Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-17

Book NOTICES. Like and Unlike, 4"
novel by Mr.. A. S. Roe, author of &" A Long
Look Ahead % True to the Last" and 9th
er admirable books, has just been issued by
Carleton, of New York The author Of this
work has won a high reputation, not only in
this country but in England, where rival edi-
tons Of his tales have attained a very ex-
tended circulation. There is no writer Of
the present day who exeels Mr.. Roe in his
particular line Of fiction. He is distinguish
ed from the crowd Of ephemeral American
story writer's, by his fidelity to nature, his
freedom from afectatiOn, his sympathy with
the interests Of everyday existence, and his
depth and sincerity of feeling. The mate
rials of his ictions are ali drawn from the ex-
perienco Of reality. They are healthy, ster-
ling books, worth their weight in gold.
g Like and Unlike" IS, we think, superi, to
any other Of Mr.. ROe's productions. It is
one Of those natural domestic stories which
appea directly to the heart and, while it
involves all the charms Of a dramatic nara
tive, it has the further merit Of conveying
instructions a. to conduct in life. The sud-
den touches Ofpathos and illustrations Of gen
erOus feeling which often startle the reader
in the progress Of the quiet story, constantly
keep curiosity alive, and prevent a single
page from being hurried over with indifer-
enee. One rises from perusal Of the vol
Ume strengthened and refreshed It seems
to US that " Like and Unlike" belongs to that
class Of books of which there cannot be too
many.
YIcTOR HUGO has received the following letter
from member Of the firm which printed the
French edition Of his great novel Les Msera-
bles
PARIS, May 18th, 1862
MY DEAR NJ. HUGO-I cannot resist the
desire which l feel, to give you some idea,
however incomplete and eolerless it NAV be.
of the picture which the Rue de Seine has
offered during the fore part Of this, the day
fixed for the issue of the second and third
parts of Les Miserables - Before six
o'clock in the morning, troop of booksen-
ers' clerks and pOrters we're posted in front
Of Pagnerre's shop, which was still closed,
and after short time the group became so
numerous that it was necessary to have two
policemen TO keep order. It was a struggle
as to who should be nearest the Goor, every
one pretending that he had arrived before
everybody else, and was therefore entitled to
the best place. At half past six the shop
was opened, or, more properly speaking, an
attempt was made to open it, which was pre-
vented by the pressure of the crowd. The
first moment was one of disappointment to
these expectants, for no sooner was the door
opened, than they saw coming out laden with
volumes, clerk who, either had been earli-
er than the others, or knowing better the Sc
cret passages of the premises had slipped in
to the sanctuary and loaded himself with the
treasure. While the demands Of the troo5
were being satisfied, the street became
blocked mp with vehicles of all sorts-yans,
cabs, elegant carriages, trucks, carts and
even a WheelbarrOW-all anxiously waiting
for their share Of the prize. Never, believe,
was there such scene in the bookselliRg
world never was such picture presented to
the eyes Of the PRrisian public. It was a
sight to behold the quiet-going shop keepers
Of the Rue de Seine gaping and stupefed,
and asking themselves and everybody what
it was all about, In your most legitimate
aspirations, you never, l am certain, dreamed
of such demand.
PagneIre's shop ppresented yesterday spec
tacle of another kind. Everything had Civ
en- place to the 20 Miserables" i" of which the
numerous thick piles rose from the floor to
the ceiling. He was obliged to find place for
As, 900 volumes. The near approach Of post
hour prevents my telling you the impression
which the rea ding of the book has made on
me, but what have seen to-day has ap-
peaTed to me so remarkable that although it
is a mere detail, it seems to me sufficiently
interesting to be worth communicating to
you.
Receive, pray you, the best and most ear
nest compliments Of your old and affectionate
con disciple. J. CLAYE.
like and Unlike, F" and part fourth of 90 Les
MiserabIea are for sale by Wilson Wild
dicombe