table as a valuable contribution to our his-
islation that would practically extend slavery
to the territories, but which had the effect of
WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD. By Thornton Kirkland
Lothrop. "American Statesmen Series." Boston: Houghton,
calling the attention of the public to his own
Mifflin & Co.
friendly relations with the President, and inci.
ness.


1896.)
283
THE DIAL
dentally of alienating other prominent Whig not so satisfactory. If the former was not
leaders. The same lack of tact was shown on aware that the latter was wearing the livery of
the occasion of the visit of the Hungarian pa- the Federal Courts to serve the Confederacy
triots to the United States, in the dealings with in, he get appeared in an unfortunate rôle, and
Justice Campbell at the outbreak of the Re- displayed the same lack of discretion which he
bellion, in his dispatch to Minister Adams in 80 often manifested elsewhere. In the assign-
England, reflecting or seeming to reflect upon ment of credit in connection with the Trent
Congress, and, most conspicuous example of affair, the difficult task of removing laurels
all, in his “ Thoughts for the President's Con- from a popular idol is satisfactorily done.
sideration," when he volunteered to run the gov Americans are becoming very sensitive about
ernment for Mr. Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Morse's life of Lin.
If he failed as an orator, except in the coin-coln, and a recent monograph upon “The
ing of apt phrases that served as political catch-Trent Affair" by Mr. Thomas L. Harris, state
words, and often displayed weakness in critical conclusions essentially different from those
moments, he bad in him a more striking ele- reached by Mr. Lothrop; but the weight of
ment of worth, which led him again and again, authority is with the latter.
More than once,
during his long and varied public career, to re when diplomatic difficulties were discussed,
fuse to sacrifice principle for expediency. He | Mr. Seward's notions were utterly impractica-
manifested this quality in taking charge of un ble and needed the revision of such a thought-
popular criminal cases in his law practice, in ful mind as that of Abraham Lincoln ; but the
adhering to his support of Adams for the pres conclusion is definitely reached that in the
idency when he held in his hand a position Trent affair Mr. Seward took the initiative as
offered by a rival candidate, Clinton, and in fav- | the Secretary responsible for foreign relations,
oring a recognition of parochial schools in the and that Mr. Lincoln and the other members
distribution of public funds for education. He of the cabinet came to his position. The spe-
opposed the policy of Fillmore on the Compro- cial chapter on diplomatic questions clearly
mise measures, when such action meant the indicates the variety of international problems
proscription of himself and his party friends in of the period of the Civil War, and emphasizes
New York. He antagonized the leaders of the the great services of Mr. Seward in a field
Know-Nothing movement, when by using them where the pen rather than the sword won vic-
he might have received the nomination for the tories for the Union.
presidency in 1856, and, by carrying states Other chapters of the book might call for
which were opposed to Fremont, have made consideration if the limits of space would allow.
himself President. He favored strengthening
He favored strengthening The story of the development of the Republican
the hands of the President in the Mormon mat party and the account of the convention of
ter, when his fellow Republicans opposed it, 1860 are naturally marked by a strong Seward
recalling the use of the army in Kansas ; and sentiment. The strictures on Horace Greeley
he was not moved by the sinister allusions to seem warranted after a re-reading of Greeley's
bedevilled " persons and “Judas Iscariot." own statement in his “ Recollections of a Busy
These characteristics of the man are admir Life”; and while there appears a discordant
ably brought out by Mr. Lothrop, Seward's note in the references to Abraham Lincoln in
new biographer. Blame is not spared when connection with the nomination in 1860, it is
serious blunders were made, and over-praise is the comparatively unknown Abraham Lincoln
not given for the excellences that shone on other of that year who is mentioned, and not the
occasions. To this extent the volume will be great emancipator enshrined in the hearts of
generally considered a success; when contro the people. Too many unsettled matters re-
versies are discussed, there may be differences main to make it worth while to note the diffi.
of opinion. The“ malignant posthumous attack culties of Reconstruction connected with the
on Seward," made by Montgomery Blair in administration of Andrew Johnson, but it is
Mr. Welles's “ Lincoln and Seward,” charging questionable if a due amount of attention is
Mr. Seward with forcing the repeal of the Mis- paid to the Alaska purchase, which is dismissed
souri Compromise by putting up Dixon of Ken- with a short paragraph and without recognition
tucky to move it, is completely answered by the of Mr. Seward's prescience as to the import-
correct statement of the facts of history. The ance of the Pacific Ocean in the manifest des-
chapter which discusses the relations existing tiny of the United States, in which he firmly
between Mr. Seward and Justice Campbell is believed. FRANCIS W. SHEPARDSON.


284
[Nov. 16,
THE DIAL
he finds it half-way up the hill rising west of
THE COUNTRY OF HORACE AND VIRGIL.*
the river and in the immediate neighborhood
M. Marie Louis Gaston Boissier is one of of the old church of Santa Maria della Casa.
those charming French scholars who are such He gives persuasive reasons for this site, and
graceful interpreters of the best thought of for differing with Capmartin de Chaupy and
Greece and Rome. Since 1876, he has been De Sanctis, who are for a location farther north
the incumbent of a fauteuil in the French and more toward the foot of the hill. It should
Academy, and has not slept in it, as his several be said, however, that Professor Sellar (in an
books and frequent articles attest: possibly, elaborate foot-note on page 31 of his “Horace
too, his august duties as permanent secretary and the Elegiac Poets ") lends the weight of
of the Immortal Forty have helped to stimu his authority to the latter view; and students
late his activity. Formerly professor of Latin of Horace may profitably read and weigh the
oratory at the College de France, he has rarely evidence offered by the French and the En-
departed from the field of Roman study covered glish scholar in support of their respective
by the last years of the Republic and the first opinions.
century of the Empire. His scholarship, while The section of M. Boissier's book which
not portentous, is yet painstaking ; his conclu treats of the Etruscan tombs at Corneto lacks,
sions in matters of classic topography are based of course, personal interest; and it is hard to
upon thorough personal investigation : and the find adequate reasons for its insertion here.
arguments with which these conclusions are As an antiquarian essay it is a piece of good
presented are so graciously and winningly sug- work; and the matter is presented with the
gested for our consideration that we cannot but writer's usual vivacity and a sort of charm
extend to them the courtesy common among (charis), like that which Dionysius assigned
gentlemen, and perhaps yield to their charm of to the orator Lysias ; but it serves in the pres-
manner the assent which a more hardened ent instance only as an interruption, which will
say a Teutonic
critic would withhold. In a be skipped by many readers in their hurry to
certain sense M. Boissier may be said to have get from Horace to Virgil.
done for Horace and Virgil in France what the M. Boissier has certainly added a fresh
lamented Sellar has done for them in England ; attraction to the great Augustan epic by his
though his work lacks the steadiness of glow rapid and yet searching analysis of the Æneas
and the symmetrical unity of “ The Roman legend and his tracing of the process of assim-
Poets of the Augustan Age.”
ilation by which this old Trojan hero came to
The book before us is a translation of his assume an Italian physiognomy. This process
“ The Country of Horace and Virgil,” in which is followed from the earliest Homeric account
the poets' personalities are projected, as it were, of Æneas down to the time when he received
against a background formed by their favorite his fresh baptism of immortality from Virgil
.
haunts. To Horace are devoted fifty-eight pages. The explanation of Virgil's motives in choos-
Then follows an excursus (pp. 59–115) on the ing this legend as the subject of a great his.
tombs of Corneto ; and the rest of the book torico-mythological epic is full and satisfactory.
(pp. 116–346, or just two-thirds of the whole) Then comes an extended but most interesting
is occupied with Virgil and the Æneid. description of the journeys of Æneas; in which,
M. Boissier sketches with free hand the rela with the poem as our guide-book and M. Bois-
tions of Horace to Mæcenas ; and dwells on the sier as a genial and sympathetic cicerone, we
joy the poet must have felt in receiving from are led peacefully enough over land and sea in
the hands of his patron an estate in the Sabine the track of the much-tried but always pious
hill-country. To locate this country-house is son of Anchises. Sicily, of course, is given a
the labor of love which our author sets for him. prominent place in these wanderings; but the
self; and he invites his readers to a “person chief merit of the work is the successful clear-
ally conducted” jaunt to the valley of the Anio ing up of obscurities in the topography of the
and the Licenza. Moving up the west bank of Trojan and Latin camps at the Tiber's mouth.
the latter stream, he shows us the spot to which The sites of Ostia, Lavinium and Laurentum
his reading of the poet has led him as the site of are convincingly identified; the episode of Nisus
the Villula, as Horace modestly terms it; and and Euryalus receives new light; and the con-
*THE COUNTRY OF HORACE AND VIRGIL. By Gaston Bois- cluding battles of the Trojans and Rutuli are
sier. Translated by D. Havelock Fisher. With Maps and admirably sketched and discussed.
We are compelled to add that the translation
;
Plans. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.


1896.)
285
THE DIAL
lying before us is an unworthy and slovenly
RECENT FICTION.*
thing. The reproach of tradittore traduttore
was never more deserved than in this instance. Mrs. Humphry Ward's new novel is a sequel to
It is too bad that so refined a scholar as Gaston “ Marcella,” and, although another name had to be
Boissier should be so disastrously presented to given it, Lady Maxwell is the central figure. It is
American readers as has been his fate in the good to be in the company of such souls, even after
hands of Mr. D. Havelock Fisher. The errors
we have learned to know them so well that they no
longer have the interest of the unexpected, and no
and blunders swarm in such profusion that they justification is needed for this continuation of Mar-
are susceptible of classification. Most numer cella's life of helpful philanthropic endeavor. It is
ous and vexatious are the misprints in Latin because the interest of the book centres chiefly in
citations and Greek or Latin proper names. her that the tragic death of the titular character,
Of the forty-odd specimens in this class we Sir George Tressady, which takes us so by surprise
may mention utili for utilis, accipieno for acci at the close, does not affect the reader as deeply as
piens, erant for errant, rerem mili for rerum
* SIR GEORGE TRESSADY. By Mrs. Humphry Ward. Two
mihi, Polycletes, Marsci, Pythagorus, Demo volumes. New York: The Macmillan Co.
dochus, Phaecians, Acestus, Taorminus, Cu WITHOUT SIN. A Novel. By Martin J. Pritchard. Chicago:
Herbert S. Stone & Co.
mea, Maegara, Thassos, Aen. for Ecl., Ibid.
NEPHELÉ. By Francis William Bourdillon. New York:
for Idyll, Ibid. for Sat., Egl. for Ecl. Lucian New Amsterdam Book Co.
is substituted for Lucan (p. 166), Socrates for KATE CARNEGIE. By Ian Maclaren, New York: Dodd,
Mead & Co.
Sophocles (p. 174), Gothic for Doric (p. 233),
THE GRAY Man. A Novel. By S. R. Crockett. New
Trojan for Trajan (p. 309). Before Greek the
York: Harper & Brothers.
translator or proof-reader simply“ lies down ": SENTIMENTAL TOMMY. The Story of His Boyhood. By
as seen in the two attempts on pp. 130, 326.
J. M. Barrie. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
Gains (p. 77) is a poor exchange for games,
ULRICK THE READY. By Standish O'Grady, New York:
Dodd, Mead & Co.
having an unpleasant suggestion of profession IN THE WAKE OF KING JAMES. By Standish O'Grady.
alism; and annuli (p. 110) is perhaps intended Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott Co.
for curule.
THE SILK OF THE KINE. By L. McManus. New York:
Harper & Brothers.
The author's sense has evidently been re THE KING'S REVENGE. By Claude Bray. New York:
versed in this (p. 60): “ Reluctance to remain D. Appleton & Co.
ignorant of the past history of a race which
IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY. By John Bloundelle-Burton.
New York: D. Appleton & Co.
held an important place among ancient nations
DENOUNCED. By John Bloundelle-Burton. New York:
is a thing I cannot understand.” On page 62 D. Appleton & Co.
we read : “One does not think of stopping at
THE COURTSHIP OF MORRICE BUCKLER. A Romance.
the intermediate stations, it is true, nor does
By A. E. W. Mason. New York: The Macmillan Co.
BATTLEMENT AND TOWER. By Owen Rhoscomyl. New
what one sees of the Tuscan Maremma in this York: Longmans, Green, & Co.
rapid flight make one wish to visit it more THE FINDING OF LOT'S WIFE. By Alfred Clark. New
York : Frederick A. Stokes Co.
clearly. Yet it is wrong to do so.” To do what?
DR. NIKOLA. By Guy Boothby. New York: D. Apple-
On page 72, speaking of Etruscan tombs, this
ton & Co.
translator makes M. Boissier say or seem to say: KING NOANETT. A Story of Old Virginia and the Massa-
Nothing now remains which could be carried chusetts Bay. By F. J. Stimson. Boston : Lamson, Wolffe,
& Co.
off — that is to say, the mural paintings.” On
THE REGICIDES. A Tale of Early Colonial Times. By
page 85, the Marseillais are described as enter Frederick Hull Cogswell. New York: The Baker & Taylor
Co.
ing Paris singing the hymn of “ Rouget de
l'Isle"; the name of the author being quoted
MRS. CLIFF's Yacht. By Frank R. Stockton. New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons.
and italicized as if it were the name of the song. MARCH HAREs. By HAROLD FREDERIC. New York:
In the matter of dates, 707 (p. 15) should be D. Appleton & Co.
THE PROMISED LAND. From the Danish of Henrik Pon-
717; and 514 B. C. (p. 144) should drop the
toppidan by Mrs. Edgar Lucas. Now York: The Macmillan
B. C., or change 514 to 240.
Co.
Such and so many offences as these, whether BLACK DIAMONDS. A Novel. By Maurus Jokai. Trans-
lated by Frances A. Gerard. New York: Harper & Brothers.
due to ignorance or carelessness, or both, are
THE FOLLY OF EUSTACE, AND OTHER STORIES. By Robert
yet not enough to obscure the merits of M.
H. Hichens. New York: D. Appleton & Co.
Boissier's book; and may even give it a facti. CHRONICLES OF MARTIN HEWITT, By Arthur Morrison.
tious value as an exercise-book of mistakes, to
New York: D. Appleton & Co.
LOVE IN OLD CLOATHES, AND OTHER STORIES. By H. C.
be corrected by young students of Horace and
Bunner. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
Virgil.
TALES OF FANTASY AND Fact. By Brander Matthews,
JOSIAH RENICK SMITH.
New York: Harper & Brothers.


286
(Nov. 16,
THE DIAL
is a
it otherwise might. His death seems to us uncalled- ing that somehow the writer could not have imag-
for, since the whole tenor of the novel is far from ined the unspeakable offensiveness of her theme and
tragic in so inevitable a sense as that, and before its treatment; there is a kind of sincerity about the
the catastrophe is reached the way seems already workmanship which forbids the supposition that the
paved for a real union of hearts between Sir George writer's sole aim was to startle her public, and one
and his vixenish but chastened wife. On the whole, must reluctantly admit that the narrative is infused
the tragedy of the final chapter seems rather wan with the sentiment that awes us in Rossetti's “ Ave."
ton. The political motive largely influences the ac But these qualifications can have no further effect
tion of this novel, and surprise is frequently occa than to soften in some degree the condemnation
sioned by the author's firm grasp of recent English which both religious and literary criticism are bound
political life. An old parliamentarian could hardly to pass upon the fantastical and morbid imaginings
have done better in depicting the course of a momen of a book that had far better have remained un-
tous piece of legislation through the House of Com written.
mons, in doing justice to all the interests concerned A sort of mysticism is also the note of Mr. F. W.
and seeing the subject from all the points of view, Bourdillon's "Nephelé," but it is as different as
in describing the machinery of the legislative pro- possible from the mysticism of the book previously
cess. The Bill in question is a radical, almost a mentioned. If it were not for a single matchless
revolutionary, one; it seeks effectively to limit the lyric, Mr. Bourdillon's name would be absolutely
hours of labor and the freedom of the individual, unknown to the general reader, and as it is, the
whether employer or employed. The Maxwells are appearance of a prose romance from his
pen
heart and soul in its support; Tressady, on the good deal of a surprise. It must be admitted at
other hand, is a prominent figure of the opposition, the outset that the conception of "Nephelé" is
but changes his vote at a critical juncture, and saves based upon an impossibility, but we find this no very
both Bill and Government, although at the cost of grave impediment to the enjoyment of a book so
his own political career. It need hardly be said self-consistent within its own limits, and so beautiful
that Marcella exerts the influence, although semi as an example of literary composition. There is in
unconsciously, by which this change of policy-for the handling of the theme so much delicacy and
it is not a change of conviction — is brought about. spiritual suggestiveness, 80 elevated a sentiment,
We feel throughout the wish of the writer to deal and so pure a diction, that we are willing to accept
fairly with the vital matter under discussion, yet we “ telepathy” or any other impossiblity when we
must admit that she allows emotion to outweigh realize that without it such a book could not have
reason, and that her sympathies are enlisted in be been written at all. The story is of a mystical
half of a dangerous principle. The balance which union of souls through the agency of music, and the
in “Marcella" seemed to be justly held between the message of that divinest of arts has rarely been put
opposing forces of socialism and individualism, into words so glowing and so eloquent. To the
seems in “Sir George Tressady” to tip a little too unmusical it must seem a meaningless rhapsody;
far to the wrong side. So much for the argument but those to whom the world of tone is as real as
of the book. As for the workmanship, it is so fin the world of poetry will take the book to their heart
ished and conscientious as to be productive of a high
of hearts.
degree of satisfaction; it betrays a rich human ex Dr. Watson’s “ Kate Carnegie" seems to have
perience, an analytical mind, and a generous heart. been timed to appear in America coincidently with
Somehow it does not interest us as deeply as “Rob the author's visit. Those who have made his ac-
ert Elsmere ” and “ David Grieve" did, although quaintance will find in the book a reflection of his
in many respects a fuller mastery of the material genial personality, and others will be justified in the
is evidenced. The force with which Mrs. Ward's surmise that they could hardly know him any better
novels have impressed us is fully sustained in this the from personal intercourse than from his books. It
latest of them, but we miss the freshness of appeal is indeed something of a puzzle to account for the
which made “ Robert Elsmere” seem to speak to us popularity of all the “bonnie brier bush ” writing
with a new voice. But the best of novelists cannot and “kailyard literature” of which this is an aver-
escape this fate, although some perhaps have come age specimen. The Scots dialect would seem to be
nearer to escaping it than the present writer. a distinct drawback to one's enjoyment, and it is
To turn from the strong, sane, and carefully- impossible to describe the book fairly without ad-
balanced picture of life given us in Mrs. Ward's mitting that it is both rambling and commonplace.
book to the hysterical mysticism of "Without Sin " It is a menagerie of parsons rather than a novel,
is to experience about as sharp a contrast as books for we are treated to no less than three full-length
can offer.
“ Martin J. Pritchard " is, we under clerical portraits, and the love-story is hardly more
stand, the assumed name of a woman, and the than an incident. Whatever elements of strength
woman has in this case outdone all that man ever the book may possess are to be sought in its flashes
dreamed of daring. Never before, we should say, of humor, its touches of pathos, and its shrewd de-
did modern novelist attempt so flatly impossible a lineative strokes. It is not remarkable for any
of
subject as this. And yet the first impulse to con these things, but it is moderately pleasing, and irre-
demn the book without reserve is checked by a feel proachably wholesome in sentiment.


1896.]
287
THE DIAL
“ The Gray Man" is a very different sort of story. degree of symmetry, and tells its tale of adventure
A historical romance of the times of James VI. of in a reasonably thrilling way. It is far from being
Scotland, it deals with the clan feuds that kept Scot unreadable, and its matter is not quite so hackneyed
land on the verge of civil war, and is abundantly as is the stuff of most of our recent historical fiction.
supplied with picturesque and romantic episodes. The artistic effect that Mr. O'Grady, despite his
But it drags a good deal, and its real power is to be knowledge and industry, has failed to produce, ap-
sought in the handling of a few special situations pears very noticeably in “ The Silk of the Kine,"
rather than in its conception as a whole. Mr. Crockett an Irish story of the period when the “
curse of
has probably never done anything better than the Cromwell ” had just fallen upon the land. A well-
chapter which tells us about “The Last of the Gray conceived and pathetic situation is portrayed by the
Man," while two or three other episodes rise to author with swift sure strokes, and the romance is
nearly the same level of graphic and dramatic power. alike pleasing for its narrative and its diction. The
A good deal of actual history has been worked into heroine is a fair maiden of noble birth, orphaned
the web of the author's romance, and much of the by the wars and “transplanted” by order of the
invention bears the stamp of artistic truth.
Protector. A young English officer chances to save
Of the three Scotch novelists now prominently her from death or worse, and to intervene in the
before the public, Mr. J. M. Barrie seems to be the dangers that subsequently beset her. In the end,
most talented, and he too contributes a book to the he sacrifices his position and his prospects for her
season's output of fiction. We are inclined, more sake, and is about to carve out for himself a new life
over, to think it the best book he has written. upon the Continent, when a pardon from the Pro-
Although “Sentimental Tommy" shares in the con tector changes his plans, and serves to make his
structive weakness displayed by the two Scotch story end happily.
stories just mentioned, and is, like them, a series of “The King's Revenge "takes us back to the early
episodes and sketches rather than an organic whole, fourteenth century, and has for its chief historical
there is exhibited in the details of its workmanship figures the ill-fated King Edward II. and his hap-
80 fine an art that criticism may for once be content less favorite, Piers Gaveston. We do not recollect
to praise without cavil. The inner life of childhood that this story has been used for imaginative pur-
is for most writers unexplored territory. They may poses by any modern novelist, or, indeed, since Mar-
write about it and around it, but few retain a mem lowe found in it the stuff for the greatest of his
ory of their early days so vivid as to enable them to tragedies. Mr. Claude Bray, the author, has a name
reproduce the world from the child's point of view. that is new to us, but he seems to have learned
But Stevenson did it, and Mr. Kenneth Grahame fairly well the lesson of historical romance. Per-
has done it, and so has Mr. Barrie in this extraor- | haps it would be difficult to learn that lesson ill at a
dinary book. “Imaginative” would, however, be a time when the art of fiction based upon history finds
better adjective for his hero than “Sentimental,” 80 many skilled practitioners. Mr. Bray is weakest
for it is in his delineation of the imaginative aspect in his love story, which is told in the most perfunc-
of child-life that the author has achieved his suc tory manner, and strongest in his delineation of the
cess. The wonder-world that a child can create for turbulent barons who plunged England into civil
himself in the most commonplace environment is war after the strength and resolution of the First
here realized with a subtle insight almost beyond Edward had given place to the feebleness and vanity
praise. The story of the last Jacobite rising, for of the Second.
example, comes near to being a work of genius, and Mr. Bloundelle-Burton, who appears twice in our
can hardly miss some share of the “immortality" current list of novels, delves for his material in the
it deserves. Mr. Barrie has not only been a boy, rich mine of French history and chronicle. “In the
like the rest of us, but has remained one at heart, as Day of Adversity” is a romance of the days of
few of the rest of us succeed in doing. And his Louis XIV., and has a stirring picture of the sea-
Tommy is one of the most genuine boys in literature. fight at La Hogue, besides a realistic account of the
Mr. Standish O'Grady is the author of a number horrors of the galleys, and a web of private intrigue
of romantic novels having for their common pur sufficiently complicated to hold the interest at a high
pose “to illuminate, in some degree, aspects of the tension. “ Denounced” is a story of “the Forty-
history, genius, and traditions of Ireland. The lat- five," and thus partly English in theme. Its chief
est two of these works are before us.
interest, however, is in the imprisonment of its hero
called “ Ulrick the Ready,” is a story of the closing in the Bastille by means of a lettre de cachet, and
years of Elizabeth's reign ; the other, “ In the Wake its careful account, based upon documentary evi.
of King James," a tale of the period just after the dence, of the life of an inmate of that famous, or
Battle of the Boyne. Mr. O'Grady is evidently a close infamous, stronghold of tyranny. The author of
student of Irish history and antiquities, but he can these two books has caught the trick of historical
not fairly be called a skilled literary craftsman. The romance quite successfully, and his name must be
first of the books just named is absolutely chaotic added to the list, already a long one, of recent work-
structure, and so swamped with history, genealogy, ers in this inexhaustible domain.
and archæology as to be well-nigh unreadable. The “ The Courtship of Morrice Buckler" is a ro-
second, being mainly a private concern, has some mance that starts bravely out on historical lines,
The one,


288
(Nov. 16,
THE DIAL
plunging us into the days of Monmouth Rebellion other “Scarlet Letter,” for so rare a genius as that
and the Bloody Assize. But the historical thread of Hawthorne blossoms only now and then in the
is soon dropped, and we find our interest enlisted centuries; but it is not unreasonable to hope for a
in a romance of private intrigue and adventure considerable production of historical novels upon
which takes us back and forth from England to the American themes that shall be fairly comparable
Tyrol, and abounds in highly-colored passions and with the many good books that have recently given
villainies. The plot is constructed with exceptional us such a surfeit of English and Continental histor:
skill, and we are not left at the close, as is so often ical romance. Such a book as Mr. Stimson's “King
the case in historical romance, with a lot of tag-ends Noanett ” belongs distinctly to this class ; it is an
in our hands. Everything is explained in the most admirably planned and executed story, based upon
comfortable way before we get through, the writer a careful study of documentary evidence, yet keep-
thereby earning our very lively gratitude.
ing the antiquarian subordinate to the human inter-
“ Battlement and Tower" is a historical romance est. It pretends to be the personal narrative of one
of Wales during the Civil War, when the fortunes of Bampfylde Carew, an English youth who becomes
the King were waning, and only a few loyal souls implicated in a royalist rising against the govern.
here and there stood fast in their allegiance. It is ment of the Protector, and is deported to Virginia
royalist in its sympathies (as somehow nearly all the in a convict ship. He remains in the Old Dominion
good romances of this period are), and pursues its for a time, then makes his escape to New England,
course with a fiery energy that holds the reader and spends the rest of his days among Puritans and
breathless. Those who love fighting, and thrilling Indians. The execution of the work is painstaking,
escapes, and dare-devil adventures, will find full and it need hardly be added that Mr. Stimson's
measure of such things in this book, besides a long and successful literary experience stands him
chronicle of heroic devotion and faithful love. The in good stead in what must be considered the most
action is often too tangled to be easily followed, and ambitious of his novels. There is an abundance
the style is too turgid to be satisfactory, but there is of picturesque detail in the book, and the thread
no denying that the story has life and interest in of a tender love-story runs though it all, giving it
abundance.
coherence and a heightened interest. We think there
“The Finding of Lot's Wife” is a romance in is still a little too much of antiquarianism about the
the manner made familiar by the stories of Mr. work — that the note-book is too much in evidence
Rider Haggard. All that is needed for this sort of -but when we consider the difficulty of the author's
story is an imperfectly-known part of the earth, task, and the fact that he has been working in a
where anything may be supposed to happen for lack new medium, it must be allowed that he has been
of proof to the contrary, and a certain amount of a strikingly successful. The illustrations made by
cheap sort of imagination. Mr. Clark tells us of a Mr. Henry Sandham have caught the spirit of the
mysterious monastery in southeastern Palestine, text and the time, adding not a little to the attrac-
inhabited by monks having an ancient ritual of their tiveness of the romance.
own, and unknown to the world in general. A num “ The Regicides” is another story of the same
ber of explorers find their way to this spot, investi- period, and has for its subject the adventures of
gate its marvels, discover among other things the Goffe and Whalley in eluding the pursuit of the
veritable rock-salt statue of Lot's wife, and escape royal warrant for their arrest. The book offers a
to civilization in the end. The story is strewn with conscientious study of Puritan Connecticut, but can-
grewsome horrors and romantic adventures, and dor compels to the statement that it proves only
proves readable, but by no means wildly exciting. mildly exciting at the best, while at the worst it is
The readers of Mr. Boothby's “ A Bid for For unmistakably dull. In this case, antiquarianism has
tune” will remember the uncanny Dr. Nikola and clearly got the better of art.
the curious black stick, once owned by “China In turning from these essays in romance to the
Pete,” that finds its way into his possession. “Dr. story of “ Mrs. Cliff's Yacht,” we turn from actual
Nikola” the book is a sort of sequel to the other history to the most whimsical of invention. Mr.
romance, and tells us how, by means of the same Stockton's method of treating highly improbable
black stick, the wizard penetrates into an unknown situations in the most matter-of-fact way is too
Chinese monastery, and possesses himself of the familiar to call for exposition.
familiar to call for exposition. Readers of “Cap-
ancient mysteries of the order. It is an extravagant tain Horn” will remember Mrs. Cliff well enough,
tale, not without a certain interest, and far superior and be prepared for the sober joy of learning what
to the story of Lot's wife as an excitement-producer. she did with her share of the treasure of the Incas,
The marked impetus given of late to the study of and how the good people of Plainton, Maine, were
colonial history is having its effect upon the novelist, impressed with her goings-on. The story is rather
and the number of tales based upon the annals of tedious until the yacht appears, and its owner sails
our forefathers increases steadily from year to year. the Southern seas with her crew of clergymen. At
The instinct which leads to the writing of these this juncture the story becomes transformed into
books is a sound one, although the books themselves a thrilling tale of adventure, and justifies its title
are too often antiquarian studies and nothing more. to be considered a true sequel to “Captain Horn.”
It would, of course, be unreasonable to expect an Mr. Harold Frederic's - March Hares," also, is


