University of Virginia Library

“This series is one of the best of the kind we have ever met with. The writer is
evidently a shrewd observer, and he gives an infinite deal of wholesome advice in a
plain, open, straightforward manner. While he inculcates true religious principles, he
indulges in no cant, and his style is such as will at once attract the attention of those
for whom the work is written.”

“Pleasantly told, and couched in such language that it cannot fall to win its way to
the hearts of the young. The subjects treated bear upon all the relations of life; and
the moral tone which characterizes every page, the earnestness which is breathed into
every line, and the genuine love of the good, the true, and the beautiful, which casts its
halo over the whole work, cannot fail to leave their impress on the mind of the reader.”

“We have rarely read a volume which contained more plain, good, common sense or
practical advice. It is written in a taking style, and will be a treasure in many a household.”

“Their good sense, sound advice and genial humor, commend them to general perusal.”

The London Literary Gazette says:—“We have never read a work which better inenlcates
the several duties and responsibilities of young men and women, married or
single.”

“The strong common sense which pervades them, the frank and manly utterance of
wholesome truths in pointed and beautiful language, and the genial sympathy which the
author has for those whom he addresses, cannot fail to commend the work to general
favor.

“FOR PURE ENGLISH DICTION AND BEAUTIFUL IMAGERY IT WILL
TAKE ITS PLACE AS A CLASSIC WITH IRVINGS SKETCH BOOK.”

“These letters are written with such frankness, honesty and good sense, and exhibit
such a wholesome horror of humbug and cant, that we know the author must be a `good
fellow,' and, while pleased to read his book, learn to like him.”

“They contain many truthful and valuable suggestions, presented in the cultivated
and attractive style of a practised writer. There is an earnestness and hearty tone to
the whole which commends the book to the good opinion of all.”

“Written in a style to both please and instruct. They entitle the author to the lasting
gratitude of the young as well as the old.”

J. Russell Lowell, in the Atlantic Monthly, says: “It is truly an original poem
—as genuine a product of our soil as a golden-rod or an aster. It is as purely American—nay
more than that—as purely New-English as the poems of Burns are Scotch.
From the title to the last line, it is delightfully characteristic. We mean it as very
high praise when we say that Bitter-Sweet is one of the few books that have found
the secret of drawing up and assimilating the juices of this new world of ours.”

Epes Sargent, Esq., of Boston, in a letter to the publisher, says: “I know of no
long poem of American origin that I can place before it. In saying this, I do not forget
the productions of Longfellow, so deservedly celebrated. The flow and mastery of
poetic language in this work seems to me very remarkable. All the lyrical parts are
excellent. The descriptive parts are admirable, original, and thoroughly American.”

The London Literary Gazette, of December 4, says: “Bitter-Sweet is a dramatic
poem of unquestionable power, representing the inner life of a Puritan family in
New England. It contains many eloquent passages.”

The London Athenœum says: “It is a suggestive and original poem. Vigor, and
force, and imaginative beauty, are to be found in it.”

“If we mistake not, our readers will recognize with us the genius of a true poet,
with a rare wealth of poetic sympathies, profound observation of the workings of
human passion, and the creative power to clothe his conception in expressive forms.”

“It is the real power of a work which gives it a rank among the productions of
genius, and to this rank Bitter-Sweet assuredly belongs. Since the days of Gray
there has been written no better blank verse, and the songs show a finish and beauty
which almost surpass Mrs. Browning.”

“A dramatic poem which is characteristically American, showing a great command
of versification and purity of style. This poem shows that Dr. Holland is a
man of genius.”

“It is a gem of a book, unique in style and conception, yet touchingly simple and
grand. The poem contains passages of surpassing beauty.”

“`Bitter-Sweet' has many exquisite passages, and, as a whole, will have legions
of admirers.”

“It is a book of great originality—the fruit of a strong, original, and extraordinary
mind”

“We feel assured that Bitter-Sweet will establish the author's fame as a poet of
genius.”

“This panorama, in graceful verse, is a beautiful and original conception, and establishes
Dr. Holland among our first American poets,”

The homely proverb is but the thread for a string of Pearls. The style is one of
simple cast and of chaste beauty. We are free to express our admiration of a
volume characterized as this is by sound common sense, manly feeling, a high moral
and truly practical tone, and a simple force and beauty of thought and expression
which are very rarely combined.

A series not only entertaining, but tinged with a beautiful view of moral truths,
and expressed in language full of rich thoughts, but powerful against the wrong,
mighty in favor of the right.

This work, admirable for its unity of purpose, and its unusual vigor of thought
comes to us laden with rich and rare ideas, clothed in most brilliant language; the
exceeding purity of the style is one of its greatest charms.

In the present work, his themes are taken from common life, though the illustrations
are suggested by some of the current proverbs, that are familiar to the people.

Full of good sense and written in good sound English. They are better than the
hammered foil—they are the virgin metal, pure, precious, and solid. It is really a
satisfaction to find a volume of such intrinsic worth.

A series that will recommend themselves to the heart of the reader for their
truthfulness, simplicity, tenderness, and beauty.

It contains good humor, sound philosophy, and solid instruction, in a style which
at once makes a captive of the reader.

The diction is smoother, more graceful (than “Titcomb's Letters”) and worthy
of “Bitter-Sweet.” The doctor will gain a more lasting reputation among scholars
by “Gold Foil.”

A remarkable book, a work of sterling merit, which appeals to every intelligent
reader. No doubt it will reach a thousand editions.

The evident result of culture, reading, reflection, and experience, as practical a
series as any of the PRESENT CENTURY.

Overrun with beautiful language and happily conceived thoughts.

A book which cannot be opened at any page without throwing to the mental eye
a gleam of light from its pleasing surface.

Sensible and instructive, and deserves to be read and pondered by young and
old.

Written in the genial style and the earnest, friendly way which constitutes the
secret of Dr. Holland's success in winning attention to his sober teachings.