RICHARD HOVEY.

Mr. Richard Hovey was born in Normal, Illinois, May 4, 1864, but his childhood and youth were spent in Washington, were his parents

Richard Hovey.

had made their home. At the age of seventeen Mr. Hovey entered Dartmouth College, and graduated there in 1885. Since then he Since then he has divided his time between New York, London, and Paris, with occasional visits to Boston, New Orleans, and Chicago, and always with a yearly visit to his old home in Washington. He is a son of General Charles E. Hovey, the founder and first president of the Illinois State Normal University. He comes of good old New England stock. Three of his ancestors crossed in the Mayflower. One hired that vessel for its famous voyage, one was the first Lieutenant-Governor of Plymouth Colony, and one the first Governor of Providence Plantations.

Mr. Hovey began his literary career with a volume containing a lyrical drama and a blank verse tragedy on no less a theme than the Athenian epos. And this was but a fragment of his plan, which was to write a cycle of dramas on the legend of Launcelot and Guenevere, dealing under an antique mask with the most complex problems of modern social life. "Taliesin," another lyrical drama which recently appeared in Poet-Lore, is a step toward the completion of this immense task. Mr. Hovey's second book, "Seaward," was hardly less ambitious than his first, and startled critics into comparisons with the great elegies of the language. In prose Mr. Hovey has chiefly confined himself to setting forth some quite new theories of verse and the technique of poetry, in a remarkable series of papers published in The Independent. These are of the briefest sort, suggestions merely; yet they open a whole new field of investigation.

More

Songs from Vagabondia" by Bliss Carmon and Richard Hovey is in its third edition. Current Literature.

GEORGE ROBERT GISSING. Mr. George Gissing has a peculiar distinction. He grows in popularity in proportion as he grows less delightful. That is to say, his work is never dedicated to the presentation of beauty, but celebrates forlorn and sordid themes with an almost bitter preoccupation with their forlornness. Yet he is extraordinarily powerful, and books like "The Unclassed," or" Eve's Ransom," or "In the Year of Jubilee," have given him downright eminence in the field of semi-tragic fiction. It has taken some time for this eminence to be clearly defined. The public is not immediately responsive to a spell which lays more pain than pleasure upon the imagination. But the later books, as has been said, are even more pitiless than the earlier, and as their austere strength has dawned upon the public they have left a lasting impression.

Mr. Gissing was born at Wakefield, England, in 1857. He wrote "A Life's Morning," 1888; "The Nether World, 1889: The Emancipated," 1890; "New Grub Street," 1891; "Born in Exile," 1892: "Denzil Quarrier," 1892; "The Odd Wom

NOTES FROM BOSTON.

NATHAN HASKELL DOLE.

BOSTON, December 15, 1896. No name among the old free soilers deserves more honor or honored remembrance than that of Pierce. There were two-there are two brothers who for more than half a century have been in the fore front of Massachusetts politics. The Hon. Henry L. Pierce is suffering from a probably fatal attack of paralysis at the house of his friend, the poet Aldrich on Mt. Vernon Street. He was on the point of He was on the point of sailing for a cruise in his steam yacht in southern waters when the disease prostrated him. The Hon. Edward L. Pierce, the coexecutor of Charles Sumner's estate and the author of the monumental life of Sumner, has just completed a volume entitled "Enfranchisement and Citizenship," comprising twenty-one papers and addresses. The first paper contains one of the letters which Mr. Pierce contributed to the Boston Journal in April, 1861, when he had enlisted as a private soldier: It contains at least one notable sentiment:

"Do you or your readers ask whether I am sorry or not that I came here? I answer, I am not and have not been for a moment, and I am a mere private, living on a private's fare and doing a private's drudgery. Indeed, there is no drudgery in serving one's country, especially when attacked because she is loyal to human rights. No young or middle-aged man ought to be wanting in such an emergency, especially those who have professed most for the anti-slavery cause. Let them now show that their devotion is not mere lip-service."

