with the text produces some doubt if a distincter triumph of the lithographwork of this edition, more than that they are of very pretty effects. In general Miss Humphrey er's art, within this particular field of its exerthe richest and best. The pictures alone call for is a truthful and sympathetic interpreter of the cise, has been seen in this country. The poems remark. There are twenty-nine of these, not hymn. Not always, however, as in the picture thus choicely attired are "The Book of Gold," counting numerous ornamental head-pieces by set to the line "Fast falls the even-tide," in "The Wreck of the Fishing Boat," "Aunt HanL. S. Ipsen, and initial letters; and they are en- which the word “tide" has misled her into de-nah," "Tom's Come Home," and "The Ballad graved by A. V. S. Anthony, after drawings by picting a wild seashore scene, where a receding of Arabella." Taken all together, verse, typog Mrs. Mary Hallock Foote. To Mrs. Foote, of surf beats heavily upon the rocks under the raphy, illustrations, and binding, this is sure to course, the supreme credit belongs, and she has shimmer from a distant lighthouse. She should be one of the most popular issues of the season. done well. Her twenty-eight scenes for the have known that the word "tide" is here a simfirst picture is a preliminary one of the Custom ple syllabic affix to the word even, with no hint House at Salem-gather into themselves all the of ocean risings in it whatever. In fact, we outlines and leading forms of the tragedy, and in think that a truer and finer exposition of the a good degree display the conflict of passions poet's thought might have been given by means The United States as a Nation. By Joseph P. with which it is concerned. We pause first be- of some inland scene; as, for instance, the field Thompson, D.D., LL.D. [J. R. Osgood & Co.] fore the heavy-hinged and massive-locked prison in which Isaac of old went out to meditate "at The six Lectures forming this substantial voldoor, behind which waits Hester Prynne. We even-tide." This false literalism is not, how-ume were given in Berlin, Dresden, Florence, see next a group of gossiping housewives in the ever, repeated. In one or two of her faces Miss Paris and London. The author was formerly street, whose faces and attitudes well attest the Humphrey has equaled Mrs. Hallock Foote's the pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, in New scandal that has come by her act upon the old best work, which is saying a good deal. Soul York, and while in that position was universally colonial town. Then Hester herself, her babe in and body together this little quarto is a gem, recognized as one of the leaders of his religious her arms, stands forth upon the pillory scaffold; without one offense against good taste in press- denomination, the Congregationalist, as well as a noble personality, in whose countenance and work or binding. a general scholar of uncommon attainments, and figure Mrs. Foote's pencil has its first fair oppor- We cannot speak as warmly of the other issues a publicist of commanding influence. tunity. We see her returning to her prison after under the same imprint; Mr. Baker's Ballads of number of years he has resided in Germany; her exposure to the public gaze is over; and then, Bravery 7 and Mr. Rundell's edition of Esop's occupying no official station there, but employby turns, her interview in her cell with old Roger Fables, which are showy volumes, indeed, but ing his ripe powers and large experience in the Chillingworth; her cottage loneliness, with the do not appeal to nearly so delicate an artistic private service of Christian and republican ideas. growing babe for sole companion; her passage sense as the one above mentioned. The fables These lectures were originally offered as a sort with little Pearl through the hall of Gov. Belling- called by Æsop's name are always in order, of of foreign contribution to the celebration of the ham's house, and her hearing before the governor course, and Mr. Rundell's revision of the text, in American Centennial. They were received with himself, wherein she passionately pleads for the which there are some variations, has been in the profound attention by very distinguished audipossession of her child, and impulsively appeals direction of cleanness and refinement. But the ences in the several European capitals where to Arthur Dimmesdale, who here first appears. illustrations are rather lamely imitative of Doré's they were delivered, and from both private indiThen follow the minister and Roger Chilling- style, and are chiefly remarkable for their num-viduals and the public press evoked the most worth in the former's study; the strange night ber. Mr. Baker's "Ballads of Bravery" are appreciative response. Their several subjects meeting of Dimmesdale, Hester and little Pearl thirty-seven, selected from a number of writers. are as follows: "Grounds and Motives of the upon the scaffold; their furtive interview subse- The poem, “Curfew shall not Ring To-night," quently in the forest; and the final scene upon about which so much has been said of late in the scaffold, with several subordinate pictures in- these columns, has the place of honor, but is not termingled. The growth of little Pearl from credited to its author, as it might have been were helpless infancy into a sweet girlhood, and the de- the compiler of the volume a reader of the Litvelopment of Dimmesdale's unrest into remorse erary World. Among other pieces in the collecand anguish are perhaps the two most striking tion, each with its full-page illustration, are Tenlines of the artist's effort. A tendency to exag- nyson's "The Death of Arthur," Mrs. Hemans's geration upon this latter point is noticeable, but "The Landing of the Pilgrims," Allan Cunningwas hardly to be avoided; and we do not find ham's "A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea," that the identity of Hester's countenance is Whittier's "The Fishermen," and Longfellow's fully preserved throughout. But there is an un- "Excelsior." The pictures, of which there seem failing majesty and purity in her presentment, and little Pearl is a gem from the first scene to the last. There is a very large class of persons to whom

The Scarlet Letter. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. Illustrated. James R. Osgood & Co.

