The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-29

ELSIE WAGNER; OR, THE OLD STILL HOUSE.
By Mrs. Frances Dana Gage.
A very pleasant novel, with a temperance
moral, is laid before the public by Mrs. Gage,
1t is simple tale of Western life of which
the authoress' long continuance in that
region of the country eminently qualities her
to treat. 1t is a thorough good story. 1t con-
tains life and animation, and, like all that Mrs.
Gage writes, shows that her soul was in her
work. 1t is cheaply printed, and should be
a welcome addition to every Sunday school
library in the land.
The New York Times publishes a long
article on the authorship of Crock me to
Sleep, Mother" which gives the credit of it to
Mrs. Akers, Florence Percy. To her it pro-
baby of right belongs. The writer is very
severe on Hon. Alexander M. W. Ball. of New
Jersey, who is accused of actual pla-
giarism.
The New Jersey Messenger for June, the
second number, is before us, and is a great
improvement over its predecessor. If it keeps
on improving, it will take a front place among
the periodicals of America. 1t is full of valua-
BILE and interesting contributions.
Louisa Muhlbach, having been accused of
sacrificing truth in her historical novels on
'Joseph II" and ''Frederick the Great, {" thus
defends herself
at would occur to no one to accuse a sue
cessful historical picture OF falsehood, because
the books of history do not show that the occur
| renee took place precisely in the manner re-
presented, that the historical personages really
| SO laughed or wept, or so deported themselves.
II the situation and grouping of historical
events is allowed to be in accordance with the
| general tenor Of history, then the picture may
| be pronounced historically true, and is Just as
| good piece of history as the record of the
| special historian. 1t is the same with the pic.
| lures of the romancer as with those of the
| painter; and this is my answer to those who, on
| every OCCASION are continually aslHing Was it
| ner9S Show me from history that it could not
be so; that 1t is not in accordance with the char
acter Of the persons represented-then I will
have not presented an illustration, but only a
earioature OF history, faulty as work of art and
Of having earnestly and devotedly striven for
the truth. and of having diligently sought it In
al al StIalnaoIe historical works. The author of
an historical romance has before him difficult
TASK; While he must falsiiy nothing in history,
tts nS ntusI poetlse IL in manner that both his
ttpileal tal ana poetic truth shall be the result To
btiitUso, bist,, however, who so very severely judge
cal WORTH now, In comeIusion answer With
ine @ l9IioMlng OF significant quotation from Sehil-
any future historian who NAV have tbe nnisfoT- or
tune 10 recur TO me. History is generally
must be contented with htsy, %hatey,oSs anu % opJ @
senhof p. 93.) V00 "eisnSr Hau-
This declaration of Schiller satisaas mo ,v,t,,
respect TO the nature of my own creo,ionS % " w +
desire not TO be aresource for historicai
but shall always earnestly and zeaI ~, p,
10 draw from the wells OF history t6St Sse1 M
false or unreal may find place In HS tba e
zine OF my fantasy CLARA MUNnT
"(L MuhlbaSh'y'
Charles Soribner & Co. will publish ,b;
! week Iiber Iibrarum,n - work vVI;cl Ls
created nearly as great sensation N RnglanS
as did " Eoce Deus" or " Ecce Homo" tn,
writer, who remains impeTsonal, maintain
| with marked ability and mower the snrrnrn.