Mr. Pierce in another paragraph of the same chapter, describes with vividness the first exploit of his regiment, which came near being the first engagement of the war. They had hardly reached Fortress Monroe, after two days of wretched

ness from seasickness and insufficient accommodations, when they were called on to proceed to Norfolk to retake the Gosport Navy Yard or to defend it if it were still in Union hands. Mr. Pierce himself had not fired a musket since he was sixteen; and many of his comrades were as little acquainted with firearms. He says: "Our men, though

disabled and undisciplined, maintained their composure, and marched seriously but firmly to their duty. For the first time in their lives they trod the deck of a man-of-war, ready for an encounter. We left the fort about five or six o'clock, P. M., loaded our muskets, expecting a contest with musket or bayonet, reaching the navy yard at about half-past eight P. M., lighted on our errand by the rays of a silver moon light. When within pistol-shot of the Cumberland,' our signal being unheard, and we being mistaken for secessionists, the match was about to be applied to the guns of the 'Cumberland,' and of the Pennsylvania,' when it was arrested by the vigorous voice of our intrepid boatswain crying out, They are going to fire on us, Sir! United States ship 'Pawnee,' Sir!' and cheers and Hail Columbia' from their bands then welcomed us. Disembarking, for four hours we continued. the work of destruction already begun, some rolling several thousands of heavy shells into the sea, while others laid powder trains, and still others stood guard."

It is interesting to note that this work was accomplished within six days of the President's calls for troops. At this time no Northern regiment had penetrated so far South. For some reason the rebel batteries though trained on the " Pawnee," did not open fire, but the expedition was regarded as remarkable. Governor Andrew characterized it as "A brilliant movement both of danger and

success.

In regard to Mr. Pierce's long letter relating the daily doings and privations of the Massachusetts soldiers in Virginia the venerable historian, John G. Palfry, wrote: "It will be matter for history no one can tell how long."

The second paper in the volume, the plate proofs of which the publishers, Messrs. Roberts

Brothers kindly put at my disposal for the benefit of BooK NEWS, is the reprint of an article published in the Atlantic Monthly of November, 1861, and giving a graphic account of the Contrabands at Fortress Monroe. He was particularly well-fitted to do this, as the last days of his military service were spent in taking charge of the negroes. It is claimed that this article was the first formal expression on the vital question as to the character and fate of the slaves coming under the flag of the United States."

The article begins with a striking reference to history: "In the month of August, 1619, a Dutch man-of-war from Guinea entered James River and landed 'twenty negars' for sale. .

From "An Elephant's Track."-Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers. "You better put on a thicker coat, Bud.'"

This was the first importation of the kind into the English colonies and the source of existing strifes. It was fitting that the system which from that slave-ship had been spreading over the continent for nearly two centuries and a half should yield for the first time to the logic of military law almost upon the spot of its origin."

Read in the light of history that chapter is certainly one of the most fascinating in any modern book. In it Mr. Pierce pays a tribute to B. F. Butler, which might be inscribed on the doughty General's tomb in letters of gold. Speaking of his plan for the manumission of the contraband slaves he said: "The author of that document may never win a victor's laurels on any renowned field; but, depositing

it in the archives of the government, he leaves a record in history which will outlast the traditions of battle or siege."

The third article is likewise a reproduction of what at the time of its first preparation must be called prophecy based on observation and common sense. In how few people, however, are these two virtues seen in combination! It is a report on the condition of the Freedmen at Port Royal, being a thorough study into their capabilities by one who had been the first white man to deliver an anti-slavery address to slaves in a slave State. In view of the wonderful development of the negroes under such educators as Gen. Armstrong and Booker T. Washington, certainly Mr. Pierce's predictions are very remarkable and well worthy of preservation in permanent and convenient form.

Tributes to George S. Hilliard, Carl Schurz, George William Curtis, John Jay, and Ebenezer R. Hoar; addresses delivered on public occasions at Milton and Stoughton and various other orations filled with lofty and noble thoughts make this volume notable. It is the message of still another of "the grenadiers of the Old Guard "-one who by reason of his declining health and approaching old age, is apparently destined not to live many years longer.