1896.]
289
THE DIAL
a whimsical tale, as its title would indicate, but of of the stock exchange. The action is varied, ani-
a sort very different from the book last mentioned. mated, and sufficiently exciting to sustain the read-
The most extraordinary things happen in its pages, er's interest, to which a constant appeal is also made
and the interest is all the time kept agog, but Mr. by the fresh and piquant aspects given the book by
Frederic has too much of the artistic instinct to per its Hungarian atmosphere. The element of the
mit even the fantastic creations of this most improb- fantastic, which is so characteristic of this novelist, is
able narrative to remain mere pegs upon which to very marked, and we resign ourselves from the start
bang his inventions. In their strangest doings
to the bizarre incident and unexpected happening.
they seem creatures of flesh and blood, and they The author of “The Green Carnation ” has col-
make their final exit in accordance with the conven lected into a small volume three short stories of
tional forms. The book brings fresh testimony to more than usual power. They are studies in mor-
Mr. Frederic's facile versatility, and may be de- bid psychology, and one of them, dealing with the
pended upon to afford an hour of very genuine reincarnation of a murdered cat, goes to the extreme
amusement.
of the fantastic. The cat comes back to life in the
When we reviewed the translation of Herr Pon form of a beautiful woman, marries her slayer, and
toppidan's “ Emanuel” a few weeks ago, it was strangles him at night. The story would be the
stated that this novel was the first part of a trilogy merest rubbish were it not for a certain Poe-like
depicting the Grundtvigian peasant movement in quality of the imagination displayed in working out
Denmark, and the hope was expressed that the other this uncanny conception. The other two stories
parts —“ The Promised Land” and “The Day of move among the possibilities of life, at least, although
Judgment”- might also be given to English read having little enough to do with life as normally con-
org. Sooner than we anticipated, the wish has been stituted.
fulfilled, as far, at least, as it concerned the second We thought that Sherlock Holmes was dead, but
part of the trilogy. In “ Emanuel” we read of the it is certainly he who masquerades under an as-
enthusiastic young pastor who renounced his worldly sumed name in the “Chronicles of Martin Hewitt.”
associations, and cast his lot with the peasants to the He investigates mysterious cases with the same
extent of marrying a girl of their caste. In “The practised ease as of old, is equally possessed of stores
Promised Land,” we are introduced to the house- of recondite knowledge, and treats the methods of
hold of this man seven or eight years later, when the professional detective with the same old tolerant
the illusion has faded, and when he realizes the condescension. Mr. Morrison is a good imitator,
truth that no man's will is strong enough to sustain but it takes an unusual degree of audacity to borrow
him undiscouraged in breaking with the social tra another man's thunder in this wholesale fashion.
ditions and nurture that have formed his character. In every essential respect these stories are Sherlock
It is the stage of disillusionment that we are now Holmes stories and nothing more; the inventions
called upon to contemplate, and the picture is simply are new, but the conception is without originality.
but powerfully drawn. In the end, Emanuel and Readers of the popular magazines will be prompt
his wife separate by mutual consent for an indef. to recognize some of their old friends in the volume
inite period, and the man goes back to his father's of seven stories that give us, as far as book-form is
he
may of the life upon which he fondly thought to genius. We are inclined to think “ As One Having
have turned his back forever. We shall await with Authority," here published, the best short story that
great interest the concluding section of this novel, Bunner ever wrote, although “ Zadoc Pine” is a
which is so genuine in its human interest, and which close second. “Love in Old Cloathes,” also a favorite,
lies so far apart from the usual range of English opens the present collection, and has for its fellows
fiction. The translation, we regret to say, is far “French for a Fortnight," with its irresistibly hu-
from satisfactory.
morous conception, “ Our Aromatic Uncle," and
“ Black Diamonds" is one of the best of the three others, the least of which is better than the
novels of Mr. Jokai that have thus far been put into best of an ordinary story-teller.
English. We wish, however, that the English were The six “ Tales of Fantasy and Fact " which Mr.
the work of a more competent hand. The subject Brander Matthews has put together into a volume
of the work has a great deal to do with coal-mining, are the merest trifles as to substance, but Mr. Mat-
and the translator confronts us at times with a sci thews has a manner that can make even trifles
entific jargon that is absolutely meaningless, and charming, and his newest book is readable for as
that will make chemists, in particular, rub their eyes long as it lasts. “A Primer of Imaginary Geog-
in wonder. We suspect that the author is not him- raphy” is a fancy suggestive of, if not suggested by,
self very accurate in bis use of scientific terms, but Hawthorne ; “ The Rival Ghosts” has something of
the translator has undoubtedly added to whatever the Stocktonian flavor; while “ The Twinkling of
confusion exists in the original. The story is a an Eye" is neither more nor less than a detective
happy blend of the elements of romance with those story that — mark you took a prize in a newe-
of everyday life. We have, on the one hand, the paper competition. The other three stories, if such
romantic environment of mid-Hungary, and, on the they may be called, are of much less importance.
other, the intrigues of a gay society and the trickery
WILLIAM MORTON PAYNE.


290
(Nov. 16,
THE DIAL
Electromotive force arises from the stress on the
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
connecting mechanism. Electric displacement arises
The function of the seer has not
Electricity and
from the elastic yielding of the connecting mechan-
magnetism as ended, as many would have us be- ism.” Space will not permit the pursuit of this
modes of motion.
lieve, but the subjects of his visions subject into even its nearer phases and relationships.
have changed in the changing years. James Clerk But the outcome of the whole may briefly be ex-
Maxwell, the story of whose life and work is so pressed by saying of Magnetism and Electricity
clearly told by his successor, Professor Glazebrook, what Tyndall and Joule said of Heat, that they are
in a volume of the “Century Science Series ” (Mac- Modes of Motion ; from which statement one more
millan), possessed in a remarkable degree that readily comprehends the evidently intimate relation-
keener vision which penetrates the arcana of nature ship between these physical activities and those
and brings to view the methods of her most occult which we denominate Heat and Light.
processes. Maxwell's work, done in the third quar-
ter of the current century, was expended chiefly
Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. issue
along three related lines of physical research. The
Three new volumes three new volumes in continuation of
of popular science.
first investigated the subject of Color Perception, in
their “International Scientific Se-
which by ingenious methods of combination and ries” of popular monographs. The first is by Pro
rotation he showed that all hues and shades may be fessor Marey of the College of France, and is en-
produced by properly mingling three primary colors, titled “Movement.” The movements of men and
diluted or darkened with white or black. The colors animals were first critically observed by Muybridge.
which he judged to be primary are red, green, and He arranged elaborate apparatus to take a series of
violet. The second field of his research was that photographs showing the consecutive attitudes as-
Molecular Physics. In this he studies the be sumed by a moving animal - a trotting horse, for
havior of particles of matter when, after being example - at minute intervals during one complete
formed by chemical union, they were subject to the cycle of motion. The results showed that the con-
control of physical forces, especially when forming ventionally artistic trotting-horse usually drawn is
the substance of gases and vapors. A gaseous body merely an amusing fiction. Professor Marey has
consists of atoms, simple or chemically compounded, added a variety of ingenious and accurate methods
united in minute molecular masses, elastic, and mov of observation. By placing beneath a horse's feet
ing constantly, at high velocities, in all directions, air-cushions connected with registering apparatus
in lines normally straight but subject to modifica- by rubber tubes fitly arranged, the animal is made
tions by mutual inter-influence. These conditions to show automatically, upon a continuous sheet, the
submit to the most rigorous mathematical analyses. beginning, duration, and end of every step in any
From them arise gaseous elasticity, pressure upon gait he may be using. Bright points and lines fas-
enclosing surface, heat, and kinetic energy. Of col tened to the black dress of a moving man, and indi-
lateral significance, though anterior in point of time, cating the geometrical position of his limbs, prepare
was Maxwell's discussion of the constitution of the for a series of photographs that reveal the consecu-
rings of Saturn as consisting of streams of separate tive positions of those members in the full cycle of
material masses, relatively small, moving in con any movement. A photographic gun contains in its
stant procession in a common orbit about the cen stock a series of sensitive plates ; the gun, being
tral planet. His greatest achievement, however, aimed at a flying bird, gives a series of negatives
was his Theory of Electricity and Magnetism, & showing the recurring phases of its flight. Thus
theory of great potency as the foundation of the have the motions of many living things — men,
intense activity of modern electric development, and beasts, birds, insects, fishes, reptiles—been observed
opening electric science to interpretation by exact and recorded. Apparatus is also devised for revers-
mathematical formulæ. His fundamental hypoth- ing the experiment, projecting upon a screen these
esis is that there exists in a magnetic field a con views in such rapid succession as to make the con-
tinuous rotation of molecules about the lines of mag- tinuous motion apparent to an audience.
netic force; and that their movement constitutes an Work, Present and Past,” by Professor Bonney of
electric current. He says: “I think we have good University College, London, presents the latest dis-
evidence for the opinion that some phenomenon of cussion of the work of glacial ice in moulding the
rotation is going on in the magnetic field, that this earth's surface. The facts are presented clearly and
rotation is performed by a great number of very concisely, and the conclusions are fairly drawn. It
small portions of matter, each rotating on its own is probable, however, that some time will yet elapse
axis, this axis being parallel to the direction of the before the last word is written upon a subject whose
magnetic force, and that the rotations of these dif- phenomena are so numerous, so varied, and so
ferent vortices are made to depend on one another widely scattered, and so modified in time by other
by means of some kind of mechanism connecting physical agencies.--_"What is Electricity?" is by
them. Magnetic force is the effect of the centri Professor John Trowbridge of Harvard University.
fugal force of the vortices. Electro-magnetic induc- No question of physical science meets to-day such
tion of currents is the effect of the forces called into intense and persistent inquiry. The mind is not
play when the velocity of the vortices is changing. content with a definition which limits the concept
“ Ice


1896.]
291
THE DIAL
of modern
of a physical entity by a description of its activity, called comments rather than narratives
- are evi-
or a statement of its effects. We are not satisfied dently based on careful investigation and wide read-
to say of Heat that it is something which causes ing. Occasionally, however, events are referred to
certain phenomena. We desire to penetrate yet which have long since lost the dignity of facts. It
farther within the veil, and learn what causes Heat. is unnecessary to explain that there was no Prag-
Tyndall told us that Heat is a Mode of Motion - matic Sanction of 1268, or that Philip VI. did not
demonstrating, rather, that Heat is an alternative owe his crown to the Salic law. The author's judg-
of Motion; that when an acting agency may no ments, especially of kings, are often harsh. His
longer produce motion, then Heat may be gener contempt for James I. is unmeasured; he calls
ated. Does this satisfy our inquiry as to Heat, or Richard the Lionhearted a “butcher of men,” “ bold,
its essence? Professor Trowbridge's last word, reckless, coarse, and brutal; murdering hostages
offered as an opinion rather than as an assertion, and captives by hundreds, in sheer wantonness, deaf
appears to be this : Electricity is a periodic vibra to pity, to mercy,” etc., and speaks of the compan-
tion emanating from the sun and transmitted across ions of William the Conqueror as “banditti,” “harp-
the ether pervading vacuum which exists between ies," and the like. The usefulness of the book is
us and that luminary,—which, reduced to a simpler enhanced by a good index, a full table of contents,
equation becomes this : Electricity is a Mode of lists of books, and a chronological table.
Motion. And this leaves us as hungry as we were
before. Meanwhile the phenomena of electricity, More problems
Messrs. Scribner issue a second vol.
the earliest and the latest known, in all their bril-
ume of essays selected from the writ-
Democracy.
liant and bewildering transformations, are set forth
ings of Mr. E. L. Godkin, entitled
“ Problems of Modern Democracy." The papers
in this volume in a manner most satisfactory and
instructive.
in this volume are reprinted from leading maga-
zines—the “ Forum,” the “ Atlantic Monthly,” the
When John Richard Green published “North American Review,” etc.,—and are mostly
A history of the
English people.
his “Short History of the English of quite recent date. Some of the titles are: “The
People,” he said he had “striven Duty of Educated Men in a Democracy"; "Who
throughout that it should never sink into a drum Will Pay the Bills of Socialism ”; “The Political
and trumpet history,'” a mere history of kings and Situation in 1896”; “The Real Problems of De-
conquests. Not every subsequent writer who has mocracy,” etc. With Mr. Godkin's views on pub-
had similar ideas of the scope of history has been lic questions, and with his terse and pungent man-
equally fortunate in expressing them. This is per ner of expressing them, our readers are perfectly
haps the most serious criticism which
may
be
pro-
familiar; and we need only say that the present
nounced upon Dr. W. H. S. Aubrey's “The Rise volume shows the author at his best-being agree-
and Growth of the British Nation” (Appleton). ably free from a certain note of “cocksureness,"
Dr. Aubrey even attempts to improve on Green's and a tendency to carp unduly at the peculiarities
title-page, for he declares his three volumes are not of his adopted country, which sometimes render his
only a “History of the People" but also “For the more ephemeral writings more irritating than con-
People.” He opens his introductory chapter with vincing to the readers who most need to profit by
a series of ingeniously balanced phrases in which them. Of course, the proximity of Tammany is not
he refers the reader who is seeking information a thing to sweeten Mr. Godkin's temper or mollify
about politics and diplomacy, “the doings of kings his journalistic style ; and allowance must be made
and cabinets,” to the “works specially devoted to for it. The essays before us are serious and well-
Court millinery and upholstery.” Although he thus considered, and deserve altogether their present
shows a quite proper contempt for many historians more permanent setting ; but we regret that Mr.
whose works The People as well as the aristocracy Godkin’s remarks (written in the heat of the mo-
purchase, his own choice of material at times re mentous campaign just past) on “the attitude of
veals a curious notion of the relative value of facts. the West toward the East” were not revised before
For example, after saying at the beginning of the reprinting. He broadly asserts (on grounds inscru-
chapter on Saxon Laws and Usages that charters, table to us, and our experience of the section of
wills, etc., “ furnish a picture of the domestic life of country in question is at least equal to Mr. God-
England,” he immediately remarks, “ Horsefilesh kin'3) that there is in the West“ a widespread dis-
had been freely eaten, but pork became the favorite like or distrust of the East "; that “it is difficult to
meat.” But the author's rather unhappy way of persuade him the Western man that a well-dressed
outlining the province of history does not seriously man with superfine manners does not cherish evil
diminish the usefulness of his work as a repository designs of some sort”; and that “ he does not see
of information on a great many phases of English how the great fortunes he hears of in the East have
history. It contains much that the ordinary reader been honestly acquired, and he, therefore, would
can with difficulty find elsewhere unless he has ac hear with equanimity of the bombardment of East-
cess to a library of special works. In this respect ern cities." All this the writer says without the
it reminds one of Mr. Traill's “Social England." shadow of a smile. Comment is superfluous; but
Its narratives — although perhaps these should be one would really like to know the source of this


292
(Nov. 16,
THE DIAL
amazing concept of “the Western man.” Were the Nichols (Longmans); and “A Practical Arithmetic,”
supposition not irreverent, we should suggest that by Mr. G. A. Wentworth (Ginn).
someone had been "stuffing” Mr. Godkin. In the The advocates of modern Greek in our universities
main, the book is worth reading and re-reading;
have been making no little stir of late years, and a cer-
and it should repeat the success of its lighter and
tain demand for text-books has thus been created. Two
more diversified predecessor.
such books have just appeared: “Modern Greek Mas-
tery,” by Mr. Thomas L. Stedman (Harper); and “A
The methods and
Mr. Frank Cramer's volume entitled Practical Method in the Modern Greek Language "
characteristics “ The Method of Darwin” (Mc-
(Ginn), by Mr. Eugene Rizo-Rangabé. Both writers
of Darwin.
Clurg) is at once a series of sermons
are advocates of the teaching of Greek through the
for scholars on texts drawn from the life and work
modern dialect, and Mr. Stedman makes, in addition,
the novel plea that the language is well-fitted to become
of Charles Darwin, a laboratory guide-book, and
an international medium or lingua franca for the use of
a treatise on educational method. The author de-
scholars in general.
fines education as the process of training the intel-
Besides the memoir of James Clerk Maxwell, noticed
lect in the art of reasoning; he regrets that the
elsewhere in this number, another volume of the “Cen-
college curriculum fails for the most part to fur-
tury Science Series" (Macmillan) gives an equally inter-
ther that process, urges his conviction of the “su esting account of the life of Sir Humphry Davy, by
preme practical importance of the direct study of Professor F. T. Thorpe. Although not the founder of
scientific method," and shows how Darwin is a high the Royal Institution of London, Davy was the first to
example of such method. “His edacational his give it a substantial impetus, by his brilliant career as a
tory, his thoroughness, his scientific honesty, his
discoverer and lecturer, beginning in the early months
logical power, his power of minute observation
of 1801. Davy's fame rests upon discoveries of which
and broad generalization, the greatness of the prob-
some were among the most startling in the history of
chemical science. Among them may be named the
lems with which he dealt, and the profound influ-
exhilarating effects of nitrous oxide when inhaled; the
ence of his views upon the thought of the world, all isolation by electricity of the metals of the alkalies,
conspire to make him a model in the study of sci- potassium, sodium, etc.; the investigations of chlorine,
entific method.” In two hundred and thirty-two fuorine, iodine, and their compounds; and the invention
very readable and suggestive pages, Mr. Cramer of the lamp, now bearing his name, which greatly miti-
gives a careful analysis of Darwin's mental charac gated the dangers from explosive gases in mines of
acteristics and habits of scientific research, treating
bituminous coal.
him as a type of what education should accomplish,
Under the title « Pioneers of Science of America,”
and his method as one excellent means of training
Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. issue a collection of sketches
the intellect in the art of reasoning.
of the lives and scientific work of fifty noted workers of
the last century and the earlier portion of the present.
The list is headed with the name of Franklin, and
includes such others as Audubon, Say, Henry, Morse,
Erricson, and Agassiz. The papers have been prepared
BRIEFER MENTION.
with care. Many of them have already appeared, under
Messrs. Henry Holt & Co. are the publishers of “A
the supervision of Dr. Youmans, in the pages of " The
French Grammar,” by Dr. Louis Bevier, - to which Popular Science Monthly."
Dr. Thomas Logie has contributed a set of exercises. Messrs. G. P. Putnam's Sons inaugurate an “Illus-
The book is designed for older students and is thor trated English Library" of standard fiction with Thack.
oughly modern and scientific in treatment. The same eray's “ Henry Esmond," illustrated by Miss Chris.
publishers send us M. Coppée’s “On Rend l'Argent,” | Hammond, and Kingsley's “Hypatia," illustrated by Mr.
edited by Mr. T. B. Bronson; and a volume of “Cop- Lancelot Speed. In make-up the series is somewhat sim-
pée and Maupassant Tales,” edited by Dr. A. Guyot ilar to Macmillan's “ Illustrated Standard Novels,” but
Cameron. The former of these two volumes departs the volumes are sold at a much lower price. The same
from the conventional form in being illustrated, and in publishers send us Carlyle's “Sartor Resartus," with a
being printed in the style of a real book rather than of photogravure portrait from a painting by Whistler, as
a school book. The same publishers also send us the the first volume of their “ Chelsea Library.” As regards
“Cuore” of Signor de Amicis, edited by Professor paper, typography, and binding, the volumes in these
L. Oscar Kuhns.
two series leave nothing to be desired, and are a marvel
The Elements of Geometry "prepared by Professors of cheapness besides.
A. W. Phillips and Irving Fisher of Yale University is A“ Deutsche Sprachlehre für Anfänger," by Miss
based in its fundamental methods upon the books of the Carla Wenckebach, is published by Messrs. Henry Holt
late Professor Loomis, but is essentially a new work. & Co., who also send us two German texts: Eckstein's
Its most distinctive feature is the series of photographs “ Preisgekrönt," edited by Mr. Charles B. Wilson; and
from models used in the teaching of solid geometry. Gerstäcker's “Irrfahrten," edited by Miss Marion P.
For students of defective imagination these figures can Whitney. Messrs. D. C. Heath & Co. are the publishers
not fail to be helpful. Messrs. Harper & Brothers are of Miss Hermine Stüven's “ Praktische Anfangsgründe,"
the publishers. Other mathematical text-books just a very elementary book. From Messrs. Ginn & Co. we
published are: “New Plane and Spherical Trigonome have a volume of “Morceaux Choisis” from the writ-
try," by Mr. Webster Wells (Leach); “A School Alge- ings of M. Jules Lemaitre, edited by Mlle. Rosine
bra,” by Mr. E. E. White (American Book Co.); “Ele Mellé; and from the American Book Co. a “Second
mentary and Constructional Geometry," by Mr. E. H. Year in French," by M. L. C. Syms.


1896.)
293
THE DIAL
forty-eight pages each. The scheme of color-printing
(by a new process) will make this work unique among
illustrated books; it includes reproductions, in their
original colors, of eighty-eight masterpieces of Napo-
leonic portraits and battle-scenes, besides over two hun-
dred full-page engravings in tint and in black and white.
The work will be noticed more at length in its proper
place in our Holiday review. It is published by the
Century Co., and sold by subscription only; Messrs Mc-
Donnell Brothers, 279 Dearborn st., being the general
agents for it in the West.
Professor Gustav E. Karsten, head of the German
department in the University of Indiana, has during the
ten years of his residence in this country been making a
reputation that gives him a high place among American
philologists. He in about to undertake the publication
of “The American Journal of Germanic Philology,"
and, that it may become a bond between the philologists
of America and of Europe, he has associated with him as
co-editor, Professor Georg Holz of the University of
Leipzig. Although English and German will be given
most attention, kindred subjects will receive appropriate
consideration. The leading principles of the “Journal”
are to be sound and helpful criticism, and the absence
of all unscientific bias. The reviews will give an ac-
count of all important work done in the field of Ger-
manic philology, and at first these will be retrospective
so that a brief history of the various topics may be pre-
sented to the readers. Six numbers will be issued dur-
ing the year, and the price is two dollars.
LITERARY NOTES.
“ Mark Twain " is to stay in London this winter, and
work upon a new book of travels.
M. Daudet's “ Robert Helmont" is the latest addi-
tion to the Dent-Macmillan edition of that author's
works.
Ovanes Khan Messian, court translator to the Shah
of Persia, is engaged upon an Armenian version of
Shakespeare.
It is said that the MSS. left by Sir Richard Burton
contain materials for seven or eight volumes, one of
which is now in preparation.
The « Handbook of Graduate Courses" for the current
year, published by Messrs. Leach, Shewell, & Sanborn,
gives full lists of graduate courses in twenty-four lead-
ing institutions, with much further information of value
to the student. The price is only thirty cents.
The Turnbull Lectures for 1897 will be given by M.
Ferdinand Brunetière upon the subject of French poetry.
The titles run from “ La Poésie Epique du Moyen Age
to “Lo Symbolisme et les Tendences Actuelles de la
Poésie." The first lecture is announced for March 15,
and the last for April 22.
Messrs. Little, Brown, & Co. have just published a
new edition, in two volumes, of Nuttall's “ Popular
Handbook of the Ornithology of Eastern North Amer-
ica.” Mr. Montague Chamberlain is the editor, and has
added some facts not included in his previous edition
of 1891. The volumes have many illustrations, among
which are twenty beautifully-colored plates.
“ A Second Century of Charades," by Mr. William
Bellamy, is published by Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin &
Co. These publishers also send us four new volumes
in their beautiful “ Riverside" edition of Mrs. Stowe's
writings. “Household Papers and Stories” and “ Stories,
Sketches, and Studies," are two of the volumes; the
other two contain “ Dred and Other Anti-Slavery Tales."
The November number of our progressive Chicago
contemporary, “ The Inland Printer,” presents the first
of a series of cover designs in color, by Mr. J. C. Lyden-
decker, the artist who lately won the “Century” prize
for poster designs. The « Inland Printer” is an admir-
able publication of its class, and under the enterprising
editorship of Mr. A. H. M.Quilkin it has gained a dis-
tinction far beyond that of the ordinary craft journal.
The Odéon at Paris has planned a series of fifteen
afternoon performances of classical drama, to be divided
equally between works of antiquity, of early French lit-
erature, and of foreign literature. For the first five
matinees the plays selected are « The Persæ,” “ Philoc-
tetes,” an arrangement of the “ Ion" of Euripides, the
“ Plutus” of Aristophanes, and the “ Phormio” of Ter-
ence with the “ Trinummus” of Plautus in a double bill.
The “ National Review” is to be given something of
an international character, its publisher, Mr. Edward
Arnold, having now a New York as well as a London
office. The editor, Mr. L. J. Maxse, has been spending
some time in America, studying the political problem
and others involved in the late election, and arranging
for articles from this side. The “ National” is an ably-
edited and a well-written review, devoted to the serious
discussion of vital questions of current affairs.
Professor Sloane's “Life of Napoleon,” which has
been the leading feature of “The Century" magazine
for the past year, is now to be given to the public in a
form of unusual sumptuousness, in twenty-two parts of
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
[The following list, containing 130 titles, includes books
received by THE DIAL since its last issue.]
BIOGRAPHY AND MEMOIRS.
Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. By William Milligan Sloane,
Ph.D. Vol. I.; illus, in colors, etc., 4to, gilt top, uncut,
pp. 283. Century Co. $8. (Sold only by subscription,
McDonnell Bros., Chicago.)
Philip Gilbert Hamerton: An Autobiography, 1834-1858,
and a Memoir by his Wife, 1858–1894. With portrait, 8vo,
uncut, pp. 591. Roberts Bros. $3.
Jean François Millet: His Life and Letters. By Julia Cart-
wright (Mrs. Henry Ady). Illus. in photogravure, large
8vo, gilt top, pp. 396. Macmillan Co. $5.
My Reminiscences. By Luigi Arditi. Illus., 8vo, pp. 336.
Dodd, Mead & Co. $3.50.
Chapters from a Life. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. Illus.,
12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 278. Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
$1.50.
A Book of Scoundrels. By Charles Whibley. With fron-
tispiece, 12mo, unout, pp. 283. Macmillan Co. $2.50.
HISTORY.
The History of the Last Quarter-Century in the United
States, 1870-1895. By E. Benjamin Andrews. In two-
vols., illus., large 8vo, gilt tops, uncut. Charles Scribner's
Sons. $6.
The Year after the Armada, and Other Historical Studies.
By Martin A. S. Hume, F.R.H.S. With portraits, 8vo,
gilt top, uncut, pp. 388. Macmillan Co. $3.50.
The Rise and Growth of the English Nation, with Special
Reference to Epochs and Crises : A History of and for the
People. By W. H. S. Aubrey, LL.D. 'In three vols.,
12mo, uncut. D. Appleton & Co. $4.50.
Social England: A Record of the Progress of the People.
By various writers; edited by H. D. Traill, D. C. L.
Vol. V., From the Accession of George I. to Waterloo. 8vo,
uncut, pp. 636. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $3.50.
The Story of the Mine, as Illustrated by the Great Com-
stock Lode of Nevada. By Charles Howard Shinn. Illas.,
12mo, pp. 272. “The Story of the West." D. Appleton
& Co. $1.50.


