The sun., 1873-06-24
SOME NEW BOOKS.
Miss AIcott on Work

and heart. To thousand of women It
will reflect more or less of their ex-
pcrience In life. We say to women, for 1t IS
woman's story and not mans. Miss Alcott has
been very careful not to exaggerato or to over
state her case. II is. Of course, as easy to make
ones heroine diyinely beautiful, and graceful,
and learned, as 10 make her only moderately
comely and fairly educated. But Miss Alcott has
taken for hcr model such n woman "a may any
where he found In New England good, virtu-
Gus girl, of much Independence Of character,
with q fair common school education, and no ac-
complishments not beautiful on the one hand,
nor exactly homcly ON the other. This girl,
being an orphan and dependent on those
whom she does not love. finds 1t In her heart tug
out into the world to secure for herself an inde-
peudcnce. And then, OF course, there Is an end
of case. and work hcgins In earnest.
Christie Devon il the name of Miss Alcott's
heroine and the problem that she finds before
her at the outset Of her life l.. what Il she,
without friends, or influence, or accomplish
mcnt-, to do To- get honest bread and butter for
hcrself2 That Is the question that a great many
young girls are asking themselves. and Chris
ties experience probably answers IL very fairly
and correctly.
That experience Is exceedingly interesting
aud is beautifully and touchingly told. TIE
girl finds herself compelled to begin at the very
foot Of the social ladder. aud 10 enter service as
ahou-cmaid. Being ambitious, and constantly
improving herself, she passes through various
other conditions of life being hN turns an act
rcs-. a goyerncss, an invalid companion,
seumstross, and finally a hospital nurse. In
none of these situations does she play a very
dramatic part. Most people indeed find life
cold reality, made monotunuus 10y thc succession
Of daily cares rather than enliyened Dy a series
,,ft 81 al Iuf ra. frIpV haNa
their ups aud downs, their moments of happi-
ness and misery. and always the great business of
of life, work; but a. for hiirbrcadth escapes,
marvellous condolences and combinations Of
circumstances that make Of ones life pcrpet-
ual drama, that T. not the average history Il
men and women. and II WAS not that of Christie
Devon. There l. consequently i'tle or no plot
to Mis- Alrott's novel; 1t Is an interesting mar
ratiyc II progressive events that have little rcla-
tiuu To each other. and the character. ar cou-
-taatly changing with the hcrulue'- changing
circumstances. II has not. therefore. the char
actcri-ucs e most novel;, hut Ia none the less
readable on that account There T. about 1t all
a certain Impress " truth and countless worthy
women have undoubtedly been placed In ex-
actly such circumstance. A. those IN which Ms.
Alrott puts her Christie, and have found the bat
tie Of life, n She did, hard hand-to-haud fight
with:want and trouble, In winch. however. those
who are rcso'utc OF purpose and faithful To- the
end are certain to core oil conquerors. II not
over circumstances at least over themselves
and has IL not been said that he who rulcth his
own spirit j. greater than he who rul'ih cityt
This points to the great purpose and intent II
M'ss Ncou's book 90 give courage to the down
hearted. and to help with kindly words and ou-
couragln- illustrations those who are di-i'iritcl
through adverse fortune. l H. bright and healthy
book. cuil,,t tu its views Of HE, and without a
uofh'd sentiment between Co.. covers. Tho later