National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


Review Of Cusrent Literature.
"A WONDERFUL WOMAN" novel: BY
MAY AGNES FLEMING. q. W. CARLETON Co.,
publishers, New York
This Is q decidedly unhealthy novel. We
arose from Its examination In q stined, gaspng
feyered state, as II Just emerging from pent-
up, ill.ventilated apartment. There 10 nothing
particularly marked or notIceaby new, either In
the conception OF the story or the unfolding Of
Incidents Such Is the cxtravagance Of tho plot,
the wild profuslon aud overpowering warmth Of
language, that an air Of travesty Is thrown over
the whole. So that whatever emotion Is at
tempted to be described-loye, pity, reinorse,
anger, or malice-we feel equally the burlesque
element predomlnateS. The initial chapter In
PRODUCES US TO Sir John Dingerneld, BAro-
net, late colonel In the Honorable East Indis
session OF e., 900 year-aud to Katherine, the
"wonderful Woman" presumptive heircss to
this portly estate. A dark, terrible secret Ia
here vaguely suggested, which Is further do
yeoped by the appearance OF Mrs. vavasor, an
adventures, who, holding the key to this mys.
terry, is the little villain aud strateglst OF the
story. Katherine, impulslve aud undisciplined,
falls In love with Intriguing, pennlless tenor
singer, CASTOR Dlntree. The wedding night ar
riyes The secret, much to the comfort OF the
readers mind. Is, at last, made known. kathc-
rlne Is not the Baronets dauyhter-only stray.
nameless waif-hence entitled to no entailment.
Most agonizing events ensue. Dlutree Is klcked
down the stairs, and ends his days as lunatic;
the Baronet Is seized with nt. and expires;
Peter Dangerneld, M ugly, sneaklng next.
of-kln fellow, enters as helr-atlaw, and
Katherine starts out upon q vagabond life most
torturing to follow. Coming to America she
turns actress, makes . fortune, returns to Sus-
sex and devotes herself solely TO revenge, fright
ems and harnesses Peter, the heir, by all sorts Of
unfemlnlne tricks and unnatural imposltlons
until detected, and 4 little weary OF her queer
ways she turns saint by way Of variety. Tracing
her course through the nve-hundredth page We
next md her In the midst OF the plodding
drudgery OF governcss life, having lost all her
wealth. Here the fluctuations Of fortune again
beset her, and Sir Arthur Tregenna, Bart, makes
her his happy bride. SO ends our tale.
"LYNDE WEISS" an Autobiography, ny GEO.
III TUROOP CLAYTON, REMsHs 4 HAFFELrIs-
GER, publishers, Philadelphia.
A dlsjolnted, dcllriously-tod story, directed,
principally, to the recital OF childish trespasses
aud their consequences. Lynde Weiss,the hero,
ia made to tell his own history, In which mean
Injustices and paternal noggngs ngure at every
turning. We md no salutary lessons inculcated
for boy or man; nothing outside Of the stupid
and common. place. The style Is impetuous and
immature, showing great crudeness and inca
pacity for the attempted work. The following
conversation between Lynde and Ann West, the
housekeeper, may he taken Is an example OF the
many: "Lyndel" "Eh!" Lynde." "Um!" "Lynde!"
"Hello!r "Come" "Ehr 'Lynde,s. "IIello!"
.'Lyndep' "Yes!" "ohl 90 to mlschlefr Slx
hIdeous, distorted Illustrations are scattered
through the pages, aiding nothing In the way Of
embei.hment, but much to the general intelll-
gence.