The New York herald., 1871-06-19
LITER AZURE.


EBRAERGANG. Alter the German OF Ad. VoI
Volckhausen. BY Mrs. A. l.. Wlster, translator
OF The Old Mamsele's Secret,r "Ony a GIRL
| &C., &c. J. B. Lippincott Il Co., Philadelphia.
Mrs. Wster's admirable translati0ns are among
| the books that everybody reads she certainly may
be said to possess unusual ability In retaining the
peculiar weird flavor OF German story, while rem
dering 1t with perfect ease and grace into our own
language Few recently published novels have re-
ceived more general perusal and approval than
'Unly Girl;'' and "why Did He Not De9" possesses
In at least an equal degree all the elements OF popu.
larty. From the beginning to the end the interest
never fags. and the characters and scenes are
drawn with great warmth and power. The story Is
based upon the early loves OF Herr Wilhelm Craven
sund young gentleman or wealth and position,
and Marie Gunther, beautiful but humble girl.
Through the careessness and villany OF priest the
Pastor Siegfried, sum OF money sent by Craven.
sund for Mare's use and sustenance, and accom-
panied by expressions OF the warmest affection Is
Kept from her. and she dies, leaving young infant
and believing herself forsaken and betrayed by her
lover. The child is at first thought dead but is
finally restored to warmth and life and somew hat
reluctantly adopted by Marle's aunt, the Frau
Kurten, and her husband, with whom, it must be
confessed, he has rather hard lines. The Pastor
Sleglried Is, as matter OF course the boys bitter
enemy. Having appropriated the money sent him
amounting TO the sum OF 700 marks) ostensibly to
the Church, bu. really chiefly to MS own purposes
under the supposon OF Richards DEATH his fury
upon discovering him to be living may be imagined:
constantly and energetically he asks himself why
"the boy dld not diea The priests anxiety is
the greater when some years after Herr Gravensund
having In the meanwhile married, he finds that the
Kurtens are not only near neghbors of the Craven
sunds but that an accidental acquaintance between
the legitimate children and poor Richard las the boy
caleC) nj ttar ha lfl.do Tn
his fathers house. Slegfrled then sets himself to
work to destroy the lads reputation and bansh him
from the Gravensund mansion, fearful that Herr
Wilhelm may, through some unforeseen circum-
stance, discover that his son Is still living and that
he has been deceived by the willy priest In these
plots he s aided by Therese Jager, deceltful and
treacherous woman, who, having obtained her first
foothold In The Gravensund home as housekeeper 10
place procured for her through SiegtrIed's own
agency, has contrived 10 attain considerable in
luence with the family. Through their COM
bined Efforts Richard Kurten Is accused or
theft, ana finally put out or the way by being
sent, at the age or twelve years, to the House of
Correction To this step the foster parents who be-
heved In his guilt, and have never regarded him
with much tenderness, consent. Thence he is sunl-
cently fortunate to make his escape. and for time
he disappears altogether from the scenes OF the
story.
In the meantime many changes take place among
the rest OF the drdmdtts perSOnG. Madame Craven.
sund dies and Therese Jaser, by series OF arts,
succeeds In marrying the wdower. The children
grow up; Willy, the son, proving himself not only
worthless and cxtravagant, but finally forging the
name Oh companion, and only escaping imprison-
ment through flight. Tne Kurtens settle down to q
rather unlOvely, yet comfortable Old age, rarely
speaking OF their foster son. OF whose fate they are
The Sfi rafa
influence and intimacy with the Craven
sund family. The hero OF Tho saie reap
pears talented and euccesslnl artist, as
well as a popular ana brilliant man. He thus proves
conclusivoiy 'why.he did not de-" Having learned
years before that the Kurtens were not his parents
ne has dropped their name, and is known as
''Reicbard," under which title he has risen to
wealth and prosperity. The priest meets the young
artist, and in spite Of all changes knows him as the
poy ne dlSgraced and banished. With the Craven.
sunds keichard becomes intimate, while he remains
uhrecognlzed by them. He appears attracted by the
grace ana beauty OF Anna, Herr Gravensund's young
Saugnter. Inc priest sees the impending danger,
ana Tears he may be forced TO unite the brother and
sister or confess his crime. ALL however ends
well. Richards love Is really given to Netta the
in'st charming character In the book. She is the
SKIER OF Gravensund's first wife, but as she was |
vey young at the time OF the marriage she is gen.
arst shares this beief, and when his father |
nilly discovers ana desires to acknowledge |
mn, Richards despair a. believing Meta to be |!
hi'sister far exceeds his happiness Ill finding |
later This misunderstanding is however before |
loE dispelled and Reichari and Meta made happy |
Ihprlests crime Is OF course, discovered; he Is |
baShed from the Gravensund circle, but not pub.
llcl disgraced. AS parting arrow he discloses to
Hej Wilhelm his present wifes former position and
hmlf was the author of her mlsforrunes. M~dame
These Gravensund is thus deposed. her husband
constng himself among his chlldreA, with whom
he hN IN peace and happiness. 7ne declining years
OF theurtens are also passed In great contentment,
owing liberal remtances from their foster son.
Such isbrief resume OF This very interesting novel,
Althou. 1t cannot be claimed that all the outlines
of the 1t are entirely original, there Is, neverthe
less, vt amount OF freshness about the book.
MARIE FOR BOTH WORLDS. BY Mrs. A. T.. Por-
ter. amor OF Captain John,n &c Lee x shepard:
Bo5to
''Mard for Both Worlds" Is religious novel, as
may Deferred from its pretty and striking tie.
IL Is theory or the life or Esther Gray, wno left
widow the prime OF her youth and beauty, thence
forwarfevotes herself to domestic duties, and to
works charity and love among the poor Her
hand is er extended to help the fallen and her
heart OF TO the sick and needy. She regards her
husbano absent rather than lost; makes the full
flment his wishes her especial care. and looks
forward til cheerful confidence TO their reunion
where dh has no dominion and partlngs are un-