The New York herald., 1868-05-13
BOOK NOTICE.

BRAKEsPEARE: OR, TIE FORTUNES OF A FREE LANCE.
A Novel. by the author Of "Guy Livingstone"
&C., &c.
The title of this book indicates its character and The
nature Of the story. The object Of the writer appears
to be to represent the life and adventures of those
cuthroats and punderers Of the fourteenth century
called ''Free Lances" and to invest them with all
that romance and ohivary which suits the corrupt
taste of modern novel readers. Less true to nature
than the cheap yellow covered histories OF highway
men of the Dick Turpn stamp, such books as tue one
before us have more demorazjng influence
over the minds of young people, pafticu-
larly over the susceptible minds OF young
girls than any other publications. "BraRespeare" ~
very poor imitation of Sir Walter Scotts ''Ivan-
hoe but is altogether destitute of the talent eeva
ton of thought, dramatic power, moral tone and
truthfuness to nature of that great work. Bad as
the selections Of the characters and scenes are, the
aetlor does not delineate these and the times
truthfuy. The peurile attempt to use the quaint
language OF the period, which runs oil through the
book, Is sheer aiectatOn. This affected style. IN
stead OF exciting greater interest in the work, only
mpresses with the feebleneSs ana unnaturai-
ness OF the authors efforts.
we said this book, like nearly all the novel tera-
ture OF the day. II worthy OF being called literature,
has a demOraiiZing influence. And 1t Is not only
because unnatural views OF life are given, false sem
timents insted and bad tastes cultivated, but be-
cause OF the positively immoral teaching and the
prurient desires awakened that we say so. There
are very few novels issued from the press ut the
present time to which these remarks will not apply
Publishing houses that deemed most respectable,
and some even pious spread such moral poison
broadcast over the country. American and foreign
novels OF the day are alike in this respect "Brake-
speare" is an English novel and was published in
England In serial form and Is now republished for
the first time. believe, in America. We could
ne many n e 3 @ mrs nroIuce one !" pnv and
confess while quoting 1t that we do SO with repug-
nance
The writer, after having described in glowing Ian
guage the manner in which Brakespeare became en-
amored with Marguerite de Hacquemont who If
sort of ree-lover, though married woman ana alter
showing the rapid progress Of the passionate love OF
both within q few hOurs' acquaintance, goes mi
utely into a description OF their attitudes and man
ner The scene would suit the illustrated sensation
weeklies OF this city'O, for the first time, those
two were left alone together. y Their heads
drew 80 perilousy close together that the red god
tresses almost touched the crisp brown curls, and
the lady's round white leaned against, If IL did
not actually press the puissant shoulder of her
panon me turmoil IN M yea no 70 ress
| closed his eyes, IA though the vaporous incense
drowsed him. When he opened them again thcy met
| other ewes gancng downward with challenge that
the vericst novice would scarce have misunderstood
| or the sternest saint resisted Nearer and
lower the lovely wtch-face bowed Itself, I'LL ragranC
breath was on his cheek; nearer and nearer yet I'LL
moist, crimson lips were laid on his own and ciung
there tirstinNy" these arc .ic SUI VI Soenco aiss
| such the language Of modern novels which
respectable publishers invite our sisters, wives
| and daughters TO study. Need we be sur
nrIsed then. that the ''Back Crookn spectacles
At the theatres are crowded. or that the most
prurient Illustrated sensation papers are widely cir
cnlateds Authors Of genius and refined taste, how
ever talented they may be beautiful their style,
cannot rival such sensation writers or succeed as
long as publishers pander to the growing corrupt
taste OF the day. Where, then, are we to find n
remedyS In a higher order OF education for both
sexes, and particularly for young women who have
most leisure and who seek amusement In exciting
novels rather than In more cultivated and elevated
literature, and In churches and religious commu
nties Teachers, parents and guardians should
taboo the sckly and false sentimental novels which
food the country and the churches should discourage
both them and the publishers. Above all a taste
should be created for better, though equally ine-
resting class Of works.