The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-15
Reviews.

Edwards. Author of "Archie Lowell" and
.'Stephen Lawrence, Ye0man.H Illustrated
by Sol Eytinge and Winslow Homer. New
York: Sheldon & Co. Charleston: JohI M.
Greer.
Mrs. Edwards Is q novelist of very decided
ability. She has the rare faculty OF growth.
She never repeats herself either in her plot or
in her sketches Of character. Each Oh her
three last novels has been decided advance
upon its predecessor, and in each of the three
she has added q new and original portrait OF
the worlds picture gallery. "Archie LoVel,"
sDot" In "Steven Lawrence" and "Portla
French in the present novel, are new and
live creatures, and each one of them will live
In the readers memory long after the multi
tudinous heroes and heroines of the Braddon-
Wood, Ouida school have faded into well-de-
served oblivion. We will not attempt an
analysis of the plot Of "susan Fielding" It's
worth reading by all who care for a good no
vel and we will not spoil the readers interest
by premature disclosures.
The book is evidently printed directly from
the original sheets of the Galaxy magazine, in
which it appears as serial, and consequently
is much marred by the uneven distribution OF
the chapters. 1t is so well gotten up in other
respccts that it is pity this fault was not
avoided.
"pur YOURSELF IN HIS PLACE. Part First.
By Charles Reade, Author Of "Foul Play"
&c. New York: Sheldon Co. Charleston:
John NJ. Greer.
AS tar as we can Judge in its present mcom-
plete state, this last work of the veteran novel
ist pronises to rank with his best 1ctions. 1t
is graphic, vigorous and original, and Its gov
erning purpose is timely and well developed.
We shall notice the book in detail when COM
pleted. The present instalment is introduced
by the following Characteristic letter: 1.-THE
publishers of THE Galaxy pay me liberal
price for 'Put Yourself in His Place. If
were mechanical inventor instead OF lite
rary inventor. this payment would secure
them the sole legal right. In the present In
iquitous, partial, barbarous and brainless state
of law. it only secures them q clear moral
right. But hope all respectable publishers
will respect the moral right, will put them
selves In their place, and will forbear to reap
where they have not sown.-[ Charles Reade."
MEMS WIVES. By w. NJ. Thackeray. New
YORK: D. Appleton & Co. Charleston: John
Russell.
The name of Thackeray would sell far
worse book than Mems Wives; but it is rather
hard that the public should be baited with
great name to swallow what would be iSno-
miniously rejected if the author were Tabitha
Jones or even Algernon Snooks. 1t Is well
enough to read about 1.-THE Ravenswing" and
ssNr. and Mrs. Frank Berry" and "Dennis Hag-
certy's Wife," and these sketches have some
of the incisiveness of "yanity Fair" and
dash of the seeming-truth of "The Newcomes."
But we want Thacke:ay, the mature man, not
Thackeray in 0iterary) long clothes, and would
nrefer to see trifes like ''Mcn's Wives omit
ted from all editions Of the works OF the satir-
ist of the nineteenth century.
CIPHER. A Romance. By Jane G. Austin.
New York: Sheldon g. Co. Charleston:
John Russell.
This romance is now published In book form,
and glance over the broad pages recalls Its
first appearance in the Galaxy, when month
was oil too long to wait for the coming OF an
other chapter With some features which VII
not bear criticism, "Cipher" is still work OF
marked ability. The plot is ingenious and cX-
citing, the incidents are stirring, and the inys-
tery which enshrouds the characters and their
destiny leads the reader on, without pause or
hesitation, from first page to last. Tie BOOK
Is wanting, perhaps, in balance anu rcposc;
but It Is, nevertheless, one o; the best scisa-
tlonal romances OF the time.
AN AMERICAN FAMILY IN PARIS. With my
eight illustrations of Historical Monuments
and Familiar Scenes. New York llurd "
Hourhton. Charleston Holmes Book
House.
This little work is pleasantly written, and
will give the young reader lively Idea of the
appearance and characteristics of the Frcnch
capital There is nothing about the book TO
show that it is truly an account of the expert
ences of.Au American Family in Paris, bat
care has been taken to make the local de-
scrptions accurate, and to support the histor-
cal statements by recognized authority. The
Illustrations are both numerous and attrac-
tive. and add much to the value Of the book,
which should be a capital holiday gin, as the
author has succeeded In giving Young Amer
s.icans, at home and abroad, both amusement
land useful knowledge, mingled In prepara-
suons which will increase the relish for each
Price 81 so.