6 Abide with Me. By Henry Francis Lyte. Lee & Shepard.

7 Æsop's Fables. Lee & Shepard.

For a

American Revolution," "Doctrines of the Declaration of Independence," "Adoption of the Constitution," "The Nation tested by the Vicissitudes of a Century," "The Nation judged by its Self-Development and its Benefits to Mankind," "The Perils, Duties, and Hopes of the Opening Century." Here, then, we have a philosophical exposition of the source and character of our national history; broadly outlined, deep in its apprehensions of facts, truths, and principles lying below the surface of affairs; acute in its political insights and estimates; and eloquent with great learning, a loving patriotism, and an enthusiastic faith in the future of our country. Through these lectures Dr. Thompson appears as a sort of Minister Very Extraordinary to the

* Ballads of Bravery. Edited by George M. Baker. Lee nations of the old world; we may even call him & Shepard.

the Joseph Cook of Paris and Berlin.

X

THE

CHARLOTTE VON STEIN.*

HE history of this woman, who sustained a more intimate relation to Goethe and had more influence over him than any other individual during the first ten years of his life at Weimar, has been made the subject of a recent work in Germany, from which, with the published correspondence of the two, Mr. Calvert has drawn most of the materials for his very interesting biography.

biography; one of them representing Char-
lotte as she was about the time when Goethe
first met her; the other, when an aged woman,
her face grown hard and worldly.

CERAMIC DECORATION.

The enthusiasm awakened by the Philadelphia Exposition in all branches of ceramic decoration seems to be waxing rather than waning as the months go by. At the present writing we have before us four little manuals upon this fascinating art, each one of which deserves a paragraph by

itself.

Frau von Stein, who was seven years the senior of Goethe, and already a mature woman when they first met, having long been a wife, China Painting, by M. Louise McLaughlin and the mother of seven children, must have (Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati), is intended espossessed very exceptional qualities both of pecially for the use of amateurs in the decoration mind and heart, as well as personal attractions, of hard porcelain. The unique ornamentations to have gained such influence over him. That on the cover, as well as the vignettes at the end it was "uplifting," "holy," "unselfish ;" that of each chapter, are from Miss McLaughlin's own her feeling towards him was purely sisterly, designs; and her success in china painting for almost angelic, one of absolute self-renuncia- these last three years has already won for her a tion; and that their relation was one of "mu-wide reputation. The book is written in a clear, tuability of improvement," in which he was concise style; and since it contains a complete being raised to a higher plane, refined, and schedule of the materials requisite in china paint strengthened in moral purpose, is repeatedly ing, with minute directions for preparing the design, for putting on the colors, laying grounds, affirmed; and yet, no drearier comment on such a relation as theirs could be found than firing, and the composition of palettes, it cannot fail to be of great practical service to those for is afforded by this narrative before we reach whom it is prepared. the end. Notwithstanding such assertions, the biographer takes pains to bring together items of circumstantial evidence to strengthen the statement that Goethe at one time wished for a divorce for Charlotte, that he might marry her himself, the only objection to Baron von Stein, to whom she had then been sixteen years married, seeming to be "a lack of inwardness," while in Goethe she was "requited for long-baffled expectations." skillful decorator of pottery; while to those who And, notwithstanding her exaltation of char- would take a step farther, the second volume, just acter, her patience, unselfishness and perfect reprinted from the English, will furnish all the inrefinement of feeling, she became for a time, struction necessary to execute fine artistic work almost wholly estranged from him, was sus-on glazed surfaces. Some forty designs used by picious and jealous, not above being spiteful Wedgwood are given in this second manual; towards poor Christiane Vulpius, and capable and from the same publishing house we have a even of ridiculing the person of the man very attractive, half-folio volume containing twenty whose perpetual benediction she had been so of Flaxman's Outline Designs. The classical sublong — “the light of his days," "the fulfill-jects here represented furnish choice models for ment of his many thousand wishes."

The book is enriched by sparkling anecdotes illustrative of life in Weimar, in that intellectual and high-bred circle in which those two were such prominent figures; and it is a valuable contribution to biographical litera

PEOPLE MR. SUMNER SAW.

From his Letters, London, 1839.

