The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-15
French, English and German
Literature.
THE SUICIDE OF MALTZAHN.
History, Travel, Social Science
and Novels.
JULES JANIN'S NEW BOOK


rellgence comes from France, where there seems
TO be revival in the world or letters. although in
the present instance IL is to be feared that the
light which has leaped up brightly is an ex-
pIring name. paris ct Versailles IL y Cent Ans"
by the cheeriest ana latest OF critics, the most
deoonndir OF Journalists the most fertile OF euille
tonsts, the man who most thoroughly realized in
age OF gradual decline OF such things, the esprit
de salon, with it's ubquity, It's universally and its
legerte-Jules Janin-is doubtless the last of his
writings For some time he has been dangerously
Ill. Ten days ago his life was despaired OF, and,
though he has rallied for while, there is no posi-
bility OF his recovery. Seventeen years ago he
wrote to young Irish lady, then visiting Paris for
the first time :-'Inscribe upon your memory that
the latest Iitterateur in Paris has to-day climbed
three lights OF the steepest stairs in Paris look
upon the dream OF his imagination, the fair brow,
the night-blue eyes and the satiny black
hair OF an Irishwoman, ana to hear the
purity OF her soul in the tones OF her native
tongue The lady in question had light gray
eyes. light brown hair and, fortunately for the
inteligibility of the interview, spoke French with
NJ Janin, who did not comprehend word OF the
English or Irish which he expected her TO speak.
Janin was utterly and integraly Partisan. DELI
ciousy unconscious that great interests existed
outside OF France, or that there were minds for
were not or absorbing importance. His histories
OF Normandy and Britanny are emnently readable.
ana their crowded and sensational pictures, IN
which the artists have generally selected for rep
resentation scenes which English illustrator
would scrupulonsly reject, suit, enhance and ha--
monte with their style. His new book may be
described as very charming, TASTEFUL bright, pleas
ant, sometimes highly spiced gossip. Ii Is not
history but so much the BETTER in one sense the
history OF that time has never been written; in
another 1t has been written too often, and by the
rolling mood Of events in restless France the men
and things, the institutions and events OF q hun
dred years ago have been swept back the compare
tive distance OF several centuries The Middle
Ages are not farther on from an Engshman than
IN Cent Ansn from the Frenchman Of to-day.
The book is exceedingly pleasant reading,
and though it gives rise to some dis
gust and q good deal OF serious wonder at the
possibility Of such state OF things-social polit-
zeal, moral and rergious-t has the true fancy
ball effect, which pervades everything French.
from the accession OF Louis the well beloved. to
the erection OF the sacred guillotine in place Of
the band stand, with the headsman for the chez
dorchestre.
HISTORY AND TRAVEL.
In very strong contrast with this work is the
latest contribution to English history by Mr.
Stubs, Regius Professor OF Modern History at
oxford, Of which the first volume only has ap-
peared as yet. The book Is issued under the aus
pices of the Delegates OF the Clarendon Press. ana
Is of great value for the author Is treating his
intimate subject with equal thoroughness and
lucidity dscarding the traditional Welsh origin OF
many OF the Saxon laws and giving full, inter-
esting and learned account OF the German origin
of English institutions. Though there is good
deal OF dryness inseparaple from the subject, Mr..
C<,,It ,tvtne niullu Inv htl
vivid pictures OF our German ancestors and their
life previous to the expeditions which had for their
result the settlement OF England. The book will at
once assume the position of standard authority
and Students guide. Two very interesting books
on Russia at attest and crafty the still vivid
and public interest IN tnat country. One Is record
OF travel by Mrs. Guthrie, lady who has made an
extensive tour in Russia, accompanied only by her
daughter, and who reports very avorably OF the
people: the other is an interesting volume on the
rites and customs OF the Russian Church. In Mrs.
Guthrie's book she gives very interesting descrp-
ton OF voyage on the volga, and also OF the IA
nous fair at Nijni-Novaorod. The chief impression
respecting the people which we derive from her
observations is that the intense personal loyalty
and affection entertained nominally Tor the Gear
in reality mythical feeling, like the kan worship
that fantastic alteration OF Napoleon l. which
led the ignorant peasantrv in some Of the remote
districts OF France to believe that Napoleon III.
was Identical with him-the '1fdnde hoHa1te" him
self resuscitated. Nine. Romanon, who is intro
duced to her readers in preface by the peren-
NAL, inexhaustibe, interchangeable Miss Yonge.
makes the ceremonies OF the Russian Church ut
least comprehensive. and writes a very pleasant
book as WELL though she Is little too enthusiast
tic a Russophiiist. Professor Armiuius YAM
berry errs on the other side. This enterprsing
.tIpla and
intrepid traveller, ever since decade ago
he took up his parable In his famous
account OF mis- Journey 70 Samarcand
against the aggressive designs OF Russia
on our Indian Empire, mas not ceased to urge the
subject by book, by pamphlet, oy letter and by
speech. and has collected vast amount OF lnds-
putably suggestive proofs ana illustrations In sup
port,of his belief and theory. Though II is not very
easy TO say what we should have done had the
Professor been listened to with profound atten-
ton and respect II IS only fair TO ADMIT that there
are some grounds for the seriously triumphant air
with which he points to the recent history OF
Russia, her recuperaton Of ali she lost by the
Crimean war, her immensely increased resources
in both and land forces anu her campaign in
Kmva-the whole Central Asian afair lndeed-as
an instalment OF his future prophesles. The cook,
which is called Central Asia ana the Anglo
Russian Frontier Question: Is rather heavy aud
discursve, but It's facts are undeniably important
aud It's specnlations are interesting to scep-
tics inclined to invest everything Russian with
the coute,r de rose Of the Edinburgh marriage and
the Cars visit. 1t should not be forgotten that
Car Nicholas visited London in the early days OF
Queen Victoriais reign and was much admired,
which aid not, however prevent the Crimean war
any more than the Exhibition OF 81 put an end to
war In general. The first volume OF Mr.. Adams long
Higff
PERIOD 10 the Present Tmen has Just appeared.
In respect OF the earliest period" 1t is somewhat
disappointing Tor we certainly looked for more
complete account Of the origin OF the Japanese
people anu EMPIRE That the great pains, care
and labor bestowed by Mr. Adams upon the task
OF investigating the existing records and collect
ing the remaining traditions have not enabled
him 10 give us fuller insight, simply proves that
ali there is TO be known has been learned. II the
history OF Old japan DC ever more fully written 1t
will be. in all that Is additional. simply MYTHICAL.
In his INTRODUCTION, which Is too BRET he arllte