294
(Nov. 16,
THE DIAL
A Quiet Road. By Lizette Woodworth Reese. 16mo, gilt
top, uncut, pp. 79. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.
From Avalon, and Other Poems. By Emily Huntington
Miller. 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 75. A. C. McClurg &
Co. $1.
Bohemian Legends and Other Poems. By F. P. Kopta.
Second edition ; 12mo, pp. 183. New York: Wm. R. Jen-
king. $1.
Echoes from the Mountain. By C. E. D. Phelps. 16mo,
gilt top, pp. 87. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.
Memories and Impressions. By Frank Putnam. 16mo,
pp. 80. Chicago : The Author.
Europe in the Middle Age. By Oliver J. Thatcher, Ph.D.,
and Ferdinand Schwill, Ph.D. With maps and charts,
12mo, pp. 681. Charles Scribner's Sons. $2. net.
Historical Briefs. By James Schouler. With a Biography:
With portrait, 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 310. Dodd, Mead
& Co. $2.
Harvard Historical Studies. Vol. I., The Suppression of
the African Slave Trade to the United States of America,
1638-1870, by W. E. Burghardt Du Bois, Ph.D., $1.50 net
Vol. II., The Contest over the
Ratification of the Federal
Constitution in the State of Massachusetts, by Samuel
Bannister Harding, A.M., $1.25 net. Each 8vo. Long-
mans, Green, & Co.
An Introduction to the History of the English Church,
from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. By Henry
Offley Wakeman, M.A. 12mo, pp. 505. Macmillan Co. $2.
The Story of Bohemia. By C. Edmund Maurice. Illus.,
12mo, pp. 533. "Story of the Nations." G. P. Putnam's
Sons. $1.50.
A Handbook of Greek Constitutional History. By
A. H. J. Greenidge, M.A. With map, 12mo, pp. 276.
Macmillan Co. $1.25 net.
Kilmainham Memories. By Tighe Hopkins. Second edi-
tion; illus., 12mo, pp. 96. Ward, Lock & Co. Paper, 40c.
GENERAL LITERATURE.
The Letters of Victor Hugo to his Family, to Sainte-Beuve,
and Others. Edited by Paul Meurice. First series; with
portrait, 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 277. Houghton, Mifflin
& Co. $3.
Talks about Autographs. By George Birkbeck Hill.
Illus., 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 191. Houghton, Mifflin &
Co. $3.50.
The Five Great Skeptical Dramas of History. By the
late John Owen. 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 398. G. P. Put-
nam's Sons. $3.
Impressions and Experiences. By W.D. Howells. 12mo,
gilt top, uncut, pp. 281. Harper & Bros. $1.50.
The Spiritual Sense of Dante's Divina Commedia. By
W. T. Harris. 12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 193. Houghton,
Mifflin & Co. $1.25.
Modern French Literature. By Benjamin W. Wells, Ph.D.
12mo, pp. 510. Roberts Bros. $1.50.
Scholar Gipsies. By John Buchan. Illus., 12mo, unout,
"Arcady Library." Macmillan Co. $1.75.
Stories and Legends from Washington Irving. Illus.,
12mo, pp. 312. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.50.
The Writings of Thomas Paine. Collected and edited by
Moncure Daniel Conway. Vol. IV.; Svo, gilt top, uncut,
pp. 521. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $2.50.
Selections from the Early Scottish Poets. Edited by
William Hand Browne. 16mo, pp. 240. Baltimore : Johns
Hopkins Press. $1.25 net.
American Orations. Edited by Alexander Johnston ; re-
edited, with Notes, by James Albert Woodburn. Vol. II.;
12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 433. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.25.
NEW EDITIONS OF STANDARD LITERATURE.
The Compleat Angler. By Izaac Walton; with Introduc-
tion by Andrew Lang; illus. by E. J. Sullivan, 12mo, gilt
top, uncut, pp. 315. Macmillan Co. $2.
The Illustrated English Library. First vols.: The History
of Henry Esmond, by W. M. Thackeray, illus. by Chris.
Hammond ; and Hypatia, by Charles Kingsley, illus. by
Lancelot Speed. Each 12mo, uncut. G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Per vol., $1.
Captain Cook's Voyages Round the World. With Intro-
dactory Life by M. B. Synge. Illus., 8vo, pp. 512. Thomas
Nelson & Sons. $2.
Sartor Resartus. By Thomas Carlyle. With photogravure
portrait, 12mo, uncut, pp. 316. G.P. Putnam's Sons. $1.
“Riverside" Edition of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Works.
New vols.: Uncle Tom's Cabin, with Key, 2 vols.; and
Household Papers and Stories, 1 vol. Each with frontis-
piece and engraved title-page, 12mo, gilt top, uncut.
Houghton, Mimin & Co. Per vol., $1.50.
Under the Greenwood Tree. By Thomas Hardy. Now
edition ; with etched frontispiece, 12mo, pp. 275. Harper
& Bros. $1.50.
POETRY.
Poems. By Johanna Ambrosius; edited by Prof. Karl
Schrattenthal; trans. by Mary J. Safford. Illus., 12mo,
uncut, pp. 247. Roberts Bros. $1.50.
pp. 206.
FICTION.
Sentimental Tommy: The Story of his Boyhood. By J. M.
Barrie. Illus., 12mo, pp. 478. Charles Scribner's Sons.
$1.50.
Taquisara. By F. Marion Crawford. In two vols., 16mo.
Macmillan Co. $2.
The Wizard. By H. Rider Haggard. Illus., 12mo, pp. 293.
Longmans, Green, & Co. $1.25.
Barker's Luck, and Other Stories. By Bret Harte. 16mo,
pp. 265. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.25.
The Heart of Princess Osra. By Anthony Hope. Illus.,
12mo, pp. 301. F. A. Stokes Co. $1.50.
The Wheels of Chance: A Bicycling Idyll. By H. G.
Wells. Illus., 12mo, pp. 321. Macmillan Co. $1.50.
Green Fire: A Romance. By Fiona Macleod. 12mo, pp. 287.
Harper & Bros. $1.25.
Limitations. By E. F. Benson. 12mo, pp. 313. Harper &
Bros. $1.25.
Marm Lisa. By Kate Douglas Wiggin. 16mo, pp. 199.
Houghton, Mimin & Co. $1.
A Child of the Jago. By Arthur Morrison. 12mo, gilt top,
uncut, pp. 397. H. S. Stone & Co. $1.50.
The Country of the Pointed Firs. By Sarah Orne Jewett.
16mo, pp. 213. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.25.
The Final War. By Louis Tracy. Illus., 12mo, pp. 464.
G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.75.
The Unjust Steward; or, The Minister's Debt. By Mrs.
Oliphant. 12mo, pp. 312. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.25.
Behind Manhattan Gables: A Story of New Amsterdam,
1663–1664. By Edward Augustus Rand. Mus., 12mo,
pp. 382. Thomas Whittaker. $1.25.
A Rebellious Heroine. By John Kendrick Bangs. Illus.,
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Master Ardick, Buccaneer. By F. H. Costello. 12mo,
pp. 311. D. Appleton & Co. $1.
In Buncombe County. By Maria Louise Pool. 16mo,
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Ugly Idol: A Development. By Claude Nicholson. 16mo,
pp. 229. “Keynotes Series." Roberts Bros. $1.
Olive Roscoe; or, The New Sister. By E. Everett-Green.
Illus., 12mo, pp. 420. Thomas Nelson & Sons. $1.75.
Dorcas Hobday. By Charles Rokeby. 12mo, pp. 280. Long-
mans, Green, & Co. $1.25.
A Triumph of Destiny. By Julia Helen Twells, Jr. 12mo,
uncut, pp. 281. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.25.
The Intriguers. By John D. Barry. 12mo, pp. 295. D.
Appleton & Co. $1.
By the North Sea; or, The Protector's Grand-daughter. By
Emma Marshall. fllus., 12mo, pp. 303. Thomas Whit-
taker. $1.25.
The Girl at the Dower House; and Afterward. By
Agnes Giberne. Illus., 12mo, pp. 374. Thomas Whittaker.
$1.50.
The Epistolary Flirt: In Four Exposures. By Esmerie
Amory. 16mo, uncut, pp. 100. Way & Williams. $1.
A Tame Surrender: A Story of the Chicago Strike. By
Capt. Charles King, U.S.A. Illus., 18mo, gilt top, uncut,
pp. 277. J. B. Lippincott Co. 75 cts.
“That Romanist.” By Adella R. MacArthur. 12mo, pp. 364.
Arena Pub'g Co. $1.25.
TRAVEL AND DESCRIPTION.
Externals of Modern New York. By Mrs. Burton Harri-
son. Illus., large 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 874. New York:
A. S. Barnes & Co. $3.
The Ruined Cities of Mashonaland. By J. Theodore Bent.
New edition ; illus., 12mo, pp. 427. Longmans, Green, &
Co. $1.25.


1896.]
295
THE DIAL
THEOLOGY AND RELIGION.
God, the Creator and Lord of All. By Samuel Harris,
D.D. In two vols., 8vo. Charles Scribner's Sons. $5. net.
Faith and Social Service: Eight Lectures Delivered before
the Lowell Institute. By George Hodges. 12mo, gilt top,
pp. 270. Thomas Whittaker. $1.25.
The Age of the Great Western_Schism. By Clinton
Locke, D.D. 12mo, pp. 314.. "Ten Epochs of Church
History." New York: Christian Literature Co. $2.
The Principles of Ecclesiastical Unity: Four Lectures.
By Arthur James Mason, D.D. 16mo, uncut, pp. 142.
Longmans, Green, & Co. '$1.
The Search-Light of St. Hippolytus. By Parke P. Flour-
noy; with Introduction by Prof. Walter W. Moore, D.D.
12mo, pp. 250. F. H. Revell Co. $1.
A Narrow Ax in Biblical Criticism. By Rev. Charles Cav.
erno, A.M. 12mo, pp. 300. Chicago: C.H. Kerr & Co. $1.
Bible Selections for Daily Devotion. Selected and ar-
ranged by Sylvanus Stall, D.D. Authorized version ;
12mo, pp. 686. Funk & Wagnalls Co. $1.
SCIENCE AND NATURE.
A Popular Handbook of the Ornithology of Eastern
North America. By Thomas Nuttall; revised and anno-
tated by Montague Chamberlain. Second edition, with
corrections and additions ; in two vols., illus. in color, etc.,
8vo, gilt tops. Little, Brown, & Co. $7.50 net.
An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Can-
ada, and the British Possessions. By Nathaniel Lord
Britton, Ph.D., and Hon. Addison Brown. In three vols.;
Vol. I., Ophioglossaceae to Aizoaceae (Ferns to Carpet-
Weed); illus., 4to, pp. 610. Chas. Scribner's Sons. $3. net.
Alterations of Personality. By Alfred Binet; trans. by
Helen Green Baldwin; with Notes and Preface by J. Mark
Baldwin. 12mo, pp. 356. D. Appleton & Co. $1.50.
The Evolution of the Art of Music. By C. H. H. Parry.
12mo, pp. 352. “International Scientific Series." D. Apple-
ton & Co. $1.75.
A-Birding on a Bronco. By Florence A. Merriam. Illus.,
16mo, pp. 267. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.25.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
The Animal Story Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Illus.,
12mo, gilt edges, pp. 400. Longmans, Green, & Co. $2.
Tommy-Anne and the Three Hearts. By Mabel Osgood
Wright. Illus., 12mo, pp. 322. Macmillan Co. $1.50.
The Court of King Arthur: Stories from the Land of the
Round Table. By William Henry Frost. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 302. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.50.
Malvern: A Neighborhood Story. By Ellen Douglas De-
land. Ilus., 12mo, pp. 341. Boston: W. A. Wilde & Co.
$1.50.
The Land of the Kangaroo. By Thomas W. Knox. Illus.,
12mo, pp. 318. Boston: W. A. Wilde & Co. $1.50.
Historical Tales: The Romance of Reality. By Charles
Morris. In two vols., Roman and Greek; illus., 12mo, gilt
tops. J. B. Lippincott Co. Per vol., $1.25.
The Black Tor:
A Tale of the Reign of James I. By George
Manville Fenn. Illus., 12mo, pp. 328. J. B. Lippincott
Co. $1.50.
Seraph, the Little Violinist. By Mrs. C. V. Jamison.
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The Long Walls: An American Boy's Adventures in Greece.
By Elbridge S. Brooks and John Alden. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 328. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.50.
A Cape May Diamond. By Evelyn Raymond. Illus., 12mo,
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Three Young Continentals: A Story of the American Rov-
olution. By Everett T. Tomlinson. Illus., 12mo, pp. 364.
Boston: W. A. Wilde & Co. $1.50.
Pierrette. By Marguerite Bouvet. Illus., 12mo, pp. 203.
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Jerry the Blunderer: A Fable for Children. By Lily F.
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The Young Voyageurs; or, The Boy Hunters in the North.
By Captain Mayne Reid. "Nimrod” edition ; illus.,
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Above the Range: A Story for Girls. By Theodora R.
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Not Without Honor: The Story of An Odd Boy. By Will-
iam D. Moffat. Illus., 12mo, pp. 261. Philadelphia :
Arnold & Co. $1.25.
The Rosebud Club. By Grace Le Baron. Illus., 16mo,
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Studies in Historical Method. By Mary Sheldon Barnes.
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Goethe's Dichtung und Wahrheit. Edited by H. C. G.
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296
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THE DIAL
A Semi-Monthly Journal of Literary Criticism, Discussion, and Information.
THB DIAL (founded in 1880) is published on the 1st and 16th of
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THE DIAL, 315 Wabash Ave., Chicago.
No. 249.
NOVEMBER 1, 1896.
Vol. XXI.
.
.
.
.
.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
THE WORLD'S MEMORY.
241
IS THERE AN AMERICAN LITERATURE? Fred
Louis Pattee.
243
COMMUNICATIONS
245
A World-Anthology of Poetry. W. P. Trent.
The Comparative Study of Lyrics. Richard Burton.
The Unity of Literature. Brander Matthews.
LETTERS OF VICTOR HUGO. E. G. J.
247
NINETEENTH CENTURY PAINTING. John C.
Van Dyke
248
STUDIES IN EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY.
Francis W. Shepardson.
251
Brown's Beneath Old Roof Trees.- Mrs. Ward's Old
Colony Days.-Mrs. Earle's Colonial Days in Old New
York.- Byington's The Puritan in England and New
England.- Coffin's The Province of Quebec and the
American Revolution.
THE INTELLECTUAL METHOD IN PSYCHOL-
OGY. H. M. Stanley
254
THE ESSAYS OF MRS. MEYNELL. E. E. Hale, Jr. 255
DIVERSE ASPECTS OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
C. R. Henderson
256
Fairbanks's Introduction to Sociology.- Mallock's
Classes and Masses. — Richardson's King Mammon.
- Galton's Workers and their Industries. — Marx's
Revolution and Counter Revolution.-- Ingle's South-
ern Sidelights. - Hoffman's Race Traits and Ten-
dencies of the American Negro. - Abbott's Chris-
tianity and Social Problems.- American Conference
on International Arbitration.- Chetwood's Immigra-
tion Fallacies.
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS
258
The story of the American mine and miner. - The
interpretation of literature.- An unwelcome transla-
tion. The modern mood.- Haec fabula non docet.
- Christ in the poets.- Pleasant talks about birds.-
The quest for human progress.
BRIEFER MENTION .
261
WILLIAM MORRIS (Sonnet). Emily Huntington
Miller
262
THE SILENT SINGER (Sonnet). William S. Lord 262
LITERARY NOTES
262
TOPICS IN LEADING PERIODICALS
263
LIST OF NEW BOOKS
263
THE WORLD'S MEMORY.
“ The world's memory must be kept alive, or
we shall never see an end of its old mistakes.
We are in danger to lose our identity and be-
come infantile in every generation. That is
the real menace under which we cower every-
where in this age of change.” These words,
pregnant with vital meaning, and deep in their
import to our civilization, were spoken the other
day at Princeton by Professor Woodrow Wil-
son, the orator of the Sesquicentennial Cele-
bration. Nor were they an incidental feature
of the eloquent and masterly oration in which
they occurred; they were rather of its very
texture, and embodied the quintessence of its
thought. Political philosophers who have
espoused the cause of modern democracy, and
who have, with alternating hopes and fears,
watched its triumphant onward march, - who
have thrilled with its beginnings among sturdy
Helvetians and determined Netherlanders, who
have studied it as a peaceful development in
England and as a volcanic outburst in France,
who have seen it wrest constitution after con.
stitution from European monarchs, and who
have witnessed its subjugation of the great
New World, have always been insistent upon
its dangers, and particularly upon the danger
of its tendency, everywhere manifest, to disre-
gard the teachings of history, and to reject the
experience of the past — merely because it is
the past — as a guide to the future. It was,
then, peculiarly fitting that a note of warning
upon this subject should have been made the
keynote of Professor Wilson's address, pre-
pared, as that address was, to commemorate the
sesquicentennial anniversary of a famous insti.
tution of learning, and to emphasize the func-
tion to be performed for our civilization by all
such institutions, if they are to prove them-
selves worthy of their trust.
No society can safely break with the past
save by a gradual process that is content to sift
the teachings of experience, and reject only
what has proved itself prejudicial to human
progress. Those who do not sympathize with
the past, and would have us once for all freed
from its trammels, are precisely those who do
not understand the past, and are persuaded
that the essentials of social organization, like
.
.
.
.


242
[Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
age to
its trappings, are matters of fashion, varying quarter-century. Popular rashness and ex-
from
age.
But the student of history cess” have been visible everywhere in the coun-
who has seen beneath externals, and who has sels of our leaders and the acts of our public
caught anything of the spirit of the human officers. In our legislation upon some of the
epic, knows that it is foolish to judge institu most important subjects of public concern we
tions and beliefs and social ideals by absolute have run the whole gamut of folly, delusion,
standards, knows that all these things are pro and fatuous ignorance of the operations of nat-
ducts of an evolutionary process whereby every ural law. We have set at defiance the best-
people in every century has been fitted with established principles of political and economic
what it has most needed in its own particular thought, and have learned our lesson so ill that
stage of culture.
That for our own uses we no sooner have we recovered in part from one
reject such devices as monarchy and Moham disaster than we have rushed blindly upon an-
medanism and the mediæval guilds, does not other. Instead of keeping alive the world's
justify us in assuming that they have worked memory, we do not succeed in keeping alive
harm in their own time and place. Rather do our memory as individuals. The shallowness
we see in the fact of their existence and long- and ignorance, if not the criminal culpability,
continued potency their ample justification. of some political leader may be to-day so ex-
And if we find our own national inheritance to posed as to put him clearly to shame in the
include certain elements that to the clear eyes of the world ; yet five years later we may
sighted among us seem irrational, impeding the find him again a man of position and influence,
steps of progress, we should take long and trusted by those whom he has betrayed, his sup-
prayerful counsel before seeking to sweep them port sought after by thousands who have either
away, restraining our impatience by the reflec- forgotten his past, or are guileless enough to
tion that whatever is deeply rooted in the expe-
believe that the leopard can change his spots.
rience of past generations must have subserved If we are to look anywhere for the healing of
some useful purpose, and that the possibilities our diseased memory, whether individual or
of its usefulness may not yet be exhausted. national, it must surely be to those institutions
The universities clearly have no task more in which the truth, undimmed by prejudice or
important than that of drawing our attention to passion, the truth of yesterday as well as
the past, and of encouraging us in a sympathetic of to-day, - is sought after by earnest stu-
understanding and comprehension of the past. dents, under the guidance of men who have
Professor Wilson stated one of the deepest of devoted their lives to seeking out the causes of
truths when he spoke in the following language: things.
“ Unschooled men have only their habits to remind Such a home for seekers after truth, such an
them of the past, only their desires and their instinctive altar for keeping the world's memory” aglow,
judgments of what is to guide them into the future; the
is pictured in the closing passage of Professor
college should serve the state as its organ of recollec-
tion, its seat of vital memory. It should give the coun-
Wilson's oration, a passage so noble and so
try men who know the probabilities of failure and beautiful that it must not suffer the violence of
success, who can separate the tendencies which are per dismemberment.
manent from the tendencies which are of the moment
“I have had sight of the perfect place of learning in
merely, who can distinguish promises from threats,
my thought; a free place, and a various, where no man
knowing the life men have lived, the hopes they have could be and not know with how great a destiny knowl-
tested, and the principles they have proved."
edge had come into the world-itself a little world; but
In the same spirit of wise patriotism, the Presi not perplexed, living with a singleness of aim not known
dent of the United States, on the following day,
without; the home of sagacious men, hard-headed, and
added the testimony of the statesman to that
with a will to know, debaters of the world's questions
every day and used to the rough ways of democracy;
of the scholar.
and yet a place removed — calm Science seated there,
“ In a nation like ours, charged with the care of nu recluse, ascetic, like a nun, not knowing that the world
merous and widely varied interests, a spirit of consery passes, not caring if the truth but come in answer to
atism and toleration is absolutely essential. A collegiate her prayer; and Literature, walking within her open
training, the study of principles unvexed by distracting doors in quiet chambers with men of olden time, storied
and misleading influences, and a correct apprehension walls about her and calm voices infinitely sweet; here
of the theories upon which our republic is established, magic casements opening on the foam of perilous seas
ought to constitute the college graduate a constant mon in fairy lands forlorn,' to which you may withdraw and
itor, warning against popular rashness and excess. use your youth for pleasure; there windows open straight
How greatly we need as a nation to take to
upon the street where many stand and talk intent upon
the world of men and business. A place where ideals
heart such doctrine is this, is only too clearly
are kept in heart in an air they can breathe, but no fools'
proved by the political record of the past paradise. A place where to hear the truth about the
--


1896.]
243
THE DIAL
past and hold debate upon the affairs of the present, points to the fact that in the opinion of very many
with knowledge and without passion; like the world in thoughtful mon the time has come to study Amer-
having all men's life at heart, a place for men and all
ican literature, apart from the English product, as
that concerns them; but unlike the world in its self-
if it were a distinct entity.
possession, its thorough way of talk, its care to know
This increasing interest in native writings has
more than the moment brings to light; slow to take ex-
citement, its air pure and wholesome with a breath of again brought into prominence an old question, one
faith; every eye within it bright in the clear day and
that has been discussed at intervals ever since
quick to look towards heaven for the confirmation of Channing opened the debate in 1823: Have we an
its hope.”
independent American Literature ? Every volume
We may fitly supplement this passage, and at
thus far published upon our native literary products,
including works by such authorities as Whipple,
the same time bring these observations to a
close, by an extract from Dr. Henry Van Dyke's Hawthorne, Brander Matthews, and Eugene Law-
Underwood, Stedman, Tyler, Richardson, Julian
Princeton ode, an effort no less worthy of the
rence, and even foreign critics like Professor Nichol
occasion than was Professor Wilson's address :
of England, Professor Scherr of Germany, and
“God made the light, and all the light is good. others, has borne the title “ American Literature,”
There is no war between the old and new;
and has dealt upon the evolution of the literature,
The conflict lies between the false and true.
The stars, that high in heaven their courses run,
its feeble beginnings, its infancy and youth, its first
In glory differ, but their light is one.
traces of individuality, its gradual attainment of
The beacons, gleaming o'er the sea of life,
strength and its full maturity, thus in a way ac-
Are rivals but in radiance, not in strife.”
knowledging it as a distinct growth.
It was as a protest against one of the more recent
of these books that the Professor of English Litera-
ture in one of our leading universities remarked not
IS THERE AN AMERICAN
long since, “I wish we might find some writer and
LITERATURE?
publisher with the courage to entitle such a book
At the present time there is in our public schools
A History of English Literature in America,'-
and colleges an unmistakable movement toward the
the only expression for the thing which is not abso-
systematic study of the American writers. This
lutely false and misleading.” A leading American
movement is not confined, however, to the schools.
review but yesterday, speaking of "what is called
With the passing of that most remarkable group of
American literature,” gave forth this dictum :
writers of whom Irving, Bryant, Emerson, Haw-
• Properly speaking there is no such thing, unless the
thorne, Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, and Motley pictorial scratchings of aborigines on stones and birch
were the central figures, there has come an unpre-
bark are to be classed as literary productions. Every
piece of literary work done in the English language by
cedented interest in the lives and works of these
a man or woman born to the use of it is a part of that
men. No one can have failed to notice how numer-
noble whole which we call English literature, whether
ous of late have become the works dealing with the author lives in Great Britain, the United States of
these authors and their writings. Biographies of America, the Dominion of Canada, Australia, New Zea-
American men of letters have been, during the past land, or South Africa. . . . Just so long as writers in
decade, among the most successful of American the United States continue to express themselves in the
books. Since 1878, when Professor Richardson
language of Tennyson and Wordsworth, so long will
published his “ Primer of American Literature,” no
their works belong to the same magnificent literature."
less than twenty volumes, some of them by such It cannot but be admitted that these champions
eminent and scholarly critics as Underwood, Sted of “ English literature in America ” have some very
man, Tyler, and Beers, have dealt with the history good grounds upon which to base their arguments.
of our prose and verse. The text-book dealing The history of literary Europe does not furnish a
exclusively with American literary development has single precedent against them. In every case the
but recently appeared, and although it is one of the language in which a literary production is written
very latest novelties among educational apparatus, determines at once its place. An ode in the Greek
it has found a permanent and important place in language is now regarded as a part of Greek litera-
the schools. A short appendix to the English Lit ture, whether written by an Athenian beneath the
erature no longer satisfies our teachers, and the Acropolis or by an alien in Syracuse or Alexandria.
demand for a separate book has become so fully Roman literature, excepting perhaps such works as
recognized that within the past year no less than Bacon's " Novum Organum," comprises all writings
seven text-books on this subject have been either in Latin, whether they were made by the Tiber, the
published or announced by leading houses. The Thames, or the Euphrates. Two thousand years
movement has spread even into the primary and from now will not all writings in the English lan-
intermediate school grades, where the old readers guage be regarded as English literature, no matter
have been replaced almost wholly by entire Amer what the geographical place of their production?
ican classics published for the purpose in conven Again, it must be remembered that a perfect litera-
iently handled and inexpensive editions. All this ture is an evolution. Beginning with the rude war-


244
(Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
songs of a savage tribe, its growth is constantly up and undreamed-of situation. Then came the recon-
wards through every stage of that people's progress struction period, which called for almost superhuman
toward civilization, until at length it reaches its wisdom. The early years of the new government,
flower of perfection. It stands complete as the his with their test cases, their doubt and uncertainty ;
tory of a nation's intellectual and spiritual life. It the opening of the vast areas beyond the Alle-
has been affected by a thousand elements,— race ghanios, with their almost interminable forests and
peculiarities, physical and spiritual environments, prairies, with their swarming fauna and strange
contact with neighboring tribes, great moral and flora. The new Colonial era that turned as if by
civil crises, peculiar personalities. It is the essence magic these wilds into a garden — the granary of
of ten thousand lives; it is the nation itself far more the world; the great wave of foreign immigration
than are the few thousands of breathing beings who that poured upon us with increasing force; the
make up its census. In the light of these argu-
thousands of unforeseen problems attendant upon
ments, then, how can there be an independent lit- rapidly expanding territory and growing popula-
erature in America,— a region settled by highly cul tion; the gold fever of '49, with its headlong exo-
tured Englishmen less than three centuries ago, a dus over the plains and across the Rockies ; the
region using the English language in its purity and world-revolutionizing inventions of the cotton gin
having institutions which fundamentally are true to and the steamboat; the rapid spread of railways;
those of the mother land ?
the conflict with slavery, which at length burst into
There is no one, I think, who will not admit that one of the most disastrous civil wars of modern
the case of two independent literatures written in times,— all this was crowded into one century. They
the same language is a wholly unprecedented one; were unprecedented conditions, and they have left
but it is no argument that because a thing is unpre deep marks in our national character. We have
cedented it is therefore impossible. The discovery been called upon to solve physical and mental and
of America was an unprecedented event. It was a moral problems on a vast scale; we have started
most marvellous and world-revolutionizing event. movements that have become world-wide; we have
There are men, even among those whose ancestors developed an American spirit that makes us vastly
for generations have been natives of the new soil, different from any other people. This spirit has
who have not ceased to wonder about it, who insist been as distinctly an evolution as has been the En-
upon measuring it only by old world standards, on glish spirit. It has grown with great rapidity, but
treating it as if it were merely a vast addition to the the growth has been a natural and a healthy one.
area of Europe. America in the first centuries after It has passed through every stage of development.
its discovery was almost literally a new world. Man Has not Chicago, for example, passed through every
never went to live in an environment more strange stage of a city's life, and has it not to-day as dis-
to him. Every element save that of race tended to tinct a personality and as substantial a promise for
separate the minds of the settlers from those of their the future as has Paris or London? Yet Chicago
kindred in the motherland. There was something sixty years ago was a marsh on the remote frontier.
in the air of the new continent, in its vastness and Americans are recognized at sight the world over.
freedom, in its unlimited wealth and unprecedented To speak of a Yankee as an Englishman in America
opportunities, that tended to put a new spirit into would be to invite ridicule. He is redolent of the
its sons,— to breed a new race with a new outlook American soil ; Americanism -the spirit of the new
and new ideals. Three hundred years of this environ world — breathes from every pore. Let him in the
ment have produced a peculiar people, with a dis person of a Whittier write a “Snow Bound,” or in
tinct and strongly marked individuality, living under the person of a Lowell write "The Biglow Papers,"
an unprecedented form of government.
can these in fairness be called British literature?
The element of epoch has had its share in the That the American literature is written in the
problem. The past century has been an unprece- English language is, in the minds of many, an insu-
dented one, and nowhere more so than in America. perable argument against its independence. But
It has been a century of quick growths, of broad this in reality is the least of all the arguments. Lit-
and enduring foundations laid with unheard - of erature springs from the soul ; it is the embodiment
rapidity. It would bave been madness a century of hopes and fears, of moods gay or melancholy, of
ago to have prophesied even a fraction of the won experience, of sensation, of conjecture, and the lan-
ders which were to take place on our soil. The guage is only the lifeless medium of communication.
history of the development of Western America Do Homer into any language, and he is still Greek.
reads like a page from “The Arabian Nights." | No translation can take the French out of Hugo or
What an era of bustle and stir! Where else in all the Russian out of Tolstoi. It has been safe to
history can you find similar conditions? When have define a literature as all the writings in a given lan-
men been thrown more fully upon their own re guage. So firmly fixed is this idea that a recent
sources? The Revolution, that furnace that tried critic of Roger Bacon, who wrote in the thirteenth
the metal of our character to its utmost limit, was century, declares that his writings, being all in
our heroic period. The mad struggle in the forests Latin, do not belong to English literature." To
of a new world was at length over; the colonists what literature, then, do they belong? This habit
found themselves face to face with a bewildering of classifying literature according to the medium


