The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-27
LITeRATURE.
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CoEDENsEp NOVELS BY Bret Harte; with illus.
trati9ns by g. Eytnge, Jr. James X Osgood b
1t is some time since this very capital little vol
ume made its first bow to the public. Since then
the author has become so widely known and uni
versaly popular through his ''Reathen Chineen that
1t Is probable this handsome new edition OF his
condensed novels" will meet with an even heartier
welcome than the nrst Bret Harte has here ad-
miraby taken on' the style OF all the conspicuous
novelsts Of the day. Dickens, Bulwer, Wllkie Col
Inns, Charles Rcade, Cooper, Lever Dumas and
Michelet; Miss Braddon, Mrs. Wood, Charlotte
Bronte, &C.. DC, are all represented aud the author
has succeeded wonderfully In initiating the different
styles Of these various novelists. Nothing
could give better proof OF tho versatility Of
Bret Harte's own talent than the way in
which he has dropped the style OF one
writer. with the last word Of his or her supposed
novel, and with the drst OF the next fallen perfectly
into the new manner which he desires to reproduce
Neither Is there anything offensive in these
sketches, carcarures though they are; nothing of
nature TO check the good.humored laugh In which
their reader Cannot fail TO indulge
author OF Courteous Myths OF the Middle Ages,i
..or'gln ana Development Of Religious Belief"
DC. ID. Appleton d Co., Broadway, New York.
Gabrielle Andre" Is an historical novel, based
on events prior TO and during the French reyolu.
ton OF 1885, and treating especially OF ecclesiastical
affairs. The feeling then existing In both State and
Church, the causes which led TO It, the oppression
OF the peasantry, the unbridled RIGHTEOUSNESS OF
the nobility the tyranny Of the biahops over their
cures and their indifference to the sunerngs OF the
people, are all forclby ser FORTH Thomas Lindet the
parish priest OF Bemay, an important parsonage
in the tale and representative man OF the times.
s fictitious character The author tells us In his
huf Anrtn ute foN xv .o
had been enabled to collect the authentic parlicu.
lars relative to Lnders life. character and history
which he has detailed In the present vo lume Mr..
Barring Gould has hitherto been known to the
public chiefly az the author OF works Of philo.
sophcal and strictly historical character; but "Ga.
briee Andre" proves that hrs talents are not con.
fined TO heavy literature and that his style Is well
adapted 70 works OF the Imagination. HIS de.
scrptive powers are excellent, and he succeeded
perfectly In harmenisIng fact and ction thus pro.
ducing work OF great dramatic interest.
T4iRD FOR HEa LIFE. BY Mrs. Emma ID. Z. n.
southworth. I. b. Peterson Brothers, Phla.
dephia.
The above Is sequel to "Cruel as the Graven
published short time SINCE Mira. Soutnwortn,
whose multiplicity Of initials always seem to be run
ming Q race with her multiplicity Of publications.
with terrific names, has here given us volume much
after her usual dismal and sonsar onaI style. Her
works read as though hey had been written while
un4er the influence OF violent attack OF brain
fever, and frequent perasal OF them would be
likely 70 give the reader touch OF the same malady.
Tried for Her Life,' however, " an Improvement
upon Its predecessor, and In Nelly, sybl Bernsr's
faithful little Skye who pays quite an Important
part Ia the story, we have the first thoroughly re-
spectacle and well indiYldua,zcd character we
ever remember to nave met with III Mrs. South
WOrtli'S books.
THE Foe IN THE HOUSEHOLD. ny Caroline Cheese
bro, author of "Peler Carradine,r "Victorian DC,
James r. Osg00d Co., Boston.
rather commonplace book. The story, however,
is not devoid or interest," 1t s based upon the secret
marriage OF young couple, belonging to opposite
religious sects whose tenets forbade intermarrage
The bishops aud doscons or both denominations
figure consplcuously In the tale, and fair share Of
the bitter anlmosity usually existing between those
OF different creeds Is visible throughout.
BARNES NOTES on THE ACrs OF rHH APOSTLES
AND THE ErIsTLB TO THE ROMANS. Harper
Brothers, New York. 1871.
These two volumes arc the continuation OF an ex-
cellent and deserving work. II would be hard TO
exsggerate the merits Of the undertaking, as nearly
every line Of the sacred text Is accompanied by
copious commentaries, and history aud tradition
are brought into reausIuon TO give a clear and In
telligbie view OF events, localities and people.