The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-07
LITERATURE.
REVIBW OF VIEW B0OKs.

4 d
From Olaxton, Rensen, & Hsffel6nger
We have received the following new publica-
tiOns:-
"Fair France" by the author of ''John
Halifax" ETC., published by Harper Bro
theirs, is book that has a special interest
Just at the present time, when "Fair France
is seen under vastly different aspects than
when Miss Mulock visited it in 1867 The
work, as it's title-page describes, records the
impressions of a traveller, and 1t contains
little that is worthy of attention on account
of novelty. 1t is a very charming book new
ertheless, and is filled with admirable bits of
description and shrewd, sensible reflections
on the country and people. Miss Mulochs
Professionalism and British prejudices, how
ever, are made more decidedly prominent than
is necessary, and they frequently prevent her
from taking just and impartial view of mat
ters and things in such a country as France.
This is almost the sole blemish in what is
otherwise a very delightful and readable
work.
"The Cryptogram," by James De Mile,
published by Harper Brothers, is story of
great interest by writer who is rapidly win
ming high reputation as a novelist This
story is planned somewhat after the peculiar
style that Mr.. Wilkie Collins has made so
popular, and the plot is sufficiently involved
to secure the cordial attention of the most
experienced fiction reader MIR. De Mile has
lively, dashing style that is in itself an
attraction, and in the present work, which is
in many respects an improvement over his
previous efforts, there are some excellent de-
scriptions of character and some highly
wrought scenes that cannot fail to satisfy the
lovers of sensation.
"Woven of Many Threads" published by
James r. Osgood g. Co., is well-written novel
of English life that will repay a perusal.
From ]. B. Lippincott we have received
Lost and Saved, by Hon. Mrs. Norton, which
is q story that will not leave very favorable
impression of the morals of the English aris-
tocracy upon the mind of the reader, and
although it is, from an artistic point of view,
worthy of the high reputation Mrs. Norton
won years ago, it cannot be commended as
pleasant reading.
-"Ginxs Baby" published by Routl edge
& Sons, which has been sent us by George
Gebbie, No. 730 SAMSON sire ct, is work
that created a great sensation in England
when it was first published about eight
months ago. 1t is strong and vigorous
satire upon the impractical efforts of profess
sional philanthropists, and much of it is as
applicable to this country as to England.
The forlorn founding and child of the gutter
is ispersonified under the title of "Ginx Baby, "
over whom the Protestants, the Catholics, the
parochial authorities, and others interested
squabble until finally the fate of the baby is
if anything rather worse than if the philan-
thropists had allowed him to die in peace in
the first place. The book is one that will
give offense on this side of the Atlantic, as it
has on the other but, as the Scripture
sayetb, 'Woe to that man by whom the offense
oometh, we commend it to the earnest
consideration not only of those interested in
our charitable institutions, but to readers of
all classes, as it contains much that is worthy
of thoughtful consideration.
II. 8. Peterson & Brothers send us ''The
Sealed Packet, by Il. Adolphus Trollope, a
story of the italian war of 1S4S-1849, which
will rank among the best efforts of this popu-
lar writer.
From w. S. Turner we have received
"a Tale of Sin, by Johnny Ludlow, pub
ished by L. r. Hamersley & Co., an inter
esting and affecting narrative that has
considerably more merit than its title
promises.
Mr.. Turner also sends us AppIet0n's Journal
and Ecery Saturday.
From the Central News Company we
have received the latest numbers of Punch
and Fun.