The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-24
REG GNT PUBLICATIONS,
HIDDEN DEP Tbs. 12mo. Three vols. in one,
PIP. 351. Phi iladelphia: j. B. Lippencott &

HIDDEN DEP Tbs. limo. Three vols in one,
PIP. 351. Phi iladelphia: j. B. Lippencott &
Co.
This Is not % common book. The author, a
clergyman, we should judge, is terribly in earn
est, as also are the more correct portion of the
characters he has introduced into his drama;
and this earne stness of feeling and purpose
goes far to rede en- many grave faults by which
his work is marred.
The subject he has chosen to treat, that of
the Hidden Depths" of wickedness concealed
beneath the smooth surface of what we call
good society, is in itself not an agreeable one;
and he has not presented it in the manner
which in our view is best adapted to secure for
it the thoughtful consideration that may lead
to better things. Moreover, there is something
even in his most intensely wrought scenes
which suggests the suspicion that he describes
only from hear-say,-that his knowledge of life,
and of men and women, is gained rather from
books than from observation. Despite these
drawbacks, however, he has really given us a
work of uncommon power, and one which fol-
purity and elevation of sentiment, and for deep
| ly earnest, if possibly somewhat narrow, rei-
gious spirit is in notable contrast with the
greater portion of the novels offered US nova
| days.
1t will be found at the bookstore of Bailey g.
| Noyes.
| CHANDos. A Novel. BY "Ouida," Author of
"Strathmore," Granville de Vigne," ETC.
| One vol. 12mo. PIP. 678. Philadelphia: j.
b. LippencOtt & Co.
| No greater contrast can be conceived than
| appears between this volume and the one no.
ticed above. The writer, who chooses to call
himself "Ouida," is familiar with the, scenes he
paints, even the worst of them, and his pictures
have often horrible degree of verisimilitude.
His style, though 'disfgured by innumerable
extravagances, Alterations and faults OF taste,
isvivid and powerful; and he is skillful in the
construction of intricate and exciting plots
But the whole tone of his book is false, and we
do not hesitate to say that its tendency can be
only bad. His philosophy of life is the unut-
terably false and shallow philosophy of the
would-be man of the world, the empty, blase
selfishness and heartlessness which Thackeray
has shown us in Major Pendennis. 1t affects
sort of conventional respect for virtue, but has
no faith in that, or, indeed, in anything. The
disciples of this school usually fatter them
selves that they have exhausted life in all its
phases. 1t is to them a squeezed lemon, an
opened oyster, when in fact they have never
tasted its true relish, they know nothing of it
save its vices. Their own shallowness renders
them unable to comprehend any of its higher
and grander aspects
Notwithstanding its many grave faults, this
book is one which will not fail to find success
1t has an intensity of expression which capti-
Yates the ordinary reader, and the incidents
are wildly related and of romantic interest,
though it must be confessed slightly wanting
in probability. That, however, may be deemed
| minor point.
| The book is for sale by Bailey s. Noyes.