The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-05
LIT E r A T u r E.
England, Germany, France
and America.
What Is Doing in the
World of Letters.
Special Reports from Our Correspondents
In the Great Literary Capitals.
--latest English Rocks and London
Literary Gossip.
Mar

Latest English Books and London
Literary Gossip.
LONDON March 10. 1874
VICTOR HUGo'S NEW BOOK
The chief literary event Of the day has taken
place IN Paris and is about be reproduced here.
1t Is the completion OF Victor Hugo's great novel,
which is generally believed to be the nrst portion
OF prose epic which is to include the history OF
the great Revolution. Its theme Is fitting one Tor
so great a writer, and the work will, no doubt, be
lasting testimonial TO the old poet, whose preju-
dices are at least commensurate with his genus,
but who is none the less interesting on that
account 'Quatre-vingt- treizen is the title OF
this tremendous effort OF industry ana
certain kind OF learning. and II Is pleasant 70
observe that this title mas not been travestied
out OF all recognition IN the English version.
When "L'Homme Out Ritz was translated tmost
execrablyl for the Gerltenaans magazine the name
was turned into 'By ORDER Of the King"-in itself
q clumsy rendering OF the ancient legtimist ior-
muIa; and though the original could not have
been literally translated, 1t was felt that very
bad shot had been made. The translator OF the
present work in the Graphic SIMPLY contents him.
self with Ninety three'-a very happy and strik-
ing rendering. Tne work, though one OF
series OF tableaux, is complete IN ITSELF and
is very fine indeed. 1t Ia rich In Victor
Hucos special and sometimes unapproachable
beauties and also abounds in his most egf egious
faults, particularly in KIND OF sublime ignorance
OF the mere existence Of two sides IN dispute or
two aspects OF a question, which Is especially char
acterlstc OF him as a poet and Frenchman. In
some OF the most inexcusabe digressions in mis-
present work we find perfect gems OF description
and marvels OF eloquen In abstract inspiration
and nvectve II is, perhaps, too early to Judge OF
the translation, as only two numbers OF the
graphic containing portions OF 1t have APP
peared but they make US realize the i'm
mense difficulty OF putting Victor Hugo's
French into English. 1t has never been
satisfactorily done between the very beauties OF
his style and the soul OF the English language there
exists definite and rreconcilable antagonlsm, as
complete as the antagonsm which exists between
his method OF reasoning and ours. No periods are
more flowing, glowing, ornate and harmonious
than his and yet there Is not translated page OF
his Writings that Is not stln. clumsy, Undated and
pompous, without dignity; SO that the English
readers OF Victor Hugo who are ac-
quainted with him only through transla-
tons regard him enormously as appcrtain-
ing to the category OF "windbag.n and are
seriously bored by him. 1t may be safely
assumed that no great work ever had fewer read
ers tnan "Les Miserables In It's English dress, and
al Homme Qui Rit" was dead failure In its COM
very much while " was coming out in 1t.
THE MARCH MAGAZINES.
The magazines Tor March are lamentably duh,
with the exception OF the Corallitl, the present
number Of which is exceedingly brilliant. Mr.. Les
lie Stevens Hours in LiDrary'' form q series OF
literary and critical essays OF first rate
ability, and the present one on Dr. John.
sons writings is the best among them.
1t ls genial, appreciatIve and profound and
contrives to put many points OF a subject
which we have been apt TO look upon thor
oughy worn out In novel light. In an admirable
story called 1.-The Courtier OF Misiortunen every
one recognizes Mr.. Grenve Murray's hand. 1t Is
capital pendant to the brilliant papers descrip-
tive OF modern French society which he has been
contributing OF late to the faa Man Gazette and 1t
paints the tme-servng ingratitude OF many who
owed all they now so ostentatiousy enjoy to the
kind heart and gentle temper OF the late Emperor
IN coors from which one would think they must
turn away abashed.
WHY JAPAN HAS SURPASSED CHINA.
very remarkable article is one entitled "Feng-
Snail II Is the first real exposition OF the OBJ
structive OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, pervadIng
and quite unlike any of the preparatory ideas OF
religion in the East OF which we have ever had
q glimpse, which is, alter all, our nearest ac-
quaintance with them-that lies at the bottom OF
the hopeless immobity OF the national mind OF
China. TO read this article, in which profound
ana difficult ethical phenomenon is ex-
planned, so that the least skilled in
studtes OF the kind may thoroughly under
stand its meaning and Importance, and
TO compare with 1t Humbcrt's description of the
condition Of the national mind OF the Japanese on
a similar In Intellectual plane, Is to reach the solu-
ton OF the sudden and extraordinary develop
mcnt of the latter country and the causes OF its
tba of
short. to understand the SO lately Invisible Mikado
..inauguratIng" railroads in every quarter OF Nj
pom, and the Son OF Heaven in whose empire
competitive examinations are thousand
years old and men OF seventy contend
for academic distinctions pertinaciousiy re
fuslng the gift OF a ready made railway with
plant and rolling stock complete. This article Is
II its way-the way OF opening up mental phe
nomenon OF governing Importance In the Gaze o
nation With whom we are in close and growing
intercourse-as important as Mr.. Deutsch's ex
position OF the Talmud. The one is the key TO thu
Chinese, the other to tie Hebrew mind.
NEW BALLAD BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
Robert Buchanan has an exceedingly fine ballad
IN Cdsseti's or March. 'Granddad in the Ingle'
is a highly finished specimen OF his best work. Il
is simple as befts ballad but very dramatic and
finely constructed. One sustained idea runs
through it-that of the extreme old age o.
a man all whose associations, experiences
achievements, perils and crimes are OF the sea.
This Is perfectly maintained with skin. when hides
the art OF 1t, and completeness most thoroughly
every smile, every suggestion every local feature
is in harmony with 1t. Take these descriptive
lnes:-
As still he sat a cold gray stone
Upon the lone sands
His thin gray hair white as foam,
Like drifting weeds his hands
His eyes were dead and dull and cold
AS the jeily fish on ,hc rock;
His closed and his heart kept tlmo
To the ticking Of the clock.
His cheeks were pale. his lips were dumb,
lie sat IN The ingle glow,
StiIl as a stone ON the low sand
Though the tide doth come ana go;
Though the sun may come ITS cold moist side,
And make a glssening gleamy
Though the storm may dash and the lightning cash
Ana the startled sea birds
Too late 100 late he is Old, old,
lie hears human call,
He cannot smile, he cannot weep
His blood hows on as daTk sleep,