If only Ex-Governor William Claflin could also be persuaded to accede to the wishes of his sons and of his friends and dictate or write his recollections of the great days of which he also was a leading spirit, it would save for posterity many a graphic description, many a priceless incident.

I have lying before me a pleasant note from Colonel Higginson who tells me that his term of office as State Military and Naval Historian of Massachusetts expired by limitation on the first day of this month, greatly to his content, and that the volume on which he has been working so long and under such stress of illhealth is all printed and about to be distributed. Col. Higginson is soon to publish through the Harpers a volume of essays called "Book and Heart: Essays on Literature and Life." The motto for the volume he takes from the New England Primer of 1690:

Portuguese gentleman living in East Boston. It is entitled "Rimas de Ironia Alegre"("Rimes of Gay Irony.'") It contains thirty-six poems, covering a little over 110 pages. A note at the end gives some interesting details about his work. About twelve years ago, he says, he prepared a little volume of poems and sent them to Portugal where a friend offered to procure their publication. But the essay fell through and the MS. was returned to him. Meantime he had been busily engaged in studying medicine and had no time to occupy himself with literature. Years passed and his views of life somewhat altered; moreover, poetry seemed to have undergone a violent transformation and the former æsthetic of verse was entirely destroyed: "a legion of new poets raised their revolutionary clarions, waving the brilliant banner of the modern school." He left out most of his lyric verses (with the design of including them in another volume) and added certain others of critical quality, toning down the tendencies to burlesque and giving the whole series a certain uniformity of character.

Having polished his verses, he had to get them printed and published. Here he took the bull by the horns, and instead of sending them to Portugal he decided to print them himself: he procured a typographical outfit and set up the volume himself! Perhaps some reader of BOOK NEWS would like to read some of Dr. Monteiro's sonnets. sure them they are well worth reading, they are melodious, full of clever touches, and keen allusions. I think that such a book, so published, though in a language not generally known and not studied so much as it deserves, ought to be chronicled.

I as

I don't know whether or not there are in the United States any collectors of the works of the Portuguese poet Camoens; but it will undoubtedly interest libraries and librarians to know that Don Jose do Canto of Ponta del Gado, San Miguel, has recently published privately at his own expense a sumptuous bibliography of the great poet. It is entitled Collecçao Camoneana-Tentativa de um Catalogo methodico e remissivo. It is a royal octavo of 357 pages with an engraved portrait. It covers the complete or partial editions in both the original and in many foreign translations, biographies, bibliographies, critical works, encomiastic poems, transcriptions, jubilee commemorations, periodical publications, almanacs, and other works based on the Lusiad. It is printed at the Imprensa nacional, where perhaps the finest printing of the present time is done. Educated Portuguese take great pride in this art, and as Portugal has the rich province of Brazil as a feeder, their literature is far richer than is generally suspected. It is

somewhat the same as if the United States were merely an offshoot of England.

Book collectors may be interested also to know that Fedor von Zobeltitz of Berlin is planning to establish a monthly magazine for bibliophiles somewhat after the style of the now defunct magazine “Le Livre." It is to be entitled Zeitschrift für Bücherfreunde: Monatshefte für Bibliophilie und verwandte Interessen. It is the first undertaking of the kind ever started in Germany and is to be conducted on a broad and generous basis, and regular correspondence from the United States will keep Germany in touch with the publishing interests here.

T. Y. Crowell and Company have in press a remarkable volume entitled Southern Statesmen of the Old Régime," by Professor William P. Trent, of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. It contains six lectures which Professor Trent recently delivered at the University of Wisconsin, attracting large and enthusiastic audiences. He treats of Washington, Jefferson, Randolf, Calhoun, Stevens, Toombs and Jefferson Davis. The skill of the lecturer is shown especially when he treats of subjects so usually hackneyed as the two first: but he clothes Washington with new light, combatting the prevalent tendency to diminish his glory and covering Jefferson's long career with the keenest and clearest coordination. The book will be sure to attract attention throughout the country and especially in the South; for Professor Trent does not hesitate to point out faults and foibles any more than he fails in genuine and generous enthusiasm. Professor Trent has just sailed for Europe.

