Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-27


| "PRoBLEMArIc CHARACTERS" and THROUGH
! NIGHr TO LIGHT" are titles Of two novels by
Friedrich Spiehagen, translated from the Ger
man by Prof Schele lie Vere and published by
Holt 6 Williams, New York. The same novels
were issued by this publishing house, some time
since, in more expensive form. This edition is
intended for those who may have found the 9TH
er too expensive. The two are connected,
drought Night to Light" being a sequel to
the other. Spielhagen does not write pleasant
village stories which run "glitterng like
brook" from a bright beginning to an agreeable
ending which leaves the villains duly punished
and the good people doomed to live happily all
the days of their lives. He deals with "prob-
lematic characters" and with currents of life
which are much deeper and wilder than village
brooks. At the same time, he is admirable as
literary artist, and writes with earnestness and
force. He does not allow his heroes to be made
of Common stuff" but most readers will be
likely TO regard his 0swal OF these novels as a
very "poor stick, and to think that some of
his characters are "problematic" chiefly because
they are weak Or lack principle. For the rest,
uC sibNS uClNt duLaEbllohi " Nlt diloboNlhNNs
These books are far superior 10 the common
run of English novels republshcd in this coun-
try. For sale by Sanford Co.
The CRAYoN READER, published by G. p.
Putnam & Son, New York. consists of sclec
tons from the writings of Washington Irving.
They are from his life of Columbus, the Sketch
Book, Astoria, Crayon Miscellany, Conquest
of Grenada, Brace ridge Hall, the ALEXANDRA,
Knickerbocker, etc. The book is designed for
the use of schools and classes.
The GLADIATOR, tale Of Rome and Judaea,
by G. J. White Melville. New York: d. Apple
ton & Co. This is one of the Appleton library
of novels. Mr.. Melville has tried his hand be-
fore at novels of ancient society and probably
succeeds as well with them as anybody is likely
| to. 1t is travelling too far beyond the limit of
most peoples knowledge and sympathes, and,
though the gladiators, high born ladies, trib-
unes. slaves, and 50 on are as good and bad, as
crafty and brave respectively as could be de-
sired, one fails to be much interested in them.
Sanford & Co have the book for sale.
The ATLANTIC MONTHLY, for December, fin
ishcs Mr.. DE Forests novel, "Kate Beaumont,
and contains variety OF readable articles
There is review Of Gen Buffers Campaign il
Massachusetts," by WIN. S. Robinson and
story by Bret Harte entitled "The Princess Bol
and her Friends" said princess" being Kla
math Indian. The publishers promise to max
, this magazine for 1872, unusually Attractive.
will contain Hawthome's unpublished romano,
''Septimus FELTON,, or the Elixir of Life, jaime
Parton "a ife of Thomas Jefferson, and a st
ries Of papers by Oliver Wendell Holmes, en-
titled "The Poet at the Breakfast Table" Their
will be also a Story by James De Mile, and
variety Of other readable contributions.
HARPER's MAGAZINE, Tor December is bette
even than usual, which is saying a great dea
for it, The following are the illustrated arti
cles; The Eternal City; The Haunted Lake
with portraits of Cooper and his mother; Frcncl
Royal Chateaux; A Good Investment, story
The Old Morse Colonies in Greenland; and The
American Baron, which is concluded in th
number. Among the other articles there is al
interesting account Of the first American ex
ploring expedition, paper on Lord Brougham
and several stories. This number begins tn
fOrty-fOurth volume.
APPLEToN's JOURNAL, Monthly Part No. 30
| Continuing all inc weekly HulnucTS lOI NONtiu
Der, is out. We must say again of this periodi
cal, as we have said before, that it is admirably
conducted, and furnishes from month to montl
a rich and attractive variety of wholesome mis-
cellaneous reading. 1t is abundantly illustrated
some of the subjects chosen for illustration il
this monthly part, being: The Streamlet
Some Old Virginia Houses; Canamdaigua Lake
The Savannah at Augusta and New York Har
Dor. But the reader must examine it for him
self, to become acquainted with all It's gooC
things.
OLD AND NEW, for December, begins tn,
story, "Six OF one by Half a Dozen of tn,
Other" continues Mr. Hale's story, Ups anC
Downs" and giyes us variety of excellent pa
pers which will be read. There are "Sorent(
Papers" by Charles d Warner and others OF
various topics, by seven or eight writer's, be
sides "The Examiner" which always has some
thing to attract us, and is particularly good il
this number