The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-14

second volume four hundred and forty.nine
times, Such is far from being usually the
case, for above all things the average reader
desires a new book. Thus the "Old-fashioned
Girl" has been out FIVE hundred and twenty
five times during the few months which have
passed since its publication.
Aurora Floyd, which was once very popu-
lar, was read only sixteen times in 1869,
while "Dead-Sea Fruit" was read forty-four
times. But Miss Braddon has greatly de-
cined in favor. Of her compeer, Mrs. Wood
the same may be said. The author of ''St
Elmo" always finds many readers, thanks to
the war of the dictionaries which has resulted
to so wide q distribution of those useful
works of reference. Miss Muhlbach has, of
course, been hugely popular, though the
number of her readers is now decreasing; her
various works were called for one thousand
one hundred and eighty-one times in 1859.
OF Mrs. Uraik works, 'John Halifax" was in
use seventy four times, while the "Woman's
Kingdom" was read two hundred and thirty
five times, having been in circulation only
part of the year.
Beckford found only six persons to accom-
psny ''Vathek" to the Hall of Eblis, while
one thousand and sixty-four were interested
in knowing ''How he Won Her" and what
became of "The Missing Bride" and "The
Lost Heiress, and all the other unfortunates
conjured into being by Mrs. Southworth's
pen. ''Ruby's Husband" was last year a
public favorite, and Mrs. Stoves "Old Town
Folks" stood third or fourth on the list. Mrs.
Whitney is gaining increased attention, most
of all in her latest books. Hitherto" has
been read two hundred and sixty times this
year, ''Faith Gartney's Girlhood" fifty-six
times. ''Dallas Galbraith" was much in re-
quest last year, and continues to be read this
year, though by a smaller number. For
1870, ''Vashti" is the popular American novel.
The English one is certainly ''Lothair,'
though MAN and Wife" which has not been
out many weeks, has been read one hundred
times. The "Schonberg Gotta Family" found
but seven readers in 1869. Auerbach was
well received; more readers began ''Villa
Eden" than ''On the Heights" but fewer
reached the second volume The books of
e. Marlitt Miss e. John) have met with still
greater favor.
Of the standard works the "Arabian
Nights" had attractions for only twenty eight
persons; "Munchausen" for only thirty-one
(but he has been superseded); Jane Eyre"
held her own; the Dickens favorite was
David Copperield," with nicholas Nickle
by" next, and "Dombey and Son" follow
ing; Tbackeray's "Vanity Fair" contested the
field with the books of a day; "Adam Bede"
led George Eliot's list, with ''Romola" only a
step behind; the "Reveries of q Bachelor"
were wanted by eleven readers; Hyperion"
ahu h@fahaSn A0oPoooi'ciy ny eiSuV anu
seven.
OF graver works:-Motley was the favorite
historian last year, but is now closely followed
if not overtaken by Froude; Taine, among
travellers and descriptive writer's, has had
fair share of attention, though not nearly so
much as w. H. H. Murray; Ruskin and Mrs.
Jameson are the authorities on matters of
art; in biography, Harriet Martineau was the
leader in 1869, with Mrs. Strickland and
Crabbe Robinson following; Muler's "Chips
from German Workshop" were picked up
by ffty-six persons
1t is seen that 'he average reader likes
novel, and that he, particularly she, likes a
novel fresh from the press. 1t should also
be noted that the average reader does not
always care to exercise his own Judgment,
but likes to be told what is good book, and
when told will usually take it with great do
cility, provided the book looks interesting
NJ Y. Egenipg Post.