The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-27

REVIEW OF VIEW HOOKS.

The sixth and seventh volumes of Appleton's
cheap and elegant library edition of Grace
Aguilar's writings contain 1.-The Days of
Bruce, /" the last and in many respects the
most mature and artistic work of the gifted
authoress. In this as in other of her histori-
cal studies Miss Aguilar shows the rare ia
Guilty Of throwing herself into the very heart
Of her subject, and her romantic imagination
has added something to the romance of a
most picturesque period of history. The
studies Of female character in "The Days of
Bruce, y as in all of Miss Aguilar's works, are
of the highest order Of excellence, and such
refined analysis as is shown in her portraits
Of Isabella of Buchan,' 'Isoline," and
agnes are sufficient to stamp her as a lite
Yary artist of rare endowments.
Julia Kavanagh, like Grace Aguilar, is a
novelist who has held her own with readers of
refined taste in spite of the Miss Braddons,
the "Ouidas, and all the other female spos-
ties of sensationalism who have gained the
public ear since she achieved fame. 'Sylvia,"
which is issued as one of 'Appleton's Library
of Choice Novels, is a story that those who
are familiar with the merits of ''Daisy
Burns" "Graee Lee, - nathalie" ''Rachel
VIhys AuQ OVu0T OF MISS haYhuuRu > VIII
ings, will be certain to secure for mental en-
tertsinment at the seaside, among the noun
tains, or wherever weary humanity may flee
for rest or recreation during the heated
term. To those who are not acquainted with
this writer's singular merits, we recommend
this charming story as one of the most
attractive among the multitude of works of
fiction that are being issued from the press
almost daily.
Miriam Alroy' and 'tThe Fall of Iskan-
der, which are published in one volume by
Messrs. Appleton, are a couple of Mr..
Disraelis early stories, and are in his most
Sxtravagant vein. These performances would
long since have been forgotten if Mr.. Disraeli
had not achieved a reputation as e politician,
and if read at all at this day, they will be
read, like Lothian" out of curiosity, and not
because Of any remarkable merit in them
selves. Mr.. Disraeli was a long time in
living down the peculiar literary reputation
that he gained by his early attempts in the
field Of fiction, and he probably feels himself
strong enough now to defy criticism, or else
he would not have taken measures to again
attract public attention to them. The novels
Of Mr.. Disraeli are not to be commended as
works Of art, certainly, but they are not with
out interest as literary curiosities, and as
proofs that the writing of indifferent fiction
does not incapacitate a man from becoming a
very respectable statesman.
Married in Haste" is q new novel by
Mrs. Ann s. Stephens which has just been
issued by T. B. Peterson 81 Brothers. Mrs.
Stephens is a graphic writer, and her stories
woor olropo he raliod 11pon 10 contain IN into
resting plot and well-sketched characters. As
8 popular story-writer she has a deservedly
high reputation, and we predict for Married
in Haste q cordial reception from the large
circle of her admirers.
Forgiven at Last" by Jeanette r. Ha-
dermann, published by ]. B. Lippincott d Co.,
is, we imagine, a first effort at novel-writing.
There are abundant crudities that show the
unpractised hand, but the story is one of real
interest. The plot is carried out in a salts
factory manner, and some Of the characters
are delineated with much ability. The de-
fects Of the story appear to be those of mex
perience, and it shows sufficient ability to
lead as to expect something of a higher
quality from the same pen in the future.
lean 'Nora," published by Peter E.
Apci, 10 d puiiobIuo lfdhSideion, ny Iloury "
Lukens, of Burgers ballad of "Leonore.'
In his preface Mr.. Lukens states that his OBJ
ject in publishing this translation is to direct
the attention 'of Swans and scholars to the
exhaustive research and literary merit" of a
''variorum Leonore," by his brother, Charles
j. Lukens, which will contain all the different
versions of the ballad and a commentary
t~hereupon. We noticed some time ago speci-
mems of Mr.. Charles j. Lukens' translations
from Burger, and found them to possess un-
usual merit, and as among literary men espe-
cially Burgers 'Leonore" is held in high est.
nation, a ''variorum" edition such as is
proposed will probably receive a fair amount
Of attention. We do not, hewever, see the
necessity for the travesty now before us,
which impresses us as a weak imitation OF
Hans Breitmann." Mr.. Lukens has sue.
ceeded in initiating the movement of his orr.
ginal, but as his parody is not very funny,
we cannot hold out hopes that it will achieve
a marked success with the reading public.
As a specimen of book-making the volume
is entitled to the highest praise: the paper is
creamy, the printing is elegant-a rivulet of
type meandering through a meadow of mar
gin-and the binding is t~as all of which,
however, seems like a sad waste of good ma.
terials.
Monthly number 81 of CELLS Popular
Encyclopedias" bringsthe work down to the title
'Malpighiaceae." This encyclopedia is rapidly
approaching completion, and we again re.
ommen those of our readers who das;ra n