The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-05

We surrender a large part of our space this
morning to what is in fact, resume of the
literary history of the'month. Nothing could
be more interesting than this stereoscopic
glance at the world of letters. Starting with
Victor Hugo's latest novel we view in success
sion Simpsons and Schweinfurth's books on
Asia and Africa, consider the alleged BIAS
phsmy of Dr. Paul Lindau, the German
dramatist and editor; spend a pleasant half
hour with Baron Tauchnitz in Leipsic, and
take look at the political pamphlets and
new publications which have just appeared in
Paris. The great novelist's "Ninety- three, it
is limited, is the first of an idyllic series Of
prose romances on the French Revolution.
Remembering the wonderful chapter on the
battle Of Waterloo in Lies Miserables, we
cannot but look forward to such series with
great anticipations, and consequently the new
novel is doubly welcomed. If this hint of our
correspondent should be realized it would
make striking coincidence with the compile
ton Of Tennyson's 'Idylls OF the King" The
battle of Waterloo, like the "Morte dArthur,
which should have been last, came first. and
in each case may have suggested the grand
works which followed. In Mr.. Simpsons
book on China we have some Of the ripe work
which is about to be evoked by the progress
sive journalism of the day, and it is owing to
the interest the newspapers have inspired in
Africa that the work of the German traveller
will receive the attention its merits demand.
Schweniurth's book is scarcely less valua-
BILE contribution to our knowledge of that
terra acoynaa than the great results OF DR..
Livingstone's researches in the regions about
the sources of the Nile. Our Berlin letter is
exceedingly interesting because it raises the
point whether heathenism is u defence against
bIasphemy if the blasphemy is merely intended
as satire. Lndau, who was not the author Of
the article printed in his paper, was punished
for its publication partly because the author
was not at hand, but more especially because
the frequent punishment of Catholics for BIAS
phemy in Germany required some show Of
even-handed justice when Protestant victim
so conveniently offered himself The gossip
about Baron Tauchnitz-w English edi-
tons of favorite authors, so convenient for the
VI aii0 utIi1u,lo VI Cuuuuy ultSI-
noon reading, have become legion since he first
issued pelham in the now familiar shape, in
1S42-is quite as interesting as book with the
Tauchnitz imprint The chapter on the
French pamphleteers; the youth Of the holy
brigade, relieved from guard duty at the Vati-
can turned into the political writer's OF the
hoped tor Henri Cling restoration; Trochu's
pamphlet in answer to the charges preferred
against him in its report OF the com
mittee to investigate the acts Of the Govern
ment Of the National Defence; NJ. Grevy, the
republican, discussing Monarchy or Repub-
ic," and n. Cassagnac, the imperialist, on
Republic or Empire;" last Of all, an anony-
nous author, inspired by the Orleans princes,
gives us a curious insight into the condition
of French politics. 1t is the literary history
Of England in the time of Charles H. and
James IL all over again in France, but the
brochures come just two centuries too late.
All this makes singular showing of the con-
dition of the world of letters, the quaint being
curously informing led with the earnest and the
stupid with the highest results Of intellectual
endeavor. 1t is a literary panorama such as
is seldom presented, and as the reader skips
from scene to scene he cannot fail to be
pleased with the changing picture.