1896.]
245
THE DIAL
through which it has passed has come from the fact that have burst hot from the American heart, and
that in the history of the old world there have been that profoundly thrill every American, which yet
no two nations with distinct governments and per mean nothing to an Englishman save as he trans-
sonalities using the same language. It remained lates into them his own emotions of fatherland. Are
for the new world to break this precedent.
these hymns not our own! Is it not foolishness to
There was a time when a few tribes from the speak of such songs as the “ Concord Hymn,” “ The
shores of the North Sea could cross a narrow chan- Star Spangled Banner,” “My Country 't is of Thee,”
nel to a small island and there become a distinct and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" as En-
nation. There was no radical change of environ. glish songs in America ? Did we not evolve them
ment; they did not change their fundamental views from as profound and tragic an experience as did
of life and their great fundamental institutions. England her “ Rule Britannia”?
But this change of habitat took place during It seems to me that it may be laid down almost
a barbaric age, one that repelled friendly contact as an axiom that when a distinct nation has acquired
with neighbors. They drifted, like all provincial a distinct personality and has produced writers and
peoples, away from their original tongue, until it in writings sui generis, reflecting the soil, the spirit,
time became a dialect and finally a language. The the individuality of that people, then that nation
settlers of America did not cross a mere channel, has a distinct literature, no matter what may be the
but a then almost inconceivable expanse of ocean; language in which it is written. American literature
and had the schism taken place in earlier times, is proud of its origin. It passed its infancy and
their language, even after three centuries, would childhood in the land of Chaucer. The first chap-
have become a dialect almost unintelligible in its ters of its life-history are the same as those in the
native land. But the civilization of the present day, history of English literature. But in its early man-
with its thousand points of contact and its constant hood it migrated to a new world. Its character was
interchange of books and ideas, does not allow pro evolved during centuries amid unprecedented sur-
vincial growths. The confusion of tongues is a phe- roundings. It stands to-day united to England by
nomenon of barbarous ages. There will be few only one of the four great elements that determine
new languages in the future. The civilization of the character of a literature - tbat of race; and
the past three centuries has been drawing the na even this tie is a weak one, since the average Amer-
tions together, making them into a vast neighbor- ican citizen can boast but a small fraction of En-
hood, until even the idea of a universal language glish blood.
has been gravely discussed. It was impossible for But following this argument, it is asked, Why not
the Americans to grow into a new language, even a Mexican, a Brazilian, a Peruvian literature?
though they changed their form of government, Why not, indeed? It is a mere matter of time.
their spirit, their outlook on life; it was equally There may sometime be twenty literatures in the
impossible for the Saxons, even though they changed Spanish language. The poet of the Amazon and
but little their environment and institutions, to avoid the Orinoco, the singer of sweet songs of the Cor-
the growth of a new tongue.
dilleras and the Pampas, the martial lyrist who fires
Can we never achieve our literary independence? the patriotism of the Andean republics,- are they
Must we go down through the ages forever tied intel- making Spanish literature? It is inevitable that
lectually to the apron-strings of our mother? The the people of the American republics shall grow
idea is absurd. It is certain, unless civilization be constantly away from their European parents, in
obscured by other Dark Ages, that we shall never spirit, in individuality, in everything. The new soil,
drift away from England in our language, but we the new skies, the new environment, the new epoch
are constantly drifting from her in everything else. with its new problems, all can have but one result.
We are doing our own thinking, solving our own The time must come when the line is to be drawn
problems in our own way, and we have been doing between literatures of the old and the new. It is a
so for a century. It was in 1820 that Sidney Smith mere matter of when. But with the United States
demanded of a British public, “Who reads an of America there should be now no question.
American book?” In the mean time we have pro-
FRED LEWIS PATTEE.
duced an Emerson, a Poe, a Cooper, a Hawthorne,
a Whittier, a Lowell, a Whitman, — there is no end
to the list. The writings of these men have been
COMMUNICATIONS.
no feeble imitation of European models. They have
been strong and intensely original ; they have over-
A WORLD-ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY.
flowed with the spirit of a new world; they have
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
been colored by its soil and permeated with Amer-
On reading Mr. F. L. Thompson's communication on
icanism, until to attempt to remove this native ele-
a proposed “World-Anthology of Lyric Poetry,” in your
last issue, I must at least express my hearty wish to see
ment would be to destroy the fabric. Men like
the work speedily undertaken on some of the lines laid
Cooper and Whitman and Mark Twain would have
down. The value to the student of the comparative
been impossible on any other soil.
method of literary study can hardly be overestimated,
Then for more than a century we have been mak and this method, as I understand, is the basis of Mr.
ing our national songs. There are hundreds of lyrics Thompson's suggestion. There will be great difficulty,


246
(Nov. 1
THE DIAL
of course, in making the work proposed a worthy com Tibullus and in connection with the contemporary latinize
panion of Mr. Palgrave's in point of taste, for in all ing of English poetry in point of form. And this leads
these years, and with all our anthologies, we have had me to say that in addition to Mr. Thompson's anthology,
only one Mr. Palgrave. I do not know of any foreign we want a new edition of Chalmers, if not a cheap corpus
anthologists of his calibre; yet if such exist we shall still of English drama and poetry on an even greater scale
want a coördinating Palgrave to put the whole together.
than the notable Autores Españoles. W. P. TRENT.
Perhaps, however, we shall do wrong if we demand ab-
Sewanee, Tenn., Oct. 21, 1896.
solute genius in the matter. Honest talents and sure
scholarship ought, it would seem, to give us a working
THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LYRICS.
basis and to ensure us a volume or volumes that would
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
fairly serve the purposes Mr. Thompson has in view.
How to procure the needed coöperation will, of course,
That is a stimulating idea put forth by Mr. Thomp-
be the most difficult question confronting us; and per-
son in your issue for October 16. A “World-Anthology
haps the most practical solution at present might be
of Lyric Poetry,” prepared adequately, would win the
the endeavor to get the Messrs. Macmillan to have their
gratitude of all lovers of verse. Indeed, the comparative
French and German anthologies in the “Golden Treas-
study of the particular forms of poetry, Lor of the partic-
ury " series revised, and to add to them similar volumes
ular divisions of literature - belongs to those higher
covering the other great literatures. After such a series
ranges of literary investigation sure to come in the future.
of volumes had run the gauntlet of criticism and been
Criticism of ways and means is inevitable. The ques-
subjected to revision, the work of coördination might be
tion of selection makes trouble at once: I find myself
begun; and whether it were successful or not, we should
very dubious about two at least of the authors in Mr.
at least have a number of anthologies that would be very
Thompson's list-by-way-of-suggestion. There is danger,
helpful to the student of poetry.
too, in giving up the chronological arrangement, which
With regard now to the lines on which the final work
is valuable in emphasizing organic development, and, on
should be conducted, I must confess that I should not
the side of language, bas its advantages as well in indi-
envy the editor's task, unless he stuck quite close to the
cating linguistic growth. Then—for a practical consid.
normal categories, comparing sonnets with sonnets, odes
eration—such a work would be very expensive, and pub-
with odes, elegies with elegies. An anthology based on
lishers would be shy of a volume which, because of its
such a conception of lyric poetry as Mr. Thompson sug-
polyglot character, would appeal to the few. But that
gests, would be helpful also, but more I think to the
is no objection to the idea as such, which I should be
general reader than to the student, who can never, in
only too happy to see carried out. Certainly the field
is clear for such a work.
my opinion, long let go the idea of form without serious
RICHARD BURTON.
loss to his work. This leads me to remark that unless
Hartford, Conn., Oct. 19, 1896.
Mr. Thompson himself acts on his own interesting sug-
gestion, or induces others to do so, in the near future,
THE UNITY OF LITERATURE.
we shall in all probability find that some such work as
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
he describes will grow naturally out of the study of the The proposed “World-Anthology of Lyric Poetry,"
categories of poetry that is even now taking the place outlined by a correspondent in your last issue, would be
of the wider and less systematic study practised in the very interesting reading in itself, and as instructive as
past. Critics are beginning to see that a study of the it would be interesting. I should welcome it for its own
evolution of genres is forced upon us by the application sake, and also as a testimony in favor of a truth we
of the scientific, comparative method to literature. Men are ready academically to acknowledge, most of us, I
are studying the ode as it bas manifested itself in the fancy, although few of us are yet prepared to apply it
different literatures, or the elegy, or the sonnet. Such unfailingly. This truth is that literature has a unity of
students will sooner or later give us comparative anthol its own; that all literatures are really one in principle,
ogies on narrower lines than those suggested by Mr. however diverse their dialects may be; that the drama,
Thompson, but I should think that a larger anthology for example, despite its external modifications, is essen-
would grow out of them.
tially the same throughout the ages, from Sophocles to
In conclusion, I must call attention to the fact that Ibsen, from Menander to Augier, from Plautus to Mr.
while the student as well as the general reader would Harrigan; that the orator achieves to-day the same end
be greatly aided by a World-Anthology, such a book as he aimed at two thousand years ago and under the
could never relieve the conscientious critic from much same laws; and that the lyric has flowered alike in the
of his present drudgery. The critic must know the bad East and the West, in old Greece and in new America,
as well as the good, before he can feel that he has fairly whenever the heart of man was lifted up with joy or
mastered the evolution of any category of literature. I bowed down by sorrow.
think I speak advisedly in this matter, for I have been The proposed Anthology would be an object-lesson to
for some years investigating the evolution of the elegy, all who have not yet grasped this underlying principle
and I am sure that I have rarely failed to learn some of comparative literature.
BRANDER MATTHEWS.
thing even from the most worthless specimens of it that
I bave examined. I will not say that my æsthetic sense
Columbia University, October 21, 1896.
was profited by the broadside epicedions or the academic
elegiacs that I have passed over in the British Museum, The long-expected autobiography of Philip Gilbert
but I will say that I have a far more correct knowledge Hamerton, with a memoir by his wife, is to be published
of the evolution of the English elegy than I should have early this month by Messrs. Roberts. All friends and
had if I had confined my attention to a study of the mas admirers of Hamerton should note that Messrs. Rob-
terpieces like “ Lycidas” and “ Adonaïs." The love erts's editions of his works are the only ones in Amer-
elegies of Hammond are not interesting in themselves, ica issued with his sanction and on which his family re-
but they are interesting in their relations with those of ceives copyright.


1896.)
247
THE DIAL
The New Books.
Some of Hugo's early ideas of poetic struc-
ture are given in a characteristic letter to M.
Louis Pavie, father of Victor Pavie, written in
LETTERS OF VICTOR HUGO.*
1827 (Hugo was born in 1802).
The first instalment of M. Paul Meurice's “... Tell your young eaglet, dear sir, your Victor,
edition of Victor Hugo's Letters justifies the
that there is another Victor who would envy him — if
envy could coexist with affection
his fine poem on
expectation that the work would prove one of David, le Juif, la Mer, and le Lac, an ingenious and
the most important issues of the current pub. | inspired composition, and above all, his charming elegy
lishing season. Hugo is shown to have been a of l’Enfant. . . . If my five-and-twenty years (for I
frank — sometimes, as in his remarkable letters am near that) gave me some right of advising his eigh-
to Sainte-Beuve, an effusively frank — corre-
teen, I should advise him to be more strict about the
richness of the rhyme, the only charm of our poetry,
spondent; and of this trait the world (always and, above all, to strive to confine his thoughts as much
eagerly, and perhaps on the whole honorably as possible within the limits of the regular strophe. He
and profitably, curious as to the essential and can change the rhythm as often as he likes in the same
ode, but there should always be an internal regularity
spiritual arcana of its great men) now receives
the benefit. We do not mean to imply that in
in the arrangement of the metre. This is the way, in
my view, to express an idea more forcibly, to give a
these opening letters, written in youth and in more ample harmony to the style and more value to the
the golden prime of an active and ambitious whole of the composition. I do not, however, lay down
manhood, the reader will find Hugo reflecting
this as a rule or law, but merely give it for what it is
on the deeper questions of existence, or endeav- lyric poetry. In his case, thought only needs to develop
worth, as the result of reflections on the genius of our
oring to frame some passably rational and con-
freely. I give some advice to the artist, but I submit
solatory solution thereof. To the sound and it for the approval of the poet. ..."
well-digesting reasoning animal, such concerns
A letter of January 5, 1830, to the Minister
and speculations come later in life, or when one,
of the Interior, written just before the initial
as the Germans expressively phrase it, sein performance of “Hernani” at the Comédie
Leben hinter sich hat; and the letters before Française, illustrates the bitterness of the great
us cover the period during which the writer literary feud of the day. Hugo had written the
emphatically had life before him — the period, drama and submitted it to the government cen-
that is to say, between 1815, when he was
sors.
Thereafter he says:
under his tutor at Paris, and 1845, when his
“ . . This, however, is what has happened since
earlier laurels as poet, dramatist, novelist, and Hernani has been submitted to the censors. Some verses
Academician were still fresh upon him.
of the drama, partly travestied, or wholly turned into
The letters in this volume are arranged in ridicule, a few quoted correctly, but ingeniously dove-
five groups, according to their recipients; and
tailed with spurious ones, bits of scenes, in fact, more or
less skilfully disfigured and outrageously parodied, have
within each group the arrangement is chrono-
been put into circulation. Portions of the work dressed
logical. The first group consists of " Letters up in this way have received the semi-publicity which
to his Father and Mother"- mainly to the writers and theatres' so justly dread. The authors of
former ; the second, of letters “To Adèle Hugo hide themselves; they have done it in broad daylight,
these underhand tricks have hardly taken the trouble to
[his wife] and Others"; the third, of letters
and have simply selected the newspapers as the medium
- To Various Persons,” including De Vigny, of their discreet confidences. They have gone further.
the Abbé De Lamennais, Lamartine, Baron Not content with prostituting the piece to their papers,
Eckstein, M. Villars, Victor Pavie, Baron Tay they are now engaged in prostituting it to their salons.
lor, Charles Nodier, Paul Lacroix, Armand
“ There are only two copies of Hernani in existence
besides the one in my house. One has been lodged at
Carrel, M. Thiers, and others; the fourth, of a
the theatre; that is the one used every day for rehearsals.
series of forty-nine letters “To Charles Au-
As soon as the rehearsal is over the manuscript is put
gustin Sainte-Beuve”; the fifth, of letters " To under lock and key. The other manuscript is in the
his Children.” In an Appendix are thirteen let censor's office. Now pirated copies are being circulated.
ters to the Secretary of the Académie Des Jeux
Where can they come from ? I ask once more. From
the theatre, whose hopes they would blight, whose inter-
Floraux (1819–1823); together with seven
ests they would ruin, where the greatest caution is ob-
“Additional Letters” to various persons. The served, where the thing is an impossibility,- or from
following extracts from the letters, taken some the censors ? The censorship has one manuscript at its
what at random, will serve better than descrip- disposal, with which it can do what it likes. The cen-
tion to indicate their general tenor and quality. sorship is my literary and political enemy. It has the
privilege of being dishonest and disloyal. I impeach
*THE LETTERS OF VICTOR HUGO to his Family, to Sainte the censorship."
Beuve, and Others. Edited by Paul Meurice. First series.
With portrait. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
The following month Hugo writes triumph-


248
[Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
antly to Paul Lacroix, on returning from the we must not let our flag be smeared with red by these
second performance of “Hernani.”
blackguards. For instance, a Frédéric Soulie, who a
“ Thank you a thousand times, my dear, good friend.
year ago was devoted to M. d'Argout's dramatic quasi-
censorship, must not be allowed to bawl out in the mid-
I see your kind heart in all you do for me. I wish you
had been at the theatre to-night. You would have
dle of a café that he is going to make bullets. A Fon-
laughed. The classic cabal wanted to bite, and did bite,
tan must not be permitted to announce in a pot-house
that by the end of the month four splendid guillotines
but thanks to our friends it broke its teeth. The third
will be permanently set up in the four principal squares
act got some rough treatment, which it will receive for
some time to come, but the fourth act silenced opposi-
of Paris. People of this kind throw back the political
ideas which, but for them, would make progress. They
tion, and the fifth went admirably, better even than the
first time. Mlle. Mars surpassed herself. She was
frighten the honest tradesman, who is made savage by
recalled, cheered, and overwhelmed with applause. She
reaction. They make a bugbear of the Republic. Ninety-
three is not much of a bait. We ought to talk a little
was enchanted.
“I think we are all right now.
less of Robespierre and a little more of Washington ..."
The receipts of the
two first nights amounted to nine thousand francs, Hugo's letters to his children are charming
which is unprecedented at this theatre. But we must not
compositions — tender, playful, and filled with
rest on our laurels. The enemy is on the alert. The
the fancies a child loves. To his little daughter
third performance must discourage them, if possible.
Therefore, in the name of our cherished literary free-
Didine he writes (1837) from Boulogne-sur-
dom, summon the whole clan of brave and faithful friends
Mer :
for Monday. I look to you to help me in pulling out “I have just been walking on the beach and thinking
this last tooth of the old classic Pegasus. To the rescue, of you, my poor little darling. I gathered this flower
and advance !”
for you on the sandhills. It is a wild pansy, which has
Hugo's poble letter (1834) to M. Thiers, in
been often watered by the foam of the ocean. Keep it
behalf of an unfortunate fellow-member of the
for daddy's sake, who is so fond of you. I have already
sent your mother a flower from the ruins, the Ghent
literary guild, is one of several of like tenor.
poppy, and now here is a flower from the sea. And
“ Monsieur le Ministre,— At this moment there is a then, my darling, I wrote your name on the sand, Didi.
woman in Paris who is dying of hunger.
To-night the rising tide will obliterate it, but nothing
“Her name is Mlle. Mercœur. She has published can ever obliterate your father's love for you.
several volumes of poems; this is not the place to speak
“I have constantly thought of you, dear child. Every
of their merit, and besides, I do not feel qualified to do
fine town I saw made me wish that you, your mother,
so; but her name is doubtless known to you.
and your brothers had been with me, and your grand-
“ In 1823 King Louis XVIII. spontaneously assigned father, to explain everything to us. All day I was look-
me a pension or annual allowance of 2000 francs on the ing at churches and pictures, and then atight I gazed
funds of the Ministry of the Interior. In 1832 I at the sky, and thought once more of you, my Didine,
up this pension of my own free will. At that time your
as I watched that beautiful constellation, the Chariot of
predecessor, M. d'Argout, informed me that he did not
God, which I have taught you to distinguish among the
accept my surrender of it, that he would continue to
stars."
consider the money as mine, and that he would not dis M. Meurice's editing of Hugo's Letters is
pose of it in favor of anyone. As my renunciation was
absolute and final, it was no business of mine to see what
of the most unobtrusive sort, the volume con-
the Minister would do with the pension.
taining no editorial apparatus whatever save a
“ To-day, while admitting that I have no claim what table of contents and some brief footnotes. The
ever on this pension, I request you, in case the Minister publishers have done their part in their usual
should have persisted in his resolve, and should not have
satisfactory way. The volume is a model of
disposed of the fund to anyone else, to transfer it to
Mlle. Mercæur. If you consent to this, I shall feel
substantial elegance throughout, the noble typo-
doubly pleased at having given it up. This pension will graphy calling for special commendation.
be far better bestowed on Mlle. Merceur than on me.
E. G. J.
The sum of 1200 francs, added to what Mlle. Merceur
already receives, will almost enable her to live with her
mother. Give it to her, Monsieur le Ministre; it will
be an act of charity. We shall both be glad; you for
NINETEENTH CENTURY PAINTING.*
having done it, and I for having advised it.”
After reading the first volume of Professor
From the interesting series of letters to Muther's rather ponderous “ History of Mod-
Sainte-Beuve (1827-1845) we shall allow our ern Painting," one is inclined to think that its
selves a brief extract touching the writer's polit- author's merit should be handsomely allowed.
ical views in 1832.
It is well written, critically accurate, and con-
“... It is indeed a sad, but at the same time a fine, tinuous in its development. With the second
subject for a poem, all this folly steeped in bloodshed. volume, matters begin to grow somewhat com-
We shall have a Republic some day, and when it does
come it will be a good one. But we must not gather in
plicated; the writer meets with contemporary
May the fruit which will not be ripe till August. We * THE HISTORY OF MODERN PAINTING. By Richard
must know how to wait. The Republic proclaimed by Muther. In three volumes, with illustrations. New York:
France in Europe will be the crown of our old age. But The Macmillan Co.
gave


1896.]
249
THE DIAL
men and their works ; there is not so much his innovator and revolutionist in art and put on
torical perspective; the body of established art the shelf with Goethe and Schiller as compan-
criticism offers less suggestion and support; the ions. Then we are taken to Germany and intro-
continuity is rather shattered. With the third duced to Winckelmann and the revised classic ;
volume one begins to realize the awfulness of then to France, to see classicism with David;
a German philosophy of history. Men and then there is a chapter on the attempt to escape
facts are pushed out of all chronology and se from tradition ; and there are chapters on the
quence, and we are dragged from Germany to Italian tradition in Germany, romanticism, In-
America, from Japan to England, and asked gres and the classic reaction, the post-romantic
to consider this man or that man simply as an painters like Cabanel, Lefebvre and Delau-
illustration of Professor Muther's theories. nay, the schools in Belgium, and the German
When one finally puts down the work and tries colorists like Makart. After these comes a
to recall its impression as a whole, he has dif- chapter in which we go back in French his-
ficulty in obtaining a good negative. Either tory to Gleyre, Hamon, and Boulanger, with
his perception is not good, or the plate has whom we find curiously associated Leys, Becker,
been befogged. The latter is really the case. Menzel, and Meissonier. This last chapter
Professor Muther has sacrificed clearness and is somewhat hazy, giving indication of what
continuity to theory, system, and classification. is to come; but from the first volume we learn
The introduction to the first volume explains one of Professor Muther's theories. Art is
that this sacrifice is in measure intentional. tossed back and forth like a tennis-ball, from
Professor Muther lays no claim to an objective classicism to romanticism, until at last it falls
treatment of history. He declares that his work to earth and becomes realism. The theory is
is “no more than a piece of art-history seen quite just, and is supported by the facts.
through the medium of a temperament.” But The second volume begins with the “ Victory
that is about all any history is or can be. All of the Moderns
of the Moderns ” — which means that painting
writing is temperamental; but then there are has reached a point where actual life rather
temperaments and there are temperaments. than tradition is its inspiration. The second
Some are content with recording a plain under- chapter takes up“ English Painting to 1850,”
standing of facts in chronological order and and deals with Romney, Hoppner, Beechey,
allowing that to stand as history; others are and others. Now why should these men be
disposed toward the philosophical system with separated by five hundred pages from Reynolds
concatenated sub-divisions under which men and Gainsborough? They were all influenced
and their doings are placed as props for the by Sir Joshua, were all of the same school, pro-
system. The philosophy of history is not to be duced a similar art, and should have been
sneered at, but in order to be serviceable it treated together. Directly we are through with
should at least be comprehensible. Nor is logic them we are hurried off to the military painters
a non-essential in the writing of history; but in France - Vernet, Raffet, Charlet, who be-
again, to be serviceable it should at least be longed to Delacroix's time; and to the Orien-
convincing. Professor Muther in his introduc- talists
talists - Decamps, Marilhat, Fromentin, who
tion to the second volume asks : “Is history were just as much the product of romanticism
governed by the laws of logic?” Yes ; but what as Delacroix himself. Why were they not con-
may be logic to the writer may have no logical sidered under romanticism, three hundred
meaning whatever to the reader, and the weak-pages back? And why, under any historical or
ness of Professor Muther's history is a prepon-philosophical system, should men like Fred-
derance of what he esteems philosophy and erick Goodall and Pasini be put in the same
logic. If it were not for a non-philosophical chapter with them, since they have nothing in
non-logical index of painters' names at the end common but subject? But Professor Muther
of each volume, the real value of this work has been treating, first, of movements like clas-
would be materially lessened. But the reader sicism and romanticism; then he tries art-
should have an outline of Professor Muther's history by countries, and in this second volume
temperamental system.
he thinks to try it by subjects. So we have
The history begins with the discovery of the chapters on the « Painting of Humorous Anec-
modern spirit in painting. Hogarth, Reynolds, dote," dealing with the genre painters of Ger-
and Gainsborough, in England, are put down many; “The Picture with a Social Purpose,'
as its representatives. We are then taken to
We are then taken to where Delacroix, Meissopier, and Wiertz are
Spain, where Goya is resurrected as a typical I brought together;
brought together; “ The Village Tale," which


250
[Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
introduces Knaus, Defregger, and Jules Bre stone who will not fit into a square hole, how-
ton, but omits Theodore Frere, Millet, and ever philosophical it may be made ; and so he
Bastien ; chapters upon landscape which are is placed in a separate chapter under “Whist-
thoroughly good ; and finally we are brought ler and the Scotch Painters a chapter that
with a bump to “ Realism in France,” which will doubtless make its chief subject smile.
means Courbet, Stevens, and Vollon, “ Real. And so, barring a sporadic return to Böcklin
ism in England,” which means Holman Hunt and German art, tagged on apparently as an
and the Pre-Raphaelites, and “ Realism in after-thought, the three-volumed work comes to
Germany,” which means Menzel, Leibl, and
an end.
Lenbach. This loud pæan of realism would Professor Muther's history is a good illus-
seem to mark the grand finale of the second tration of a philosophical system, clear enough
volume; but Professor Muther winds on for to its author's mind, proving a cloud - bank
three chapters more, telling us about the to the mind of the reader. Chronology, na-
“ Problem of the Modern Intuition of Color” | tionality, historical sequence, and school influ-
(a luminous caption), in which the realists be ence are sacrificed to various “isms” known
fore mentioned are credited with arriving at in the creed of German ästhetics and « seen
maturity in color - the inference being that through the medium of a temperament." This
Chardin and Corot before them had not arrived. would not be matter of much regret were the
There is a digressive chapter just here on Ho. work as confused in detail as it is in plan. It
kusai and the Japanese, the object of it being could then be pushed aside and forgotten. But
to explain the Japanese influence upon Euro this work cannot be so treated. In just appre-
pean art; and then we have for a last chapter | ciation of art, in critical estimates of painters,
“ Fiat Lux," in which impressionism is consid in keen analysis of motives, it is by all odds
ered as realism widened by the study of the the best history of nineteenth century painting
milieu.
yet written. Used as a reference book by the
One might think that a chapter devoted to aid of the index, it is invaluable in its critical
impressionism-Monet, Renoir, and their con summaries. Moreover, it is correct in its facts.
temporaries --- would be about the last word on There are slips here and there, as there must
modern art, and that when the brains were out be in every history — dates wrong, names mis-
the book would end. But no; there is a third spelled, picture titles erroneously given — but
volume, and the opening chapter calls us cheer- these are small matters to be overlooked. Gen-
fully back to consider Bastien-Lepage, L'her-erally speaking, the work is accurate in fact
mitte, and others who sprang from the Courbet and sound in judgment. It is not to be sup-
Millet initiative and should have been treated posed that any one man can deal thoroughly
under “Realism in France." They are, how with all phases of modern art, in all coun-
ever, grouped under “Painters of Life," and tries with equal knowledge. Professor Muther
the chapters are again taken up by countries. is at his best in dealing with German art; but
Leighton, Poynter, and their adherents are dis he understands modern painting in France,
cussed under “ England,” and then Professor England, the Low Countries, Italy, and Spain
Muther wanders from Bagdad to Peru through very well. The chapter on Russian painting
chapters on Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Russia, is written in collaboration with Alexandre
and America, before he again brings us around to Benois, and the chapter on American paint-
England to take up Rossetti and Burne-Jones, ing is somewhat scrappy - the author never
who should have been placed in point of time having been here. For what America has
and school with Holman Hunt nineteen chapters done and is doing, he relies upon books and
back, and Watts, who belongs with Leighton what he has seen of American art in the Paris
and Poynter, ten chapters back. The reason for Salons. This has misled him into saying of
this ramble is apparent in the book beadings. American painters generally that “their art is
Leighton and Poynter are classified as “ Paint an exact echo of that of Europe, because they
ers of Life,” while Rosetti, Burne-Jones, and have learnt their technique in the leading Eu-
Watts are pigeon-holed as “New Idealists.”
ropean academies."
After such a statement
Professor Muther’s nomenclature is ingenuous it is not surprising to find the Parisian and
and his classification perhaps philosophical, but Munich contingents of American painters re-
was it worth while dislocating all the bones of ceiving full notice, while men at home, like
chronology and breaking the neck of continuity Healy, Eastman Johnson, Thayer, Simmons,
to attain them? Whistler is evidently a round / Smedley, Brush, Blashfield, and Mowbray are


1896.]
251
THE DIAL
tory has
omitted altogether. Among our landscapists,
STUDIES IN EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY.*
too, there is mention of Inness, Tryon, Murphy,
Ranger; but not a word about Homer Mar Of late years there has been a marked ten-
tin, Wyant, Bunce, Platt, Dearth, or Horatio dency among students of American history to
Walker.
devote attention to early colonial history,—the
Still, with all its small faults and its bewil-original inspiration, no doubt, coming from the
dering classification, Professor Muther's his work of John Richard Green in English his-
very
decided merits. It is the first tory. The development of the spirit of genea-
history of nineteenth century painting that has logical research, greatly stimulated by the
any pretension to completeness ; it treats paint formation and growth of patriotic hereditary
ing as painting rather than as story-telling upon
societies, has had as an accompaniment the
canvas; and it is written in a bright, free style, awakening of interest in the old town records,
with a candid spirit, both of which merits peo and in the less important but equally instruc-
ple will not fail to appreciate. Considering the tive personal memoranda of the American col-
difficulties of such a task as the author set for onists. Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, Mr. William
himself, it is somewhat remarkable that he has B. Weeden, Mrs. Alice Morse Earle, Mr.
come off so well. He has produced a work of W. R. Bliss, Mr. H. M. Brooks, and others in
no commonplace character; and after devoting New England, Mrs. Anne Hollingsworth Whar-
so much space to pointing out its defects, it is ton in Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Maud Wilder
worth while to insist that it has virtues which Goodwin in Virginia, have contributed enter-
far out-balance its faults. It will not become taining and suggestive volumes. The book-
obsolete very soon.
Readers and writers will maker's art has been drawn upon for dainty
soon discover its value, and to both of them it bindings and attractive illustrations, until a
will prove a mine of facts for many years to
shelf of this colonial life-portrayal has become
come.
a delightful part of a library.
The translation is not too well done, and it “ Beneath Old Roof Trees,” by Mr. Abram
strains good English at times to the breaking English Brown, is certain to please anyone who
point. The attempt to render literal meanings cares for the heroes of the Revolution. The
is not happy, and sometimes it is quite shocking binding shows the old bell-tower in Lexington,
as, for instance, in the chapter on “Whistler with an accompanying picture of a minute-man,
and the Scotch Painters,” in which men like ploughing in the field, but all ready to drop the
Lavery and Guthrie are referred to as the implements of husbandry for the musket and
Boys of Glasgow” and the “ Glasgow Boys.” the powder-horn which his boy is bringing him
It cannot be supposed that Professor Muther from the house. Stories of the great struggle
would be so familiar or so undignified as to use
for liberty are told as they have been gathered
such expressions about men as old as himself. from the lips of old people, here and there,-
The translator has simply failed to comprehend the veritable sons and daughters of the Revo-
the text.
lution. There are pictures of historic homes,
There is great wealth of illustration in the many of them now bearing tablets, which tell
volumes - some fifteen hundred " half-tones,” of their connection with the dawn of Independ-
of them good and some of them bad. It
ence. There are inscriptions from many mon-
could not very well be otherwise. The photo-uments, there are fragments from diaries, there
graphy of pictures is still a problem, the color are bits of song and story; in fact, there seems
element wrecking, for reproductive purposes, to be a complete collection of material illustra-
about three photographs out of four. Again, tive of the part played in the Revolution by the
many of the best pictures for historical illustra- people from the towns located on both sides of
tion have never been photographed and are
a line drawn from Groton to Boston. The
inaccessible. The historian must do what he
* BENEATH OLD ROOF TREES. By Abram English Brown.
can, not what he would ; and Professor Muther, Boston: Lee & Shepard.
considering the circumstances, has done as well OLD COLONY Days. By May Alden Ward. Boston: Rob-
erts Brothers.
as could be expected.
COLONIAL DAYS IN OLD NEW YORK. By Alice Morse
JOHN C. VAN DYKE. Earle. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
THE PURITAN IN ENGLAND AND NEW ENGLAND. By
Ezra Hoyt Byington, D.D. Boston : Roberts Brothers.
WILLIAM MORRIS left two prose romances, “The THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC AND THE EARLY AMERICAN
Water of the Wondrous Isles” and “The Sundering REVOLUTION. By Victor Coffin. Madison : The University
Flood,” which will be issued from the Kelmscott Press. of Wisconsin.
many


