The New York herald., 1873-12-14
LITER A T U r E.
TIE NEWEST PARIsIAN NOVELS
MN sandeau, Cadol, Arsene Houssaye, Cna-
vette and Parfait-Paul dc
Rocks Memoirs


time to time what are the new books which French
men contrive to write amid the agitations
OF constitutional worries. ! may say at
once that never at any time within the
present century have books been so few,
nor on the whole so bad, in France, as they
are at present; and the reasons for this are OBJ
yious. Most French noyelists have for some time
past been dealing with a class OF subjects which
renders their books unfit for the family circle and,
as a consequence, the chief buyers and perusers OF
novels are men. But TO sell probably among men
a novel must be very smartly written indeed; for
there is no alternative with men readers, between
q brilliant success and absolute failure. French
men who live much out OF doors have sharp wits
and love strong sensations have not the time nor
the patience to read duh book Generally speak
ing their staple literature is the newspaper. and
they will only buy novel II 1t be recommended to
them as something out of the common way. Now,
1t needs sale OF at least copies TO cover the
expenses OF book published at the usual French
price Of three francs and TO leave anything like an
acceptable margin Of profits to the publisher and
the author. Even with sale OF 10000, however,
the author can expect at mcst $500, and such
sum is not worth the attention OF first rate
writer, who in the six months time required TO
produce a fS0o novel might earn $1,000 or f1,2oo
in journalism, or double and treble that amount in
of merit turn playwrlghts or newspaper
editors, and only venture on novel
when they feel assured OF some good sale, such as
5000, $4,000 or even 100000 copies. Nevertheless,
there are authors wno by publishing their novels
first as serials in daily papers, then in volume form.
and by writing at steam pace three or four novels
in the course of twelvemonth, manage to secure
something like a decent income. Some of these
have knack for selecting crude subjects and dish
Ing them up with a garnish OF enticng spice;
others may be classed among the few French nov
elists who write with propriety in order to be read
by ladies' Again there are certain authors who
throw of a novel from time to time without much
looking to profits, but simply because they have
something to say 1t is from the works OF the two
latter categories OF writer's that purpose choos
Ing the books most worthy of being mentioned TO
the American public.
The best novel published in Paris within the last
three months Is undoubtedly 'Jean de Thomerayn
by Jules Sandeau.
1t might De more properly termed q novelette,,
for it is very short; but its author has been at
work, with II. Emile Angler, converting IL into a
three-act play, which will shortly out at the
Theatre Francois, and Its name Will, therefore,
before long, be in every moath. Jean de Thomeray
Is the youngest son OF an old Breton nobleman of
the old and fierce school, bigotedy Catholic royal
ist and stern. He has brought up his older sons to
be like him. but Jean, by reason OF his amiabe and
rather womanly qualities, has been the spoiled
child OF the house. Instead OF passing his boyhood
In his fathers castle he has been sent to finish his
studies IN Paris; and Paris has proved city OF
aiictton TO him, for he has perceived that Catholic
and royalist notions have no currency there; that
chivalrous sentiments laughed at, and that the
only God worshpped Is the almighty bank
note" Indignant at some light Joke about
Partisan. Jean Thomeray fights duel
and is so seriously wounded that his mother is
summoned hastily to Paris, and. soon as he can
be moved takes him to Italy to recruit his health.
At Pisa the young Breton meets with an attractive
Partisan widow disporting herself on the remnants
OF fortune FILTERED away in extravaganza, and
his acquaintance with this lady makes the beginning
OF complete moral change in MIN. He falls in
love with her and allows himself to be inoculated
with her easy views about the age In which we
live His mother demonstrates; but, finding her
ntIeaties are OF no avail returns to France hoping
that when he has had time to perceive the worth
lessness OF the cynical siren he will be cured OF his
attachment for her. Jean de Thomeray does get
cured pretty quickly, for the seductive widow jlts
HIM; but his heart is filed with sullen rage Tor
he ascribes the lady's unfaithfuness to his own
poverty, and he resolves that since wealth is the
key to everything-even to love-in these our
times, he, too, VIII become rich at any
COST though he should be obliged TO cast all
his principles OF honor and religion to the winds
He goes to Paris, dabbles In the fuuds amasses a
capital, starts Joint stock companies and speedily
finds himself at the head OF large fortune. But
all the ausions and honest beliefs OF his child
hood had lett him. He is a hard, unscrupulous
man, who makes money as fast as he can, spends
1t selfshly and laughs at conscience, virtue and
hat IL nnt hot l.rho
able figure on 'Change. His ather, thekrim and
blameless old nobleman, mourns Tor him in silence
as II he were dead, ana his mother and brothers
have orders never TO alude to his name. While Jean
de Thomeray is reveing in his il-earned wealth,
however the Franco-Prussian war breaks out, the
French are beaten, the Prussian armies march on
on Paris, and all who love their skins more than
their country hasten away from the capital
with their goods and chattes. Jean de
Ihomeray naturally determines to be one
OF these 1ugitves. What does he care
for patriotism? 1t is an enete and hollow word
which can have no influence on man OF sense. If
there are battles to be fought, let soldiers fight
them. AS for himself he will go and live comfort
ABLY at Brussels or London till the storm has blown
over. Thus speaks this prudent young eplcure to
an old friend who ventures to lecture him on his
oascness; but, Just as he has delivered a fine
uaransue ABOUT modern principles" and Is has
Ienihg nome 10 pack up his trunks, he is stopped
by the sight OF Breton regiment OF mobiles which
aas Just arrived IN Paris, and marches down the
street amid the cheers OF the bystanders. Al the
nead OF this regiment rides jeans father. the old
Count de Thomeray, and in its ranks he perceives
all his brothers. Thus, these gentlemen. uplmbued
by "modern principles" have lett their homes 70
rome and fight like men for their country
lean turns pale, and stands rivetted 10
the pavement till the last solder has
melted out OF sight; but on the morrow, when
the muster-rol OF the regiment is called in the
court yard OF the Louvre, new recruit presents
himself. The Count looks at him and asks sternly
"Who are your" "a man VINO has lived badly"
Sand what do you want q, ITO die well.n .Are
you rich or poor p, ~ was rich yesterday; to-day
have given my fortune for the deenceo OF the city,
There is moments silence; the Count adds new