The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-05-01
LITERATURE.
Reviews of New Books.

REALITIES OF IRISH LIFE. By w. Stewart french.
Boston: Roberts Brothers.
That Mr.. Trench has written work of more than
ordinary interest we readily admit. Any person
that takes up this book WILL after reading the first
chapter assuredly desire to continue perusing it
until the last page has been read. We have no
doubt that all Mr.. Trench relates are "reaties Of
Irish nfe;" but we do not think that he has writ
ten in as fair and impartial spirit as he might have
done. Your most liberia minded Irish Protest.
ant an instructive prejudice against his Catholic
countryman. Mr.. Trench is not only an Irish Pro-
testant, but he is also born arstocrat." The mis-
fortune OF being younger son, however, compelled
him to labor for living, and he became the
"agent' synonymous with the "overseer'' Of the
South for the proprietor OF several large estates In
Ireland. His experiences while holding this respon-
sibe position are given in this volume, ana we need
scarcely say that as they include the Ribbon con-
festatiOns against English misrue, they combine to
make up one OF the most entertaining OF books.
Mr. Trench is evidently one OF those freshmen
who have resolved to forgive their Catholic neigh
bors for the centuries Of i-treatment which
they have compelled them to suner. He prob
hard upon these poor devils; let me say nothing
ing hard OF themn II Is undoubtedly true that there
is not single unkind sentence about 1.-THE Roman
Catholic poor'' as MT. Trench calls them: but it is
equally true that not an act OF violence, not an out
rage is related that is not SO much evidence against
these people. The calm dlspasslonate manner In
which every incident Is narrated makes this evidence
all the stronger Everything is given as it appears.
nothing is said, in the very last chapter,
and then only IN few words. Mr. Trench evidently
desires to serve his Roman Catholic cOuntrymen, but
we do not believe that this book Will serve his pur-
pose. 1t is interesting from beginning to end There
are many terrible, some affecting and few humor-
Gus events told in style OF admirable simplicity.
Mr.. Trench however, does not tell us thls Whence
arose the necessity for his book
THE SCIENCE or NEW LIFE. BY John Cowan, NJ
ID. New York: Cowan Company, Publishers.
This Is very good book IN its way, but full OF the
most eccentric theories imaginable. The idea that
because a man or woman Is addicted to lying,
stealing RIGHTEOUSNESS other crimes sins, his
her children will inherit these failings, is Of
those theories long since exploded. The very worst
Of mortals may nave the very best Of children, and,
Uice rersa, the very best Of parents may nave the
should be hereditary The author Of this
book most urgently begs women to remain
tobacco. Good Evingsi When we consider that
least hreefOurths OF the total number OF men In
cigar. their cigarette or their pipe we trembe lest
this advice be taken. Furthermore. DR.. Cowan is
disposed to make the propagation Of the human spe-
reflection before decision can be safely arrived at
that we must decline entering upon ITS merits or
dement's. 10 seems possible that before the science
could be perfected the millennium will have arrived
and the end OF time have come
SPRINGDALE ABBEY: Extracts from the Diaries and
Letters Of an English Preacher. Edited by Joseph
Parker, DID. Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen
Haifehnger. 1882
The diaries and letters Of an English Preacher
are so frequently ''stale fiat and unproitable that
we opened this book with the most melancholy
feelings imaginable. The perusal OF few pages,
however, convinced us that here we had an eXcep-
uon to the general rule. Not that "Springdae
Abbeyr Is work OF rare merit except IN so lar as
they may he both IN one) are rigid Church Of Eng
land sectarians; he mas no mercy for Part GUAR Bap
lists and other denominations but everything Is
said good humoredly and In spicy, entertaining
style.