252
(Nov. 1,
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Foot-prints of the Patriots" is the name for the of the social history; but there was no wealth
series of which this volume is the first. Young of materials. Mrs. Earle has, however, been
people will rejoice to hear the story told again, equal to her task, for in “ Colonial Days in Old
and older ones, especially those who are proud New York” the life in New Netherlands may
of membership in the various patriotic societies, be followed from the birth of the child and the
will find in Mr. Brown's work much to stimu- rocking in the hooded cradle, until the coffin
late their devotion to the memories of the men was lowered into the grave, with its attendant
who made the Nation.
feasting and drinking and giving of funeral
“Old Colony Days,” by Mrs. May Alden rings and scarfs and gloves. The education of
Ward, affords fresh gleanings from fields that the child, the dress of child and man, the cus-
have been made familiar by Mrs. Earle and toms of courtship and marriage, the furniture,
Mr. Bliss. The little volume consists of a series linen, eatables, drinkables, and dishes of the
of essays, which sometimes overlap in their home, the beginnings of municipal life with its
scope. Three of them have personality as the necessary police and sanitary regulations,— all
basis, dealing with William Bradford, " The these find place in the story. The hard life of
Father of American History "; the Mather dy- the schoolmaster, who sometimes eked out his
nasty and other clergymen, illustrating the slender income by doing washing or digging
"early autocrat of New England”; and Samuel graves ; the difficulties of the physician, who
Sewall, “an old-time magistrate.” The two sought a monopoly of shaving to add to his
other papers treat of the delusions of the fore revenue; the ever-present problem of domestic
fathers, and their attempts at making poetry. service, and the busy industry of the women
There is quite a bit of new matter presented in for which New Netherlands was noted, such
this popular form, and the volume is welcomed are the varied subjects that are discussed.
as a desirable part of the literature which is There were generally-celebrated holidays, such
familiarizing Americans of this day with the as New Year's Day, May Day, Shrove-Tide,
life of the fathers, and familiarizing them with Gunpowder Day, and the forgotten anniver-
it in such a way that even in the midst of the sary called “ Pinkster Day," when the negroes
quaint and curious the reader learns to under had much liberty, and gave way to excesses of
stand better the motives that controlled the drinking and dancing and barbaric music.
dwellers in “Old Colony Days.”
More pleasure seems to have been allowed than
Mrs. Earle has been generous in giving to in Puritan New England, their pastimes rang-
the students of various phases of American life ing from simple strawberrying to the theatre
the rich results of her investigations in the store and horse-racing. Perhaps the most instruc-
houses of colonial lore. “The Sabbath in Puri- tive feature of Mrs. Earle's study is the setting
tan New England,” “Customs and Fashions of forth of the position of women in the colony.
Old New England,” “The Diary of Anna They shared the property of their husbands,
Green Winslow," “ Colonial Dames and Good oftentimes managed large business interests,
Wives," “ Costumes of Colonial Times," "The sometimes even served as attorneys in court,
Life of Margaret Winthrop," such are the and in general had a higher standing in the
themes that have been exhaustively treated by community than did their New England sisters,
her, to make no mention of magazine articles But a paragraph can hardly do justice to this
dealing with old china, flower gardens, strange interesting volume of three hundred pages, each
and curious punishments, and other subjects one of which has something worth noting in a
suggested by hints from musty books, court study of social life. The cover of the book
records, old letters, and forgotten laws. In anticipates the delights of the contents. It is
treating “Colonial Days in New York,” diffi- distinctively Dutch, reproducing the design of
culties presented themselves at once. Contem a white and blue cloth, and decorated with sug-
porary chronicles are rare. There was no Sewall gestive windmill, beaver, and beer keg.
and no Winthrop. The diary-writing minister A much more pretentious work is “The
was not a Dutch character. Mrs. Anne Grant Puritan in England and New England," by
had told the story of the life of “ An American Dr. Ezra Hoyt Byington. The title has a
Lady" wherein Miss Schuyler's experiences cast
familiar sound, and comparison is at once sug.
light upon the social conditions of the colony; gested with other volumes that have covered
Madame Sarah Knight had included the colony much the same ground. But the reader leaves
in the itinerary of her carefully described the book, thoroughly satisfied with the author.
travels, and others had studied special features | In the first place, it is an attractive volume


1896.]
253
THE DIAL
rence,
typographically, a good example of modern his- the whole the author treats his themes in a way
torical book-making. The type is large and to win commendation, and to secure for his book
clear, the margins are wide, and everything is its proper place among the best of those that
present that is desirable in the way of enlarged furnish insight into Puritan life and character.
table of contents, bibliography, page divisions, Mr. Coffin's study of the Province of Quebec
and index. One may read awhile and stop, in its relation to the early days of the Amer-
without losing the story, for the method is top ican Revolution is associated with the four
ical, the author having used the substance of volumes already discussed only by the law of
the several chapters as addresses before organ- contrast, since it represents an entirely different
izations of sympathetic nature. There are eight method of investigation of historical problems
of these special themes : “ The Puritan in En connected with Anglo-American colonial life.
gland,” “The Pilgrim and the Puritan : There were other English colonies in America
Which ? " " The Early Ministers of New En besides the thirteen which revolted. Why did
gland," " William Pynchon, Gent.,” “ Family they not join the Revolution ? What was the
and Social Life of the Puritans,” “Religious effect of the success of the thirteen upon the
Opinions of the Fathers of New England,” political life of the others ? Such questions
« The Case of Reverend Robert Breck, of were in the mind of the writer as he began his
Springfield,” and “The Religious Life in the investigations, only to find that he must confine
Eighteenth Century in Northern New En- himself to the Province of Quebec alone. The
gland," the last a study of Brunswick, Maine. central point of the study is the Quebec Act of
The first chapter gives a clear and concise ac 1774, which is considered both as an institu-
count of the development of the Puritan party tional measure and as an irritating aid to the
in England, without any of the long quotations discontent of the colonists south of the St. Law-
from contemporary sermons which too often
Conclusions are reached which are
only befog the student when he is seeking for widely at variance with those usually held by
light. No one can read it without feeling a writers of our history. It is considered that
sense of gratitude to the author for his simple the provisions of the Quebec Act were neither
story, and without a better appreciation of the occasioned nor appreciably affected by condi-
character and the purposes of the men who, as tions in the other colonies, and that the meas-
Pilgrims and Puritans, laid the foundations of ure was not effectual in keeping the Canadians
the New England colonies. The same clear- loyal in the time of prevailing discontent. Most
ness marks the chapter on religious opinions, writers have expressed the belief that the Que-
where the various differences are discussed. A bec Act was highly beneficial to the province
special case of theological investigation is de affected by it. Mr. Coffin's investigations have
scribed in Springfield, where attempts were convinced him that, on the contrary, it was
made to prevent
the settlement as pastor of really one of the most unwise and disastrous
Robert Breck. There are a great many pages measures in English Colonial history. So far
in the book that tell of the social life of the as the United States were concerned, interest
Puritan, and indicate that there was more in the Quebec Act ceased after independence
attention paid to the graces and refinements of had been secured ; but, for Canada, influences
life than is usually thought. In some of the were set in motion which have had unfortunate
volumes dealing with the homes of the period, results ever since. Space will not allow con-
the quaint and curious seem to be mentioned sideration of the several very interesting phases
merely for the entertainment of the reader. In of the subject; but it is to be said that this
this study, the relation of the various features monograph is a valuable contribution to Amer-
of society to the history of the time is well | ican history, written in good style, with abun-
brought out, the philosophy of the Puritan dant references to sustain conclusions, with
régime being prominent. Now and then there illustration afforded by the experience of the
is an apparent inconsistency,-- as, for example, United States as the Act is considered after a
where in one paragraph the treatment of the century and a quarter, and with a bibliography
Quakers is not excused by the fact that Quakers of the most important authorities. The Quebec
everywhere were being persecuted, while in the Act and the Quebec Revenue Act, both of the
next paragraph the witchcraft delusion is year 1774, accompany the study as original
smoothed over because the belief in witchcraft documents.
was common throughout the world. But on
FRANCIS W. SHEPARDSON.


254
(Nov. 1,
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THE INTELLECTUAL METHOD IN
ter on “ Pleasure and Pain," will no doubt
PSYCHOLOGY.*
exclaim, “What a pother about so simple a
Psychologists are now divided into three thing! Of course, when I am in pain it means
hostile camps. In the first are the physiolog- there is something the matter ; all is not go
ical psychologists, who interpret all mental ing on right; I do not need learned terms
states by organic changes or motor activities;
like arrest of mental activity' or disturbance
in the second are those who base all mind
of equilibrium,' and pages of discussion about
feeling and will, and, being rather a small
facts as self-evident as that the heart pumps
school
, have not as yet received any distinctive blood and the lungs breathe air.” The present
name; in the third are the intellectualists, who
reviewer appreciates this objection, and thinks
see in knowledge the fundamental element in
that psychologists are but too apt to turn tru-
mental life. And these three standpoints, it
isms into disputable principles. Mr. Stout's
must be noted, are the only possible ones, and
discussion does not bring out the real difficulty,
all three have now their enthusiastic adherents.
which is that all effort is in itself painful. For
The intellectual is the oldest and most nat example, my attention to the point now under
ural of the three methods. On awaking this
consideration is hard and painful to me; and
morning did there not first come to your mind
that not as a hindrance to my doing something
a flood of sensations,- of sights, sounds, con-
else, for there is nothing I want to do, but in
tacts, etc.— which you interpreted ? And when
itself as task and effort. The pain of that most
you found an interesting sensation-produced, useful, salutary, and satisfactory action in the
let us say, by a pretty picture on the wall
world, endeavor at top-notch, seems quite in.
you dwelt upon it. But suddenly you hear a
trinsic.
sound, which you interpret as the breakfast
Mr. Stout devotes much space to Attention ;
bell; this incites a considerable emotion, which
and one section on “ Interest and Attention"
in turn incites to lively action ; you hurriedly invites some remarks. The problem, put con-
arise and dress.
cretely, is this : Do you attend to a thing
That all mind is based on a series of given bed
because you are interested in it, or are you in-
presentations, which are interpreted by thought,
terested because you attend? or is there no
is the doctrine not only of common reflection, find the two together?' Mr. Stout thinks that
“ because " in the case, only the fact that we
but of the most ancient philosophy of mediæval
scholasticism, and of most modern philosophy interest is the “ hedonic aspect” of attention,
and psychology as well. It is the standpoint thus maintaining the intellectualist form of the
It is the standpoint last position, the emotionalist form being
of the work on “ Analytic Psychology” now
before us.
These two large volumes are writ-
that attention is a volitional aspect of interest,
ten by Mr. G. F. Stout, who is best known as
though both indicate a certain causality. How-
editor of the English psychological review,
ever, we must confess at the start to a prejudice
“Mind," and consist largely of summaries and against all “ aspect” theories. What do we
discussions founded upon Messrs. Ward, James, gain by saying that one phenomenon is simply
Bradley, Brentano, and Bain. The work has
the reverse side of another, except to appease
some originality of treatment, and at all times our ignorance by a doubtful metaphor?“ As-
the position advanced is carefully re-thought pect.” is at best no other than a metaphysical
and re-stated in the writer's own way,-
dualism, or pluralism, brought in as scientific
although
we think quotation is sometimes over-
explanation.
done. While this book is in no sense popular,
But let us turn to a simple case for facts.
it will yet appeal strongly to all critical stu-
As I have some interest in old books, I often
dents of psychology; and while we cannot count stop at a stall and let my eye wander over the
ourselves among the intellectual school, we yet
books there exposed. I see a multitude of
readily recognize the service of honest and able
books that do not hold my attention ; but sud-
thought from that point of view. With this denly an old book attracts me. As this added
general appreciation, let us pass to some criti-
interest makes me more attentive, I perceive
cisms which might be of interest to the general that it is an incunabulum, which interest in-
reader.
creases my attention, and I find it to be a very
The average layman, after reading the chap- rare Aldine. This process, which began as
interest awakening attention, and goes on by
ANALYTIC PSYCHOLOGY. By G. F. Stout, Fellow of St.
John's College, Cambridge. In two volumes. New York:
attention increasing interest, and interest atten-
tion, by rapid steps, is a typical case which
The Macmillan Co.


1896.]
255
THE DIAL
ex-
cannot be construed as “ hedonic aspect century of discovery. In the former time they
cept by ignoring analysis, and this analytic psy discovered pretty much all the places in the
chology cannot do. It is true enough, as Mr. world, which had till that time lived in happy
Stout says (Vol. I., p. 226), that we cannot seclusion : nowadays they discover everything
feel satisfied with an object unless we have else. In literature, where the tendency is as
already begun to attend to it; but why do we manifest as in science, religion, daily life, and
begin to attend to it, except at the prompting so on, the spirit used to be called Naturalism ;
of some interest? It is obvious that we must the idea being that there were no secrets of the
see a thing before we can take an interest in soul, or body either, which the novelist might
the thing as seen ; but it is because we have not expose. Naturalism, however, seems now
some interest that we look for it or at it. And to have had its day; and the momentary form
the initiatory interest is often something quite of the spirit of discovery, as applied to liter-
obscure and hereditary. For instance, the fact ature, is the effort to bring all writers into
that moving objects always draw our attention a breezy popularity. There are periodicals
in preference to non-moving, that a fleet under chiefly for this purpose, and special columns
way is more interesting than at anchor, are
for the same purpose
in other
papers.
The aim
doubtless due to the ingrained structure of mind, is to make everybody who has written anything
since organisms have always from the begin. a public character.
ning found themselves most vitally affected by One good result of such a hustling, up-to-
the moving objects. It is the moving object date quality in the average writer about books
which may be food, or an enemy, or a mate; is naturally that everything good receives a
and so the moving as a whole becomes more wider currency ; that every good author has a
interesting than the stationary. We can con larger audience; that thousands of readers, who
ceive the opposite as the case, - that the sta would otherwise be confined to a few writers
tionary might have been the most significant whom their bookseller happened to know of,
and most interesting for life.
have a more widely extended horizon. Any-
H. M. STANLEY.
one who can have any objection to the process
would seem to be a dog in the manger. Still,
looking at the matter from another side, there
must be many who see their specially selected
authors rise into the limelight of literary gossip
THE ESSAYS OF MRS. MEYNELL.*
with something of the feeling with which one
It is not easy to know just how to deal with
the new volumes by which Mrs. Meynell is pre- woods, and finds a large picnic of, say, the Im.
goes to a sequestered and personal spot in the
sented to American readers by American pub-proved Order of Polish Invincibles. Very good
lishers. The appearance of a new edition of people they are, certainly, and it is nice that
her first collection of essays reminds one imme-
they should have a good time; still, the world
diately that there must be many who already is large, and this particular place was my
fav.
know her work. We surely cannot speak of
orite.
Mrs. Meynell as though she were some new
Whether or not Mrs. Meynell has really
writer, some recent addition to the galaxy of
been discovered of late, we cannot say; still,
nowaday talent. And yet we cannot very well
it would seem so. One may see her picture in
speak of her new volume as if everyone were
better or worse reproduction; one may read
familiar with her work, as if we had here some-
anecdotes about herself and her husband ; one
thing which the public would read and ap-
may learn what Rossetti and Ruskin thought
preciate with a certain reference to what has
of her poems. So far as this brings her books
gone before. The fact is, I suppose, that the
to more persons who can read and love them,
work of Mrs. Meynell, though long known so much the better. It would not appear on
to one and another, is only now becoming the whole, however, that Mrs. Meynell's genius
generally known to the public, at least in this
was such as would appeal to a very extended
country.
circle. But it is hard to tell ; some of her
The present century, like the sixteenth, is a
things take such a personal hold on one that it
*THE RHYTHM OF LIFE, AND OTHER Essays. By Alice seems impossible anyone else should care for
Meynell. Boston: Copeland & Day.
them at all; and yet undoubtedly the number
THE COLOUR OF LIFE, AND OTHER ESSAYS ON THINGS
of her readers has been steadily increasing, in
SEEN AND HEARD. By Alice Meynell. Chicago : Way &
Williams.
England and in this country. Her essays, how-


256
(Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
ever, are certainly not such as one could imag-
DIVERSE ASPECTS OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS.*
ine widely popular. Emerson may be said to
be popular in a way : there is a sort of catho Every man who thinks is making some attempt
licity to him ; he wants to speak to everybody.
to construct an image or a system of human society.
Mrs. Meynell, on the other hand, seems to
Some are reducing the product of their mental effort
to writing, using the analyses of previous writers
speak especially to a few; she speaks in a way
and adding something from personal observation
that will not appeal to every body, and often of and reflection.
things that not everybody will understand. Professor Fairbanks's “Introduction to Sociol-
These essays have in them, doubtless, some ogy” is a very readable text-book, and deserves the
of the best prose work in their kind that has notice of students of social science. The preface
lately been done in England. It is a careful contains the caution that it is not the author's expec-
tation that “the specialist in sociological investiga-
prose, not exactly polished, but rather delicate ; tat
a kind of work not often seen, for those who
tion will find much here to advance the knowledge
of the science.” The work is a brief outline of a
might aspire to such work are apt to in validate
their results by affectation and mannerism. It
vast field, with suggestion rather than exhaustive
treatment. Society is defined as a group of men
abounds in implied discrimination, and has a
who live together in relations more or less perma-
certain taste for epigram, for a sort of senten nent. “Psychology deals with man in society, while
tiousness even. It drifts not seldom into im- sociology deals with the psychical life which arises
agery ; one must remember a good deal to real when men enter into organic union; the subject of
ize much of it, just as one must have read more the two sciences is the same, and the difference
or less to pass competently through its allusive between them is simply a difference of standpoint."
ness. Like the prose of Cardinal Newman, it Sociology does not supplant economics, politics,
has generally the quality of urbanity, the tone
ethics, but lays a foundation for them. Its office is
of the centre that Matthew Arnold sometimes
twofold: to treat the general structure of society,
spoke of. If anything, it vexes one by being laws governing social progress. Society may be
its organs and their functions; and to deal with the
over-conscious, or rather too elaborate, very called an
“organism,” if we are careful to distin-
rarely by lack of ideas.
guish between the biological and psychical values
There are ideas enough, although one cannot of the word. Society has a physical basis ; derives
easily say just what kind of ideas. Certainly all its force from the physical world ; is modified by
they are not "great thoughts” as a rule, and race, locality, climate, flora, and fauna. The bond
yet the work is hardly ever fantastic or fussy. which unites men in groups is psychical rather than
The essays are on different subjects ; it is diffi- physical, and is due to sentiment and common ac-
cult to classify them. Some are on art, some on
tivities. It is the product of development, rather
than an original gift. The unity of society is the
literature, some on nature or other matters,
unity of a social mind. Language and thought,
but more than is usually the case with such col-
habit and virtue, are developed only in society. The
lections do we get from the book an impression
causes of social activity are motives felt by the indi-
of unity in a sentiment, or an attitude towardvidual, and these stimuli are original and derived.
life. The interest of the book lies not so much The forms of social activity and the social aggre-
in its treatment of this or that topic as in its gates should be classified according to the stimuli.
exhibition (or, as that is a somewhat obtrusive * INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY, By Arthur Fairbanks.
word, let us rather say an embodiment) of a
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
temperament, almost of a way of life. Surely
CLASSES AND MASSES. By W. H. Mallock. New York:
The Macmillan Co.
not a common temperament,- and just how KING MAMMON AND THE HEIR APPARENT, By George A.
useful a way of life, at least here in America, Richardson. Boston: Arena Publishing Co.
we shall not now inquire; but at least it is a
WORKERS AND THEIR INDUSTRIES. Edited by F. W.
Galton. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co. (Imported by
way that has its own charm and attraction.
Charles Scribner's Sons.)
When these essays, or some of them, first
ap REVOLUTION AND COUNTER-REVOLUTION; or, Germany in
peared in the “ National Observer” they doubt-
1848. By Karl Marx. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co.
(Imported by Charles Scribner's Sons.)
less gave a distinct touch to each issue. Now
SOUTHERN SIDELIGHTS. By Edward Ingle. New York:
that they are brought together they are best T. Y. Crowell & Co.
read with reference to the whole of which each RACE TRAITS AND TENDENCIES OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO.
forms a part. Excellent ideas well expressed, By F. L. Hoffman. The American Economic Association.
CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS. By Lyman Abbott.
each in itself, may be readily found ; but the Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
combined effect of thought and style is the THE AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL ARBI-
thing really worthy of note.
TRATION. New York: The Baker & Taylor Co.
IMMIGRATION FALLACIES. By John Chetwood, Jr. Boston:
EDWARD E. HALE, JR. Arena Publishing Co.


1896.]
257
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This gives the basis for a classification of social tionists against the “capitalistic régime” is stated
phenomena as economic, social (in a narrow sense), or hinted in the turgid pages of this volume. The
political, psychical. The domestic life is, strangely chief cause of our social evils is found in the right
enough, classed under the second head, and this to make a bequest. Estates should be divided by
introduces confusion, since the family is unique in probate courts. There are too many words for the
having all the elements of social life in elementary argument.
form. These various forms of social activity are Students of social movements need to keep in
treated in detail. The second part of the task is to close and constant touch with the views of working-
trace the laws of social progress and development. men in regard to their own industries. In Mr.
The life of society is continuous and unified. The Galton's collection of essays on “Workers and their
process of social development is explained in a dis- Industries,” we hear the wage-workers speak for
cussion of the phenomena of dispersion and differ themselves and in their own industrial dialect. The
entiation, of agglomeration and assimilation. There editor calls attention, in his preface, to certain ideas
is a tendency to persistence of physical and psy which frequently recur in the various discussions,
chical characteristics; but modifications and new “the tendency of our present industrial system to
combinations are effected by the contact of races. produce a steady divorce of the worker from any.
But these processes of development need to be ex thing like a complete knowledge of the trade.” But
plained by their causes. The causes are found in they also recognize the fact that this specialization
the various forces at work in “natural selection.” will help to secure larger leisure and income. There
Biology reveals the facts of multiplication, variation, seems to be an agreement that apprentices should be
persistence of type, and survival of the fittest. These admitted in limited numbers and under more strict
forces are modified by sexual selection, gregarious regulations, and that legislative protection and con-
and family instincts, so that contest is rather between trol should be extended. Technical processes are
groups than between individuals. In the case of man, somewhat minutely described, in order to indicate
the struggle is modified by the organization of the their influence upon the health, wages, and char-
group, by the territorial extension of communication acter of the wage-earners.
and competition, and by the development of reason. In 1851, Karl Marx wrote a series of letters for
But struggle never ceases at any stage, and it is the the New York Tribune," giving his explanation of
condition of progress. The student of contemporary the European crisis of 1848. He was then living
society will not find in this “ Introduction " direc- in England, in poverty and exile. The letters now
tions for discipline in direct and personal observa appear
in book form, with the title “ Revolution and
tion of social phenomena. He will be encouraged Counter-Revolution." They are fine examples of
to believe that the sources of knowledge are books, the biting sarcasm, trenchant style, and keen though
and he will find an excellent selected list for his partial insight into the meaning of events, which
reading. At the same time the work will be found characterized the great socialist. His explanation
helpful in the early stages of study and suggestive of historic events by tracing them to economic needs
to advanced students.
and changes is in accordance with his general phi-
Mr. W. H. Mallock is always readable and inter- losophy of history - Hegelianism turned upside
esting. He has a delightful way of presenting the down. The author's personal share in the agitation,
optimistic view of the economic situation of our age. and his editorial experience, give the book much of
In his work on “Classes and Masses” one is borne the value of a contemporary
recital.
along on a placid stream of the “natural working
of economic forces,” without a wave of trouble to stand the social conditions that led up to our Civil
disturb his peace in this best possible world. The War the book entitled “Southern Sidelights,” by
ingenious gentleman has a deft way of ignoring the Mr. Edward Ingle, will furnish valuable materials.
fearful struggle through which the working people The treatment is fragmentary, but it has a compre-
of England have passed to gain what they have hensive basis, and original sources are used for the
gained, and of leaving on all minds the impression materials of all chapters. The topics discussed are
that the only function of a social student is to sit far full of interest : traits of the people, phases of indus-
above the roar of the multitude and philosophize try, education, literature, plans for progress, slavery
about the inevitable tendency of wise investments and the crisis. The statistical materials are ar-
to make the wage-earners wealthy if not happy. ranged with reference to proof and instruction, and
His account of the rise of wages, decrease of pau- they could not easily be found elsewhere in accessi-
perism, and cheapening of the necessities of life, is ble form. Twenty pages of tables fill the valuable
the popular and picturesque form of the discoveries appendix. The tone of the book is judicial, and the
of Giffin, Levi, and other statistical authorities. It argument will help to correct the provincial and
is the truth but not by any means the whole truth. sectional prejudices which hinder the moral union
If Mr. Mallock's book should produce in opti- of North and South.
mistic minds a feeling of profound contentment with In connection with Mr. Ingle's book, one may
our industrial and political institutions, a wakening well read “Race Traits and Tendencies of the
spar may be found in the book called “King Mam- American Negro,” by Mr. F. L. Hoffman. The
mon.” About all that has been said by revolu- | revelations of this treatise are truly discouraging.


