The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-31
LITER AT U R E .


IL. IL.
4 Brothers. Philadelphia, publishers.
To say that Glide and Seek" is by wilkie Collins
Is to say that II Is story OF intricate plot and full
OF mystery but 1t is also to say that this plot has
been planned with both care ana ability, and that
the mystery Is skifully managed and adroltly un.
folded. There Is, OF course "opening chapter -
between which and the legitimate chapter l. a
period OF fourteen years supposed to have elapsed
This Is fav0rite plan with Mr. Wilke Collins.
Glide and Seek" is undoubtedly story OF deep
interest, and one which. once commenced. few
could leave unfinished. Mr.. Zachery THORPE who
Is perhaps, the hero OF the tale f hero there be Is
presented to us in the opening chapter-a fractions
urchln OF six years. We are permitted in this chap
ter to glance at the domestic economy oil H. Thorpe,
sr.'s establishment and TO form conjectures at
once melancholy and prophetic, as to the result Of
ms system OF eduCaton-,. e., his remarkable capa
biity to develop the evil aud repress the good
points In his sons character. We are therefore, not
unprepared for Master lacks temperance In chap
ter w. as an equally trrepressible youth of twenty
Next to the Thorpe family should DO men
toned Mr.. Valentine Blyth. tho artlst-combin-
Ing In his own person three qualities which
no other artist probably ever did combine be-
fore-psssionate enthusiasm IN his profession.
good common sense and money In his pocket. MI.
Blyth is furthermore possessed OF the tenderes OF
by 1t is instrumental in clearing up the mystery or
the story, albeit involuntary on his part During
q short visit provincial town he Is much struck
by the advertisement OF travelling circus therein
declared to be the "eighth wonder Of the w0rld.r
Among other attractions set forth in aiming letters
on the placard, he notices the announcement
OF the appearance OF "mysterious founding,
aged ten years, totally deaf and dumb.r The kind
heart Of the artist touched he resolves to see the
unhappy cnild whose misfortune is thus proclaimed
In gay and fantastic letters and made capital with
which to trade. The same night he attends the per-
Torrance at the circus He sees the GIRL he suspects
the managers of cruelty towards her, examines into
the case and then and there adopts her as his own
and carries her triumphanty back with him to Lon
don. There he, his invalid wife and madonna
las they cali their adopted chilo) form the happest
OF families. Upon this incident--the particulars OF
which are given early In the cook under the head
OF 1.-The ACCOMMODATIONS the Who'll, plot OF the
story madonna" $50 called from her touching
resemblance to Raphaels ldeali is the axle to the
Wheel And, strange to say, the absorbing interest
OF the book IS kept up without its being III any
sense love tale. unless, indeed, from The sad
shadow Of one in the past.
slide and Seek" Is divided into two books, aud
one Of the most important, he Is certainly the
most eccentric cna acter, does not make US his un.
Second His DEBUT isas characteristic as it is pecu-
liar. lie 1t Is who u destined to play the second
part in the game OF "Hide and Seek'-through his
agency the mystery OF the story gradually ceases to
be one-vanishing little by little into thin air. and
managed with the same artistic skill In the euctda-
ton which has characterized the weaving OF the
plot In both which respects living writer can
excel Mr. Wilkie Collins.
ryC TrrC Ctray n u
Mackenzie LID, has been published in neat form
by I. b. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia. 1t con-
tains personal reco;leetions and anecdotes. some
private letters Of Mr. Dickens, never before pub
lished Qor the most part unimportant), and certain
papers In prose and verse which have not been
previously collected. These are taken chiefly from
Bentiey's or other magazines for which Mr.. Dickens
was in the habit of writing, and have-some OF
them-not been reprinted since their original publ
cation until now. The book contains a portrait and
autograph OF Charles Dickens
such work cannot fail to be interesting, as there
is scarcely man, woman or child in Anne RIGA who
has not revelled In the writings Of this wonderful
author, and who has not mourned his loss. Yet 1t is
astonishing that while .'Samivel yelIer,n "Mcaw-
ber' and others are almost ousehod words many
comparatively ignorant or the origin OF Charles
Dickens himself and OF his personal and literary
history.
We think Mr.. Mackenzie might have made tho
chronological arrangement or his work clearer He
carries Us at times years ahead, urged on by some
particular train OF thought WHICH suddenly the
brakes are put on, and We presently find ourselves
compelled TO back TO the starting point for the in
vestigalion OF matters at which we should have
been permitted TO glance IN passing. He has, how
ever collected vast amount of interesting infor-
nation in regard to the great novelist. AS q writer
Mr.. Dickens, but few, we think, will put down this
volume without better acquaintance with and
higher esteem for him as a man.
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE MASS d. J. Sadlier 4 Co
THIS IS the title OF philosophical and very In
structtve work In explanation of the principal re-
gious ceremonial ofthe Catholic Church, from the pen
OF the Very Rev. John 7. Sullivan Vicar General OF
the Diocese Of Wheeling Va, and published with the
special appreciation OF the Most Rev. Archbishop OF
New York. In preliminary article 1t traces the
necessity OF sacrifices general, infinitely descrlb
Ing that Of the mass, with It's attendant ceremonies
and explains the uses and Specification OF the var-
GUS yestments, cloths and ornaments at the altar
From this it passes full consideration OF the
prayers and ceremonies and translates for the pub
lc-Catholc and Protestant-the language employed
by the priest and celebrants. II is work which
will be particularly interesting that portion Of the
Protestant world who have ever entertained de
to penetrate the mysteries OF Catholic worship
I. B. Peterson Brothers, Philadelphia, have just
issued the fourth volume of their new and hand
some edition OF the works of George Sand MADAME
Dudevant) This Is 'Indiana,' ono OF the best
known works OF the authorcss. 1t has been trans
lated from the French by George w. Richards, and
is preceded by sketch of the life OF George sand,
occupying some sixteen pages.
The same publishers have also issued new edi-
ton of Alexandra Dumas Glove and Liberty a
narrative OF the French Re vontlon OF 1892.
The Magazines.
Sc,7tae,'s monthly. for February, the fourth issue
OF this delightful new literary venture, comes
freghed full OF fresh, vivacious, sparkling prose
and poetry thus admirably sustaining the expecta-
tons that its first appearance awakened. Mr.. Has
sard's instructive illustrated article "The New