The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-17
LTTNRATURu.
b VIEw or NEw BooKs

W " N U q KS.
JNDER IocK AND KEY. BY r. w. Speieht
fuDhshed by Turner Brothers q Co
The author of this story states, in a brief
preface, that the entire plan of the story was
ketched out and several of the CHAPTERS
written before the first lines of Mr.. Wilkie
JOHNS 'Moonstone" had been given to the
public, and that he refrained from reading
The Moonstone" till after the completion of
|lis own story, so as to preclude any possible
barge of having derived the outlines of his
plot from another writer
4 The resemblance between this story
and "The Moonstone" consists in the
act that each are based upon the fortunes
bf famous Indian diamonds, stolen from their
owners in India and brought to England.
The plots of the two narratives, however, are
Essentially different, and the author of
Under Lock and Key" could only be ac-
3used of borrowing this one idea from Mr..
Collins. Mr. Speight is manifestly inferior
10 Collins in the art of constructing an in
senious mystery that will keep the reader in
state OF curious excitement until the secret
discovered; but he is superior to him in the
rtistic symmetry of his plot and in the clear
hess with which he sketches his char
cters. The various threads of the mystery
connected with the abstraction of the
liamond are very ingeniously interviewer in
gThe Moonstone, but the deH0uement
S very clumsy, and the interest of the book
almost entirely ceases after it is discovered.
In ''Under Lock and Key" there is plenty of
mystery also and if the author fails to excite
the same intense curiosity at the beginning,
he develops his plot with more real art, and
be soon engages the attention of the reader
n the curious mystery that clings about the
ate of the precious gem that figures as his
principal hero The first half of the ''The
Moonstone" is remarkably powerful, and the
present work suffers in comparison, but as a
whole it will compare favorably with that
pffort of one of the most popular novelists of
he day, and we can promise good entertain
nent to any one who will undertake to read it.
The same house sends us ''Romola, the
hird volume of the Household Edition of
George Eliots works. If this work is not
he greatest novel of our day, we know of no
bther to which can be assigned that somewhat
problematical rank. A certain pre-Raphaelite
ninuteness of detail gives an appearance Of
hardness to the graphic picture of Florentine
society in the fifteenth century, and renders
t less generally popular than most of the
Author's other writings. 1t is safe to say
however, that as a vivid reproduction o.
the men and manners of
particular and interesting historical
era, it is unsurpassed by any work of fiction
with which it may be put in comparison
The characters are drawn with remarkable
skill, and ''Tito, " the hero of the prose poem
for such this great novel undoubtedly isis
entitled to rank as an original and unique
dramatic creation. For clear, direct, ano
forcible writing, insight into human nature,
powerful eloqnence, and tender passionate
poetry '.Romola" not only surpasses all other
works of the same author but any other nove
I'm the English language by at least any living
writer.
From Turner Brothers IL Co. we have re
ceived the following October magazines
Tile Lody's Friend, published by Deacon
IL Peterson, has a steel-plate frontispiec'
illustrative of Motherwell's beautiful poem
''Jeanie Morrison" double-page coloreC
fashion plate, and a number of other en-
cravings, fashion cuts, patterns, etc. Th
literary contents of the magazine presents al
agreeable variety, combining the utt3e with tn
l1tlce in manner pleasing to the lady readers
--Artha9's Home Nggazjne, for from
tispiece gives a clever SKETCH by Mr.. E. B
Bensell, illustrating the opening story, 'Alex
andra the Conqueress. The Home Magazjn
contains an attractive list of stories, sketches
poetry, etc., suitable for home reading.
Once Month is made up Of excellen
original and selected articles, and its conve
nient shape admirably adapts it for carryin
i'm the pocket to be perused at leisure mC
ments
Tile Children's Hour contains pleasar
series of stories, sketches, verses, and pie
lures for the younger members of the HON
circle.
---AfpletoaS Journal for September 9
gives as frontispiece an engraving from
painting by Zamacois, entitled "a Marriag
Proposal" and also large cartoon by Han
Fem of Fairmount Park, as seen. from Giral
Avenue Bridge, with an excellent descriptio
of the park. The Journal also contains int
resting stories, sketches, and articles on
number of subjects.
The same house also sends us Our B0
and Girls, for September %, and Fee
SATURDAY for the same date.
TWTTCHEII