Reminiscences, 1819 - 1899. By Julia Ward Howe. (Gay and Bird. 10s.
net.)—The writer of this autobiography is an American, and as she is eighty years of age her recollections stretch over the greater part of the century. The book begins with a gossip- ing account of society in New York sixty years ago, and goes on to describe the affectations of the "Transcendentalists" in Boston rather later. Mrs. Howe married a well-known philanthropist, Samuel Gridley Howe, who worked to improve the condition of the deaf and dumb, and whose name is remembered in connection with that of Laura Bridgman, the first deaf-mute who was taught the use of language. The writer's next chapters deal with the American War. She knew all the most prominent people on the side of the North, and knew them before they became prominent, including John Brown, of whom she tells at least one very good story. As the author of the battle hymn of the Republic begin- ning "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord," Mrs. Howe was at one time famous all over America. The literary merits of this stirring song will amaze the reader if he does not know them. They are so much above anything we should have expected from the rest of the book. Some of Mrs. Howe's attempts at comic verse are lamentable ; for instance, some lines on a deaf-mute, which are without humour and in execrable taste.
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