The New York herald., 1874-08-24
"IA CONQUETE DE PLAssANs. I"
aDernieres Nouvelles," "Mme. Eu-
genio," "Helene ct Mathilde."
THE HISTORY OF SILK CULTURE
NM Emile zola, Prosper Merimee,
ChampAeury and Adolphe Belot
LES PROMENADES DE PARIS.

PARIS, August I, 1874
Partisan publishers find that the trade in books
Is beginning to revive after the hard blow it re-
ceived in the war. and assuredly II the public buy
all the new novels advertised booksellers have no
right to complain. One seldom at any period saw
such snow Of fresh-born novels as that now
haunting in Its rows OF red gray and yellow bind
ings, and nourishing its catchpenny tiJes in the
shop fronts OF Boulevard libraries. Unfortunately
If the bindings OF these new books be unexcep-
tonable and their titles attractive, as much can
not be said for the contents, the which have SUNK
TO . curousy low standard OF inelegance and
immortality. But Of the mass OF novel publications
lately issued for the delight Of holiday tourists
there are only i've which can recommend to the
attention OF American readers, ana OF these one
II recommendable rather from the noise 1t has
made than because it possesses any merits. will
treat OF 1t last
To take the best book first, must mention
sLA coNQUErE pB PLAssANs." BY EMILE lola,
which Is by far the most remarkable novel OF the
season. 1t Is, indeed, as regards style and power
OF execution, perhaps the most striking novel
written since Balque's death, though the story 1t
embodies Is unpleasant. NJ Emile Zoa Is . radi-
cal, and In noticing another Of his works-"Le
ventre de Parisn last winter l had occasion TO
point out his two CHIEF characteristics as
vrlter-namely, his deep sympathy ior all forms
OF democracy and revolution, and his addiction TO
. mode OF word-painting so minute and realistic
as to resemble IN literature the performances OF
N. Courbet on the canvas. NJ. Zola has undertaken
TO write the ''Hlstory or the Rougon- Macquarts"
q middle class family through all the phases
Of the Second Empire and the present novel IS
but one Of series which works out this ''hstory."
1t ts, however, like the four which have preceded
II, tale complete in ITSELF 1t deals with the n
nuence which can be exercised by q Roman
Catholic priest over the concerns OF private life,
and the point OF view Is necessarily hostile-nay,
hateful
When the story opens the family OF NJ Nourron,
consisting OF NourrOn himself. his wife Marthe
two boys little gtrl OF weak intellect and an old
servant woman named Rose, are awaiting with
considerable curiosity the arrival OF priest who
has hired the second door OF Nourron's residence.
Marthe had opposed the letting OF these rooms,
not wishing to see her quiet home intruded upon
by stranger; but Nourron, retired rradesman,
whose shrewd, huckstering nature Is admirably
portrayed. insists that TO keep whole noor vacant
Ii folly. "Besdes which, )" adds he, priests make
no noise In q house." Accordingly the new
lodger arrives, and from his coming date
. succession OF changes, emotions and
troubles which eliminate in horrible tragedy.
His name is Faujas, and he left his FIRST house
under mysterious circumstances not disclosed in
the book, but which are supposed to reject dis
creditably on his morals or his honesty. He is .
tall, nervous and muscular man. about forty years
OF age, handsome, and with the signs OF genius on
hts high forehead and archng eyebrows, but sor-
didly poor, and looking like who shuns society.
This, however, is only stratagem, for he Is far
rom stunning society that he has come into this
little town OF Passans for she sole purpose OF con.
quering It-tnat is Of becoming the chief man In
It and OF winning it over, If possible to the I'M
perial cause. We are told that Plassans had al
ways returned anti.Bonapartists TO the Legisla-
ture, and that the government was much nettled
In consequence, 80 that, IN despite Of his shady
antecedents, the Able Faujas, being q man Of
proved capacity, has been privately but warmly
recommended by one OF the Emperors Ministers
70 some Of the Bonapartist officials Of Plassans,
who are hidden to look upon him as valuable
ally.
The Able, however, fights his way up laboriously
by his own talents and also by the help Of his
mother, q devoted woman Of the peasant class,
whom he has brought with him. and who misses
no occasion OF furthering his interests. At first
mother and son are so little seen that all the
tongues In the neighDorhood are set awag about
them, wondering how they spend their time, why
they have come, how they live and for what rea
son the Apbe wears such SHABBY cassocks Worthy
n. Nourron, who is sormented by the itch OF Curl
sneaks behind the Abbe TO spy upon him when he
walks out, makes several attempts to enter into
q conversation with him. and, not succeeding,
grows to entertain the worst opinions Of his
lodger. But one day q hazard brings the priest
and his mother TO accept an invitation 70 spend
the evening with the Nourrons and from that
time they insensibly return every evening. Old
Nine. Faulas plays tntermina0le games OF piquet
With N. Nourron. The priest and Martne Sit oy
che nre and talk, until gradually IL comes about
that Marine feels fascination for this man.
It need scarcely be said that this fascination
rpens with time into woiul passion. Marthe is
described as a woman OF warm sensibilities and
highly poetical temperament whose whole life has
been nothing but the dulest prose. Married early
TO Nourron she sat behind the counter Of his shop
busted herself with figures and relieved the cares
OF bookkeeping by attending 70 the drudgeries Of
her household. In these petty duties al the ro-
nance OF her heart had beer smothered. Her hus-
band was small busting self willed man OF quick
temper, liking 10 give orders and TO be obeyed
even In little things and Marthe had resigned her,
self 70 such entire submissiveness toward MIN that
she could scarcely be said to have mind Of her
own. At Plassans she never stirred out Of doors,
received few visits, never sought after amuse-
ments, and seemed TO have no other object than 70
keep her husband IN good humor and look after her
children. And yet at the time OF the Aooe Faujas'
coming she was not more than thirty.fve and had
retained all her beauty.
How under the influence OF her love for the
priest Marthe's nature undergoes . slow but
marked change is told with . wonderful diagnosis
Of the human heart Marthe had never been relg.
ious nor even believer conforming her habits IN
shs respect 70 those OF most middle-cass women
IN Francei but from the time OF her acquaintance
snip wltb fauas she tries TO and solace fron
the inner Ore which Is consuming her by attend
ing church. The Able does mot ask her to
DO So and, indeed, notnin ng could be less spiritual
shan she discourses OF snis priest whom NJ zols
pictures 81 man devoured BY ambition and using
his sacred profession only 40 Q means TO selfish
ends. Paujas rather dissuades Marthe from civ.
ing way TOO seaiously to she ecstacy OF devotion
bur she cannot exactly realize Of what kind are tns