258
(Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
The author appears to consider philanthropic efforts
to establish schools and churches among the negroes
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
as a positive injury to them. He shows that, on
The story of
Publishers and authors, as well as
the whole, there has been a great increase of pau the American the reading public, are gradually be-
perism, crime, and sexual immorality among the
mine and miner.
coming aware that the history of the
freedmen, parallel with the growth of churches and American people does not altogether lie in lists of
schools. But the author himself suggests that we wars, of battles, and of statesmen, nor between the
can accept his facts without taking his conclusions. lids of the Congressional Record," but that the
May it not be that a different method of education attrition of concurrent streams of races, inventive
and a more ethical religious teaching might have genius under the stimulus of new surrouudings, the
shown different results ? It is hard to believe that evolution of means of transportation, and the devel-
free schools and churches are good for whites but opment of material resources, must be studied and
destructive to blacks. The author himself shows their facts recorded. These will be found to under.
that his only hope lies in preaching, since each chap- lie much that has been accepted as the sum total of
ter closes with a pungent sermon on domestic mor American history. Such investigation is especially
ality and thrift. He seems to have made too little necessary and timely in that rapidly shifting pano-
of the political blunder of making a gift of suffrage rama commonly known as “the West." The types
instead of offering it as a prize; of the reaction developed in the progress of civilization across the
from absolute dependence under slavery to sudden continent are fast disappearing, but it is some con-
liberty without a period of preparation and proba- solation to know that they are to be preserved in
tion. Thus we may account for the phenomena of print in “The Story of the West Series,” planned
degradation very easily without impeaching the only for this purpose under the capable editorship of Mr.
agencies which have prevented a much worse con Ripley Hitchcock, and published by Messrs. D.
dition of immorality. At the same time, mission. Appleton & Co. The initial volume of the series
aries and teachers and philanthropists are under was devoted to “ The Story of the American In-
obligations to soberly consider the reasonings of this dian," and the second is given to “The Story of
depressing and pathetic recital of disappointment the Mine.” The important duty of telling “The
and temporary defeat. We have much to learn as Story of the Mine” was entrusted to the competent
to the best methods of dealing with defective classes. hands of Mr. Charles Howard Shinn, and he has
Dr. Lyman Abbott has a wide and expectant au told it in precisely the manner which his prior ex-
dience. His new book, entitled “ Christianity and cellent writings upon Western topics would prom-
Social Problems,” presents a collection of various ise. Confronted by the vast amount of material
articles and sermons that have previously appeared before him, he wisely confined himself in the main
separately ; discourses on the social ideals of Chris- to the story of the typical Comstock Lode of No-
tianity, with applications to domestic, industrial, vada, with side chapters on mine litigation, the min-
international, and penological problems. The dis- | ing community, stock speculation, and mining prob-
cussion is stimulating, and good use is made of excel-lems with their mechanical solutions. The concluding
lent authorities. The quotation of the census figures chapters on mining and the miner of to-day con-
on crime-increase (p. 299) should have been accom tinue the interest of the story to the present time.
panied by Dr. Wines's protest against their value. Readers hitherto have lacked neither statistics of
It was well worth while to print in one volume mines and mining, nor technical descriptions of ma-
the addresses delivered before the American Con-chinery employed; neither has there been wanting
ference on International Arbitration. The most a portraiture of mining camp-life by American au-
essential elements of the question are discussed by thors. But Mr. Shinn has drawn equally from all
such eminent men as Mr. Carl Schurz, Mr. Edward sources, and has produced a new alloy upon which
Atkinson, President Angell, and other specialists in he has stamped the picturesque images of the pros-
international law and political ethics. Minor differ pector, the exploiteur, the miner, the speculator, the
ences are expressed with frankness by men who parvenue millionaire, and the camp-follower. He
agree on the main issue, the determination of inter chooses to err on the side of the romantic rather
national disputes by judicial process rather than by than the technical; to intersperse his facts with
the brute force of war. The documents in the ap- glimpses of the life which gave rise to the facts ; to
pendix, arranged by Professor J.B. Moore, are very toss out his English in bits of native metal, instead
valuable.
of fastidiously arranging his sentences in regular
“Immigration Fallacies" deals with the evils of piles of bullion bars. But the style is felt to be
too rapid invasion of European immigrants. The suited to the rugged life it portrays. The interested
arguments are based on the observations of an intel reader joins the mad crowd in one of the many
ligent reader of current events, rather than upon “rushes” for a new field; he studies the “indica-
exhaustive statistical analyses. A good point is made tions” of the “ Let-Her-Rip,” the “ Last Chance,"
in the chapter on European responsibility for crimes or the “Gouge-Eye"; he mutters his imprecations
committed by foreigners in this country. The treat at the demand of the broker for “more mud," and
ment is too brief to be exhaustive.
“ Bonanza ” or “ Borrusca,” as his luck
C. R. HENDERSON. may be. The book will appeal to readers who have
he goes


1896.)
259
THE DIAL
An unwelcome
seen something of the regions or the life it so viv- late farther upon what Keats might have become,
idly portrays, as well as to those who seek clear or rather that he did not bring out an element of
information concerning the most important factor the poet's life and poetry which never came to com-
in the development of the Western half of the great plete development, through his early death. We
American continent.
think it needed to give an adequate view of the poet.
But, as it is, the leading points are picked out with
In Professor W. H. Hudson's “ Stud-
The interpretation ies in Interpretation” (Putnam), the
great skill and are well presented.
of literature.
student of literature will find as good
M. Gaston Boissier is so delightful a
criticism as has appeared, in America at least, for
writer that a good translation of any
some time. The
essays will be most interesting to
translation.
of his works would certainly find a
those who really desire to know something about
welcome among English readers. But that does not
Keats, Clough, Matthew Arnold; as to bow they
mean that the translation of “Rome and Pompeii,”
will impress others, there may be doubt. But al-
now before us, will find a welcome. The readers
though thoughtful, they are not scholastic in char-
of such a volume are naturally persons of more or
acter, and, we should think, would appeal to a con-
less classical culture, and such persons cannot enjoy
siderable audience. We consider the results sound
a translation honeycombed with errors at the very
and well put: the essay on Keats will probably be
points where classical culture should make itself
more useful in helping one to Keats's poetry than
manifest. One reaches but the fifth page to find
anything else published; Clough needs no introduc-
the Via Nomentana disguised as Nomentata ; the
tion to some of his work and no introduction can
ninth (and many others) transfers the French form
revive the rest, so that the estimate of Clough is
Denys into English for Dionysius of Halicarnassus;
more for general reading; the essay on Matthew
and in like manner we find Silves for Silvæ, Dios-
Arnold will be of value to the reader of his poetry
cures for Dioscuri, Fastes for Fasti, Celse for Cel.
and
prose
alike. We
approve
of all the book but
sus, Pollion for Pollio, and Aulu Gelle for Aulus
the title, and as the title is carefully chosen, and
Gellius. Another numerous group
of errors is rep-
seems from the preface to be representative of resented by Claudienus for Claudianus, Pomporius
the author, we see that we differ from him. These
for Pomponius, Catullus for Catulus, Frono for
essays are intended to be, within the strict mean-
Fronto, and even Haceus for Flaccus. Padre
ing of the title chosen for them, studies in inter-
Bruzzi, Padre Bruzza, and Father Bruzza are
pretation.” Interpretation of what? is the question different designations for the same individual. The
If Professor Hudson thinks he is interpreting the
great rival of Cicero appears as the poet Hortensius,
poetry of these poets, we conceive him to be
wrong. and the Phædrus of Plato as the Phædra. The
If he means thas he is interpreting the characters of
reader may have his choice between St. Maria Mag-
the poets, he is right,- except that “to interpret a
giore and St. Santa Maria Maggiore. Turtullian,
character” is not a common use of language. To
the Pathagoricians, and the son of Atræus form a
interpret is to give the hidden meaning of any ex-
fine group for an intelligent man to contemplate ;
pression. Now a character is hardly an expression;
but why go any farther? We are almost
a poem is an expression, but not a poet. So one
may interpret a poem, but a poet is not, strictly ready to recommend this as a supplement to the
many “Do n't” books placed on the market within
speaking, to be interpreted. It must further be re-
the last few years. It is extremely unfortunate that
marked that to present the character of a poet is
M. Boissier should have such a blundering introduc-
not to interpret his poetry; it only furnishes bases
tion to the English and American reader. The book
for interpretation. The character, or more accu-
bears the imprint of the Putnam press, and Mr. D.
rately the spirit, of the poet is not the poem, and to
Havelock Fisher is the translator. In the novel that
analyze the spirit of the poet is not to interpret the
is read to-day and forgotten to-morrow, the ignorant
poem. These essays are on the men, not on their
translator
may be tolerated; but when he lays his
works. Doubtless, however, Professor Hudson had
all this in mind; he puzzles us a little by saying indignant protest.
hands upon a work of scholarship, it is time for an
that his point of view is not commonly adopted by
students of modern poetry. Now we should
say
that
Mr. Joseph Edgar Chamberlin's
the error of confusing an analysis of a poet's char-
“ The Listener in the Town” and
acter with an interpretation of his work was the com-
“The Listener in the Country
monest error alive to-day in the academic teaching (Copeland & Day) are additions to the number of
of English literature. It is then probable that the bindings now in existence, but not to the number of
difference between Professor Hudson's standpoint books. The contents, little essays and bits of obser-
and that not so uncommon at present is that he vation, were well enough as newspaper literature
knows what he is doing, while the others do not. (they originally appeared in the “ Boston Tran-
Read with an understanding of their true bearing, script ”), but they do not make real literature. Not
these essays will be found admirable. The one on that there is no merit in the contents; there is a
Keats, as we have said, we think the best. We re good deal that shows sympathy with the varied forms
gret that Professor Hudson was unwilling to specu of city life and true affection for the charms of the
and
The modern
mood.
99


260
[Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
country. But it is all very commonplace; there is But it is sometimes amazingly difficult to see the
hardly a spark of individuality. The truth is that moral implied in these strange tales of his. They
this generation has been so trained that by this time are generally interesting in themselves ; the inci-
one person out of every ten has fallen into the habit dents are conceived with the ingenuity of the story-
of observing a city crowd with the desire to find teller, the figures are created by a true imagination,
something that will appeal to the heart, or of roam – for instance, the phantom which gobbled at the
ing about in any half-countrified spot with true de- boy like a turkey, and on being struck down gave
light in the song of birds or the silence of the trees. up its life as a little bloodless white thing, is very
So the reader of Mr. Chamberlin's book will read fine in its way, as is also the crone on the dreary
sentence after sentence and say, “ Well, I could have beach who danced widdershins in the dusk. But as
said that myself if I'd wanted to.” With real books to the meaning — It should be remarked, how-
on nature say by Gilbert White or Jeffries, by ever, that a number of the fables are simple enough
Thoreau or Burroughs - one never feels in that in expression and symbolism. We have generally
way, because almost every sentence has something regarded such simplicity as characteristic of the
new and fine in it, and gives that feeling of libera fable as a literary form. Stevenson, however, took
tion of spirit that genius can somehow manage to the term in an extended meaning; a number of
effect. So with real books of sympathetic observa his longer fables are more what one would incline
tion of men and things: the list is not so easy to to call allegories or allegorical tales. As to these,
make, but we might say books by Charles Lamb, or one is likely to feel like the Earl in the nineteenth
Thackeray, or George William Curtis. We do not fable, who said, “There is no sense in any of this,
think we could ourselves say such things as they say, and I must be growing old.” Still, although enig.
because we know we could not. Every sentence we matic, these fables have a fascination; one reads
enjoy, because it is of a higher power, which for a them willingly a second time. Finally, one begins
moment we appropriate. Mr. Chamberlin's obser to construct from them a theory of life, and to won-
vations we acknowledge for the instant, and then der whether it were Stevenson's. To distil such a
forget, just as we forget the thousand-and-one obser theory and offer it to the public is the true duty of
vations we make ourselves between morning and the critic of this book. This he should do, and not
night, because there is no reason why we should merely gird at his author for alleged obscurity.
remember them. Such work appears in large
The study of literature as a criticism
quantities in the papers nowadays, and that is well
Christ in
of life would seem to demand some
enough, for so many persons read the papers
who the poets.
know no better literature; the real power of litera-
analysis of literature in general on
ture filters down to them through such columns as
the basis of the facts of life. We ought to have lit-
“ The Listener” in “ The Transcript.” But there
erature considered according to the necessities of a
is no reason for republishing such articles, unless
historical or a biographical or a rhetorical stand-
the author will confine them to his friends. From
point, and also from the standpoint of one who be-
the above strictures must be excepted the three
lieves that in literature he will come to an under-
papers on Mountains. Mountains have apparently standing, or at least a criticism, of life as it really is.
the power to sting Mr. Chamberlin into moments of
Unable, however, to grasp the whole matter at once,
genuine and individual expression; they get his key-
he asks some arrangements that may correlate the
two. Suppose, as Ruskin suggests, we ask for Shake-
note.
speare's opinion on the matter of Church authority.
There is a game which grown-up peo How are we to get it? Looking at literature from
Haec fabula
ple sometimes play with children, the standpoint of life, we do not care particularly
called “ pictorial proverbs,” in which for history, biography, rhetoric, and their divisions
each person presents a well-known proverb in the are not to our purpose.
We know of certain ele.
form of a picture. The object of the game is to guess ments of life, certain facts or questions of life, and
the proverb that each picture ostensibly illustrates. to such system as we may have of these facts or
The pictures are often such that the proverb is ob elements we want to accommodate our gain from
scured rather than illustrated; but however difficult, literature. Some such ideas as these serve to show
the guessing is rendered more easy by the fact that how “The Vision of Christ in the Poets” (edited
the moral truth indicated by each picture is usually by Mr. C. M. Stuart and published by Messrs. Curts
well-known. Those who have suffered under is & Jennings) has a value beyond other collections of
game can imagine what a torment it might become, religious poetry. Christ is a great fact in life. Has
if one were allowed to illustrate any moral idea that literature anything to say whereby we shall realise
occurred to him. The pictures would then become that fact the better? The book in question is not a
enigmas, and the offence given by not probing the study nor a treatise; indeed, it falls short in many
intention of the youthful artists would render one's particulars of what it might be ; but there is so little
efforts doubly painful. Like this game is the vol else of the sort that many people will like to see it.
ume of Stevenson’s “ Fables "just published (Scrib- It is made up of extracts from eight poets of our
ner). We want to like everything Stevenson has own century, and also from Milton, with some slight
written ; and, indeed, we feel that we ought to do so. comment and explanation.
non docet.


1896.]
261
THE DIAL
about birds.
Dr. C. C. Abbott's recent volume of and division, and how they have flanked the unscalable
Pleasant talks
“ Bird-Land Echoes ” (Lippincott) precipices of the Great Divide, - explains the deep-set
adds to the author's repute as a ten-
furnaces that keep the Yellowstone gushers in hot water,
der lover of nature and a vivid narrator of his ex-
or tells how he marched up the peak of the Matterhorn
and then marched down again, defends the idiosyncracies
periences in his studies of animal life in the woods
and fields. His discourse is like the free, frank,
of Rafinesque or pays devout homage to Agassiz, or
presents an allegoric vision of the monstrosities of pro-
informal talk held by the camp-fire or the glowing
tection as discovered from an ideal and isolated point
hearth at evening-time, when the day's work is done of view,-Dr. Jordan is always original and instructive,
and there is leisure for idle and happy reminiscence. and sometimes he is amusing as well.
Still, there is method in his “ Bird-Land Echoes," A monograph upon the White Pine, Pinus Strobus,
each separate chapter treating of some special group the most important lumber - producing tree of North
of birds, the members of which follow each other America, by Gifford Pinchott and Harry S. Graves,
in a sort of haphazard order as they chance to come
treats the subject upon its economic side in a method at
before the mental vision, or as they would chance
once complete and concise. It discusses the conditions
under which the tree thrives, the evils which threaten
to appear in an actual walk amid their native haunts.
One feels in reading the book as though in the very
it, the prospect of its reproduction upon suitable areas;
and shows by tables and diagrams, condensed from a
presence of the author, who in an amiably voluble
multitude of observations, the amounts of merchantable
mood speaks of all the trifling occurrences connected material, either squared timber or sawn lumber, which
with his theme, giving now an interesting fact that may be secured from single trees or from measured
is worth treasuring, and now a mere opinion or ex areas of land, with the rates of increase at different
pression of feeling uttered in emphatic words that stages in the growth of the forest. (Century Co.).
are striking and amusing. One is grateful for the “Rosemary and Rue" (Rand, McNally & Co.) is the
frequent outbursts of indignation at the slaughter of pretty title given to a pretty book of selections from the
our birds for the decoration of women's hats and writings of « Amber," the pen-name by which the late
the gratification of the hunter. We cannot boast of
Mrs. Martha Holden was long known to Chicago news-
our civilization, our humanity even, until we learn
paper readers. Mrs. Holden bad a happy knack of
evolving bits of philosophy or of fun out of the most
to respect the life of the meanest thing that breathes.
commonplace circumstances or happenings, and, by her
The illustrations enlivening Dr. Abbott's book are
own confession, “simply adored the open sky, a tree in
evidently copies of stuffed birds, and are not always
bloom, and a pretty woman.” A wise discrimination has
as true to life as they should be. Most of the bird been exercised in making these selections; some pleasant
figures are puffed out in the breast in a sadly un and graceful verses are scattered among the prose; and
natural way.
there is a brief preface by Mr. Opie Read.
Mr. Thomas S. Blair, author of the
The “Oxford Teacher's Bible," published at the Uni-
The quest for work entitled “Human Progress :
versity Press by Mr. Henry Frowde, is a triumph of
human progress.
compact and beautiful book-making. Printed upon the
What can Man do to Further It?”
famous Oxford India paper, it gives us within the com-
(William R. Jenkins) starts out to discover a work pass of a single octavo volume of moderate size some-
ing hypothesis which shall rightly answer the ques thing like two thousand pages of text and plates. Three
tion, What can man do to further man's progress ? distinct works are here bound together: the Scriptures
and finding that the methods of the philosopher have themselves, “ Bible Illustrations,” and “Helps to the
proved inadequate, he adopts, experimentally, the
Study of the Bible.” The “ Illustrations" are a series
methods of the business-man. He informs the reader
of plates illustrating Biblical versions and antiquities,
at the outset that there is no attempt in his work
while the “Helps” comprise summaries, notes, tables,
indexes, a concordance, and a set of maps. The text is
to present a dogmatic exposition of positive doc-
that of the authorized version, with frequent reference
trine, but that every statement is to be understood to the revised version completed in 1885. The whole
as hypothetical only. He proceeds on certain as is bound in flexible morocco, and makes up a volume so
sumed facts which are satisfactory to himself, and nearly perfect in every way that it would be difficult
works out a system of prescripts of national policy to suggest improvements. Another remarkable book
which he believes will add to the sum of human made possible by the use of the India paper is the “Ox-
progress and prosperity. His methods of reasoning
ford Byron," a rather thin volume of over nine hun-
are almost too involved and obscure to attract the
dred double-columned pages, containing the complete
works of the poet.
interest of the average reader, and it is hence doubt-
Mr. John W. Tufts is the author of “ A Handbook of
ful if he succeeds in arousing that action which his
Vocal Music " for use in the public schools, although
thought and evident sincerity ought to awaken.
designed for teachers rather than for pupils. The work
is the outcome of many years of pedagogic experience,
and is very completely adapted for its avowed purpose.
BRIEFER MENTION.
The claim is not too great that “it will give teachers
who are obliged to work without supervision much of
Dr. David Starr Jordan reproduces his volume of the inspiration and help that they must otherwise lack.”
“ Science Sketches ” (McClurg), having replaced some We may also mention in this connection Mr. C. W.
of the rods of the fascia with sticks of a later gathering. Johnson's “Songs of the Nation," a collection of pa-
Whether he describes the life of a salmon or a “johnny triotic, occasional, college, and devotional songs. Both
darter,” or shows how trout understand multiplication books are published by Messrs. Silver, Burdett, & Co.


262
(Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
The second volume of “ History, Prophecy, and the
WILLIAM MORRIS.
Monuments; or, Israel and the Nations,” by Dr. James
(Died October 3, 1896.)
F. McCurdy, has just been published by the Macmillan
Co. This volume carries on the work to the fall of
“Shall we wako, one morn of Spring,
Glad of heart at everything ?”
Niniveh.
Dear Singer, cradled first on Nature's breast,
Volume III. of “The Intermediate Text-Book of
Hearing through days of bliss and nights of dreams English History,” by Mr. C. S. Fearenside, covers the
The lulling music of her reedy streams,
period from 1603 to 1714, and is published by Messrs.
Till thine own song its inmost soul expressed
Hinds & Noble, the New York agents for “ The Uni-
Of peace unstirred by struggle or unrest,
versity Tutorial Series."
Were there no hours when to thy noon's hot gleams A popular edition of Professor Villari's “Life and
Came back the joy of morn's enchanted beams, Times of Girolamo Savonarola,” translated by Mrs.
Ere thy great heart began its weary quest?
Linda Villari, is imported by Messrs. Charles Scribner's
Haunted through all the arches of the wood
Sons. The work is contained in a single volume of
By shapes of woe and cries of human pain, nearly eight hundred pages.
Faces that followed, hands too weak to cling, “ Beatrix,” translated by Mr. James Waring, has just
Hast thou not waked at last and found it good been added to the Dent-Macmillan edition of Balzac.
To see no sbadows on the glittering plain,
The same publishers have also issued “Venus and
And once again be glad of everything?
Adonis ” and “The Rape of Lucrece," as two volumes
EMILY HUNTINGTON MILLER. of the “ Temple” Shakespeare.
Professor F. Max Müller's centennial translation of
Kant's “ Critique of Pure Reason,” first printed in En-
THE SILENT SINGER.
glish fifteen years ago, has been reissued by the Mac-
millan Co. in a handsome single-volume edition of over
“ Dreamer of dreams,” absorbed in loveliness,
eight hundred pages, and at a moderate price.
Without thy voice it is an “empty day”;
Thou “idle singer," whose serene, sweet lay
The first number of Mr. W. Dawson Johnston's
Beguiled the soul when others wrought distress;
“ English Historical Reprints " is out, and includes docu-
“ Born out of thy due time”- thy song no less
mentary texts on “ The Relations between Church and
Hath marked thy journey, as the flowers of May
State" in the mediæval period. A misprint on the title-
Tell us that Spring hath passed adown our way
page gives the date 154 where 1540 is intended.
And whispered, hand to lips, “ Confess! confess!” The Round Robin Reading Club, “ designed for the
Seeking thine own, thy soul bath travelled far; promotion of systematic study of literature,” has issued
Yet vain for thee an “ Earthly Paradise"
a neat pamphlet giving details of the plan and work of
As Jason's journey for the Golden Fleece. the organization. Copies may be had by addressing
Now thou hast gone unto another star,
Miss Louise Stockton, Director, 4213 Chester Avenue,
To greet thy kindred in eternal skies
Philadelphia.
To share in Chaucer's and Boccaccio's peace. Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co. are to publish the
WILLIAM S. LORD.
“ American Citizen " series, under the editorship of Pro-
fessor A. B. Hart. Among the titles announced are
these: “Financial History of the United States," by
Professor D. R. Dewey; “ American Foreign Policy,"
LITERARY NOTES.
by Professor J. B. Moore; and “ Actual Government, as
Translations of “ Brude-Slaatten” and “En Dag "are
Applied under American Conditions,” by the editor of
the series.
given in the latest volume of the edition of Herr Björn-
“ The Dovil's Pool” and “François the Waif” are
son's novels now in course of publication by the Mac-
among the most charming of George Sand's works, and
millan Co.
need no word of comment at this late day. Exception-
The Funk & Wagnalls Company have published the
ally good translations of these books, made by Miss
second volume of “The Reader's Shakespeare,” pre-
Jane Minot Sedgwick and Mr. Ellery Sedgwick, and
pared for “elocutionists " and public readers by Mr.
published in exceptionally tasteful editions by Messrs.
David Charles Bell.
Little, Brown, & Co., are before us. Curiously enough,
“ A Little Tour in Ireland,” probably the most famous
the same etching serves as a frontispiece for both vol-
of Dean Hole's books, with the original drawings made umes.
by John Leech, is published in a new edition (the third)
A prize of £50, to be called the “Welby Prize,” is
by Mr. Edward Arnold.
offered for the best treatise upon “ The causes of the
Messrs. Henry Holt & Co. publish a new edition (the
present obscurity and confusion in psychological and
third), revised and enlarged by Dr. Elwyn Waller, of philosophical terminology, and the directions in which
the “ Manual of Quantitative Chemical Analysis," writ-
we may hope for efficient practical remedy." Compe-
ten by the late Frederick A. Cairns.
tition is open to those who, previously to October 1,
« The Student's Lyell,” edited by Mr. John W. Judd, 1896, have passed the examinations qualifying for a
and brought fully up to date, is published by Messrs. degree at some European or American University, and
Harper & Brothers in their well-known “Student's the essays must be sent in within a year from that date.
Series" of school and college text-books.
They may be written in English, French, or German,
Messrs. Houghton, Miffin & Co. publish a complete and must contain at least 25,000 words. Further de
one-volume edition, appropriately named the “ Apple-tails may be obtained of Prof. E. B. Titchener of Cor-
dore," of "The Poems of Celia Thaxter.” The poems nell University, who is to receive and forward manu-
are arranged in the order of their original publication. I scripts from the United States.


1896.]
268
THE DIAL
66
TOPICS IN LEADING PERIODICALS.
November, 1896 (First List).
Agricultural Unrest, Causes of. J. L. Laughlin. Atlantic.
American History, Early. F. W. Shepardson. Dial.
American Literature, An. F. L. Pattee. Dial.
Birmingham, Municipal Government of. Century.
Bread, Condiments, and Fruits. C. D. Wilson. Lippincott.
Camera and Comedy, The. Alexander Black. Scribner.
Campaign Methods and Tactics. Review of Reviews.
Chinese of New York, The. Helen F. Clark. Century.
Confederacy, Failure of the. Duncan Rose. Century.
Crisis, The Impending. William H. Standish. Arena.
Democracy, American, Dominant Idea of. Harper.
Du Maurier, George. Ernest Knaufft. Review of Reviews.
Eastern Ogre, The. W. T. Stead. Review of Reviews.
Editor and Contributor, Relations of. F. M. Bird. Lippincott.
Election Day in New York. Ernest Ingersoll. Century.
English Traits. Alvan F. Sanborn. Lippincott.
Florence, Literary Landmarks of. Laurence Hutton. Harper.
Free Coinage and Wage-Earners. Review of Reviews.
Free Silver. Walter Clark. Arena.
German and German American, The. Josiah Flynt. Atlantic.
Grant, Campaigning with. Horace Porter. Century.
Harte, Bret, Recollections of. C. W. Stoddard. Atlantic.
Hugo, Victor, Letters of. Dial.
Indian Territory, The. Allan Hendricks. Lippincott.
Issue of 1896, The. Frank Parsons. Arena.
Issues of 1896, The Vital. Lyman Abbott. Rev. of Rev.
Jameson's Raid. Poultney Bigelow. Harper.
Japan as an Industrial Power. W. E. Griffis. Chautauquan.
Joan of Arc Boutet de Monvel. Century.
Labor Unions in Great Britain. J. M. Ludlow. Atlantic.
Lithography, Renaissance of. M. H. Spielmann. Scribner.
Meynell, Alice, Essays of. E. E. Hale, Jr. Dial.
Molière. Chautauquan.
Municipal Water Supplies. F. J. Thornbury. Chautauquan.
Olympic Games of 1896. Pierre de Coubertin. Century.
Painting of the Nineteenth Century. John C. Van Dyke. Dial.
Panther Shooting in India. C. J. Melliss. Scribner.
Psychology, Analytic. H. M. Stanley. Dial.
Romeo, A Study of. John Jay Chapman. Atlantic.
Snakes of Florida. R. G. Robinson. Lippincott.
Social Problems, Books on. C. R. Henderson. Dial.
Surgery, Painless, History of. E. W. Emerson. Atlantic.
Utah as Industrial Object Lesson. W. E. Smythe. Atlantic.
Whist in America. “Cavendish.” Scribner.
Women Bachelors in New York. Mary G. Humphreys. Scrib.
Memoirs of the Internuncio at Paris, during the Revolu-
tion, 1790–1801. By Mgr. de Salamon; edited by the Abbé
Bridier. With portrait, 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 337.
Little, Brown, & Co. $2.
When William IV. Was King. By John Ashton. Illus.,
8vo, uncut, pp. 355. D. Appleton & Co. $3.50.
Guide to the Study of American History. By Edward
Channing, Ph.D., and Albert Bushnell Hart, Ph.D. 12mo,
pp. 471. Ginn & Co. $2.15.
Colonial Days in Old New York. By Alice Morse Earle.
12mo, pp. 312. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.25.
A Short History of Italy, from 476 to 1878 A.D. By Eliz.
abeth S. Kirkland. 16mo, pp. 486. A. C. McClurg & Co.
$1.25.
The Making of the British Empire (A. D. 1714–1832). By
Arthur Hassall, M.A. 16mo, pp. 149. • Oxford Manuals
of English History." Charles Scribner's Sons. 50 cts. net.
GENERAL LITERATURE.
Charlotte Brontë and her Circle. By Clement K. Shorter,
With portraits, 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 512. Dodd, Mead
& Co. $2.50.
The Rubaiyát of Omar Khayyam. Variorum edition, edited
by Nathan Haskell Dole. In two vols., with portraits,
12mo, gilt tops, uncut. Boston: Joseph Knight Co. Boxed,
$3.50.
Aspects of Fiction, and Other Ventures in Criticism. By
Brander Matthews. 12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 234. Har
per & Bros. $1.50.
The Sense of Beauty: Being the Outlines of Æsthetic The-
ory. By George Santayana. 12mo, pp. 275. Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons. $1.50.
The Unconscious Humorist, and Other Essays. By E. H.
Lacon Watson. 12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 244. New York:
George H. Richmond & Co. $1.50.
Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen. By
Alex, Chodsko; trans. and illus. by Emily J. Harding.
12mo, gilt top, pp. 353. Dodd, Mead & Co. $2.
Bacon vs. Shakspere: Brief for Plaintiff. By Edwin Reed.
Seventh edition, revised and enlarged ; illas., 8vo, gilt top,
uncut, pp. 296. Boston : Joseph Knight Co. $2.50.
Rainy Days in a Library. By Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart.
12mo, uncut, pp. 129. New York: Francis P. Harper. $1.50.
The Reader's Shakespeare. By David Charles Bell. Vol.
II., Tragedies, and "The Tempest "; 12mo, pp. 471. Funk
& Wagnalls Co. $1.50.
Daphno; or, The Pipes of Arcadia : Three Acts of Singing
Nonsense. By Marguerite Merington. Illus., 16mo, gilt
top, uncut, pp. 166. Century Co. $1.25.
Modern Political Orations. Edited by Leopold Wagner.
12mo, pp. 344. Henry Holt & Co. $i.
The World Beautiful, Second Series. By Lilian Whiting.
16mo, pp. 291. Roberts Bros. $1.
Napoleon's Addresses. Edited by Ida M. Tarbell. With
portrait, 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 147. Boston: Joseph
Knight Co. 75 cts.
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
(The following list, containing 209 titles, includes books
received by THE DIAL since its last issue.]
BIOGRAPHY AND MEMOIRS.
The Life and Letters of John Gibson Lockhart. From
Abbotsford and Milton Lockhart MSS. and other original
sources. By Andrew Lang. In two vols., illus., 8vo, gilt
tops, uncut. Charles Scribner's Sons. $12.50.
Pioneers of Science in America: Sketches of their Lives
and Scientific Work. Edited and revised by William Jay
Youmans, M. D. With portraits, 8vo, gilt top, uncut,
pp. 508. D. Appleton & Co. $4.
Reminiscences of an Octogenarian of the City New
York (1816 to 1860). By Chas. H. Haswell. Illus., 8vo,
gilt top, uncut, pp. 581. Harper & Bros. $3.
Glimpses of My Life. By Adeline, Countess Schimmel-
mann; edited by W. Smith Foggitt. 2d edition ; illus.,
12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 210. Dodd, Mead & Co.' $1.50.
Tudor Queens and Princesses. By Sarah Tytler. Illus.,
12mo, gilt top, pp. 418. Thomas Whittaker. $1.50.
HISTORY.
The Historical Development of Modern Europe, from
the Congress of Vienna to the Present Time. By Charles
M. Andrews. In two vols.; Vol. I., 1815-1850, with maps,
8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 457. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $2.50.
NEW EDITIONS OF STANDARD LITERATURE.
The Novels, Tales, and Sketches of J. M. Barrie. “This-
tle" edition. First vols.: Vol. I., Auld Licht Idylls, and
Better Dead; Vol. II., When a Man's Single. Each illus.
in photogravure, 12mo, gilt top, uncut. Charles Scribner's
Sons. (Sold only by subscription.)
The Poetical Works of Lord Byron. Oxford India paper
edition ; 12mo, red under gilt edges, pp. 924. New York:
Henry Frowde. $3.50.
Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Translated
by F. Max Müller. 8vo, uncut, pp. 308. Macmillan Co.
$3. net.
Works by George Sand: The Devil's Pool, trans. by Jane
Minot Sedgwick and Ellery Sedgwick; and François the
Waif, trans. by Jane Minot Sedgwick. Each with etched
frontispiece, 16mo, gilt tops, uncut. Little, Brown, & Co.
Per vol., $1.25.
Wordsworth's Poetical Works. Edited by William
Knight. Vol. VII.; with portrait and engraved title-page,
12mo, uncut, pp. 416. Macmillan Co. $1.50.
Béatrix. By H. de Balzac ; trans. by James Waring; with
Preface by George Saintsbury. Illus., 12mo, gilt top, un-
cut, pp. 364. Macmillan Co. $1.50.
The "Temple” Shakespeare. Edited by Israel Gollancz,
M.A. New vols.: Venus and Adonis, and The Rape of
Lucrece. Each with frontispiece, 24mo, gilt top, uncut.
Macmillan Co. Per vol., 45 cts.