-A few evenings ago I dined with Hallam. He is a person of plain manners, rather robust, and wears a steel watch-guard over his waistcoat. He is neither fluent nor brilliant in conversation; but is sensible, frank, and unaffected. After dinner we discussed the merits of the different British historians,-Gibbon, Hume and Robertson. Of course Gibbon was placed foremost. There was a party at Hallam's after dinner; but I went You doubtless imagine that this Radical, who for from that to a ball at Hume's,-Joe Hume's. twenty years has been crying out "retrenchment," is an ill-dressed, slovenly fellow, without a whole coat in his wardrobe. Imagine a thick-set, broadof laughter or ridicule. I know few persons faced, well-dressed Scotchman who has no fear whom I have always seen dressed in better taste or looking more like a gentleman.

-My wonder at Brougham rises anew. Tonight he has displayed the knowledge of the artist and the gastronomer. He criticised the orlike a connoisseur, and discussed subtle points of naments of the drawing-room and the dining-room cookery with the same earnestness with which he emancipated the West India slaves and abolished rotten boroughs. Calling for a second plate of soup, he said that there was "a thought too much of the flavor of wine;" but that it was very good. He told how he secured good steaks, by personally going into the kitchen and watching over his cook, to see that he did not spoil them by pepper and horse-radish,-the last being enough to make a man go mad.

- Mr. Procter-for you know that is the real From S. W. Tilton & Co., of Boston, we have name of Barry Cornwall-is about forty-two or two companion pamphlets, entitled Designs and forty-five, and is a conveyancer by profession. Instructions for Decorating Pottery, and Hints to His days are spent in the toils and study of abChina and Tile Decorators. The former has al-stracts of titles; and when I saw him last Sunday at his house, he was poring over one which ready reached its fourth edition, and is especially press of business had compelled him to take home. valuable for the finely-colored illustrations it con- He is a small, thin man, with a very dull countetains of Greek, Roman, Egyptian and other an-nance, in which, nevertheless,-knowing what he has written-I can detect the "poetical frenzy." A careful study of the models here His manner is gentle and quiet, and his voice low. tique vases. given would be equal, we should say, to a whole course of lessons to one who desires to become a

the decoration either of porcelain or earthen ware;
and as studies of the human figure the learner in

drawing will find them especially helpful. A short account of Flaxman's life and works, together with brief descriptions of the mythological characters he has delineated, accompanies the Designs; and, since in books of instruction difficulties often arise from inability to procure the exact Enthusiastic admiration for Goethe is, how-materials required, the publishers have inserted ever, made unduly prominent; and occasional careless writing is unworthy the author of so many books; as for instance:

ture.

"But in most cases the productiveness springs from liveliness of hale sensibilities, which, moving the intellect to imaginative effort, cause an inward vigilance that nourishes the mind and keeps it in repair, and when the organization is large and fine, tends to poetic production."

vert.

Three illustrations add to the value of the

price lists in each manual, according to which they
are prepared to furnish all the apparatus, colors,
etc., mentioned in their books. Taken together,
therefore, these interesting publications give to
the intelligent art student all the assistance he
needs to gain in a short time, and at a moderate
expense, a thorough and practical knowledge of
ceramic decoration.

- I could not live through two London winters;
the fogs are horrid. I met Theodore Hook last
evening, and poured out my complaints. "You
Charlotte von Stein. A Memoir. By George H. Cal- are right," said he; "our atmosphere is nothing
Lee & Shepard.
but pea soup."-Charles Sumner, in a letter.

- The beauty of Mrs. Norton has never been Her exaggerated. It is brilliant and refined. brightness, and her features are of the greatest countenance is lighted by eyes of the intensest regularity. There is something tropical in her look; it is so intensely bright and burning, with And her conversation is so pleasant and powerful large dark eyes, dark hair, and Italian complexion. without being masculine, or rather it is masculine without being mannish; there is the grace and ease of the woman with a strength and skill of which any man might well be proud.

-I yesterday morning saw Leigh Hunt, on the in Chelsea-in a humble house, with uncarpeted entry and stairs. He lives more simply, I think, than any person I have visited in England, but liant in conversation, and the little notes of his he possesses a palace of a mind. He is truly brilwhich I have seen are very striking. He is of about the middle size, with iron-gray hair parted in the middle, and suffered to grow quite long.

introduction of Carlyle. He lives far from town

-The style of intercourse between Lyndhurst and Brougham, these two ex-Chancellors, was delightful. It was entirely familiar. "Copley, a glass of wine with you." He always called him Copley." And pointing out an exquisite gold cup in the center of the table, he said: "Copley, see what you would have had if you had supported the reform bill." It was a cup given to Lord Brougham by a penny subscription of the people of England.

-I met Campbell at a dinner which Colburn, the publisher, gave me last evening. There were Campbell, Jerdan, and some six or eight of the small fry-the minims-of literature, all guilty of. print. Campbell is upwards of sixty. He is rather short and stout, and has not the air of a gentleman. He takes brandy and water instead of wine.