Nature Pictures by American Poets. Selected and edited by Annie
Russell Marble, A.M. (Macmillan and Co. 5s.)—Miss Marble has laid under contribution about forty-five poets, from W. C. Bryant (1794-1878) down to Mr. P. H. Savage, who died last year in his youth. It is remarkable how long it was before the blossom of poetry showed itself in America. The oldest volume (Bryant's) is much less than a century old, and of the authors quoted here more than two-thirds are alive. How many living English poets would be found in an anthology, whether of " Nature pictures" or of anything else P It is also notable that of the fourteen poets who have passed away six lived to be septua- genarians and three to be octogenarians. The selection, which is introduced by a thoughtful ess-y, quite free from all exaggera-
tion, is divided according as they deal with various aspects of their subject. " Landscapes," " Winds and Storms," " Sea, Streams, and Tides," " Bird-Notes and Crickets' Chirp," and " Flower Songs" are the headings. Here is a pretty little poem which we quote because it will be new to most readers
"WHEN THE BIRDS Go NORTH AGAIN.
Oh, every year bath Its winter, And every year bath its ratn- But a day Is always coming
When the birds go North again :
When new leaves swell in the forest, And grass springs green on the plain, And the alder's veins turn crimson— And the birds go North again.
Oh, every heart bath Its sorrow, And every heart bath its pain— But a day is always coming When the birds go North again.
'Tls the sweetest thing to remember If courage be on the wane,
When the cold dark days are over— Why, the birds go North again.
ELLA HIGGINSON."
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