264
[Nov. 1,
THE DIAL
The Bridal March, and One Day. By Björnstjerne Björn-
son; trang. from the Norwegian. 16mo, gilt top, pp. 197.
Macmillan Co. $1.25.
POETRY.
Judith and Holofernes. By Thomas Bailey Aldrich, 12mo,
gilt top, pp. 78. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.25.
Green Arras. Written and illus. by Laurence Housman.
12mo, uncut, pp. 90. Way & Williams. $1.50 net.
Under Quicken Boughs. By Nora Hopper. 12mo, uncut,
pp. 151. George H. Richmond & Co. * $2.
Poems. By F.B. Money Coutts. 12mo, uncut, pp. 95. George
H. Richmond & Co. $1.50.
In the Dorian Mood. By Victor Plarr. 12mo, uncut, pp.
111. George H. Richmond & Co. $2.
A Cycle of Sonnets. Edited by Mabel Loomis Todd. 12mo,
gilt top, uncut, pp. 93. Roberts Bros. $1.25.
Posies out of Ring, and Other Conceits. By William Theo-
dore Peters. 16mo, uncut, pp. 77. George H. Richmond
& Co. 75 cts.
Notes and Half-Notes. By Frank E. Sawyer. 16mo, gilt
top, pp. 109. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.
The Skeleton's Message, and Other Poems. By Lydia
Landon Elliott. 12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 131. Terre
Haute, Ind.: The Inland Pub'g Co. $1.
FICTION.
The Well at the World's End: A Tale. By William Morris.
In two vols., 8vo, uncut. Longmans, Green, & Co. $7.50.
"Quo Vadis": A Narrative of the Time of Nero. By Henryk
Sienkiewicz; trans. by Jeremiah Curtin. 12mo, pp. 541.
Little, Brown, & Co. $2.
Gaston de Latour: An Unfinished Romance. By Walter
Pater; prepared for the press by Charles L. Shadwell.
16mo, uncut, pp. 206. Macmillan Co. $1.50.
The Gray Man. By S. R. Crockett. Illus., 12mo, pp. 406.
Harper & Bros. $1.50.
The Other House. By Henry James. 12mo, gilt top, un-
cut, pp. 388. Macmillan Co. $1.50.
Kate Carnegie. By Ian Maclaren. Illus., 12mo, pp. 358.
Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.50.
Mrs. Cliff's Yacht. By Frank R. Stockton. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 314. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.50.
The Murder of Delicia. By Marie Corelli, 12mo, pp. 274.
J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.25.
Captain Shannon. By Coulson Kernaban. 12mo, pp. 296.
Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.25.
Amyas Egerton, Cavalier. By Maurice H. Hervey. Illus.,
12mo, pp. 354. Harper & Bros. $1.50.
Six Modern Heretics. By Cora Maynard. 12mo, pp. 382.
Roberts Bros. $1.50.
The Rogue's March: A Romance. By E. W. Hornung.
12mo, pp. 403. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.50.
A Knight of the Nets. By Amelia E. Barr. 12mo, uncut,
pp. 314. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.25.
John: A Tale of King Messiah. By Katherine Pearson
Woods. 12mo, pp. 346. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.25.
The Sprightly Romance of Marsac. By Molly Elliot Sea-
well. Illas., 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 194. Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons. $1.25.
The Metropolitans. By Jeanie Drake. 12mo, pp. 267.
Century Co. $1.25.
The Green Graves of Balgowrie. By Jane Helen Find-
later. 12mo, pp. 341. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.25.
The Wonderful Wheel. By Mary Tracy Earle. 12mo, gilt
top, pp. 152. Century Co. $1.25.
"Gold": A Dutch-Indian Story. By Annie Linden. 12mo,
gilt top, pp. 258. Century Co. $1.25.
An Evil Motherhood: An Impressionist Novel. By Walt
Ruding; with frontispiece by Aubrey Beardsley. 12mo,
uncut, pp. 99. Geo. . Richmond & Co. $1.25.
Tales of Our Coast. By S. R. Crockett, Harold Frederic,
and others. Illus., 12mo, uncut, pp. 203. Dodd, Mead &
Co. $1.25.
Nell Haffenden: A Strictly Conventional Story. By Tighe
Hopking. 12mo, pp. 396. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.25.
The Washer of the Ford: Legendary Moralities and Bar-
baric Tales. By Fiona Macleod. 16mo, gilt top, uncut,
pp. 332. Stone & Kimball. $1.25.
A Crown of Straw. By Allen Upward. 12mo, pp. 330.
Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.25.
The Wardship of Steepcoombe. By Charlotte M. Yonge.
Illus., 12mo, pp. 309. Thomas Whittaker. $1.25.
Redburn. By Henry Ochiltree. 12mo, pp. 289. Dodd, Mead
& Co. $1.25.
Revenge! By Robert Barr. Illus., 12mo, pp. 308. F. A.
Stokes Co. $1.25.
The Mistress of Brae Farm. By Rosa Nouchette Carey.
12mo, pp. 437. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.25.
The End of the Beginning. 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 326.
Little, Brown, & Co. $1.25.
The Idol-Maker. By Adeline Sergeant. 12mo, pp. 351.
D. Appleton & Co. $1.
A Fearless Investigator. 12mo, pp. 353. A. C. McClurg
& Co. $1.25.
Iras: A Mystery. By Theo. Douglas. 12mo, pp. 251. Har
per & Bros. $1.
The Majesty of Man. By "Alien." 12mo, pp. 346. Dodd,
Mead & Co. $1.25.
A Book of Martyrs. By Cornelia Atwood Pratt. 18mo,
gilt top, uncut, pp. 179. Charles Scribner's Sons. 75 cts.
The Joy of Life. By Emma Wolf. 16mo, pp. 253. A. C.
McClurg & Co. si.
The Crowning of Candace. By Katherine Pearson Woods.
18mo, pp. 233. Dodd, Mead & Co. 75 cts.
The Juggernaut of the Moderns. By Rosa Hudspeth.
12mo, pp. 327. Arena Pub'g Co. $1.
Mother Molly. By Frances Mary Peard. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 260. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.
The Cottage by the Sea. By Mrs. James Carey Coale.
12mo, pp. 186. Baltimore : John Murphy & Co. Paper, 50c.
TRAVEL AND DESCRIPTION.
Travel and Talk: My Hundred Thousand Miles of Travel,
1885-93-95. By Rev. H. R. Haweis, M.A. In two vols.,
with portraits, 12mo, gilt tops, uncut. Dodd, Mead & Co.
Boxed, $5, net.
The Edge of the Orient. By Robert Howard Russell. Illus.,
12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 288. Charles Scribner's Song, $2.
In the Volcanic Eifel: A Holiday Ramble. By Katharine
S. and Gilbert S. Macquoid. Ulus., 8vo, gilt top, uncut,
pp. 342. Dodd, Mead & Co. $3.
The Country of Horace and Virgil. By Gaston Boissier ;
trans. by D. Havelock Fisher. With maps, 8vo, uncut,
pp. 346. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $2.
Lazy Tours in Spain and Elsewhere. By Louise Chandler
Moulton, 12mo, pp. 377. Roberts Bros. $1.50.
The Western Avernus; or, Toil and Travel in Further
North America. By Morley Roberts. New edition ; illus.,
8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 277. Little, Brown, & Co. $2.
The Island of Cuba: A Descriptive and Historical Account.
By Andrew Summers Rowan and Marathon Montrose Ram-
say, B.S. With maps, 16mo, pp. 279. Henry Holt & Co.
$1.25.
Little Journeys to the Homes of American Authors. By
various writers. Illus., 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 388.
G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.75.
THEOLOGY AND RELIGION.
The Old Testament and Modern Life. By Stopford A.
Brooke. 12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 352. Dodd, Mead &
Co. $1.50.
The Gospel for an Age of Doubt: The Yale Lectures on
Preaching, 1896. By Henry Van Dyke, D.D. 12mo, gilt
top, pp. 457. Macmillan Co. $1.75.
Letters to the Clergy on the Lord's Prayer and the Church,
with Replies. Edited by Rev. F. A. Malleson, M.A. Third
edition, with additions ; 12mo, uncut, pp. 332. Dodd, Mead
& Co. $1.75.
Christianity and Social Problems. By Lyman Abbott.
16mo, pp. 378. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.25.
With Open Face; or, Jesus Mirrored in Matthew, Mark,
and Luke. By Alexander Balman Bruce, D.D.' 12mo,
pp. 257. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.50.
PSYCHOLOGY.
Genius and Degeneration: A Psychological Study. By
Dr. William Hirsch ; trans, from the 2d German edition.
8vo, pp. 333. D. Appleton & Co. $3.50.
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.- MUSIC.
Modern French Masters: A Series of Biographical and
Critical Reviews. By American Artists. Edited by John
C. Van Dyke. With 66 full-page plates, large 8vo, gilt top,
pp. 262. Century Co. Boxed, $io.
A Manual for China Painters. By Mrs. N. di R. Mona-
chesi. Illus., 12mo, pp. 286. Lee & Shepard. $1.25.
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1896.]
265
THE DIAL
European Architecture: A Historical Study. By Russell
Sturgis, A.M. Illus., 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 578. Mao-
millan Co. $4.
The Opera: A Sketch of Its Development, with Full De-
scriptions of Every Work in the Modern Repertory. By
R. A. Stroatfeild, B.A.; with Introduction by J. A. Fuller
Maitland. 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 336. J. B. Lippincott
Co. $2.
Famous Violinists and Fine Violins: Historical Notes,
Anecdotes, and Reminiscences. By Dr. T. L. Phipson.
12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 254. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.75.
GAMES AND SPORTS.
Angling. By various writers. Illus., 12mo, pp. 305. “Out-
of-Door Library." Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.50.
A Primer of College Football. By W. H. Lewis. Illus.,
16mo, pp. 205. Harper & Bros. Paper, 75 cts.
HOLIDAY GIFT BOOKS.
Historic Churches of Paris. By Walter F. Lonergan ; illus.
by Brinsley S. Le Fanu and from photographs. Large 8vo,
gilt top, pp. 216. Thomas Whittaker. $4.50.
Carmen. By Prosper Mérimée ; trans. and illus. (in photo-
gravure) by Edmund H. Garrett; with Memoir of the
author by Louise Imogen Guiney. 12mo, gilt top, pp. 118.
Little, Brown, & Co. $2.
In Ole Virginia. By Thomas Nelson Page ; illus. by Smed-
ley, Clinedinst, Reinhart, etc. 8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 275.
Charles Scribner's Sons. $2.50.
Constantinople. By Edmondo de Amicis ; trans. by Caro-
line Tilton. “Stamboul” edition ; illus., Svo, gilt top,
uncut, pp. 326. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $2.25.
A Window in Thrums. By J. M. Barrie ; illus. from photo-
graphs by Clifton Johnson, 12mo, gilt top, pp. 272. Dodd,
Mead & Co. $2.
Rustic Life in France. By André Theurieti trans. by
Helen B. Dole ; illus. in photogravure, etc., by Léon Lher-
mitte. 8vo, gilt top, pp. 286. T. Y. Crowell & Co. Boxed,
$2.50.
Saul. By Robert Browning; illus. in photogravure, etc., by
Frank 0. Small. 8vo, gilt top, pp. 45. T. Y. Crowell &
Co. Boxed, $1.50.
A Year in the Fields: Selections from the Writings of John
Burroughs. Illus, from photographs by Clifton Johnson.
12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 220. Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
$1.50.
Under Two Flags. By “Ouida"; illus. by G. Montbard.
In two vols., 12mo, gilt tops, uncut. J. B. Lippincott Co.
Boxed, $3.
Celebrated Crimes. By Alexandre Dumas. In three vols.,
illus. in photogravure, 12mo, gilt tops, uncut. Joseph
Knight Co. Boxed, $4.50.
Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail. By Theodore Roose-
velt; illus. by Frederic Remington. New edition ; large
8vo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 186. Century Co. $2.50.
In a North Country Village. By M. E. Francis (Mrs.
Francis Blundell). Illus., 12mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 263.
Little, Brown, & Co. $2.
Tracings; or, A Reflection of ture. By E. Scott O'Connor.
32mo, gilt edges, pp. 69. Thumb-Nail Series." Century
Co. $1.
Break o' Day, and Other Stories. Written and illus. by
George Wharton Edwards. 32mo, gilt edges, pp. 163.
“Thumb-Nail Series." Century Co. $1.
In Friendship's Name. Compiled by Volney Streamer.
8vo, uncut. Lamson, Wolffe, & Co. Boxed.
Through Love to Light: A Selection of Songs of Good
Courage. Made by John White Chadwick and Annie
Hathaway Chadwick. 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 169. Jog-
eph Knight Co. Boxed, $1.25.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
The Story of Aaron (So Named) the Son of Ben Ali, Told
by his Friends and Acquaintances. By Joel Chandler
Harris. Illas., 8vo, pp. 198. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $2.
The Century Book of Famous Americans: The Story of
a Young People's Pilgrimage to Historic Homes. By
Elbridge S. Brooks. Illus., large 8vo, pp. 251. Century
Co. $1.50.
Captain Chap; or, The Rolling Stones. By Frank R. Stock-
ton. Illus., 8vo, pp. 298. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.50.
Legends from River and Mountain. By Carmen Sylva
(H. M. the Queen of Roumania) and Alma Strettell.
Illus., 8vo, gilt top, pp. 328. Dodd, Mead & Co. $2.
To Tell the King the Sky is Falling. By Sheila E. Braine.
Illus., 8vo, gilt edges, pp. 171. Charles Scribner's Sons.
$1.75.
Two Little Wooden Shoes. By Louise de la Ramé (Ouida).
Illus., 8vo, pp. 240. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.50.
The Prize Cup. By J. T. Trowbridge. Illus., 12mo, pp. 234.
Century Co. $1.50.
Sindbad, Smith & Co. By Albert Stearns. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 271. Century Co. $1.50.
The Wallypug of Why. By G. E. Farrow; illus. by Harry
and Dorothy Furniss. 8vo, uncut, pp. 201. Dodd, Mead
& Co. $1.50.
The Oracle of Baal. By J. Provand Webster. Illus., 8vo,
pp. 374. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.50.
Gypsy's Sowing and Reaping. By Elizabeth Stuart
Phelps. Illus., 12mo, pp. 314. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.50.
The Swordmaker's Son: A Story of the Year 30 A. D. By
William 0. Stoddard. Illus., 12mo, pp. 277. Century Co.
$1.50.
Swept Out to Sea. By David Ker. Illus., 12mo, pp. 297.
J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.50.
Three Children of Galilee: A Life of Christ for Young
People. By John Gordon. Illus., 12mo, gilt top, pp. 279.
Joseph Knight Co. $1.50.
Witch Winnie in Holland. By Elizabeth W. Champney.
Illus., 12mo, pp. 324. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.50.
A Little Girl in Old New York. By Amanda M. Douglas.
12mo, uncut, pp. 367. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.50.
The Mistress of Sherburne. By Amanda M. Douglas.
12mo, pp. 345. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.50.
The Fast Mail: The Story of a Train Boy. By William
Drysdale. Illus., 12mo, pp. 328. Boston: W. A. Wilde
& Co. $1.50.
The Orcutt Girls; or, One Term at the Academy. By
Charlotte M. Vaile. Illus., 12mo, pp. 316. Boston: W.A.
Wilde & Co. $1.50.
On the Staff. By Oliver Optic. Illus., 12mo, pp. 474. Lee
& Shepard. $1.50.
Tecumseh's Young Braves: A Story of the Creek Wår.
By Everett T. Tomlinson. Illus., 12mo, pp. 356. Lee &
Shepard. $1.50.
Daddy Jake the Runaway, and Short Stories Told after
Dark, By “Uncle Remus" (Joel Chandler Harris). New
edition ; illus., 12mo, pp. 198. Century Co. $1.25.
Frank Hunter's Peril. By Horatio Alger, Jr. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 335. Henry T. Coates & Co. $1.25.
The Mystery of the Island: A Tale of Bush and Pampas,
Wreck and Treasure Trove. By Henry Kingsley. Illus.,
12mo, pp., 256. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.25.
W.V. Her Book, and Various Verses. By William Canton.
Illus., 16mo, gilt top, uncut, pp. 150. Stone & Kimball.
$1.25.
Admiral J. of Spurwink. By James Otis. Illus., 12mo,
pp. 305. Boston: A. I. Bradley & Co. $1.25.
Gentle Jesus: A Life of Christ for Little Folks. By Helen
E. Jackson. Illus., 8vo, pp. 223. Thomas Whittaker.
$1.25.
The Young Pearl Divers: A Story of Australian Adven-
ture by Land and Sea. By Lieut. H. Phelps Whitmarsh.
Illas., 12mo, pp. 256. Joseph Knight Co. '$1.25.
Little Men and Maids. By Elizabeth S. Tucker; illus.
with full-page color-plates by Frances Brundage. 4to.
F. A. Stokes Co. $1.25.
Betty of Wye. By Amy E. Blanchard. Illus., 12mo, pp.
258. J. B. Lippincott Co. $1.25.
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266
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--
no. 250
no. 249
274.796) preceden
(p.
in this
senti
THE DIAL
A Semi-Monthly Journal of Literary Criticism, Discussion, and Information.
CONTENTS - Continued.
PAGE
338
THE DIAL (founded in 1880) is published on the 1st and 16th of
each month. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION, $2.00 a year in advance, postage
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THE DIAL, 315 Wabash Ave., Chicago.
No. 251.
DECEMBER 1, 1896.
Vol. XXI.
BOOK FOR THE YOUNG - I.
Lang's Animal Story Book. – Kipling's Soldier
Stories.- Harris's Daddy Jake.- Harris's Story of
Aaron.- Crockett's Sweetheart Travellers.- Trow-
bridge's The Prize Cup.— Brooks's Century Book of
Famous Americans. — Brooks's The Long Walls.-
Brooks's Under the Tamaracks.--Otis's Admiral J.
of Spurwink. – Otis's A Short Cruise. - Otis's On
Schedule Time.-Oxley's Romance of Commerce.-
Miss Underhill's The Dwarfs' Tailor. – Jacobs's
Book of Wonder Voyages. - Hawthorne's Wonder
Book. – Grimm's Fairy Tales, Crane's edition.-
Wright's Fairies of the Sun. -- Tales from Hans An-
dersen. – Miss Hatton's The Village of Youth.-
Newkirk's Rhymes of the States. – Mrs. Jamison's
Seraph the Violinist. – Henty's At Agincourt.-
Henty's On the Irrawaddy.--Henty's With Cochrane
the Dauntless.- Canton's W. V., Her Book.-Har-
ris's Stories from American History. - Nimrod edi-
tion of Mayne Reid. - Stockton's Captain Chap.-
Morris's Historical Tales.- Miss Raymond's A Cape
May Diamond.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL
. 317
.
COMMUNICATIONS
319
“Insanity or Genius” in Characters of Fiction.
C. L. Moore.
A Question of Boundaries in Fiction. E. H. M.
Hamerton's View of Art-Technique. Hiram M.
Stanley.
LITERARY NOTES
. 341
A GERMAN LECTURE ON LITERATURE. Calvin
S. Brown..
321
LIST OF NEW BOOKS
342
.
THE BEST OF THE NAPOLEONIC MEMOIRS.
E. G. J.
. 322
.
THE CASE OF CUBA. Selim H. Peabody
325
.
THE LITERARY CIRCLE OF THE BRONTES.
Tuley Francis Huntington
329
A
PANORAMIC HISTORY OF THE LAST
QUARTER-CENTURY, Edwin E. Sparks .
331
HOLIDAY PUBLICATIONS - I.
. 332
Sloan's Life of Napoleon.–Gibson's Pictures of Peo-
ple. – Wenzell's In Vanity Fair. - Phillips's Fables
for the Times. - Kemble's Coons. — Van Dyke's
Modern French Masters.- Fiske's American Revolu-
tion.- Grimm's Life of Michael Angelo.- Irving's
Bracebridge Hall, Surrey edition.- Lonergan's His-
toric Churches of Paris. — Theuriet's Rustic Life in
France. - Lang's Compleat Angler. – Mrs. Burton
Harrison's Externals of Modern New York.- Case's
English Epithalamies.-- Buchan's Musa Piscatrix.-
De Amicis's Constantinople, Stamboul edition.-
Burroughs's A Year in the Fields.- Barrie's A Win-
dow in Thrums. — Crowell's new editions of Pope,
Browning, and Don Quixote. - Quida's Under Two
Flags.- Skinner's Myths and Legends of Our Own
Land.- Edwards's Break o' Day.- Miss O'Connor's
Tracings.- Merimée's Carmen.- Roosevelt's Ranch
Life.- George Sand's Fadette. - Pierre Loti's Ice-
land Fisherman.- Mrs. Blundell's In a North Coun-
try Village - Browning's Saul.
THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL.
In one of the most exquisite symbolical tales
to be found among American writings, Haw-
thorne has dealt with the entertainment of
angels unawares, emphasizing a situation as old
as literature, as old perhaps as the mythology
that lies back of literature in the childhood
of the world. Readers of “ The Great Stone
Face” will remember how it was prophesied
that the features carved in the granite of the
mountains should one day find their counter-
part in warm flesh among the inhabitants of
the Franconian valley, and how the hero of the
story, looking forward to the fulfilment of this
prophecy, suffered repeated and bitter disap-
pointment as one famous man after another
failed to meet the test, himself all unconscious
that a life of helpful toil and noble aspiration
was gradually shaping his own features into the
desired likeness, and his neighbors all unwit-
ting of the fact that the long-heralded incarna-
tion of the Great Stone Face had dwelt in their
midst from his birth. It has ever been the
fashion of prophecy, from the days of the
Delphian oracle down to our own, to get fulfil-


318
[Dec. 1,
THE DIAL
ment in unexpected ways; and it is possible “ fall flat” from the press, it at least aroused
that the Great American Novel, of which the slight enthusiasm, and soon seemed to have run
appearance has so long been prophesied, may its course. Yet the position of the book in
already have come into existence. Many an question has grown stronger from that day to
American critic, jealous for his country's liter. this. With little help from the organs of pub-
ary repute, and eager to assert the final eman-licity, it has steadily enlarged its circle of read-
cipation of “these States” from all old-world ers, and ten years from now will probably be
tyrannies of the ideal, has sought to discern in reckoned among the noteworthy books of the
the works of one American novelist or another quarter-century.
quarter-century. We shall not name it, for it
the typical expression of a distinctly American is not the Great American Novel, although it
civilization. But, unless all preconceptions has some of the qualities which we expect will
based upon a broad survey of literature are characterize that work when it appears ; but
misleading, we are forced to disallow the pleas its history will help us to understand the man-
of these over-zealous advocates, and to admit ner in which that eagerly-anticipated produc-
that we have not yet produced any novelist tion is likely to make its way. The Great
really representative of American society in the American Novel will be borne to fame by no
sense in which Balzac is representative of surface ripple of fancy, but by a strong under-
French, Thackeray of English, and Tourgué- current of intelligent appreciation; it will not
nieff of Russian society. Original and charm win its readers by wholesale, but one at a time,
ing novelists we have, indeed, in considerable and each new reader will act as a new centre
numbers, and they have filled our literary of propagation. When it has at last really
picture gallery with successful studies of genre, found and won its fit audience, it will probably
and fragments of romance, and bits of quite become the fashion also, and its name will be
praiseworthy realism, and fictions of character upon the lips of fools, for this penalty of genius
and manners in the greatest variety. We have is always exacted sooner or later.
also the full flower of Hawthorne's genius, and So much for the manner of its coming : let
may rest assured that neither the art nor the us now ask what the Great American Novel
depth of The Scarlet Letter" will be far sur will be like. Since it is to be American, it
passed by the best of those who may rise up in must needs reflect the democratic principle
the future. But the Great American Novel upon which American society is organized. It
must be broader in scope, if it cannot be truer cannot rely upon the artificial distinctions of the
in art, than this tragic idyll of Puritan New older civilizations to give variety to its charac-
England, and so the title still seems to await ters, but must fall back upon the distinctions
its properly-authenticated claimant.
of mind and heart that are inherent in human
Assuming, then, that the Great American nature. In other words, it must command a
Novel has not yet appeared, and that prophecy deeper psychology than the European novelist
about it is still admissible, let us venture a few needs to give interest to his book. Without
suggestions concerning its coming and its char- being in any way polemical, it must be imbued
acter. We may safely say that it will not come with the passion of democracy, based through-
with observation. It will not be heralded by out upon the stout-hearted conviction that de
the puff preliminary, nor will hosts of rival mocracy is the only rational form of govern-
publishers struggle for possession of the man ment, the only system of social organization
uscript. When it is given to the public, we that has logical finality. But this implicit de-
shall not be regaled with columns of ingenuous mocracy which informs the book must be puri-
gossip about the personality and habits of the fied from the faults and the excesses of the
author, nor will advance extracts be scattered democratic spirit as now manifested in our
far and wide to whet the appetite for the whole national life. It must be a democracy that is
magnum opus. It will be the book of neither freed from arrogance, that has substituted ideal-
the day nor the month. Its originality will ism for its present dull materialism, and that
puzzle reviewers, and, unable to fit it into any has learned the lesson of reverence.
of their neat pigeon-holes, they will, for the We should say that the political motive must
most part, damn it with faint praise, or treat figure among the leading motives of the Great
it with flippant contempt. We call to mind a
novel published in this country about two years novel pure and simple, it must give adequate
ago, which was accorded very much the sort of expression to an instinct in the possession of
reception just outlined. If it did not ly I which even the Greeks did not surpass us, an
American Novel. Without being a political


1896.]
319
THE DIAL
>
instinct which is in the very marrow of our
“Can rules or tutors educate
bones.
The semigod whom we await ?
It may be to superficial seeming a
He must be musical,
novel of domestie concerns, yet it must receive Tremulous, impressional,
color and strength from the political motive,
Alive to gentle influence
and thereby touch one of the most responsive
Of landscape and of sky,
And tonder to the spirit touch
chords of our national consciousness. Its eth Of man's or maiden's eye:
ical motives must be worthy of a nation whose
But, to his native centre fast,
Shall into Future fuse the Past,
civilization is based upon Puritanism, and And the world's flowing fates in his own mould recast.”
whose history is a standing testimony to the
And may we not fancy our heroine to be the
assimilative force of Puritan ideals. It must
realization of such a type as is foreshadowed
give to social phenomena their true ethical
in the closing pages of Tennyson's Princess,'
rating, and exalt — to use Schopenhauer's clas such a woman as shall set herself to the hero
sification " that which one is above that
“ like perfect music unto noble words," yet
which he possesses, or that which he appears
in
remain as distinctly woman as he is distinctly
the popular estimation. It must make the
man ?
reader feel how far the true aristocracy of heart
and intellect overshadows all the sham aristoc-
racies of wealth and of social position won by
COMMUNICATIONS.
“smartness,” that distinctly American vice. It
must enforce—but always by implication rather "INSANITY OR GENIUS” IN CHARACTERS
than precept -- the Goethean lesson that he
OF FICTION.
alone deserves life and freedom who wins them
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
Modern scientific men are gaining those great quali-
day by day; and the other Goethean lesson
ties of style which modern literary men seem to be
80 peculiarly applicable to a country where losing — the clear presentation of thought and the hav-
degenerate sons so often take the place of sturdy ing thought to present. Dr. Lombroso's book, “The
ancestors that we must earn anew the inheri. Man of Genius," is as interesting as most novels and not
tance left us by our fathers, if we would really
so obscure as many poems. It seems indifferent what
view an author may take of life or human destiny, if he
is only capable of grappling greatly with great things.
That some such ideas as these should inform
Leopardi, for example, is so filled with enthusiasm for
the novel that shall be a reflection of what is death and annihilation that his pages throb with the
best and deepest in American life seems an
assurance and exultation of immortality. In a minor
almost inevitable deduction from our national
degree, this book, in spite of the trail of tragedy from
cover to cover, is tonic and uplifting.
history and circumstances. But the Great
Nevertheless, its argument seems open to exception.
American Novel must be no mere setting of Its essential theme — the near alliance of genius and
philosophical abstractions. It must, it is true,
insanity — is, as Lombroso admits, a commonplace of
strike deep root in the soil that the centuries
the ages, and is best summed up in Dryden's couplet.
But when Dr. Lombroso goes futher and seeks to prove
have prepared for our civilization, but it must
that hereditary weakness, degeneration, and insanity are
at the same time be a concrete and vital pre-
osing causes of genius, one must ask whether
sentation of certain individual lives as they are these things stop short with great men. 'Tis a mad
lived, or conceivably might be lived, at the
world, my masters; and I suppose everyone is acquainted
present day. Such a novel is under bonds to
with persons who have as many oddities as Johnson or as
many vices as Byron. The diseased conditions are not
be an epic of individualism, for democracy, if noticed in ordinary persons, but genius is like an illum-
it means anything, means la carrière ouverte inated house which reveals all that is within. Then, too,
aux talens, means the fullest opportunity for
the possession of genius widens its owner's sphere of
the development of the individual. Our imag-
action. It gives the right of eminent domain over men
ined work must have a hero and a heroine, each
and women, and power tends to insanity and crime.
Signor Lombroso does not give us any standard of the
a typical figure; and it would be a fascinat normal man. “ The normal man eats and works,” is the
ing task to attempt their characterization in brief sentence in which he dismisses that inquiry. This
outline. But this task would savor of creation,
is hardly as illuminative as Diogenes's lantern. The
and is not for the critic to assume.
absolutely sound, healthy, sane man is questionably ex-
istent. It would seem, indeed, as if the great organs
will go so far as to borrow from the poets two of the body — the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, etc.-
suggestions, one for the man, the other for the were like a group of wild animals imprisoned in one
woman. Is it too much to say that Emerson cage, — they may, indeed, live together in peace and
adumbrated the hero of our search when he
harmony, but they are more likely to rise and rend and
devour each other.
wrote the simple lines that stand as a motto for
It is probable that all the symptoms of melancholy,
the essay on “Culture”
megalomania, folie du doute, the others upon which
possess it.
the pre
Yet we


