The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-21

tied to a much higher place as
a literary artist than he now enjoys, or is
likely to enjoy hereafter. In spite of the
extraordinary merits of Mr.. Reade's novels
they are too full of careless writing, too full
of constructive blunders, and he too often
contents himself with mere puppets instead
of living men and women, for him to take
rank with such men as Dickens or Thackeray
In the novel before us the dashing and enthu-
siastic style of the writer carries the reader
with him to the end, but with an uneasy
sense of being humbugged, and it would
scarcely bear a second perusal, much less i'm
prove on acquaintance, as good art always
does. The merit of 'Put Yourself in his
Place" is in the very complete statement it
gives of the evils connected with the great
problem of the day in England-Trade
Unionism. For this feature alone the book
is well worthy the attention of all who are
interested in this important subject, although
they may care nothing for the romantic Incl
dents with which the author has embellished
his theme. This novel is designed to in
augurate a crusade against the trade unions
as at present constituted, and to excite a
public sentiment against them that will COM
|
the prevention of such mHrderous outrages
as have been perpetrated in nearly every
manufacturing town in England of late years,
at the instigation of the unions. The writer
endeavors to give a fair statement of the
case as between the workmen, the capitalists,
and society at large, and to suggest a
remedy that will aid the workmen to
do away with such real grievances as are now
made the excuses for every description of
outrage in their part. This portion of the
story is based upon facts that we're clearly
| proved before the commission of Parliament
appointed some time ago to examine the sub
ject, and those who remember the details of
that investigation will acknowledge that the
novelist has not overstated the case
That this story will do more to annihi-
late the murderous policy that the union
lists have thus far pursued with impunity
| than any other influence that could be
brought to bear we sincerely believe, and it
is a matter for regret therefore, that he did
not adhere even more closely to his real
theme, or if an enamored hero and heroine
were absolutely necessary, that he should con-
descend to depict such a pair of lovers as
'Henry Little and "Grace Garden" whose
spooniness is simply laughable when it is not
nauseating. These characters are reduplica-
tions of some that the authors admirers are
very familiar with, and if there is any
diff erence between them and his last pair
of lovers, it is in the fact that they
are further removed from anything like
human nature. Mr.. Reade, it is true, stops
| every now and then to assure the reader that
he knows all about the hearts of young women,
and that this particular action may be relied
upon as being psychologically correct; but
this will never be allowed to pass for charac-
erdrawing, and it is apt to leave the impress
sion that the writer does not know half as
much as he pretends. All the love-making
in the novel is on the high-pressure principle
almost five hundred pounds to the square
inch and the safety-valve tied down-so it is
not to be wondered at that the ex-
plosions are fearful, and the mat
ter for surprise is that with the
trade unions oonspiring against them from
without, and with their own bursting hearts
within, there is anything left of the ena-
mored pair by the time the end of the book is
reached. Mr.. Reade claims to be literary
artist and not a mere pennyaliner, and as
piece of art work this book is not creditable
to him. Much of it is written in an exceed
ingly careless and slovenly style, and its
cheap sensations are not of character to
please the taste of cultivated readers AS
clear and forcible statement of the case of
society against the trade unions, it may be
pronounced good and useful work, but as
novel it is the very worst that has ever pro-
ceeded from Mr.. Reades pen, and it will do
nothing towards advancing his reputation. 1t
will be read with interest more on account of
its main subject, but after that is forgotten
the book win scarcely survive for another
generation of readers to wonder at.
From Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfnger we
have received "Sanctum Sanctorum; or,
Proof Sheets from an Editors Table" by
Theodore Tilton. Published by Sheldon &
Co. The editorial fraternity is not cele-
brated for over much modestY, but we doubt
whether any editor in the United States but
Theodore Tilton would consider his effusions
on the current topics of the day worth being
collected and presented to the public in book
! form. This volume contains a number of
articles contributed from time to time by Mr..
Iilton to the Independent, and they are what
might be expected under the circumstances
as little worth reading as-as-well, as col
lection of the editorial articles of The EVEN
ING TELEGRAPH would be. 1t will be seen
that we do not wish to state the case
against q member of the fraternity any