The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-03

date for the Mayoralty of New York, against the
ocofoco party, we begin TO perceive that these
philosophers are turning their attention to the cha
racter of the publications which have been issued
from the Harper press during the last few years
and to make great many objections, on the score
of morality and religion, to many of these works
TIL. Plebeian has been looking deeply into the
last novel issued by the Harpers, entitled "Arthur
by Eugene Sue;" and, much to their annoyance,
and shocking to their halowed feelings, make the
discovery that it is most wicked, demoralizing,
licentious publicaton-entrely unfit for admission
into viruous family circles, and altogether insult
able for the female eye. Notwithstanding this
shockingly bad character which they give the
book, they yet recommend all male human beings
to read it attentivey Probably, this is one of the
very best pufis of the novel which could possibly
be invented but whether il was intended, we
cannot say. Here it is-
[From the Plebeian.l
Without going back to past running
throu his long catalogue Of books Of antAmercan
anti Democrac-immoIal and irreligious tendency let
look at the last noveust issued from his
translation from the French ofEugene Sue We had pre-
viousy had from the press the Mysteries OF Paris
that revolving story, whose heroine is common pros
tute and whose chief characters muIdeers and rob-
beers.
"ARrHuR" is a novel of the French arstocracy. Its
scenes are those of wealth spendor inconsistent with
the rights Of the massesS characters the rakes and
OF high life in Parsits principal incidents
series of seductions and aduiteries its most ravshg
descriptions those of unrestraned righteousness
shocking profgacy its most striking sentiments such
must All every virtuous and religious mind with hor-
rOr while alas these are enforced by arguments too
specious-by logic too subtle, not to have their nhu
upon the young and unreAectngthe usual readers
Of this class Of books
The hero starts in life with the lesson Chat the pivot
upon which every thing hinged was gold since the fair
characters overtaken by want became perverted
sometimes to iniamy must remain rich to he
sure Of aiming honest that all devotion
tanned its aiter-thought that every corrupbe
but that the price, the moment the of corrpng
every varied according the individual character
that all friendship should absolutely have its negative
hour useless to count upon sentiment which ons
day might fail you"
The advice OF his dying father is
Remember. my child, that all depends upon gold
honor and happiness Seek above al to live alone that
is the great science of life If you should meet with
woman resembling your mother, marry her but be mis-
trusul Of that worship which your fortune may create
in word believe in appearances until you have
sounded their depths
Setting with character formed by such preceps
the Count Arhur-for of course he must have title
commences by committing terrible outrage upon his
cousin, beautiful girl who adOred him. He punges
into the brilliant disspations and vices OF Paris We
have the following lesson the results Of his experience
in the graceful science of seducng friends wife How
arfny does he describe man addressing the woman he
has designs upon.
heart not consulted when your tyrant was awarded
to you There sentiments which sympathy renders
inevitable Your soul seeks its sister its other half
take my sou (rhis morse Of an incomplete soul
mustaches enormous whskers) Arrived at cer-
tain point culpable love becomes sacred duty &C. sc
Our juvenile rakes through the Messrs Harpers have
not only notion Of the arguments to be used in seducine
wife from her duty but description of the exact me-
thod in which designations are made in the most elevated
society in Paris 1t is scene of the Opera
Come said Madame de v my husband has
left me TO find my way out alone
90 Your husband that is almost inconceivabe; only
trh e 10
but what astOnshes me is that
While hesitatng, she said, very deliberately
That NJ. de is not here to offer his arm and Cal
my servants; is not that what you would say p
Exactly that which, but for ferocious envy,
tigerlike jealousy, would not say at all
- have ordered him away upon hunting excur-
sion that may become reconced to him, resumed
Madame de .. neggently; for he is delciousl,
absent
"Delicous in every thing for shall be indebted to
him for charming privilege you accept my arm in re-
firing,
And my privileges will they be restricted alas to
this favor Z?
you are curious and iudiscreet'
"'Be it so, provided my curiosity is forgiven"
But she added, without replying to me- and pointing
to woman supremey ridiculous, see that poor Madame
de b.; she is said to have stupid eyes How silly find
them the sprghtly in the world Tor they in
clined to start out from her ugly face
81 forget multitude Of other observations full OF ma
lice but all spoken in loud and laughing Tone while
she stood upon step Of the another
Finally at the moment OF separating she reminded
that she felt proud Of her progress and wished me 10 udg
of it.
al shall be enchanted madame go to criticse ad
mire such wonders but as am very severe might find
myself ddent in the presence of third person. to give
you my opinion frankly you should deny yourself to
all other visitors
"'But this is tete-atete, rendezvous that you re.
quest, sir
/" Absolutely, madame
% And my servantsP
"You can say that you only at home to your no.
tary.
And DO you consent to pass as suchf
"' For notary attorney-any thing YOU like in short
will bring with me, II necessary, bundle Of papers
pear green specaces and we then with i'm
punity and at length about affairs Of business.
90 AS of my will, for example,
90 Certainly, or that of poor -
"Heavens! how well you are practiced in your part
already exclaimed Madame de v '.
"Her carriage announced
"'Weil' said, while accompanying her to it, will
you expect your notary at three o'clock tomorrow
:" Let him come, he will see.'
"' Are GU not going tonight to Madame de # IS
concertp
".No, am going home
"' How, soonP
eyes 10 put some matters in order having undergo
grave interview with most deestabe and most impor'
tunae man of law Tomorrow
Saying these words, and laughing heartily, she got
into her carriage
We find the Indulgence of every base passion justified
by arguments like this.
lis evident that every abstract thought if long pur
sued leaves but doubt and sad asnde because is not
given to the mind Of to know the real truth to
fully INDUCED leaves the organization calmly and plea
sanity satisfied inasmuch the has completely full
filed one of the precise views Of nature"
These principles fully carried out in the story Our
hero stated with Partisan dissipation goes to the Island OF
Scio buys palace, and twelve beautiful female slaves
Here in his seraglio he gives himself to vouptuou'
RIGHTEOUSNESS of the gressest kind described in the mos
seductive Netting is omitted that can heighten
the sensuay of this picture He returns 10 France II
company with and his wife, and while enjoying
their hospitality he makes love and finally seduces III,
wife of his friend whom he subsequently outrages in thu
ytla he hoI tn
became the victim of his passions The influence of tn,
most sensual appetes is attributed to Mesmersm or 80
sort of Electricity" We earn that
"When men know that they beloved and that they
possess tie they love- they may not scrupe about
an indey but when their passions are strongly excit
ed and they have yet hope Tor avowa Inconsistency
in such almost possible They have only courage
to be faithful long it is not their duty TO be so
and other precious pieces of morality We have our he
70 arguing over seduction thus
"Atter all, Marie is the legitimate wife OF Belmont-h
wife by law. love Marie the bride Of another manai
attachment which nearly place this upon level will
"It becomes now an omen struggle betw cen him and