320
[Dec. 1,
THE DIAL
Dr. Lombroso relies in his diagnosis of degeneration, able neighborhoods even in South Boston ? Actually,
insanity, and genius, are present more or less in most the delightful chaperon of the “Little Fool "insinuated
human beings. It would be a delicate task to bring nothing, in quoting the current opinion of one suburb
such an inquiry into the field of one's acquaintance, and against another -Jamaica Plain against South Boston
might provoke reprisal; but it is open to apply Dr. - quite in the self-gratulatory way of the Vermont
Lombroso's method to fictitious characters — to those countryman who pitied the inbabitant of the Hub for
accepted pictures of human life which we call novels. living “ so fur off.” The satire, such as it is, seems to
Running over in my mind a list of great novels, I can be entirely against the complacent residents of Jamaica
hardly recall one whose dramatis personæ are not char Plains for their assumed superiority to the rest of the
acterized by the symptoms which Lombroso attributes world. It is they who are inferentially“ narrow," and
to genius or insanity. In this point of view,“ Wilhelm it would seem quite in order for them to rise and pro-
Meister" is the record of a lunatic asylum, the types test, in the name of the “middle age of American archi-
varying from Wilhelm himself
- a specimen of the tecture " and the "great-aunt who had lost the use of
folie du doute, or else a mattoid, a being with the ap her mind.” But let them beware of demanding an
pearance without the reality of genius,-- to an example apology. Apologies are notoriously kittle cattle to
of melancholia in Mignon, of complete dementia in the bring home, especially when acquired by the argument
harper, of characterlessness, vanity, vagabondage in of the bayonet. May one suspect the editor of “ The
the players, and of sexual abandonment in the women Century” of that satire of which the dwellers in South
generally. Or to take "Pride and Prejudice," Darcy Boston object to being made " targets,” when he “sin-
was apparently not suspected of either genius or insanity; cerely regrets that the story should have been in any
yet a more monumental instance of megalomania could way misunderstood”? The obtuseness of the human
hardly be selected from Dr. Lombroso's collection; and mind is always a subject of regret to the enlightened
Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Burgh are comic observer of his race,— but why should he feel bound to
variations of the same type. In fact, either in art or apologize for it? One is reminded of the ingenious
life, the only way a character can define itself is by some phraseology by which the lawyer cleared himself of con-
originality, exceptionality, or eccentricity, which must tempt of court: “I am charged with saying that your
lay it open to the suspicion of the specialist.
honor was ignorant of law: it is true: I am sorry for it."
One comes to doubt, in the end, the methods of the It may be recalled that some Cape Cod folk once
specialist in every line. While they concentrate their objected, to the extent of a lawsuit, at having greatness
attention on symptoms or types, all the rest of nature thrust upon them; and the only conceivable reason why
disappears or wears the livery of their theory. In the Miss Mary E. Wilkins is not crushed under indignant
present case, the method and not the man is at fault. protests is that so few of us have the ability to see our-
Signor Lombroso is modest, brilliant, learned. In his selves as others see us. A New England woman, who
preface he even hints a doubt as to the value of bis own seemed to have stepped bodily out of one of Miss Wil-
investigations. And certainly it seems that the cata kins's sketches, and who had rambled on in the most
loguing of craniums and the tabulation of thumb-marks delightful fashion with her reminiscences of “ folks she
comes to little in explanation of the cause or course of used to know down Hilbro' way," who might have been
genius.
C. L. MOORE.
the originals of “Lucinda Moss” and “ Malvina Jen-
Philadelphia, Nov. 12, 1896.
nings,” insisted that such stories were false and mislead-
ing, and ought to be “ kep' out of print.” E. H. M.
A QUESTION OF BOUNDARIES IN FICTION. Chicago, Nov. 18, 1896.
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
The Venezuelan question being amicably settled, and
HAMERTON'S VIEW OF ART-TECHNIQUE.
a fresh set of resolutions launched at the Turks, is not
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
this a fitting moment to consider the correct boundary The extended and sympathetic review of Philip
lines between the unsurveyed domain of no-man’s-land,
Gilbert Hamerton's Autobiography, in your last issue,
where an author may hunt unchallenged the small game
recalled to me some correspondence I had with him a
with which he fills his bag, and those sacred purlieus,
few years since; and in one letter, headed Autun, France,
hedged in by divine sanction, within which his industry Dec. 20, 1890, I find the following interesting opinion
becomes unlawful poaching ?
on some matters of high importance: “I have always,
Has the public any rights which an author is bound for my part, regretted the extreme domination of tech-
to respect, and vice versa ? Must a good story be located nique in the fine arts. The greatest intellect without it
in a region unknown to fame, lest its genial laugh at is nothing in the estimate of artists, and the most mind-
the common foibles of mankind be construed as a per-
less work with it is admitted into all exhibitions. If,
sonal affront by the dwellers in South Africa? Just however, you take up the study of art on the intellectual
what is the æsthetic distinction between allowable and side, I fear it must be admitted that the intellectual
slanderous adjectives ? When does the use of “ narrow-
interest of art is exceedingly unequal and often even
ness,” for instance, become an actionable offence, callwanting altogether. Critics often put mind into art, or
ing for apologetic withdrawal ? Shall Mr. Henry James suppose mind for it, when there is very little mind in it
and Mr. William Dean Howells satirize the traditions really."
of Beacon Street and blue-blood in a half score of novels;
While Mr. Hamerton was not, perhaps, a genius, he
shall Holmes and Hawthorne, Lowell, and Emerson, be was certainly a man of the highest talents, improved to
accused of the “narrowness of the moral” from the the utmost; and his clear exposition and sane criticism
very seats of the mighty, and may not an unknown
have been most beneficent. I have to acknowledge my
weaver of tales — whose insignificance is proven by the great debt to his works, not merely for an insight into
assertion that the prominent citizen has been unable to
art, but for a model of a genuine, thoughtful, and can-
find out “who she is ” — may not this wholly irrespon-
did spirit.
HIRAM M. STANLEY.
sible person venture to insinuate that there are undesir Lake Forest, Ill., Nov. 21, 1896.


1896.]
321
THE DIAL
course.
..
The second author, B, who is usually spoken of as the
A GERMAN LECTURE ON LITERATURE.
author of the poem, resumed it with
It was near the beginning of the semester, and
"halation, with the sound
after four months of hard work on the German lan-
Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet.'
guage I was rejoicing in the fact that the lectures The work of C consisted in interpolating certain lines
had begun. I had entered with enthusiasm into the
in Books IV. and VII., all of which will be pointed
out as we come to them. There is also conclusive ovi-
courses in literature and philology, and expectation
dence that in Book I. A received assistance from some
was at its highest. Professor Langweilig I had long unknown writer on four lines, and in one of these lines
known by reputation, and had already heard once. it is almost certain that this unknown writer received
To-day he was to give his second lecture in the some help from an outside source. These writers I
I had been in my place several minutes, shall designate as A1 and A1'. But the whole subject
when the door opened, and the Professor, followed of authorship will be treated fully in connection with the
by the famulus, entered. As he approached the
interpretation of the text.
desk, the Professor drew a few pages of notes from
“ Now, gentlemen, before beginning to read this poem
his pocket. By the time he had mounted the steps people suppose — even many English-speaking people-
I must caution you against one very grave error. Many
he had fastened his eyes upon his manuscript, and,
that English is a Romance language, that is, that it is a
beginning where he left off the day before, he spoke: descendant of the Latin language. Now, while it is true
“ Meine Herren: There are also several other editions that there are many words of Latin origin in English
that might be mentioned here. The edition by Lorenz, (and you will find many of them in this text), yet it is
Berlin, 1887, might have been a good one, but it is ren not true that the language as a whole comes from the
dered entirely worthless by the omission of a comma on Latin. English is a Germanic language, or, as the En-
page 241. The two English editions published respec glish themselves would say, a Teutonic language. The
tively at London and Oxford have been the most popular Germanic languages are, as you know, but one branch of
ones in Great Britain for many years. Neither of them, the great Indo-Germanic family. The Indo-Germanic
however, has a complete bibliography, and the Oxford family is a division of the Worldo-Germanic; and all the
edition omits all mention of my work along this line. languages spoken in this world are but a part of the
Both of them persist in using capital letters with the great Universo-Germanic whole.
proper adjectives and take certain unjustifiable liberties “ The great questions of the sources of this poem, the
with the text, and are therefore thoroughly unreliable. history of its development, the life of its principal au-
There are also several American editions, but all Amer thor, the social and religious conditions which influenced
ican books are mere translations or weak imitations of him, all will be reserved for special discussion in the
German works. I have examined three of these edi seminary. I may say in passing that I have discovered
tions from the United States, one from New York, one an error of one hour forty-eight minutes and thirty-two
from Boston, and one from Buenos Ayres, and find them seconds in the date of the author's death, a full account
of absolutely no value.
of which discovery I shall publish in the next number of
“I have now reviewed at some length the various the · Englische Studien.'
editions of the piece of literature which we are going to “Now, gentlemen, let us pass to the text.
study during this semester. I recommend to you as
"Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit
being the most accurate, showing the latest results of
Of that forbidden tree,' etc.
scholarship, and as following most scrupulously the In the first line we have two words of Romance origin,
original manuscript, the edition of Herr Professor Doc disobedience and fruit. Observe the negative force of
tor Furchtbar Langweilig, Leipzig, 1891.
the prefix dis-. The word fruit goes back through the
“ As to the much disputed question of the authorship French of the Latin fructus. In pronouncing Latin we
of this poem I can refer but briefly here. I bave ex Germans pronounce by the Roman method. The pro-
amined the original manuscripts with a great deal of nunciation of Latin in other countries is largely influ-
care and diligently collated them one with another. The enced by that of the languages spoken in those coun-
only other edition that is based upon a microscopic ex tries, but in Germany we pronounce it exactly as it was
amination of the texts is that by Biedmann, Halle, 1878. pronounced in Rome in the days of Cicero. Forbidden;
Now Biedmann used an eyepiece of only forty diame notice the force of the prefix for-; it corresponds to the
ters with his microscope, while I used one of sixty dia German ver-, Gothic fra-."
meters. Furthermore Biedman took no precaution to
At this point in Professor Langweilig's discourse
have the air in the barrel of his microscope and the
lenses of the same temperature with each other and with
I perceived that his monotonous voice and learned
the surrounding atmosphere; in fact he gave no atten-
lecture were having their effect upon me, and the
tion to atmospheric conditions whatever. Consequently
last words that I distinctly remember were some
I have been able to make many improvements on the
remarks on Death in the third line.
work of Biedmann and to correct some actual errors. The sounding of the gong at the end of the hour
After this minute examination of the text and an exhaus awoke me. The Professor had reached the phrase,
tive analysis of all the facts bearing upon the subject I “Siloa’s brook that flow'd fast by the oracle of God,"
have come to a conclusion entirely at variance with those
and I caught his last comment, “ Fast, adverb, Ger-
of former commentators. Briefly stated my conclusion
is this: There were three different authors who worked
man schnell, English rapidly.” The Professor dig-
consecutively on the poem. The first, A, carried the
appeared. The class arose to depart. As we passed
work down to the middle of line 711,–
out the door I heard a young man remark, “ Er ist
"• Anon out of the earth a fabric huge
sehr interessant,” and his comrade replied, “Sehr
Rose like an ex-,'
geistreich.”
CALVIN S. BROWN.


322
(Dec. 1,
THE DIAL
sible, only the scenes in which Napoleon fig.
The New Books.
ured, and those connected with the Peninsular
War, in which Thiébault played a great part.
THE BEST OF THE NAPOLEONIC MEMOIRS.* The translation closes with the final exit of
We are inclined to endorse the opinion of Bonaparte from the political stage — though
the translator of Baron Thiébault's Memoirs,
the author lived till 1846.
Mr. Arthur John Butler, that the work is, all
Unlike Pasquier and Barras, Thiébault was
in all, the best of the crop of previously unpub. Politically he was a steady though moderate
never at the centre of affairs, strictly speaking.
lished memoirs brought to light by the recent
Napoleonic “ boom.” It is at all events the Republican, an abhorrer of the selfish conserva-
tism at the one extreme, as of the wild radical-
freshest of them, the narrator confining himself
closely to the diversified story of his own career,
ism and bloody excesses at the other. He
which is as absorbing as a novel of Dumas or
desired progress, and, like the best minds of his
Lever. If Thiébault lacks the philosophic miud
era (always excepting Rosseau, seul de son
and political prestige of Pasquier, he easily sur-
espèce), he looked forward, and not back to
passes the Chancellor in wealth of incident and
remote antiquity, for humanity's Golden Age.
descriptive point and color. Over the rancor-
But he was no “ideologist,” in Napoleon's
ous Barras he has the advantage of being an
sense of the term ; and like a practical man he
honest man. Thiébault, though his later ca-
saw that the crucial problem of the time was to
reer failed to fully justify its early promise, prune away with cautious hand the abuses and
anomalies of the Old Order, without striking
was a distinguished soldier and man of letters.
the knife into its sound and vital parts. Such
He was a general officer at thirty, he held im-
portant military and administrative posts in
was the policy of the statesmen who swayed
Italy and the Peninsula, his " Manual for Staff
for a time the Constituent Assembly ; but their
Officers” is still prized for its lucidity, his
voices were soon lost in the roar of the gather-
“Journal of the Siege of Genoa” and his “ Nar- ing tempest. The stars of Robespierre, Marat,
rative of the Campaign in Portugal ” are stand-
St. Just, Hébert, were red on the political hori.
zon; for it was written that France must be
ard authorities for the events they relate. Thié.
bault was, however, a disappointed man, and
purged by fire, before temperate words could
he makes no secret of it. One of his biog- again prevail in her councils. Of the stormy
raphers thinks that his superiority in culture days in Revolutionary Paris, from the arming
and intellect to the rough soldiers of the Repub-tember, Thiébault was a witness
of the populace up to the massacres of Sep-
at first a
lic and the Empire among whom he was thrown
injured him by arousing jealousy ; his present of those events is that of an intelligent, law-
sympathetic, at last a horrified one. His account
editor attributes his comparative failure to “a
certain want of self-control, especially where
abiding citizen, without extreme prepossession
for either faction; and it may hence repay free
his affections were concerned," which led to
frequent, if mainly trivial, acts of insubordina- quotation. First a word as to the author's early
life.
tion. He was never a persona grata in impe-
Thiébault was born at Berlin on December
rial circles. A well-born, well-bred man him-
self, the vulgar ostentation and caprice of 14, 1769, and in that city his infancy and boy.
Napoleon were distasteful to him; and though rife there then as now; and he recalls, not with
hood were passed. Military spectacles were
he served the Emperor well so long as serving unmixed admiration, the daily drills and re-
him meant serving France, he was never one of
views in the Lustgarten, etc.
his adulators.
“In the city especially only recruits were assembled,
In preparing his translation of these Mem-
and it was there that those terrible strokes with the
oirs, Mr. Butler has wisely reduced the five cane, distributed with such inhuman lavishness, re-
volumes of the French original to two — repro sounded on all sides. My father fled the place, and
ducing rather fully the first two volumes (which spectators would
groan - all save the Junker' subal-
treat of the period before 1800, and include
terns, who seemed to be in training rather for execu-
tioners than soldiers. Young as I then was, the recol-
the Revolution and the first Italian campaign), lection of these barbarities still causes horror to me.”
but retaining from the last three, so far as fea-
In 1784 Thiébault's father, noting that
*THE MEMOIRS OF BARON THIÉBAULT (Late Lieutenant- Frederick was failing, and seeing small pros-
General in the French Army). Translated and condensed by
Arthur John Butler. In two volumes, with portraits. Now pect of employment under his successor, decided
York: The Macmillan Co.
to leave Berlin. The journey to Paris was made
;


1896.)
323
THE DIAL
by private coach, and the author gives a lively "good, easy man" and well-meaning monarch,
account of his experiences en route. At Valen- the passive martyr and scapegoat of French
ciennes, where a parade was going on, he had royalty depicted by compassionate history? Is
his first view of French soldiery — a very dif- it not perhaps the real Louis (manifest for an
ferent body just then from Frederick's well-instant under the flash-light of a hard fact), the
caned, well-set-up grenadiers. Says Thiébault: nation's brutish “
nation's brutish" gros porc” whom the mob
“... For the first time I saw officers with their hair jeered at as he struggled under the hands of
dressed in pigeon’s-wing style, mounted on pattens to Samson on the scaffold in the Place de la Con-
keep off the mud, and having umbrellas because it was
corde? Maybe the popular instinct was more
raining a little. Judge how I was astonished, nay, scan-
dalized, when I compared this spectacle with that to
than half right as to Louis, and (as Mr. John
which I was accustomed in the Prussian army, so severe
Morley thinks) as to Marie Antoinette as well.
in its bearing and so military to the smallest details." Thiébault undoubtedly relates what he saw;
Paris was reached on the fifth of December,
and the brutal act recorded by him is quite in
the author being thus nearly fourteen when he keeping with the wanton slashes of the whip
came finally to the city which was to be at least
(so unlike the paternal cuts of old Friedrich
his domicile for the rest of his life. His expe-
Wilhelm's rattan) bestowed by the “Son of
riences for the next four years, up to the dawn
Saint Louis" on the luckless priest or rustic
of the new time in '89 which ripened youth and
who chanced to cross his path while hunting.
rejuvenated age, were those of most young men
The good Archbishop of Cambrai, who knew
of his years and degree; and his account of
his man, once observed in company, on some-
them furnishes a sprightly sketch of the man-
body's remarking that the King's kindness was
ners of the era. One day at Versailles he saw
“depicted on his face,” that it was “a fortu-
Louis XVI., who seems to have impressed him,
nate mask.” Once more the author saw Louis,
on this occasion as on a subsequent one, as a
this time on his reëntry into Paris after the
mere boor, and a surly, ill-conditioned one at flight to Varennes. He says :
that, fitter to carry a hod than to rule a state.
“The picture is always with me: I can still see on
the back seat of the first of the two carriages Louis
“ As he passed in front of me one day on his way to XVI. on the left, bareheaded, with Barnave beside him,
hunt, be stopped to laugh with one of the noblemen who while Marie Antoinette, on the right, held the Dauphin
accompanied him; but his laugh was so loud and coarse
on her knees, and seemed to be showing him to the
that it was more like that of a tipsy farmer than of a
crowd as they passed through it to a palace that could
monarch. ... The Queen, whom I saw returning from in future only be a prison, and was in truth for them
Mass, had more nobility in her manner, and, above all, the anteroom to the Temple and the Conciergerie.”
more dignity. But a white cotton gown, quite plain
and by no means fresh, was not the dress in which a
Of the opening events of the Revolution
Queen of France should have shown herself in public. the émeute of July 13, the fall of the Bastille,
.. But what did more shock me, nay, disgust me, were the arming of the people at the Invalides, and
the remarks made quite aloud in the State apartments
the spontaneous formation of the civic soldiery
by some of the pages, the gentlemen of the guard, and
some young nobles. Unseemliness reached the point of
Thiébault gives a rapid and graphic sketch.
outrage."
When the rioting began he joined the National
Thiébault saw Louis again a year or two
Guard, Feuillants battalion, and was given a
later (the Bastille had then fallen and Mail-
small temporary command. On the evening
lard's Amazons had conducted “the baker, the
of July 15 he headed a detachment sent to
bakeress, and the baker's boy” back to his Passy to reconnoitre the approaches on that
faithful city of Paris ”), this time taking the
side of Paris ; and on this occasion he was en-
air in the early morning on the Tuileries ter-
trusted officially with a letter from the great
Mirabeau, duly countersigned and sent by ex-
races.
“Just then a lady came through the gate. She had
press from Versailles, which he was to deliver
a pre
little spaniel with her, which, before she no-
at a certain house at Chaillot. The national
ticed it, ran close up to the King. Making a low cour crisis was serious. Paris was in insurrection ;
tesy, she called the dog back in haste; but as it turned Bouillé, with the foreign troops, was hovering
to run to its mistress, the King, who had a large cane in
his band, broke its back with a blow of his cudgel. Then,
over her, like a hawk poised for the fatal
amid the screams and tears of the lady, and as the poor
swoop; the clang of the tocsin and the roll of
little beast was breathing its last, the King, delighted
the drum hourly called the bourgeois from bed
with his exploit, continued his walk, slouching rather and counter to the ranks ; Saint Antoine was
more than usual, and laughing like any lout of a peasant.” up in rags and what arms it could improvise
Could that have been the amiable, if inept, or steal; King Mob, long dethroned, was clearly
Louis whom we seem to know so well, the coming to his own again ; society seemed fast


324
(Dec. 1,
THE DIAL
lapsing into chaos,—and the young
soldier nat went straight to the other gun and leaped upon it. She
urally supposed that the missive of the great was, as I learnt, Mlle. Théroigne de Méricourt. As long
as I live that creature will be present before my eyes;
deputy and champion of the Third Estate was
the sound of her voice will ring in my ears as she uttered
a document of importance. He proceeded cau the first sentence of her discourse. How long,' she
tiously on his way toward Passy, throwing out shrieked, 'will you let yourself be misled by empty
pickets as he advanced; reached the house at
phrases ?'"
Chaillot; halted his men ; and delivered the Naturally, Mlle. Théroigne's harrangue pre-
letter. Judge of his surprise and chagrin vailed. Thiébault was quickly hustled back
when he discovered that the supposed state into the guard-room, from which coign of van-
paper was only a billet doux to one of M. de tage he presently heard himself unanimously
Mirabeau's mistresses ! Thiébault with his four condemned to death by an improvised tribunal,
hundred men had been used to ensure the safe the Méricourt presiding. He concludes:
delivery of a note to a strumpet. He says: “I never saw her again after that day; but, though
“I excused the fair lady from giving the receipt re-
I am as susceptible as most men to the influence of
quired, declined the glass of wine which she offered me, women, I certainly never met another woman who in
drily ordered my lieutenant to return to his post, and,
half-an-hour could have left on my mind a recollection
confining myself to a tone of cold politeness, left that of her which a thousand years would not weaken.”
merry company and continued my reconnoissance. . .
During the domiciliary visits which preluded
Some complaints of the office which M. de Mirabeau
had made me perform naturally entered into my report
the September massacres, Thiébault narrowly
and could not fail to enliven it."
escaped arrest as a suspect, which of course
Thiébault witnessed the arrival of the Mar-
meant death at the hands of the paid butchers
seillese at Paris. Let us view that famous band
of the Commune at the Abbaye or at La Force.
Thiébault did not himself see the massacres ;
through the eyes of a contemporary who had
but he had some details from a young friend
no special interest either in defaming or in ex-
who did, M. de la Roserie. The latter went
tolling it.
first to the Carmelites', where the slaughter of
“On July 30th those hideous Federals* spewed forth
by Marseilles arrived at Paris. This invasion of brig-
the priests was going on. Here two facts par-
ands, which in March 1815 the Court of Louis XVIII. ticularly struck him :
renewed in its own interest under the name of Ven “ The first was that half the assassins employed there
deans, definitely let loose the rabble and crime. I do
were wearing the uniforms of the National Guards, that
not think anything more horrible can be imagined than they began their work with the bayonet, and that they
those 500 madmen, three-quarters drunk, almost all in
wiped their weapons dripping with blood on the leaves of
red caps, bare-armed and bare-chested, followed by the
some shrubs near the gate."
dregs of the people, incessantly reinforced by the over-
flow of the Faubourgs of Saint-Antoine and Saint- The second fact is instructive as helping to
Marceau, fraternizing from one grog-shop to another explain why respectable Paris stood aside, and
with bands no less dreadful than their own."
looked on with seeming apathy (very much as
On August 10, Thiébault was on duty at the Christian Europe looks on to-day at the Turk)
Feuillants, charged by the Assembly with the while this comparative handful of ruffians for
protection of the prisoners from the fury of the five days carried on their work.
mob. His temporary success (the prisoners “ A man of middle age, whose face, manner, and tone
were finally murdered to a man, and he “ heard were entirely calculated to inspire belief in his kindness,
the crash of their corpses as they were hurled
returning from his walk, with two young daughters
from the garret windows into the court below")
going in front and his wife on his arm, passed near
M. de la Roserie. They had no doubt just heard of the
led to a highly dramatic scene.
horrors which were going on at the Carmelites', and
“Feeling sure that to gain time was everything, I which, indeed, the frightful cries only too plainly re-
was already congratulating myself on the result of my vealed; their faces showed great emotion, and yet the
efforts, when a woman appeared in the courtyard wear head of the family said to his wife with entire convic-
ing a black felt hat with a plume of the same color, tion, •No doubt it is as sad as it can be, but these are
dressed in a blue riding-habit, with a pair of pistols and implacable enemies, and those who are ridding the coun-
a dagger in her belt. She was a dark girl of about try of them are saving your life and our poor children's
twenty, and, with a sort of shudder I say it, very pretty, lives.””
made still more beautiful by her excitement. Preceded
Of the murderers at La Force, de la Roserie
and followed by a number of maniacs, she cleft her way
through the crowd, crying, · Make room! Make room!'
states that, despite the great crowd of citizens
surrounding them, they went about their work
* Later on, in recounting his march with the Republican
with the utmost tranquillity :
Army to the front, Thiébault styles this order of levies" These
scoundrels, who afterwards distinguished themselves by want “ It would seem that they were some picked men of
of discipline, pillaging and cowardice, until the epithet. Féd. Maillard's band of 300, armed with long stakes trimmed
éré' became an insult that no soldier forgave."
so as to form clubs—they were in truth the sloggers'


1896.)
325
THE DIAL
that they were called. Five stood on either side of the coffee, tobacco, and all subtropical fruits and
door of egress, hidden by the wall; as soon as the
sounds announced that it was going to be opened they adise, fitly named “ the Pearl of the Antilles,"
vegetables. Cuba is by nature an earthly par-
raised their bludgeons, and the moment one of the vic-
tims came through the fatal door he fell with a smashed the rarest and the richest jewel in the diadem
skull, and was dragged off by the cleaners-up.” of Spain.
Thiébault concludes :
Except Hispaniola, occupied but a few years
“ The original authors of those domiciliary visits : .
earlier, Cuba was the first land in the new
were Danton and Marat; but the hero of the atrocities, world to be colonized from the old. In the con-
whose memory will ever be branded by the horror of dition of a colony, without autonymous exist-
mankind, was Billaud-Varennes. Hurrying from prison
to prison, wading in blood, he said at one place, • People: Nearly an hundred years elapsed between the
ence, she has remained to the present day.
at another, · Bring wine for the brave toilers who are founding of Santiago de Cuba by Velasquez
delivering the nation from its foes. Finally he had 24 and the settlements of Jamestown and Ply-
livres paid to each of Maillard's 'sloggers.'
mouth. It was from Cuba that Cortez departed
Such scenes enacted, Thiébault felt that he for his diabolical campaign against Mexico. It
had “supped full of horrors ”; and, shaking was from Cuba that Fernando de Soto set forth
the blood-polluted dust of Paris from his feet, to find, not the fountain of youth which he
he started for the front - a simple grenadier sought, but the magnificent stream of the Mis-
in a marching regiment. From this point on,
From this point on, sissippi and an unrestful grave. But the settlers
his story is largely that of the professional sol- from England came to America to plant homes,
dier, and well repays reading. The volumes and, as the sequel shows, to found a great re-
are well made, and contain several portraits, public. The adventurers from Spain came to
together with plans of Austerlitz and of old gather wealth which they did not expect