The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-02
FRENCH LITERATURE.
What the Authors Of France
Are Publishing.
STANDARD" LIGHT READING
Novels, Novelties, stsr-Guosing, His
tories and Eistoriettex
PAKrs- Inl,Iis-a

(Dentu-l
The s.est romance OF NJ second suutlei les
pemoisenes de Roncay," Is earning book.
written In the best style OF ART with a fart.e ana
agreeable pen. The character OF cothnie a cfusfy
snd devoted old servant. n admirably drawn ana
there Is general tone o. quiet humor aboul zoe
book very refreshing and very rare among Frsnch
authors. IL IL TO be regretted, however. tnat n.
Second brings most Of tue creatures Oi his msgin-
anon 10 a sorrowful death because. awrtsr
can End other way than TINS cot OF human
trouble, be had better let u a one. We al gBow
that can die; that which ant % learn II
how IL may be possible 70 live, end 70 1--we bravery.
under doubts ana perplentles might
overwhem Us we're not supported
BY good advice and example. Our nle
has been reasonably called a battle. ana
there is something c0wardiy m laying down cor
arms IN the midst OF IL because have got few
scratches or an awkward knock In the head A.
hong as We can stand and think aud raise an arm
we shall strive on, Tor nsnt m great cause,
against the powers Of darkness and evil often set
on high, that we cannot expect remain
seatne.ess. II We receive wounds m the struggle
we may remember. not without great nope, that
there s one eye which never sleeps and - forever
regarding We are doing our creators ~orx.
and IL we do 1t patiently ana couragcously ~e shan
have our reward. tue tears and anguish
which sometimes make lot so very bitter are
as nothing TO sue glory which snail be revealed 10
us, ana our worst misiortunes bat the disquiet
OF brief sumber which shan be followed oy a
bright awaslng.
Among the other papers which appear In this
collection Is the pleasing "Sonnetie de NJ Befls-
GAM but the gem OF the volume Is ''The Mar
ronnier." II is the history OF the misadventures
OF usurer transformed into a landlord, ana n
might appear to advantage when compared with
n
vincal society In France.
ANNE EUGESIO.n BY Champneury. (Charpen-
tief.)
The story Of Mime. Eugenior is founded upon
that eternal subject which supplies half the book
sellers shelves III all countries where the French
language Is read anu spoken 1t is the great iauit
OF English authors that they deal with their char.
acters as II human life was dominated only by the
passions OF greed and vengeance. Their villains
are thieves and murderers, lawyers and detec-
ives; their vlrtuous characters are dislnierested
merclul, and become rich French authors are
wholly engrossed BY the crime Of adultery ana the
Aumberless manners In which tie changes have
been rung upon this single theme almost surpass
behef. English authors appear entirely 70 forget
that there are men and women who care nothing
for money or revenge. There are people by tue
score and by the hundred who would not walk
across the street against their inclination for
half Broadway. railway engineer In
eager pursuit Of his business once told
The Duke OF Devonshire that 1t would
add fl0, 600 year TO his income If he would allow
an iron road to go through one OF his parks. II
40 not want $4,000 years. answered the Duke
CURLY and 80 terminated the interview. Then as
70 vengeance. wise man never dreams OF II,
nor q clever woman. proud man rises supe-
Tior TO it a dull man is Indifferent to 1t. The de-
SIRE Of wreaking wrath upon On adversary is a
n hp scth Ie "A
rose. French authors, who attribute all the good
and evil IN the world TO the wish which every man
supposed 10 form Tor his neighbours vie, are
equally Obvious of the facts which stated
with remarkable distlnctness by 81. Paul. In
truth more than half OF mankind are not at all
disp 0sed to ransgTess the laws Of society Tor
pretty face; and a prudent young gentleman once
summarized the prevailing opinion upon this sub
)ect with extreme neatness. "My grapes are
sour" said scornul beauty VINO had Jailed TO
attract him. hoping that the taunt would induce
him to commit an act OF folly. "why. no." replied
the prudent young man very frankly, your gra apes
are not sour. but they are too dear.n The TACT IN
that no man who has fortune or reputation TO lose
b ready TO risk them In a divorce court; and If we
we're all to run about rashly with the intention OF
committing adultery as we are said to DO in
French novels, bali the adult male population of
the world would be forthwith murdered by In.
M
mime. Eugenio," takes account OF tins pro.
sale statement OF the case, and has therefore set
HIS mind to work on the Old, old story OF an TN
proper connection between married lady and a
handsome good nothing Andre the lover Of
NINE Eugene, ID common type OF his class q
notheaded, cold-hearted Ounce, who would have
found his proper place In society a hardresser's
apprentice Wnen he has gratfed his vanity by
ehatterng 70 his acquaintance about the glar-
ing Improperly OF when ne has been guilty
ne nnds no more amusement in be having ike a
scoundreL Nine Eugene, however, having once
nlsconductee herself would "a her be hanged for
sheep than Tor lamb; and when she finds that
ANDRE VIII not supply her with the sheep required
she endeavors 70 take omantic revenge upon MIN
Dy CONCERNING him TO An nal regret for the
ioss vi that ~hach never rightly belonged 70 him.
Ah"re' upon MS part instead Of rel oiclng that he
u well out OF q discreditable scrape feels accord
sna to N. Cbamp1eury's accopnt-the accpracv nj /
which tnere Is some reason 20 doupt-es If Mime
Eugene had cut on one OF Als legs and az though
he were constantly suffering In the amputsted
limo. 1t s q simiIe rather forcibie than eleoant.
but NJ. Champneury must take the responslbitv
Of IT, The book Is wound up, usual, by an elo- |
Quent homily Oh the danger OF ca pabe connec- !
tons.
LIZ DocrEuR OK. BY NJ. Verne. lHetzel)
NJ Verne has published another collection O,
NOVELTIES or snort stories. winch will add much 10
his repute as author. The first ana most I'M
portant OF these reprints IL entitled DR. OK ?,
and is scientific squio, extremely gay and anus
ing. 1t might have been written by Edgar A. Poe
in his best vein OF humor bciore that splendid
imagination and that wonderful insight Into hid
den things which he possessed ,drifted away into
darkness. "a Drama In the Air''Vs an motioual
account OF the voyage OF two aAOnauts, one OF
whom is seized with 1t or raging madness while
they are above the clouds. "winterlng IN the
Ice" IL somore recital OF the dangers and suffer-
lngs winch must be expected by those VINO follow |
On 'ne traces oil Franklin and Parry. cdr. Zacba-
rias" IS a story which has grave moral presented
in fantastic form with startling fresbne.s and vi.
vacity. treveais that scientific pride may possibly