Life — March 26, 1885 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- LIFE: OBSERVATIONS ON POETRY AND POCKET CULTURE. HE verses of Austin Dobson are like beautifully decor- ated china, fragile and light, yet perfect in form and color. To sip tender sentiment and delicate fancy from these dainty cups of song is a most refined pleasure, like an after- noon ¢éfe-d-téte with a beautiful woman, over a cup of tea. In his most recent collection, “ At the Sign of the Lyre,” he has given illustration of the “ divers tones " which he can call from his “ one clear harp.” “ Here be Ballad and Song, The fruits of our leisure, Some short and some long,— May they all give you pleasure.” . . . HIS wish of the poet his readers will, no doubt, fulfill. “In easy rhyme, and phrases neatly fitting,” he has spun Triolets, Rondeau, and Villanelle, in which quaint con- ceit and quaint form are deftly mated. “The Ladies of St. James,” “ My Books,” and “ Little Blue Ribbons,” are repre- sentative of all that is best in the volume. This school of verse-making, which Frederick Locker leads in England, has found able disciples in this country, we note with pleasure, in H. C. Bunner and F. D. Sherman. (Henry Holt & Co.) . . : W E are living in an age of pocket-culture. Good man- ners and correct speech are no more considered the fruit of birth and early education. They are purchasable commodities, condensed in handy volumes to be conveniently carried with that other instrument of civilization, the revolver. “ Thou canst not say I done it,” though classical is going out of style, and has been ruled out of the Thompson Street | Poker Club. All are equally ready for instant use, and effective at short range. i “ Discriminate,” a companion to “ Do n't,” is, therefore, to be welcomed as a happy addition to the means of rapid pro- gress and refinement. It is a manual for guidance in the use of correct words and phrases. A few gems will show the quality of the collection. . . * “ Discriminate in the use of the word ARTIST.” I it is your picture, call the man who made it an artist ; if it is another man’s picture, call him a dauber, sign- painter, or white-wash expert. “ Discriminate in the use of CHEAP.” When telling your wife of an evening with the boys (in- cluding tickets in the bald-headed row purchased from a speculator and a champagne supper at Delmonico's), it is proper to call it “a cheap racket.” Never apply the word to her Patti matinee parties and spring bonnets. * Discriminate in the use of Dirt.” There is condensed wisdom for you ! clam-bakes. “ Discriminate in the use of DONE." If you must have it, | ‘i iilloalnese tn hee Gide, hablied ie of dbawiaasa eee —a millionairess i take it in the form of hash, croton water and Coney Island | ‘*" site ame ee aha aoa “ Discriminate between Love and LIKE.” Love expresses far more than /zke, and implies devotion and adsorption. When rejected by a girl, it is always cor- rect, thereafter, to allude to her as “a young lady I once liked pretty well.” The other fellow /oved her. These specimens are sufficient to show how this little book safely bridges the pitfalls of life for the innocent youth and the gray-haired sinner. (D. Appleton & Co.) Droch, BOOKS RECEIVED. TORIES BY AMERICAN AUTHORS, Volume X. New York : Charles Scribner's Sons. Easter Bells, by H. H., with designs by Susie B. Skelding. New York : White, Stokes & Allen. THE AMERICAN PEERAGE. COMPILED BY PERK, ULTERIOR KNIGHT FOR MANHATTAN, Mammon, M AMMON, by the Grace of S—t—n, of the United States and Alaska, and of Ireland in America, King, De- fender of Unfaith, etc., etc. Succession ; After the brief usurpation of George Washing- ton, assisted and vainly prolonged by Hamilton, Jefferson and others, the rightful and hereditary House of Mammon was restored to the throne, and has ever since ruled undis- puted. Arms: Pales of twelve gules and argent on a chief sable, a false- weight dollar of the second, Crest: A vulture devorant, picking to pieces a scroll, bearing the | word * Equality.” Supporters; Dexter—a millionaire rampant, habited sable. Sini- Motto: “On the make.” The Princes and Princesses of the Royal House are too numerous to mention. comicbooks.com