A Hymn to God the Father. Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Which was my sin, though it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run And do run still, though still I do deplore? When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done, For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

Others to sin, and made my sins their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

A year or two, but wallow'd in a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I've spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine, as He shines now and heretofore;
And having done that, Thou hast done,

I fear no more.

From "A Treasury of Minor British Poetry," Selected and arranged by J. Churton Collins.

WITH THE NEW BOOKS.

BY TALCOTT WILLIAMS, LL. D.

"Christianity and Social Problems," by Dr. Lyman Abbott, is written from what is ordinarily called the socialist standpoint. Gathered from lectures, addresses, and articles, the book takes up the various relations of life, personal and public, and social, urging in each love, equity, equality and a sense of public responsibility. With this all are agreed. When Dr. Abbott asserts that there is no private title to property against public interest, as a new doctrine he is ridiculously wrong. This has been always the doctrine of the common law. When he declares it a new discovery that railroads are public highways he is equally wrong. Everybody on both sides of the social question believes in the ends which Dr. Abbott desires. He suggests rather than asserts that they can be best secured by the action of good men working through government and by direct laws intended to reach specific abuses. Now and then, as in dealing with the effect of options on wheat quotations, he accepts an interested witness without hearing both sides. But the one defect is that he omits the wide evidence, that progress in the direction he proposes has been faster when government did not do all he asks than where it has. He wants low railroad rates. They are lower under private ownership than public. This side of the question he slurs. Some interference by law is necessary. The real issue is whether in each case this interference or individual freedom shall have the benefit of the doubt.

Mr. James Lawrence Laughlin is a clearheaded professor of political economy in Chicago University, whose work lacks a perception of the sympathetic reasons which influence men in reaching economic conclusions. This limitation appears in his "History of Bimetallism in the United States,” first issued in 1885. Barring this limitation it is one of the very best summaries of the issue. Mr. Laughlin has, in rewriting, only added a chapter on the changes since 1885, and brought the tables down to date. This is not an adequate treatment of the last ten years in this country, but the earlier history of the issue is as good as can be found anywhere.

* **

Immigration Fallacies," by Mr. John Chetwood, Jr., is a small book reprinted from the Arena. It is packed with the usual misconceptions on a subject generally discussed, as here, by men ignorant of the comparative use of statistics. Most of the attacks on our foreign population rest on a failure to make fair statistical comparisons. Writing in June,

1896, Mr. Chetwood could not add that while the pure American States voted for repudiation and free silver, our foreign population was for gold and honesty.

no doubt of that.

Rudyard Kipling is to-day the first poet writing English. The Seven Seas" leaves It breaks all rules and lays low all the conventions of verse; but these stand for naught when the right hand smites the strings and breaks into new song. He has

no love for us. His heart is all for the rule that girdles the earth like the sun. But here is good verse and true, and in it the note of might is struck, struck for the great mass, not for the few, for this verse was first seen between newspaper rules. He is blind to the new great surge of might that is swelling as tides swell from deep to deep in the greater home of his race between the oceans. speaks of its lack and not of its lordship, but the "Seven Seas" are matched and met to-day by the "Two Oceans," and over the Western World there has already begun to stretch the shadow of American supremacy and the last hoar-line on its dial has just been drawn on the Orinoco.

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He

The Bible as Literature" presents a series of essays which discuss the books of the Bible in their human relation, giving their aspect as products of the human intellect. The prooftext view of the Bible has been most useful. It was the bulwark of the Reformation and has steadied the Protestant Church through nearly four centuries. The Bible has survived it. There are few better proofs of its divine character. It has triumphantly got the better of Rabbi and commentator, the Gemara and Mishna of one age and the proof-texts and verbal inspiration of another. Neither date nor, authorship are discussed in the "Bible as Literature"; but but men whose scholarship. no one can doubt who read their works, and whose piety no one can question who knows them, have dealt with the form and fashion of each book, after its kind. The arrangement, the method, the character and the literary relation of each are discussed, and the more familiar one is with the Bible, the more light will this shed upon his study.