Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-13

capable of Transforming American social life
into snobbsh imitation of anything foreign to
it, The Literary World" thinks "the fervor is
not free from bitterness" and that this weakens
the persuasive influence of the story, but
adds: "If the authors purpose was TO write a
powerful story, she has succeeded" We doubt
whether she had Il conscious purpose, or any
aim whatever save to write precisely what she
thought and felt. This critic classes the story
with Game Eyre" and says: "The author is
the first American, we believe, who has made
an essay in that peculiar kind of fiction; her
essay must be pronounced quite successful"
We have not room for a sketch of the plot and
leading characters; and most of those who will
read the book, may prefer to trace and study
these in their own way, We will add that the
book is remarkably well written, the style being
fluent, earnest, and never dull. There is nc
tedious rhetoric, but always clearness, direct
| ness, and force. The Literary World" says on
this point; "Ihe authors style is exceptionally
good, terse, and direct. Her choice of words is
felicitous, and her arrangement of them COM
pact and correct" This is not one of the novels
that can be written to order, after the fashion of
so many Of those found in the market; and we
may add that there is nothing in the book to
offend purity, or to encourage eoarseness of ex-
preston or feeling
WITHIN AND WITHOUT, by George Macdon-
aid. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co.
Mr., Macdonald has an enviable reputation as
writer of prose fiction, and is also the author Of
some short poems, which have won deserved
praise. in this volume he undertakes the more
difficult task of writing poetical romance. We
cannot think his success is so marked as in his
former field. The story is romantic and improb-
able enough TO satisfy the most insatiate crav
ings of confirmed novel readers, and is as sad
and painful as any morbid scntmentalst could
desire Its incidents mingle with curious effect
medieval with modern life. The hero makes
his first appearance in a monks cell, where he
deplores his error in seeking spiritual peace in
such a place. He escapes by the aid of a com
passionate brother monk, but is pursued by the
other inmates of the convent, who besiege his
castle where he had taken refuge with the lady
of his love. The castle is taken, and his prop
erty sacrificed as the penalty of his desertion.
So far, the story has decidedly a medieval as
pect; but the hero flies with his wife TO Eng
land, and thencelorth all is modern He ends
employment in counting house, and she
teaches music. Though passionately loving
each other, both believe themselves unloved, and
the misunderstanding continues to the end; they
lead dreary and'despairing lives, relieved only
by parting CLEAN of hope for happiness in
another world, The story has some of the de-
iects which are conspicuous in the authors
latest prose fiction, Wilfred Cumbermede, as
well as substantial merits and beauties of its
own, among which may be recloned an easy
and graceful versfcation and some lines that
are specially lelicitous. The book is for sale
here by Grout G Putnam.
FIVE HUNDRED MAJORITY, or The Days of
Tammany, by "Wylis Niles" New York: G.
P. Putnam & Sons. The men who have ruled
New York Of late years are not agreeable COM
pany. We are obliged to read about them in
the newspapers, and there we learn quite enough
Of their knayery, their coarseness, their iuso
ence and their rapacity We do not need to
know them more intimately in order to learn
whatever political or moral lessons are to be
gathered from the history of their triumphs and
their fall In the book before us the author
finds his characters in the circle of which Mr.
Tweed is the chief ornament and much of its
business is the development of their low political
intrigues. The hero is vtrtuous and spirited
young man, who preserves his integrity, not
withstanding strong temptations, and comes out
right in the end, though nearly ruined once or
twice through the malice of the enemies whose
vile schemes he has dared to thwart. The ar-
thor has not the subtle skill which can
make villainy and coarseness picturesque
without making them attractive; he uses
strong positive colors, and paints things
as he sees them, as nearly as he
can. His book reads very much like sncces-
sion of interviews, as published in the New
York papers, where we learn that "our report
er" has called upon Mr.. Tweed, and after de-
,cribing the paatial mansion of that person
and its embellishments, narrates a conversation
with the Tammany magnate. The domestic
life, the social festivities, the political conspira
Ties and the official appearance Of the Tammany
worthless, are described in a manner which we
are willing to believe is faithful because it is so
So far as this can be considered
merit, the book is mertorous but no farther
1t is unpleasant in its scenes and characters, and
we see no reason to believe that it will make it
palmer to anybody's understanding that the
rammany ring was composed of parcel of
vulgar thieves, or make vulgarity and thieying
more odious. 1t is for sale here by Grout &
Putnam.
Rnsp NM Inn Ia
Louis Figuier Newly edited and revised by II.
W. Bristow, +. r. S., +. G. S., etc. New York;
D. Appleton Co., pub ishers, The purpose of
his book is to describe "the progressive steps
~ which the earth has reached its present state
rom that condition when il was without form
md void" It contains a report on the geologi-
al record, prepared for general readers; and
he English editor has made important addi-
ions and revisions. 1t gives a full account of
he peculiarties Of each geological period, and
Describes the fossil remains Of each, the descrip-
lions being aided by great abundance Of pic.
toral illustrations II discusses great yariet
ct questions suggested by the facts presented in
the geological record, among which are those re.
laung TO the coal measures and the glacial pc
Rod. The Illustrations, which are well exc.
euted, show the living creatures by which the
eSrth was peopled at each period, and present
series OF ideal landscapes of the various epocbs
oil the earth's history, previous to the appear.
ance OF man. 1t is very interesting book.
much better in this English translation and 70,
vision than in the original French. For sale nv
Sanford & Co.
WoEDERs OF ELEcTRtcIry 49, Tronoi,.o1